by Anna Meenaghan

You will find there are two varieties of watercolours, students and artists colours. The main difference is the actual pigments. Artists colours are very intense, as the best pigments are used for these, soaked with much colour.

If you have a limited budget, the student variety are cheaper as they are synthetics and are, in fact, mixed with pigments, so they will not last you as long. Artists however are very easy to use, serviceable and the pigments have been well drenched in colour.

Watercolors can be bought from art suppliers in what we call pans or tubes. The tube paint is a lot softer so you can use these for making a big wash. Whichever type you use, you need to remember to put the caps back on the tubes or close the pan boxes. Otherwise the paint is likely to dry up.

Pans too are good, as they are readily usable direct from the box, making them pretty manageable. So for a few words about mixing to paint with watercolours. Essential requirements are two jars of clean water, small coffee or jam jars will suffice, as you need one for cleaning your brushes and the other for mixing your paint.

Several mixing dishes will also be needed. Maybe you would find it easier to work with the pans first time around. Using a flatish mixing dish, transfer some water to it by dipping the brush into the water. Best to tap the brush not too strongly so that you drop the water.

Repeat the process a few times, then dip the brush in the water, tap it on the side of your vessel so that it is not to watery, then move your brush over and collect the paint.

The next step is as follows: Brush goes to the dish, mix it together with the water and you will now have the transference of paint. Keep trying this and you will soon manage to obtain a lighter or darker tone if you need it. You can always look at the shades on scrap paper first.

Whatever you do, just look after your brushes. If you do not care for them it can be expensive for you. They need cleaning well in water as soon as you have finished with them.

Try to restore their original shape by either using your fingers to do this, or a wrist flick will sometimes do the trick. If you need them to be portable, wrap them in brown paper or newspaper and put a band round them. In the home they are fine kept in an old mug or jug with the brush facing upwards and not in water. Do not leave them in the water. In tins or boxes remember they need to be well dried first.

As you will have gathered, the tools you use can make a big difference to your work, so spend and choose them wisely. Quality pays and will give you a helping hand. Handle them with care, it is certainly worth it!

About the Author:
This “Help” guide was written by contemporary artist Anna Meenaghan. Anna operates her own internet art gallery where I, as a contemporary painter, also showcase my own paintings. Anna has collected a vast amount of knowledge in the art world as she has been creating paintings and other art most of her life. Comment by Michael Bruckner.

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