Watercolor Painting like a Pro - Artists love Florence, let's paint Ponte Vecchio

Let's explore the beauty of watercolor painting with a detailed guide to capturing the iconic Ponte Vecchio in Florence! Join semi-professional artist Michelle, based in Rome, as she unveils her techniques for creating depth and texture in both the buildings and the water. This lesson dives into color mixing secrets and provides a comprehensive look at Michelle's artistic process.

This tutorial is geared towards intermediate watercolor artists, but all skill levels are welcome to try! Michelle emphasizes providing thorough information and a clear demonstration of her workflow.

Here's a breakdown of the essential watercolor painting materials you'll need:

• Paper: Arches or Fabriano Artistico 300gsm (or heavier) semi-rough paper (quarter sheet). Choosing the right paper is crucial for watercolor success!
• Blues: Light Cobalt Blue, Cobalt Turquoise, Phthalo Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Cinerous Blue (optional). Explore the nuances of blue shades for realistic water and sky.
• Yellows & Oranges: Naples Yellow, Yellow Ocher, Cadmium Orange, Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson, Raw Sienna, Sepia, Neutral Tint, Titanium White. A versatile palette for mixing a wide range of colors.
• Brushes: A small brush for intricate details, a large round brush for broad washes, and a medium-sized brush for everything in between.
• Other Essentials: Two pots of clean water, masking tape, a board (wooden preferred) for securing your paper, paper towels.

This list might seem extensive, but it represents the core watercolor supplies needed to get started.

To aid your painting, download the reference photo from the resources section (accessible from your desktop or laptop). Consider sketching the subject freehand or, if preferred, tracing it using graphite copy paper (avoid carbon paper).

Learn valuable watercolor techniques and improve your painting skills with this in-depth lesson on capturing the essence of Ponte Vecchio.