Watercolor Painting - Putting it together

A subscriber to my newsletter recently asked how he should begin
to piece everything he has learned in watercolor painting together.

He felt overwhelmed by everything had had currently learned, and
wanted to know how he could try and make sense of it all. And
how I could help him through this phase.

I thought others would also likely be facing this same situation, so
I've reproduced my response on my blog for you to also read.

So please enjoy.

I love being in a candy shop, art shop, art magazine or the Library.
I can't get enough information and all other artists I know are the
same.

Except, those who think they know it all. I had one teacher who used
to say all the way through the lesson that his technique was perfect. I
lasted a month.

I think it was Monet or Renior who said to his son at the ripe old age
of 93 " I'm happy, I think I know now what art is about". I bet he had
lots of books and prints in his collection.

Me, I can't get enough, Just got some new art books for my 60th, these
days it's the only way I can. Some of the watercolor artists books I
have and love are Segas, Wesson, Chamberlain, Ray Campbell Smith,
Fletcher Watson, Alwyn Crawshaw, Ted Kauksky, Joseph Zbukvic,
Jack McDonogh and that's just a few.

I just take what I want from each artist. There are watercolor
artists who paint soft edges by placing a damp towel or damp
blotting under their watercolor paper to keep it wet or artists paint
mostly hard edges.

Someone recently asked what do you offer that others haven't
already done so.

I think the simple answer to that is me, my journey, what I've learnt
over the years. Nobody in the history has ever painted the same
as anyone else.

They may look the same but their work is unique.

One of Australia's greatest artists stopped painting for about 2 yrs
because he said to himself, " It's all been done before."

Then he realised, "but hey, I haven't done it.".

He taught me a lot with that statement and in fact I have recently
gone back to his classes to refine my figures and animals.

My motto is " keep learning ".

About 12yrs ago I stayed at this hotel and the manager asked
where I was going? I said "to paint the Blue Mountains" Don't bother
they've been painted to death.

My reply " I haven't painted them. "

We have all learnt from other artists, books, DVD"s etc.,

I would buy all the books etc., that I can.

I look at the cover and if I like the painting,even though I've never
heard of the artist, then I will buy it,when I can afford it.

Some artists spend a day painting skies, then they paint a
landscape et., to suit the sky later. Save a lot of paint that way.

To me a painting is like a whole lot of doodles that make up a
complete picture.

I've seen artists paint shadows opposite to the way they
should go, to suit the composition.


Remember the greatest teacher of all is NATURE!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOD bless.
Alan Woodland.
P.S. Please leave a comment so we can discuss this further.