Watercolor paint drying too fast? Do this!

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"Because watercolor actually moves on the paper, it is the most active of all mediums, almost a performance art."

-Nita Engle
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Struggling with watercolor paint drying too fast? Are you accidentally creating too much texture and leaving visible edges where you weren't intending to? Can't seem to create even, flat washes?



If you've painted with watercolor for any amount of time, you're probably well aware of how much different variables come into play which can have an immense impact on both your painting process as well as your final outcome.

Not only do our supplies (paper, paint, paintbrushes) affect our experience, but the environment we're working in (whether it’s warm or cool, dry or humid, there's a fan or heating system on near us, etc.) plays a huge role in how our painting develops.

Based on these variables, we have to create strategies and plan for techniques that'll help us arrive at the results we're after. 

A common struggle I often hear from beginners is that their paint is drying way too fast.

As someone living in a super warm and *usually* dry environment, this is something I've struggled with myself.
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So today, I want to share 5 quick tips that have helped me create awesome results, even in this heat.
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5 Tips to Create Beautiful Watercolor Paintings Even in the Summer Heat

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1. Work Quickly
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​It's important to go in with a strategy, even if it's a basic one.
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Before starting a new piece, I always ask myself questions such as:

• What techniques (wet-on-wet/wet-on-dry/dry brushing/etc.) will I be using in the different areas of my painting?
• What colors am I going to be mixing together? Have I tested these mixtures out? *Having your colors pre-mixed on your palette is very helpful so that you don't have to stop right in the middle of painting a large area to create more.
• What paint consistency do I need for this area? Is it a tea consistency? Coffee? Milk? Cream? Butter? *Hint- Usually we want more watery mixtures at the beginning of the process, when we're painting larger areas, and thicker consistencies at the end, when we're working on darker values/tones.
• Will I be working in layers? How many?
• Is there any practice exercise or drill that'll help me move forward with more confidence and ease?

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If we have no idea what we're doing, it'll be hard to work quickly.

Keeping your eyes on your paper as you're working is also key so that you can pick up that "bead" or the edge where you left off while the paint is still wet, especially if you don't want sharp edges.
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​2. Pre-wet your paper with clean water before starting to paint 

Taking time to do pre-wetting with clean water and a large brush (some artists use a sponge) is a lifesaver and can lead to beautiful wet-on-wet effects.
By taking time to do pre-wetting effectively, you buy yourself more time to work before your paint starts drying on you. In other words, you can continue working on that layer of paint for a lot longer.

When we paint on dry paper, our paper starts absorbing the paint/water that has been placed on it immediately. This oftentimes leads to hard edges, especially when we're not working quickly enough.
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Not to mention, we oftentimes feel the need to go in and "fix" undesired textures created because we're working on dry paper, which can easily lead to an overworked look.

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In the video below, I explain the difference between wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry watercolor techniques, and provide exercises that will help you better understand each. 

If you enjoyed this video and found it helpful, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel. I share a brand new video every week with art tips, drawing and painting tutorials and mindset/productivity tips for artists. *Subscribe HERE*

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​3. Use larger brushes 

Larger brushes are able to hold much more water and paint in their bristles than smaller brushes.

If you've prepared a nicely saturated/juicy color mixture on your mixing palette, you can load up a larger brush once and create a large wash of color quickly, without having to stop for reloads along the way.

Remember, every single time you stop and re-load, your paint is starting to dry and you'll have to come back to that edge to pick up where you left off. This just leads to more opportunities for hard edges and textures that you didn't want.
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As a rule of thumb, I always go for the largest brush that I can get away with for the area on hand.
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For a full list of my current favorite drawing and painting supplies, go here. 
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Arches Cold Press 140 lb 100% Cotton Watercolor Paper

Princeton Neptune Watercolor Brushes

Acid-Free Non-Staining Artist Tape

Scott Shop Multi-Purpose Absorbent Towels

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4. Use heavier paper 

Not only do different types of papers (hot pressed/cold pressed/rough) hold moisture differently, but their thickness can also have an impact on how quickly paint dries on it.

Usually, the more textured paper is, the faster it'll absorb paint/water.
Also, thicker (heavier) papers tend to dry more slowly and more uniformly, which leads to less warping and buckling as you're painting.

Furthermore, paper made with cotton fibers is always going to lead to better results than cellulose and wood pulp paper, as cellulose and wood pulp absorb water differently.

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​5. Keep a water mister on hand 

Water misters can be very handy, as we can quickly spritz our paper and/or mixing palette as we're painting to keep them wet longer.

There is a learning curve to using one, however, as water has to be spritzed at the right time and a light/even mist is best (unless you're looking for lots of movement such as when you're creating an abstract painting or background).

Make sure that your water mister produces a fine mist and not huge water droplets. I use an old plastic fragrance bottle that I cleaned out.

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*Bonus tip:

Consider turning off fans or at least moving away from them during specific times in your painting process, especially when you're going for wet-on-wet effects or are painting large washes of color.

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By following these tips, you can overcome the challenges of painting with watercolors in warm, dry environments. Use these strategies and watch your watercolor paintings improve, even in the summer heat.

I hope you found these tips helpful.

For more in-depth tutorials and tips, check out my YouTube channel. I share new videos every week. 

​Happy painting!

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