Explore positive and negative space in your watercolour as a way to include detail. In this free Live Demo, artist Steve Mitchell (@mindofwatercolor) will show us how uses white space to achieve intricate landscapes

Topics Covered:

  • Spraying the watercolour paper first to create water drops, which helps the water flow on its own, creating the spontaneous landscape;
  • How color choices should be made before beginning the painting, and starting with a limited palette so you don’t overdo colours while being spontaneous;
  • Looking for the natural creation of ground or horizon when the watercolour starts to spread;
  • Playing with the negative space to create more interest and deciding whether more or less is needed;
  • Adding details with a round brush and a rigger, and using similar colors to what has already been laid out to create a sense of harmony.
  • Finding areas to add contrast with a darker more intense colour, creating a soft misty look, and how to lift paint off for highlights.

Enrol in Steve's Mini Workshop (Enrol in our US$6.00 Mini Workshops)

Etchr Products mentioned:
The Perfect Sketchbook A4
Watercolour Brushes: Set of 10

Other materials:

  • Fabriano Artistico 100% Cotton Watercolour Paper, Cold Press
  • M. Graham Watercolour paints in Phthalo Green, Azo Green (or Green Gold), Ultramarine Blue, and Red Iron Oxide
  • Bulldog clips
  • Water in a container
  • Water in a trigger spray
  • Rags
  • Facial tissue

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See you!

- Etchr Studio Team


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