What Are Watercolor Techniques?

In this post, I will define what are watercolor techniques and provide a list of techniques with brief descriptions for each.

Definition of a Watercolor Technique

A technique is defined as a way of carrying out a particular task, especially the execution or performance of an artistic work or a scientific procedure; a skillful or efficient way of doing or achieving something.

So, a watercolor technique is a method, procedure, or process to achieve a particular desired effect when painting in watercolor. Mastering watercolor techniques gives the artist the ability to control the application of watercolors to the painting surface.

By practicing watercolor techniques, you will acquire the know-how and skills to paint flat and three-dimensional shapes and textures, depict light and shadow, use colors, and reserve white space in your composition.

Why Watercolor Techniques Matter for Beginners and Hobbyists

Watercolor is often described as both simple and challenging. While the materials themselves are straightforward, watercolor behaves differently than most other painting mediums. Because watercolor is transparent and fluid, techniques play a critical role in controlling how paint and water interact on paper.

For students and hobbyists, learning watercolor techniques provides:

• Greater confidence when approaching a blank page
• Better control over washes, edges, and color transitions
• Fewer unexpected blooms, streaks, or muddy colors
• A stronger foundation for developing personal style over time

Rather than relying on trial and error alone, understanding techniques allows you to paint with intention.

A Brief History of Watercolor Techniques

Many watercolor techniques developed out of necessity rather than experimentation. Early watercolor artists—such as botanical illustrators, mapmakers, and landscape painters—needed reliable methods for applying transparent color accurately and efficiently.

Flat washes, graded washes, glazing, and careful preservation of white space were essential because watercolor corrections were limited. Over time, artists began to explore expressive possibilities, leading to techniques like drybrush, spattering, and granulation becoming valued for their texture and spontaneity.

Understanding this history helps students see watercolor techniques not as decorative effects, but as practical tools refined over centuries.

Wash Techniques in Watercolor Painting

• Flat Wash Technique – creates a continuous flat color without showing evidence of brushstrokes
• Graded Wash Technique – creates a gentle, graduated dark-to-light effect using one color
• Variegated Wash Technique – creates a gentle graduated blending effect using two or more colors

Wash techniques are the basic methods used for watercolor painting and are the primary skills learned and practiced by the beginner in watercolor.

Wet and Dry Watercolor Techniques

• Wet-On-Wet Technique – water is applied to the paper first before painting watercolors on it
• Wet-On-Dry Technique – painting watercolors on dry paper (without prewetting the paper)

Wet and dry techniques are used for laying washes and creating textural effects.

Understanding Paper Moisture and Timing in Watercolor

Timing is one of the most important—and most overlooked—aspects of watercolor techniques. The moisture level of the paper dramatically affects how paint behaves.

In general, watercolor paper moves through several stages:

• Shiny wet
• Damp
• Moist
• Dry

Wet-on-wet techniques work best when the paper is shiny or damp, while lifting techniques are most effective when paint is moist but not fully dry. Hard and soft edges are also controlled by timing rather than brush pressure alone.

Learning to recognize these moisture stages helps students predict results instead of reacting to surprises.

Preserving White Space in Watercolor

• Planning and saving white space – determining, before starting a painting, where to leave white space in the composition and avoiding applying watercolor to those saved white spaces
• Resist Technique – applying waterproof materials such as masking fluid or Frisket, masking film, and masking tape to the paper surface before painting to preserve white space

Preserving white space is essential for painting in watercolor because, unlike painting in oils, white watercolor paint is not normally used. Instead, the white of the paper serves the purpose of the white areas needed in a watercolor composition.

Applying Watercolor Paint Using Traditional Techniques

• Glazing Technique – layer of transparent or semi-transparent watercolor paint applied to a wet surface, then left to dry before adding the next layer of transparent or semi-transparent watercolor paint over the previous layer
• Layering Technique – glazing layers to build depth and three-dimensional form
• Light to Dark Technique – light watercolor applied first, then left to dry before adding darker watercolors in succession
• Hard and Soft Edges Technique – blending a sharp edge into a blurred edge to make it appear to fade softly into the distance for perspective and three-dimensional form

These techniques for applying watercolors to paper are the basic methods for painting in watercolor.

How Materials Affect Watercolor Techniques

Watercolor techniques do not exist in isolation—they are influenced by the materials you use. Results can vary significantly depending on:

• Paper surface (hot press, cold press, or rough)
• Pigment properties (staining, granulating, transparent, or opaque)
• Water control (amount, brush load, and absorption rate)

For example, granulation techniques rely on pigments with heavier particles, while drybrush effects depend heavily on paper texture. Understanding these relationships helps students troubleshoot issues and make informed material choices.

Creating Textural Effects in Watercolor

• Drybrush Technique – painting with an almost dry brush with only paint loaded onto it
• Granulation Technique – painting with watercolor paints that have grainy pigment particles
• Lifting Technique – applying absorbent paper to a damp painted area to lift the watercolor
• Salt Technique – applying salt to a damp painted area that is then left to dry before rubbing off the salt
• Sgraffito Technique – applying a knife’s edge to a painted area to scratch out the watercolor
• Spattering Technique – flicking paint off of a brush to create random spatters of watercolor

Textural effects are elements that are added to a watercolor composition to give it detail and depth.

Technique vs. Style in Watercolor Painting

A common misconception among beginners is confusing technique with style. Techniques describe how paint is applied, while style reflects how an artist consistently uses techniques together.

Two artists may use the same watercolor techniques—such as wet-on-wet, glazing, and drybrush—yet produce entirely different results. Style develops gradually as artists gain confidence and make intentional choices based on their preferences.

For students and hobbyists, focusing on technique first provides a strong foundation for personal expression later.

A Suggested Learning Progression for Watercolor Techniques

To avoid overwhelm, it can be helpful to approach watercolor techniques in stages:

• Beginner techniques: Flat washes, graded washes, wet-on-dry, light to dark
• Intermediate techniques: Wet-on-wet, glazing, lifting, soft edges
• Advanced or expressive techniques: Granulation control, sgraffito, spattering, masking combinations

Practicing techniques in this order allows skills to build naturally.

Common Misconceptions About Watercolor Techniques

• Watercolor techniques are not tricks; they are repeatable skills
• More water does not always mean smoother blends
• Many mistakes are caused by timing issues, not pigment choice
• Preserving white space requires planning, not just masking fluid

Understanding these misconceptions helps students approach watercolor with patience and confidence.

How Mastering Watercolor Techniques Improves Creative Freedom

Watercolor techniques are tools, not rules. As students and hobbyists gain experience, techniques become second nature, allowing greater freedom and spontaneity in painting.

When techniques are well understood, artists can choose when to maintain control and when to allow watercolor to flow naturally. Mastery makes experimentation more enjoyable and less intimidating.