Sarah Van Der Linden - Learn to Watercolor: The Essential Techniques in 10 Projects

Learn to Watercolor First published in the United States in 2022 by Stash Books, an imprint of C&T Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549 First published in French by Mango, Paris, France2021 www.mangoeditions.com This edition of L'aquarelle first published in France by Mango ditions in 2021 is published by arrangement with Fleurus ditions. PUBLISHER: Amy Barrett-Daffin CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Gailen Runge ACQUISITIONS EDITOR: Roxane Cerda ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Jennifer Warren ENGLISH-LANGUAGE COVER DESIGNER: April Mostek ENGLISH TRANSLATION: Kristy Darling Finder PRODUCTION COORDINATOR: Zinnia Heinzmann To Guillaume, for his unconditional support in each of my projects. To Catherine and Jean-Laurent, for having always encouraged my creative desires. After studying law for two years, in the end I turned to photography and made it my career. My favorite subjects were graffiti, the artists hidden behind these paintings, and abandoned places.

I am fascinated by the connection between painting and nature reclaiming its rights. But little by little, the daily routine and the grayness of city life stifled all my desires, to the point that for a period of my life, I no longer had any activity that stimulated my imagination. I had to leave the city for the countryside to rediscover my creative soul and to explore this world that had become unknown to me. A leaf, a blade of grass, or a cloud has a much greater evocative power than any urban element. Shortly thereafter, I threw myself into watercolor, and my fascination with this medium only grew over time. There is something magical in observing the reaction between water and pigment, seeing the colors diffuse, and being able to create with ease.

I firmly believe that nature, inspiration, and imagination are inextricably linked, and for me, one doesnt work without the others. I am an eternal optimist, and I believe that it is never too late to learn and that the hardest part is taking the first step. This is why I launched my website in 2019, to share both step-by-step watercolor ideas and also inspiration across the seasons. Website: mirglis.com Instagram : @mirglis Paint and Paper Paint Watercolors consist of a binder, most often gum arabic; pigments; and a wetting agent. They come in two qualities: fine or extrafine. The extrafine variety is richer in finely ground pigments, which makes it more expensive.

It comes in a pan (as a solid) or a tube (as a paste). What makes watercolor special is that it can be reactivated with water, making it infinitely reusable: Youll find that a pan lasts a long time! To get started, I suggest getting yourself a box of fine watercolors in half-pans containing a dozen colors, including the three primaries (blue, red, and yellow) as well as a pink and a gray. The color white is not useful, as the white is actually the white of the paper. I recommend the Van Gogh brand, which offers several varieties of boxes, or the La Petite Aquarelle set from Sennelier. You can then complete your palette by purchasing individual half-pans of your favorite colors in extrafine quality. Paper Watercolor paper is distinct due to its high weight, at least 300g/m2.

This thickness allows it to better withstand wetness with less curling. As with the paint, you will find different qualities depending on whether the paper is made of cellulose or of 100% cotton. The latter is more resistant to wetness and dries more evenly; it is also more expensive. You will find three textures: hot-pressed (smooth), cold-pressed (also known as not), and rough. The cold-pressed paper is the easiest for beginners. Watercolor paper comes in the form of a block glued together on all four sides, in sheets, or in a pad.

The advantage of the block is that your sheets are already fixed in place, allowing you to work easily in the wet. The surface is not the same on both sides, so use only the front side. Ideally, you would have two different blocks of paper: one of cellulose to make tests, and one of cotton to paint more elaborate creations. Being able to alternate between the two should assuage any fear of wasting paper! I recommend the Fontaine line from Clairefontaine. Its value for money is very good, and it is the one I use throughout this book. Brushes and Additional Materials Brushes There are all kinds of brushes: round, fine, wash, fan You will find them with synthetic fibers or natural hair and varying in size.

This is indicated by the number on the brush handle. For starting out, I recommend a medium-sized, fine-tipped, flexible round brush that will allow you to paint fine lines but also to create all kinds of shapes. I really like the Neptune range from Princeton; a size 8 works well for multiple uses, and this is the model I use for all the designs in this book. You can also choose to supplement it with a size 0 wash brush to cover larger areas and a very fine brush for details. Additional Materials A palette Having a dedicated space to mix colors is essential because watercolor is never used directly from the pan; the paint needs to be diluted before being applied to the paper. Whether plastic or porcelain, the important thing is that the palette is white so that the colors are true.

If you dont want to invest in a palette right away, you can also use the inside cover of your watercolor box. A cup of waterA cloth or paper towelA pencil and an eraserDrawing gum and a thin, low-end brush for application Drawing gum or masking fluid is a thick liquid used to preserve the white of the paper. Its gluey consistency will quickly damage a brush, which is why I recommend using a cheap brush. Painters tape or masking tapeHousehold materials for creating textures: Table salt, white ink, 90% rubbing alcohol, cotton swabs. Mastering Color Creating a Color Chart A color chart is the perfect first step for discovering how watercolor works and getting to know your materials. The final result of a color is very different from what you see in the dry pan, so making a color chart lets you know what each color really looks like.

Because you will refer to it later, its important to place the colors in the exact same order as on your palette for easier reference. Dip your brush in your cup of water and wring it out around the edge to remove excess water. You will need to do this every time you rinse your brush. Wet your first color, then take some paint with the tip of your brush. Place this color on your palette. Place this color on the paper to form a rectangle.