Angela Gair - How to Paint

A Complete
Beginners Guide to
Watercolors, Acrylics,
and Oils

ANGELA GAIR AND IAN SIDAWAY

How to Paint

CompanionHouse Books is an imprint of Fox Chapel Publishers International Ltd.

Project Team

Vice PresidentContent: Christopher Reggio

Editor: Kaitlyn Ocasio

Copy Editor: Laura Taylor

Design: Wendy Reynolds with Chris Morrison

Index: Elizabeth Walker

Copyright 2019 by IMM Lifestyle Books

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Fox Chapel Publishers, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

ISBN 978-1-62008-300-0

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Gair, Angela, 1954 author. | Sidaway, Ian, author.

Title: How to paint / Angela Gair and Ian Sidaway.

Description: Mount Joy : CompanionHouse Books, 2018. | Includes index. | Identifiers: LCCN 2018033077 (print) | LCCN 2018033409 (ebook) | ISBN 9781620082997 (ebook) | ISBN 9781620083000 (paperback)

Subjects: LCSH: PaintingTechnique.

Classification: LCC ND1473 (ebook) | LCC ND1473 .G345 2018 (print) | DDC 750.28dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018033077

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This book has been published with the intent to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter within. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the author and publisher expressly disclaim any responsibility for any errors, omissions, or adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained herein.

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ANGELA GAIR AND IAN SIDAWAY

Preparation is the key to creating successful watercolors, and choosing good-quality materials and equipment is essential; however, the range of watercolor paints and equipment on display in art supply stores is quite daunting. One of the advantages of watercolor painting is that it requires only a few materialsmany a masterpiece has been created with just a few colors, a couple of brushes, a jar of water, and a sheet of paper. Start off with a few well-chosen basics, and then experiment with different brushes, colors, and papers. This section outlines all the paints and equipment you will need when you first start.

Watercolor paints are available in tubes and bottles of creamy paint and in small blocks of semimoist color called pans or half pans. There are two grades: artists and students. The students range is cheaper, but you will get better results from the artists range, which contains finer-quality pigments.

Tube color is richer than pan color and is useful for creating large areas of wash quickly; simply squeeze the paint onto a palette and mix it with water. The only disadvantage is that the paint can leak and solidify if the cap is not replaced properly after use.

Pan colors can be bought individually as well as in specials paint boxes with slots to hold the pans in place, and a lid that opens out to form a convenient mixing palette. They enable the artist to mix only a little paint at a time; this allows control of the mixes and is economical. Pans are especially useful for outdoor work since they are easily portable. It should be noted, however, it takes a little effort to lift enough color onto the brush to make a large wash.

As artists become more skillful, they tend to use fewer colors. You can produce a complete spectrum with a remarkably small selection of colors. Above are some standard choices for most artists palettes.

A selection of pencils, varying in hardness. Some artists like their initial sketch to show through in the finished work.

Pan colors are more economical and portable than tube colors. They are sold as cubes of paint.

Gouache is an opaque type of watercolor.

Gouache is an opaque type of watercolor made by binding the pigments with gum arabic and combining them with white chalk. The paint dries to an opaque, matte (flat) finish, quite different from the delicate transparency of pure watercolor, yet watercolor and gouache can be used together in the same painting with great success.

You do not need many colors to paint expressive pictures. Choosing a palette of colors to use is a personal choice. However, most artists use a basic palette of pigments that forms the backbone of their work, augmented by additional pigments if they are needed for a particular subject. Keeping to a small range of pigments encourages you to mix them together to create a range of subtle hues, while at the same time achieving a harmonious painting. There is no definitive basic palette; every artist will, of course, have their own special favorites. The colors described and illustrated in the sidebar on should meet most requirements.

Cadmium yellow pale

A strong, bright, warm yellow, very useful in mixes. When mixed with viridian green, it produces soft, warm greens.