Painting Rainbows
from Andy Evansen
Capturing the beauty of rainbows in watercolor can be tricky, but with a few simple steps and techniques, you can create stunning scenes that showcase their vibrant colors and soft edges.
Painting rainbows with watercolors requires a delicate touch. The key is to make them look soft, bright, and transparent all at once. They should blend seamlessly into the sky while allowing the background elements, like rocks or mountains, to subtly show through. Here's how you can tackle this beautiful challenge.
First, find a good reference photo. Andy chose a photo of a double rainbow he took near his home.
Lightly sketch the main parts of your scene, but avoid drawing the rainbow in detail with pencil to prevent the lines from showing through the paint. Next, wet your watercolor paper thoroughly, leaving dry any areas that should stay bright white, like a shed roof. Use a sponge to spread the water evenly, keeping the paper damp longer and giving you more time to work.
Start with the brightest color in the rainbow, cadmium lemon, which is a bright yellow. Use a small synthetic brush to control the spread of the paint. Then, mix cadmium lemon with phthalo blue to make green, and paint it next to the yellow. Gradually add more phthalo blue and a bit of lavender as you move outward to create the blue and violet stripes. On the other side of the yellow, use cadmium red mixed with a little cadmium lemon to make it slightly orange.
Now, let's paint the sky around the rainbow. For the bright blue sky, use cobalt blue with a touch of lavender. Add more neutral tint and burnt sienna to create darker clouds, blending carefully around the rainbow to maintain its softness.
For the second rainbow, notice that its colors are reversed (red on the outside). Use slightly duller colors to show it's not as bright as the first one. Blend it into the surrounding clouds using small synthetic brushes and lighter colors like turquoise.
Once the rainbows are in place, add details to the foreground elements like trees and buildings using warm greens and neutral tints. Use dry brushing to depict the textures of a cornfield, adding depth and dimension. Soften any hard edges and add the final touches to complete your painting. Here is Andy’s final piece:
Tips and Tricks
Achieving soft edges is crucial for a realistic rainbow. Work while the paper is still wet and blend quickly to avoid hard lines. Keep your colors vibrant yet transparent, and use synthetic brushes for precise application. Build your painting in layers, letting each one dry a bit before adding more to maintain control over the watercolor's flow.
Painting rainbows is all about timing and careful blending. Even though it can be tricky, it's also very rewarding. Now you know some tips and tricks for painting your own rainbows. Have fun and happy painting!
Learn more from Andy Evansen through his mentoring course and video series—immerse yourself in watercolor and elevate your painting skills: