Sketchbook Practice – Back to Basics Watercolor Fundamentals

As a self-taught watercolorist, I understand the struggles of being a beginner. Having learned through trial and error over the last three and a half years and filling up 16 sketchbooks, I know firsthand the frustration and overworking that comes with it. That’s why in this class, I want to share with you the basics of the wet-on-wet technique that I often use in my sketchbooks these days.

Through a series of 5 timed experiments, we will explore how the quality of paint, brand of paper, water-to-pigment ratio, and water load on brush affect the drying time and subsequent layers added. Timing is a crucial factor in achieving the desired outcome when using watercolor, whether you’re blending or adding another wash. By adding pigment or water at different times (ranging from 5 to 150 seconds from when the paint first touches the paper), you can achieve vastly different results.

Whether you’re a beginner to watercolors or simply want to investigate the wet-on-wet technique further, I invite you to join me in this class and bypass some of the guesswork involved.