As promised, here is part 2 of the easy watercolor techniques I covered last week. I’m positive that with this post, you’ll be able to be attain the basic skills required to paint in watercolors. Happy reading!
If you’ve stumbled upon this post from Pinterest or anywhere around the web, chances are you haven’t looked into part 1 of easy watercolor techniques. Also don’t forget to read my learn watercolors series if you’re a beginner and love the medium.
Today’s post will cover some more easy watercolor techniques which will help you easily achieve certain textures. Enjoy!
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Materials required:-
- Watercolor paper
- Watercolor paints-Recommended beginner set and artist set
- Watercolor brushes
- Spray bottle
- Micron Pen or any waterproof pen
- Rubbing alcohol
1.Layering technique
This technique is pretty straightforward. The opposite of blending happens here. After applying the first layer, allow it to dry. Only and only when the first later is dry, go over with the second layer. If the surface of the paint is cool on touch, it will still need to dry slightly more. This is a brilliant technique of you want your background objects to show up. For example, a sheer curtain, plaid pattern (similar to the one shown here) etc.
2.Dry brush technique
The amount of water to pigment should be considerably less here. In fact water should only make your brush slightly moist. Keep your brush at an angle to get a better effect. This watercolor technique looks will form dry marks on paper which helps show texture. This is great for areas like the crashing of waves, rough blades of grass, textured walls etc.
3. Wet plus dry technique
This method utilizes both the wetting ability of watercolor and its ability to form a dry texture. Take some moist pigment on your brush. Drag the brush and then lift your brush vertically to get the bristles to form a dry stroke at the end.
With a single stroke you’ll be able to form a beautiful texture. An example of this watercolor technique would be blades of dry grass.
4.Water Spray technique
This technique uses plain ‘ol water to create a pretty texture. Â Lay down pigment on paper and then take a spray can and spritz water on it. The one I used did not spread much but if you use one of those used for watering plants, it will work better.
But it still formed a pretty cool texture wherever the water fell. Just be careful to cover the surrounding areas while you spray.
5.Waterproof pen technique
Draw a pattern of your choice first. I used a Pigma micron pen here because it dries quickly and is absolutely waterproof. Go over it using watercolors either in detail or a wash like I did. You’ll see your  background peeking through and it’s intact with no smudging whatsoever.
6.Rubbing alcohol
Look at that beautiful pattern created with a drop of alcohol. Fabulous isn’t it? I had these alcohol swabs lying at home which I decided to test. See that beautiful white ring that’s formed? Fabulous isn’t it? The second drop was put down when the paper was almost dry. Can you see that both formed different patterns. This definitely reminds me of Shibori dyeing technique.
7.Scratch technique
Quite simply, this method calls for scratching out pigment. A word of caution though, you might end up tearing your paper if you’re not careful. Keep a light touch and be sure not to damage the surface of the paper much.
I hope these easy watercolor techniques are what you’ve been looking to learn. There are so many different ways of doing watercolor and these are some that I use.
Some posts that you may have missed
What do you think?
What are you looking forward to trying out the most in these easy watercolor techniques? I love the unpredictability that rubbing alcohol poses. What future watercolor basics would you like me to cover? Let me know all about it in the comments below. Be sure to tag me on Instagram with #makeinkstruck . Cheers!
LOVE! Thank you for sharing this wonderful information. I am having fun trying them all out, and although they look like a mess to me, are super fun.
I love your cards too – such a talent. 🙂
Also, I have been making a few cards using the water spray technique. It works well for me.
Thank you so much for sharing! I can’t wait to try the techniques you shared. Until I read your posts I was just winging it. Thank you for sharing your time and talents!
Thanks so much Linda. I hope you have amazing fun trying out these techniques. I love watercolor and I love sharing what I’ve learnt with my readers as well. 🙂
Wow, thanks so much, and I am impressed with your talents. You show your instructions of using watercolor very clear, and I am glad, because I am deaf. Visual is a must for me, because most don’t have captioned or subtitles. I am looking forward to learn more about watercolor and handwriting! Thanks again!
You have no idea how much this comment means to me Penny! I am so glad that you think my instructions are clear and that you understand what I try to convey through my tutorials. I hope you have a wonderful time learning and painting. Thank you once again. Wishing you a lovely weekend 🙂
this is so helpful – thanks sooo much!!
-Lena
x
http://www.lenasnotebook.co.uk
Yay super happy to hear that. x