Demo: Sharon Rogers - Experimental Watercolours

Sharon Rogers gave us a fresh look at ways to add depth and texture to watercolours. Her demo was brisk and jam-packed with content.

Sharon began by explaining how to use gum arabic. She explained that it could be added to watercolour paint to make it brighter and more translucent. Once it was applied, it could be removed back to the surface paper.

Mixed 30% gum arabic to 70% water, it could be applied directly to the surface, allowed to dry and then covered with a layer of watercolour. If cling film was then applied to the wet layer, a very useful texture could be produced, depending on whether the cling film was crumpled or pleated. The cling film would need to be left while the paint drid and then additional marks could be added or areas could be lifted off with a soft brush. This process could be repleated with more layers of colour.

If gum arabic was added 50%/50% to the paint, it would stay wet longer, allowing stronger brushmarks and further effects could be achieved.

Sharon did a series of small demo pictures showing the effects that could be obtained using the various techniques. She reminded us about dripping, spattering, scraping, lifting out. She finished by demonstrating the effect that could be achieved using watercolour pencils rubbed with sandpaper over a damp surface.

Sharon recommended experimentation with different types of paper (Bockingford and Arches were useful places to start). She also recommended squirrel hair brushes which could hold the maximum amount of water and Daniel Smith paints which offer intense colour effects as good items for the birthday list.

Sharon’s workshop, on Saturday, 27th September, will include a lot of room to experiment with the various techniques. She will supply the gum arabic and paper. Members need only bring along their watercolour paints, pencils and some reference images to act as a starting point.

This is likely to be a popular workshop; booking was brisk at the end of the demo. If you would like to join us book here.