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Five-Minute Watercolour


Synopsis


Many novice artists are intimidated by the prospect of trawling through very technical drawing books, especially given our busy day-to-day lives. Five-Minute Watercolour is a handy companion as you explore your artistic potential by sketching in watercolour - in five minutes you can produce a great painting that you'll be proud to keep and share.

Discover 55 bitesize exercises, written in jargon-free language, to help you make watercolour painting a part of your day. Starting with advice on the basic supplies you will need, professional urban watercolour artist Samantha Nielsen takes you through all the techniques required to begin and pursue your creative journey - from brush control to using warm and cool colours, followed by advice on implementing these techniques such as painting skies, seascapes or people. Samantha then helps you take it further by showing you how to capture movement and create depth. Every spread in the book features five expert tips and ideas, as well as examples of amazing five-minute watercolour sketches to inspire you.

For new and aspiring artists everywhere who've dreamt of making art a part of their working lives, this pocket book is perfect for you.

Summary

Chapter 1: Introducing Watercolours

This chapter provides a brief overview of watercolour painting. It covers basic materials, techniques, and the unique qualities of watercolour paints.

Example: A watercolour painting of a simple flower, demonstrating the transparency and fluidity of the medium.

Chapter 2: Basic Brushwork

This chapter focuses on developing fundamental brush skills. It covers brush control, loading and unloading paint, and various brushstrokes.

Example: A series of watercolour exercises that practice different brushstrokes, such as washes, dry brush strokes, and glazing.

Chapter 3: Colour Mixing and Blending

This chapter explores colour theory and techniques for mixing and blending colours. It also covers how to create washes and gradients.

Example: A watercolour painting of a sunset sky, showcasing the blending of yellow, orange, and red hues.

Chapter 4: Creating Shapes and Forms

This chapter teaches techniques for drawing and defining shapes and forms. It covers wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, and dry brush techniques.

Example: A watercolour painting of a landscape, demonstrating the use of washes to create a sense of depth and dimension.

Chapter 5: Composition and Perspective

This chapter covers the principles of composition, perspective, and spatial awareness. It shows how to arrange elements in a balanced and dynamic way.

Example: A watercolour painting of a cityscape, showcasing the use of perspective lines and compositional techniques.

Chapter 6: Painting Nature

This chapter focuses on painting natural subjects, such as landscapes, flowers, and animals. It provides tips for capturing the essence and beauty of nature.

Example: A watercolour painting of a majestic lion, illustrating the use of layering and glazing techniques to create a realistic representation.

Chapter 7: Painting People

This chapter introduces the techniques for painting human figures and portraits. It covers facial features, body proportions, and capturing expressions.

Example: A watercolour portrait of a serene woman, demonstrating the use of fine brushes and precise brushwork to capture intricate details.

Chapter 8: Urban Sketching

This chapter explores the exciting world of urban sketching. It covers tips for capturing the atmosphere of cities, drawing buildings, and finding inspiration in everyday scenes.

Example: A watercolour sketch of a bustling street corner, showcasing the use of a variety of brushstrokes and washes to convey the energy and movement of the urban environment.

Chapter 9: Experimental Watercolours

This chapter encourages experimentation with different techniques and materials. It covers techniques such as masking, salt effects, and using unusual tools.

Example: A watercolour painting of a vibrant abstract landscape, created using salt effects and unconventional brushwork.