Natural Landscapes in Watercolor

Some paints truly have the power to transport you to the landscape they depict. That's the driving force behind the plastic artist and illustrator Daniel “Pito” Campos' work, to make observers feel like they're in the middle of it. How does he do it? With paint brushes, splashes of color, and by exploring all the possibilities watercolors have to offer.

After teaching you everything you need to know about painting urban landscapes with watercolors, Daniel is back with another course where he gives you a drop-by-drop explanation of his techniques for painting nature landscapes. Explore different types of washes and toy with abstraction by using free-flowing splashes and gestures. When you've finished, you'll have all the techniques you need to turn watercolors into a form of expression.

Start by getting to know your instructor. Daniel tells you his story, when he began spreading the wonders of watercolors, his current work, and his experience in general. He also shares a list of the most influential artists in his life when it comes to nature landscapes painted with watercolors.

After this intro, brush up on what the best materials are for painting with watercolors in general, and then go more in depth with the specific ones you'll be using for your project. Get down to business and define the theme of your painting, choose which of the four color splash techniques you want to use based on the desired effect, and start playing with textures.

Daniel then teaches you step-by-step everything you need to know to paint your chosen theme with watercolors. First, choose the right picture. Second, create a tone map to help minimize future mistakes. Finally, get your paper ready to paint. Now it's time to draw, and then after, to paint!

Once you have the most figurative version of your painting, Daniel shows you how to tackle nature landscapes using synthesis, splashes, insinuation, and near-abstraction. To finish up, he shares some tips and tricks on how to preserve and protect your work of art.

Paint two versions of a landscape based on a picture with your chosen theme. One version doesn't stray far from reality, while the other uses synthesis and focuses primarily on splashes, gesture, and the ability to stretch figures almost to the point of abstraction.

Anyone interested in telling stories through paintings of natural or rural landscapes. This includes everyone from plastic artists or illustrators to regular people who dabble in the arts or simply enjoy this form of expression.

It's helpful if you have some basic notions of drawing, but it's certainly not a requirement; anyone with a desire to learn can take this course.

The materials you'll need for this course include watercolor paper (300 GSM), watercolor pigments (either in tubes or pans), a mixing palette, paint brushes (a size 8, 10, or 12 round brush, a 0 or 00 long-bristled liner brush, and a 5-cm-wide flat brush or a large round brush), paper towels, paper tape, a 40x50 cm firm support, a container for water and a spray bottle.