Wet-on-wet watercolor

Explorations in Watercolor

Wet on Wet

Wet-on-wet watercolor technique is super fun and the basis for more explorations.  Make several wet-on-wet papers at one sitting.  You'll want to have several finished pieces for future art.  Ideas include making papers with warm colors or cool colors, experimenting with wetness of the paper and the brush.

Hint: A very wet brush and very wet paint will have a very different effect than a less wet brush and paint.  

Process:

1. Wet the paper with the brush or hold the paper under running water. 

2. While the paper is shiny and wet apply colors with a wet brush.  If this is done correctly the colors will immediately begin to spread.  It's a wow to see the colors in movement on the paper.  What is a wet brush?  It has lots of water on it and the paint is also very wet.

3. Let the paper dry before applying a new technique. 

4. Once you have several wet-on-wet papers that are dry, you can do a drawing or painting on top or make and use your own stamp. 

If you have done a few wet-on-wet techniques already and you have a creative itch to do something more while the paper is still wet, try out these wowzers.  

Materials: 

• Strathmore 300 series watercolor paper cut to about 4 x 5 inches
• Watercolor paints: I use prang in the 16 color set.  Do not get the washable variety as it has little color in comparison.  
• watercolor brushes: not too cheap, no need to go expensive.  The prang watercolor set comes with one brush. 

Have fun, be playful and enjoy what comes.