Simple Tips for Beginner Watercolourists

Using white in a watercolour painting.
     The best way is simply leave an area unpainted, allowing the paper to show through.

Sheilding areas of the painting.
     A temporary masking liquid, such as Miskit Liquid Frisket can be painted on before an overlaid wash is applied.

Different effects techniques.
     Try painting on wet or dry paper, or, using a wet or dry brush. Combining these in one painting can produce great effects.

Create subtle, ghostly effects.
     Partially lift areas by blotting up wet colour with a dry brush or soft cloth.

Create a resist effect.
     Lay down an area of oil pastel or crayon. A watercolour wash applied over this will bead up, producing a stippled look.

Create a starburst effect.
     Sprinkle salt sparingly onto an area of wet paint and it will 'run' into a starburst pattern. Please be cautious as too much salt can be detrimental to the painting.

Create a mosaic effect.
     Leave a thin unpainted line around each area of colour. This are can be left as a highlight, or given a light wash to blend tones.

Brush Care & Cleaning

While all brushes have a limited lifespan, with proper care artists can maintain their beauty and usefulness for several years.

Brush basics
     Store your brushes upright in a jar, vase, or container to maintain their shape. Never store or stand your brushes on their hair or bristles.

Long term storage
     Store brushes horizontally and protect them with moth balls or moth flakes to prevent insect damage.

Carrying your brushes
     Placing them loose in a paint box may easily damage the bristles. We recommend rolling them in a piece of stiff drawing paper for protection, making sure the brush heads are covered. Secure the roll with elastics.

Sable hair brushes
    May tend to lose their shape and even clog up when using acrylics. Using a synthetic or bristle hair brush with acrylic paint permits better flow and they will maintain their shape unless abused.

When using acrylics
     Be careful not to let the paint dry on your brush, as they will become very difficult to clean. Cleaning immediately after use will help save the bristles and you money.

Strong solvents and chemical paint removers
     May ruin artists' brushes if used in excess. Please use them with care.

Cleaning Tips

Clean brushes
     Immediately after use, especially at the ferrule, as a deposit of hardened colour at this point will cause the brush head to lose it's shape. Do not allow colour to dry on the brush.

Use a mild cleanser
     Work a cleanser, such as dish soap, hand soap or special brush soap into the interior of the brush.

Rinse the brush free
     Under lukewarm running water. Do not soak brushes in water or solvent for long periods of time.

Repeat the process
     Until there is no colour in the soap suds. Shake the excess water from the brush and shape the hair into place with your fingers.

Stand the brush upright or lay flat to dry.