How To use Watercolor

5 Essential Concepts to Master Watercolor

• Do Not Use White to Lighten or Black to Darken [00:00:34]:
  • Watercolor is a transparent medium, and we work from light to dark [00:00:42].
  • Adding white takes away the watercolor's essential transparency [00:01:17].
  • The correct solution to lighten any color is to add more water [00:01:39].
  • The correct solution to darken any color is to add less water and use more straight pigment (higher consistency) [00:02:37].


• Water Control is the Most Important Concept [00:03:06]:
  • Water control is key because it determines the value (lightness or darkness) of a color [00:04:47].
  • Think of consistency from "Tea to Butter" [00:03:21]:
    • Tea/Coffee: Lots of water, very little pigment (for first light layers) [00:03:29].
    • Milk/Cream: More pigment added to the mix (for middle values) [00:03:56].
    • Butter: Very little water, very dry brush with lots of paint (for the darkest details) [00:04:26].
  • Since you cannot bring the lightness back in watercolors, you must start with the lightest possible color (Tea/Coffee) and build up to dark [00:06:14].


• Paper is Everything [00:08:04]:
  • The quality of the paper (more than brushes or paint) is the most important factor in your materials [00:08:21].
  • High-quality 100% cotton paper (like Arches 140 lb cold press) allows the watercolor to move and blend effortlessly [00:08:52].
  • Practice on good paper to improve your skills faster and prevent frustration [00:09:29].


• Don't Be Afraid of the Ugly Stages [00:10:23]:
  • Watercolor requires patience because you must build up from light to dark layers to achieve contrast, texture, and depth [00:11:16].
  • The first light washes will look awkward and flat, but you must trust the process and continue layering the shadows and colors [00:12:09].


• Understand Color Theory [00:12:14]:
  • Color theory is crucial for making your paintings aesthetically pleasing [00:12:37].
  • Use complimentary colors (colors across the color wheel from each other) to create natural-looking shadows [00:12:50].
  • Adding a color's compliment to it (e.g., green to red) creates a beautiful muted, dark shade that is much more cohesive and natural for shadows than using black or blue [00:13:47].

Video Credit: 5 things I wish I knew before I started watercolor by Kristin Van Leuven, published on January 4, 2025.