Fearless Friday, Oyster Shell
I have been experimenting with the watercolor “wet in wet” technique
also known as “wet on wet” or “charging”
The circled areas on the practice sheet in the photo above
highlight examples of a color dropped into a wet wash,
in some cases producing a “bloom” and areas of soft color transitions
To use the wet in wet technique,
paint a clear wash or a colored wash on your paper
and then drop desired color into the wash while it’s still wet
The paint will do it’s own thing, creating areas of interest and transitions to the other colors
It will change as it dries also, so be prepared!
The shadow of the Watemelon Roses painting above was created this way
The eggshells were also painted this way,
beginning with a light wash of Quinacridone Gold
Then dropping in pink and purple
The blue crab shell had some unexpected results, but I like surprises,
they keep things interesting!
I thought this photo would be fun to try with this technique,
The colors in the shell are magical
Step 1 was a simple outline of the shell and pearls
Next I dropped clear water in the center and added turquoise blue
Then Quinacridone purple
Windsor Green, Burnt Sienna and Quinacridone Gold shadows
Next came dark areas with Sepia,
adding shadows to the pearls and small dots in New Gamboge indicating sand
Pink washes to edge of shell and more sand spilling out
A wet in wet shadow for the finishing touch
“Oyster Shell” 6″ x 5″ watercolor and ink, on 140 lb cold pressed watercolor paper
This technique is so much fun and you can achieve some great results
Take a practice sheet and play with your paint, experiment, see what happens!
Be Fearless
To view a great tutorial on “charging” visit Louise De Masi here
I am participating in the May Doodlewash Challenge, you can see my daily paintings on Instagram here
The Doodlewash challenges are a lot of fun and they push you to try new things, paint subjects outside your comfort zone, or just draw or paint whatever you feel like! Join in anytime, post on social media with #doodlewashmay2020
🍉 🎨 🦀
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Meal Plan Monday Love Your Creativity What’s for Dinner?
Between Naps on the Porch, Make it Pretty Monday
Turn About Tuesday Celebrate Your Story, You’re the Star
All About Home/ Common Ground Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Tasty Tuesday Oh My Heartsie Girl Full Plate Thursday
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Jenna, what an interesting and fun technique. I know so little about painting, but I am always intrigued by Fearless Friday. The oyster shell is beautiful! Happy Friday and wishing you a lovely Mother’s Day weekend ♥️
Thanks Pam, I am having so much fun experimenting. It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful sunny Mother’s Day!
Hi Jenna, I really appreciate the ins and outs of this technique. (I do it, but with varying results!) I think the paper matters, and how much you drop in and sometimes I end up blotting a bit.) I love all the examples you have here and the oyster shell is a challenge that worked out very well!
Thanks Jeanie, painting and cooking are always experiments aren’t they! Watch the tutorial I linked to at the end of the post if you get a chance, I really learned a lot from it.
This is an awesome tutorial! I’ve not heard it the wer on wet technique. I’d love it if you would link up with my Creative Compulsions party. It runs Thursday through Sunday each week.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
How pretty! What magic and fun with this new technique! A perfect beach house painting. I love collecting shells and finding beach glass, do you walk along your beach looking for beach glass? I can’t wait until we can go to the beach, I love spending all day there. 😁♥️☀️
I used to do that for hours, loved treasure hunting! The beach here unfortunately doesn’t yield many shells, by the time they was up on our coast they are reduced to little pieces and sand…which is why we have the sparkling sugar white beaches! I do have some sea glass though, I need to set up a still life and paint it, thanks for a great idea Cyndi!
Thanks Michelle, I will try to be there!
The oyster shell is beautiful! I always love your paintings. Have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you Michelle, so nice of you! Happy Mother’s Day!
What a wonderful technique Jenna! Such pretty colors in the oyster shell but I love that crab 😉
Thank you Mary, I am having a lot of fun experimenting with this technique 🙂
Happy Friday Jenna! What a beautiful technique and great colors! You challenged yourself as the there were so many colors being blended.
Happy Mother’s Day my friend.
Thanks Nancy, I’m having fun experimenting!
Really? That looks like a technique that would be a total flop, but your results are amazing! I love the oyster and pearls.
It is kind of like magic, lots of fun, thank you Linda 🙂
Beautiful, Jenna!! I love your results with wet on wet! Happy Mother’s Day! 💚🌼
Thanks, I’m loving playing with this technique
Jenna, I started with watercolor a year ago. Love wet in wet, but what you did with the pearls and shell is especially beautiful!
Thanks so much Jean, I’m having a lot of fun experimenting with this technique!