PAINTING (3): WATERCOLOR SHAPES
NAME:_________________
LESSON FOCUS:
This lesson focuses on experimenting with watercolor techniques on a nonobjective
image.
VOCABULARY:
Bleeding: The tendency for some colors to show through a second layer of paint.
Blending: The transition of color from one tone to another; for example, in a sky.
Drybrush painting: Making the brush almost free of pigment before applying.
Free-form shapes: Irregular and uneven shapes. Their outlines are curved, or angular,
or both. Free-form shapes are often natural.
Geometric shapes: Precise shapes that can be described using mathematical formulas.
Basic geometric shapes are the circle, the square and the triangle.
Gradation: Refers to the grades of value.
Nonobjective art: Art that has no recognizable subject matter such as trees, houses, or
people.
Shape: A two-dimensional area that is defined in some way.
Wash: Large flat areas of paint, watercolor, or ink that are diluted with water and applied
by brush.
Watercolor paint: A painting medium consisting of pigments suspended in a solution of
water and gum Arabic; often stored in pans that separate each color.
Wet in wet: The action of spreading paint when new pigment is added to a wet paper.
PROCEDURE:
 Choose three or more shapes (free-form and/or geometric) to work with.
 Make stencils of these three shapes. You may vary the sizes if you wish.
 Create a nonobjective design by overlapping, repeating and taking the shapes off
the page.
 Once you have a good idea and a strong composition, enlarge onto good paper. Be
sure to draw lightly, watercolor paints are transparent and dark pencil lines will
show through.
 Choose colors to work with and begin filling in each section using a variety of
watercolor techniques.
o You may add salt or plastic wrap to create interesting textures.
o Also, change your water often because muddy water can effect the purity
of your watercolor paints.
 Be careful to let areas dry to avoid unwanted bleeds.
 You may leave areas white as long as your composition is balanced and seems
complete.
MATERIALS:
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12”x 18” manila sketch paper
12”x 18” oak tag for stencils
12”x 18” watercolor paper
Pencil and eraser
Scissors
Ruler, if necessary
Watercolor paints (assorted colors)
Watercolor brushes
Paper towels
Water containers
Salt
Plastic wrap