Getting Started with Watercolor ~ Watercolor Paints

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I would like to share with you some tips on how to get started with watercolor. It can be a daunting task if you don't know what supplies you need to get started. I'll be sharing with you what I've learned as a watercolor artist and what supplies I use. In the course of several days I'll be talking about paints, paper, brushes, and palettes as well as other materials and miscellaneous items to have on hand.

I will be honest with you and tell you upfront that I don't have a lot of experience with a variety of paints and brushes because I've enjoyed what I started with and I haven't strayed too far away from them. Supplies can get expensive quick so I have to keep myself from buying too many of everything, although it can be hard!

As you grow as an artist you will soon find what works for you. Eventually, through experimentation your supplies will become your personal choice as it should be with every artist. What works for one artist may not work for another.

One more thing, the suggested supplies can be found at any Hobby Lobby store or online store such as CheapJoes.com, DickBlick.com, Jerry's Artarama; you can do your own search online and price comparison, but I've purchased from these three before and know they are very reputable.

Tip #1--Don't buy the cheapest supplies! You get what you pay for and you will be frustrated with your work if you go the cheap route. However, buy the best that you can afford. Any artist/instructor will tell you this and it's the first lesson everyone should learn.

Paint--There are student grade and professional grade paints. If you can't afford the professional grade there are a couple of student grade paint brands that are acceptable. Paints come in tubes, pans, pencils, and other forms. My preference is tube paints and this is what I will be discussing.

If you want to go with a student grade I suggest using either Grumbracher Academy or Winsor & Newton Cotman brands. I believe these brands contain more pigment than filler and are the best quality for student grade. It's what I used when I started out.

I prefer using Terry Madden's line of tube paints. I've always been a big fan of his work and his products. I haven't tried many brands previously, but these paints are what I've chosen to paint with because of their vibrant colors and excellent quality, not to mention they are easy on the pocketbook. Another brand that I like are American Journey by Cheap Joes. I don't have a full palette of his colors, but I have used a few and I have witnessed through my artist friends who use them the vibrant colors that are produced with these paints. I think you'll be very happy with either one you choose, but my personal reccomendation would be to use Terry Madden's--available at Hobby Lobby or http://www.terrymadden.com/.

Here are some links of watercolor paints from online supply stores:
Terry Madden Watercolor Paints
Watercolor Paints at Cheap Joe's
Watercolor Paints at Blicks
Daniel Smith Watercolors

Next topic will be about watercolor papers. Feel free to leave comments and ask questions!

Preparing Collage Paper ~ Watercolor and Acrylics

In a class I'm taking we are working on Collage. These are four pieces I did to prepare for this project. These "paintings" were done on Stonehenge Printmaking Paper. You can purchase this paper through Cheap Joe's. I'll provide links at the end of this posting.

Supplies Used:
~Stonehenge Printmaking Paper
~Matte Medium
~Golden Fluid Acrylics
~Paint Brushes (Hake)
~Gather materials you can use to create texture (i.e.--saran wrap, bubblewrap, stamps, wax paper, cheesecloth, cotton gauze, rubbing alcohol, etc., etc.)

Process:
Prepare your paper surface with the matte medium. I used full strength and two layers, second layer lay down after the first dries. Apparently you can dilute the matte medium with water, but I did not find this out until today.

Pick a triad of colors and only use the three colors to lay down on your paper. Before anything dries use whatever you have set aside for texture and have it. Experiment with many different items. Create several pieces for your collage. You will save one for your "base painting" and the other ones for cutting, pasting, and layering in for your collage.

I'll post a picture of my final collage as soon as I've finished it. I have yet to figure out how I'm going to use my pieces. I'm still learning this collage stuff, but I find it very interesting.

Links:
Stonehenge Paper at Cheap Joe's
Golden Fluid Acrylics at Cheap Joe's
Da Vinci Fluid Acrylics at Cheap Joe's

I was informed today that Golden has increase their prices and Da Vinci is cheaper and work just as great. Your preference is up to you. I'm new to fluid acrylics so I have nothing to compare to, but I'm all for saving a few bucks. The supplies add up quick.

I take art classes from Pam Stanley. If you live in Corpus Christi and you are interested in art classes here is a link with some information. Classes are ending for the year, but will begin again in September.

http://www.wsstonline.com/workshops.html

This piece I did using the Stonehenge Paper, but instead of Acrylics I used my watercolors. Oh, and I was out of matte medium so it was done w/o preparing the paper. I will try and seal it with matte medium now that the paint is dry. I'll let you know how it goes.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/traceemurphy/3425160264/ Click on the link to view.

Beachscape ~ Watercolor Art

Here's another one of my beachscape paintings available for purchase in my Etsy store. This time I've included a pic of what it looks like matted.

Image Size: 4x6 inches

Mat Size: 8x10 inches

Beautiful Sky in Watercolor

Image Size: 4x6 inches
Mat Size: 8x10 inches ~ Ready for a standard size frame.
Watercolor on Paper

Availble for purchase in my Etsy Store.

Skies are always fun to paint, you never know how they will end up. I love laying down the paint and letting the colors mingle and work their majic. Sometimes they turn out the way I want and sometimes a total disaster and a redo is the only option, but most the time they turn out to be a beautiful blend of colors!

In this painting the sky is the main subject and sets the mood/tone for the whole painting. For me it looks to be the beginning of dusk when the sun just has a couple hours left to shine before it's time to light up the other side of the world.

The colors I used for the sky were a mixture of cerruleun and pthalo blue, perm rose, and a water mix of indian yellow. The perm rose and blues softly blended to create a soft violet color in the sky as well. This wasn't mixed on my palette, but came about as they mingled onto the wet paper. I used a wet-on-wet technique for the sky. This means I wet the sky area first with clean water before laying down the paint and used a watery mixture of paint when applied to the paper. I then used a little tissue to lift out some paint to form the small clouds.

Onece the sky was dry I moved onto the water and sand using the same colors so that the sky colors repeat and reflect onto the sand.

Country Landscape II ~ Watercolor Art by Tracee Murphy

This is similar to the one I listed yesterday. The composition is different, but the beautiful colors remain the same and is reminiscent of the country in Texas when the wildflowers have bloomed. They remind me of the Texas Hill Country in the spring and summer.

Country Landscape II
Image Size: 4 x 6 inches
Mat Size: 8 x 10 inches
Watercolor On Paper

My Etsy Store; Etsy Store ID: traceemurphy

Country Landscape Painting

Yes, I paint subjects other than sand dunes lol! This is a sweet country landscape. Spring is here, the wildflowers and trees are blooming. Down here in Texas I've noticed the bluebonnets are beginning to spring up too!

I also have a similiar painting that will pair very nicely with this one. They are both the same size and colors, but a different landscape. The second painting will be listed in my shop tomorrow. These come with a mat and are ready to pop into any standard size 8 x 10 inch frame!

Country Landscape
Image Size: 4 x 6 inches
Mat Size: 8 x 10 inches
Watercolor On Paper

My Etsy Store; Etsy Store ID: traceemurphy

New work to share ~ Watercolor Art by Tracee Murphy

Living on the coast offers boundless inspiration for my paintings. Here's one I painted last week. It's now available for purchase through my Etsy Store. Please stop by and visit. I have many wonderful pieces and I will be adding one daily to my store so please bookmark it and check back often. Thanks!

Image Size: 4x6 inches

Mat Size: 8x10 inches

Watercolor on Paper

Original watercolor painting. Offered in an 8x10 inch white, bottom weighted, musem style mat. Ready for a standard size 8x10 inch frame.

My Etsy Store (click here)