I saw a watercolorist in Oxford England start with a blank sheet and then proceed to create a beautiful watercolor of the round library. For most of us, a sketch of some kind is needed to know where to lay washes of color. You can paint on site, in plein air, drawing from the subject or you can make a sketch with a small watercolor document from which to paint a larger artwork.

Alternatives are the use of photographic slides or prints. In this demonstration, I worked from several prints, combining views and people.

To do watercolors you must master the art of the wash. Large areas of color are applied by first mixing a pool of water in your watercolor box's tray. Mix enough color you wish to apply, or two different colors if you want to merge two washes or more. Some artists will apply a first wash of clear water to ensure that the colors mix well and will not dry out. The paper may buckle- cockle - and washes can get out of hand if you apply too much or if you tilt the watercolor paper too steeply. The bead of water and color has to be manipulated with care, especially if there is detail to go around.

Watercolor demo steps
©Patrick McDonnell

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For more information on watercoloring go here http://www.handprint.com/HP/WCL/water.html

For computer programs that simulate watercolor click here: http://davis.wpi.edu/~matt/courses/watercolor/fluid.html

Here is a short history of watercolor painting.