Before the Paint, There's the Prep
Slowing down, measuring twice, and letting a painting take shape over time.
10/28/20262 min read
Yesterday we kept it pale and loose. First washes, soft edges, room to find the colors of the season without forcing anything. Everyone was guided step by step, and everyone still had room to make the painting their own.
My students will have time to work on the window scenes on their own, or they can wait till the next watercolor class in December. It will be fun to see what they come up with, the scene they dream up. Whether they are inspired by mine or do something completely different outside, it just shows learning the steps can open the mind of creativity.
Part 2 follows in December. That is when we peel the tape, paint the frame with hard edges, and add optional pen-and-ink details for texture and character.
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It was a beautiful time to paint a window scene. The weather has been cooler finally, and I am sure most of us Floridians are taking full advantage of getting fresh air. And for this Sketchbook Stories this week, it was reflecting about what is outside looking through a window. It's a season of falling leaves, beautiful autumn colors.
This watercolor class I taught yesterday was all about allowing my students to slow down and allow a painting to take shape over time.
Over the last several months, this group and I have been introducing watercolor short projects, practicing washes and techniques, and yesterday was the day they were starting a real watercolor painting. It wasn't about putting paint on it right away.
We started with drawing boards, a T-square, and a pencil. We built the window frame and masked out the frame. It was lots of giggles, and using a ruler.
I chose a Florida version on purpose, a flat meadow, a split-rail fence, and a tree line, no mountains. We live in Florida, and I wanted the view to feel like home.
That slow start is the whole lesson. A window painting is really two paintings in one. The landscape inside the window stays loose, with soft edges, layered washes, and color mixing that lets the atmosphere do the work. The frame around it needs the opposite, hard edges, clean lines, and patience. If you rush the measuring and the masking, the frame will tell on you later.
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