How to Blend Watercolor Paint Wet on Dry, by The Mind of Watercolor on YouTube. 14 min 28 s.
- Video length
- 14 min 28 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Start with a sheet of 140 lb cold press watercolor paper lying flat and completely dry. Wet-on-dry blending only works when the paper has no standing water.
Mix two puddles of paint on your palette, one for each color. Use a size 10 round brush and add enough water so each puddle flows but is not watery.
Load the brush with the first color and paint a short stroke on the dry paper. Keep the stroke small so you can blend before it dries.
Rinse the brush in clean water and load the second color. Touch the brush to the edge of the first stroke while it is still damp.
Let the two wet edges meet. Tilt the paper slightly or use the brush tip to pull the second color into the first in one light stroke.
Use a clean, damp brush to soften any hard seam. Wipe the brush on a paper towel first so you do not flood the paper.
Stop touching the area once the blend looks even. Let it dry flat before adding another layer.
Tips and common mistakes
Work one small area at a time because watercolor dries fast on dry paper.
If the edge dries before you add the second color, rewet only that edge with a damp brush.
Avoid scrubbing the paper with a wet brush; it lifts fibers and makes muddy patches.
Test your two-color blend on a scrap sheet before painting the final piece.
Questions
Why do my colors turn muddy when I blend?
You may be mixing complementary colors or using a dirty brush. Rinse the brush and change the water between colors.
Can I blend watercolor wet on dry after the first stroke dries?
No, a dry edge will not blend smoothly. Rewet the edge lightly with clean water or paint a fresh stroke.
What paper works best for this technique?
140 lb cold press paper gives the paint time to move and holds up to light blending.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
