Watercolor Tip #4

Design is more important than technique!

Another way to look at this is to say that no matter how good your technique is if the design is not right you will not produce a good painting.

As someone (say a judge) walks towards your painting the first thing they will observe is the overall design of your work. Only when they get closer will they observe the quality of your watercolor washes, brush strokes, etc. I am often surprised when I look at a new students work from the side of my eye and I see a nice piece of work, only to notice areas of potential improvement in technique as I get closer.

So the first impression someone has of your work is based on its design and it will stay with them.

Give yourself some time to plan through your design as once you start painting it may be too late to correct any faults in this area.

Hope this is of some help.

Joe

Society of Artists, Newcastle Workshop

Nepean River, Penrith

Surf Beach, Bateman's Bay

I just finished running a one day workshop for the Society of Artists in Newcastle. Here are the two paintings that were done. Seventeen people attended the workshop in their beautiful premises (an ex-bowling club) and a lot of fun was had by all.

Joe

Watercolor Tip #3

The sky is usually the lightest part of your painting - better too light than too dark.
If you paint your sky to strong a tone then you will have to paint other parts of your painting even stronger which will reduce the transparency of your painting i.e. if it your paint has to go on too thick to retain its correct tonal relationship amongst its various parts.