Yes, you absolutely can and should add water to water paint, especially if you're using watercolour. Adding water is fundamental to controlling the paint's consistency, transparency, and flow.
Why Add Water to Water Paint?
Adding water serves several key purposes when working with water-based paints:
- Dilution: Water thins the paint, making it more transparent. This is essential for techniques like washes and glazing in watercolour.
- Consistency: Water adjusts the paint's texture, allowing it to flow smoothly from your brush.
- Colour Intensity: More water means lighter, less intense colour; less water means more vibrant, opaque colour (though watercolour remains largely transparent).
- Techniques: Many watercolour techniques, such as wet-on-wet or graduated washes, rely heavily on precise control over the water-to-paint ratio.
How Much Water Should You Add?
The amount of water you add depends entirely on the desired effect. According to the reference, for a usable mix, you're looking for a watery mix using more water than paint, or at least half and half.
This suggests a wide range of common ratios:
- Heavy Wash: Lots of water, very little pigment. Creates a light, transparent tint. (e.g., 90% water / 10% paint)
- Medium Wash: More water than paint. Good for general washes and building layers. (e.g., 60-70% water / 30-40% paint, aligning with "more water than paint")
- Rich Colour: Approximately equal parts water and paint ("at least half and half"). Provides a more saturated colour with some transparency. (e.g., 50% water / 50% paint)
- Thick/Creamy: Very little water, mostly pigment. Used for details, lines, or opaque (relative to watercolour) applications. (e.g., 20% water / 80% paint)
| Ratio (Water:Paint) | Consistency | Transparency | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| High (e.g., 80:20) | Very Fluid | High | Light washes, skies |
| Medium (e.g., 60:40) | Flowing | Medium | General painting |
| Low (e.g., 30:70) | Creamy | Low (for WC) | Details, strong lines |
Achieving the Right Consistency
The reference emphasizes the feel of the mix on your brush: Your brush should be thoroughly wet but not dripping, and capable of creating a smooth stroke without immediately drying out.
- If your brush drips when lifted, you have too much water – the paint will be very light and potentially hard to control.
- If the stroke is patchy or the paint dries almost instantly as you apply it, you likely need more water.
- A well-mixed consistency allows the paint to glide off the brush evenly, creating consistent colour and flow.
Practical Tips for Mixing
Here are some tips for adding water to your water paint:
- Start Small: It's easier to add more water than to take it away or add more pigment later. Start with a small amount and gradually add more until you achieve the desired consistency.
- Mix Thoroughly: Ensure the water is fully incorporated with the pigment to avoid streaks or uneven colour.
- Test Your Mix: Before applying paint to your final surface, test the colour and consistency on a scrap piece of paper. Watercolour often looks different on the palette than it does on the paper, and it dries lighter.
- Use Clean Water: Always use clean water for mixing to maintain colour purity. Have at least two containers of water – one for rinsing brushes and one for mixing paint.
In summary, adding water is an essential part of working with water paint like watercolour, giving you control over its appearance and application. The amount depends on your technique and desired outcome, ranging from heavy washes with lots of water to thicker mixes with less.
