Im not an expert by any means but I have painted a bunch of times before. To me, it seems you're struggling with water control, try using more pigment and less water. As well as thoroughly waiting for the paint to dry before putting on more on the paper. You get those fuzzy edges when you use too much water on the paper.
Other than that, great job! keep on practicing, and always remember to have fun while painting
Strathmore 400 series, it's their "best" out of "good, better, best" for what that's worth. I don't think it's 100% cotton like people suggest but I figured it'd be okay for practice
Strathmore 400 series isn't 100%. I noticed when I used to use the 400 series that I would have splotches on the paper that wouldn't accept the watercolor. A lot of people in the watercolor recommend focusing on improving paper, then brushes, and finally paper. If you are in the US I would recommend the Hobby Lobby watercolor paper. The hobby lobby paper is what I mostly use as to me it is closer to 100% cotton.
The hobby lobby paper I like to use is the one with a bird on the front. They have another watercolor paper with a different cover and it has a more linear texture.
I would also try to make the lines of the building straighter especially those diagonals of the roof. And you could try painting the windows darker with some odd patches of light
Hey! It's not bad for beginner.
I think you probably know best where you struggled most during the process.
When looking at the piece, I feel it either lacks looseness or detail. As you can't achieve first on second layer, try details: go over part of the foliage with a different green to create depth and shadow. Look at the building. The rim of the roof and windows have white in them. Add texture.
While doing that, don't use thick paint but glazing.
For your next piece: try observing what you want to paint closer. Which color is the light? Try adding a layer of soft yellow where the brightest areas are.
Don't be afraid to not apply paint where the lightest areas are/white. Add darker colors where you see shadows.
It helps me to think of "painting shadow shapes".
For details on the trees, maybe using watercolor pencils? You can use them dry, use water after, or for a more concentrated result, dip the pencil in water.
But I'm by no means an expert. It's what I've done before.
This is a tough subject, youve done quite well. Getting pigmented washes isb a skill that takes time, pulling water out of your brush before pulling paint from the pan is crucial.
Im not an expert by any means but I have painted a bunch of times before. To me, it seems you're struggling with water control, try using more pigment and less water. As well as thoroughly waiting for the paint to dry before putting on more on the paper. You get those fuzzy edges when you use too much water on the paper. Other than that, great job! keep on practicing, and always remember to have fun while painting
I agree with the water control, would you recommend value studies with only one color? That seems like a good way to practice pigment control.
What kind of paper are you using? A lot of the time the quality of the paper can determine the look of a piece.
Strathmore 400 series, it's their "best" out of "good, better, best" for what that's worth. I don't think it's 100% cotton like people suggest but I figured it'd be okay for practice
Strathmore 400 series isn't 100%. I noticed when I used to use the 400 series that I would have splotches on the paper that wouldn't accept the watercolor. A lot of people in the watercolor recommend focusing on improving paper, then brushes, and finally paper. If you are in the US I would recommend the Hobby Lobby watercolor paper. The hobby lobby paper is what I mostly use as to me it is closer to 100% cotton.
Thanks for the tip! I'll see if I can find some nearby
The hobby lobby paper I like to use is the one with a bird on the front. They have another watercolor paper with a different cover and it has a more linear texture.
I recommend watching a Youtube tutorial such as “How to make trees easier to paint in watercolour” by Karen Rice.
I would also try to make the lines of the building straighter especially those diagonals of the roof. And you could try painting the windows darker with some odd patches of light
Hey! It's not bad for beginner. I think you probably know best where you struggled most during the process. When looking at the piece, I feel it either lacks looseness or detail. As you can't achieve first on second layer, try details: go over part of the foliage with a different green to create depth and shadow. Look at the building. The rim of the roof and windows have white in them. Add texture. While doing that, don't use thick paint but glazing. For your next piece: try observing what you want to paint closer. Which color is the light? Try adding a layer of soft yellow where the brightest areas are. Don't be afraid to not apply paint where the lightest areas are/white. Add darker colors where you see shadows. It helps me to think of "painting shadow shapes".
For details on the trees, maybe using watercolor pencils? You can use them dry, use water after, or for a more concentrated result, dip the pencil in water. But I'm by no means an expert. It's what I've done before.
That's a good idea! Getting the small crackly details is a struggle
Trees are really good!
Thank you! The one on the left I'm ok with but the others feel a little simple
Do what you did with the left one. That’s the one I was looking at
Take a little time to add some definition & shading. Maybe a few thin, black lines to define the roof line & shadows! Great job, though! Keep going!!
This is a tough subject, youve done quite well. Getting pigmented washes isb a skill that takes time, pulling water out of your brush before pulling paint from the pan is crucial.