The World of Watercolor: Loose And Free!
Do you love watercolor? Love its translucency, its soft melting edges?
Love Colors that seemingly flow together to create something that the hand, the brush could not quite have dobbed or dabbed into being?
I do.
world of watercolor loose and free
Loose Colorful Patio Flowers
Watercolor Loose and Free
Freedom of Expression
What purpose such looseness and freedom serve, we may wonder.
Wouldn’t crisp, tight, defined, “control” over the entire process be much better?
Maybe. Or maybe not.
Wouldn’t it better … “to bend; not break?”
My privilege as a teacher, while adhering to the described course title, theme topic, is to overview the group’s needs and then tailor the agenda to that.
Diversity within the group, of course means we will all take in the skills, the information at varying rates, the different things presented.
Its just like here, in these posts. At different times, we will be ready. For new information.
I liked the concept of Loose and Easy, as I believe its one of the most effective ways to become confident and successful with watercolors.
Scary at first, yes, I do remember being a ‘beginner.’
But we ease in. Bit by bit we let go.
Step by step we open the doors.
Glorious Colors
Ways… to let go
Trying any of these, better still – making up your own ways, is a step towards free & loose expression in art.
Ultramarine acts as a dark anchor while Lemon blends with Cobalt Teal blue as they fall together.
The explosion of shapes created with Cadmium Scarlet eased into Indanthrone blue, Prussian blue.
Or maybe the sedimentation and speckling patterns made by mixing Lunar Black with Quinacridone Sienna.
Cobalt Teal blue finding its way downwards, as gravity controls its descent in a lovely scene, reflections along the water.
Cadmium Scarlet on Blue
There is a time and place for all types, all styles, genres of painting approaches.
Botanical, Impressionist, Surrealism, Illustrative, Cubist, PhotoRealism, etc.
Bird of Paradise Greeting Cards
Each artist, will have their own unique personality.
With specific preferences.
These preferences, evolve with time.
Our tastes, change, as we gain more experience.
As we gain confidence, step by step, we put our ‘stamp’ upon the things we do.
Just like our clothing, our home decor, our landscaping, our favorite cooking recipes.
And this, is exactly what we are aiming for!
‘Zen in the Forest,’ …. a loose interpretative approach
Tips & ‘Guide Posts’ to Painting Loose!
For us to be able to paint and create Loose and Free, there are some helpful ideas that make it easier for us.
These guide posts serve to inspire us, to lead us in the direction of our goal.
Loose and Free!! Viridian green and Ultramarine 22×30 Abstract
If you like, you could replace the words need and must, with “suggest” it does, sound nicer on the ears.
- we must be willing to paint loose
- we have to…. Want It!
- we need to practice, frequently
- practice with such repetition, that it might annoy us at times
- we need to Think differently
- think thoughts of big bold, loose! Free!
- we need to let go
- we need to open the closed doors
- we need to stop, all, miserly thoughts
- penny pinching defeats, Loose & Free
- we need to think laterally
- creative problem solving for such issues, IS Possible
Control – serves a purpose, at times.
The World of Watercolor Loose and Free, though, is one where we can relax. Let go.
Enjoy the colors, the music, the tones, the movement.
Simplicity Wc Light Red
Loose and Free, interpretation of W.A. landscape. “uncontrolled ill defined”