RED IS A POWERFUL and emotionally packed color that can evoke strong feelings of love, desire, power, or anger. Red can also be difficult to work with. Even experienced artists can find it intimidating. A little can go a long way; too much can be flat, garish, or even nauseating. A beautiful red is as compelling as it is rare.
How to Choose a Good Red
Reds have always been a challenge to work with. Historically, many reds have been regarded as highly fugitive; today’s manufacturers have created blends with excellent to very good permanency. Nonetheless, it pays to buy only artist’s grade paints. Always check the lightfast-coding chart for each color’s rating as well.
Who this course is for
If you like feeling like you are in a workshop, paint with me with the recording or at your own pace with the segmented lessons.
- Perfect for anyone who loves to paint
- Great for all levels for a relaxing weekend project with friends
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I suggest you paint on a full sheet, but if you are a Beginner or slower painter, or if space is limited, smaller options are available, or consider painting just a portion of the composition.
Make a Rich Red by Glazing
Painting a small area red is less of a challenge than painting a major area red.
What’s most important is to use, enough water on the paper surface and a loaded brush so that the color will flow and blend smoothly.
No matter the amount of color you use when dry, the red may be nowhere near the color you thought you had.
To get the color intensity that you're looking for, if you’re in the midst of painting and want to deepen a red, wait for areas to dry and then glaze over them.
In order not to lift the previous layer of color or leave too many lines, use a soft brush that does not lift the previous layer and limit the amount of pressure you apply.
Curriculum
About Birgit O'Connor
Birgit O’Connor is a Master artist and a signature member of M-NWWS, (Northwest Watercolor Society) M-CWA, (California Watercolor Association) M-LWS (Louisiana Watercolor Society).
She is an award winning artist, judge, juror and author of the top-selling North Light books “ Watercolor in Motion”"Paint Watercolor Flowers" and “Watercolor Essentials” along with being included in three other titles. Known for her original paintings and inspirational teaching style.
Publications include the New York Times, SF Gate,Artist Magazine and Watercolor Artist Magazine INK in New Mexico, in the United States, Dobry Zank, (Poland) "L'Art de l'Aquarelle (France). Her memberships include Cambridge Who’s Who, Who's Who in America and Who's Who in American Women.
