PRO Relaxing PAINT EFFECTS in watercolor for FUN & DRAMA.

A brief introduction to the course outlining what you will learn.

As part of the 'brushes only' section, here I show how to literally let your brush do the work. The chisel, or flat brush can give you some great marks if you just use your imagination. Here I show you how to construct a tree to create a peeling bark effect.

The photograph added a a resource shows a section from a painting I did using (in part) this technique.

As in lecture 4, 'let your brush do the work.'

Here are a few ideas of different tree and leaf shapes you can paint with this type of brush. Just look around you and see what else this handy little brush could paint for you.

And don't forget to post your finding for the rest of us to enjoy.

THIS VIDEO ENDED rather abruptly, but on checking my notes and pictures can tell you that it was at the end.

RESOURCES - I have added a photograph of a Weeping Willow

This demonstration shows you how to load two colours onto a chisel brush. This gives you more options to create different effects.

Resource: Pictures of roof tiles and folk art painting

The picture relating to folk art is taken from the book 'Folk Art Style' by Sybil Edwards

Have a play with this wet-and-dry technique and play with different colours and effects.

Masking tape can be quite helpful to give you a really straight edge, create an interesting pattern or cut a paper one in the shape to suit your needs.

You will need a roll of masking tape, some paper and a pair of scissors

A more precise way of masking off areas from your paint.

You will need some masking fluid either in a bottle with a nozzle or in a pot. If you have a pot, use an old brush to apply it. Although if you put soap on your brush first it makes it easier to remover afterwards. Otherwise you could use a cocktail stick or the end of a paint brush. You certainly don't want to spoil a brush.

Here is an idea for you. Usually you may be using the masking fluid part way though starting the painting. Here I am starting with the masking fluid and using it as a drawing tool. It's just to show you another thinking process and having fun at the same time.

A film to give you a few ideas of using masking fluid when you want water effects. Play with it in different ways and create a range of ripples, waves and even waterfalls.

Just play around with it and see what you can come up with. And remember water is often the colour of what it is reflecting.

Resource: A painting I did of the Canal du Midi

When the fluid is dry you can put on your first layer of paint.

When the fluid is dry, gently rub it off and make adjustments by adding more paint wherever you think it is needed

The use of a palette knife is usually associated with thick paint such as oil or acrylic paints as you use the khife to spread the paint on the surface and mix colours. However it can be used with watercolour paints to give you some different effects. If you don't have a palette knife, try and ordinary kitchen knife.

You will need a palette knife, kitchen knife or even a stiff peice of card.

When making marks with a paint brush, often people get into a rhythm and tend to create a pattern. This may not be what you want if you are painting a subject from nature. So an object from nature, such as a feather, can give you some super random marks. So next time you are out on a walk and see one, pick it up and keep it with your brushes.

You will need a feather, pretty much any sort, some with spread out differently to others, so just play with it.

Most of the time you are learning about how to put the paint onto your paper. Let's not forget that you can get some unusual effects by lifting it off with a variety of different Here are a few. Experiment and tell me what you have used and I'll add it to the course.

You will need some cling film, a natural sponge, some bubble wrap and some absorbent kitchen towel

You will need an old toothbrush or a stiff bristle brush that you might use for painting with acrylic paint.

Simply by spraying some water onto already wet paint can push it around. Try spraying at different angles, close to and further away.

You can also do this to dry paper to prepare it for a wash.

Have another go at using the resist and paint a lemon. It's also a good effect for an avocado, trees and walls.

Try this for a change.

Mix a strong solution of salt water and apply it to the paper before you paint. Try different types of salts and varying concentrations.

Ordinary table salt can give you some fascinating effects.

You will need some fine table salt.

A 'resist' is something which stops the paint from staying on the paper and so staining the paper with the pigment. The water in the paint mix will not adhere to the was and so is resisted.

You will need a white and clean candle stub.

This video shows you what happens when you drop a liquid called ox gall onto a wet patch of watercolour paint.

Share with other what other effects you create.

Having shown you what effect ox gall has on the watercolour paint this video shows you how I used it to give an interesting effect on a tree,

Why don't you see where you could use it and post your results? I'd like to see what you have discovered.

Less expensive than ox gall it gives a similar effect, if a bit more defined. I will post more showing you where I have used it.

Resource: Photo of samples

Watercolour pencils are a great addition to any painting bag and I recommend them. Buy them either individually or in sets.

You will need a watercolour pencil and a piece of sandpaper or an emery board.