LESSON #91 - Peach Blossoms

[Danielle123]

Tania, myself I can not copy the formula I always have to wright it, bummer.

[Pinuccia]

Danielle and Tania   . 

[ncwren]

Nice work on this and the castle Pioccia! 

[Pinuccia]

Thank you Natalie.

[Denise808]

Very pretty peach blossoms Pinuccia!

[Pinuccia]

Thank you Denise. Hope I can post my next lesson !!!!!!!!!!! I love hearing from you girls. Ciao.

[dragonmiroff]

Hi all, I have been practicing watercolour painting with the blossoms. I want give this as a present but i am having some problems. I find even though I use the masking fluid the paints seeps into paper. Is this because I am using the paint with too much water? I have the same problem with the stamens etc at the end. Another point is that I am using very cheap paper approx 100lb. Could this be the reason?

On upside, I am improving. The first picture was done without the video just the text guide. The second with the video. I am also using Japanese paints (long story) so I do not have the named hence colours slightly different.

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[Val]

It does take practice to get the water/paint ratio right, but it will pay off so persevere with that. Practice on colour wheels, a few of those will get you sorted plus you'll know just what you can do with your colours.     I struggled a lot with cheap paints until I could get good quality paints. The difference is night and day. The same was true with the paper.  You don't have to break the bank, just get the best you can afford. You don't need a ton of paints to start. Your three primaries will get you going, and then you can add an extra now and again to increase your mixing capabilities.

Cheaper and light weight papers can put you right round the twist  I've been that route as well! One I found and worked with through my beginning stages and worked well was Cottman 140lb. paper. In fact I do use still use it when doing the classes. I save my Arches now for doing my originals. Mainly because it is hard to find where I am so have to make it last.

I think if you start by getting a good quality paper you'll have a much easier time of it. Then get good quality paints, make a couple of colour wheels, and you'll be off and away in no time! 

I can see you really had a struggle in the first painting. Your second is much better. It shows better control overall. The colours don't have to be the same as used in the lessons. Practice your values/strengths of paint. They are more important than the colour. If your values are right, the painting will look right. You are doing fine, take your time and practice, practice, practice!        

[dragonmiroff]

Hi Val/all
 First Thank you Patricia soo much this was one of your pressies to me. Second thanks for reply Val. I have some better paper so will try that. Thanks for the tip.

Thanks again

Leanne

[MaryAnne Long]

Big improvement in the second painting.

Val has given you some good advice.

Look forward to watching you improve.

Aaloha

mea

[njnjgirl]

Your second painting is lovely.  If you are struggling with too much water, here is a little tip.   When you pick up your color, before applying it to your painting, just dab the brush onto a paper towel quickly.  This will remove the excess water and make it easier to handle.  This little tip helped me a lot. 

Cheap paper also does not handle a lot of water very well.  I have had my fair share of struggles with that too.  I use Strathmore watercolor pads for classes and practice and it works well and is not too expensive.  Like Val, I save my Arches for originals..

  You are on your way and will be doing well in a short time I am sure.  You just need to settle in with right tools.

[Sacgal/Sharon]

Good for you for practicing with this lesson - one of my favorites of the floral WC classes. And I'm delighted to read you've switched to a better paper - that, and artist quality paints make such a difference. Of course, you must buy what you can afford, so keep the good paper for your originals/gifts and the rest for your practices...

[dragonmiroff]

Hi all. Didn't realise that it was a newish class. I have had another go. This time I used Daler Rowney 140lb aquafine smooth. Noticed the difference straight away. I went too dark with the colours but no paint leakage  but overall an improvement.

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Ps I am using Kuretake 36 paint set. They seem very good.

[MaryAnne Long]

Excellent improvement.You are a fast learner.

aloha

mea

[musika]

Ps I am using Kuretake 36 paint set. They seem very good.

Although a good quality paint, they are not the normal range of watercolours. This video explains why they are not the best for watercolour pieces where transparency is needed although they work well for illustration and such. They are more towards the gouache spectrum.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HMHdoYr8IM>

Here's the English colour names.
<http://www.rebekahrjones.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/gansai-tambi-colors.jpg>