Mastering watercolor is a journey filled with joy and frustration. It is a delicate medium that holds immense potential for creating stunning paintings but is also notorious for its unforgiving nature. One wrong stroke and you could potentially ruin your entire piece of art. However, the good news is that there are ways to fix or mitigate the effects of mistakes in watercolor painting. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the causes of common watercolor mistakes and provide practical solutions.
Oops! Too Much Water
Water control is arguably the trickiest part of painting with watercolors. It’s easy to use too much, leading to washed out colors and a lack of definition.
SOLUTION: Before applying watercolor, wipe your brush against the edge of your palette or use a paper towel to eliminate excess water. If the painting is still wet, use a dry sponge or brush to absorb the excess water. In case it’s dried, apply more pigment with minimal water to higher the color intensity.
Oh No! Back Runs or Cauliflowers
‘Back runs’ or ‘cauliflowers’ are blemishes that appear when wet paint is introduced to a damp area. This results in the formation of irregular shapes that can wreak havoc on your composition.
SOLUTION: You should always avoid painting on a semi-dry surface. Paint on a wet surface for smooth washes and wait for the surface to completely dry to add details. If a back run does occur, quickly dry it off using a hairdryer and then repaint the area.
The Horror! Mud on the Canvas
Another common watercolor boo-boo is muddying your colors. Overmixing or incorrectly layering your colors can result in a muddied, murky image, which can be quite an eyesore.
SOLUTION: To avoid ‘mud’, limit your palette and mix only the necessary colors. Learn the color wheel and the principles of color mixing. Lay down lighter colors first and layer darker ones later. If mud has appeared, you can lift the paint with a sponge or a brush when it is still damp. If it’s dried, gently scrub the area with a wet, stiff brush and dab it off with a clean towel.
Eek! Stains and Discolorations
Inadvertently, you might drop unwelcome splashes of color on your painting, which can stain.
SOLUTION: As soon as you spot an accidental splash, blot it gently using a dry cloth to prevent it from spreading. If it dries, try re-wetting the area and blot again. For stubborn stains, consider introducing a new element to your painting to cover them.
Oh Gosh! Overworked Painting
Overworking is when an artist brushes too much into a painting, leading to a faded or muddy complexion.
SOLUTION: Show restraint and patience when painting. Allow the previous layers to dry completely before adding new ones. If the painting already feels overworked, consider using gouache or acrylics to add a few opaque highlights and redefine some elements in the composition.
Holy Moly! Paper Wears Out
Heavy scrubbing, excess water, and overworking can ruin your paper, making it pill or tear.
SOLUTION: Always opt for high-quality, thick, and heavy watercolor papers. If pilling has happened, gently scrape off the pills using a blade when the paper is dry. Torn off? Tear off a small piece from a scrap of similar watercolor paper, fit it over the tear, and secure it with archival tape on the back.
While these tips come in handy to fix the glitches, remember these fundamental principles as you progress in your watercolor journey. Practice patience, learn to control your water, know your colors, and always plan your painting. Use professional-grade supplies and never shy away from experimenting.
With consistent practice and by studying other artists, you will develop your style and master techniques to make the most out of this wonderful medium. While learning how to paint with watercolors, you will make mistakes. Embrace them as learning experiences because fixing and growing from those mistakes is quintessential to mastering your craft.
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