Watercolor Techniques

In order to help students learn how to mix colors together, you can start out with teaching them how to create a mixing chart, that they can then refer back to.

1. Divide paper into squares, using however many colors you want to use, plus one.

2. Label the top row with all of your colors, skipping the first box.

3. Label the first column with all of your colors, skipping the top box.

4. Have students paint one color at a time all the way across their chart.

5. Then they will go back and paint one column at a time all the way down.

6. Suggestion - I don't use black as one of my colors to mix because students tend to get it mixed in with everything.

In order to teach students how to use different watercolor techniques, help them to create a techniques chart.

1. Divide your paper in squares, using however many techniques you want to go over with them.

2. Using one square at a time, you can teach students how to create different techniques using tape, wax, alcohol, washes, etc.

Before you have students start on their project, it's a good idea to have them practice step-by-step with you.

1. Give students a piece of watercolor paper, I cut mine into smaller sections since this was a practice.

2. Go through painting a landscape, or whatever you'd like to, step-by-step with students so that they can see you actually paint each step.