How to swatch watercolor paints #watercolor #swatching paint, by Andrea Nelson Art on YouTube. 3 min 5 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 5 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Unwrap the set and peel the protective foil or wrapper off each pan. Keep the pans in the tray in the same order as the box so you can find colors later.
Cut a piece of watercolor paper and draw a grid of small squares, one square per color. Write the color name or number under each square.
Dip your brush in clean water and place a drop on the first pan. Let it sit for a few seconds so the paint softens.
Load the brush with that paint and fill one square with a thin, light wash. This shows you the color at its palest.
Pick up more paint and add a small, strong dab of the same color beside the wash. Now you can see the full strength of the pan.
Rinse the brush in the water jar and blot it on the paper towel before you move to the next color. A dirty brush muddies the pan.
Write a short note on the chart for each color, such as transparent, opaque, granulating or staining.
Let the sheet dry completely, then compare the colors side by side. Keep the chart in the lid of your paint set for quick reference.
Tips and common mistakes
Always paint both a light wash and a strong dab, because one swatch alone hides how the color builds.
Swatch on the same paper you plan to paint on, since paper texture and color change how the paint looks.
Label the squares before you paint so the names stay readable and you do not mix up similar colors.
Do not skip rinsing between colors, as leftover pigment turns your next swatch muddy.
Questions
Do I need to swatch every new paint set?
It is worth doing once per set. The chart saves you guessing later and helps you spot colors that look the same in the pan but differ on paper.
How much water should I use on the pan?
Start with one drop and let it soak in for a few seconds. Add more only if the paint still feels hard and dry.
Should I swatch mixed colors too?
Yes, if you often blend two colors. Paint a small strip of the mix next to your single-color swatches and note the two colors you used.
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.
