How to Add Texture

11

FEBRUARY, 2020

Painting Techniques

Original Art

Beach Moments has a variety of textures throughout the painting. As I am watercolor painting I use several techniques to add texture to the paper.

Below is a list of basic watercolor materials. I use a variety of paints and colors and often use what is on my palette at the time. But this gives you a general idea.

MATERIALS USED:

 

  • 140lb Fluid cold pressed watercolor paper (9″ x 12″)
  • Graph Gear 1000 mechanical pencil w/0.7 lead (for sketching/tracing)
  • Variety of watercolor paints
  • Painting palette for watercolor paints
  • Water
  • Paper towels
  • Salt
  • Granulation medium
  • Palette knife or pocket knife
  • Flat and round brushes

Fluid watercolor paper in cold pressed finish.

Work in progress of a beach sand dune using a variety of texture techniques.

PAINTS

  • Winsor & Newton Raw Sienna
  • Holbein Blue Grey
  • Holbein Compose Green
  • Holbein Bamboo Green
  • Winsor & Newton Indian Red
  • Daniel Smith Azo Yellow
  • Daniel Smith Bloodstone Genuine
  • Winsor & Newton Ultramarine Blue
  • Holbein Davy’s Grey
  • whatever is on my palette 🙂

Painting Step by Step

  1. I mixed raw sienna with granulation medium in a saucer.
  2. Painted the sky wet into wet.
  3. Wet area where the grasses are, leaving a few dry areas. Using a spray bottle works well here too.
  4. Started dropping in a variety of colors into the wet paper.
  5. Some paints are naturally granulating colors.
  6. Use knife to scape out blades of grass.
  7. Drop in salt to wet paint and let dry

Texture adds interest to a painting.

Sand dune radiance original painting 9x12 acrylic on canvas

I continue painting areas by wetting the paper first and then adding paint. I added the fence posts and palm trees in this same style. When I am pleased with the results I let the paper dry then add the details with a liner brush or a small round.

The birds are just 2 flicks of a brush. Practice these birds on scrap paper first then add them to the painting.

The background sand is from the granulation/raw sienna mixture with some light red color.  The footprints are done with a 1″ flat brush by quick dabs and flicks.

In conclusion, with a little preparation you can add texture to your watercolor paintings. Practice some of these techniques on scrap paper and you will be well on your way to achieving texture and interest to your paintings. You will be pleased with the results!