Do you love watercolor? Love its translucency, its soft melting edges?
Love Colors that seemingly flow together to create something that the hand, the brush could not quite have dobbed or dabbed into being?
I do.
Watercolor Loose and Free
Freedom of Expression
What purpose such looseness and freedom serve, we may wonder.
Wouldn’t crisp, tight, defined, “control” over the entire process be much better?
Maybe. Or maybe not.
Wouldn’t it better … “to bend; not break?”
My privilege as a teacher, while adhering to the described course title, theme topic, is to overview the group’s needs and then tailor the agenda to that.
Diversity within the group, of course means we will all take in the skills, the information at varying rates, the different things presented.
Its just like here, in these posts. At different times, we will be ready. For new information.
I liked the concept of Loose and Easy, as I believe its one of the most effective ways to become confident and successful with watercolors.
Scary at first, yes, I do remember being a ‘beginner.’
But we ease in. Bit by bit we let go.
Step by step we open the doors.
Ways… to let go
Trying any of these, better still – making up your own ways, is a step towards free & loose expression in art.
Ultramarine acts as a dark anchor while Lemon blends with Cobalt Teal blue as they fall together.
The explosion of shapes created with Cadmium Scarlet eased into Indanthrone blue, Prussian blue.
Or maybe the sedimentation and speckling patterns made by mixing Lunar Black with Quinacridone Sienna.
Cobalt Teal blue finding its way downwards, as gravity controls its descent in a lovely scene, reflections along the water.
There is a time and place for all types, all styles, genres of painting approaches.
Botanical, Impressionist, Surrealism, Illustrative, Cubist, PhotoRealism, etc.
Each artist, will have their own unique personality.
With specific preferences.
These preferences, evolve with time.
Our tastes, change, as we gain more experience.
As we gain confidence, step by step, we put our ‘stamp’ upon the things we do.
Just like our clothing, our home decor, our landscaping, our favorite cooking recipes.
And this, is exactly what we are aiming for!
Tips & ‘Guide Posts’ to Painting Loose!
For us to be able to paint and create Loose and Free, there are some helpful ideas that make it easier for us.
These guide posts serve to inspire us, to lead us in the direction of our goal.
If you like, you could replace the words need and must, with “suggest” it does, sound nicer on the ears.
- we must be willing to paint loose
- we have to…. Want It!
- we need to practice, frequently
- practice with such repetition, that it might annoy us at times
- we need to Think differently
- think thoughts of big bold, loose! Free!
- we need to let go
- we need to open the closed doors
- we need to stop, all, miserly thoughts
- penny pinching defeats, Loose & Free
- we need to think laterally
- creative problem solving for such issues, IS Possible
The World of Watercolor Loose and Free, though, is one where we can relax. Let go.
Enjoy the colors, the music, the tones, the movement.
debi riley 
These paintings all bring a smile to my face; they are such a pleasure to look at.
LikeLiked by 1 person
smile… yep. you know, we do, like those smiles Anneli!! thanks for sharing yours! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I got this in my email today and came to your site again. I am getting more ready to attempt some of your beautiful free paintings. Thank you so much for your amazing generosity. I love getting your posts. They inspire and encourage me so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
hi Robert, thank you for your words I do appreciate it. And, I’m happy to know that the posts and art are encouraging, inspiring. I love the palette knife on dampened paper for the most exciting and greatest, sense of freedom with wc. it is SO liberating! cheers, Debi
LikeLiked by 1 person
My answer to your first three questions is a resounding YES! These are the very things I love about watercolour – I love loose, free, wild, creative. No rules! Crisp, tight, defined and controlled are not for me… !
LikeLiked by 1 person
amen! 🙂 but, we are all … unique and the world would, be boring if everyone was the same. but, still its great to run wild with others like minded – smiling!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I totally agree – others must paint the way they want to paint, which will probably be very different to my way of painting…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful! I need to remember these things more often 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks you Carol! me too, the more I jot them down, the more likely I actually remember them more often! cheers, debi
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Debi for a class in loose and free. As I scrolled through each of your samples I was oooing and ahhing at the color and textures achieved. SMILING!
LikeLiked by 1 person
hey, Smiling is always a very good thing Sharon! 🙂 thank You, for your generous words ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been thinking of exploring styles in watercolor. This is just the guidance I need to begin. Permission to play!
LikeLiked by 1 person
play…. one of the best words and the most underused.
so absolutely! without play, enjoyment, pleasure, it all derails into a tightly boxed rigid uncomfortable….form. Have Fun! thanks Joanne 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your post on loose and free…I so wish I could have a whole class on this way of painting, I love it soooo much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
hi Carol, thank you! I wish I could teach/ Share it, in lots of places too – well, this, will do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your patio flowers, and the second one. The color palette reminded of the Southwest, and your bird of paradise is wonderful!
LikeLiked by 1 person