Traditional Stone House and Basic Landscape Techniques
Step by Step Layers and Textures For Easy Trees and Buildings
Stone House - Traditional Stone by Stone Method
This lesson is all about basic watercolor techniques, using a step by step method that simplifies each area into small, easy to do steps.
- Learn how to apply layers of color, light to dark, with sponging and salt for professional looking trees that even beginners can do.
- Play with the wood colors by adding, wiping off, scratching and more to create old, weathered wood.
- Put dark shadows under your eaves for more realism
- Paint each stone a slightly different color, and each brick in the chimney
Most students completed this lesson in under three hours. Materials needed include paint, paper, and brushes, plus salt, masking tape and a piece of natural sponge or texturing tool.
Trace or draw the outline from the outline page, then follow along with the video, step by step. Print out the written instructions for more tips, or use the reference photo to create your own unique changes.
This is my photo from the Historic Ephrata Cloister - a religious colony founded in the 1700's.
You can visit the Cloister and photograph the old buildings (stone, wood and log), and cemeteries - tons of paintings just waiting to happen. Fall and winter are especially beautiful seasons to photograph.
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Your Instructor
I'm a self taught artist and I love teaching!
My story is simple.
I showed a lot of interest and talent as a child, but my parents discouraged art as a waste of time. I spent my adult life as a nurse and raised a family - pretty busy. While I was home with the birth of my daughter, I bought a cheap set of watercolors and fell in love with the bloom of color. I told my husband, 'I'm going to keep painting with these until I get really good.'
Back then, not many painted realistic watercolors, so I practiced and tried things until I worked out my own style. It took a lot of trial and error,
. When I entered my first art show, I won two awards and was told I'd have to enter the professional category and not beginner. That frightened me soo much, I didn't enter again for years.
When my work began selling, I entered more shows with more great success. I worked very hard and became a full time professional artist and teacher.
Although my work has been recognized and featured in major exhibitions, books and magazines, I'm very down to earth, and just love painting.
No one has 'all the time in the world'. Paint now. You're never too old, it's never too late. Any bit of time you can practice will improve your skills.
And yes, this cowboy is a watercolor painting. (Reference photo used with permission by Diana Robinson)
Have fun and learn from a master - sign up today!