Watercolor painting technique WC04 TOOLS

You need a main painter’s toolbox plus a series of smaller boxes for all your tools so they can be found quickly. Also, it is important to know if any of them are missing so that you can find them before they are required for a specific paint job later on.

We have said that the watercolors above require constant attention and if an instant reaction is needed to achieve success, then having to search for a missing tool will jeopardize the quality of the final work.

For your main tool box, use a worker’s tool box which is now generally made of black and gaudy colored plastic. These tool boxes are inexpensive but will last a painter a long time because the weight they will carry will not be much.

These tool boxes have a large main compartment and many smaller ones in a tray under the lid and another series of small compartments in the lid. The main part of the toolbox is clear for larger items.

These tool boxes are lightweight yet strong enough for your needs and come in various sizes. The one I have has a 9 inch square section and about 1 foot 3 inches long. Also buy the smaller ones for the related tool sub-collections.

Many small, purpose-built boxes are also needed. A flat box is best for stencils and Rotring-type technical pens. A backing box is needed for the pigment tubes. A plastic tape bound matchbox is best for old razor blades. Another separate box is needed for thumbtacks (thumbtacks) and thumbtacks only. Crayon boxes, calligraphy pen holders, and letter brushes are also needed. Store erasers – putty ink and pencil erasers of all kinds in their own box. Keep wide, flat pencil and crayon cans.

Other tools are a collection of strange objects useful when painting watercolors. Normal paint implements are well known from childhood, but some are not so obvious. Others are not known and some are used in unknown ways.

For example, twigs are ideal for painting tree branches. Larger pointed twigs and flat, sharp edges are used to paint downed branches or tree trunks. For larger branch and log strokes, use a bamboo cutout at the end as needed. Keep a store of dry and tough twigs; use only once dipped in pigment. The technique of using them cannot be described here, but twigs are very effective tools.

Toothbrushes are useful for indicating surface textures and bumps. They were often used in architectural drawings and models to simulate grassy areas. A little watercolor is passed on the toothbrush with the index finger.

Also, a two-part hinged tube liquid atomizer is cheap, fast, and useful for spraying spots. This is used by blowing through the hinged open middle with one end directed to the paper and the other dipped into a small bottle reservoir. The ultimate atomizer is the fantastic graphic artist’s airbrush. This is now often superseded by computer programs.

The gauze and nets used to obtain geometric textures, grids and patterns like those in checkered breakfast tablecloths seem to offer some advantages, but I have not found them successful.

Sponges are especially good for the novice painter to get cloud effects. The best sponges are those that look like cheese with holes in it, not sponges or foam pads.

Use harder kitchen towels or paper napkins for cleaning and mopping. Use them only to clean never on the paint surface.

Use large rolls of kitchen paper as inexpensive drawing paper. These are slightly transparent, usually biscuit in color, and act as a quick and inexpensive substitute for tracing.

Use French curved triangles circles squares templates. Get Box Box Metallic Alphabet Templates from Le Corbusier. Additionally, rail curves are a fantastic aid for almost all types of drawing. Keep them for yourself, do not loan them. A plastic rule of thumb to stay where it bends for uneven curves is worth its weight in gold.

Compasses – 6 and 12 inch scales – Metric – 50 m survey tape. Small and large adjustable plastic brackets are a must. A properly sized T-square is a must. Buy a 360 degree split protractor with lift knob. Maps. Two cheap North Point compasses are very useful. It helps to have a good magnifying glass. Nylon fishing line is strong and invisible for hanging pictures in exhibitions. Keep a small hair dryer – talcum powder. A Stanley knife, compasses and spacers, ray compass, surgeon’s scalpel, paper-rimmed chrome holders, a watch, a calculator, and a journal. Buy, get, or collect each of these as needed to reflect your own work.

For this variety of tools it is prudent to keep them properly stored. When you need to work outdoors, take everything with you. You never know what it will take to solve a problem on the spot. This way, time and effort will not be wasted and the partially finished job will not be damaged due to a lack of a little more paint.

Note that the tools above are a general list of items that can be added to the basic list of materials mentioned in previous articles.