UNWANTED TEXTURE AND HOW TO AVOID IT

Sometimes texture in watercolours is unwanted. This is always very annoying, particularly when I can’t get rid of it. Unwanted texture can include the following problems:

1 Cauliflower blooms

Cauliflower blooms can be useful as part of a watercolour painting but will spoil a flat wash. They are caused by runbacks of wetter paint into drier areas of paint. If it’s important to make a flat and even wash, then take care to work over the area with the same batch of a mix of paint and paint the same wetness all over.

2 Cracks in paint

I have received questions about cracks appearing in watercolour paintings, where there seems no explanation. The only reason this occurs is because the watercolour paint has been mixed far too thickly, with far too much paint and not enough water. Your paint then resembles gouache rather than watercolour. Watercolour works best when it is the correct consistency. Thick watercolour will inevitably crack in time and ruin your painting.

3 Grease marks

I’m so disappointed when I have painted a successful watercolour sky only to find a few white areas where the paint hasn’t covered the paper. This is caused by grease marks on the watercolour paper where the paper has been handled carelessly. Remember, never put your fingers directly on the watercolour paper and always carry the paper by the edge, as even the slightest amount of grease on your fingertips will cause problems.

4 Specks of dirt and small marks

Small marks and specks of dirt can appear from nowhere. I have found that if I’m careless with my watercolour box or palette and haven’t kept them as clean as I should, unwanted marks can appear in a painting. Working outside is more difficult than in the studio as small insects can land on my watercolours and the wind can bring unwanted texture. Don’t let this put you off painting outside though. Being tidy and organised can help with outdoor hazards.