Layering with Watercolor

I get a lot of questions about how to blend watercolor and so I thought I would share a simple layering technique with you. You can do this with watercolor paints (Cotman, Twinkling H2O's, or whatever) or watercolor pencils (I like Faber Castel, but any watercolor pencil will work). In the video, I use both paints and pencils.

The idea is to create an underlayer of color, then cover part of it with a top color. For this example, we leave part of that first color showing, untouched, so that it produces a glow on the side of an object - in this case, a bird. After the top color is applied to the left side of the bird, the brush is cleaned, dried and then used to soften the dark color into the light color. Don't pull that dark color all of the way over - you'll lose that bottom color.

In the video I show how to add one color on top of a base color - and then I show how to add 2 colors on top of a base color. Practice this technique - and have FUN!

Comments

[Judy]

Thank for sharing the video. I
can't wait to try this way of
coloring. I love Memory Box stamps
and paper!!

[AF]

Thanks for the video! I've always had bad experiences with water colors, but I'm going to give it another try now!

[Jackie]

Wow - thanks for the tutorial! I will have to give that a try soon, those are beautiful.

[Kay Rodgers]

Thanks so much for this video! I hope you will do several more. I have your book on stamping with watercolors. This video really helps inspire me to do more.

[Nancy Ward]

Hi!

Today (February 21) I posted an entry on my blog with a link to this video.

Would you let me know if that's OK?

Thanks,

Nancy Ward
http://paperpaperfriendly.blogspot.com

[Janice Richardson]

Loved the video. I find I really enjoy working with watercolor. I stamp numerous items one night and spend the next night or two watercoloring....what fun.