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Keep Your Watercolor Painting Simple - Paint From Light to Dark
by Michael Dale

What does 'Light to Dark' mean?

Simply, it is the way watercolor washes are applied to the surface of watercolor paper. The idea is to lay wash over wash to build color strength and tone... from Light to Dark.

This is done by first using thin watered down color to reduce the starkness of the white paper
Once the first light tone wash is dry, the next slightly stronger wash is applied
After the second wash has dried, a third darker wash can be painted
And then the next still darker wash is added... and the next...

'Light to Dark' is the first and most important rule of watercolor painting. It is a rule that is hard to ignore. Although there are occasions when you can get around it, the principle gives you a cast iron guarantee against unwanted painting errors.

In theory, you can continue to apply as many further washes as you want. However, as you add more washes the transparency of the color reduces. This is not what most artists want to happen. It is the white of the paper shining through the color that gives watercolor paintings their extra life.

Top watercolor painters can do this almost all of the time, often needing no more than 4 washes to get best results...

Another reason for keeping the number of washes to a minimum is that it reduces the disturbance of the lower washes. It keeps the color quality high because earlier washes aren't dissolved into the newer washes.

If you ignore the 'Light to Dark' rule by trying to paint light colors over dark color, your light colors are lost...

Light washes over dark have no strength because they have less color pigment
Light washes, with more water, pick up pigment from lower washes and lose their strength to the stronger darker under-wash

Painting light tones before dark tones is what gives watercolor paintings their sparkle and brilliance...

Color luminosity is increased by light reflecting from the white of the paper, back through the color. This is where the vibrancy of watercolor comes from...

It is the paper that you should be trying to use as your white
It is the white of the paper reflecting though the transparent watercolor pigment that adds to color quality
It is the texture of the paper that makes watercolor color sing, with light bouncing back at different angles

When watered down most watercolor pigments are naturally transparent and let light pass through. It does this because...

For light colors there is less color on the paper surface... pigment particles are widely spread, letting the white of the paper shine between
For dark colors there is more color covering the paper surface... pigment particles are crammed together to hide the paper surface... the white of the paper cannot reflect through dense color particles

Only when the color pigment is at its strongest (unthinned) does it become opaque and resist light passing through.

Remember, with watercolor painting, water is the solvent... it acts as a 'Thinner'. By altering the amount of water in the mixing process you can change color strength...

Use more water for light color tones
Use less water for stronger darker color tones

Given a choice between looking at paintings that use bright vibrant color and pictures that have dull dead color...

"What would be your choice... Light, bright, clear and refreshing to look at?"

Michael Dale is the author of 1- Color Is Best (the quick and easy way to learn to paint watercolor) and 3- Colors Are All You Need (mix any color you want fast using only 3 colors).
Go to http://www.Paint-And-Draw.com to find out more.

watercolour books and oil painting books

Find books about painting and drawing

The Encyclopedia of Watercolour Landscape Techniques by Hazel Soan
A Comprehensive A-Z Directory of Techniques, with an Inspirational Gallery of Finished Works

Collins Painting Workshop: Watercolour Landscapes from Photographs
by Ron Ranson
"Starting with the original photograph, you are shown how the watercolour develops, from initial pencil sketch through to finished painting .."

Sea and Sky in Watercolour by Arnold Lowrey
"A quality teaching aid for every painter in watercolours .."

Teach Yourself Watercolour Painting by Robin Capon
"Teach Yourself Watercolour Painting shows you how to master all the main watercolour techniques and, through a range of exercises, step-by-step examples and finished paintings .."

The Complete Watercolour Artist by Sally Harper
Materials, Techniques, Colour Theory, Composition, Style, Subject

Watercolour: Planning and Drawing by Alan Oliver
Fine watercolour book beautifully illustrated

Creating Impressionist Landscapes in Oil by Colley Whisson
"This delightful book is definitely one for your artist's reference collection.."

Capturing Radiant Color in Oils by Susan Sarback, Paula Jones
"A hands-on, step-by-step course on seeing and painting colour in oils .."

The Encyclopedia of Oil Painting Techniques by Jeremy Galton
A Unique Step-by-step Visual Directory of All the Key Oil Painting Techniques

Painting With Water Soluble Oils by Sean Dye
11 artists show you how to create successful paintings with this exciting
new medium

Collins Alwyn Crawshaw's Oil Painting Course by Alwyn Crawshaw
"I can wholly recommend this book to anyone who is remotely interested in trying oil painting .."

Art School Introduction: Oil Painting Portraits by Ray Smith
"lets you into the secrets of how professional artists produce their work.."

An Introduction to Painting Portraits by Rosalind Cuthbert
"packed with practical information and advice on capturing a good likeness, understanding proportion, developing fluency and selecting the right medium when painting a portrait .."

Oil Paintings from Your Garden: A Guide for Beginners Rachel Shirley
Relax and enjoy oil painting at home in your garden

Painting Still Lifes Step by Step Mary McLean
A guide to painting still life

Figure Painting in Oil by Douglas R. Graves
"systematic approach to painting the nude figure in oils provides clear, step-by-step instructions suitable for both beginning and intermediate artists .."

How to Draw Anything by Mark Linley
"An interesting and useful book for those wanting to learn how to draw, and for those wanting to improve their drawing skills.."

How to Cartoon or Caricature Anyone by Mark Linley
"This book really told me loads of stuff about drawing .."

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Websites related to painting and drawing

www.simplypainting.com
The Official Website of Frank Clarke, one of the World's Leading TV Artists whose show is shown on over 250 television stations worldwide.

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Free help for students of watercolour including tips and hints and doodles to try.

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