Triangle Pattern Gradient Painting

JUMP TO: Download Pattern | How it Works | What You’ll Need | What You’ll Learn| How to Trace | How to Paint

Step 1: Download the template
Step 2: Print the template
Step 3: Copy the template onto watercolor paper
Step 4: Paint the pattern
Step 5: Admire your handiwork

WATERCOLOR SKILLS

Brush Control
Water Control
Pigment Blending
Texturing Effects
Wet on Dry

MENTAL SKILLS

 – Releasing Control – 

Yup, that’s right folks, I just said the ‘c’ word – control. The thing is control has no place in art because it’s born of expectation. The tendency is to want your art to be an exact replica of what you’re painting. Sorry, that ain’t ever gonna happen. So let’s turn that frame-of-mind around and realize that art, by nature, is a form of play. Instead of aiming to replicate, aim to enjoy the process and 100% of the time you’ll produce better art.

– Imperfection –

The way to produce beautiful art is to be totally okay with making mistakes – which will always happen. Trust me, I’ve been an artist my whole life and making mistakes all along the way. So let’s put it this way, if mistakes are guaranteed let’s make a promise that we’ll be nice to ourselves when they happen. Just like brain surgery, art is a learning process. You wouldn’t expect to be a world-class brain surgeon in your first semester of school, so don’t expect yourself to be Monet on your first art project. K?

OH SNAP! HERE COMES THE FUN PART!

So, you’ve printed this template, right? Okay, now we need to trace it. To do that you’ll either need a bright window or a light box.

– Bright Window Technique – 

  1. Tape your template to the window using masking tape.
  2. Center your 8×10 watercolor paper over the template and tape down.
  3. Trace with pencil – lightly.

– Light Box Technique – 

  1. Tape your template to your light box using masking tape.
  2. Center your 8×10 watercolor paper over the template and tape down.
  3. Trace with pencil – lightly.

PREPPING YOUR WORK AREA

Watercolor is a fast medium to work with, so it’s a smart idea to have everything on hand before you start painting.
Water and paper towels in particular, are essential.

PREPPING YOUR PAINT

So, how exactly to you get paint from your well onto your palette? Here’s the gist:
Add a few drops of water and stir the water in the paint to activate the pigment,
then pick up the paint with your brush and ‘paint’ it onto your palette.

PAINTING

Now for the fun part!