Blending/grading #2

by Lorenz
(Germany)

This is probably re-inventing the wheel, but nevertheless... Here is another blending/grading method, good for 3D-effects. It needs some experience to do it precisely, but it is fast and has the advantage of very smooth results.

And it can be applied (even repeatedly) with wet or with dry colour. The idea is to wash some of the pigments out of the paper and drive them towards the side of the object which is to be darkest.

If the colour is dry, moisten it first. Fill your brush with clean water. Hold your wet brush with the tip directed to the side that is to be darkest. (See photo: direction of the red arrow.) Start on the side that is to be lightest. Then make many fast side-to-side movements of the brush (in the direction of the blue arrows) while you slowly move it from the light side to the dark side.

Click here to post comments.

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Watercolor Painting Tips
.

Your Community

Share Your Artwork
With The World!


The How To Draw & Paint Community Site

idrawandpaint.com is our new social network site just for self-taught artists.

  • Get friendly critiques of your work
  • Meet like-minded amateur artists
  • Chat on the forums
  • Improve your skills
  • Completely FREE!

Watch this quick video tour or...

Join up for FREE now


Watercolor Secrets

Coming soon...



What Visitors Say

Genuine, Unsolicited Support

Happened to find your friendly manner of presentation. That is a gift Bob. Through that gift, you can't help but touch people. Stay well.
Ron S.

Hi Robert, just want to say thank you so much for your emails, so much information and learning in them, and the videos are wonderful. Love your art and the art displayed on the links. Once again thanks, you have no idea of the enjoyment they bring.
Judy L.

I just wanted to say that I stumbled upon your acrylics tutorial on YouTube quite by accident and have fallen in love with it. I've been showing it to several friends who always ask me about art -- I'm an artist by profession -- and they all love it too. Thanks so very much. :) It is most appreciated.
Hushicho

Thanks for your wonderful tips :) They are very very helpful... I hope the best for you. Love a novice acrylic painter!
Hemani

I teach painting 1 day a week and regularly show my students one of your videos or pass on a tip from your tutorials.
Robin G.

I just recieved my first edition of Starting Art. My only response is... TERRIFIC! I never got got this much information while attending art school. I am very impressed. I will be sure to send your web site address a long to several of my artist friends. I can not say enough about your site, except... Beautiful! Great! Terrific!, Very well done. Thank you.
Howard K.

I just want to take a minute of your time and thank you for your free video instructions. Your personality is a wonderful and refreshing change. I have lots to learn but your instructions are by far the best!!!! I found my problems within the first 5 minutes--I over think the basic shape and complicate the entire painting. Sorry for rambling, I think your awesome and God Bless.
Theresa E.

Dear Bob, I love, love, love your site! Your paintings are beautiful, and your video lessons are so helpful. (I do watercolors.) I'm also a member on the peer-support boards.
Marian.

Awesome web site! Thank you for your contribution to the art world. I stumbled on your web site looking for info for someone here in South Africa to tell my mom in L.A to be referred back to me in S.A. Great info. Your tutorials are being used in a huge internatonal company here that my friend works at.
Jacqueline S.