Watercolor problem and question

[ELQ]

Hello,
today I started learning Art Rage (PC). I'm trying to particularly learn digital watercolor, trying to emulate a watercolor painting I found online for learning purposes. You can see the original painting on the top, and my effort on the bottom (attachment). No matter what type of watercolor presets and settings I use, I can't get that "rough" look. Everything either blends too much, or it doesn't blend at all, or it looks completely wrong. I use rough watercolor paper, and tried both wet and dry among all other available settings. I just can't get that "natural" look, mine looks completely digital. It's as if the paper is too wet, or something. Thank you for your suggestions!

[markw]

Hello ELQ and welcome to the ArtRage forums
Well now, yes I would say the example of what you are wanting to replicate is achievable in AR. But like real watercolours it takes a bit of time getting used to how things work in AR.
As a starting point for getting to grips with watercolours in AR I would highly recommend Steve Berry's tutorials on the subject which you can find here: http://www.artrage.com/how-to-paint-...stephen-berry/
And someonesane's skull tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Asgw...ature=youtu.be

For some more general painting tutorials try looking here: http://www.artrage.com/tutorials/
Also there is the Tips & Tricks section of the forums here: http://forums.artrage.com/forumdispl...ips-and-Tricks
And last but by no means least there is always YouTube!

[ELQ]

Thank you so much for the reply markw. I have watched these videos btw, last night. These were in fact a catalyst on me trying artrage. Unfortunately, I still dont understand how to get the look above exactly. Thx!

[Someonesane]

Thank you so much for the reply markw. I have watched these videos btw, last night. These were in fact a catalyst on me trying artrage. Unfortunately, I still dont understand how to get the look above exactly. Thx!

Before we dive to deeply into the many methods we have available for adding texture to our ArtRage images, let me ask you if you have the "Paper Wet" option turned off? While it may seem like the right option to have turned on when doing a wash over the canvas, it's really best to use it when you don't want to pick up any canvas grain. So it might be that you're just running into a problem following the tutorials, because of that one feature.

Using some coarse layer textures and overlayed blend modes should do the trick, otherwise. Here's a quick example I made using the same canvas texture I used in my Watercolor Skull Tutorial that Markw kindly mentioned and an layer blend overlay for some additional texture depth.

[Victor Osaka]

Also, play with adjusting the roughness of your canvas. Shift-CMD-C (MAC)

[ELQ]

Whoah! Someonesane, this is amazing!!! This is exactly what I had in mind! Thank you so much!

I saw your reply this morning, and since then I've been trying to replicate your results (with a few interruptions), so I could come back and present my progress. I followed your suggestions, and also checked out your skull video. I even downloaded your "g7" grain paper, and experimented with it and its settings mid-painting. I still can't get it right though. It now looks rougher than my first effort, but nowhere near your beautiful result. I'm not sure what exactly to put on different layers for example, since if I "break" that wash in different layers, then nothing really hold together. I can't get that "smooth roughness" and occasional white sky transparency going (not sure how else to call it).

Would it be way too much if I ask you to do a speed painting of your work above and upload it on youtube? As long as the tools are visible, so I can see the various tool changes overtime, all I'd need would be the speed painting, without any voice over (that usually takes more time and energy).

thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

[Someonesane]

Hi ELQ,

I've been planning to do few new tutorials soon, so I'll add this to my list. I'm currently dealing with a bad cold however and may be leaving tomorrow for a job (which I'm really not looking forward to in my current state, but one has to work...). But I'll be sure to get to it when I get the chance.

[HannahRage]

While we're waiting for SomeoneSane to recover

- try turning 'insta dry' on, and lowering the opacity to build up some washes and effects on the same layer. Sometimes watercolours just run together too much if you're adding wet on wet.

- once you have the right colours and washes, you can go back over and soften and blend it again using the palette knife (e.g. the Wet preset) or just a very low loading paint brush.

- or build up actual multiple layers, then try lowering the opacity, or trying out some of the blend modes (e.g. overlay).

[ELQ]

Thank you all for the suggestions, I will be trying them tonight.

Someonesane: Get well!!! And thank you! Can't wait to see your new videos!

[Someonesane]

Hello again. I'm just now getting over my cold, but should be well enough to put together a video. I hoping to get to it tonight.

I know that doing a tutorial video will take away your time, so I'm willing to pay something for it.

No need for that. It's all in good fun.