box set and outline
info & help
What the Box Set Includes
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3 printed outlines on 300gsm Watercolour paper & instructions
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1x small brush, 1x large brush, 1 x rigger brush (red handle) & 1x flat brush
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Paint palette with labelled Winsor & Newton paints
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1x kitchen towel to get started and some tester paper
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1x biscuit
What do the outlines look like?
The outlines are a basic outline of the painting and are relatively faintly printed on to the Watercolour paper (see example to the right). They do somewhat disappear when painted over because ​the printer ink dissolves with water. If you have trouble with sight I can print the outlines darker on request.
To get started
In addition to what's included, you’ll also need a pot for water (old cup or clean food container will do) and more kitchen towel. You may also want a board to place the painting on and some masking tape to hold it down (this can be just a bit or you can tape around the whole piece). If your painting requires white paint or specific sized masking tape this will be included. If salt is mentioned this can be either regular table or sea salt. Make sure to make your favourite drink to sip whilst painting and be careful not to mix this up with the water pot (or drink the paint water)!
If this is your very first time using Watercolours, initially you want to take the brush, wet it well with water, then go into any of the paints to pick up the colour. Mix it in the middle of the palette to see how strong it is (add other colours in the middle to mix if needed) and dab off any excess paint/water on the kitchen towel, then apply it to the paper. If you’re a bit nervous you can always start light and build up the layers gradually or start on smaller areas to build confidence.
After that it’s about figuring out how much paint/water to use which comes with time and practice. Generally painting using more water with the paints helps to achieve a smoother finish than if your brush is dryer. Leave areas to dry before going back to them, to prevent the paper getting too worked into.
What’s in the pack in more detail
Brushes:
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The large brush (Size 10) is best for bigger areas, the little one for details and the ‘rigger’ (red handled) brush is good for thin things like fur, grass, whiskers etc. When you have finished painting, clean the brushes with water and reshape them back to a point to keep the shape of the bristles.
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Palette & Paints:​
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Just to note that the purple and blue are quite strong so you don’t need as much of these to create a strong colour. If any of the paints run out and you haven’t finished all 3 paintings please get in touch and I can send more. As the paints are dry they may also pop out the palette depending on how dry it is, just place a drop of water in and press
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When you’ve finished painting you can clean the middle of the palette with some kitchen roll and if the paints have been mixed (e.g. there’s green mixed into the yellow), leave the paints to dry then lightly clean with a damp kitchen cloth.
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Outlines:​
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The outlines are printed so will fade a bit when water is painted over them - if there are any details you’d like to keep make sure to go over them lightly in pencil before adding water/paint.
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The paper will warp a bit when wet which is normal for watercolour paper - if you have some masking tape you can tape down some or all the edges to a board or surface to help keep it flat. The painting can also be placed between books to flatten it when dry.
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General painting tips:​
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Work from light to dark when using watercolours - this is because they are translucent so you can go over light areas with darker colours but not the other way around.
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White and black watercolour paints aren't often used - this is because you leave white areas as the paper and black tends to muddy colours, so it’s best to add at last or use just a little to darken colours when mixing.
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Watercolour is used in layers to build up depth and detail so it’s important to leave areas to dry before adding more paint on. For large areas of colour you can wet the paper first then add colour in - this will help it blend together smoothly to prevent lines from forming.
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Mini Watercolour Q&A
Q: How do I mix colors effectively?
A: Start by mixing a small amount of paint on your palette. Use a clean brush to combine colors, adding more of one or the other until you achieve the desired shade. Remember, it’s easier to darken a color than to lighten it, so start with less pigment.
Q: How do I control the amount of water in my brush?
A: Dip your brush in water, then gently tap/wipe it on the side of the container or dab it on the paper towel to remove excess water. Practice loading your brush with paint to achieve the right consistency.
Q: What’s the best way to create gradients or washes?
A: For a gradient, start with a concentrated color at one end and gradually add more water as you move towards the other end. Use a wet brush and work quickly to blend. For washes, wet your paper first (wet-on-wet) or apply paint to dry paper (wet-on-dry) for different effects.
Q: How do I avoid muddy colours?
A: To prevent muddiness, limit the number of colors you mix together and generally avoid using black until the end. Clean your brush thoroughly between colors and allow layers to dry before adding more.
Q: How do I fix mistakes?
A: Depending on the mistake, you might be able to lift wet paint with a clean wet brush or a paper towel. For dry paint, you can use the same technique, paint over it or use a wet brush to soften edges.
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Q: Why isn’t there white paint?
A: With watercolour you typically don’t use white paint because the transparency of watercolors allows the white of the paper to serve as the lightest color. Instead of adding white, leave areas of the paper unpainted to create highlights and light effects. Sometimes white can be added at the very end e.g. for whites of the eyes, stars etc.
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Q: How do I know which brush to use?
A: Different brushes have different shapes and sizes for specific techniques. Round brushes are versatile for detail and washes, while flat brushes are great for broad strokes and washes. Experiment with different brushes to see which ones you prefer for various effects.
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