Dragonfly Spirit Studio
Dragonfly Spirit Studio
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Prevent watercolor paper from buckling WITHOUT stretching your paper
Working on paper that is saturated from the back is a method for preventing your paper from buckling while you work that does not involve stretching it. Finally, I found a way to do it that I'm gives good results without a lot of finicky monitoring as it dries, so I'm sharing it with you :)
Puppy-training pads are available from pet supply stores. Any brand works fine.
The spritz technique for trees can be found here: czcams.com/video/zYduxjNgs90/video.html (around timestamp 8:50)
If you want to see how to stretch watercolor paper on stretcher bars (my usual method), you can find that here: czcams.com/video/f39ozXO2j7s/video.html
I published a video as part of my free Skies and Clouds workshop that talks about working on saturated paper to practice wet-into-wet techniques. This is different! Here, you wet the paper only from the back. The front surface of the paper still behaves like dry paper, except that washes dry much more slowly. You have extra working time to soften edges or lay washes over larger areas (big help in dry climates!). I never used to use this method for completed paintings because I had a hard time getting it to dry (mostly) flat between working sessions, and sometimes got blooms around the edges as it dried. Then I discovered a simple trick that solves those problems--yay!--so I'm sharing the whole method with you here.
Want to get all my free lessons as soon as they're published? (Including lessons that don't get published here because they involve writing and photos as well as video.) Sign up for my newsletter on Substack:
lynnebaur.substack.com
There's no paywall--the free subscription option includes every article--although I am always grateful for those who choose to support this work with a voluntary paid subscription. :)
For a wealth of watercolor how-to info, project templates and reference photos and watercolor courses (much of it free), visit my website at
dragonflyspiritstudio.com
Thanks for watching!
zhlédnutí: 23 319

Video

Making Basic Edits to Your Reference Photos
zhlédnutí 2KPřed 9 měsíci
The two articles on planning which precede this video, are available at: lynnebaur.substack.com (posts from Aug 18 and Aug 25, 2023) Want to get all my free lessons as soon as they're published? (Including lessons that don't get published here because they involve writing and photos as well as video.) Sign up for my newsletter on Substack: lynnebaur.substack.com There's no paywall the free subs...
Everyone asks, "How do I paint _______ in watercolor?" Let's flip the question.
zhlédnutí 3,9KPřed 10 měsíci
Want to get all my free lessons as soon as they're published? (Including lessons that don't get published here because they involve writing and photos as well as video.) Sign up for my newsletter on Substack: lynnebaur.substack.com There's no paywall the free subscription option includes every article although I am always grateful for those who choose to support this work with a voluntary paid ...
Easy DIY "Low-Stress" Watercolor Sketchbooks, Part 2
zhlédnutí 3,3KPřed rokem
Here are two more simple DIY sketchbooks you can make with the watercolor paper you usually paint on, including one that makes it easy to create a polished-looking travel sketchbook after you get home. You can rearrange pages and organize your sketches, and maybe add some text or trip souvenirs (without a lot of work) and wind up with a beautiful book you’ll be proud to share. Sketching is less...
Easy DIY "Low-Stress" Sketchbooks (Part 1)
zhlédnutí 4,7KPřed rokem
Sketching is less stressful when your sketchbook doesn’t feel so expensive and intimidating. Here are some simple DIY watercolor sketchbooks you can make with the watercolor paper you usually paint on. Fast, easy and no bookbinding skills required! (Two are demonstrated in this video; the next video will demonstrate two more.) Oops! When I mentioned coating the covers with cold wax medium, I ac...
Who's the Star of the Show?
zhlédnutí 2,2KPřed rokem
Reduce overwhelm when sketching on location by taking a few elements of the scene and arranging them to tell a (very) simple story, such as "The clouds at the beach today were spectacular," or "The kids had fun playing the tidepools." Pick one element of the scene to be "the star of the show" and add others only as needed to be "supporting cast", "extras" and "sets and lighting". This is a usef...
Tips for Mixing Darks and Shadow Colors in Watercolor
zhlédnutí 3KPřed rokem
Want to get all my free lessons as soon as they're published? (Including lessons that don't get published here because they involve writing and photos as well as video.) Sign up for my newsletter on Substack: lynnebaur.substack.com There's no paywall the free subscription option includes every article although I am always grateful for those who choose to support this work with a voluntary paid ...
Metamorphosis, a Better Way to Adjust Paintings in Progress (Art Invitation for Mar 2023)
zhlédnutí 2,1KPřed rokem
When you pause to assess a painting in progress, do you ask yourself some version of “What’s wrong with it?” or “What do I need to fix?” That can be a recipe for overworking paintings. Here’s are some better questions to ask yourself, and some tips for helping an unsatisfying painting undergo a creative metamorphosis. If you liked this video, you might like: Your Studio Journal, a self-guided v...
More Tips for a Consistent Sketching Practice-Don’t Try to Do It All! (at once)
zhlédnutí 5KPřed rokem
Sketching on location can be overwhelming. Time pressure, lookie-loos, weather, bugs-it's hard to make decent sketches consistently (or at all)! I'm pretty sure I’m not the only one to create a few nice sketches, and then some stinkers that basically ruin the whole sketchbook. It made me give up multiple times before I finally got consistent with my sketchbook. When you're not yet able to make ...
Art Invitation-Try Improv Painting!
zhlédnutí 2,1KPřed rokem
Here's a fun watercolor exercise to stimulate your creativity, help you loosen up or discover elements of your unique personal style. If you liked this exercise and want more, check out Your Studio Journal watercolorcoach.com/courses/your-studio-journal/ a self-guided course in using a studio journal to develop as an artist and explore your unique creative style. Want to get all my free lessons...
Establishing a Consistent Sketchbook Practice-Boring Scenes are Priceless!
zhlédnutí 3,5KPřed rokem
Did you make a New Year’s resolution to sketch or paint more often? Have you made that same resolution before . . . but it didn’t stick? Don’t despair! You’re not alone AND you can succeed this time, even if you’ve made this same resolution a zillion times before. If you liked this video, you might like: Your Studio Journal, a self-guided video course at watercolorcoach.com. Want to get all my ...
Easily Create Circular Designs (All You Need is a Plate and Piece of Paper!)
zhlédnutí 1,5KPřed rokem
Here are easy instructions using just a plate and a piece of office paper for making your own symmetrical circular designs for mandalas or other circular paintings. Easy, fun, relaxing project for cold winter evenings! (For three ways to transfer a design to watercolor paper, go to: watercolorcoach.com/topics/how-to-transfer-a-drawing-to-watercolor-paper/ ) Want to get all my free lessons as so...
An Alternate Method for Softening Edges in Watercolor
zhlédnutí 6KPřed rokem
Watercolor is great for creating soft edges, but sometimes it's awkward to soften all the edges of a shape before things start to dry, especially when negative painting. Here's an alternate method for softening edges in watercolor you may find helpful in those situations. I'm demonstrating it in the context of suggesting the glow of light around a candle flame, but it's useful for many situatio...
Take It to the Limit-A "Find Your Style" Exercise
zhlédnutí 2,2KPřed rokem
Want to dive deeper into finding your unique creative style and voice? Check out my new course: Your Studio Journal-30 Days to Discover Your Unique Artistic Vision and Style at watercolorcoach.com/courses/your-studio-journal/ Want to get all my free lessons as soon as they're published? (Including lessons that don't get published here because they involve writing and photos as well as video.) S...
How Do I Mix Tan? (beige/sand/fur/feathers/skin tones)
zhlédnutí 7KPřed rokem
An easy tip for mixing livelier and more natural-looking tan, brown, beige, sand, khaki, fur/feather colors and skin tones. Want to get all my free lessons as soon as they're published? (Including lessons that don't get published here because they involve writing and photos as well as video.) Sign up for my newsletter on Substack: lynnebaur.substack.com There's no paywall the free subscription ...
Watercolor Postcard Paint-Along (and Plan-Along): Coast Sunflowers
zhlédnutí 3,4KPřed rokem
Watercolor Postcard Paint-Along (and Plan-Along): Coast Sunflowers
Avoiding Pencil Lines in Your Watercolors
zhlédnutí 9KPřed rokem
Avoiding Pencil Lines in Your Watercolors
Watercolor Postcard Paint-Along-Dragonfly
zhlédnutí 6KPřed 2 lety
Watercolor Postcard Paint-Along-Dragonfly
The Evolution of a Painting - The Moon's Web
zhlédnutí 3KPřed 2 lety
The Evolution of a Painting - The Moon's Web
Working in Drafts to Complete the Lighthouse Painting
zhlédnutí 2,7KPřed 2 lety
Working in Drafts to Complete the Lighthouse Painting
What Makes It Easy or Hard to Reserve Lights & Whites in Watercolor
zhlédnutí 4,9KPřed 2 lety
What Makes It Easy or Hard to Reserve Lights & Whites in Watercolor
From Design to Plan: Figuring Out the Painting Sequence for Watercolor
zhlédnutí 9KPřed 2 lety
From Design to Plan: Figuring Out the Painting Sequence for Watercolor
How to Use Reference Photos More Creatively
zhlédnutí 6KPřed 2 lety
How to Use Reference Photos More Creatively
Three Simple Strategies for Designing Your Own Watercolors (even if you're a beginner)
zhlédnutí 15KPřed 2 lety
Three Simple Strategies for Designing Your Own Watercolors (even if you're a beginner)
Watercolor Postcard Paint-Along: Lighted Christmas Trees at Night on a Snowy Slope
zhlédnutí 5KPřed 2 lety
Watercolor Postcard Paint-Along: Lighted Christmas Trees at Night on a Snowy Slope
Holiday Postcard Plan-Along
zhlédnutí 4,3KPřed 2 lety
Holiday Postcard Plan-Along
How and Why to Keep a Studio Notebook
zhlédnutí 68KPřed 2 lety
How and Why to Keep a Studio Notebook
Stop Paint from Beading Up on a Plastic Watercolor Palette
zhlédnutí 17KPřed 3 lety
Stop Paint from Beading Up on a Plastic Watercolor Palette
What's on Your Palette? (Second Sunday Live Demo for Aug 2020, re-recorded)
zhlédnutí 7KPřed 3 lety
What's on Your Palette? (Second Sunday Live Demo for Aug 2020, re-recorded)
Blue Bowl and Lemons
zhlédnutí 3,9KPřed 3 lety
Blue Bowl and Lemons