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Too many resources - how to proceed to learn?
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Message
Posted
I've attempted to learn how to paint in watercolour this year and have bought a lot of books - and I mean a lot! I also joined the SAA so have access to their excellent video demonstrations.
My problem is I think I've got so many resources that I don't know what would be the best way to proceed. Should I work my way through one of the books and then attempt a painting from a video? Or practise techniques from the books before embarking on a painting?
I'd be very grateful if someone could explain to me what method of learning would be the most useful to build up my skills, whilst also enjoying the painting.
Thanks in advance.
Posted
From my own experience Meg, is to pick on someone whose work you like and try to emulate them. Keep it simple, use a limited palette and try to reserve the lightest areas. Try not to overwork the painting and keep practising. One thing I would say is not to bin your efforts straight away but look with a fresh eye the following day, you will be surprised how much different a painting will look. Hope this is of some help.
Posted
A classic case of information overload Meg, but you’ve probably recognised that for yourself.
You’ve not mentioned any previous experience, as in say drawing for example, but you’re obviously keen to dive straight in with paint!
Get plenty of samples of different watercolour papers, I believe Ken Bromley sells these, don’t spend a fortune at this early stage, then just practice and practice. Try wet in wet, graduated skies, colour mixing and so on.
Yes, as Stephen has said, pick an artist whose work you admire, but use these as examples and don’t attempt to copy them exactly! Because you’ll be disappointed!
I could go on, but there’s enough here to get you started.
Posted
I do agree with what Alan and Stephen have advised, practice as much as you can. If you don’t draw or sketch then I would suggest that it is a good idea to start now, as basic drawn will benefit your painting and help develop your skills. Try simple line drawing and use your watercolour washes , that way you are developing both skills at the same time. As said pick out an artist who’s work you like , copy their work but nor slavishly use your own colours and make changes etc. As to your books pick one and practice some of the things in it, but remember that that is not the only way move on to your other books and see what they advice. Hope this is of some help. In the end putting paint onto paper will be the best way to learn, and we learn more from our mistakes.
Posted
Thank you so much for all your advice. I like the idea of focusing on one artist. I hadn't thought about trying different types of watercolour paper, nor how drawing and using different washes would be a good way to develop my skills. I don't have any drawing experience, so this definitely sounds like a plan. Much appreciated.
Posted
Of all the books I bought - some of which I sold later - I hardly ever refer to any of them now. The one I do revisit is How to Draw and Paint What You See, by Ray Smith (not Ray Cambell-Smith, though he wrote a good self-helper some long while ago, too). I can recommend good books on oil painting, not so many for watercolour or acrylics. Though Ron Ranson's books are good, especially for beginners and devotees of the hake, and Alan Owen is always worth watching over on YouTube.
But - as you've discovered - it's very easy to study and read so much that you find it's a very good way of putting off doing any actual painting. Take the plunge, Meg - you know you want to!
The real difficulty with reading a lot of different writers on watercolour is that nearly all of them have one technique which they invariably use - that's what makes so many of them (and there are a LOT of books on watercolour) basically useless - because unless you want to paint their way, you can find yourself doing things contrary to your instincts. I've seen the SAA video demos - not for a goodish while, so I'm out of date; but if you have one by Terry Harrison, one by Kelsey (spelling? even, right name?), one by Joe Francis Dowden, one by Keith Fenwick, one by Ray-Campbell-Smith - you're going to be very confused, unless you've already gone somewhat beyond basic beginner stage, and can adapt each of them to your developing approach.
Honestly, I think your best bet, if basic beginner is where you are, is the amazingly prolific Alan Owen on YouTube (or Patreon if you'd like to provide him with some well-earned financial support). He knows what beginners struggle with most, and he takes all the mystique out of it with plain common sense - he does sometimes forget to talk as he paints, but then he rarely needs to: you can see what he's doing in his real-time videos.
Posted
Alan's videos are very good but like all videos they show you how to paint like the artist. Nothing wrong with painting like Alan of course...he is very good! But, long winded way of saying, the way to learn is to paint. Chuck a lot of paint at a lot of paper then try to figure out what hasn't worked and why. Dont use cheap paper and cheap paint either...use the stuff you want to paint your very best work on (because after all, thats exactly what you are doing!).
People might disagree with me but the advice above is what I believe worked for me when I was starting out. I made the mistake about the paper and paint...big mistake. Have fun.
Posted
David - agree with you about the paper and paint; Alan has more than one way of approaching paintings, but even so - you have a point there. But though he's a lover of the Ted Wesson approach, he also tries others .... I'm not primarily a watercolourist, but have learned a lot from him, together with a few others on Youtube - Lois Davidson, for example, who started out as a painter in the Ron Ranson mould, (and nothing wrong with that) but has moved interestingly on, her technique evolving impressively. It's sound advice to look at more than one painter, though. I just think Alan Owen is the best starter, as it were.
Posted
Well I also agree about using decent paper, however, I did suggest trying the sample packs available from KB.
These are obviously a sample range from different manufacturers, weights, surfaces etc, and can give a taster of what papers are out there for the starter in watercolour.
They’re not necessarily for finished work of course, but you shouldn’t be thinking of finished work in the early stages, it’s about experimenting with techniques and colours etc.
Posted
We have a beginner's guide to watercolour in the tips and techniques section which may help https://www.painters-online.co.uk/tips-techniques/watercolour/articles/beginners-guide-to-watercolour-painting-which-paper-should-i-use/
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