DEVELOP YOUR TECHNIQUE

I have created a cardboard template, as shown below, which you can produce to help you. Use it to create your panels of various sizes and shapes. Reference material can become restrictive if you use it in a literal way. I am an advocate of ‘What If?’ Allow yourself to explore. Split your panels up with scotch tape as recommended and described below. Use minimum pigment, maximum water on dry surfaces, then damp or wet, and study the results. For me pigment levels are not mentioned enough. Pigment levels vary from the consistency of semiskimmed milk, ie maximum water, minimum pigment, to the consistency of butter, ie maximum pigment, minimum water. Only use artist-quality tubes wherever possible as you will struggle to get butter consistency if you use pans.

Or take a half-sheet of paper, 20315in (51338cm) or similar, and secure it to your board with framer’s tape on all four sides. Using scotch tape, split the sheet into various shapes – you should now have six to eight rectangles/ small portrait shapes.