Tips and Tricks

  1. What does mixed media mean?
    Mixed media is when you are using more then one medium to complete a painting. Somewhat like using watercolours and hi-lighting with gouache, or painting with watercolour pencils and painting over some parts with acrylics.
  2. Can you mix different brands of watercolours?
    Yes, it really does not matter what brand or tube verses cake, just remember that there is student quality and artist quality (artist quality has more pigment therefore you will be using less paint).
  3. What do you do when a tube of watercolour paint becomes dry?
    When any tube of watercolour paints become dry, you can cut open the tube and use the remaining paint as a cake paint.
  4. When do you know when a painting is finished?
    Frequently stop, step back and walk away, when you think that you are done. It is a lot easier to add something to the painting then it is to remove something.
  5. When I paint in oils I find that using turpentine regular or odorless and linseed oil, it bothers me. Is there a product out there that I can use to get the same results but is better environmentally?
    Yes, it is called walnut oil, and this product also does not turn yellow in time.
  6. Can you use acrylics and oil on the same painting?
    Yes, you can do your under coat in acrylics and when it is dry put a light coat of walnut oil over the entire painting and use your oils. The walnut oil makes it easier to move your oils around.
  7. Can you use a thin coat of varnish over a watercolour painting to brighten up the painting?
    No, it is not a good idea, for it will yellow in time.
  8. I am a beginner on a small budget, how can I get better?
    Take as many individual courses as you can afford from different artists, and take what you like out of each course and disregard what you don't like. Every instructor has their own way of teaching, so no matter what they are teaching you will learn something.
  9. Some instructors want me to paint exactly like them, so that the pictures we are working on in that class will look like theirs. How can I make mine look more like theirs?
    Never, never let any instructor encourage you to change your style. Every single artist has their own style and that is what make that particular painting yours. Enjoy your uniqueness.
  10. Can I varnish an oil or acrylic painting?
    Yes, any time after an acrylic is dry and remember to wait for at least 6 months to a year for an oil painting, depending on how thick your paint is. I found that painting the varnish on with a brush with a mixture of 70% matt varnish and 30% gloss varnish, gave me the best results. This make the varnish on the painting sort of a satin finish.
  11. How do I keep track of what I paint?
    Take one or two pictures of all your paintings with your favourite camera before you frame them, and keep them in an album or put them on your computer in a special folder.
  12. What is masking fluid?
    Masking fluid is a rubber compound which enables you to block out areas when using watercolours and gouache. That way you don't have to be too careful when painting your background etc. You can paint freely. When the paint is dry you remove the compound either by rubbing it off with your finger or you can buy a special eraser which is made of crepe rubber.
  13. What is gouache?
    Gouache is an opaque watercolour, and it can be used in conjunction with any watercolours.
  14. To make a landscape painting look realistic, do I have to paint it exactly as I see it?
    No, do not be afraid to omit or change things around by re-arranging the elements to capture the essence of the view you want to portray. This not only makes your painting yours but it will also will make your painting more interesting.
  15. How does one paint a cloud?
    When painting a cloud use hard and soft edges. Where the light hits the cloud it will have a clean edge. The while area should be kept dry. The rest of the sky can be done with wet washes using lots of paint, softening and feathering the edges to show the light areas and forming shadow areas in the cloud.
  16. How do you paint a tree?
    First, know the type of tree you want to paint and remember to taper the trunk of the tree from bottom to top.
  17. What about painting the branches?
    When painting branches on a tree, remember that branches are not necessarily all straight or the same width throughout the tree. Make your branches cross over each other and avoid putting branches opposite each other. Leave gaps in your foliage and fill in here and there with branches in the gaps.
  18. What does it mean when they say 90 #, or 140# or 260# watercolour paper?
    The thickness of a sheet of watercolour paper is measured by weight. The greater the weight of the paper, the thicker the paper It is measured either in pounds per ream (lb) or grams per square meter. Standard weights are 90#, 140#, 260# and 300#.
  19. How does one know if they are buying a good brush?
    When buying a watercolour brush, dip it in water and shake it...if the end of the bristles come to a good point or chiseled edge then it is a good brush. Most stores will allow you to test their brushes.
  20. How can I get more experience and make time to paint?
    Join an art club in your area, you not only make time to paint, BUT you are learning from your peers and enjoying the camaraderie of people with the same interests. Most art clubs have guest instructors come in to show the members different mediums and how to use them properly.