 Wet-in-Wet watercolor techniques
Wet in wet includes any application of paint or water to an area of the painting that is already wet with either paint or water. In general, wet in wet is one of the most distinctive features of watercolor painting and the technique that produces a striking painterly effect.
The essential idea is to wet the entire sheet of paper, laid flat, until the surface no longer wicks up water but lets it sit on the surface, then to plunge in with a large brush saturated with paint. This is normally done to define the large areas of the painting with irregularly defined color, which is then sharpened and refined with more controlled painting as the paper (and preceding paint) dries.
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Wet in wet actually comprises a variety of specific painting effects, each produced through different procedures. Among the most common and characteristic.
Set-up and start:
Material used: Spray bottle of water, a clean sponge, Arches #140 CP watercolor paper, Grumbacher 1" flat red sable, and my trusty Kalish #8 Round Kolinsky Red Sable brush.
Colors used: various manufacture |
Even out the moisture:
Start by spraying your mounted paper with water to saturate the surface.m Using a clean damp sponge lightly smooth your paper and sponge off any excess water. Repeat until paper is evenly saturated, it with a dull satin finish. If your paper is shiny after soaking in the water, the paper is too wet. Wring out your clean sponge and smooth off excess water.
Wet-in-wet watercolor technique is at times frustrating, but always exciting. There is host of hypnotic possibilities as the paint spreads and mingles on your wet paper.
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