| Author | Message | ||
  Ray |
I am new to watercolor. I'm taking a class currently, and I'm really enjoying it. One of the things we are doing is trying methods for different skies. Does anyone have any tips, tricks etc? How do you go about skies? Wet/wet, wet/dry, dry/dry.. favorite colors, favorite brushes, special things to watch out for???... any input would be appreciated. I really have enjoyed everyone's posts on this site... this is great. Thanks in advance... | ||
Geeky2 |
Just my opinion, since I am also just learning watercolor after painting in oils....the English style watercolors have some of the most beautiful skies I've ever seen, and books (some out of print, but libraries may have them) by Rowland Hilder, the Ron Ransom books, and even the less expensive books by Ray Campbell Smith, have very pretty skies. They all use a limited palette, and are quite easy to do. There is also a good site (Can't remember what it is) by __Elliott, at a Donnington site. Search on both names. He has some really good watercolor lessons. Jean | ||
Geeky2 |
Just remembered: I think Wetcanvas art discussion board also has some sky demos now, I believe by Rod. They have some good demos all of the time. Jean | ||
RMoore |
Favorite brush for watercolor skies - the Robert Simmons White Sable Skyflow wash, in the 1 and 1/2 and 2" sizes. Got mine from Cheap Joe years ago and love them. | ||
Donna |
My favorite way of doing skies is to wet the paper first. Then with the piece on an easel or propped up, float the color on in broad strokes (2" or larger brush) so it blends together. Lay the color down and leave it alone! Then if there are clouds, I blot them out with tissue just before it dries if I want sharper edges, or when very wet for softer edges. Favorite colors for skies are Holbein's Peacock Blue with a touch of WN Permanent Rose to grey it slightly. | ||
Jennifer Parker |
Can anybody here tell me about Holbein Iridori watercolors. Are they worth investing in | ||
Ray |
Very interesting reading... thanks to everyone. Hopefully more comments will come. The site Geeky2 was speaking of is: http://www.donington.com/watercolour/ It is Steve Elliott's site. Worth a look. FYI, Ray | ||
roger marz |
For Sunny days with clouds I start with a graded wash,Cerulean,manganese or cobalt( This for spain and places with deep blue at the zenith.) I wipe out the cumulus clouds with circular strokes using Viva paper towels. For cirrus I use a thirsty flat brush edgewise. After this dries I glaze on tints and shades going for harder edges at the bottom and softer at the top. I screw up on a lot of aspects of watercolor but my skies are good! | ||
Anneengw |
I enjoy using the Hake brushes for wet on wet skies. The brushes blend softly, but if you buy one, check to be sure the hairs are very securely sewn in. A favorite book of mine for skies and landscapes is Ted Kautzsky's "Ways With Watercolor".(very good for beginners) It is out of print, but I discovered it at the public library. I was able to chase down a used copy for my own collection over the internet. It was reprinted several times by several different publishers(Canada and US). Another artist paints sky after sky after sky. Then when she wants to do a landscape, she has many to choose from. Keep them coming! Anne:) | ||
Ray |
Anne.... A while back, I checked out a book by Ron Ranson, who also favored using a hake brush. So... I picked one up, although a rather inexpensive one... and worked with it a little. The one I have has very little spring. Probably due to the cost... but it was big. Is it the size of brush for skies that is the issue, or the particular qualities of a hake that you like? I also acquired a nice two inch nylon brush.. (looking something like a regular house paint brush.. causing me some strange stares from my wife, when it rang up as such an expensive item).. Anyway, I have been trying to work with these... any hints? Thx, Ray | ||
anneengw |
Ray, The hake brush does not have much spring, but is very soft and gentle, almost dancing across the surface. The handsewn ones work well and are relatively inexpensive(don't use the metal ferrule ones). The nice thing about the hake is when you work wet on wet (the only way to do skies with a hake), the brush strokes melt together creating very natural, softly blended skies. Leave patches of white space open and be patient and don't overwork it. When it dries, you can always work back into it to create some harder lines if you need too. But for a quick, powerful, moody sky, it's my favorite. I have a "springier" and more expensive brush, but still prefer the natural look of the hake. When you push on the brush, it can also create unusual shapes in the stroke that add interest too. It takes lots of practice though. Don't overload your hake with too much water though, since it is already on the paper. More pigment, less water on the brush. Good luck. |
