by David Bellamy
ranquil Estuary, watercolour on Saunders Waterford 300lb Rough watercolour paper, 7x12in. (18x30.5cm). Some artists like using a base of gesso to create strong textural effects, and while this can work well the watercolour washes don’t readily take to the surface in a consistent way. For some time I have used a painting knife to apply Daniel Smith Watercolour Ground to parts of my compositions. To avoid cracking I generally work on 300lb Saunders Waterford paper, but you should be able to use 200lb paper, especially in smaller sizes. In this scene I applied the ground to the muddy foreground and dropped a variety of colours into the area. It is an excellent way of producing textures on rocks and cliffs,
While I have always enjoyed working in the more traditional manner with watercolour, for a number of years I have introduced additional methods of working in an effort to increase a sense of spontaneity, an exciting variation to the tried-and-tested techniques, and to add extra spiceto the work. In my new book, Seas & Shorelines in Watercolour (see next month’s issue for details) I introduced some of these techniques and additives, and here I want to explain five further practices that can give your watercolours a renewed vigour and feeling of free expression.