Getting Started In Watercolors

After many years of painting in different mediums, I attended a watercolor demonstration that just spoke to me and said give this medium another try. I had experimented with watercolors back in college, but wasn't impressed with the style being exhibited then, I felt it was too wishy-washy. But after watching a marine artist who jumped in with strong washed of vibrant colors and brush strokes, I realized that this was where I wanted to go with my painting. Of course it took many years to figure out how to use these water based pigments to achieve the look I was after. My journey has been one of experimenting and pushing the limit, one has to get past the fear of failure and possibly ruining a painting in order to allow yourself to experiment . . . it's only paper! I never could find a class where the instructor actually taught you about the paints, paper, brushes, how to achieve a good wash and glaze, let alone techniques of this wonderful medium. I have always taught my beginning students this right off the bat, believing that if you understand what you are working with, then you will enjoy the journey even more.