Steve Fleming

Artist Studio

Creative Jumpstarts: Think Wash Think Line

Jumpstarts
Watercolors

Again in this jumpstart I am using some very expressive and playful brushwork, but using a brush well is a major skill, that can’t be overlooked or practiced enough.  It might seem like all you are doing is making random and meaningless marks and the result is a messy painting, but you are really developing a feel for the brush and its potential to express your intention.  Try not to look at the painting as the goal but rather the process of the exercise as the goal.

On a piece of watercolor paper, lay some colorful washes, try to get good variety and interesting contrasts.  While the washes are still damp begin to use expressive line to create movement, subject definition, and textures.  Try to stop before you have created a mess of marks and texture, but if you can quite seem to put on the breaks then join the club.  Using a brush as an expressive tool is fun and creative and sometimes out of messes the greatest ideas come.  Have a good time with this.  I promise I you keep working on your brush work your paintings will come alive. 18 x 24 watercolor on arches cold press

15 x 22 watercolor on Arches cold press

18 x 24 watercolor on arches coldpress

18 x 24 watercolor

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