Taking your artwork from basic to the next level and add depth - you need to improve your skills in layering and shadows in watercolours. Consider the following tips:
Start Light and Build Layers: Begin with light washes of color and gradually build up layers as each dries. This allows you to control the intensity of the colors and create depth.
Understanding Transparency: Watercolors are transparent, so the more layers you apply, the deeper and richer the colors become. Experiment with different levels of transparency to achieve the desired effect.
Master Wet-on-Wet and Wet-on-Dry Techniques: Learn when to use wet-on-wet (applying paint to a wet surface) for soft blends and wet-on-dry (applying paint to a dry surface) for sharper details. Combining these techniques can enhance your layering abilities.
Practice Value and Tone: Work on creating a range of values to represent light and shadow. Practice monochromatic studies to understand the tonal variations and how they contribute to form and depth.
Study Real Shadows: Observe how shadows behave in real life. Pay attention to the shape, intensity, and color of shadows, and try to replicate these aspects in your watercolur paintings.
Lift Colors Carefully: Watercolors allow for lifting or removing paint. Use a clean, damp brush or a tissue to lift colours selectively, creating highlights and refining edges.
Work from Light to Dark: Generally, it's easier to add dark layers on top of lighter ones. Plan your composition by working from lighter colours to darker shades.
Experiment with Glazing: Glazing involves applying a thin, transparent layer of colours over a dried layer. This technique enhances the richness of the colours and contributes to the layering effect.
Patience and Practice: Developing watercolour skills takes time. Be patient with the learning process, practice consistently, and don't be afraid to experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you.
Many of these techniques are taught across my classes. But I would highly recommend, to build a strong foundation, start with my class
Throughout the class, we meticulously explore the essential materials that form the backbone of watercolour artistry. From selecting the right paper to understanding the nuances of paints, pigments, and brushes, each component is carefully dissected to empower students with the knowledge to make informed artistic choices.