Notes on Technique

William Stanley Short

Following on from our previous article in Frank’s Studio, Stanley has kindly made a number of short notes about style and technique in watercolour painting.

(1)   Keep it simple: this is not easy but it looks so.

( 2)   As much as possible, use only one coat.

(3)   Use sharp changes of colour: let first coat dry then bring up adjacent coat without over-lapping.

(4)   Soft changes of colour; bring wet coats together.

(5)   Don’t bring wet coat up against a semi-dry coat. However painting a tree for example will probably use both these techniques, likewise in a sky.

These are only suggestions which generally work well for me. Other painters e.g. Russell Flint use several superimposed coats but I think this is more suitable for the studio than outside on site.

Important – Paint on site as much as possible. Speed is essential in most cases. Practise outside will lead to developing your own personal style.

Use as large a brush as possible. Most of my painting is done with a No twelve sable which I have had many years.

If it cannot be done with this brush, it will generally be left out.

We are willing to help in these matters please contact our email address.

Page created 1 December 2006