I’m a question collector.
Is that weird?
When I come across a question about watercolor, I write it down. I have a small notebook filled with questions. Ok, I might have more than one....or two.
I decided to go through them and answer the questions most asked by beginners. You probably know some of the answers but I bet you’ll still learn something new.
So without further ado, let’s dive in!
- Can I paint on plain paper or do I need to buy watercolor paper?
A: You can paint on plain paper but your result will be less than desirable. The type of paper you use for your watercolor painting has a huge impact on the quality of your finished painting.
Paper not made specifically for watercolor will not interact with the paint very well, certain techniques will be hard to create, and often the paper will easily tear up. It’s not worth the savings. Buy the best watercolor paper you can afford. You won’t regret it in the long run.
- What does “stretching” paper mean?
A: Stretching paper is the process of wetting your paper (some artists soak it for a few minutes) then fix it to a stiff support with tape or staples and then letting it dry completely before painting on it. The purpose is to avoid wrinkles, buckles and wavy paper during the painting process.
- What does it mean when you say 300 lb paper? What does paper weight mean?
A: paper comes in 3 basic weights, 90 lb, 140 lb, and 300 lb. The weight is determined by how much a ream (500 sheets) weighs. 90 lb paper is thin, least expensive, and must be stretched to avoid buckling. I don’t recommend it for beginners. Maybe in a sketchbook but not for a finished painting.
140 lb paper is the most popular weight among watercolor artists. It’s a mid-priced sturdy paper. It can be used without stretching if drier techniques are used. If you like to work moderately wet, then it must be stretched to avoid the buckling and wrinkling. 300 lb is thick and sturdy. It can stand up to many rough techniques such as scrubbing and lifting. It’s pricey but doesn’t need to be stretched.
- What is the difference between student grade paint and professional paint?
A: Student grade paints have a lower pigment to binder ratio than professional paints. They can fade and degrade quickly. Many beginner artists use them because they are less expensive than the professional paints. Professional paints have finer ground pigments mixed with the binder. They’ll produce consistent results and won’t fade or degrade if taken care of properly.
- What essential colors do I need to start painting?
A: Choosing paint colors can be very personal for artists. I encourage you to try out colors until you find the right ones that’ll produce the results you’d like. If you just want to get started, then the primaries (red, yellow, blue) could be a great starting point. If can mix a wide range of colors with just those 3 colors and it keeps expenses down. If your pocketbook is a little bigger, then you can add some convenience colors to the primaries. Green and brown would be good choices. Some artists start off with six colors (a warm and cool version of each primary color) two reds, two blues, and two yellows.
- What is the best brand of paint?
A: This is also a very personal preference. I encourage you to try different brands to find the one you like. Some brands I like are Winsor and Newton, Daniel Smith, and M. Graham. There are many other brands to choose from. Just visit an online art supply or your local brick and mortar art store if you have one to check out more brands.
- What types of brushes should I buy for watercolor?
A: The gold standard for watercolor is Kolinsky Sable. These brushes are renowned for their quality and high performance. Unfortunately, they have a high price that matches the high-performance reputation. I don’t recommend these for beginners. If you can afford them, then go for it! I personally like a brush made of a blend of natural and synthetic bristles. Research what’s right for you. Some art stores will allow you to try out the brushes right at the store before buying. I do recommend getting a selection of round brushes, flat brushes, and a wash brush to start off.
- What kind of palette should I buy to mix my paints?
A: A palette should have a good area for mixing washes, the wells should hold plenty of paint and it should have a cover for storage. Those are the main things to look for in a good palette. Size, number of paint wells, the material it's made from, etc is all personal preference.
- What is masking fluid?
A: Liquid latex used by artists to save the white of the paper. There isn’t white paint in transparent watercolor and the white color of the paper is used as the white. Masking fluid is placed where the artist wants the paper to remain white. Once the masking fluid is dry it can be painted over but the area underneath will remain white. Once the painting is dry, you can easily peel off the masking fluid to reveal the white underneath. Great for keeping the highlight areas too small to simply paint around.
And the number 1 question is:
- How do I control water and paint?
This question is a little more involved, so I created a short video to show you exactly how to control water and paint. How to control water
You will have to create a Kajabi account to get the course. No worries, it’s totally free.
Having trouble with the link? Shoot me an email: [email protected]
Still have a question? Shoot me an email! I’ll answer them ASAP.
