Tonight’s demonstration was given by PPWS member, Lorayne McGovern. Lorayne gave a detailed presentation explaining how to create textures with watercolors by combining granulating paints with granulating medium.
Lorayne began by explaining what granulating paints were and how to identify which colors granulate, by showing a Daniel Smith color chart and pointing out where to look on the chart. She then passed the color chart around, along with some sample boards of granulation examples and her small color swatches.
She also told us how she spent a couple of years trying to figure this technique out, with random successes and a lot of ruined paper! That was until she discovered Yesim Gozukara, an Australian artist, on the internet! Yesim creates beautiful, textured watercolors with granulating paints. On a whim, she contacted her about taking a class and took a 4-week class from her. Those classes changed everything!
Lorayne stressed the need to use good-quality, cold-pressed watercolor papers such as Saunders Waterford, Canson Moulin de Roy, or Arches, all 140 lb. or 300 gsm.
Because this technique requires painting on wet paper, she first showed us a trick with the paper that requires no tape to hold it down! Using a piece of acrylic as her “board,” she thoroughly wet the back side of the paper with a hake brush, then flipped the paper over. Starting at the bottom of the sheet, wet the paper again on the front, while moving upwards, making sure there are no air bubbles. This adheres the paper to the acrylic board and allows you to tilt the board.
Now it was time to start painting! She first told us what Daniel Smith paint colors she would be using, the Granulation Medium, and that she used cheap flat brushes to apply the paint mixed with the granulation medium.
She started with the sky, using cobalt blue and a mixture of cobalt and light red to make a grey. Before painting the sky, dry the area where the mountains will go with a tissue. This prevents the sky colors from running down the paper.
Using a small bowl, she mixed Sodalite Genuine, direct from the tube, with a small amount of the Windson Newton Granulation Medium. The mixture should be of a creamy consistency. She then re-wet the mountain area and added streaks of paint on an angle. Holding the board up and at an angle, small amounts of water were applied to start the paint moving and granulating.
For the foreground cliffs, Lorayne used three colors of Daniel Smith granulating paints mixed with the medium, then randomly brushed them all on together on wet paper. Holding the board up vertically, small amounts of watered-down colors were added to get the paint moving and creating the beautiful textures.
Unfortunately, Lorayne was unable to complete her painting before the meeting ended, but here are a couple of her other paintings using this technique.
She also said that although you must work quickly, doing this technique does require time and finesse. This technique is best completed in one sitting and while the paper is still wet.
If you are interested in seeing more of her work, or taking a class, please visit Lorayne’s website.
