12 things you can do with a wet watercolour wash

Sometimes blooms can be a problem on a painting. For example, if you were painting a clear sky you don't want a bloom to appear on the drying wash. As the drying process advances, you'll notice the paper reaches a certain point where it is no longer entirely wet but not entirely dry either. This 'drying point' is crucial in avoiding blooms. When you reach this stage, resist the urge to continue working in the same area. Instead, shift your focus to other parts of the painting that require attention. Working elsewhere during this stage helps prevent accidental blooms.

Watercolour TechniquesLouise De Masi14 August 2023Techniques, Beginner Tips Comments

How to Mix Watercolour Paints: My Top 13 Tips

When you mix colours it’s a good idea to start with the lighter colour or the colour that has the lighter value.

For example, if you want to mix green, it’s best to start with yellow and mix blue into it gradually until you reach your desired colour, rather than the other way around where you start with blue and mix yellow into it. Blue has a darker value than yellow- it is more dominant than yellow.

Doing it this way will reduce paint wastage.

How to do the Watercolour Glazing Technique

Glazing is useful for creating depth, luminosity, and richness in a watercolor painting. By gradually layering colours, you can create subtle shifts in colour and tone, enhancing the overall vibrancy and complexity of your artwork.

You can also use watercolor glazing to increase color harmony through your painting.

Watercolour Techniques, Watercolour ProjectsLouise De Masi28 June 2023Beginner TipsComment

Watercolour Negative Painting Tutorial

It's called negative painting because it refers to the technique of painting or utilising the area of negative space around a subject. You are effectively, painting the negative spaces in order to leave the positive shapes.

Negative spaces on a painting are those empty areas that surround your subject. The positive spaces or positive shapes, are the subject itself.

Watercolour Techniques, Watercolour ProjectsLouise De Masi23 June 2023Techniques, Beginner TipsComment

9 Watercolour Texture Techniques

Visual texture in a watercolour painting refers to the illusion of different surface qualities that are created through the use of various brushstrokes, colours, and techniques. It adds depth, dimension, and interest to the artwork. Artists can use textured areas to create focal points and draw the eye to specific areas of the painting. Texture can be used to convey emotions and enhance the expressive qualities of a watercolour painting.

Watercolour Techniques, Watercolour ProjectsLouise De Masi31 May 2023Beginner TipsComment

A Watercolour Technique for Beginners Called ‘Charging’

Charging can be used to create interesting textures and visual effects in watercolour paintings. By manipulating the wet paint or water, you can create patterns, ripples, and organic shapes, adding depth and visual interest to your artwork.

When I paint initial washes on a subject I like to add interest by dropping in another unexpected colour as I did here on this Rooster painting.

What is Dry Brushing in Watercolour?

The dry brush technique is an expressive way to paint. So when you use it, you need to let go of your inhibitions and relax…..just breathe. It produces a random effect that you can’t really control.

It's not an easy technique to do, and it requires practice.

Watercolour TechniquesLouise De Masi18 May 2023Beginner Tips Comments

Wet on Dry Watercolour Technique

The wet on dry technique is a fundamental method in watercolour painting where wet paint is applied onto a dry paper surface. We use it to create precise lines, textures, and details, because it provides greater control over the paint and prevents bleeding or flowing over the paper surface.

Working Wet on Wet

Working wet on wet in watercolour seems to trouble a lot of beginners. Below are some common questions I am often asked:

-How do you determine how much water to have on your brush or paper?

-How much water is too much?

-When working wet on wet how can I control how far and how uniformly pigment flows away from my brush?

-I find wet on wet to be a challenge. I almost always end up with ugly blooms. How do you avoid them?

-My paper is drying too quickly - please help?

Alrighty, let’s see if I can help.

How to Paint Cockatoos in Watercolour

I thought it would make painting the background splash easier if I used masking fluid on the edge of the birds before I started, but after my background splash had dried and I started to remove the masking fluid, I discovered that it had left a yellow stain on my paper all the way around the age of the cockatoos.

It looked awful, and I came really close to ripping the painting off my board and starting again. I should have known better and I always tell all my students to test the masking fluid on the edge of the paper before using it to make sure it doesn't discolour or tear the paper when removing it.

Watercolour Tips

Watercolour tips and techniques to help you improve your painting skills.