Watercolor paints are one of the most loved by artists. First of all, watercolor has a lot of various techniques, and secondly, with its help you can create beautiful drawing, even if you don’t know how to draw at all.
These techniques will help beginners learn how to draw, and professionals will refresh their memory and find inspiration and ideas.
1. Painting with a flat brush
Step 1
Draw a square or rectangle to mark the start and end of the layer.
Select more dark shade(it's easier to see) and starting from the top left corner, touch the brush to the paper and gently draw a straight line all the way to the top right corner.
But: Left-handers should draw from the right corner to the left.
Step 2
Fill your brush with paint again.
Start the next stroke from the bottom edge of the first, trying to cover the accumulation of paint that has formed at the bottom of the first stroke.
Hint 1: If the buildup of paint in the first stroke does not flow completely into the second, then increase the angle of your easel to help the paint flow freely.
Hint 2: By increasing the angle of inclination, you also increase the chances of getting uncontrollable paint flows. So try to work faster or have something like a rag or sponge on hand to quickly clean up spills.
Step 3
Repeat the previous step, also trying to cover the accumulation of paint in the top stroke.
Hint 3: You can use the flat edge of the brush to “cut” the beginning of the layer and make it even.
Hint 4: If you want to smooth out the end edge of a layer, then at the end of the stroke, pause and move the brush up and then down as you would with the beginning edge.
Hint 5: If the stroke turns out to be intermittent, then immediately fill the brush with paint and re-stroke it.
Step 4
Repeat the previous steps until the very end. Try to stick to the same paint tone.
Hint 6: You won't believe how different the behavior of brushes, paints and paper can be between different brands. Typically, more expensive and popular brands make your job easier by providing high quality products.
Hint 7: If your strokes are choppy even though your brush is full of paint, you are using paper that is too thick or the paper is too rough in texture. If you come across such paper, spray it with water, blot it with a clean sponge and let it dry. This will make the surface more receptive to your paint.
Step 5
Rinse the brush and squeeze out all remaining water from it. Gently pick up any clumps of paint left from the bottom of the final stroke with your brush, but don't pick up too much paint or you will discolor your drawing.
To create more texture in your design, let it dry at an angle. This will give the paint a more interesting look.
Gradient
Step 1
Draw a square or rectangle. Then dip your brush into a darker shade of paint (mix on your palette) and carefully brush over the stroke.
Step 2
Dry your brush with a sponge or paper towel and dip it again in a lighter shade.
Then draw a new stroke, overlapping the bottom of the previous one. Notice that the left side of the layer has already merged with the previous stroke. Let gravity do its thing.
Step 3
Rinse the brush again and dry it. And then refill the brush with paint and make another stroke. Repeat this process until the very end.
Hint 1: If your stroke breaks or doesn't go on as smoothly as you'd like, quickly refill your brush with paint and repeat the coat.
Step 4
Rinse the brush with clean water, dry it and pick up any remaining paint.
Hint 2: Try this technique by working with different colors and creating interesting transitions.
Watercolor glaze
Step 1
This technique requires improvisation and imagination. Using the example, we will draw an improvised landscape.
First we paint the sky and river with blue paint. We will separate the paint with a small amount of water, this will be a waterfall.
Step 2
Draw the clouds in dark pink color and start drawing the mountain yellow. We will also mark the bottom part of the picture in yellow.
The example uses light and transparent tones so you can see how the layers interact.
Step 3
By mixing cobalt blue and ultramarine blue, we will paint the horizon of the mountain and shade the small yellow slope.
Hint 1: allow each layer to dry. You can use a hair dryer to speed up this process. Keep it at least 25-30 cm away, turn on the cool setting and set the hair dryer to the lightest air flow. No steam or hot air!
Step 4
To shade and add interesting colors, we use orange. With its help we will create the shores in the foreground and shade the sky.
Hint 2: If you get droplets of excess paint, rinse and dry your brush as you did in the previous techniques, and pick up the droplets with it.
Step 5
Please note that the images show different paint brushes. You can use the ones you have on hand.
Let's take dark blue color and use it to shade the top of the mountain, changing the pressure on the brush and turning it to create an interesting texture.
Step 6
Using the same blue color, let's play with the waterfall by drawing some circles. Sometimes visual clichés become your friends.
Let's rinse the brush and pick up the yellow color, we will use it to add visual details to our shores.
Step 7
After the paint has dried, shade the bubbles in the waterfall with a shade of purple. This way we will make them more interesting.
Step 8
We need to link some elements and add trees. In the example we used round templates for crowns, but you can draw as you please.
Step 9
We will use brown color to depict tree trunks. We will also use blue to shade the water and sky a little more. Then, using pink, blue and green, we will paint the grass in the foreground.
Step 10
Use a mixture of pink and red to add the final details. Our trees are now bearing fruit, and several fruits lie under them.
If you look closely, you can see how each layer interacts with each other. A darker shade has more power, but when the colors overlap each other, they create an interesting and beautiful combination.
“Wet” technique
Step 1
Wet the paper with water
Step 2
Blot the paper with a clean sponge, removing excess water. Try to achieve uniform distribution moisture on the paper, you should get a satin effect.
If the paper is shiny, it means it is too wet, blot it again.
Step 3
We will draw the landscape again. Let's start, of course, from the sky. Using this technique, it is easier to draw the background first, then moving on to the foreground objects.
Step 4
We continue to draw the sky until we start to like it. The strokes will blur, creating an interesting effect.
Step 5
Now let's move on to the grass in the foreground. Using green color, let's make a few broad strokes, leaving room for the stones.
As the paper dries, the strokes blur less and less.
Step 6
Let's add forms. To do this, we use different shades of green and draw trees on the horizon.
Step 7
Having added the trees, let's try to add texture to them. To do this, use a darker shade of green to create accents.
Step 8
Add stones using grey colour. We filled in the gaps in the foreground with this color, leaving some gaps.
Try to use either dark or cool shades. Using both dark and cool shades will create visual dissonance.
Step 9
Let's place accents to diversify the design. Using a crimson tint, we will depict several floral elements in the foreground. Let the crimson flow as it pleases. Then, using a dry brush, remove the color from the middle of the spots.
Step 10
Then drop clean water into the center of these spots to allow them to blend into the grass.
The hardest part about this technique is knowing when to stop. Overdoing it with blurs and colors will result in a messy drawing.
This technique gives a slightly strange but interesting result. A drawing made using this technique has a hypnotizing effect.
Dry brush painting
Step 1
We think the name of the technique speaks for itself. We will need to put paint on the brush, blot it from excess liquid with a paper towel or sponge, and then paint.
First, let's make a pencil sketch. After this, we roughly outline the sky by moving the brush over the surface of the paper.
Step 2
Let's paint the trees on the horizon line in green, outlining what will later become our lake.
Then, mixing purple and blue, we will draw the first layer of the tree trunk.
Step 3
Let the drawing dry and add some elements: the reflection of a tree in the lake and the flow of water.
Mixing green and blue, shade the shore in the background of the image and let the drawing dry again.
Step 4
Mix an intense blue with ultramarine and paint a layer on the tree trunk to create shadows and bark texture.
Step 5
Then, using shades of orange, we will depict an autumn landscape by painting over the background trees.
Step 6
Having finished with the previous step, use a light orange tint to depict the reflection of the trees in the water.
Also, mixing gray with blue, we will place dark accents on the trees.
We will also add trees on the other side of the horizon. Let's denote the tree shapes in orange.
Step 7
Let's take care of the water. Use dark green and brown to achieve the desired color. And with wave-like movements we will draw the water in the lake.
Step 8
When painting a lake, change the pressure on your brush to add texture.
Clue: if the brush is too wet, the paint will look flat. Dry the brush to intensify the colors.
Step 9
Let's add some grass under the tree, using the same color as for the grass in the background.
Step 10
Let's add some details to the foreground.
We will also darken the lake a little by adding a blue tint. We’ll also shade the sky with the same color.
Removing moisture
This technique will require several sponges. It is suitable for depicting clouds and soft light. It can also control the behavior of paints.
Sponges
Makeup sponges are best. They absorb well and give an interesting effect.
Try not to rub the sponge on the paper, and if you do, do it very carefully so as not to damage the paper.
Paper towels
With their help you can create sharper highlights. But paper towels absorb huge amounts of paint very quickly. Therefore, they can completely absorb fresh paint.
Paper towels can come in handy if you make a mistake. Then you can quickly remove the paint.
Dry brush
You can use a dry brush to create a design using this technique. To do this, rinse thoroughly and squeeze out the brush. With its help you can create clear lines.
Other methods:
- You can spray water where you want to remove the paint and then soak it up with a sponge.
- Use different fabrics to add texture
- You can use your fingers or other body parts. Skin can also absorb moisture.
Discoloration of dried paint
Watercolor brushes
Use clean water and a cloth, wet the desired areas, gently rub the drawing and remove the moisture with a dry brush. This method allows you to control the areas you lighten.
Brushes for oil or acrylic paint
Stiff bristles allow you to quickly scrape paint off the desired area. But it is worth noting that this method can damage the paper, so control yourself.
Here, just like in the first method, you first need to wet the area and then brush it on.
Spray and towel
Take a spray bottle and spray the desired area, and then apply a paper towel to it. This method leaves large light spots and gives an interesting effect.
Sandpaper
It is very rarely used, as it can damage the paper. It's best used at the end to add texture. You don't need water for this method, just rub the design where you want it.
Blades and knives
Can be used to highlight small areas and create crisp lines. This method is also very risky as it can damage the paper.
Sponges
You can also use sponges. Wet the desired area and dry it with a sponge.
Gail Dowell, jewelry maker and artist.On this moment She teaches at a co-op home school for high school students.
Drawing a dark and bright watercolor background
I have been painting with watercolors for over ten years. I like to use a lot of paint and especially paint dark backgrounds. My drawing style has evolved over time. Including exactly how I paint my backgrounds. When I started painting, I painted my main subject in the painting first and left the background for last.
Isn't it great to draw interesting things first? Yes, but when I left the background for the end, I always wondered: "What's next?" Over the years, the understanding came to me that I need to plan the drawing process. How to include the main subject in the background at the very beginning, before you do anything else. The next practical lesson is my decision on how to paint the background and I'm sure it will develop further as I continue to paint.
All drawings by Gail Dowell.
My old way paint a dark background using watercolors.
Without depth and brightness
The picture above is my first work using a dark background. I painted the main subject first and then painted the background around the Columbine flower using a thick layer of Indigo and Blue. This was a good decision at that time, since this background contrasted with the flower in the picture. However, I was limited in that I could not change or add color or depth to the painting.
My new way of painting a dark watercolor background. Achieving brightness and depth
The work on top is one I did last year using a new way of applying a dark background. This takes a little more time and planning, but is very easy to do.
The next practical lesson in pictures will show how I painted using layers of paint (in other words - glazing) of three primary colors: red, yellow and blue. By using thin layers and mixing my own colors, I ended up with a brighter background. You can see that there are different colors that I layered.
And now a lesson, step by step, how I drew it.
Use only the best watercolor paper
When you're applying multiple layers of watercolor paint, you need to choose a good quality paper that can handle it all. Will withstand layering and re-wetting with water without deformation. There's nothing more frustrating when, halfway through your painting, the paper starts to fall apart. My choice fell on Archer No140 cold pressed watercolor paper. Always use at least 140 g/m3.
Draw this picture and start applying the first layer. Step one
The next series of dogwood flower drawings will clearly show how I drew and planned my background. First, I drew a sketch of the object, drew it in detail and began to paint around it (negative drawing). At first I used Antwerp blue for the background.
Adding yellow to the background. Step two
Next, add glaze with Aureolin yellow. Each time after applying a coat, allow it to dry completely before applying the next one. It is very important when layering to use light hand, so as not to disturb the previous layers.
Adding red to the background. Step three
Afterwards, I applied a layer of Quinacridone Pink. Choose primary shades for better blending of tones. Some colors don't mix well with others and can give a messy result.
Let's start adding the blue layer again. Step four
At this stage, we return to Antwerp blue, but this time we apply it lightly so that it disappears into the background itself. We add elements to the background, they will not seem bright, but on the contrary, the tones will mute the background, making it, at the same time, dark. The dogwood flower comes to the foreground against this background.
We continue to draw, repeating layers of watercolor. Step five
After applying a layer of Antwerp Blue, I again apply Aureolin Yellow around the painted branches and around the foreground. Using this method, slowly build up depth in the background of your painting.
Use only a few background colors. Step six
At this moment, I realized that I was getting closer to the desired background saturation. Now I started to control my color, adding blue and yellow, eliminating red completely. All this so that I have a predominantly dark green background.
Last step
There is great symbolism in the dogwood flower. I was inspired to create this painting after hearing the legend about this flower. It says that the petals of the dogwood flower represent the cross of Christ, and the indentations in them are the nails placed in the hands and feet of Christ.
It takes longer to paint the background layer by layer, but the results are definitely worth it.
Watercolor paints
The three main colors I used in this tutorial are Atwerp blue, Aureolin yellow and Quinacridone pink. Other shades of primary colors can be used, but some combinations can give a dirty look. Experiment before you get started. I used Daniel Smith paints for most of my work, but any artist's paint will do.
Another example of a dark background:
The work was created by Gail Dowell. It is impossible to paint in watercolors without using a technique such as pouring. As the name suggests, filling allows you to evenly fill (paint) any area of paper.
Without filling, it is impossible to beautifully paint the sky or background in a still life. And in general, whether a portrait or a landscape is to be completed, filling is needed everywhere; without this technique, the work is doomed to brush marks and uneven paint layers instead of uniformly painted surfaces.
I suggest you admire the watercolor works of the wonderful artist Kalina Toneva, where the fills are done very thoughtfully and the works seem to be woven from bright sunspots - these are filled areas.
How to fill
Filling can be done different ways– you can apply paint to a wetted paper surface, to a dry one, with a brush or even a sponge, but the main thing is to work as quickly as possible and be sure to comply with the conditions described below. In this lesson I will talk about pouring on a dry paper surface.
To use this technique, three conditions must be met. Failure to comply with even one of them will nullify the filling attempt.
First. The sheet of paper should be attached to the tablet and at an angle. The slope can be different, the main thing is that it is there (a slope is not necessary only in cases of pouring on a wet surface). You can adjust and find a comfortable angle.
The tablet is mounted on an easel at an angle.
Second. There should be enough paint solution in the palette so that the brush can be completely immersed in it. Moreover, the solution should be enough for the area that we are going to cover. It is better to prepare it with a reserve.
The brush tuft is completely immersed in the solution.
Third. With a brush well moistened in the solution, you need to make a line, you can simply from left to right, or better (in the case of pouring on a dry surface), making frequent zigzag movements with the brush. The paint should pool at the bottom of these “teeth.” Immediately below the top line, the same bottom line is drawn, capturing the flow of paint.
Floods of paint under the first “line”
You can see how the “line” goes under the “line”.
At the very bottom of the area, excess paint is removed with a napkin or another barely damp brush.
All this can be covered from above again with the same solution for a more even “filling”.
As a result, the area is painted completely evenly.
That, in fact, is all the wisdom. There is nothing complicated. You can use different variations: work with solutions of different colors, or work with light and dark solutions. Below is an example of how you can fill an area with three colors.
We start with yellow, add a line of orange, and even lower we go to red.
I also want to show one simple example of using this technique. Let's try to create a postcard. Let this be a wish for all creative people.
With a pencil we lightly mark what will not be painted over - objects that will need to be brushed around: clouds, pegasus (a symbol of creative inspiration and success) and the inscription.
Carefully fill in everything except the above mentioned elements.
It is impossible to move in a zigzag line here (you have to go around obstacles) and you may end up with unevenness at the joints.
This “evil” is easy to cope with if you turn things around in an unexpected way. Turn the card upside down and refill it with a more saturated solution. The faster the pouring goes, the fewer irregularities and joints.
The result is snow-white clouds and a pegasus.
You can make the clouds warmer and then the sky won’t be so distant.
Now let’s “breathe life” into the winged horse by showing the chiaroscuro on its body.
This is how it turned out.
Of course, you can just make clouds without a horse, or flowers, or whatever.
I simply circled the inscription with a marker.
Although this is a postcard, since the goal of the lesson is filling, inscriptions and other possible decorative details. I don't attach any importance. The main thing for me was to show that a very simple technique can serve everyone who wants to take it into service.
In the next lesson on filling, I want to show examples of a more complex and colorful application of this technique.
When viewing photographs, it may sometimes seem that it is almost impossible to depict crystal clear water, fresh clear air, and unique landscapes of frosty winter on paper.
After going through a bunch of paper sheets and designer cardboard, it becomes obvious to the master that the effects listed above cannot be conveyed with anything other than watercolor paints. And they are available to everyone.
A fully-quality watercolor background in scrapbooking can only be achieved by using a combination of paper for watercolor paints, a brush and watercolor paints of the desired colors.
Important! Brushes should be made of appropriate materials: sponges, mini-mists (or sprayers).
Basics of creating a watercolor background 
A
First of all, you need to carefully examine the photograph and highlight the prevailing colors in it.
Let's say the colors are blue, brown and turquoise.
Will need plastic bag or a paper file in which you need to place a sheet of white paper.
Then select the required paint color and apply it to the sheet. You can squeeze the paint from the brush with your fingers for greater effect.
Now you should put paper sheet on top, gently press and smooth it out.
A “puddle” of paints forms on its surface.
To get an even more interesting effect, you can tilt the sheet in different directions. At the same time, the paints will begin to spread and mix, forming picturesque stains after drying.
Now you need to dry the paper sheet. If the stain of paint on it turns out to be too pale, you can add the desired paint with a brush and turn the sheet again. The paint will begin to spread over the already formed spot.
Too much dark spot can be diluted with water using a spray bottle. Water will dissolve the paint and make the stain less saturated and dark.
In practice, it will become clear that to obtain a color spot you can use not only the method described above.
To create this watercolor background you will need the following:
- moisten a sheet of paper in the center with a sponge or spray;
- use a brush to add paint of the required colors to the moistened area of the paper sheet;
- rotate the sheet until the desired result is obtained;
- during the creation process, spots that are too light can be diluted with paint, and spots that are too dark can be diluted with water;
What is the difference between the spots that were created by the first and second methods?
The spot obtained by the first method has clear boundaries. The edges of the second spot will be blurred. If you need to paint the entire sheet, it is better to use a sponge to completely wet it with water. The paint is then applied in quick strokes or blots on top.
To get the following backgrounds you need:
- choose the appropriate stamp for the page;
- make an impression, add white powder, bake;
- the paint can be applied as indicated in the first method or using a spray gun;
- To get an interesting effect, you need to rotate the sheet, while the paint spreads and mixes.
The techniques described above allow you to create a dark outline around an image made by embossing (3-D drawing) using watercolor paint. This outline serves as a shadow and creates a three-dimensional effect.
To get this watercolor background, you need to do the following:
- Pour water into the spray bottle, add the required paint to the liquid using a brush. The areas of the sheet of paper on which it is necessary to obtain a background of this color should be moistened with a spray bottle. This must be done carefully to avoid the appearance of puddles (do not spray in the same place several times).
- Similar to the method described in the previous paragraph to dilute paint of a different color. Spray a sheet of paper with it in the required places. It is more convenient to use several sprayers at once.
- Wait until the applied paint dries, then add a splash of a more saturated color or shade. It is not recommended to rush in this case to avoid puddles on the sheet.
How to straighten a sheet after painting
To do this, you will need film (or several sheets of newspaper) and office paper. Newspaper or film is needed to absorb the ink, and office paper will prevent the newspaper text from reprinting.
The sheet can be straightened by following these steps:
- Place the not completely dry sheet under the press, on which you first place office paper with newspaper sheets or film on top.
- Gently iron the sheet with an iron. If the image was created using the hot embossing technique, it can easily be destroyed.
- If the paint on it has already dried before leveling the sheet, you should lightly moisten it with water on the opposite side before placing it under the press.
- A rather radical way is to glue the sheet to cardboard. To do this, it is better to use a glue stick, which should be used to evenly apply the adhesive base to the sheet. You can also use tape, which is used to glue the sheet along the perimeter and in the center to prevent the appearance of bubbles.
Some subtleties, knowledge of which comes with practice:
- Uniform drying of the sheet can be achieved by completely wetting it with water.
- If you need to make watercolor sheets for an album, it is better to use not too thick watercolor paper (up to 230 g/sq. m) without cotton fibers and other additives. Otherwise, it will be difficult to glue the paper and it may move.
- For simple pages with a small puddle of paint, it is better to choose watercolor paper with high density sheets.
Some tips from master Elena Vinogradova:
- To avoid incidents when mixing colors of watercolor paints, it is recommended to experiment with this before starting work.
- For example, blue and yellow colors when mixed will give green, red and yellow will give orange.
- Before using a combination of other colors, it is better to mix them in a draft and see the result.
- Small pieces of watercolor paper can serve as rough drafts.
- That's all the secrets. The main thing is to practice well before starting the main work.
Watercolor backgrounds? Elementary!
The article was written for issues of the magazine "Scrap-Info" 6–2011.
Sometimes you look at a photograph and think - how to convey this transparency of the air, the crystal purity of water or the ringing frost of winter?.. You tear through a heap of paper, and you understand - nothing can convey this effect... Nothing but watercolors. Watercolors are paints accessible to everyone. In order to create a full-fledged background, we will need watercolor paper and brushes, and accompanying materials - a sponge, mini-mists (in other words, sprayers).
Watercolor background. Basics
Let's look at which colors are predominantly present in the photograph. In my case it's blue, turquoise and a little brown. Therefore, we take a plastic file or bag, insert a white sheet of paper into it (to see the color) and apply paint of the desired color to it. For better efficiency, you can squeeze the brush out with your fingers.
Place a sheet of paper on top.
We press and smooth it out.
What a puddle it turned out to be!
To make it even more interesting, we tilt the sheet in different directions - the colors spread and mix. With gradual drying, picturesque stains are formed.
Now let the paper dry. If the color spot turns out to be pale, you can drip the required paint onto it with a brush and turn the sheet. The paint will spread over the existing stain. And if, on the contrary, it turns out too dark, you can spray water on the stain (from a spray bottle) - the water will dilute the paint and the stain will become lighter.
As practice shows, a spectacular color spot can be created not only by the method described above. To create a picture like this you need to do the following.
Moisten the center of the sheet with a spray bottle or sponge.
Apply the colors you want to the damp paper with a brush.
Rotate the paper at different angles until you are satisfied with the color mixing result.
In the process of creating a picture, you can drip water or colored paints onto the sheet.
The difference between a color spot made by the first method and a color spot obtained by this method is only in one thing: in the first case, we get a color spot with clearly defined edges of an interesting configuration, and in the second, the edges of the spot are blurred and disappear. In principle, if you need to paint the entire sheet, the easiest way is to moisten it generously with a sponge and apply paint on top, very quickly.
To create such backgrounds you need to do the following.
Choose a suitable stamp for the page.
Make an impression, apply white powder and bake.
Apply paint by spray or in accordance with the first method.
Turn the sheet in different directions so that the paint spreads and mixes.
The meaning of these manipulations is as follows: when watercolor dries, it creates a dark outline around the image made using embossing, which forms a semblance of a shadow, giving an interesting volume effect.
To create such a background you need to do the following.
Fill a spray bottle with water, add the required paint to it with a brush, then spray it on the areas where you are going to make a background of this color. The main thing in this matter is not to overdo it and not create a puddle, which occurs if you splash it several times in the same place.
Dilute other paint in a similar way - spray, again, in the right place. For this operation it is good to have several sprayers to save time.
Wait until the paint is absorbed and add a few splashes of a deeper shade (don't do everything at once - you risk getting a puddle!).
To straighten a sheet after processing with watercolors, you need:
Place the sheet that has not yet dried completely under a press. ATTENTION! You should place several layers of newspaper or a diaper under the sheet and on top of it, and then apply the press. A newspaper or diaper is needed to absorb moisture from the sheet. Place a sheet of office paper between the sheet and the newspaper so that the newspaper text does not print.
Iron the sheet with an iron. Be very careful if you have done hot embossing! There is a high chance that when heated with an iron, the print will be imprinted on your ironing board!
If for some reason the sheet is dry and you haven’t put it under the press yet, moisten the back side of the sheet with a sponge (without fanaticism) and place it under the press.
A radical but effective measure is to glue the page onto cardboard. The meaning of this procedure is as follows - if you lubricate it well with a glue stick reverse side pages, the glue will wet the page and it will stick smoothly. For insurance, you can glue the page with tape around the perimeter and in the center so that bubbles do not form and the page holds tightly.
Some subtleties revealed by scientific poking:
If the paper is wetted entirely, it dries almost evenly.
If you plan to make watercolor pages for an ALBUM, then it is better to use watercolor paper with a density of no more than 230 g/m2, without additives from cotton fibers, etc. Otherwise, if the paper moves, it will be difficult to glue it - thick paper does not get wet from the glue.
If you are going to just make pages and do not plan to make a very large puddle, then it is preferable to use very thick watercolor paper.
In conclusion, I will add the following. Probably everyone already knows from school days: if you mix yellow and blue colors, it will turn out green; yellow and red - orange, etc. Take your time and see how other colors behave when mixed, so that there are no accidents in your work. That's basically all the secrets! The main thing in this matter is training. Experiment on small sheets of paper first and only then take larger sheets for the main work. So that it doesn’t happen like what one girl wrote to me after the master class: “Lena, I’ve already ruined three sheets of paper, but I still haven’t succeeded!”