The Palm House - Loose Watercolour Studies

Discover the calming world of watercolor painting with this beginner-friendly guide! Learn to create beautiful and soothing color swatches, focusing on the harmonious blend of blues, yellows, and greens. You'll be amazed by the depth of subtle hues achievable by mixing just two colors – it's a truly addictive process!

Next, we'll dive into developing your own unique palm design using simple and effective brush strokes. This design is surprisingly easy to master, yet creates an incredibly attractive piece of art. Consider creating multiple studies – perhaps two or three – to hang together for a stunning display, or explore smaller projects like gift cards.

Materials You'll Need:

• For Swatching:

  • Paper: Off-cuts of paper
  • Blues: Two different shades of blue (e.g., Winsor and Newton Indanthrene Blue, Daniel Smith Cerulean Blue Chromium)
  • Yellows: Two different shades of yellow (e.g., Daniel Smith New Gamboge, Yellow Hansa Light)
  • Brush: Flat brush
  • Drawing Tools: Pen or pencil for drawing squares

• For Large Studies:

  • Large Round Brush: (e.g., Escoda Size 10)
  • Small Round Brush: (e.g., Handover Toray Pointed Brush No. 5)
  • Paper: Fabriano Artistico Block 9x12in Hot Pressed (also recommend Arches, Stonehenge, or Seawhite). Hot pressed is preferred for its texture and quick drying time, but cold-pressed works well too!
  • Water: Two pots of water – one for rinsing brushes and another for mixing paints (or use a "double dipping" method).

Elevate your watercolor skills with quality watercolor paper – it's an investment that truly makes a difference in your artwork! This project is perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike looking to explore color mixing and create beautiful, relaxing pieces.