5 Essential Watercolor Still Life Painting Tips
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 5 min read

Contents

1. Choose your subject matter

2. Prep your palette

3. Master the wash

4. Pay attention to light and shadow

5. Be patient and let it dry

Diving into the world of watercolor can be both enchanting and daunting. The key to mastering any art form, especially painting still life in watercolor, lies in understanding its nuances, practicing the basics, and playing with your creativity. This blog will guide you through five essential steps to elevate your watercolor still life painting skills. Let's get started, shall we?

1. Choose your subject matter

The first step in painting still life in watercolor is choosing the right subject matter. It's like choosing the right ingredients for a perfect dish—you need to consider color, form, and composition. Here's how you can nail it.

Selecting the right object

You could paint a bowl of fruit, a vase of flowers, or even a pair of old shoes—it's all about picking something that speaks to you. While selecting, consider how the object's shape and texture can add to your painting.

Considering color and form

Color is the life of your painting. It's what grabs the viewer's attention. So, you must choose objects that offer a vibrant mix of colors. As for the form, it’s about the object's shape and how it interacts with the space around it. It could be a round apple, a square box, or a triangular pyramid—every form brings a unique dynamic to your painting.

Thinking about composition

Composition is how you arrange your objects. It's like setting a stage for a play—where each object is an actor. You could go for a symmetrical arrangement for a sense of balance. Or, you could try an asymmetrical setup for a bit of drama. Remember, your composition should guide the viewer's eye around the painting and not away from it.

2. Prep your palette

Before you embark on your painting journey, you need to prep your palette. It's like laying the foundation for a house—it needs to be sturdy and well-planned. Here's how you can get your palette ready for painting still life in watercolor.

Selecting watercolor brands

Not all watercolors are created equal. Some brands offer more pigmentation, while others provide better flow. Brands like Winsor & Newton, Sennelier, and Daniel Smith are known for their high-quality paints. Choose a brand that aligns with your painting style and budget.

Mixing colors

Mixing colors is like making a new flavor of ice cream—you need the right ingredients in the right proportions. Start with your primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. You'd be surprised how many shades you can create with just these three. Practice mixing until you get a feel for it. Remember, watercolor is about transparency, so don't overdo the mixing.

Using a mixing tray

A mixing tray is not just a tool—it's your playground. It's where you mix your colors, experiment with shades, and even correct your mistakes. Invest in a good mixing tray with multiple wells. And remember: clean your tray after every painting session. You don't want yesterday's blue to turn today's yellow into green, do you?

3. Master the wash

Now that you've prepped your palette, it's time to dive into the heart of painting still life in watercolor: mastering the wash. A wash is simply a layer of diluted paint. Think of it as the base coat on a wall—it sets the mood and tone of the entire painting. So, let's look at the different wash techniques you can use.

Flat wash technique

The flat wash technique is all about consistency. It's like painting a wall with a single, uniform color. To achieve this, keep your brush strokes even and work quickly so the paint doesn't dry unevenly. This technique is perfect for painting backgrounds or large areas of uniform color.

Graded wash technique

The graded wash technique is a little more complex. Imagine a sunset, where the color gradually changes from orange to pink to purple. To achieve this, add more water to your paint as you work down the page. This dilutes the color and creates a beautiful gradient effect, perfect for painting skies or water in your still life.

Wet-on-wet wash technique

The wet-on-wet technique is where painting still life in watercolor really shines. It's like magic—you apply wet paint onto an already wet surface and watch the colors flow and blend on their own. This technique creates soft edges and diffused colors, ideal for painting shadows or creating a sense of depth. Remember, watercolor is all about control and letting go at the same time. So, don't be afraid to let the colors flow.

4. Pay attention to light and shadow

Great, you've mastered the wash. But what about light and shadow? When painting still life in watercolor, understanding how light and shadow work can be the difference between a flat, lifeless painting and a vibrant, realistic one. So, let's delve into how you can use light and shadow to bring your still lifes to life.

Creating shadows with watercolors

Creating convincing shadows in watercolor is all about understanding color theory. Shadows aren't just a darker version of the object's color—they often have a bit of the complementary color mixed in. So next time you're painting a red apple, try adding a touch of green to your shadows. You'll be surprised at how much more realistic it looks.

Using light to create depth

Light is your best friend when it comes to creating depth. It's simple—where the light hits the object, leave it lighter, and where it doesn't, make it darker. This simple trick will add a three-dimensional effect to your painting and make your still lifes pop off the page.

Understanding values in painting

Value is a fancy term for how light or dark something is. In painting, it's essential to have a good range of values to create contrast and depth. A handy trick is to squint your eyes when looking at your subject. This blurs out the details and makes it easier to see the different values. Try it—it works!

5. Be patient and let it dry

Alright, you've done an excellent job with painting your still life in watercolor so far. But, you're not done yet. The final, and arguably most important step, is to let your painting dry. It's like baking a cake—you wouldn't take it out of the oven halfway through, would you? So, let's explore some tips to ensure your painting dries perfectly.

Understanding drying times

First things first, different colors and brands of watercolors have different drying times. Brands like Winsor & Newton and Daniel Smith are known for their fast-drying watercolors, but even within these brands, some colors dry faster than others. So, always test your colors on a scrap piece of paper to get a feel for their drying times.

Avoiding smudging

There's nothing worse than spending hours on a painting only to smudge it at the last moment. So, here's a tip: start painting from the top of the page and work your way down. This way, you won't accidentally smudge your painting with your hand. Believe me, it's a game-changer!

Layering colors

Last but not least, let's talk about layering. Layering colors is a great way to add depth and richness to your painting. But, remember—always let each layer dry fully before adding the next. This prevents the colors from mixing and turning into a muddy mess. So, be patient, let it dry, and watch your painting come to life.

If you're looking to dive deeper into watercolor still life painting techniques, don't miss Magali Polverino's workshop, 'The Beginning Of Still Life'. This workshop will provide you with valuable insights and practical tips to elevate your watercolor still life paintings to the next level.