NOTE: These individual practices focus on becoming accustomed to watercolors' unique nature of movement or "runs", a challenge to be enjoyed as well as encountered. The excitement of seeing colors' motion in wet areas, changing intensity and shape with each touch of the brush is always new and different. This exercise, and others to follow, were planned for non-art experienced students. "Copying" was not the purpose. This was a method for technique discovery and experience. Personal changes were always invited. The goal was to get started and grow, and we did. You are invited to do the same.

SKILL PRACTICE ONE:  DAISY, DAISY, all for the love of you.....

    Begin with a very simple, light sketch on 12x18 drawing paper of a daisy or even none at all- remembering that watercolor is transparent and pencil lines will show through! Gesture Drawing might be a helpful review.

    Mix a light, and slightly darker value for the center, leaves and petals. Begin with the center area and two values of yellow. Apply the lightest in the center, and the darker one along sides and bottom. Shown here are pink/grays.

    Moving to the leaves, mix two values of light green. Shown are brown green and and gray green. Apply the lightest one first in the center of the leaves. Rinse brush and load with the second value, applying to the edges. Colors may blend with each other.

    Continue with 2 values for the petals. Shown here are pink/grays. Again, apply the light value to each petal and use the 2nd one for edges. First layer washes are done!

    Now we create the second layers. Again, 2 new color values are made, darker than the first ones. This time, the center and leaves are given attention. A new wash, yellow/orange is placed on part of the center. It is left to dry.

    A new value, darker green, is painted over the leaves and stem edges, one at a time and left to dry. NOTE: "Dry" doesn't mean perfectly dry, just left to "set" a minute or two.

    Now, return to the daisy center and apply the 2nd layer color (red/brown) which is pointillistic, by touching that area with the tip of the brush producing a tiny dotted texture.

    Next, we finish up the leaves with its darker value, a blue/green/black mixture for partial outline of the leaves edges, centers and stem. 2nd layer is completed, and again, we let it dry a bit.

    And now we move to the final layer and new looks to create. First, the center receives a darker brown/gray wash that goes partially over the pointillism. This area is finished.

    Next is #3: a gray wash over the sides of SOME of the petals. The same gray is used in small areas over the leaves. Note that the top petals are left alone for faded contrast. (Paint them if you like!) Another deeper gray (#4.)is mixed for petal shadows and outlines. Outlining need not be a harsh, continuous line. A rhythm of short and long lines offers a more delicate touch.

    #5 is a blue/green wash along the leaves edges and centers, adding a nice hue change there. #6 is the darkest value in the daisy, a blue/black mixture for defining tiny leaf veins and edges all over. I find that black mixed with other dark hues is more pleasing than black alone.

    #2 and #7 are the frosting on the cake. The purple wash, #7 is scattered at the flowers' base and near the leaves. These areas are graded washes, where the purple is laid down, the brush is rinsed and clear water is used to pull the purple color away to other spaces and lighten it. The yellow, #2 is painted in a similar manner along the top areas, and a few touches are blended into the purple washes between the leaves. Try it again with different hues!