Playing with Paint: a Cosy Night Scene in Watercolour | Spontaneous Wash and Granulating Textures

When I feel a slump in my watercolour practice, I remind myself to let go of expectations and lean into spontaneity and the sense of wonder instead. This painting is the result of one such reminder.

In this demonstration, you will see how I created expressive brushstrokes and granulating textures by playing with paint and water, and how I was surprised by this warm and cosy, yet vibrant and complex, colour scheme when I used a long-forgotten colour on a whim.

This landscape ended up even more spontaneous than I thought it would be, all thanks to the “hidden” shapes that revealed themselves as the first wash was drying.

I hope this video inspires you to trust our own process, embrace the unknown, and let your watercolours lead the way.


Materials used:

PAPER: Baohong Master's Choice 100% cotton 300gsm cold press paper, 17 x 28 cm (6.5 x 10 in)

PAINTS:
Indian Yellow (Schmincke Horadam)
Raw Sienna Light (Daniel Smith)
Cadmium Yellow Medium (Schmincke Horadam)
Quinacridone Sienna (Daniel Smith)
Burnt Umber (Daniel Smith)
Transparent Red Oxide (Daniel Smith)
Perylene Violet (Daniel Smith)
Perylene Green (Daniel Smith)
Olive Green (Daniel Smith)
Jadeite Genuine (Daniel Smith)
Indigo (Michael Harding)
Indanthrone Blue (Daniel Smith)
Sodalite Genuine (Daniel Smith) to substitute this colour, you can mix French Ultramarine with a bit of Burnt Umber or Sepia
Lavender (Daniel Smith)
Gouache Zinc White (Winsor&Newton)

BRUSHES:
Art Basics Squrrel Mix Oval Wash Size 8
Princeton Aqua Elite Long Round Size 12
Panart Global Flat 1121 Size 12
Princeton Select Liner
Black Silver by Dynasty Rigger Size 4
Roymac Rigger Size 2
NEEF Master's Point Sizes 3/0; 10/0

OTHER MATERIALS:
Ceramic mixing palette https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/thehaven...
MEEDEN Well Palette
Hand towel or dishwashing sponge (to dab the brush on to remove excess water)
Spray Water Bottle
Tissues
Masking Tape
Pencil
Eraser

**My website: https://anastasiamily.com/
**My Instagram: @AnastasiaMilyArt

Music: "Healing Tree" by LightMusic from Pixabay.com