Mastering Watercolor Techniques: Wet-on-Wet and Wet-on-Dry

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What are essential watercolor techniques I should know about and practice as a beginner for faster progress? What's the difference between wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry and why is understanding both of these techniques important? 


In this blog post and the video included, I'll be explaining wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry in depth, which are the two most important watercolor techniques to begin wrapping our heads around as beginners. 

I'll be explaining how they are different, as well as sub-techniques within each such as glazing, splattering, blooms, bleeds and scrubbing. 

By understanding these two techniques and practicing them, you'll be able to create better strategies prior to starting your paintings, which will lead to much better results. 



When I first started painting with watercolor, I did what lots of beginners do. 

I stuck to using the wet-on-dry technique and used very little water overall, because I was afraid of losing control. 

I also started my painting journey with opaque painting mediums like acrylics and oils, which are very different from watercolor in both process and end results.

Over time, I realized that my paintings lacked the vibrant, glowing quality that I admired in other watercolor artists' work. My paintings often looked heavy, overworked, and splotchy or with unwanted textures. 
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I finally decided to learn from others who were more skilled with the medium and this is when I started making tons of progress.



By understanding the medium more, practicing essential techniques separately, and strategically incorporating new techniques into my process, I was finally starting to see the improvements I was looking for. 


One key realization I made during this time was was understanding how to effectively use wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry techniques.

Both are essential to understand because, it's through combining both in your paintings that you can create not only believable depth and realism, but visual balance.

Not to mention, by combining the soft, diffused effects that wet-on-wet allows, with the sharper, more controlled effects that wet-on-dry allows, you're more easily able to arrive at those light, glowing results that are so particular to watercolor. 

So, it's not one or the other, it's going to be a matter of incorporating both techniques into your painting processes!

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For a full list of my current favorite watercolor painting supplies, go here. ​



If you're looking for a full course that will help you cover everything you need to know about watercolor as a beginner, I highly recommend checking out my Watercolor 101 course, which is available for only $25 here. 

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Wet-on-Dry vs. Wet-on-Wet

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Wet-on-Dry

This technique involves painting on dry paper, whether it's being applied over a layer of paint that's already completely dry, or over a fresh/clean watercolor sheet. 

The wet-on-dry technique creates sharp, defined edges around any shapes, lines or marks that you paint. 

It's ideal for areas where you want to add more detail such as focal point elements or elements int he foreground in scenes (closer to the viewer). 

Here are some essential points to consider:

• Dry paper absorbs water and paint quickly.
• How quickly paint gets absorbed and dries will depend on a number of variables such as: paper type, how much water you are using, and the environment that you're working in (warm, cool, dry, humid, etc.). 
• We need to work swiftly and use appropriately sized brushes in order to avoid splotchiness, hard edges around our shapes, and undesired textures. Painting a large area? Use a larger, absorbent brush. Painting a medium area? Use a medium sized brush. Painting a smaller shape or detail? Use a smaller brush. Switch between them as needed. 

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Typically (but not always), techniques that require more water, such as wet-on-wet, are used in the beginning of the painting process, while techniques that require less water, such a s wet-on-dry are used later. 



Here are some essential wet-on-dry sub-techniques to practice (I explain all of these and more in the video above):
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​Layering

This is when we apply paint over a layer that is completely dry, to add detail, darken smaller areas within the larger shape, etc.

Adding detail to a leaf wet-on-dry, for sharp/defined effects.

Painting lines over a dry shape wet-on-dry for sharp/defined effects.

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​Glazing

This is similar to layering, but glazing involves applying paint that is relatively watered-down over the previous (dry) shape, in order to still see plenty of what's underneath. This technique is very helpful when we're looking to slightly change the color in an area.

Painting a smaller rectangle over a dry red rectangle to create a third color via layering. This layering process combines the two colors and "mixes" them on paper.

​Scrubbing

This is a helpful technique to know because it allows you to soften edges that have dried, and to make mistakes less noticeable. Use with caution, as overdoing it can damage your paper.  Be gentle. 

Going in with a damp brush and using the scrubbing technique on dry paper to soften edges of shapes.

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Wet-on-Wet

This technique involves applying paint onto wet paper, whether it's being applied over a layer of paint that's still wet, or over water that you've applied via a pre-wetting process. 

The wet-on-wet technique creates soft, diffused, organic gradients and effects. 

Remember, watercolor is always going to expand/move, when placed on paper that's wet. The wetter it is, the more it'll move. The more dry it becomes, the less it'll move. 

This technique is great for large areas, backgrounds, distant elements and initial layers in a painting process. 

Here are some essential points to consider:

• If you're not looking for soft edges or bleeding, make sure you're allowing the previous layer or shape to dry completely before working over it or alongside it. Be patient! 
• If you notice your paper is starting to dry, instead of continuing to push forward, allow it to dry completely and consider re-wetting the area with clean water to arrive at soft effects later. Continuing to work on paper that's starting to dry will only lead to splotchiness and backruns. 
• Make sure you're using appropriately sized brushes, always! If you're painting larger areas, use large/absorbent brushes that will allow you to load up a good amount of paint and water so that you don't have to reload as often. 

Here are some essential wet-on-wet sub-techniques to practice (I explain all of these and more in the video above):
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​Blooms
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Blooms are created by dropping in a bit of another color onto a layer of paint that's still wet. By touching just the tip of your brush onto the wet layer of paint, you'll allow the second color to travel down those bristles and "push out" the previous color in those sections, creating a bloom effect. This effect cannot be done if paint is already dry. 

Creating purple blooms over a cool red background color.

Bleeding

By applying clean water right along the edge you're looking to soften, while the shape you painted is still wet, the color will expand into the new area of wetness, which will lead to a softer, fuzzy look. This effect cannot be done if paint is already dry. 

Tilting my paper to use gravity for more dramatic bleeding along the bottom edge.

Blue shape on lower right shows bleeding along the bottom edge.

​Gradient

A great way to create gradients is through applying the second (darker) color over your previous (lighter color), while the first color is still wet. You can tilt your paper and use gravity to help you create that transition between your colors. There are ways to create gradients wet-on-dry, but many artists find this approach easier to do. 

Red purple shape on the lower left shows a gradient that was created wet-on-wet.

Splattering

This technique is a great way to create a beautiful visual texture to add interest to your paintings. It involves splattering on paint or water onto a previous layer, while it's still wet. After you've painted on your first color, dip your paintbrush into your water container (or another paint color) and use your index finger to "flick" your paintbrush bristles onto that first color. ​

Blue shape showing splattering texture done with clean water.

​Looking for step-by-step guidance to improve your paintings?

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Supplies used in video:
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Baohong Watercolor Paper Cold Press 100% Cotton

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Scott Shop Absorbent Towels

Royal & Langnickel Zen Watercolor Brushes

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Winsor&Newton Professional Watercolor Tube Set

​For a full list of my current favorite watercolor painting supplies, go here. 

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By understanding and practicing these watercolor techniques, you can create more vibrant, dynamic paintings. Remember to be patient, observe how your paper and paint behave, and continue exploring. Happy painting!

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​Thank you for reading and happy painting!


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