These are some of the different techniques that we can apply to our watercolours
A copy of the Techniques can be downloaded here
Water into Paint
This is created by dropping water into your paint. The water pushes the paint away causing a feathered edge. It is very difficult if not impossible to control this technique.
Wet in Wet
This is painting on wet paper. When painting a sky for example, it allows you more tie to get an even sky or leaves softer edges when creating clouds. It is very important to ensure that the whole area is wet, if it is not, then the paint stops dead. “Water is the tracks that the paint runs on, no track no movement.”
Masking
Masking Fluid is used to protect the paper from the paint. It can be applied onto white paper or onto painted paper, though it may lift some of the paint off if not 100% dry.
In this example I used a spray on the bottom half and a bamboo dip pen on the top.
Wax Resist and Lifting
Wax is similar to masking except that it is permanent. Care should be applied when using this technique. “ can’t see where you put it and you can’t remove it”
Lifting can done with a damp, slightly stiffer brush, or a magic eraser sponge.
Bruising
Bruising is cause by digging into the paper for example with a credit card or a ruler, anything with a hard edge.
Once the paper is bruised, the paint settle into it, causing darker lines or shapes.
Splattering
Splattering is a good way to add a textured look, for example on a beach or on rocks.
You can use either a toothbrush or paint brush for this, load with paint and flick over your finger. It works better with a dry finger, so dry your finger regularly.
Rock Salt
Salt pushes the paint away. It should be applied to very wet paint, if it has soaked in then the salt has nothing to push away. The salt should be removed only when the paint is dry.
This example is shows the salt “placed” in the top half and sprinkled in the bottom half.
Table Salt
Table salt is much finer than rock salt. It should be applied to very paint, and sprinkled between your thumb and index finger. Remember, it’s a lot easier to add more than to take away. The paint should be dry before removing.
Sand
Sand pulls the paint and is more more subtle than salt. It should be applied to very paint, and sprinkled between your thumb and index finger. Remember, it’s a lot easier to add more than to take away. The paint should be dry before removing.
Eraser Bits
This is bits of eraser that has been rubbed of drawings. I save them in a jar. They leave an unusual effect. They should be applied to very paint, and are large enough to be placed or dropped onto the paper. Remember, it’s a lot easier to add more than to take away. The paint should be dry before removing.
Sandpaper
Sandpaper is a useful tool. I use a fine “P180”. The paint MUST be dry before using sandpaper.
Gently rubbed over the surface of the paper it can give the effect of a glisten on water, or a shine on an orange.
Scraping
This is a great technique for giving a textured look for example on rocks or tree trunks.
Apply several layers of colour, all very wet so that they can mix into each other, your final colour should be your darkest. When the paint has settled into the paper but still wet, using a credit card or blade, scrape over the surface. Any excess paint can be used for definition or lifted out with a tissue.