Artist in Real-ish Watercolor/Watermedia

By Ward Jene Stroud

My professional journey and lifelong dedication to the arts, which has been shaped by a broad spectrum of creative and leadership experiences began at an early age. I recognized the transformative power of art, thanks to the influence of my mother, herself a talented artist. This early foundation solidified my commitment to making art an integral part of my life and work.

One of the things I love most about watercolor is you can make it very basic and very simple or complex and varied.All you really need are a tube of Red Blue and Yellow paint. a simple brush and a piece of paper and your good to go.But…  it sure is nice to have lots of Art Stuff Goodies at your disposal.

Here’s my wish list and how I roll:)

" I recognized the transformative power of art, thanks to the influence of my mother, herself a talented artist."

My Supplies:

Paper

I basically use 140lb Cold Press Paper but I highly encourage experimentation with all papers including super textured 300 lb rough or even crazy fun slippery Yupo. It's really great to try different surfaces to see what kind of results you can achive.

Note: 

Tape. If you use tape to secure your paper masking or DIY tape works great. Some artists "pre soak" and stretch their paper and secure with staples. Find what works best for you.

My Palette: American Journey Colors, of course!

• Yellow ochre
• Quin. Gold
• Burnt Sienna
• Ultramarine Blue
• Burnt umber
• Naples yellow
• Cerulean blue
• Andrew's Turquoise 
• Cobalt Blue
• Phthalo Blue
• Janet's Violet Rose
• Permanent Alizarin Crimson
• Rose Madder Genuine
• Cadmium Red
• Aureolin Yellow
• Periwinkle
• Neutral Tint (for extra darks)
• Ward Jene's Dusty Green - That's right, I've got my own color!

Brushes:

These are the brushes I use.

I love a  small, medium and a large mop or round brushes for the bulk of my painting. It's a good idea to have and a small fine detail brush (for detail) and a 1/8 inch small flat brush (for cleaning up edges) because they are treasures. I also highly recommend a "lizard lick-style" brush from American Journey (medium size) for calligraphic work add a couple of "scrubbers" (stiff bristle brushes that can lift even the toughest staining colors *use with care:) small and medium sizes and your good to go!

Other Supplies:

Masking Fluid

Can be very useful for special effects (youtube it) but can also add an unrealistic and clumsy lines. I do use it from time to time. There are many ways to apply masking fluid or liquid frisket, and more still being developed every day. I love the "Fine-line" applicator bottle because it has a resealable "non clogging" tip and you can get spiderweb fine lines and cover large areas with no fuss.

Pencil:

Softer lead (HB 4-7) lifts and disappears more easily, I recommend experimenting with different "grades" of lead to learn the pro's and con's of each.

Erasers:

I love the kneaded erasers but keep several kinds for different effects. Small round and cube erasers with sharp corners can do amazing things. Erasers are pretty inexpensive and I encourage you to have a collection at your ready. Always take care not to bruise or smudge your paper.

Sturdy Board or Painting Surface:

I use Gatorboard ( a stiff and treated non porous light foam board) to tape my paper onto. Any non flexible board that is easy to clean and move around should do the trick. Most paper sizes range from small to '30x22"  so size your surface to fit the paintings. You can of course paint right on a table, just be careful of staining! I like to put something under my board it to tilt it up -like a rolled up towel or equivalent. A table to easel or similar is great also!

Drinking straw.

Spray bottles. I have a small and a large.

That's pretty much it!

all you need and more to get your Painting adventure started!

Extra extra!

Here’s a little tip…

Try to an avoid using a “right out of the tube” black paint as it can dry lifeless and flat. Instead make your own exciting shadow colors by mixing your own!

How to make lively darks!

Try using Ultra Marine Blue and Burnt Sienna! This base mixture will give you fabulous shadows and dark hidden places and then if you want you can make them warmer (use with cool light) by adding touches of Red or cool them (use with warmer light) off with a bit of Blue.

Oh… and a dab of neutral tint will really do the trick if you want really deep abyss type darks !

A quick Video of what I'm talking about:

Enjoy!!!

ABOUT WARD:

Over the years, my career has traversed a unique and eclectic path. I have held roles as a Professional Figure Skater, Choreographer, Athletic Coach, Graphic and Animation Artist, Singer/Songwriter, Musician, Wood Sculptor and Flute Carver, Published Photographer, Dancer, Teacher and Workshop Instructor, and Film Personality both on and off camera. Alongside these pursuits, I have maintained a four-decade tenure as a Hairstylist and successful salon owner, underscoring both my entrepreneurial spirit and my ability to balance diverse fields of expertise.

My professional credentials include juried memberships in the Watercolor Society of Oregon (WSO) and the Oregon Society of Artists (OSA). My artwork has been exhibited in solo and group shows, and featured in fine art publications on both national and international levels. I have produced three instructive, widely-praised watercolor painting videos, and have had the honor of presenting as an expert at national conventions. I have also served as a demonstration artist and Brand Ambassador for one of the world’s largest online art companies. My YouTube channel provides a further platform for sharing my vlogs, instructional videos, and films with a global audience.

Some recent highlights from my career include:

  •    Earning the 2023 “Studio Best of Show” and Second Place in “Plein Air”

  •    Receiving the “People’s Choice” award in 2019 and winning “Quick Draw” in 2020, 2021, and 2023 at the Escalante Plein Air Canyon Arts Festival

  •    Serving as an internationally featured online Watercolor Workshop Instructor in 2020

Above all, I value the privilege of contributing to, and being embraced by, such a vibrant and welcoming artistic community. The relationships, collaborations, and shared creativity with fellow artists have been among my most cherished experiences.

Thank you for your time and consideration in learning about my body of work and professional contributions. I am always eager to connect with like-minded individuals and discuss opportunities for collaboration or instruction. For further information on my art or teaching, please visit artofward.com or contact me at ward@artofward.com.

Visit: artofward.com