The horizon line of this painting is marked in blue.Horizon line definitionThe horizon line art theory is a horizontal line that runs across the paper or canvas to represent the viewer’s eye level, or delineate where the sky meets the ground. It should rarely be in the center of the composition, but ideally placed about one-third of the way up or down the piece.

Just beginning in watercolor or need to “brush up” on your watercolor lingo? Here’s a glossary of common watercolor terms:analogous colors: colors that are closely related on the color wheelcasein: a fast-drying, water-soluble paint derived from milk protein, or caseincharging: technique that involves mixing two or more colors directly on the paper instead of premixing on a palettecold-pressed paper: lightly textured paper that absorbs paint and watercomplementary colors: colors directly across from each other on the color wheeldrybrush technique: brushwork done on the dry surface of the paperflat wash: brushing successive strokes of color on a wet or dry surface, with each stroke placed next to the other, to create an even layer of colorglazing: applying thin, transparent washes of one color over another colorgradated wash: a wash in which the value gradually changes from dark to lightgranulation: speckled effect when coarse pigment settles into the paper indentations as the paint driesgouache (or body color): an opaque watercolor that can be applied thick or thinhard edge: the outer perimeter of a shape or series of shapes, sharply definedhot-pressed paper: smooth, slick paper that doesn’t easily absorb paint and waterhue: a color’s common name (for example, cadmium red)intensity: a color’s saturation, brightness or strengthlayering: applying premixed colors over another wash to change its value or intensitylifting paint: a technique for removing paint from a surface with a brush, paper towel or tissue in order to correct mistakes, develop textures, create highlights or change valueslost and found edges: also called broken or inferred edges; used to create and suggest movementmasking fluid: liquid latex used to preserve the white of the paper and to create texturespalette: surface on which watercolors are mixed and/or storedpalette knife: small spatula-style knife used to apply or remove paint, or to add texturepan paint: small cakes of watercolor paint that come in half-pan or whole-pan sizespigment: dry coloring matter, usually an insoluble powder, that’s mixed with water and gum Arabic to create paintrough paper: heavily textured papersoft edge: fading or disappearing edgescrubbing: a dry-brush technique used to lift paint from or add color to an area of the surfacestaining colors: colors that absorb into the paper before the water has had a chance to evaporate; they’re difficult to lift and will leave a stain on the papertemperature: the warmness or coolness of a color, depending on where the color is situated on the color wheeltint: created by adding water to the original color; the more water that’s added, the weaker the intensitytransparent paint: consists of pigment mixed with gum arabic, glycerin and a wetting agentvalue: a color’s relative lightness or darknessvariegated wash: type of wet-into-wet wash that involves placing colors side by side and then mixing and blending them along their edgeswet-into-dry wash: also known as a glaze or layering wash; a wash that’s applied to a dry surfacewet-into-wet wash: painting on a wet surface and letting colors blend as they may; looks strong and vibrant while wet but loses intensity when the colors dryYUPO: a “plastic” paper that doesn’t easily absorb paint and waterExcerpted from The Watercolor Bible by Joe Garcia (North Light Books, 2006).

The spring issue of Drawing is on newsstands now (order or download your copy here), and I want to share an excerpt from of one of the articles, a fascinating look at the anatomical differences between men and women.Author Larry Withers points out that there are numerous ways that men’s and women’s bodies differ, beyond the obvious, and he identifies 12 subtle differences artists should look for when drawing from life.

Drawing is a fundamental skill for artist, emphasis on skill. There are basic drawing rules and approaches that work, including these six tips on how to draw anything accurately.Start by drawing shapes, not identifiable objects. You’ll hear this advice over and over again in art classes and workshops.

What is Rembrandt lighting?In art Rembrandt lighting is a lighting technique often used in portraiture. One side of the face is lit well from the main light source while the other side of the face uses the interaction of shadows and light to create this geometric form on the face.How to paint Rembrandt lightingTo reenact Rembrandts style, use an indoor lighting setup that places a light above your subjects face.

The Latest in Watercolor Art SuppliesStep into the world of watermedia and start your creative journey with the latest in watercolor art supplies! From watercolor pencils to kits, casein, fluid acrylics and more!BLICK ARTISTS’ WATERCOLORSDiscover the perfect painting duo. Blick Artists’ Watercolors offer a wide selection of 63 richly pigmented colors to suit any scene.