How to Use Watercolour Paint Tubes: A Guide

Unlocking the vibrant world of watercolour painting begins with understanding how to use watercolour paint tubes, the professional-grade tools that offer unmatched pigment intensity. Artists like J.M.W. Turner pioneered watercolour techniques that highlighted the medium’s luminosity. Winsor & Newton, a leading art supply manufacturer, provides an array of high-quality watercolour paints in tubes. Mastering colour mixing using a ceramic palette ensures your colours stay true and brilliant.

Watercolour Painting: Your Gateway to Artistic Expression

Watercolour painting: the mere mention evokes images of vibrant landscapes, delicate florals, and ethereal portraits.

But beyond the finished masterpieces lies an art form surprisingly accessible to all.

It’s a journey of exploration, a dialogue between water, pigment, and paper, and a powerful way to unlock your inner creative spirit.

Are you ready to embark on this artistic adventure? Let’s dive in!

Why Choose Watercolours?

Watercolours possess a unique allure, a set of qualities that distinguishes them from other painting mediums.

Two of the most notable characteristics are their transparency and fluidity.

Transparency allows light to interact with the paper beneath, creating luminous effects and a sense of depth unmatched by opaque paints.

Fluidity, on the other hand, gives watercolours their characteristic soft edges and the ability to blend seamlessly, resulting in dreamy washes and subtle gradations.

These qualities combined open the door to a world of artistic possibilities.

What You’ll Discover on Your Watercolour Journey

This section is designed to be your friendly guide to watercolour painting.

We’ll explore the foundational aspects that will empower you to create your own watercolour art.

Here’s a sneak peek at what we will cover:

• The essential supplies you’ll need to get started.
• Fundamental techniques, like washes, blending, and layering.
• Crucial concepts, such as colour theory, value, and composition.

Consider it your essential roadmap for watercolour success!

Watercolour Painting: An Art Form for Everyone

Perhaps you’ve always admired watercolour paintings but felt intimidated to try it yourself.

Or, maybe you believe you lack the "talent" to create art.

Let me assure you: anyone can learn to paint with watercolours.

It’s about practice, experimentation, and embracing the unique characteristics of the medium.

Watercolour painting is not about perfection, but about the joy of creation.

So, take a deep breath, gather your supplies, and get ready to unleash your inner artist!

Gathering Your Essential Watercolour Supplies: The Artist’s Toolkit

With a vision in mind, and the creative spark ignited, let’s prepare for success. Having the right tools not only makes the process smoother but also unlocks a world of possibilities in your watercolour journey. Think of it as building the foundation for a beautiful, expressive structure. A solid foundation ensures longevity and enduring beauty.

Watercolour Paints: Tubes vs. Pans – Choosing Your Palette

The first step in assembling your watercolour toolkit is choosing your paints. You’ll primarily encounter them in two forms: tubes and pans. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice often comes down to personal preference and painting style.

Watercolour Tubes: Intense Colour and Custom Mixing

Watercolour tubes contain concentrated, wet paint.

The primary advantage of tubes is the intensity of colour they offer. You can squeeze out just the right amount of paint onto your palette, allowing for custom mixing and reducing waste.

Tubes are also ideal for larger washes and when you need to mix large quantities of a specific colour.

However, tubes can dry out if not properly sealed. They may also require a bit more initial setup time compared to pans.

Watercolour Pans: Convenience and Portability

Watercolour pans, on the other hand, are small, pre-filled containers of dried paint.

Pans offer unparalleled convenience and portability. They are perfect for painting on the go or for artists who prefer a more streamlined setup. Simply wet the pan with a brush and you’re ready to paint.

Pans are also generally more economical in the long run, as the dried paint lasts longer than wet paint in tubes.

The colour intensity may be slightly less than tubes. It can also be more challenging to mix large quantities of colour with pans.

A Beginner’s Colour Palette: The Foundation for Mixing

Regardless of whether you choose tubes or pans, starting with a basic set of colours is highly recommended. This allows you to learn colour mixing principles and create a wide range of hues. A suggested starting palette includes:

• Primary Colours: A warm and cool version of each primary colour (red, yellow, blue).
• Burnt Sienna: A versatile earth tone for shadows and warm undertones.
• Ultramarine Blue: A rich, granulating blue for skies and atmospheric effects.

Brushes: Shapes and Sizes – The Key to Control

Next to paint, brushes are arguably the most crucial tool in watercolour painting. The shape, size, and quality of your brushes will significantly impact the way you apply paint and achieve different effects.

Exploring Brush Shapes: From Round to Flat

Different brush shapes are designed for specific purposes:

• Round Brushes: Versatile brushes for detail work, lines, and washes.
• Flat Brushes: Ideal for creating broad strokes, washes, and sharp edges.
• Wash Brushes: Large, soft brushes for applying smooth, even washes.
• Detail Brushes: Small, fine-pointed brushes for intricate details and fine lines.

Essential Brush Sizes for Beginners: A Starting Point

As a beginner, you don’t need an extensive collection of brushes. Start with a few essential sizes:

• A small round brush (size 2-4) for detail work.
• A medium round brush (size 6-8) for general painting and washes.
• A flat brush (1/2 inch or 3/4 inch) for broader strokes and washes.

The Importance of Quality: Investing in Your Craft

While it’s tempting to opt for cheaper brushes, investing in quality brushes is highly recommended. Quality brushes hold more water, maintain their shape better, and last longer. This translates to better control, smoother application, and ultimately, more satisfying results.

Paper: Weight, Texture, and Finish – The Canvas for Your Vision

The type of paper you use plays a critical role in the outcome of your watercolour paintings. Paper weight, texture, and finish all affect how the paint is absorbed, how colours blend, and the overall appearance of your artwork.

Understanding Paper Weight: GSM and LB Explained

Paper weight is measured in grams per square meter (gsm) or pounds (lb). Heavier paper (e.g., 300gsm/140lb) is generally recommended for watercolour painting. Heavier paper can withstand more water without buckling or warping. Lighter paper is suitable for sketching or practicing techniques.

Exploring Paper Textures: Hot-Pressed, Cold-Pressed, and Rough

Watercolour paper comes in three main textures:

• Hot-Pressed: Smooth surface, ideal for detailed work and fine lines.
• Cold-Pressed: Slightly textured surface, suitable for a wide range of techniques.
• Rough: Highly textured surface, great for creating textured effects and washes.

Choosing the Right Paper: Matching Technique to Texture

The best paper type depends on your painting style and the effects you want to achieve. Cold-pressed paper is a good all-around choice for beginners. Experimenting with different textures is highly encouraged to find your personal favorite.

Palette: Mixing Your Colours – Your Creative Hub

A palette is an essential tool for mixing your watercolour paints. It provides a dedicated surface for blending colours and creating custom hues.

Palette Types: Plastic vs. Ceramic

Palettes come in various materials, including plastic and ceramic. Plastic palettes are lightweight and affordable. Ceramic palettes are easy to clean and provide a smooth surface for mixing.

Setting Up Your Palette: Organisation for Efficiency

Organise your palette in a way that makes sense to you. You can arrange your colours by hue, value, or intensity. Leaving ample space for mixing is also essential.

Water: The Essence of Watercolour – The Lifeblood of Your Art

Water is the lifeblood of watercolour painting. It’s not just a medium for diluting paint; it’s an integral part of the process that influences the flow, transparency, and overall appearance of your artwork.

The Importance of Clean Water: Purity for Clarity

Always use clean water for watercolour painting. Dirty water can muddy your colours and affect the vibrancy of your artwork.

Two Water Containers: A Pro Tip for Success

Using two water containers is highly recommended: one for rinsing your brushes and one for mixing colours. This helps keep your colours clean and prevents unwanted contamination.

Other Essential Tools and Materials: Completing Your Arsenal

Beyond the core supplies, a few other tools and materials can greatly enhance your watercolour painting experience:

• Masking Fluid: Used to preserve white areas or create sharp edges. Apply it to the paper before painting and remove it once the paint is dry.

• Masking Tape: Used to create clean edges and borders. Apply it to the paper before painting and remove it once the paint is dry.

• Spray Bottle: Used to keep your paints moist, especially when working in a dry environment. Lightly mist your palette with water to prevent the paints from drying out too quickly.

• Paper Towels/Cloth: Essential for blotting brushes, controlling water, and cleaning up spills. Keep a stack of paper towels or a clean cloth handy at all times.

Mastering Basic Watercolour Techniques: From Washes to Blends

With a vision in mind, and the creative spark ignited, let’s prepare for success. Having the right tools not only makes the process smoother but also unlocks a world of possibilities in your watercolour journey. Think of it as building the foundation for a beautiful, expressive structure!

Now, let’s delve into the core techniques that will form the bedrock of your watercolour artistry. These aren’t just steps; they’re pathways to bringing your imagination to life.

Understanding the Water-to-Paint Ratio: The Key to Watercolour

The water-to-paint ratio is arguably the most crucial element in watercolour painting. It dictates the opacity, intensity, and flow of your colours. Mastering this ratio is like learning the language of watercolour.

A higher water content results in lighter, more transparent washes, perfect for creating delicate backgrounds and luminous effects. Conversely, a lower water content yields richer, more opaque colours, ideal for adding depth and detail.

Experiment with different ratios to observe the subtle yet significant changes in your paint. Try creating a simple chart, painting swatches with varying amounts of water to see the resulting effects. This hands-on approach will solidify your understanding and build your intuition.

Watercolour Washes: The Foundation of Your Painting

A watercolour wash is a broad, even layer of colour applied to the paper. It’s the foundation upon which you build your painting, creating atmosphere, establishing values, and setting the overall tone.

Different types of washes allow for a range of expressive possibilities.

Flat Wash: Achieving Uniform Colour

The flat wash is the simplest and most essential wash to master. It involves applying a single colour evenly across a designated area.

1. Start by wetting your paper slightly with clean water. This helps the paint flow smoothly.
2. Mix a sufficient amount of paint and water on your palette to create a consistent colour.
3. Using a large, soft brush, apply the paint in horizontal strokes, overlapping each stroke slightly to avoid streaks.
4. Maintain a wet edge as you work, ensuring that the paint doesn’t dry unevenly.
5. Tilt the paper to encourage the paint to flow downwards, correcting any inconsistencies.

Graded Wash: Transitioning from Light to Dark

The graded wash is used to create a smooth transition from light to dark, simulating depth and dimension.

1. Begin by wetting your paper.
2. Apply a strong concentration of colour at the top of the area you want to wash.
3. With each subsequent stroke, add a bit more water to your paint mixture, gradually diluting the colour.
4. Continue working downwards, overlapping each stroke slightly, allowing the colour to fade as you progress.
5. The result should be a seamless transition from a dark, saturated colour to a light, transparent one.

Variegated Wash: Blending Multiple Hues

The variegated wash involves blending multiple colours together in a single wash, creating dynamic and interesting effects.

1. Start by wetting your paper.
2. Apply different colours side by side, allowing them to bleed and mingle together.
3. Use a clean, damp brush to gently blend the edges of the colours, creating a soft transition.
4. Tilt the paper to encourage the colours to flow and mix, adding to the organic quality of the wash.
5. This technique is excellent for painting skies, landscapes, and other scenes where you want to create a sense of movement and atmosphere.

Advanced Techniques: Expanding Your Watercolour Skills

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can explore more advanced techniques to further refine your skills and expand your artistic vocabulary.

Glazing: Layering Transparency

Glazing involves applying thin, transparent layers of colour over one another to build up depth, complexity, and luminosity. Allow each layer to dry completely before applying the next to prevent the colours from muddying.

Wet-on-Wet: Embracing Softness

The wet-on-wet technique involves applying wet paint onto wet paper, resulting in soft, diffused edges and dreamy blends. This technique is perfect for creating atmospheric effects and capturing the essence of light and shadow.

Wet-on-Dry: Defining Details

In contrast to wet-on-wet, the wet-on-dry technique involves applying wet paint onto dry paper, producing sharp, well-defined lines and details. Use this technique to add precision and clarity to your paintings.

Dry Brush: Adding Texture

The dry brush technique involves using a brush with very little water to create a textured effect. Drag the brush lightly across the paper, allowing the bristles to catch on the surface and leave behind broken, irregular marks.

Lifting: Correcting and Highlighting

Lifting refers to the process of removing paint from the paper using a clean, damp brush or a paper towel. This technique can be used to create highlights, correct mistakes, or add subtle variations to your washes.

Understanding Key Watercolour Concepts: Elevating Your Art

Mastering basic watercolour techniques is a fantastic start, and with a vision in mind, and the creative spark ignited, let’s prepare for success. Having the right tools not only makes the process smoother but also unlocks a world of possibilities in your watercolour journey. Think of it as building the foundation for a beautiful, expressive structure.

Now, we will take our paintings to the next level. This is where understanding key watercolour concepts comes into play. These concepts are the secret ingredients that transform a good painting into a truly captivating piece of art.

They provide the depth, nuance, and impact that will set your work apart. So, let’s dive into the essential concepts that will elevate your watercolour artistry.

Colour Theory: Mixing and Harmony

Colour is the language of art. Understanding how colours interact is crucial for creating visually appealing and emotionally resonant paintings.

Let’s start with the basics: primary colours. Red, yellow, and blue are the foundation of all other colours.

Next, we have the secondary colours: green, orange, and purple, created by mixing two primary colours.

And finally, tertiary colours, which are made by mixing a primary and a secondary colour, like red-violet or blue-green.

Mastering Colour Mixing

Mixing colours can feel like alchemy, but with a few tips, you can create a nearly limitless range of hues.

Start with small amounts of paint. It’s always easier to add more than to take away.

Mix thoroughly. Ensure the colours are fully blended for a smooth, even result.

Keep a colour journal. Document your colour mixes, noting the proportions you used. This will be invaluable as you continue your watercolour journey.

Creating Colour Harmony

Harmony in colour creates a sense of balance and visual pleasure in your paintings. Several colour harmonies can guide your choices.

Complementary colours are opposite each other on the colour wheel (e.g., red and green). They create high contrast and vibrancy when used together.

Analogous colours are next to each other on the colour wheel (e.g., blue, blue-green, and green).

They offer a harmonious and calming effect.

Triadic colours are evenly spaced on the colour wheel (e.g., red, yellow, and blue). This combination provides a balanced and dynamic colour scheme.

Value: Light and Darkness

Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a colour.

It’s one of the most important elements in creating form, depth, and dimension in your paintings. Value helps trick the eye into thinking objects are 3D on a 2D surface.

Think of it as creating a map of light and shadow across your subject.

Practicing Value Scales

A value scale is a range of tones from white to black, with several steps in between.

Creating value scales with watercolour is a fantastic exercise for understanding and controlling the lightness and darkness of your washes.

Try creating a value scale using a single colour. This will help you see the full range of values you can achieve with just one pigment.

Using Value for Contrast and Focal Points

Value is your secret weapon for creating contrast and drawing the viewer’s eye to specific areas of your painting.

Use high contrast (a big difference between light and dark values) to create a focal point and add drama.

Softer contrasts create a more subtle and peaceful effect.

Transparency: The Magic of Watercolour

One of the most enchanting qualities of watercolour is its transparency.

Unlike opaque paints, watercolours allow light to pass through the layers, creating luminous and ethereal effects.

This transparency lets the white of the paper shine through, giving watercolours their characteristic glow.

Layering for Depth

Use transparency to build up layers of colour, creating depth and complexity in your paintings.

Each layer subtly affects the layers below, adding richness and nuance. This technique, known as glazing, is perfect for creating realistic skin tones or capturing the subtle variations in a landscape.

Permanence/Lightfastness: Protecting Your Artwork

Creating a beautiful watercolour painting is an investment of time and effort.

To ensure your artwork lasts for years to come, it’s essential to use lightfast paints.

Lightfastness refers to a pigment’s resistance to fading when exposed to light.

Choosing Quality Paints

When purchasing watercolours, look for paints with good lightfastness ratings.

Most paint manufacturers use a rating system (e.g., ASTM or Blue Wool Scale) to indicate the lightfastness of their pigments. Choose paints with a rating of "Excellent" or "Very Good" for the best results.

These paints will resist fading and keep your artwork looking vibrant for generations.

Practice and Experimentation: Your Watercolour Journey Begins

Mastering basic watercolour techniques is a fantastic start, and with a vision in mind, and the creative spark ignited, let’s prepare for success. Having the right tools not only makes the process smoother but also unlocks a world of possibilities in your watercolour journey. Think of it as fueling your imagination!

Now, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and actually put those skills into action. This is where the real learning—and the real fun—begins.

From Theory to Canvas: Embracing the Practice

The information you’ve absorbed about washes, colour mixing, and value studies is invaluable. However, knowledge alone won’t make you a watercolour artist. Practice is the bridge that takes you from understanding the theory to actually creating beautiful art.

Don’t be afraid to dive in and get your hands (and paper!) wet.

Simple Exercises to Kickstart Your Creativity

Starting with simple exercises is a fantastic way to build confidence. Here are a few ideas to get you going:

• Colour Mixing Charts: Create a chart where you systematically mix different colours together. This will expand your colour vocabulary. You will also learn how different pigments behave.

• Value Studies: Choose a simple object (an apple, a leaf, a sphere) and paint it in different values. Focus on capturing the light and shadow to create a sense of depth.

• Wash Practice: Dedicate some time to practicing flat, graded, and variegated washes. Aim for smooth transitions and even coverage. Remember, patience is key!

Small Projects, Big Impact: Building Momentum

Once you feel comfortable with the basic exercises, move on to small, manageable projects. Think simple landscapes, still lifes, or floral studies. The key here is not perfection, but rather experimentation and learning.

• Postcard Landscapes: Paint small landscape scenes on postcard-sized paper. This is a great way to practice composition and simplify complex scenes.

• Monochromatic Studies: Paint a subject using only one colour (plus water, of course). This will force you to focus on value and texture.

• Simple Still Lifes: Arrange a few simple objects (fruits, flowers, teacups) and paint them from life. This will help you develop your observation skills.

Unleash Your Inner Artist: The Power of Experimentation

While mastering techniques is important, don’t get too caught up in rules and formulas. Watercolour is a wonderfully expressive medium, and experimentation is essential for finding your own unique style.

Try different brushes, different papers, and different colour combinations. See what happens when you add salt to wet paint, or when you lift colour with a sponge. There are no mistakes, only opportunities for discovery.

Resources for Continued Growth

Your watercolour journey doesn’t end here! There are countless resources available to help you continue learning and growing as an artist.

• Books: Explore books on watercolour techniques, colour theory, and composition.

• Online Tutorials: YouTube and other online platforms are filled with free tutorials and demonstrations.

• Workshops: Consider taking a watercolour workshop with an experienced instructor. This is a great way to learn new techniques and receive personalized feedback.

A Continuous Journey of Discovery

Remember, learning watercolour is a continuous journey, not a destination. There will be challenges along the way, but don’t get discouraged. Embrace the process, celebrate your progress, and never stop experimenting. The more you practice, the more you’ll learn, and the more you’ll discover the joy and beauty of watercolour painting.

So, there you have it! A quick guide to get you started using watercolour paint tubes. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ratios of paint to water, and most importantly, have fun! Watercolour can be wonderfully unpredictable, and that’s part of its charm. Now go on and create something beautiful!