Why Are There Different Kinds Of Watercolours . . . by Anna Meenaghan
Watercolours come in two different types. The ones with the best pigments are the artists then there are the students. The artists paints are soaked with very strong colour. Students do not have such good content.
If you have a limited budget the student variety are cheaper as they are synthetics are in fact mixed with pigments so they will not last you as long. Artists however are very easy to use serviceable the pigments have been well drenched in colour.
If you want to do a big wash you really need to use tube paint as you will find that it softer. Watercolours are available though in two ways either as pans or tubed. You can buy these from any good art supplier or often stationers. Once you stopped using your paint do put the lid down on the box or screw the caps back on to avoid the paints drying up.
Pans too are good as they are readily usable direct form box making them pretty manageable. So for a few words about mixing to paint with watercolours. Essential requirements are two jars of clean water small coffee or jam jars will suffice as you need one for cleaning your brushes the other for mixing your paint.
You will probably find that you need quite a few mixing dishes. It might be to your advantage to use pans the first time around. I find that I tend to use old saucers or plates to mix on. Dip the brush into the water transfer this to the saucer. Then hit the brush slightly so that you drop the water.
Repeat the process a few times then dip the brush in the water tap it on the side of your vessel so that it not to watery then move your brush over collect the paint.
The next step is as follows Brush goes to the dish mix it together with the water you will now have the transference of paint. Keep trying this you will soon manage to obtain a lighter or darker tone if you need it. You can always look at the shades on scrap paper first.
Whatever you do just look after your brushes. If you do not care for them it can be expensive for you. They need cleaning well in water as soon as you have finished with them.
Try to restore their original shape by either using your fingers to do this or a wrist flick will sometimes do the trick. If you need them to be portable wrap them in brown paper or newspaper put a band round them. In the home they are fine kept in an old mug or jug with the brush facing upwards not in water. Do not leave them in the water. In tins or boxes remember they need to be well dried first.
I can only say it good to invest some money wisely in some good quality brushes. It is always worth paying a little more for the tools of your craft. Remember if you look after them they will always stand you in good stead
If you enjoyed this guide written by Anna Meenaghan then you can discover a whole lot more at her online interactive art gallery website. There you can discover anything related to art ranging from realism to abstract paintings as well as interviews with guest artists etc. Why Are There Different Kinds Of Watercolours . . .
