Painting wet on wet is a watercolor technique where you apply wet paint onto a surface that is already wet, allowing the colors to blend and spread softly.
This method is popular for creating soft edges, gradients, and atmospheric effects in watercolor painting. The key is the interaction of paint and water on the paper surface.
Understanding the Wet on Wet Technique
The core principle of wet on wet painting is applying wet paint onto a wet surface. This differs from wet on dry, where wet paint is applied to dry paper, resulting in sharp lines and defined shapes.
When you use the wet on wet technique, the water on the paper causes the newly applied paint to spread outwards, creating blurry edges and a diffused look. The degree of spread depends on how wet the paper is and how wet the paint mix is.
Steps to Paint Wet on Wet
Based on the provided reference, here's a straightforward way to paint wet on wet:
- Prepare the Wet Area: First create one area of wet colour on your paper – you can paint any shape you like. This means applying a wash of clean water or a light wash of color to a section of your paper. Ensure the area is evenly wet, but not puddled.
- Mix the New Color: Now get a darker or different colour mix on your brush. Have your second color ready on your brush. This color should also be fairly wet, consistent with your desired outcome.
- Introduce the Color: touch it to the wet paint, dropping in the colour on top. Gently touch your brush loaded with the new color to the wet area you created. You can touch the edge or drop the color into the center.
- Observe the Spread: As the existing area is already wet, your new colour should spread easily. Watch as the new color bleeds into the wet area, creating soft transitions and unique patterns. You can guide the flow slightly by tilting the paper, but much of the magic comes from allowing the water and pigment to interact naturally.
Tips for Success
Using the wet on wet technique effectively often involves experimentation and control over the amount of water.
- Paper Wetness: The degree of wetness on the paper affects how much the paint spreads. Very wet paper will lead to significant bleeding, while slightly damp paper will result in less spread and softer edges.
- Paint Consistency: The amount of water in your paint mix also matters. A watery mix will spread more than a thicker, more pigmented mix.
- Timing is Key: Apply the second color while the first area is still wet. If it starts to dry, you'll get harder edges.
- Paper Choice: Watercolor paper is designed to handle water without buckling excessively. Heavier weight paper (300gsm or more) is generally recommended for wet on wet techniques.
Common Applications
The wet on wet technique is versatile and used for various effects:
- Skies and Clouds: Creates soft, hazy skies and fluffy clouds.
- Water: Depicts reflections and rippling water surfaces.
- Backgrounds: Provides soft, out-of- focus backgrounds for subjects.
- Abstract Art: Allows for fluid color mixing and expressive washes.
- Natural Textures: Mimics textures like foliage or stone with soft edges.
Essential Supplies
While you don't need much to start, having the right tools helps.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Watercolor Paper | Absorbs water well, minimizes buckling |
| Watercolor Paints | Pigments that disperse in water |
| Soft Brushes | Hold plenty of water, good for washes |
| Water Containers | At least two: one for rinsing, one for clean |
| Paper Towels/Rag | For controlling moisture on your brush |
Mastering the wet on wet technique takes practice, but it's a rewarding process that unlocks beautiful possibilities in watercolor painting.
