top of page

Enjoy 9 different watercolor techniques!

Getting started with watercolors is easy with our exciting watercolor ideas by using various techniques.

The following techniques will help you to expand your artwork!


Wet on Wet

Wet on Wet is a technique that allows you to enjoy the expression of patterns and shadows by simply dropping a new color on a wet surface. Depending on the amount of water and the type of paper, this technique can produce soft, gentle, and beautiful results. It is suitable for expressing backgrounds and skies.

▼ STEP1

Touch the pen tip to the wetted paper.

How the ink bleed spreads depends on the dryness of the paper.


▼ STEP2

Put the tip of the next color on the paper.

Please enjoy trying out various finishes.



Glazing

"Glazing" is a technique which expresses the depth of colors, maintaining some transparency by layering both the same color or different colors after each layer has completely. This technique is good for creating message cards.

▼ STEP1

Starting with a darker color, apply color to the non-overlapping flower petals first.


▼ STEP2

Before adding color to the next petals, make sure the painted color is completely dry.


▼ STEP3

Once dry, color the remaining petals.

Be careful not to blur the outline of the painted colors.



Gradation

"Gradation" is a technique that is the gradual, seamless change in tone or color with one color, or between multiple. This technique is often used in paintings such as sky or seascapes.

▼ STEP1

Paint from a darker color.


▼ STEP2

Before a darker color dries, a lighter color is applied in overlapping layers. You can use a blender to blur.



Spattering

"Spattering" is a painting technique in which paint is flung onto the paint surface with a brush.

▼ STEP1

Put out plenty of ink on a palette.


▼ STEP2

Take the ink of STEP 1 with a brush containing an appropriate amount of water.


▼ STEP3

Rub the brush against a fine mesh to spatter the ink on the paper.

(A household colander can be substituted.)



Dripping

"Dripping"(Straw Painting) is a technique of dripping watercolor paint onto paper or by dripping another liquid onto a watercolor painting. These drops and splatters in the paint become the graphic imagery in otherwise abstract work.

The pattern is created by layering the darker and lighter colors in the set to create a sense of depth.

▼ STEP1

Dissolve the Gansai Tambi paint with more water.

You need the paints to be really runny for the straw technique to work.


▼ STEP2

Use a watercolor brush pen (it is also good to use a dropper or syringe) to pick up the paint which you made on STEP1, and put drops on the paper.


▼ STEP3

Blow the paint around with a straw.

The result may be unpredictable but it is fun to get various effects and textures!



Dry Brush

Dry brushing is a painting technique that is the process of laying down watercolor paint with a bit of paint and less water.

It is used to draw grass, waves, and various other motifs by utilizing unique brush textures.

▼ STEP1

Apply color by moving the pen quickly.

*The dry brush technique works best on dry paper, so if your paper still has a damp sheen to it, the technique might not work well.


▼ STEP2

Layering different colors.



Lift Out

"Lift Out" is a technique used to remove the color from the surface. It is often used to express veins of leaves and clouds and so on.

▼ STEP1

Paint the background with a gradient.


▼ STEP2

Wipe off the paint with soft paper such as paper towels before the paint dries.


▼ STEP3

If the color is not removed well, you can add water to the area to be wiped off with a water brush and wipe it off again.



Back Runs

"Back Runs" is a technique in which a brush tip is lightly applied to the painted area to create a pattern "bloom" caused by lifted up pigment.

▼ STEP1

Paint the background with a gradient.


▼ STEP2

When the background is semi-dry, dip a water brush in plenty of water and little pigment, and put the tip on the paper.


▼ STEP3

Wait for the pattern to spread.



Salt

"Salt" is a technique uses salt to create beautiful snowflake-like patterns.

The pattern will vary depending on the amount of water and salt, so try several different ways to make it.

▼ STEP1

Paint the background with ZIG CLEAN COLOR Real Brush.


▼ STEP2

Blot the background with a water brush pen to create a gradation.


▼ STEP3

Sprinkle salt onto the wet background before it dries.


▼ STEP4

Leave the paper for a while until it dries.




Brush pen type painting materials can also be used for watercolor painting.

Easier to clean up than using paints.

Enjoy our various range of art materials and explore the watercolor art!




Products

● Exploring Watercolor - How to paint flowers-

This complete lesson kit teaches typical watercolor painting techniques in easy-to-understand instructions.

Want to learn more about our Watercolor Starter Kit? Click the items!


EW-1

Exploring Watercolor - Glazing -














EW-2

Exploring Watercolor - Gradation














EW-3

Exploring Watercolor - Wet on Wet

bottom of page