In this article I show how to mix watercolor blues with sienna’s, umber and alizarin crimson to get dramatic dark colors without reaching for a tube of black paint.
Achieving the drama of darks in a watercolor painting also takes patience in building layers of color to bring about the depth that draws a viewer into the scene.
I have a bit of an obsession with interesting doors, so working with photos I took in France, this workshop session shares the steps for mixing the fun heather purple-blue and orange of the door along with the dramatic darks for the windows and spaces between the bricks.
Daniel Smith watercolors were used for this workshop. I hope you’ll try some of the tips and tricks shared in the class video and you’ll find links to the products used during the show later in this article.
French Door watercolor on paper by Tristina Dietz Elmes.
Some of the things you will learn from this workshop include:
what are the classic watercolors to mix and achieve instant dark colors;
how to create a reference chart of dark color mix swatches;
demonstrate how to layer the mixed dark paints to create depth;
how to use flat brushes to create a bricks motif;
tricks for considering light source to assure good shadow placement;
some of my favorite dark convenience colors;
and more…
Dark Window in a Brick Wall watercolor painting on paper by Tristina Dietz Elmes.
Mixing Darks for Drama in Watercolor Workshop Video Replay
Below is the full video workshop of my Live painting session. The paints, surfaces and accessories used in the video are listed afterwards in this article. Enjoy! 🎨
Here are the video timeline sections if you want to jump to a particular part of the live session:
0:00:00 - Intro To Mixing Dark Colors in Watercolor
Here are my favorite 2 websites for finding reference photos:
https://pixabay.com/
https://unsplash.com/
My Reference Photos from France
Here are the reference photos of doors I took on a trip to France. These images are Copyright 2007 Tristina Dietz Elmes. Feel free to reference them for personal use. Please contact me to inquire about commercial use.
Supplies List for Mixing Watercolor Darks for Drama Workshop
Here are the Daniel Smith Watercolors that I introduced during the workshop:
Ultramarine Blue
Prussian Blue
Indigo
Raw Sienna
Burnt Sienna
Quinacridone Sienna
Burnt Umber
Aussie Red Gold
Permanent Alizarin Crimson
Perylene Green
Prussian Green
Nickel Azo Yellow
Lunar Violet
Here are links to the supplies list for the books, paints and accessories shown during the video. As a Blick Affiliate and Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases for links below that lead to Amazon and Blick Art Materials.
Book: Watercolor for the Fun of It by John Lovett Softcover (2002) - https://amzn.to/4sHIpNu
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Daniel Smith Watercolors on Blick - https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101492004-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fdaniel-smith-watercolors-paints%2F
Stadetler Mars Lumograph Eraser Set of 3 - https://amzn.to/48d2uEb
Faber Castell Kneaded Eraser in Case - https://amzn.to/48dzUCJ
Kristy Rice Watercolors Set of 12 in Travel Tin - https://amzn.to/48fc3lW
Color Wheel - https://amzn.to/48cuHuZ
Sakura Micron Pens Black Various Nib Sizes Set of 8 - https://amzn.to/48a8E82
Prudiut Watercolor Paper 140lb 5x7in and other sizes 120 Sheets - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJQVKBYM?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.1PLSVV74GU1KG&linkCode=tr1&tag=dietzart-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.1PLSVV74GU1KG_1775450313078
Canson XL Spiral Bound Watercolor Paper 140lb 9x12in 36 Sheets - https://amzn.to/4mBGjNP
Fuumuui Brush Sampler Set of 5 (including Short Flat) - https://amzn.to/4vB6t7H
Fuumuui Details Nylon Brush Set of 11 - https://amzn.to/4ruqdGD
Fuumuui Professional Series Synthetic Squirrel 10 Brush Set - https://amzn.to/3ZcuzXj
White Plastic Melamine Small Dishes Set of 8 - https://amzn.to/4cCpkGK
Creative Mark Paint Cups with Brush Holder Nubs Set of 12 - https://amzn.to/41MO89Z
White Ceramic Vanity Tray Palette 10in Long - https://amzn.to/3QlD0yn
Faber Castell Collapsible Tulip Edge Brush Holder Water Cup - https://amzn.to/3Pxxyon
General's The Master's Brush Soap 24oz Tub - https://amzn.to/49k2Qsm
Wood Brush Rest Stand Set of 2 Holds 4 Brushes Each - https://amzn.to/3OrurOi
My Recommended Cloth-Like Viva Paper Towels 3 Double Rolls - https://amzn.to/3EPZhOW
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Note that most of the list of supplies above can be found on the Blick Art Materials website and shipping is generally free for orders of $79 or more. Check them out here:
https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101492004-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2F
************************************If you would like to see other paints, mediums and art supplies that I recommend, click below to go to the Supply Links page on my website:
https://www.dietzart.gallery/supply-links
Or, check out art supply recommendations on my Amazon Storefront. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
https://www.amazon.com/shop/tristinadietzelmes
Unexpected result of mixing Daniel Smith Lunar Violet with Daniel Smith Nickel Azo Yellow watercolor paints to get a deep green!
FREE Live Art Lessons Sunday Afternoons
SUNDAY afternoons I teach a FREE ART LESSON simulcast on YouTube Live and on the WhatNot auction platform followed by a giveaway and sale of my handmade artworks, gift items and some art supplies on WhatNot. You can follow the QR code appearing in the YouTube video or follow the Invite link in the video description to join me on WhatNot for some great Live Auction Art & Gifts deals.
If you're new to Whatnot, sign up with the following link and get $15 in Whatnot credit to use to shop on the platform:
https://www.whatnot.com/invite/tristi...
I hope you'll join me and the thriving Artisan community over on WhatNot soon!
Finishing French Door project from the video in watercolor on paper by Tristina Dietz Elmes.
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Happy Arting! 🎉