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Lesson

Wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry, explained

Soft edges, sharp edges and the short moment in between that matters most.

With Hana Sato 4 min lesson Members
Wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry, explained

Every watercolour painting is a conversation between water and paper. How wet the paper is when the paint touches it decides everything: whether an edge is soft or sharp, whether colours blend or stay apart. This lesson explains the two basic approaches, wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry, and the few moments in between that matter most.

Paint dropped into wet paper spreads on its own.
Paint dropped into wet paper spreads on its own.

Wet-on-wet

Wet-on-wet means painting on paper that is already wet. The paint spreads, softens and blends by itself. It is ideal for skies, water, soft backgrounds and anything out of focus.

  1. Brush clean water over the area with your flat brush.
  2. Wait until the paper looks evenly damp, without puddles.
  3. Touch a loaded round brush to the paper and let the colour spread.
  4. Drop in a second colour and let them mix on the paper.

The hardest part is doing less. The paint will keep moving for a while after you lift the brush, and most beginners fiddle with it and create muddy colour. Drop the colour in, then step back.