Atmosphere and mist in watercolor demonstration

Stage one

Materials
Working on a piece of stretched Arches 140lbs not paper.
 Winsor newton artist quality tubes of Cobalt and Ultramarine Blue, Permanent Rose and Quinacridone Gold.
Size 12 and 8 Sable brush. a hake flat brush and a synthetic flat brush

With the paper dry, a weak mix of Quinacridone Gold and  Permanent Rose is painted into the background mountains. While this was wet Cobalt and Permanent Rose was added allowing the two mixes to blend together. Clean water was used to soften below. Working with the painting board at a slight angle stops back runs and allows mist to evolve naturally.

Stage Two

With the first washes dry, dampen all of the paper with clean water using the soft hake brush.
  A large mixture of Quinacridone Gold and Permanent Rose is washed into the lower sky and Lake areas. A Stronger mix of Cobalt and Permanent Rose is painted softly into the sky, allowing both mixes to merge together. A water spray is handy if the paint is drying to quickly. Moving the painting board around will encourage the paint to create magical sky effects.

Stage Three

With the sky dry begin to add darker tonal values, this will help to create depth in the mountain scene. Ultramarine Blue is now mixed with Permanent Rose, this warmer Blue will give more tonal strength. The Lake is dampened with clean water and the same mountain colours painted into the reflections. Leaving a few lighter areas for pale ripples in the lake.

Stage Four

With the size 12 brush and a big wash of Quinacridone Gold and Permanent Rose quickly paint into the next mountain range, while this is still wet a wash of Ultramarine Blue with Permanent Rose is applied into the mountain side. Dampen with clean water at the base, this will give mist and atmosphere to the scene. Similar colors are painted into the Lake below.

Stage Five
Trees are painted into the base of the mountain, softening with clean water to give the appearance of soft mist on the lake. To paint the small Island a dry brush with a rich tonal value of Ultramarine Blue, Permanent Rose and Quinacridone gold is used. Painting the reflection at the same time.
A few ripples in the foreground  are added to complete this atmospheric Lakeland scene.

I hope you enjoy having a go at this great scene and for more watercolour projects with personal feedback and extra handy tips www.watercolourcourse.co.uk

Easy Watercolours of Bluebells

 

Silver Birch and Bluebells

Painted in Watercolours

 

I promise the whole of May will not be filled with Bluebell paintings, but it is the month of these magical flowers that we love to paint.

I though I'd get a bit of practise in before next weeks course.

*Saunders Waterford High White was the paper and it was lovely to work on, I do recommend it.

* French Ultramarine and Permanent Rose mixed the perfect Bluebell colour.

*Lemon Yellow proved just right for mixes of Spring Greens along with hints of Winsor Blue. *Masking tape helped to keep the white of the paper on the Silver Birch.

 

This was just a small study but I think it would make a super large painting. Having a go on a smaller scale first, does give me more confidence and gives lots of ideas on techniques and colour mixing.

 

If you fancy learning more watercolour techniques and would like feedback on your own paintings  see my web site www.watercolourcourse.co.uk