Abstract Watermedia Workshop - Watershed - June 2019

iAbstract Watermedia Workshop Notes (June, Watershed Essex UK)

think and plan ahead
think about the shapes you love, if abstract is new to you, you might have to go on an adventure of discovery first. What is your subject? When you're oohing and aahing, you know you've hit a jackpot!! Articulating what you like is just the beginning, could be deep and meaningful, or, just as important, because you like it (say yes!!).

kitsch - twee - cliche - are our enemies!!

Stylish, sophisticated abstracts are difficult to design

make a list of the shapes you want to have fun with, then in a pinch, you've got some ready made inspiration.

Watercolours are richer for having an underpainting, wet-in-wet soft edged. light to mid-value - think of blocking in. A cruciform is an interesting abstract underpainting which lends itself to abstraction.

When designing and sketching, think of style and good taste, BUZZ word is sophistication. sketching helps you to understand the possibilities.

How can you repeat your shapes?

My style is crooked, nasty, loose, rough - what's yours?

Limited palette, let them blend to create more colours, however, think:
Dominant
Non-Dominant
Accent

maybe a split complementary palette, start with a favourite zinger and add two neutral complementaries

match to other watermedia tools

ALSO:
BIG, Medium, small = variety - EVERY inch should be different from every other inch.

Nothing equal, no circles, no squares, no straight lines, NOTHING DULL!

think about mark making tools to experiment with: sticks, corks, clingfilm, stencils etc.

Do not fixed perceived mistakes, let them happen, they add charm and character. Further, "fixing" them often leaves nasty traces.

Practice a shape, repeat 20 times, fill up a sheet of sketch paper then paint it 50 times - try to paint it with one brush stroke.

remember contour drawing, don't left the pencil, try it with your brush too!! be messy and enjoy the interesting marks and surprises!!

while still damp, use your squirter to create lost and found edges and let the drips run!!

use spatter to create texture and move colour around.

ciao i miei begli amici!!
​Amanda

Come paint with me in Italy


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