How can I improve my watercolor painting?

Question

.My paintings look "flat."

Answer 1

You could be asking one of two questions, and I'm not sure which.

The other responders are thinking you mean "2-dimensional." The fix for that is to increase your levels of shading; at least four values between "lightest part" and "darkest part."

If instead you mean "the colors are just lying there," then I'm guessing you're either using straight-tube or thoroughly-mixed paints. The beauty of watercolor is in allowing pigments to mingle and mix in multiple ratios on and in the paper. Let them.

Answer 2

You have to learn how to use lighting and shadows to give your painting a much not so flat appearance.

Answer 3

Check out Monet, Wyeth, Magritte, Edward Hopper, and many other painters who used light in an innovative way. This can be very helpful and also inspirational. If you would like me to follow up more fully on this idea please let me know.

Answer 4

With any type of painting, but especially with watercolor, you must first plan out your darks and lights. The "tonal" painting underneath your painting should present strong contrasts and a balanced composition between darks and lights which shows clearly where the light is coming from and how it illuminates the subjects in your picture and where the light is blocked by objects (areas of shadow). See the lights and darks as shapes on the page and arrange them as you would any still life composition. Decide whether the light is warm or cool, overall, and use light washes at first of a warm (range of yellows to oranges or browns) or cool (blues and greens) dominant color to set the color mood at the same time that you are blocking in the tonal composition. Then, you can go back in and paint details, and the strong tonal "underpainting" will create unity in the image