How Do I Control Water?

How Do I Control Water?

I tend to always have to much water, and weak paint.
any suggestions.

Thanks,

Lois

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How Do I Control Water?

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Dec 16, 2010
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how to controll water
by: sergei

hello,
well, as a beginning watercolor fan, I descovered that it is not to controll water but rather cooperate with it what we need to learn. During my several months experience, I realised that most interesting spots on my watercolors were those where the water was out of controll doing its marvelous work. I'm sure you know that very well.
When I'm about to paint, I usually wet my paper in my bath tab, having filled it with cold water about 10-12 sm., or 5inch. deep for 10-15 minutes (i use watman paper: it's cheep and good). Tnen holding the sheet so that one angle is up, i let the water run off (i think it's importent). then I spread the soaked paper on a big sheet of glass I usually use as a table to paint on. the glass in its turn does not soak in the water out of paper, allowing it to remain wet long. And that is where you really start experiencing! After having thrown away many marred pictures, I realised that I should start from spots where least details were needed: eg the sky, the water etc. And then, when your water gradually evaporats, you should learn how to proceed to more details accordingly. Of course, that works if you paint something that does not take long time (now i'm experiencing with long time water-colours). I take a very thick fill of pigment with my brush, and like putting several layers (you may call it: glasin). it makes your work rich and colourfoll, and even though you create a spot that doesn't look transperant, it is yet evident that it is water-colour - not guash. So, to your using a lot of water - use a lot of pigment, and your pictures will be outrageous. Sorry for my strange English: I'm russian.
Sergei.

Oct 26, 2010
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At Last!
by: Lyle

I've read a few very good books on water colour painting, but none of them really get to grips with this part, which I find baffling.
How much is enough? How thick do you mix?
At least now I know how to avoid lightening colours by simply adding water! That may seem ridiculous to some, but it was a veiled window to me.

Mar 11, 2009
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Controlling water
by: MARY ANN

Lois,
I also use lots of water when I paint, but one little tip is to blot your brush at the ferrule (where the bristles meet the handle). This will take some of the water out of the brush but not so much pigment. Of course, the best thing to do is keep your paints in individual covered containers like the Possum Palette, (SEE: http://www.watercolor-painting-tips.com/watercolor-palettes.html/ ) and they will always be juicy and thick and ready to use.

Feb 14, 2009
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Water Control
by: Shirley

Well it is good that you USE your water most watercolourists do not use enough water. One way to control how much water you use is to paint the dark colour first in a cream consistency and get another damp brush and come from the other side and touch the paint allowing it to run into a middle tone. OR load you brush up with lots of juicy paint. I find the painters who have weak watery paintings are the ones that do not squeeze out enough paint on their palette. Hope this is helpful.

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