Practising my watercolours

I’m still trying to perfect my colouring technique. This time I used watercolours from tubes. I’ve got closer to an effect that I’m happier with but still not quite there yet…maybe I’ll never be!

This is a pattern from the Islamic Geometric Patterns book by Eric Broug. This is the first book I bought and I’ve seen reviews that say it has errors in it and that the instructions are a bit strange. I find it pretty easy to follow, although I must admit even I end up thinking some of the methods seem odd.

I think I’m building my confidence in my watercolour technique, even if my designs are still a bit, ahem, wobbly.

A word on kit

• I’ve now acquired 3 different compass sets, two Rotrings and a Helix kit. My first compass was given to me as a gift and it’s beautiful and probably my favourite. It’s handy to have two compasses so you can avoid inconsistencies with sizes in one pattern. It’s also handy to have a small compass for those small fiddly circles.
• I tried a mechanical pencil but I couldn’t get on with it, I’ve gone back to standard pencils in a variety of hardnesses…2H for doing the patterns and 2B or even 4B for using on tracing paper.
• Clear gridded ruler with a metal edge is great. I also use a short clear ruler out of a rubbish school geometry kit.
• I have a Tombow Mono eraser for erasing the trickier to get at construction lines.
• I occasionally (very) cheat and use a protractor…I’m really trying to kick the habit.
• I’ve had quite good results with Inktense watercolour pencils
• I’ve bought more watercolour paint than is healthy. I still haven’t made my mind up between tubes and pans.
• I find it really hard to get good watercolour brushes. I’ve found some Daler-Rowney “Graduate” brushes that I like. They seem to keep their shape.
• A Posca white pen works well for doing lines.
• Sharpie gold, silver and bronze pens are great
• Cold pressed paper is definitely easier to paint on than hot pressed.