Welcome to Cosmic Watercolor!
So happy you are here. I hope you find this class useful in your watercolor journey.
I created this class in 2017 with the goal of sharing my love for watercolor in a fun and approachable way.
These are techniques I use all the time - no matter what I'm painting. Enjoy!
This course is a 'pay what you can' offering.
There are many ways to feel and receive abundance and my hope is that we all connect with that energy and allow it to flow.
Please contribute what feels right for you and your situation.
I receive in love and ask for the circle of abundance and inspiration to flow for us all!
Thank you for supporting my work. I hope you enjoy this class!
You can support here:
Or here.
SUPPLIES
There are so many different options these days, it's easy to get confused. I'll try to help you navigate your choices and let you know what I use most. You can watch the video - or scroll to see the list.
Paper:
I use cold press paper in 140lb
I use all sorts of watercolor journals - and any are fine for this class. My favorites are
Handbook Paper Co. Field Watercolor Journal with Fluid Watercolor paper: On Amazon
Strathmore Watercolor pad: (I get these locally at Michaels) : on Dick Blick
For more advanced Techniques and the paper I will be using for class videos:
Arches 140lb cold press watercolor paper pad: on Cheap Joes
Paints:
I use mostly tubes - but I also love my pan sets, especially for journaling. Either will work great for this class.
For tube paints I mostly use: Cotman by Winsor Newton, Daniel Smith and Winsor Newton Professional...
I also love Holbein, Qor, Mission - and really, any tube paint. Lol. Experiment!
For Pan sets, I mostly use: Prima Marketing Confection Sets (I suggest the 'Classics' for this class - it has a good color range) and I also use Winsor Newton and Schminke Pan sets
Brushes:
I'll admit I have a brush addiction. These are my absolute, all-time favorites. But not to worry if you don't have them... you basically just need a few 'round' watercolor brushes. The more you paint, the more you'll get to know your brushes and decide which type you like best.
Extra Supplies:
We will be playing around with salt and alcohol, but you probably already have those.
To create stars, any white gel pen or paint pen will do the trick. Here are the one's I use:Posca and Signo
I also use white acrylic ink to paint in effects on my stars - but you can also use white gouache or white acrylic paint, just water it down to a thinner consistency.
I also use a template to create my planets, but anything round you can trace - or draw your own!
Paper Towels, a pencil, water!, and a palette if you are using tube paints.
LET'S PAINT!!
Lesson 1 - Wet into Wet, Drop and Release
Video lesson, part 2:
This technique is part of my signature style and allows you to create intense, unique effects with your paints. I find that painting this way allows me more control of my water and paint content. I use it so often, it has become automatic for me - I can't wait for you to experiment!
It's a beautiful way to create watery texture:
And you can make it as intense or light as you like:
What else could you create with drop and release?
These flowers were creating by wetting the shape of a flower then dropping an 'exploding' watercolor into the water! Outlining them helps to define their shape.
Lesson 2 - Combining Colors
Lesson 2 - part 1 - combining colors wet into wet:
Warning - combining colors and creating planets is very addictive! You'll want to do it all day!
Lesson 2 - part 2 - Saturn Effect:
Lesson 2 - part 3 - Wet paint, dry paper:
Tips:
Don't be afraid to experiment with colors that may not 'go' together - you never know what is going to happen
Keep your colors from fully mixing with each other - just let them mix a little within your circle, but let them stand alone too. Create variety and texture by leaving some areas lighter and some darker.
Remember to experiment with brush sizes and paint to water ratio
Combine techniques - try a planet with half drop/release and half Saturn Effect!
Use Drop and release on top of your wet painted areas for interest and texture
Here's some inspiration!
Try using a dark color mixed in with each color of the rainbow - here I used Lunar Blue, but try black or something dark in your palette! This will really help you learn how to control how much paint and water you allow into your painting... as black and dark colors can be overpowering to lighter hues.
Use Geometry!
Go wild! Write down your color experiments so you'll know how to use them later.
What else could you create combining colors?!
Lesson 3 - Creating Alchemy
Make watercolor dance and play as you add other elements to your paintings!
Lesson 3 - Adding Alchemy
Tips:
There's a right time to add salt and alcohol to your painting - it's the moment when most of the puddles of wetness are gone and your paper is shiny... experiment to find this sweet spot!
Experiment with different types of salt grains
Experiment with different brush sizes to apply alcohol
Lesson 4 - Adding Glow and Depth
Lesson 4 - Inspiration
Lesson 4 -
part 1 - Find out how to add special visual effects to your project after your paint dries:
Lesson 4 - part two - Adding Stars and other elements:
Lesson 4 - part 3: CREATE A MOONGLOW EFFECT! This is one of my MOST favorite techniques! (I know I say that a lot, but it's true - they're all my favorite!)
I can't wait to see your MOONGLOW!!
Can you pick out the techniques I used to paint this? You've learned them all! Limitless possibilities!
Thank you so much for coming along on this cosmic journey with me.
I hope you are inspired to create many magical paintings using the foundational techniques you've learned along the way. For more inspiration, you can find bonus content here!
If you are inspired by this class and would like to help support my classes and offerings, I thank you and you can do it right here:
or here.