Go from shy to confident in your color blending game by stepping up through 3 stages of projects! Or try one a la carte! Play with color mixing, explore blended wash bookmarks, practice mixing hue and tone with some simple subjects, and try your hand painting a pear (or something else entirely)!

Completing your class project is as easy as trying ONE, a FEW, or ALL of the exercises!

Practice getting even swatches and mixing color.
Explore water dilution and tighten your skills with some fun washes. (aka book marks!)
Paint a leaf then a banana, learning how to add a layer of form-defining shadow as you progress.
Practice blending your final project’s value and colors with mini sketches.
Paint the first layer of your subject.
Let it dry and add a second (and third) layer focusing on shadows and details.
Share your work in the Project Gallery!

Materials I’ll be using for this project:
* See more specific details in the Supplies video!

3+ pieces of Watercolor Paper
- Use any size you have or feel free to use a Watercolor Sketchbook!
- Cut or tape off a small section to make a bookmark.
Watercolor Paints
- At least three colors (one of each primary recommended)
Watercolor Brush(es)
Water
Rag/Paper Towel
Pencil (optional)

My biggest advice on materials from me to you, is use what you already have, then see if you need to try new materials! As much as I LOVE new art supplies, many times the urge to get new supplies thinking they will make you better (or paint like so-and so) does not check out. (Ask me how I know...) More likely you just need some more practice with the technique.

The only caveat to keep in mind though, is if you're using cheaper or craft supplies (think white plastic trays of chalky pale Nico wafer-like discs), they do fail to get the same results due to their lower quality which can lead to unfounded student disappointment in their own learning ability/skill level.

Riri Koes

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