Today's course of painting art: analysis of basic techniques of watercolor

As for the basic techniques, they can be simply divided into dry painting and wet painting, which can be classified according to different states of moisture, and can be further refined. For example, wet painting can be further subdivided into smearing and soft edges. Furthermore, some special techniques can be extended according to special tools, such as spreading salt and leaving white glue. Next, we will carefully analyze several common technologies and common problems with examples.

First, the flat coating method

Plane painting is one of the most basic and common painting methods in watercolor painting. First of all, we need to know what plane painting is for. What's the purpose? Generally, we will use the flat painting method to paint, that is, we will paint a uniform layer of color on a relatively large area. Before painting, we usually need to spread a layer of water on the drawing paper to make the color flow evenly without brush strokes and water marks.

Common painting examples: painting the background color of landscape painting, such as sunset, sky, ocean and so on. The background color shown below is a typical flat coating method.

Frequently asked questions:

1. uneven background color

Solution: When laying colors, try to bring out enough colors to prevent the painting from needing to be re-colored. Or the background color has dried up and the color can't be connected.

2. The brush strokes are obvious

Solution: Choose a suitable flat-headed pen according to the border to paint quickly. Before the last paint dries, quickly put pen to paper to make the color block even. You can also use a sponge instead of a flat pen to paint. In the process of painting, it is more difficult for the sponge to let the color flow down. Another reason is that the water content of the finished paint is different when the paint is applied repeatedly when it is quick-drying, and it is more prone to water marks.

3. The watermark is obvious

Solution: The obvious cause of water stain may be that there is more water on the pen than on the background color, and the pigment concentration is low when painting. Adjust enough pigments before painting to avoid secondary color matching. The second reason may be that there is too much water when spreading water, which makes the paper form puddles or bulges.

Second, the gradual flowering method

Gradient method is an upgraded version of plane coating method. Generally speaking, the gradual change from deep to shallow is easier to master, with more water and less pigment concentration in each stroke, which makes the picture form a natural gradual transition effect. You don't need to wash each pen, so it is easier to draw a comfortable gradient effect by keeping the pen in the same direction. Some friends may want to ask, is it possible to draw from the shallow to the deep? Of course, it is possible, but it will be more difficult to control, because every paint has to be repainted, which is not only a waste of time but also difficult to control, and it will be a little difficult for beginners.

Common painting examples: drawing the horizon, sunset, etc. , as well as the flat painting method, are widely used in landscape painting.

Frequently asked questions: Similar to the flat coating method, I won't explain it much.

Third, color mixing daubing method

The two methods mentioned before are monochrome. Then the mixed color smudge method needs to use two colors, or more than two colors. The operation is the same and it will be more difficult to control. We should not only consider the problem of moisture brush strokes, but also consider color matching. We should be aware of this before painting. First of all, we need to adjust enough colors in advance, and we need to think about what colors to match in advance. Beginners are advised to do experiments on sample paper before painting, because the color in the paint box and the color painted on paper may be different from what you think, and the color mixing effect needs more practice.

Common painting examples: drawing the horizon, sunset, etc. , as well as the flat painting method, are widely used in landscape painting.

Frequently asked questions:

In addition to the brush stroke problem and moisture problem we talked about before. There will also be some color matching problems. If you are not sure how to match colors, it is a good choice to try to draw a gradient color mixing card before drawing a complete work. Or you can choose similar colors in the color circle to be the safest, such as yellow and orange.

Fourth, the overlapping color method.

Simply put, overlapping color method is a way to paint dry color. In most cases, we can't show the ideal picture effect just by painting one layer. The point is, before coloring, make sure that the previous layer has been thoroughly dried to prevent smudging. In the actual painting process, it is often used in conjunction with other techniques, and local heavy color method can also be used to depict details. In order to save time, you can also prepare a hair dryer, but try not to start blowing when there is too much water on the paper, which will blow water everywhere and destroy the effect.

Common painting examples: drawing details of various objects, such as flowers, animal hair, plant veins, doors and windows of buildings, etc.

Frequently asked questions:

1. blooming

The solution is to ensure that the color of the previous layer is completely dry, and the colors of the two layers are not mixed. This requires that before painting, it is clear where and how to draw each step.

This color won't fade.

The solution is to ensure higher pigment concentration, darker color and less moisture in the process of color matching. Watercolor has the characteristics of high transparency, and because of this, there are also requirements for painting steps. You need to draw from shallow to deep, and each step is heavier than the previous one, so as to gradually enrich the picture effect.

Five, wet painting

Wet painting is one of the most important foundations in watercolor painting. Many beginners find watercolor difficult because wet painting is relatively difficult to master. Humidity control is the key to wet coating. In addition to the "transparency" we mentioned before, watercolor also has a feature of "fluidity". Liquidity is reflected in the application of various technologies, resulting in different effects. The key to flow is the state of "water" in painting.

The simple understanding of wet painting is to continue painting when the pigment is not dry and let different pigments blend naturally. Wet painting is more likely to show the transparency and hazy feeling of watercolor, but if the whole painting is wet painting, it will feel that the picture is too empty and fuzzy. Generally, dry and wet paintings are combined, with wet paintings as the background color and overlapping colors as the details.

Wet painting can be extended to many techniques, such as soft edge method: one side is hazy, and the other side has edges. You can use soft edge method if you want to faint the hazy side with clear water pen. For example, the dot dyeing method: gradually dot dyeing on the wet background color to gradually deepen the local effect. In a word, these technologies are applied flexibly on the basis of wetting. Through a lot of practice, we can sum up more experiences and learn from others.

Common painting examples: painting the background colors of various objects, such as the hazy texture of flowers, the fluffy texture of animal hair, the vigorous effect of landscape painting and so on.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Unable to control the degree of diffusion.

The solution is to observe the change of moisture first. The greater the humidity, the larger the diffusion area. The smaller the humidity, the smaller the diffusion area. Judging by the length of time, you can also know fairly well according to the experience of color matching.

2. Make mistakes when painting is wet.

The solution is to wash the wrong place with a paper towel before the picture is dry.

Six, scrubbing method

The key of scrubbing method is to understand the expression of "bright part" in watercolor. We also mentioned earlier that the characteristics of watercolor determine the painting order, from shallow to deep. The brightest place in the picture is the color of the paper, which can be left blank manually or with the help of special media. There is another way to express the bright part, that is, to grind or reflect the light part in a small area through the pre-laid background color. Use paper towels, or hard nylon brushes, sponges, etc.

Common painting examples: when drawing reflective surfaces of various objects, such as watercolors of characters, you can scrub off the reflection of the pupil with a small pen; When painting some light, like the light feeling of the sky and forest or the sea; The effect of backlight and so on.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Uncontrollable scrubbed area.

The solution is basically the same as wet coating.

2. I don't know how to choose the right tool

If it is the light from the sky or the forest, you can quickly scrub it on wet paper with a hard nylon brush; If it is the sun with sunset glow, you can pat the appropriate area with a paper towel or sponge.

For the light feeling of the above picture, brush with a flat brush while wetting.

The bright part in the middle of the above picture can also be dipped with a paper towel to wash off the excess pigment.

When laying the dandelion background color, wipe off the corresponding position with a paper towel.

Seven, dry coating method

We often understand the dry painting method, which seems to be more accurate. Paint on dry paper or dry base with little pigment. In order to increase a certain texture effect, dry painting will also be used.

Common painting examples: trees and grass in landscape painting, flashing effect of seascape, animal hair and so on.

Frequently asked questions:

Too much water can't draw the effect of dry painting.

In addition to controlling moisture, the solution can also be expressed by brushes, such as artificial hair with poor water absorption and so on.

Eight, special techniques: dripping method, salt sprinkling method.

Both dripping method and salting-out method aim to create special texture effects. It's all on a wet background, just drop some water or sprinkle some salt.

As for the dripping method, it is worth mentioning that this technology can be used to generate watermarks. Because in the process of painting, we often encounter water marks, and many friends will feel very headache and don't know how to deal with them. When we use the dripping method, we deliberately create water marks by dripping water, which is essentially the same as the reason why we don't want water marks at ordinary times.

Common painting examples: any picture effect that needs to add a sense of layering to the background will do.

Nine, special techniques: blank glue blank method

Blanking glue blanking method is a method of coating blanking liquid or blanking glue in advance where blanking is needed, and then erasing it after painting. As for the white liquor part, I wrote a special article "Watercolor Self-study Part V: Evaluation and Common Problems of White Liquor" before, and summarized the common problems and evaluation of several brands of white liquor.

Common painting examples: raindrops, seascapes, any picture effect that needs to be left blank in advance.

X. special technology: splash method

This technique is often used to set off the atmosphere, and some friends will find it too flattering or unorthodox. In my opinion, it is extremely easy for beginners to get started. For some picture effects, you can quickly activate the picture effects, especially painting the starry sky.

Common painting example: starry sky is the most common.

abstract

Finally, any technique needs to be used flexibly, and the appropriate technique can be selected according to the needs of different pictures. There is no need to pursue a technique excessively, and there is no idea that painting can only be wet. It is wrong to draw in other ways.

Many times in a painting, many techniques will be used. Only by truly understanding the essence of skills can we use them better. Below I use a daisy painting method to help beginners master these common basic skills at once: