Using a watercolor brush with water typically involves controlling the amount of water on the brush to achieve desired effects. Here's a breakdown:
For a rigid water brush:
- If your brush has buttons, press them to release water into the bristles.
- Control the pressure on the buttons to manage the water flow. More pressure equals more water.
- Start painting and experiment with different pressure levels.
In general, using any watercolor brush with water comes down to these core principles:
- Dip the brush in water: Start by dipping your watercolor brush into a container of clean water.
- Control the water saturation: After dipping, remove excess water. The amount of water on the brush determines the intensity and flow of the watercolor. You can control this by gently touching the brush to the side of your water container or a clean paper towel. A drier brush will create drier brushstrokes, while a wetter brush will create a more fluid wash.
- Mix with paint: After wetting the brush, load it with watercolor paint. How much paint you load will also impact the intensity of the color.
- Apply to paper: Apply the brush to your watercolor paper. The angle and pressure of the brush will affect the stroke.
- Clean the brush: Regularly rinse the brush in clean water, especially when changing colors.
- Dry the brush: Gently blot the brush on a clean cloth or paper towel to remove excess water and reshape the bristles. This helps to maintain the brush's shape and prevent water from diluting your paint excessively.
The key to using a watercolor brush effectively is to experiment with different amounts of water and paint to achieve the desired effects.
