How to Blend Watercolour Paint
Do you feel like you need a 'how to guide' just to navigate the world of watercolour blending techniques? Well, you're not alone!
The amount of times I have been asked how to blend watercolour paint has made me think I need to create a a watercolour blending hotline for late-night blending emergencies!
In this blog I will unlock the mysteries of watercolour blending which is one of the basic watercolour painting techniques. By the time you have finished reading, you'll have all the tools and tricks you need to blend like a pro. So, let's get ready to brush away those blending blues and paint a smile on your face.
What does the word 'blend' mean when referring to watercolour paint?
Blending watercolour paint means smoothly transitioning between different colours or values on paper to create a seamless, gradual transition of colours in your artwork.
How do you create a seamless blend from one colour or tone to another when you are using watercolour paint?
There are a few different watercolour techniques you can use on both a wet surface, and on a dry surface.
Get yourself a 100% cotton watercolour journal and spend some time practicing all of the blending techniques I have described below.
How to blend watercolour paint using the wet on wet watercolour technique
1. Wet on wet gradient blend
The wet on wet gradient blend involves wetting the paper first and then placing the wet paint on the wet paper and allowing the water on the paper to blend the paint naturally.
When you place the paint on the wet paper the colours mix and mingle by themselves, creating smooth transitions.
Wet the paper with clean water where you want to create the gradient.
Apply one colour to one side of the wet area.
Quickly add the second colour to the other side before the paper dries.
Allow the colours to flow and blend together naturally as the paper dries.
Wet the paper with water and while it is wet, paint on your colour of choice.
Paint one colour on one side of the wet area of paper. Wash your brush out and paint on the second colour into the wet area.
Gently touch the colours to one another on the wet paper.
Allow the colours to flow into one another on the wet paper. Don't dab too much with your brush. Trust the paint and water to blend a seamless edge by themselves.
2. Blend by layering on wet paint
Instead of wetting the paper with water first, you can paint a wet wash onto dry paper and before the wash dries paint another colour into the wet wash.
Paint a wash of colour
While it's wet, paint on another colour in one area
The 2nd colour will bleed over the wet paint creating a soft transition between the two colours.
If you need to, use your clean damp brush to smooth the blending edge where the two colours meet. Just be careful to make sure your brush is the same wetness as the paint. Don't add anymore water to the paper or you will get into difficulty.
Apply wet paint onto dry paper.
While the first layer of paint is wet, paint on another colour into one area.
You can use a damp brush to blend the edge where the two colours meet to soften further if you want to.
3. Blend by layering over a dry wash that has been rewet with water
Sometimes you might not have enough time to get all the colours and values you need on the paper before the paint has dried. Fear not! You can rewet a painted area with water and easily blend another colour or tone over the top.
Paint a shape and let it dry.
When it's completely dry, paint some clean water over the top of the shape.
Paint another colour or use the same colour (slightly darker this time), over the top of the wet shape.
This shape is completely dry.
Gently rewetting the dry shape with some clean water. Watch for tide lines forming with the water. Paint the water right to the edge of the shape.
Painting another wet colour onto the shape while it is wet with water.
A gentle gradient forms from one colour to another because of the wet paper.
How to blend watercolour paint using the wet on dry technique
Instead of working on wet watercolour paper you can blend colours on dry paper.
4. Blend on dry paper
There are two ways you can blend colours on dry paper. The first way is to manually soften the edge where the two colours meet.
Apply the first colour to your paper and let it dry completely.
Apply the second colour over the first colour.
While the second colour is still wet, use a clean, damp brush to soften the edge where the two colours meet, creating a smooth transition.
5. Blend on dry paper by allowing wet colours to touch one another
The second way to blend colours on dry paper is to allow wet colours to touch one another.
Apply both colours side by side on the dry paper.
Use a clean, damp, and soft-bristled brush to gently stroke back and forth along the boundary between the colours. This softens the edge and blends the colours.
6. Gradient blend with one colour
Another technique to practice blending is to use only one colour on dry paper.
Mix some colour with a small amount of water and paint it onto the paper at its full intensity, so make sure the paint mixture is not too thin.
Wash the paint out of your brush and give it a quick dab on a towel to take off the excess moisture.
Use the wet, clean brush to pull the paint across the paper. It will become lighter in value as you pull away from the area you painted.
Wash the brush again, dab it on the towel and pull the brush along the paper further until there is virtually no colour.
Start with a bit more paint on dry paper. You can apply it at its full intensity. Add a small amount of water so that it flows off the brush.
Clean your brush with water and start to pull the pigment across the paper.
Wash out the brush again and use it to pull the paint across the paper further. It becomes lighter in value.
Now you have a smooth transition from dark to light.
Practice these watercolour techniques diligently until they become second nature. They might feel challenging at first, but with time and persistence, they'll become your artistic allies. Gradually, you'll develop an instinct for knowing just the right balance of water and paint, as well as the perfect method for each situation. Remember to be patient with yourself, and above all, have fun with your experiments. What I adore about watercolour is its innate ability to effortlessly blend colours, creating breathtaking paintings. So, allow the magic of water and paint to dance together on your paper, and prepare to be amazed by the stunning results.
I have an online video tutorial where I demonstrate each of these blending techniques if you need further practice.
If you are interested in learning to paint in watercolour, I have over 170 online, voiced over watercolour tutorials for all skill levels.
Prints of the Eastern Rosella are available to purchase in the shop.
Further reading: 9 Watercolour Texture Techniques