The Watercolor Workshop: Watercolor Pencils - Part 1

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Lesson Description

Part one of a two-part series on drawing and painting with watercolor pencils. In this module, we look at the characteristics of watercolor pencils and begin a painting of an orchid.

Lesson Materials

140 lb. Cold press watercolor paper, watercolor paints (Yellow Ochre, Gamboge Hue), paper towel, nylon brushes, watercolor pencils, liquid masking fluid, masking tape. *Cotman tube watercolors and Derwent Watercolor Pencils are used.

Lesson Resources

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Course Curriculum

Lesson 1: Introduction and Materials (4:43)Lesson 2: Brushes and Surfaces (11:31)Lesson 3: Application Techniques (15:32)Lesson 4: Color Theory and Mixing (16:48)Lesson 5: Composition / Still Life (14:30)Lesson 6: Still Life Sketch Conclusion (13:32)Lesson 7: Woodland Landscape - Part 1 (17:03)Lesson 8: Woodland Landscape - Part 2 (15:23)Lesson 9: Cityscape - Part 1 (18:56)Lesson 10: Cityscape - Part 2 (14:01)Lesson 11: Portrait Painting - Part 1 (18:14)Lesson 12: Portrait Painting - Part 2 (13:00)Lesson 13: Portrait Painting - Part 3 (10:22)Lesson 14: Watercolor Pencils - Part 1 (16:48)Lesson 15: Watercolor Pencils - Part 2 (10:50)Lesson 16: Mixing Media - Part 1 (14:48)Lesson 17: Mixing Media - Part 2 (12:08)Lesson 18: Painting with Gouache (17:14)Lesson 19: Conclusion (3:54)

Lesson Discussion

      • Hi Debbie,

        Make sure that the sound on your computer or device is turned up first. You can also scroll over the video with your mouse and turn up the volume on the player. You’ll see several small bars in the lower right corner of the player. These should be filled with color. You can click on the bars or scroll your mouse and drag over them to turn the sound up.

    • Hi Karen,

      You may download a SD (standard definition) or HD (high definition) version of the video. Each file is the same video, just a different file size and quality. High definition has the best quality, but the file size is larger.

  4. i started doing a watercolor pencil drawing on youtube with you. It said to get the complete version I could get these modules. Now that I bought it I cant find the landscape drawing?? It has a barn in it with numerous trees in the background. How do i find it?

  5. hey Matt,
    not sure if you are still monitoring this module…I used windsor & newton masking fluid on 100 lb cold press paper. the paper tore a bit & my very carefully done drawing of the orchid disappeared with the masking removal! don’t recall that happening when I did your simple scene of birch trees in the snow (which came out great, thank you!) is the paper the problem? I am going to redraw & ignore the worn spot.
    julie

  6. Awesome book! I’m liking the books much more than the videos… I will probably watch them later, but I’ve found that if I can read something, I can make sense of it. Not always possible with a video.

  7. i am having difficulty removing the film.. it actually tears my paper.. i am using winsor newton colorless art masking fluid.. should i be using something else?

    • Hi Lynn,

      It may be the liquid masking fluid or the paper. I suggest trying Grumbacher’s Miskit. It is a fluid frisket and I’ve never had a problem with it. Also, be sure that the paper you’re working on is at least 140 lb. I hope this helps.

  8. Hi Matt,
    To me background music in a learning situation is very annoying, disturbing and counterproductive to acquiring and remembering new knowledge. I have never experienced background music during a lecture in elementery school, highschool or college / university – neither in Europe or USA. There is probably a very good reason why it is so. Yes, I could just turn down the volume, but then I miss out on the instructions. So may I suggest leaving out the background music from now on in new productions, and editing out the background music in current videos that have it?

    Best regards,
    Anna Maria

    • Hi Anna Maria,

      Thanks for your feedback. Some people like the background music and some people don’t. Some videos have music and some don’t. The truth is you can’t please everyone. In this case, I don’t think the background music isn’t very distracting at all and definitely not disturbing. But if I did, I wouldn’t have included it in the first place. The music is very low in this video, doesn’t include lyrics, and some may even find it soothing.

      Actually including music can help some people retain information. If you would like, you can do a search and read the studies if you wish. It doesn’t work for everyone, but again – you can’t please everyone.

      • Hi Matt,
        I appreciate you including music in some of the videos. It is very relaxing, and reminds me of some courses at my college. It helps me get “in the zone” and enjoy the experience more. You are right, you can’t please everybody! Thought I’d let you know that this viewer appreciates it.
        Thanks,
        Kristen

  9. Is it possible to get a list of the Derwent WC pencil colors that will be used in this lesson? I have an old set that someone gave me and it’s missing some colors. I want to make sure I have all the colors I need before I start. Thanks.

  10. Also – I’m not so confident about my free-hand sketching. I’m used to working with regular colored pencils where I can draw the subject on sketch paper, erase and correct as needed, and then transfer it to final paper with transfer paper. However, I’m concerned that using this,process might create grooves in the WC paper that the water would run into. Is there another way to transfer an image to WC paper?

  11. Hi Matt, I just took this module, as a beginner, I learnt a lot. Thanks so much. Your instructions are clear and very helpful. My result orchid is quite flat as compared to yours, will keep on practicing. Erika.

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