How to Paint a Watercolor Wash

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Stretch your watercolor paper.

   When painting watercolor washes, you need to prepare the paper.
   
   Soak a sheet of watercolor paper in cold water for 2 minutes.
   
   Remove the paper from the water and place it on a flat drawing board.
   
   Smooth the paper out with a sponge.
   
   Watercolor wash techniques won't work if the paper is too wet.
   
   Tape the paper around all the edges firmly to the board, and let it dry. , When painting watercolor washes, you need to cover the entire paper. , To paint with watercolors, you'll need to add enough water to obtain your desired hue. , This may help you learn control with watercolor wash techniques. ,, When painting watercolor washes, start at the top of the page with a broad, horizontal stroke to the other side.
   
   Practice keeping the brushstrokes even and within the square. , When you paint with watercolors, you may overlap the previous stroke.
   
   When you reach the bottom, let the paper dry.
2. 2

   Step 2: Select a large watercolor brush that holds plenty of paint and covers a large area.

3. 3

   Step 3: Choose the background color you want and put a large amount on your palette.

4. 4

   Step 4: Draw a large square lightly on the paper with a pencil.

5. 5

   Step 5: Dampen your paper by dipping your brush in water and lightly sweeping it across the paper.

6. 6

   Step 6: Dunk your brush in the watercolor paint you prepared.

7. 7

   Step 7: Load your brush with more paint and then move down the paper

8. 8

   Step 8: 1 brush line at a time.

Detailed Guide

About the Author