Sketching with watercolours
Sketching with watercolours is the oldest method of painting outside. Originally watercolours were used because they were easy to carry, but their use was restricted to only making rough sketches that were then later turned into oil paintings in the studio. It was only in the late 18th or early 19th century that artists began to paint watercolours as finished paintings in their own right.
So when you go out with your watercolours and begin to paint, you are carrying on an ancient tradition in the wake of artists such as Turner and Constable. That should encourage you!
What equipment will I need?
Click on the picture to find out what equipment and materials you will need for sketching outdoors in watercolour.
Using a pencil palette
Click on the picture to find out more about the 'pencil palette'.
Simplifying scenes
Learn how to simplify complex scenes to make them easier to paint.
Click on the picture to find out more.
Paint in three layers
Learn how to paint in just three layers for maximum simplicity and effect. Click on the picture to find out more.
Go straight in with the brush
Do you know that you don't have to draw with a pencil first before painting a watercolour. This sketch was painted directly onto the paper in my sketchbook, using the brush only. This has resulted in a much looser treatment of the subject (and a much faster sketch) than I could have produced if I had drawin it first. The temptation with drawing first is that you can end up just colouring in the shapes as a child would ina colouring book. This 'drawing with a brush' technique frees you up from that.
Note also that my painting has gone over the fold in the sketchbook and so covers two pages. Don't let the format of the book determine the format of your sketch!
Click on the picture to see a larger version.
Capture shadows at once
Paint shadows in as quickly as you can before the sun moves and they have changed.
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Pen and wash
Click on the picture to find out how to use the time-honoured methods of 'pen and wash' painting to capture details, shadows and textures.
Washing watercolour over pencil tones
Get the colours and tones right first time by painting over areas shaded with pencil.
Click on the picture to find out more.