Summertime Inspiration

Forest Path

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

ACEO - Art Card

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Once again we spend a great deal of time during the summer in the Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York. Nature, visits to the lake, occasional hikes are a great source of inspiration when it comes to my paintings. Through my art I would love to share a bit of this tranquility with you.

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Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

The Hidden Water Catastrophe

Just imagine you're painting a super fine watercolor line adding the last touch of detail to a painting and ... wham-0! A water drop slides down the underside of your brush ferrule and creates this big blurb of color ruining your last bit of detail.

Make sure you dry the ferrule of your brush before creating little detailed areas or just adding a touch of color in a relatively small area. You don't want that hidden water gathering on the underside of the brush ferrule to build up and slide down the bristles to wreak havoc on your painting.

One of the big secrets to successful watercolor painting is water control. So make sure you don't have hidden excess water on the ferrule or even the handle of your brush.

The Flowers of Summer

Lemon Flowers

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

Size: 4x6 inch

A light whisp of lemony yellow flowers to bring cheer to any summer day. A simple floral arrangement in postcard sized art.

Peace and Quiet

Quiet Path

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

ACEO Art Card

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Sometimes all you need is a quiet moment ... a chance to take a walk down a quiet path. Inspired by my recent visit to the Adirondacks.

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

Clean Your Brushes

Thoroughly rinsing your brushes with clean water when done painting for the day is semi-sufficient. It is a good thing to clean your watercolor painting brushes occasionally with soap. It helps condition the bristles and clean out some of the hidden paint. I use the Master's Brush Cleaner and Preserver. It comes in a little round container and so far it has lasted me a very long time.

1. Gather your brushes, the brush soap and dip your brushes in water.

2. Swish the brush over the soap a few times.

3. I then swirl the brush on my white painting table, to lather up the bristles. Rinse in water and repeat. I repeat this process until the soap lather is white and the brush is clean.

4. Rinse in water. I use two water containers. One that is for the first soapy rinse and a second container of water for a cleaner final rinse. Then with your fingers, carefully form the bristles to a point and allow to dry flat.

This is a simple process that does not take long to do and it will help extend the life of your brushes.

Here's an extra little tip: Have a brush with a stray hair or two? Use this brush cleaner to clean your brush. Then lightly rinse the brush leaving a very small amount of soap behind. Using your fingers shape the brush to it's original point or shape. Allow to dry completely. Just remember to rinse the brush well before you begin to paint with it to remove all the soap.

Fun and Pretty Drops

Cherry Red Dew Drops

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

ACEO Art Card

Size: 2.5x3.5 inch

My dew drop series has been a very fun series. I have a few more that I will be debuting soon. This one in a cherry red color, with it's unique background is just so cheery.

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Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

Don't be Stingy with Your Water

This is a great tip. Make sure you use a large water container to rinse out your brushes. Often times I see people trying to paint an 11 x 15 inch (1/4 sheet) watercolor painting and they use a tiny cup of water to clean their brushes. Think big! The bigger your water container, the longer the water will stay clean and the fresher your colors will be. Guess what, dirty water will transfer to your painting.

Make sure you have a container that will hold at least one quart or one liter of water. I like to paint using at least two water containers and sometimes three. You don't need a fancy water container. Think green, recycle. Wash and reuse a food container. I have a bunch of organic yogurt containers which I bring to my classes to give to students who bring in a teeny tiny cup.

Shown here is exactly what is on my painting table this morning. One Tupperware container which was forgotten at my house after a party. I still do not know who it originally belonged to, but it makes a great water container for painting. One lingonberry container (fabulous swedish berries) and one quart sized organic yogurt container.

I always keep one filled with clean clear water, perfect for blending away and softening an edge or wetting the paper. The other two end up with different stages of dirty water. As you paint, if the water becomes real dirty, change it. Dump it out and start with fresh. You don't want to be able to paint color on your paper with your water because most of the time it is an ugly grey-ish brown.

A Little Piece of a Larger Whole

Fog & Mist, Adirondacks

by Artist Rita Squier

Sometimes what catches your eye is the little details. This is a small section of a larger painting. A little piece of a larger whole. This is a small section of a larger painting which can be seen in an earlier post on my blog. The original watercolor is 11x15 inches.

It just reminds me of how the little things are just as important as the bigger things.

Summertime Commissions

Custom House Portrait in Watercolor

by Artist Rita Squier

Summertime is the perfect time to start thinking about commissioning a watercolor painting of your family home, vacation home, childhood home. Gardens are in full bloom, the sun is shining gloriously. Now is the perfect time to take a beautiful photo of your home. Plan ahead, this is a fantastic gift idea. It will be a treasured keepsake for years to come.

I create beautiful watercolor paintings from photos of homes. Keep me in mind for that special cherished gift.

http://rasquier.com/commissions.html

Tuesday's Tips and Techniques for Watercolor Painting

Working Mat

A great addition to your watercolor equipment and supplies is a working mat. As you are painting and trying to decide ... is this painting complete? Use a pre-cut mat to lay over your artwork to help you make your decision. I have several of these working mats in a variety of sizes. These are mats you can use and reuse and not worry if you get fingerprints on them or splash of paint. This is not a mat to use when framing a completed piece.

You can cut your own mat. You can also find an inexpensive mat in the reject or bargain bin at your local art supply store. They often discount mats they cut in the wrong size or color for a customer. Keep a working mat on hand when you are painting.

Simply Glowing

Dew Drops A Glow

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

Art Card, ACEO

Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

The orange and yellow colors seem to simply glow in this little watercolor painting. The water drops are so round and look very three dimensional. An amazing little piece.

Rainy Days and Butterflies

Butterfly in Green Blue

by Artist Rita Squier

Original Watercolor Painting

Size: 5 x 7 inches

Summertime reminds me of butterflies fluttering about the garden. Today, it is pouring rain. It is coming down in buckets. I wanted to post a cheery bright butterfly, so I did. However the rainy day helped me choose the color.