{"id":9747,"date":"2020-02-20T08:00:59","date_gmt":"2020-02-20T12:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/?p=9747"},"modified":"2020-02-24T13:41:52","modified_gmt":"2020-02-24T17:41:52","slug":"an-easy-approach-to-watercolor-painting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/an-easy-approach-to-watercolor-painting","title":{"rendered":"Watercolor Landscape &#8211; A Few Tips to Make the Process Easier"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"margin-top:3%;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"featuredimage\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/watercolor-tips-to-make-it-easier.jpg\" alt=\"Tips to make watercolor painting easier\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9882\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/watercolor-tips-to-make-it-easier.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/watercolor-tips-to-make-it-easier-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/watercolor-tips-to-make-it-easier-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/watercolor-tips-to-make-it-easier-500x281.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"contentfix\">Do you find <a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/watercolor-painting-tutorials.html\">watercolor painting<\/a> frustrating? It doesn\u2019t have to be. Watercolor is a beautiful and unique medium. The characteristics of watercolor that attract some artists are the very same characteristics that repel others. In this lesson, we&#8217;ll look at a watercolor painting from start to finish and present a few solutions to common \u201cproblems\u201d with watercolor.<\/p>\n<h2>The Problems with Watercolor<\/h2>\n<p>Of course, the problem is not with watercolor but with us. What problems do <em>we<\/em> have with the medium?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Watercolor paper buckles and wrinkles when it gets wet.<\/li>\n<li>We must carefully preserve white highlights from the start of a painting.<\/li>\n<li>Watercolor dries lighter that it looks when wet, so the darkest values never seem dark enough.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Do any of the statements above describe your feelings about the medium? Not to worry. The example painting that follows will offer a solution to each of these challenges.<\/p>\n<h2>Getting the Wrinkles Out of Watercolor Paper<\/h2>\n<p>Most watercolor paper <em>does<\/em> expand and wrinkle\/buckle when wet. The simplest solution is to use the thickest, heaviest, watercolor paper available. Typically, watercolor paper is available in three weights (thicknesses) &#8211; 90 lb, 140 lb, and 300 lb. Each <em>weight<\/em> is progressively thicker. For example, 300 lb paper will not wrinkle or warp in the course of a normal painting. For that reason, it is the most expensive option and the simplest solution to the wrinkling problem.<\/p>\n<p><strong>See also:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/all-about-drawing-papers-and-surfaces\">All About Drawing Papers<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The two lighter weight options will buckle when wet and need stretching. Stretching a piece of watercolor paper will not prevent it from warping but it will prevent it from staying warped. Simply let a stretched painting dry between layers and it will return to perfectly flat.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding:0% 4% 0% 4%;\">\n<div class=\"promoinsert\">\n<div class=\"promoimage\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"promotext\"><span>The Watercolor Workshop<\/span><br \/>\n    &#8220;The Watercolor Workshop&#8221; video course is a comprehensive learning experience designed to provide the student with the most comprehensive approach to watercolor painting.<br \/>\n     <a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-watercolor-workshop\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"contentbutton\">VIEW COURSE<\/div>\n<p>     <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"contentfix\">\n<p>To stretch a sheet of watercolor paper you will need gummed tape, a rigid surface (hardboard, plywood, drawing-board, etc.), a sponge and some water. Begin by pre-cutting the gummed tape to match the dimensions of your watercolor paper. Using a sponge and wet the entire paper.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Stretch1.jpg\" alt=\"Supplies for stretching watercolor paper\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9749\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Stretch1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Stretch1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Stretch1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Stretch1-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9750\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Stretch2.jpg\" alt=\"Wetting watercolor paper for stretching\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Stretch2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Stretch2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Stretch2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Stretch2-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The paper will quickly expand. After a minute or so, tape the paper to a ridged support using the gummed tape. Wet the tape with the sponge and press it into place. As the paper and tape dry, they will form a bond. The paper shrinks as it dries, becoming taught across the surface of the board.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9751\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Stretch3.jpg\" alt=\"Stretched watercolor paper\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Stretch3.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Stretch3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Stretch3-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Stretch3-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Now that our paper is prepared, we&#8217;re ready to begin with the painting process.<\/p>\n<h2>Applying a Wash<\/h2>\n<p>The example painting is based on the landscape photograph below if you are following along.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9748\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Reference-WC.jpg\" alt=\"Watercolor landscape reference photo\" width=\"800\" height=\"604\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Reference-WC.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Reference-WC-300x227.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Reference-WC-768x580.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Reference-WC-397x300.jpg 397w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Since the subject includes large areas of a gradation of color, a wash is an appropriate first step. To create a wash of color, first \u201cpaint\u201d the paper with clear water, then add the appropriate color to the wet paper. The strokes will melt together on the damp surface, leaving a smooth application of color.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9752\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC1.jpg\" alt=\"Preparing the surface to make watercolor washes\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC1-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Using a large, soft brush, I first applied a wash of orange transitioning to blue. This initial wash is so light that it will not present a problem when painting the darker islands on top. Of course, the white details in both the water and the land have not been preserved in the wash application. We must rediscover them in the later stages of the painting.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9753\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC2.jpg\" alt=\"Applying a wash of color with watercolor\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC2-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Since watercolor is transparent, any proportional mistakes are difficult to alter. Therefore, it is acceptable to lightly draw important contours with a pencil (see above).<\/p>\n<h2>Adding Layers of Watercolor Washes<\/h2>\n<p>The islands are painted in using mostly orange, green and brown. Orange is used for the rocks and green for the grass. Though this painting will not include the same level of detail as the photo reference, an attempt is made from the beginning to describe the rough texture of the rocks. <\/p>\n<p>Look at the foreground. At this point the white rocks in the grass have been ignored.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9754\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC3.jpg\" alt=\"Painting in the land masses\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC3.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC3-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC3-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Allow the paper to dry to avoid bleeding. Then apply small marks of brown mixed with blue to start the process of carving-out individual rocks from the orange areas (see below). The brown and blue mixture will produce a natural dark value.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/painting-rocks-with-watercolor.jpg\" alt=\"Painting rocks with watercolor\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9878\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/painting-rocks-with-watercolor.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/painting-rocks-with-watercolor-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/painting-rocks-with-watercolor-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/painting-rocks-with-watercolor-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The colors and marks at this stage feel somewhat disconnected. A wash of orange over the entirety of the land will both dull the green and unify the composition. <\/p>\n<p>I will continue developing the painting in several layers, alternating between broad washes of color and smaller marks meant to capture detail. This building up of layers should continue until the general colors and value desired are achieved. Don&#8217;t worry about having ignored the white details, we&#8217;ll add them in a moment.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9756\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC5.jpg\" alt=\"Adding additional washes of watercolor with broad strokes and smaller ones\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC5.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC5-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC5-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC5-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding:0% 4% 0% 4%;\">\n<div class=\"promoinsert\">\n<div class=\"promoimagedays\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"promotext\"><span>Line and Wash<\/span><br \/>Learn how to combine watercolor and ink in this comprehensive course that features a variety of techniques and subjects. Learn how to balance line and watercolor.<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/line-and-wash\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"contentbutton\">VIEW COURSE<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"contentfix\">\n<h2>Addressing White Areas with Watercolor<\/h2>\n<p>It&#8217;s now time to add white. Since we did not \u201cpreserve\u201d the white of the paper we will need to use white paint. Some watercolor sets include an opaque white. Called Chinese White, it is a weak white and has a somewhat milky appearance. Gouache and modern-day tempera paint are suitable substitutes. The small white details in the foreground are painted with Chinese White.<\/p>\n<p>Using white paint takes away the pressure of maintaining white detail from the beginning of the painting, but note that the white will not be as strong if these sections were preserved. If a strong white is desired, these sections must be preserved prior to the initial wash. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9757\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC6.jpg\" alt=\"Adding Chinese White to a watercolor painting\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC6-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC6-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC6-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If the Chinese White or tempera paint is not strong enough then use white acrylic paint. The Chinese White was, in fact, not bold enough to capture the white details seen in the water. In these areas, acrylic paint is used instead. Acrylic white is permanent, allowing for the application of subsequent washes of color over it \u2013 a great benefit.<\/p>\n<h2>Adding Dark Accents for a Full Range of Value<\/h2>\n<p>The painting is nearly complete. The small, dark details in the rocks found in the foreground are missing the same level of contrast and sharpness as seen in the reference photo. Using a drawing pen (.03), marks are drawn over the painting to better describe the rocks. If a more painterly look is desired, a brush can be used instead.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9758\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC7.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"3684\" height=\"2763\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC7.jpg 3684w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC7-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC7-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC7-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC7-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3684px) 100vw, 3684px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When using a pen with watercolor, it is important to avoid complete contours. That is, do not outline everything. Doing so would give a painting a coloring book feel. Instead, apply dark accent marks in a disconnected, abbreviated manner.<\/p>\n<h2>Remove the Tape<\/h2>\n<p>Once finished, it is time to either cut the painting away from the gummed tape, or remove the tape. I prefer to remove the tape by simply pulling it away from the painting. Having a border makes matting and framing easier. Be careful when removing the tape from the painting. It&#8217;s advised to pull the tape away slowly, at a 90 degree angle.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9759\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC8.jpg\" alt=\"Removing tape from a watercolor painting\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC8.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC8-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC8-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/WC8-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Place a ruler along the edges of the painting to hold it down while pulling up the tape. Some of gummed tape will remain on the border. Use some water to soften the glue and pick off the remaining tape scraps. Once the painting is in a mat the border will be entirely covered.<\/p>\n<p><strong>See also:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/how-to-prevent-artists-tape-from-damaging-your-paper\">How to Remove Artist Tape without Tearing the Paper<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/newmembersad.jpg\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>Watercolor is a challenging medium, but we don&#8217;t have to make it more difficult. You don\u2019t have to paint on buckled paper &#8211; stretching the paper helps to keep it under control. You don\u2019t have to preserve the white of your paper &#8211; can add white. You don\u2019t have to settle for weak values &#8211; you can make them darker with ink. Don&#8217;t stress &#8211; art should be fun.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding:0% 4% 0% 4%;clear:both;\">\n<div class=\"promoinsert\">\n<div class=\"promoimagenews\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"promotext\"><span>Like This Lesson?<\/span><br \/>If so, join over 36,000 others that receive our newsletter with new drawing and painting lessons. Plus, check out three of our course videos and ebooks for free.<br \/><script src=\"\/\/static.leadpages.net\/leadboxes\/current\/embed.js\" async defer><\/script> <button data-leadbox-popup=\"v2CJtikZQDhPy8h6xv3hv4\" data-leadbox-domain=\"thevirtualinstructor.lpages.co\" style=\"background: rgb(230, 125, 55);border-color: rgb(230, 125, 55);border-radius: 10px;color: #FFFFFF;display: inline-block;vertical-align: middle;padding: 16px 32px;min-width: 150px;border: 1px solid rgb(230, 125, 55);width:70%;margin-top:8%;font-size: 1rem;font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;text-align: center;outline: 0;line-height: 1;cursor: pointer;-webkit-transition: background 0.3s, color 0.3s, border 0.3s;transition: background 0.3s, color 0.3s, border 0.3s;  box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6);\">YES! I&#8217;M IN!<\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding:2% 4% 0% 4%;clear:both;\">\n<div class=\"MoreLessons\">More Lessons You&#8217;ll Love&#8230;<\/div>\n<div class=\"removep\">\n<div class=\"FlexContainer bluelink\">\n<div class=\"FlexOneThird hovereffect\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/easy-watercolor-landscape.html\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card--content\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/newimages\/easywatercolorlandscapelesson.jpg\" alt=\"Easy Watercolor Landscape\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"cardtitle\"><strong>Easy Watercolor Landscape<\/strong><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"FlexOneThird hovereffect\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/cow-in-a-field-pen-and-ink-with-watercolor\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card--content\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/how-to-draw-paint-cow.jpg\" alt=\"Cow in a Field - Watercolor and Pen and Ink\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"cardtitle\"><strong>Cow in a Field &#8211; Watercolor and Pen and Ink<\/strong><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"FlexOneThird hovereffect\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/ink-and-watercolor-line-and-wash-old-boat\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card--content\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/line-wash-pen-ink-watercolor-old-boat-news.jpg\" alt=\"Watercolor and Ink Landscape\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"cardtitle\"><strong>Watercolor and Ink Landscape<\/strong><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"FlexOneThird hovereffect\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/watercolor-lesson-paint-dog.html\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"card--content\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/images\/watercolorlessondogsmall.jpg\" alt=\"How to Paint a Dog with Watercolor\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"cardtitle\"><strong>How to Paint a Dog with Watercolor<\/strong><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you find watercolor painting frustrating? It doesn\u2019t have to be. Watercolor is a beautiful and unique medium. The characteristics of watercolor that attract some artists are the very same characteristics that repel others. In this lesson, we&#8217;ll look at a watercolor painting from start to finish and present a few solutions to common \u201cproblems\u201d [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":9882,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9747","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-painting"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO 4.9.9 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to create a watercolor landscape step by step. 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