Carlos Avelino from Brazil shared his favorite watercolor tips and techniques:

Here’s a Q&A with Carlos:

Why do you make art?
Because I like to represent life through colors and shapes. It’s my look at “things.”

How long have you been painting?
Since I was a child…but professionally for around 30 years.

Did you have formal artistic training?
I took drawing courses, but it was a 2D Animation class that helped me to improve my drawing and painting.

Are you a working artist or a hobbyist?
I am a working artist. I am also a drawing and painting teacher.

What inspires you?
Everyday things and stories.

What kind of music do you listen to while painting?
I listen to film soundtracks a lot. I really like the composer Michael Giacchino.

Have you ever had a mentor?
Yes, in watercolor and drawing – Gonzalo Cárcamo and Laurent Cardon.

Do you paint every day?
Almost everyday.

Do you paint one piece at a time or do you work on several at the same time?
Sometimes I paint several pieces at once in the form of studies, to gain agility with brushstrokes and shapes.

Do you create a concept piece first?
Yes, small studies help me plan larger and more complex works.

Do you prefer to paint in the studio or outdoors?
I like both, but I don’t have the time to always paint outdoors, although I’d like to!

How many main colors do you use?
These seven:  Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Burnt Sienna, Opera Pink, Lemon Yellow, Pyrrol Red, Sap Green.

Tubes, pans or sticks?
Tubes

When do you know your piece is done?
When I start to go into too much detail, but it’s no longer necessary. That’s when I realize it’s time to stop.

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Join us online each week via Zoom or Facebook for an Up Close and Personal Conversation with John Cogley (Daniel Smith Owner and CEO) along with guest artists from around the world. On Thursdays (2:00pm Pacific), John and some of our Brand Ambassadors highlight a group of colors and answer your questions. On Fridays (10:30am Pacific), a guest artist shares a demo with their favorite tips and techniques. Click here for the upcoming week’s Zoom links.

If you prefer, you can visit our Facebook page at showtime to watch live. Replays can be watched on Facebook or YouTube. La traducción al español está disponible – selecciona el canal en español en Zoom.