Calico Art - Carol Vaage

This hands-on workshop is designed for beginners in art and those who would like to learn a few tips and tricks for watercolor painting.
We will examine the amount of water used and how to create texture. The final assignment will be to make an abstract painting using masking tape to outline shapes and creating different textures and colors to create a masterpiece.

September Art Workshop Handout
Carol Vaage

 

Water:

 
   

Left: Too little pigment, too much water - way too faint
Second left: too much pigment - is heavy and dull
Third left: good balance between pigment and water. Notice the blooms and interesting variations. Using a juicy brush, loaded with pigment and water.
Right: Textures to add interest

Textures:

1. Add water to your wash - drops, pipettes, spray

  

2. Add paint to your wash – toothbrush, paintbrush spatter, palette smear
    

  

3. Add paint by glazing (adding more layers of paint); using stencils
   
    
    
4. Change the paint – tissue paper, cling wrap, paper towel
    
    
5. Add absorbents – salt, rice or dispersants – alcohol
     

6. Change your brush – sticks (natural materials)

    

7. Change your brush – palette knife
   
   
    
8. Lift paint off – scrape

9. Lift paint off – brush and tissue blot, or magic eraser

 

10. Lift paint off – sandpaper, palette knife, razors

  

11. Use resist – masking fluid, crayons, pastels, glue, mediums

  

12. Finishing – pencil crayons, watercolor pencils, fine line markers, colored markers, black marker