Watercolor Blue Skies: Preclass
Palette and paints
In this short video, see how the “blue skies” palette has been created, and get an idea what colors you might try out; you don’t NEED all the colors in this palette! See notes below. If you can’t see the video below, click HERE.
Notes about watercolor:
- If you own another brand, by all means try the techniques with paints you have. Results may be different but also could work well!
- The instructor uses Daniel Smith watercolors, which will be linked and listed below.
- You needn’t have a special palette for this class; but if you wish to create one just for plein air painting, feel free to set one up with colors you have.
- It’s STRONGLY recommended to pick up the Silver Brush/Black Velvet #12 round brush. While a smaller brush could work while painting a miniature version of the lessons, it’s well worth it to get the recommended brush.
- Swatch your blues before beginning so you’ll have an idea what colors look like when mixed in a light, thin version for a sky; you may find you like a dark color mixed with water rather than purchasing a light pigment. (Or you may want to treat yourself to a new tube!)
Click to enlarge
Daniel Smith Watercolor Tubes in my “Blue Skies” palette:
Choose at least one “sky” color and one of the greyish blues. Use a green recommended here or use your own.
Other supplies:
Notes: Included here are the palette and half-pans I use, but you can squeeze color out on a plate or a white tile. Be Creative tape is for putting the swatch key into the palette. BRUSHES: I really really really really recommend the Silver Brush #12, and painting 6x9s. If you really need to use a smaller brush, you’ll need to paint smaller; you’ll never cover that area with a tiny brush. There are two wide brushes here; in class I’ll be using the DaVinci on only one painting; but the Silver would work too.
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