Watercolor paints have been prized by artists for centuries, and the way they bring to life the architectural shapes of buildings has been mesmerizing viewers and inspiring creators alike. Painting buildings in watercolor requires precision and skill, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating or overly difficult. With some patience and practice, almost anyone can begin to paint beautiful architecture pieces in watercolor.
First of all, you need to understand that painting in watercolor will require a few extra supplies which are essential for the best results. You’ll need a pad of heavy, acid-free watercolor paper, several sizes of artist-grade watercolor brushes, and a jar of clean water. Then, it’s time to select your paints. Choose portable pans of watercolor that contain only true pigments, which are labeled as “professional-grade.” Avoid student grades, as they don’t contain the same intense colors needed for this style of painting.
When you’re ready to start painting, an important aspect to consider is the composition of your piece. The rule of thirds is a great way to lay out a scene and ensure your land, sky, and horizon are in the proper places. You can also sketch out your painting by using light pencil lines to map out the layout. If a building or object is the main focus, make sure you place it in the center of your painting to draw the eye in.
The next step is to decide what kind of light you want to create with your painting. Soft light is a beautiful effect that’s often used in the atmosphere of a painting, while direct light coming straight down will create more shadows and materialize the architectural structures more clearly. Depending on the effect you desire, you can mix transparent and opaque paints to achieve your desired lighting effects.
To give your architecture painting an extra wow factor, incorporate some contrast. Clipping and vignetting are two techniques you can use to create a sense of drama in your work. Clipping darkens the edges of a painting, while vignetting lightens them. This contrast helps to create depth and can really bring your architectural piece to life.
Once your piece is complete, it’s a good idea to spray it with a fixative so it will dry without smudging and won’t fade over time. You’ll also want to make sure your artwork is properly framed to keep any dust or humidity from damaging it. With a little bit of effort, you can create a masterpiece that will dazzle viewers and bring beauty to any room.
Mixing Watercolor Paint
When you are painting with watercolor, you’ll want to pay attention to the type of water and paint mixture you create. A mix of pigment and water should be just the right consistency to flow freely, but not dripping. Experiment with different thicknesses to find the best consistency for your painting. Too much water will dilute your paint, while too little will make it difficult to blend colors. You can also invest in a wetting agent to use in your painting that will make colors appear brighter and crisper.
Most watercolor paints will come as a pan of solid colors. To mix colors more easily, use a palette of moistened gouache (opaque) paints. You can mix the paint on the palette to create a variety of colors for your painting, and then apply it in thin layers or blotches to the paper itself. Once dry, the blotches of color can be blended and layered to create the impression of depth. Taking the extra time to create colors on the palette can help you achieve any hue you desire.
Creating Gradient Effects
Gradients are a great way to create lifelike effects in any painting. When done correctly, a gradient will provide a slow transition between colors, capturing the vivid colors of a scene. To paint a gradient in watercolor, you’ll want to use two colors that are closely related and start with the lightest. Paint in a ‘C’ shape and leave some white paper between your colors, allowing the colors to blend naturally. Don’t work too fast as the colors need time to spread and mix. Once the colors have been blended on the paper, you can add more paint to adjust the shape.
Layering and Blotting
Layering and blotting are two helpful techniques to use when painting in watercolor. Layering is the process of painting the same area multiple times. Start by wetting the paper and gently dropping a light wash over the entire painting. Once the initial wash is dry, add a few darker colors and lightly brush them in. You can repeat this process multiple times as long as you give each layer time to dry in between. Blotting is similar in that it also creates a layering effect, but instead of using a brush, use a tissue to soak up or absorb the paint from areas of the paper.
Using White Paint
White paint might seem unnecessary when painting with watercolors, but it can be very beneficial in certain areas. White is an opaque paint that can be applied over almost any color to lighten it. Instead of adding water to the color to achieve a lighter shade, you can use white paint to save some of the original color underneath. This technique works especially well for soft transitions between colors.
Painting Shadows and Reflections
Architecture often has many intricate details, such as windows and balconies, that must be included in the painting. When painting shadows and reflections in watercolor, use a few dilute shades of the main color — such as blue for a sky — around the edges of the architectural features. This will create the impression of shadows being cast by the building. You can also use a darker tone at the edges with a lighter one at the center, creating a gradual transition of shadow. For reflections, you can use a variety of effects, depending on the intensity needed. Softer reflections can be achieved by allowing the paper to absorb some of the paint, while sharper reflections can be created by overworking the area.
