COMMON PROBLEMS

There are numerous problems that can happen in a watercolour wash. I have listed them all separately here and explained why they may have happened. Sometimes several problems can occur in one wash.

Lines throughout the wash

This happens when you have pressed too hard with the brush. When applying a wash, you must work with a light touch and keep the brush full of paint.

White areas where the paint hasn’t taken

Invariably this is for one of two reasons: firstly, because there is a greasy finger mark on the paper that acts as a resist so the paint won’t settle there. Secondly, this happens when you paint so quickly that you don’t notice that you missed small areas.

Marks in the wash

This can happen when there are small bits or dirt in the palette or on your brush.

An uneven wash

Each time you reload your brush, try to ensure that you take the same tone of colour from your palette. Pigments will separate from the water and settle in the bottom of the well in the palette. If you can remember to, quickly stir the paint before you apply it. This will help the problem. An uneven wash can also happen because you aren’t keeping a consistent pressure as you apply the paint. Running out of paint halfway down the wash will also give you an uneven result as it’s impossible to mix more paint of the correct tone and carry on without it looking uneven.

A wash that is too dark

Test the tone of your paint before you begin the real thing. You will only see the colour it will be once it is touch dry.

A wash that is too light

As with a wash that is too dark, test before you begin. Remember that watercolour can dry up to 50-per-cent lighter than it appears when it’s wet.

Blooms and run backs in a wash Blooms occur in a wash when either you have been working too wet in some areas of the wash or you have allowed paint to run back from the edge of the board into your wash. When you have finished a wash carefully mop up any excess paint from the edges with some kitchen towels.