How to paint a variegated watercolour wash
A variegated wash lets two or more colours meet within one connected field while preserving their individual character.
Technique
Technique
How to paint a graded watercolour wash
A graded wash changes the strength of one colour across the sheet. Small dilution steps and a connected wet edge keep the transition free of bands.
Technique
How to paint a flat watercolour wash without streaks
A flat wash depends on enough mixed paint, a connected wet edge and steady timing. This guide explains the complete method and its common failures.
Technique
How to manage the bead in a watercolour wash
The bead is the moving band of liquid at the lower edge of a wash. Its size and continuity control how evenly the wash develops.
Technique
Watercolour blooms and backruns: causes, control and deliberate use
A bloom records a difference in moisture between neighbouring passages. Recognising the drying stage lets you prevent the mark or place it deliberately.
Materials
Transparent vs opaque watercolour pigments: what changes on the paper
What transparent, semi-transparent, semi-opaque and opaque mean on paper, why ratings vary, and how to test your own paint.
Materials
Staining vs non-staining watercolours: what changes on the paper
Staining describes how firmly dried watercolour resists lifting. Learn what it changes and how to test your own paint and paper.
Materials
How to care for watercolour brushes: the habits that make them last
A one-minute routine for rinsing, reshaping, drying and storing natural and synthetic watercolour brushes.
Reviews
The best watercolour brushes under £30: tested and recommended
You do not need to spend a lot to get a watercolour brush that works. Here are the sub-£30 brushes worth buying and what each does best.
Materials
Kolinsky sable vs synthetic brushes: is the difference worth the price
Compare natural and synthetic watercolour brushes by water holding, point, spring, durability, care, ethics and value.