This week i’m experimenting with watermarks (flowers, cauliflowers, halos…) and how to create them !
It’s a problem for beginner and they often want to avoid them, but i, in the contrary want to create them and i don’t know how anymore ! So that’s why i wanted to work it. And anyway, to understand how they are created will help you to avoid or have them in your painting as you want it !
A few elements are important when creating watermarks. First is paper : a cellulose paper (well loved by beginner) will definitely be prone to watermarks. But coton paper, as it better in the repartition of water, will make this a little bit harder. And rough paper even more ! That was my choice of paper for this video and i did have a hard time creating watermarks ! Whats creating the peculiar texture of watermarks is an inbalanced in wetness on the paper. Lots of water is added in an area that was drying. But you have to find the right timing ! I like to try to make watermarks when my paper is still very wet but mat. Timing is very important there ! And there is no secret to that : trying and exercising is the best way to find the perfect moment.
Creating watermarks in watercolor
Supplies :
Brushes : Escoda Aquario nº18, Rosemary&Co serie 39 1/2″.
Paper : Canson Héritage rough.
Colors : French ultramarine (Schmincke), Cobalt violet (Schmincke), Aussie red gold (Daniel Smith), Payne’s grey (Sennelier), Lunar blue (Daniel Smith).
And here you have the finished painting (click to enlarge) :
