Gina Lee Kim - Fast and Fun Watercolor: Painting Techniques, No Drawing Required!

Gina Lee Kim

artistsnetwork.com

To Jim, for believing.

To Stephen, for always wanting to paint the planets and stars with me.

140-lb. (300gsm) cold-pressed watercolor paper

Bright Rose, Bright Violet, Cobalt Teal, Gamboge, Gold (gouache), Hansa Yellow, Indigo, Iridescent Electric Blue, Leaf Green, Marine Blue, Peacock Blue (or Phthalo Blue), Permanent Green Light, Quinacridone Gold, Quinacridone Rose, Quinacridone Violet, Scarlet Lake, Titanium White (gouache). Turquoise Green (gouache), Ultramarine Blue, Ultramarine Violet, Viridian, Van Dyke Brown, Winsor Orange

nos. 4, 5, 8, 12, 16 and 20 rounds; nos. 5 and 6 riggers; 12" (13mm) flat; small scrubber

watercolor pencils, extra-fine Sharpie Water-Based Paint Markers (black and white), white china marker, pan watercolors, acrylic paints, oil pastel sticks, crayons, dimensional paint with an applicator tip, gold and silver acrylic ink, walnut ink, Daler-Rowney Ranger Perfect Pearls Pigment Powder (Perfect Pearl) Amaco Wax Resist, Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground (white), Golden Clear Tar Gel, Golden Crackle Paste, Golden Fiber Paste, Golden Glass Bead Gel, Golden Light Molding Paste, Liquitex Ceramic Stucco, Liquitex Natural Sand, matte medium, QoR Cold Press Ground, QoR Watercolor Ground, gum arabic, Winsor & Newton Iridescent Medium, collage papers including origami and book papers, white copier paper, foil sheets (light green), gold gilding flakes, salt, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, washi tapes, glue stick or tape roller, white glue, foil glue, Ranger Stickles Glitter Glue (Star Dust, Copper), twig or tree stencils, Ranger Mini Ink Blending Tool, craft knife, scissors, fringe scissors, scraper tool, palette knife, spray bottle

Welcome to Fast & Fun Watercolor, a prismatic journey guided by color and mixed-media techniques. The goal of this book is to make watercolor fun and approachable, fast and achievable. By making color the emphasis and then incorporating mixed-media techniques, we can reduce the stress of having to draw things out perfectly in order to begin painting. Forget about making an accurate sketch with photographic likeness. Apply what you intuitively know and be impassioned by the color first.

This book is divided into two parts. Part I is about all of the toolsboth literal and figurativenecessary to an artists life. Ill introduce art supplies, discuss color theory and help you set up a palette based on the color wheel. Ill also provide some tips on how to invite lifelong creativity and cultivate artistic well-being. Ill cover what I practice in the studio, how to find your authentic style and how to keep going when you get creatively stuck.

Part II focuses on artistic application. This is where we bring our tools out to play! Well explore watercolor and mixed-media as we work our way around the color wheel, with each step-by-step technique demonstration featuring a different hue.

My goal with this book is to help your artistic process become a positive experience. Its truly an exciting thing to mix media with watercolors, and I hope that this will allow you to see and think about your artwork in new ways. Personally, I know Im more relaxed about my art when color is the emphasis rather than a perfect drawing. May we always make art like a childimmersed in joyful freedom and uninhibited happiness.

Calm Trees

Gina Lee Kim

Watercolor on 140-lb. (300gsm) cold-pressed watercolor paper

9" 12" (23cm 30cm)

Well set off with some basic information about the art materials and supplies I use in my studio. Then we will explore the fundamental aspects of color theory and how to interpret certain color combinations. An informative pigment chart will help you choose your watercolors. (This is something I wish I'd had when I was starting out!)

Next, Ill walk you through my personal painting approach and working method. Ill provide tips for keeping preparations simple and for creating a workstation that respects your artist tools.

Finally, well devote some time to honoring the artists life, with advice on inviting lifelong creativity and cultivating a healthy sense of artistic well-being. How do we sustain an art practice? How do we handle creative frustrations and setbacks? How do we stay motivated? How do we entice the muse to stay a little longer? We'll consider these questions and more while learning to create a healthy and inviting physical, mental and emotional space.

I dont consider myself a creativity expert, but I can share with you the strategies that have helped me navigate this world and embrace my own vulnerability as a working artist. Thats what I love so much about sharing inspirationwhen I get inspired, it not only helps me on my own path, it stirs something very tangible and hopeful in others. At the end of the day, we all could use some kindness and support.

Rumi Says It's Today

Gina Lee Kim

Watercolor and mixed media on 140-lb. (300gsm) cold-pressed watercolor paper

9" 12" (23cm 30cm)

Not all of the items shown here are mandatory to get started. Art supplies are expensive, so I always encourage my students to use what they have already and slowly build from there.

I like to organize my art supplies into two categories: watercolor and mixed media. Because Im primarily a watercolorist, my studio table is dedicated to watercolor supplies that are nearby and always available.

• Tube watercolor paints
• Gouache paints (make sure to have white)
• Color wheel palette or any palette that has at least twelve wells

• no. 20 round (extra large or jumbo)
• no. 12 round (large)
• no. 8 round (medium)
• no. 5 round (small)
• no. 6 script liner or rigger

• Water containers (one for initial cleaning and another for final rinsing)
• Paper towel or rag
• Salt (creates star-like textures)
• Rubbing alcohol (creates ring-like textures)
• Crayons (make sure to have white)
• Watercolor pencils

• Heavier paper means less warping. I use 90-lb. to 140-lb. (190gsm300gsm) cold-pressed watercolor paper

PALETTE I love my standard color wheel palette. Notice there are additional wells for ancillary or convenient colors.