Supplies: Masking Fluid

Anyone who has worked with watercolors knows that they are very difficult to control.  And because a wash must be painted all at once, they force you to work very quickly.  This can cause problems when trying to create complicated washes, or when trying to work around areas.  Though there is no substitute for practice and advanced planning, masking fluid can help control, or at least direct your watercolor washes.

Painting: Trees

I find that among artists, trees are a polarizing subject matter.  Some artists love them and some hate them.  Many artists find trees to be a very organic and expressive part of nature.  Others see them as complicated and challenging objects that get in the way of the rest of the composition.  For these artists, there are a few tips and tricks that can make painting trees a more enjoyable experience.

Vincent Van Gogh, Chestnut Tree in Blossom, 1887

Drawing: Young Children

As everyone knows, people come in all different shapes and sizes.  But when drawing, human proportions stay virtually the same from person to person.  However, that is not entirely the case when drawing children.  Children are not simply smaller versions of adults, so when drawing them, it’s important to know how they differ.

Mary Cassatt, Breakfast in Bed, 1897