Lesson 39 Wet-in-Wet Flowers

The purpose of this lesson is to explore the properties of paper when it is saturated wet and as it slowly dries. When the paper is puddle-y wet colors will run together and by tilting the paper it is possible to get wonderful graded washes. As the paper dries, paint will run less. There is a magical point where a line will hold it's definition but with a fuzzy edge. The trick is to use a drier brush as the paper drys - a too wet brush will lead to back-runs. It also helps to keep the paper at an angle and wipe off beads of water that accumulate at the bottom.
We set up small still life bouquets and tried two studies, one painting directly with no preliminary drawing and a second with basic shapes drawn out. The challenge was to first produce a background of graded colors on super-wet paper, put in some 'out of focus' fuzzy shapes as the paper dried and finally add sharp edged shapes on dry paper.

Jan created a beautiful background wash of primary colors. The tulip edges were put in with undiluted paint on damp paper.

Marilyn painted a subtle background wash and tulips with have a gradation of soft to hard edges.

Leslie created an interplay of positive and negative flower shapes each with some sharp and some blurred edges.

Marge worked with a bouquet of roses. The blossoms were put in loosely on damp paper and the lower ones were given sharper edges as the paper dried.