What you’ll practice
Even gradients, soft merges, and charging a second color without blooms by reading paper wetness.
Paper & brushes
- 100% cotton cold press (140 lb / 300 gsm) preferred.
- Round #8–12, flat 1″ wash brush; two water jars; tissue.
Methods
- Graded wash: Tilt board; reload with cleaner water as you move.
- Wet-into-wet: Paint into a damp sheen, not puddles.
- Charge color: Touch in a second color at bead; let it travel.
- Lift: Damp, clean brush; dab to pick up highlights.
Step-by-step
1
Prep paper
Tape edges and tilt board slightly to manage the bead.
2
Flat → graded wash
Lay a flat band, then dilute each pass for a smooth gradient.
3
Wet-into-wet merge
Paint into damp sheen; avoid puddles to prevent blooms.
4
Charge second color
Touch at the bead; don’t brush it around—let capillary action work.
5
Lift highlight
Use a damp, clean brush; dab/roll to pick pigment without tearing paper.
Tips
- Work larger than you think; small areas dry too fast.
- Keep a clean bead; chase it down the page in one go.
- Let layers dry fully before glazing another pass.
Troubleshooting
- Backruns/blooms: Added wetter paint onto drier wash—re-wet entire shape.
- Streaky gradients: Brush too dry—reload and overlap strokes slightly.
- Paper pills: Overworking—lift gently and let it dry, then glaze.