Washes & Wells

Washes & Techniques

This is the heart of watercolor. Here you'll learn the moves every painting is built from: a smooth flat wash, a graded wash that fades light to dark, wet-on-wet blends that bloom softly, crisp wet-on-dry shapes, building depth with thin glazes, lifting color back out for highlights, dry-brush texture, and gentle splatter — along with the most useful skill of all, reading when the paper is wet, damp, or dry.

Washes & Techniques

4 guides

Washes & Techniques

Wet-on-Dry Watercolor: Crisp Edges and Clean Shapes

Learn the wet on dry watercolor technique to paint crisp edges and clean shapes, with step-by-step guidance for absolute beginners.

August 10, 2026

Washes & Techniques

Wet-on-Wet Watercolor: Soft Blends for Beginners

Learn wet on wet watercolor with this beginner-friendly step-by-step guide to creating dreamy soft blends, skies, and feathered edges.

July 27, 2026

Washes & Techniques

How to Paint a Smooth Graded Wash

Learn how to paint a graded wash in watercolor with this step-by-step guide for beginners. Get smooth gradients every time.

July 13, 2026

Washes & Techniques

How to Paint a Flat Wash in Watercolor, Step by Step

Learn how to paint a flat wash in watercolor with this beginner-friendly step-by-step guide to even color, the right mix, and a tilted board.

June 29, 2026

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