In Project Wet Techniques Art we will be working with wet techniques materials. The target is to work in a personal composition using water based or oil based paints. You will have to search to find the differences between them.

Do you remember the creative process? We will use it, but this time we will have different stages.

1. Research. You have to search for information about wet techniques, select which one you want to use and start with the sketches. We need to know the techniques to do a good work. We will compile all the info in a Blog. In the blog we will publish all that we need for our practice stage. We should put the info inside the post and add images to give additional information and a better appearance. Also, it is important to collaborate with others working in the blog, you should comment other partners posts. Everyone likes to be encouraged! I will positively value your participation.
2. Sketches & Colour tests. For this project sketches & colour tests would be in the same stage, as we can’t divide colour and form. We will start “playing” with the materials, searching for what we can do and what shouldn’t do. This is the fun stage, we test the materials, playing to find all its posibilities. After this, we will start “thinking” in our sketch, using what we know about composition, figure relationship, texture, colour, etc. to get a final sketch.
3. Final composition. Once we have a good idea and a definitive sketch, with all problems and doubts solved, we will face the final composition. We will do it in a thicker paper (Basik 130 gr. at least) so the paper can resist. Depending on the choosen technique and the sketch I will probably ask you to use a special paper or specific support.

Remember that you should bring all the materials to work in class (regular paper too). We will use different materials depending on the technique we choose for our project. Anyway, there are certain materials that we will always be using in wet techniques, like paintbrushes. I’ll give you some information, but this is an important spot that you should work in your research.

Paintbrushes

Not all Paintbrushes are the same, they can have different shapes and sizes depending on the technique we use and the results we want to achieve.

Water based Paintbrushes, usually, have softer bristles. Oil based paintbrushes have harder bristles. That is because oil based paint is more dense so we need a rigid paintbrush.

Paintbrushes are commercialised with different hair types, also tips can have different shapes. There is an interesting article about choosing the correct brush in the Winsor & Newton website. You have to search about this.

Depending on the technique we are going to use we have to get the correct paintbrushes. Usually, the paintbrushes that you can buy in a “Chinesse shop” are not good for any technique. They are too soft even for water based techniques and they don’t keep their shape when they get wet. If you have any doubts about this ask me and I will give you advise.

Paint

Like every material, there are lots of different qualities. Between the paint that you can buy in the “Chinesse shop” and the proffesional paint there is a big difference. We don’t need the best paint in the market, but we need an average quality paint that allow us to work properly. One more time, if you have to buy paint, ask me and I will advise you.

¿What colours should I buy?

We will be working with primary colours (yellow, magenta and cian) + Black & White. With this five colours would be enough, we will make other colours mixing these ones. Watercolour paint sets usually come with lots of colours. It is ok, we will be mixing colours anyway.

Other materials

It can be useful, for some liquid techniques (acrilycs, tempera), a little painting spatula to get the spare paint back into the container and clean the palette.

If we are working with oil based paint, we will need a diluent, turpentine (sp.: aguarrás). As you already know, these paints does not disolve in water. Also we will be needing old rags to clean the paintbrushes and our hands.

In Project Wet Techniques Art we can work with the topic we like from the following (each one of you have to choose). I want it to be open thus if you have a different idea you can say to me and we will see the options.

• Still life (Sp.: Bodegón o naturaleza muerta). If you like this option, we can manage to put one in class so you can work with it:
  • Fruits.
  • Natural or artificial objects.
• Landscape. We would work in class with some pictures that you should bring with you.
  • Urban.
  • Rural.
  • Natural.
  • Imaginary.
• Portrait. We can work in class in pairs or selfportrait.
  • Selfportrait.
  • Realistic.
  • Caricature.
• Abstract. Invented shapes and compositions with no real reference.
  • Geometric abstraction.
  • Informalism.
  • Etc.

Logically, you should search for information on the topic you have chosen to understand how other artists have worked on it. Also, I will give you aditional information through the blog.

It is an open project so I hope you find something that you like. As you know, I am here to help you with everything you need.

Good luck!!