Vocabulary

WatercolourPainting in pigments suspended in water and

a binder such as gum arabic. Traditionally used in a light to dark manner, using the white of the paper to determine values.

WashA transparent layer of diluted color that is

brushed on.

Flat WashAny area of a painting where a wash of single

color and value is painted in a series of multiple, overlapping stokes following the flow of the paint.

A slightly tilted surface aids the flow of your washes. Paper can be dry or damp.

Graded WashA wash that smoothly changes in value from

dark to light. Most noted in landscape painting for open sky work, but an essential skill for watercolor painting in general.

Blended WashFusing two or more color planes together so

no discernable sharp divisions are apparent.

TiltThe effect achieved when

watercolors are not kept perfectly flat while drying.

Wet on WetThe technique of painting wet color into a

wet surface (paper saturated).

Wet on DryThe technique of painting wet color onto a

dry surface

Dry Brush

Any textured application of paint where your brush is fairly dry (thin or thick paint) and you rely the hairs of your brush, the angle of attack of your stroke, and the paper's surface texture to create broken areas of paint.

Used for rendering a variety of textured surfaces: stone, weathered wood, foliage, lakes and rivers, bark, clouds.

Lifting OffThe process of removing wet paint

TransparentEasily seen through.

OpaqueA paint that is not transparent by nature or

intentionally. A dense paint that obscures or totally hides the underpainting in any given artwork.

LayersAlso called ‘washes’. Many watercolors are a

building up of washes or layers.

BackgroundThe area of a painting farthest from the

viewer. In a landscape this would include the sky and

horizon.In a still life or portrait it could be a wall or

room interior.

MiddlegroundArea of a painting between the foreground

and the background. In a landscape this is usually where your focal point would be.

ForegroundThe area of a painting closest to the viewer.

In a landscape this would include the area from the viewer to the middle distance.

Atmospheric PerspectiveSuggesting perspective in a painting with

changes in tone and color between foreground and background. The background is usually blurred and hues are less intense.

The Importance of SketchingFor watercolor keep it light

and clean and simple. Put in the details you need but don’t overdo it.

UnderpaintingThe first, thin transparent laying of color in a

painting.

SaltingAdding salt to wet watercolor in order to

achieve a speckled effect.

HighlightA point of intense brightness, such as the reflection in an

eye.The part of the paper that is left untouched.

Masking FluidA latex gum product that is used to

cover a surface you wish to protect from receiving paint.

Georgia O’KeeffeGeorgia O’Keeffe (1887 – 1986) was a groundbreaking

Modernist painter who digressed from realism to express her own visionary style.

O’Keefe is best known for flower paintings which made up a significant percentage of her work.

Expressing what she felt, rather than what she had been taught, O’Keeffe painted enormous close-ups of flowers, transforming their contours into fascinating abstractions, and highlighting their importance in a manner that commanded attention.

One of the most influential and innovative artists of the 20th century, O’Keeffe was the first woman to have her own exhibition at New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

Your Assignment:You will create a watercolour painting of your choice Options and ideas:

NaturePortraitureAnimalsStill lifeExtreme close upsPhotocopied body part (face, hands, feet, etc.)Food Expressive Mixed media