- EPISODE 1 - Creating a dilution chart
- EPISODE 2 - Creating a Colour Chart
- EPISODE 3 - Round Brush Techniques
- EPISODE 4 - Flat & Fan Brush Techniques
- EPISODE 5 - Glazing Techniques
- EPISODE 6 - Masking & Resist Techniques
- EPISODE 7 - Creating Watercolour Textures
- EPISODE 8 - Creating a Landscape painting in Watercolour
Welcome to Episode 5!
In this episode we show you Glazing techniques.
In the video tutorial provided below, we delve into two fundamental techniques that are indispensable for all watercolour artists, particularly those who prefer to work with a limited colour palette. These methods are crucial for achieving depth, luminosity, and seamless transitions within your artwork.
When using watercolour paints, to achieve excellent results you should always use watercolour paper. There are lots of different Watercolour papers on the market, the most reliable are those that say they are made from 100% cotton, or a 50% cotton mix. Your watercolour paper should be acid free to provide longevity, be heavy enough to take lots of water without buckling or warping and be white enough to illuminate your pigments through your painting. Also, good watercolour paper will allow your pigment to dry flat and not patchy. Most watercolour papers are sized internally or on the surface to improve the surface strength and provide a water-resistant surface.
Head over to our blog for more information on 'Choosing the correct watercolour paper for your style of painting'. Also, see our guide to stretching watercolour paper here.
The first technique we explore is glazing with watercolour, which is frequently referred to as laying down a wash. This process involves applying thin, translucent layers of colour over a dried previous layer.
Each new layer adds to the intensity and richness of the hue without completely obscuring the colours beneath. This allows for a vibrant interplay of light and colour, creating a unique luminous effect characteristic of watercolour. Glazing is particularly effective when working with a limited palette, as it enables artists to create a wide spectrum of secondary and tertiary colours by overlapping primary and secondary hues. Furthermore, it's an excellent method for building up shadows, refining details, and achieving smooth gradients. The key to successful glazing lies in ensuring that each layer is completely dry before the next is applied, preventing muddy colours and maintaining transparency.
If you go too dark with your glazing it is easy to pull out some colour with a clean brush dipped in water.
The wet-on-wet technique, a fundamental approach in watercolour painting, initiates by thoroughly saturating the paper's surface with clean water. This crucial preparatory step serves to weaken the paper's internal sizing, which is a substance applied during manufacturing to control absorbency. By reducing the sizing's effectiveness, the paper becomes significantly more absorbent, creating an ideal ground for the subsequent application of paint.
Once the paper is uniformly damp, individual colours are carefully introduced onto the moistened surface. Instead of precise brushstrokes, the paint is allowed to spread and blend organically within the wet areas, creating soft transitions and diffused edges characteristic of this technique. A key aspect of the wet-on-wet method involves intentionally leaving unpainted areas of the white paper. These untouched sections are strategically positioned to represent the direction of light, acting as natural highlights within the composition. By contrasting these brilliant white areas with the rich, flowing colours, the artist can effectively suggest a three-dimensional form, giving depth and volume to the painted subject. This interplay of light and shadow, achieved through the inherent qualities of the wet-on-wet technique, is essential for producing a sense of realism and dimension in the artwork.
Wet on dry allows you more control of the value in your colour and Wet-on-wet gives a more diffused finish to your piece of work. This is a personal preference and through practice, you will discover which technique to use depending on subject matter or your eventual artistic handwriting.
Products used in this series:
ARTdiscount artists value brushes-Round
ARTdiscount Artists Value Brushes-Flat
