“Negative Painting” English Hawthorn
November 12, 2019
Negative painting is one of the essential watercolor techniques for any painter. It leverages the unique properties of watercolor to create loose, luminous washes that can be developed, through negative painting, into representational or abstract subjects. In this class, students will have the opportunity to practice negative painting as well as develop paintings using the technique.
The class demo will be based on a Hawthorn tree branch reference, but students are encouraged to use their own photo reference if preferred. Our emphasis will be on negative painting which can be used with any subject matter. Our goal is to create a loose, abstract, wet into wet initial wash that we will develop into a representational image. If you are new to wet-into–wet painting, choose photos with a combination of simple shapes and a few detailed areas. All watercolor skill levels are welcome.
Supply List
Please bring any good quality, cold pressed watercolor paper, either 140 or 300lb. Draw or transfer your image onto one or two half sheets of watercolor paper. (Two if you want additional color experiments). Also, bring several sheets of “practice” watercolor paper, ¼ sheet or smaller. I will do my best to help you make use of the supplies that you already have on hand, so please bring whatever paints and brushes you normally use in your watercolor practice. Don’t forget water containers, spray bottle and paper towels and a variety of round and large flat brushes. In addition, you may want to consider adding the following supplies:
Paper:
· 2 or more ¼ or ½ sheets cold pressed watercolor paper. To save time in class, please draw/trace your image onto both sheets.
· Several small sheets of practice watercolor paper. (1/4 sheet or smaller) Backs of “failed” paintings are a good choice. Just be sure that your “practice” paper is the same quality that you normally use for painting.
Paint:
Do not feel like you need to purchase every color. Try to come close with the paints that you already own. Once you’ve experimented, you can decide if you want to add pigments to your collection.
· Brown/Orange: Quinacridone Sienna by Daniel Smith is beautiful. Burnt Sienna by Mission is excellent. Burnt Sienna by most manufacturers will work and is a great workhorse color.
· Blues: Transparent blues with a slightly green undertone. Antwerp blue, Prussian blue, Cyan, Berlin blue are all good choices.
· Turquoise: Cobalt Turquoise Light, Cerulean, Cobalt Teal, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise are all good
· Red: A warm red such as Scarlet Lake or Quinacridone Coral and a cool red such as Alizarin Crimson, or Permanent Rose
· Magenta or Pink: Quinacridone Magenta, Quin Lilac or Quin Pink are good. Opera, Fuschia, or rose will also work
· Yellow: Transparent warm yellows such as New Gamboge (any manufacturer except Winsor Newton), Carr Yellow by American Journey, Golden Yellow by Maimeri Blu or Cadmium Yellow Orange. I also love Aussie Red Gold by Daniel Smith for granulating
Masking fluid – Optional. I recommend Pebeo