In The Studio: The power of white paper in watercolor

I was thinking about problems that my students have with the contrast in their watercolors and I was struck by how often the problems are based on the lack of a focal point or well conceived contrast.  In watercolor understanding the power of a simple contrast of pure white paper against a nice dark value with good quality edge can’t be overlooked.  Too often the painter looses the white and the contrast early on in the painting and then spends the whole painting session trying to resolve the problem with too many marks and too many details.  The structure of your watercolor will be determined by the strong use of simply stated value shapes.Saving the white paper along the edge of the rocks drives the composition through the painting and keeps the viewer focused on the center of interest.  Practice saving white paper without using a masking fluid, learn the technique and your paintings will improve.By painting your shape against pure white paper and focusing on making your edges varied and interesting you can use the white paper as a perfect contrast for the continuous dark shape.Small pieces of white paper and well positioned shadow patterns against white paper really makes the subject have focus and power.Design your white paper as a tool to move the viewer through and across the painting, think varied height and width for the white shape and keep it moving and your paintings will really improve.  Remember the viewer will look at the white paper so put your contrast next to it, make your best color, texture and edges involve the white of the paper.