WatercolorsThe Basics of Color Blending

Now, your paint might look like this.

• 5 colors per “set”—please share.• From what you know about watercolors, how do you

think these little paint pans will look as we use them?

If your paint set looks like this = GOOD

It means somebody knew how to mix colors.In REAL LIFE, colors get DIRTY…so should your palette.

You’ve used brushes like this. Problems?

• Loose their bristles.• Permanently “bent.”

• Won’t come to a fine point.

A watercolor brush should look like this.

• How should a good brush pick up paint?• How should a good brush apply paint to the page?

Get the paint wet. Let it soften for a bit.If it’s dirty, then dab it clean with tissue

Re-wet as needed to keep it soft and ready for use.

PRIMARY COLORS

YELLOW, RED ,BLUE1. Can be combined to mix all the

other colors—so if your short on cash when buying paint, be sure to get these three.

2. Other colors can’t be combined to make the primaries.

YOUR PAINT SET

YELLOW RED & MAGENTA

BLUE & TURQUOISEShades of pigments vary

based on chemical make up.Sometimes warmer, sometimes cooler.

Painting the full spectrum:

Transitional Color Blends = WashThe effect is achieved by applying paint to wet paper:

WET ON WET

• Which Colors are in a TRIANGULAR relationship?• How is the full spectrum triangle here different than the color

wheel?• What colors are missing from your palette?• What will you have to do to get the full spectrum?

Look at the color wheel.

What’s a Triangle got to do with it?

• Establishes color relationships.• Gives you room to mix secondary colors.

SECONDARY COLORSORANGE, VIOLET,

GREEN1. Mixed from TWO primary colors.

2. The compliment is one of the primaries.

3. Mixing the compliments darkens the color—

or makes neutral grey

1. Wet the paper.

• How do you get the most paint on the

brush. Keep the paint

moist. Roll—don’t scrub.

2. Load your brush with

Yellow.

Does yellow have to

come first?

• How do you keep the color intense?

• How do you keep the whole page wet?

• No.• We start with yellow to

keep it from being overpowered.

Paint yellow ½ way down

More pigment,

less water = INTENSE

color!Water is needed to pick up the paint---but can dilute it. Solutions?

• BLOT the brush.

Load your brush with

red.

• Blend ORANGE where red meets

yellow• Rinse• BLOT• Repeat

Load your brush with

blue.• Blend GREEN where

blue meets yellow.• Blend VIOLET where

blue meets red• Rinse• BLOT• Repeat

The Sharpie design will still show up because watercolor paints transparent. So you use the same

technique we practiced.

Using the Radial or Free Form Design made with

Sharpie, make a full spectrum blend.

Wet the page.

Wash only works when

paper is wet.

Start with yellow.

Then load brush with

red.• Blend ORANGE where

red meets yellow• Rinse• BLOT• Repeat

Then load brush with

blue.• Blend Green where blue meets

yellow.• Blend Violet where blue meets red.

• Rinse• BLOT• Repeat