When teaching watercolor classes, I often see students struggle with what I consider one of the joys of watercolor. I’m referring to the joys of color mixing.
The Triad Tree is a simple demo using a primary triad and letting the colors mix on the paper.
Above is the painting set-up. I’m using American Journey Joe’s Blue, Sour Lemon and Pomegranate.
Mist the paper first and then tap in yellow.
Next, tap in red.
Next, blue.
All three colors have been tapped in. Ready for the fun to begin?
Bring out the mister and pull the trigger!
Now, wait. No hair dryers and no brushes allowed until the tapped in primaries are dry. When dry, use a brush to add trunk and base of tree. A palette knife works well for adding branches.
But, It’s autumn! Be adventurous! Experiment with color. The discoveries of created colors while color mixing on paper are endless.
Thank you SO much for doing this for us beginners… Right now, mixing colors is more of a STRUGGLE than a JOY (for me), so I am going to try this!
Nona Goodman
Nona, that’s great! Let me know how it goes. June
I haven’t done water color in ages… what kind of paper do you use?
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for your question. Check out this link on my blog about paper: http://junerollins.wordpress.com/2012/01/20/beginner-tip-4-the-proof-is-in-the-paper/
Happy painting!
I am looking for a way to create a tree mural on my child’s bedroom wall, I wonder if I could adapt this technique?
Hi Sarah,
I think it may work with acrylic. Also if you do on panels laid flat and then mount to wall. The splatter would have a tendency to run down a vertical wall…which may create another interesting effect – spanish moss, weeping willow, wisteria, come to mind.
Best,
June
Thanks for this great tutorial, June. This has been keeping my 16 year old daughter busy for several days. So much more constructive than television
And bonus is the several paintings we now have in the house!
Hi Jonu! Thanks for letting me know. Love hearing how your daughter has benefitted. Sounds like a watercolorist to me
I was really looking forward to trying this project but my attempts have failed miserably. I had a terrible time finding the right brush and paint. My water color all ran together and did not have the same sharpness that yours. My attempt with acrylic was slightly better but did not mix well enough to produce green. My splatters either went all over the place or created large glops of paint. Please help! I am so frustrated.
Hi Emily,
Thanks for writing.
You mentioned you had a hard time finding supplies? There are many professional art distributors.One I use often use is Cheap Joe’s. With this technique, it’s necessary to use professional quality supplies, esp. paper. I use either Arches or Fabriano, 140lb, CP.
It is very easy to over mist with water, which sounds like what is happening for you. I would suggest you check the mister and make sure it delivers individual droplets instead of an overall fine mist, which would over saturate the paper. You may need to change misters. If that is not the case. Try holding the mister higher and only mist once, just to vary your approach. You are wanting to see individual droplets on dry paper.
As you are getting the hang of this step of the process, I would suggest working on smaller pieces of paper and not trying to make anything in particular.
Again, thanks for your feedback and hope you continue to experiment,
June
I dabble in watercolors all the time. My hardest area is having a color as a background. If I want cloud looking skies, I’m fine. If I want a smooth blue sky or a subtle color as the background, I still can’t get it without streaks or puddle stains. I love your site and. I hope I learn more from you. I painted a variation of your tree last night and it came out great. Great,great teacher. AL
Hi Arlene,
Thanks for commenting here. So happy to hear you had great results with the Triad Tree!
A flat sky wash is one of the most challenging for most. You’re not alone. I also think you will find different methods from different artists on how to achieve. There are many variables: paper, brushes, pigments, that all contribute to how the wash turns out. One thing I would recommend is good quality paper. You may have seen the link in this blog: Sky Wash Demonstration
This demo is wet-intowet, which is the method I prefer. But it has to be good quality paper t work. Like Arches CP 140lb. And I’m using a sable brush in the demo.
I’m working on an alcohol ink DVD, but will have watercolor DVD’s in the future.
Hope that helps a little. Have fun as you are learning
I have had Watercolours boughte me over the past 4yrs as I craved to try them…them got scared and hid them away…lol I am taking the bait and going to have a go. You have inspired me to try at last.
Thank you so much xxxxx
Hugs Mau xx
Thank you, Mau xx. Happy to hear you are giving watercolors a go! Have fun
I’ve had watercolour paints that my parents brought for me sitting in my cupboard for YEARS, with no idea how to use them! Totally inspiring tutorial – I’ll be giving this a go first thing tomorrow morning! Can you recommend any other lovely little beginner projects like this one? Thank you!
Thank you, Catherine! Happy for you to be taking out those watercolors! If you like Triad Tree, I think you will also like Birch and Boulders…http://junerollins.wordpress.com/2011/02/05/birch-boulders-watercolor-demo/
Have Fun!!!
I have always wanted to paint this is a simple way for me to learn.
Yes, Karen! Simple and fun! Happy Painting!
It has been a while since I have painted with water colors and it was so foreign when I sat down this past week to try to create something for my living room art. I think I am going to give this a try and see how it works out. Thank you for sharing.
Stacy, that’s great. Just a tip…it’s easy to oversaturate the paper. When you mist with water, you want to see paper between the droplets. If the paint appears dry on the paper, carefully, spritz in more water by holding mister about 2-3 ft high.
Wanted to mention the above as they are common occurrences for beginners or someone who has not painted for a long time. I want you to have a good experience and be encouraged. Have fun
So simple and so beautiful. Would love to see more of your beautiful work.
Thanks, Becky. Here is link to my online gallery.
What exactly is a water mister? Would a regular spray bottle work?
Hi Alyana,
Yes, a small spray bottle is fine. You will notice some have a fine mist and some don’t. Fine mist does not work.
Hope you are having fun! June
This is really lovely and simple thanks for a great tutorial.
Thank you, Sarah. Working on some more paintings using same technique. Will be sharing on my blog soon! Thanks!