How To Create White Watercolors

I think the majority of us can agree watercolors are MAGICAL. The way they move around the paper without very little prompting can actually feel like a certain kind of sorcery. That SAID, they can also be incredibly challenging to navigate, as they depend on a knowledgable hand to prepare the canvas and steer the brush.

Although there are many facets of watercolor that are both wonderful and challenging, perhaps the most formidable of all is how to create and approach white watercolors. They are mysterious and fascinating, and once understood, capable of adding a layer of delicacy to your work that cannot be matched by other colors!

In this class, I will take you through all the steps needed to create gentle whites, utilizing color-recipes from The Enchanted Series from my Vintage Color Guide (More info about Color Guides can be found on my website at Rosaliegwenpaperie.com). We will create THREE recipes and apply them to three different styles of flowers. I'll also show you how to create varied consistencies of washes to create white flowers that feel loose in nature with a bit of botanical flair - that extra little something that lends character to your flowers.

SUPPLIES:

Canson 140 lb. cold press paper

Princeton round brushes, in a variety of sizes, specifically 6,8, and 10

Paint: Winsor and Newton Paints

Sepia

Green Gold (Daniel Smith) - this color can be substituted with yellow ochre if you don't have it

Quinacridone Burnt Scarlet (Daniel Smith)

Raw Umber

Payne's Gray

Lamp Black (for the center)

Sap Green

Palette (or salad plate)

Cup of water

Paper towel to blot