-- Posted by michaelb15 at 7:33 am on Dec. 30, 2008 For christmas I got a really nice art set.. and now im finally in the proper mood to use it   I got this nice sketch I just drew up, n now I need to fill it in with color :P where should I start? foreground/background? light/dark color first? now what about shading/blending.. is it as simple as mixing the color I want with black/white to bring the tone I desire? lol I dont really wanna start when I dont kno what im doing.. i spent a few hours on the sketch n dont wanna screw it up in a few seconds :p Thanks in advance :) -- Posted by Miss Vanity at 7:34 am on Dec. 30, 2008 Cool -- Posted by sadnessness at 7:39 am on Dec. 30, 2008 start with a base colour that you can build from. -- Posted by EarthEmpire at 11:17 am on Dec. 30, 2008 Quote: from Miss Vanity at 8:34 am on Dec. 30, 2008 Cool How is that useful in any way?... To OP: I don't suggest starting with the background, instead begin with a base color, so light color first. Remember, it is watercolor, so if you make something too dark, it's not necessarily easy to take it out. Don't attempt to tackle the whole painting at once, do it litte part at a time. As for shading/blending, DON'T just mix in black and white. To make cooler shades you can use blues and dark greens. To make warmer ones, add warm colors. If you're trying to make something light/dark (for instance, baby blue), just dilute it with water, remember, watercolors are transparent paints (generally). If you've never done watercolors before, I actually suggest you do a simple piece first - something small but which uses the techniques you want to master. What paper are you using? What watercolor paints? How big is your painting? Let me know if you have any other questions :) Enjoy. -- Posted by michaelb15 at 12:19 pm on Dec. 31, 2008 Quote: from EarthEmpire at 2:17 pm on Dec. 30, 2008 Quote: from Miss Vanity at 8:34 am on Dec. 30, 2008 Cool How is that useful in any way?...   To OP: I don't suggest starting with the background, instead begin with a base color, so light color first. Remember, it is watercolor, so if you make something too dark, it's not necessarily easy to take it out. Don't attempt to tackle the whole painting at once, do it litte part at a time. As for shading/blending, DON'T just mix in black and white. To make cooler shades you can use blues and dark greens. To make warmer ones, add warm colors. If you're trying to make something light/dark (for instance, baby blue), just dilute it with water, remember, watercolors are transparent paints (generally). If you've never done watercolors before, I actually suggest you do a simple piece first - something small but which uses the techniques you want to master.   What paper are you using? What watercolor paints? How big is your painting? Let me know if you have any other questions :) Enjoy. seems you kno what your talking about :D Thanks a lot for the information :p.. I have used reallllly cheap dollaramma paints before, but they are nothing compared to what I have now.. Ive painted a bit of my sketch. its about 15" wide, n 30" long. The brand of paint is Permalba (Weber).. Im using a really light paper (65lb) its more of a sketchpad then an actual painting surface, but seems to be holding fine. Thanks :) -- Posted by EarthEmpire at 3:13 pm on Dec. 31, 2008 Wow, those paints are good! I've actually never used the brand; how well do they handle? And your painting is going to be pretty big (=awesome). Since your paper is rather light, don't water it too much, but you probably know that already :) What picture are you painting? -- Posted by michaelb15 at 5:49 pm on Dec. 31, 2008 The picture is of a flower blossom with the pistolettes wraped around each other, to form a heart. not sure what I wanna do with the background yet; im not the greatest of creating the illusion of depth.. even with pencil.. let alone paint :p it seems to be handling alright; it doesnt clump on the paper or anything. I took a look through your gallery n wow :o where did you even begin on that pastel of "Silent Reflection".. crazzy lol never even thought it was possible withthat media :p but anyway.. nice talking to someone on the same page :) -- Posted by EarthEmpire at 12:58 pm on Jan. 1, 2009 That sounds like a really neat picture, actually. I don't think I've ever attempted difficult flower pictures. For the background, you could always do like an out-of-focus plants/leaves or something that will contrast well with the flower. Oo that's good. Maybe I'll try it some day. Most of my watercolors are cheap Reeves with some Windsor&Newtons scattered amongst them. Haha, I started with the tree on the right (our right) side, actually. I hate that "painting" so much though, I wanted to kill myself by the time I got to the reflection. Eeek :D Good thing I'm not an arts student. Do you have deviant? :)