Danielle Donaldson - The Art of Creative Watercolor: Inspiration and Techniques for Imaginative Drawing and Painting

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GRANDMA EVELYNThank you for the memory of the steadfast ticking of so many clocks, quiet kitchen-table coloring and a plate of cinnamon toast nearby.

GRANDPA LANIERFor each time you welcomed me with a cheerful Hello, Doll, and a sweetsmelling rose from your little garden, thank you.

LOVE AND MISS YOU BOTH,

Danielle

Creative Practicing: a process where we search for and find our own creative voice, our signature style. Inspired by everything, we grow creatively by practicing over and over. This leads us to the magical moment when we make our art our own.

Between the covers of this book, youll discover an alphabetized watercolor world filled with rainbow-infused illustrations, imaginative techniques and start-to-finish projects.

With this book, you will learn to grow your own creative practice while you:

• Take an in-depth look at the supplies that are used in watercolor illustration.
• Discover the importance of developing creative muscle memory in your studio and your art.
• Pay attention to common creative threads in your work that can grow into your signature style.
• Learn to value your time and energy with practical solutions to move you past the parts of your process when you dont know how to move it forward.
• Organize and learn new techniques in focused, easy-to-follow ways. Use this opportunity to focus on specific subjects and techniques while avoiding boredom and becoming overwhelmed.
• Tap into your stash of paper scraps, ribbon and other ephemera to take the guesswork out of choosing colors for your illustrations.
• Get to know your watercolor palette and implement basic watercolor techniques, using a balance of control and letting go.
• Learn to play with color with alternative exercises to color chartmaking.
• Dive into the details of composition and implementing it to tell your visual stories through placement and color.
• Using just a pencil, grow your small-scale drawing skills by breaking down objects and putting them back together again.
• Learn how to add depth to your work with an introduction to one-point perspective.
• Try simple ways to add hand lettering to your artwork and practice pages.
• And, most important, learn to appreciate the unpredictable nature of watercolors and the unplanned beauty it offers you in your creative process.

In the next few pages, I want to share my favorite supplieswith a twist. First, Ill go over my consumables and the tools I use on a regular basis. Occasionally, Ill mention the specific brands or types of supplies and tools I use, but please use what you have on hand or can afford until you have explored the book further! Next, Ill give you a breakdown of different brush types and what they are typically used for in watercolor. Then for the twist: Ill share a important aspect of my process, the development of creative muscle memory and its application in my workspace. Its an integral part of my productivity and I encourage you to make it a part of yours. (So intriguing, right?) Last, but certainly not least, one of the most important pages in this book: a list of solutions for when you get frustrated or stalled in the artistic process. Because your time and energy should be valued. Always.

WATERCOLOR PAPERAs a drawer and painter of very small things, I prefer tapebound pads of watercolor paper that are easy to cut down to whatever size I may need or precut sheets. Always buy artist-grade paper. Always. Nothing is more frustrating that taking a ton of time to draw your illustration only to be thoroughly disappointed after your first wash of watercolors. The paper should indicate a weight no lower than 140-lbs. (300gsm). In this book, I use a variety of cold-pressed (rough) papers. I know that it seems like hot-pressed paper (smooth) would make a better choice given the size of my illustrations, but I find it harder to create interesting washes with hot-pressed paper, which seems to dry faster than its counterpart. I suggest experimenting with different papers until you find a favorite.

WATERCOLOR PAINTSI began painting with tube watercolors in high school and college (yes, it was forever ago!) but have since discovered that pan watercolors pack an equal, color-filled punch and have the added benefit of portability. In the last year or so, I discovered Daniel Smith tube watercolors, a big game changer for me. But whats a girl to do? I need to be able to grab my watercolors and go! I decided to transform my new tube watercolors into pan watercolors by filling empty half pans and allowing them to completely dry. Once dry, I added them to my pan palette. The result: perfect paint stored in the most effective way for a wandering artist! I suggest making an investment in the highest-grade watercolors you can afford. You dont need a plethora of colors to start; you can build your palette over time. And a tube or pan lasts almost forever.

MECHANICAL PENCILSI know a ton of folks look at my art and swear that I use a pen, but I illustrate only with mechanical pencils with .3mm lead. I find they give me the most consistent lines with very fine detail and the opportunity for do-overs if I keep an eraser handy. Keep in mind that you can change the type of lead in the pencils to suit your needs. I keep some of my pencils loaded with HB (standard) and others with 2H (harder) lead. Have you ever wondered what the HB stands for? The B stands for soft and H stands for hard. As the number gets higher with the H lead, it marks harder and lighter. As the number goes up with the B, it marks softer and darker. I tend to stay in the middle, as the high-H leads dent paper more easily, making it hard to erase, and the high-B leads smudge all over the place.

BRISTOL PAPERI cannot understate the value of pencil-only practice. Its the step everyone wants to skip, mostly because it is hard, repetitive and void of color. But if you think about it, how many mistakes could you avoid with a little practice? When I am working on object breakdowns, repetitive practice or composition thumbnails, I prefer to use loose sheets of bristol paper. Its a heavy-weight paper thats bright white and smooth.