Hardly a watercolor artist has looked at that expensive and pristine sheet of watercolor paper lying in front of him or her and not felt intimated. Thoughts of “Where and how shall I start to lay in the color?” and “What if I ruin the painting right at the start” cross the mind. I recommend that you not jump right in to doing a painting, but rather play first. Don’t give yourself a goal or preconceived idea of a finished product, but just practice mixing colors, laying down color, then dropping in another color. Practice painting shapes of trees, rocks, flowers, etc. Spatter color onto a sheet of paper; loosen up and just have fun moving around the paper to see what color combinations you can create. This is how I, and many professional artists, start the day. This way, you learn the medium first. You would be surprised how many great paintings develop from just playing with the medium.

Before jumping into a large painting, pick four colors and do a smaller painting (7 x 9 inches is a good size). By doing a smaller practice painting first, you will automatically keep the subject simple and you will not feel overwhelmed by having to fill a large sheet of paper with color. When you move to the larger painting, grab the same colors and a large 1-inch flat brush and lay in the color with the same simplicity. Then use a no. 8 round brush to complete the final detail work. Spend more time playing with watercolor and you will be a better watercolor painter.

I hope this will make your approach to painting watercolor easier and more fun.

Tom Jones
www.TomJonesArtist.com

I officially have spring fever and you probably do, too. Punxsuawany Phil was a little off this year. Late winter storms kept us bundled up and shoveling walks, but I can smell spring in the air.

I wake up each morning to the sound of birds chirping. This morning my big cat was prowling around, on the hunt for a sweet red robin he saw outside. The little female robin picked up items to make and decorate her nest. Of course, the cat (named runamuck tuck) could never get to the birds through the plate glass window, but it doesn’t stop him from thinking big thoughts of the great hunt.

Spring always brings to mind the endless back and forth of cat versus bird. Then I remember this won- derful, project designed by sammie Crawford (often known as the Fairy Gourdmother). It is the perfect project for a spring Paint Party. It is really two projects! One is a beautiful (and fully functional) redbird Bird Feeder; the other is our little kitty on the prowl. They make great yard or patio ornaments.

Knowing how unpredictable spring weather can be, we have set this party up to be either an outdoor event or an indoor get-together. Invite your painting pals and spend some paint-quality time together. If weather permits, get everyone outside for an old fash- ioned game of croquet—the fresh air and sunlight are good for the artist’s soul.

Download the plan and invite over your painting friends, or someone who has never painted before. Throw a gourd party and share your love of painting with someone new this month!

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Full Party Plan
Project
Recipes
Activity

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