When I first started playing around with wet-on-wet watercolor, I was really excited but also kind of confused. It’s a great technique, but there are some common mistakes that can make it tricky. Here are some things I learned to avoid while I was figuring it out:
One big mistake is picking the wrong paper. Watercolor paper is made to handle water without getting all wrinkly or tearing. If you use a cheap sketchbook, you'll probably end up with a wet mess.
Make sure to use heavy paper, at least 200 lb (or 425 g/m²), that can hold a lot of water and paint. Also, stretching your paper first can help keep it flat.
It’s easy to use a lot of water when you’re doing wet-on-wet painting. While you need some water to activate the paint, too much can make your colors look dull and washed out.
In my early attempts, colors often mixed into a muddy puddle. Finding the right amount of water is super important! Try to get the water balance just right so that the paint flows but still looks bright.
Wet-on-wet is all about blending colors, but if you don’t mix them well, the painting can look flat. Avoid using colors straight from the tube without mixing them first; this can make your piece look stiff.
Take time to practice mixing colors on your palette before you put them on the wet paper. Play around to create different shades to keep your art fun and alive.
With wet-on-wet painting, timing is really important. The paint dries as you work, which can change how it looks on paper. Often, I found that my earlier strokes dried before I could get to them!
Try to work quickly with your brush. Don’t be scared to layer on colors while everything is still wet. Experiment with the wetness of your paints to get those nice blended edges.
Using the right brush techniques can really help your wet-on-wet paintings turn out well. Some beginners (like I did) forget to use a light touch or the right brush strokes.
Pressing too hard can mix up the wet paint and make the colors muddy. Use a gentle hand and let the water work for you. Change up your brushes; a mop brush works well for smooth washes, while a round brush is better for adding details.
One mistake I made was focusing too much on what to paint and not enough on the blank spaces. Negative space is important for any artwork, including watercolor.
Just because you’re using a lot of water and color doesn’t mean you shouldn’t think about where your main subject will go. Leave some areas blank to create space or contrast in your artwork.
Finally, don’t hesitate to experiment! Wet-on-wet can be unpredictable, and sometimes it won’t turn out as you planned—like my first try at painting a sunset that just became a colorful blob. That’s okay!
Embrace those surprises and let them help guide your painting journey. Trying new things can help you discover unique techniques that make your art style truly yours.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can find that the wet-on-wet watercolor technique is a fun and rewarding way to create art. So grab your brushes and get started! Happy painting!
When I first started playing around with wet-on-wet watercolor, I was really excited but also kind of confused. It’s a great technique, but there are some common mistakes that can make it tricky. Here are some things I learned to avoid while I was figuring it out:
One big mistake is picking the wrong paper. Watercolor paper is made to handle water without getting all wrinkly or tearing. If you use a cheap sketchbook, you'll probably end up with a wet mess.
Make sure to use heavy paper, at least 200 lb (or 425 g/m²), that can hold a lot of water and paint. Also, stretching your paper first can help keep it flat.
It’s easy to use a lot of water when you’re doing wet-on-wet painting. While you need some water to activate the paint, too much can make your colors look dull and washed out.
In my early attempts, colors often mixed into a muddy puddle. Finding the right amount of water is super important! Try to get the water balance just right so that the paint flows but still looks bright.
Wet-on-wet is all about blending colors, but if you don’t mix them well, the painting can look flat. Avoid using colors straight from the tube without mixing them first; this can make your piece look stiff.
Take time to practice mixing colors on your palette before you put them on the wet paper. Play around to create different shades to keep your art fun and alive.
With wet-on-wet painting, timing is really important. The paint dries as you work, which can change how it looks on paper. Often, I found that my earlier strokes dried before I could get to them!
Try to work quickly with your brush. Don’t be scared to layer on colors while everything is still wet. Experiment with the wetness of your paints to get those nice blended edges.
Using the right brush techniques can really help your wet-on-wet paintings turn out well. Some beginners (like I did) forget to use a light touch or the right brush strokes.
Pressing too hard can mix up the wet paint and make the colors muddy. Use a gentle hand and let the water work for you. Change up your brushes; a mop brush works well for smooth washes, while a round brush is better for adding details.
One mistake I made was focusing too much on what to paint and not enough on the blank spaces. Negative space is important for any artwork, including watercolor.
Just because you’re using a lot of water and color doesn’t mean you shouldn’t think about where your main subject will go. Leave some areas blank to create space or contrast in your artwork.
Finally, don’t hesitate to experiment! Wet-on-wet can be unpredictable, and sometimes it won’t turn out as you planned—like my first try at painting a sunset that just became a colorful blob. That’s okay!
Embrace those surprises and let them help guide your painting journey. Trying new things can help you discover unique techniques that make your art style truly yours.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can find that the wet-on-wet watercolor technique is a fun and rewarding way to create art. So grab your brushes and get started! Happy painting!