Chapter 5 5. WATERCOLOR IN OPERATION In preceding sections we have covered the basic fundamentals of watercolor technique. Now we are about to consider the additional methods of handling the medium, special tricks that are sometimes useful in special situations, and ways of making changes and corrections when necessary. WET-IN-WET Wet-in-wet painting is a method of painting […]
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From Frederic Whitaker’s book, Whitaker on Watercolor
Chapter 4 4. COLOR FUNDAMENTALS The unique characteristic of painting––the attribute that distinguishes it from all other forms of art expression––is color. The beginning painter should understand color fundamentals so that when he applies his paints to paper or canvas, reason and knowledge will guide his movements, quickly telling him things that trial and error might taker longer to […]
From Frederic Whitaker’s book, Whitaker on Watercolor
Chapter 3 3. STEPS IN PAINTING A WATERCOLOR No two artists paint alike. It would be presumptuous, therefore, to say how a picture should be painted. But I can tell you how I proceed. Naturally, I adjust my method to the particular subject at hand, but I do follow a general routine based on specific […]
From Frederic Whitaker’s book, Whitaker on Watercolor
Chapter 2 2. BASIC TECHNIQUES Once you have your watercolor equipment before you, the nest step is to learn to handle it correctly. Watercolor is a deceptive medium––it is easy to use, but it is not easy to use well. Considerable practice is needed to learn to control it. Before you can produce finished painting […]
From Frederic Whitaker’s book, Whitaker on Watercolor
Frederic Whitaker, N.A. was born 120 years ago and he wrote the book, Whitaker on Watercolor, in 1963. It is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to watercolor medium by the man who was known as “Mr. Watercolor.” Unfortunately, it is now out-of-print. In celebration of this anniversary year, the Whitaker Foundation is delighted to bring […]
Notes from “Whitaker on Watercolor” by Frederic Whitaker
Ruddy Maples, Frederic Whitaker, 1973 The Arrangement of Color Notes from the book, Whitaker on Watercolor, by Frederic Whitaker: I usually paint daily, so I never throw away the paint in my pans. Twenty minutes before starting I drop water onto the hardened color so the pigment is pasty by the time I am ready. […]