Tips and Techniques in Watercolor

Techniques in watercolor painting are specific to watercolor paints. Each step and layer of the painting is planned ahead of time to ensure a successful project. There is room for spontaneity and risk while painting due to the fluid nature of the water, but mistakes are difficult to correct and impossible to correct once the paint has dried. Many watercolor artists will paint the same subject or scene using these techniques in watercolor many times before they achieve their final painting. There is an expectation of perfection in a watercolor painting.

Layers in the painting need to be planned but there is room for spontaneity with the flow of the paints. This keeps an artist present and aware of how the paint is reacting and moving on the paper. These techniques allow for a degree of experimentation and play.

Washes

Dilute your paint with a pool of water on your palette. Add more than one color to the pool of water if needed. With a large brush apply the watery paint to the paper to create background color for the sky and the ground.

Glaze

A Glaze is when you add a wash of color over a dry area that has received a wash earlier in the painting. Layering washes of color gives perspective. It can also be used to add the illusion of a smooth surface using horizontal and the vertical brush strokes.

Wet on Wet

With the wet on wet technique, a second watery paint is added directly onto an area that has just received a wash, blending the colors together creating swirling effects. This technique is great for creating depth of color in the sky for a sunset or an atmospheric effect.

Dry-Brush

The dry-brush technique is used to paint details on the top layer. Painting details with a small tipped brush and semi diluted paint after the washes and glazes have dried.

More Techniques in Watercolor 

We do not use mediums (other then water) to thin out or to add shine and texture to watercolor paint. However there are ways to create texture and shapes with these watercolor techniques

Sand and Materials

Sand can be scattered onto dry paper before a wash. Dripping the watery paint over the sand then leaving it to dry before shaking the sand off the paper will result in a texture that resembles sand. This same technique can be repeated with other textured objects.

Dropping and Rolling

When using the wet on wet technique lift and roll the paper around to purposely create patterns, swirls and streaks, dropping in color where needed.

Dabbing and Lifting

When the paint is still wet it can be removed or lifted by dabbing with paper towel. This can be done purposely to shape the paint or create a gradation in the shadows.