In today's lesson, we're diving into creating textures and preserving whites and lights in watercolor. Now, textures in watercolor might sound kind of technical, but honestly, it’s all about adding that little something that gives your artwork depth, dimension, and even a touch of magic.So let’s start by understanding what textures actually mean when it comes to painting. In simple terms, texture is how a surface looks or feels. In the real world, you can touch something to feel its texture – like the smoothness of glass or the roughness of tree bark. But in paintings, we recreate that sensation by using techniques to trick the eye into “feeling” the surface.Now, how do we create textures in watercolor? This is where the fun starts. Watercolor is such a playful medium because it lets the very things we usually control – like water and pigment – do their own thing. You can use a technique called dry brushing, which is just gently pulling a barely damp, pigment-coated brush across dry paper. It creates these light, scratchy marks that feel so alive, almost like the veins on a leaf or the fibers in an old piece of fabric.Another technique I love is salt. Yes, I mean the regular, good old salt from your kitchen. While your paint is still wet, sprinkle a bit of salt over the area you want to texture. As the paint dries, the salt crystals soak up some of the pigment and create these beautiful, starburst-like patterns. It’s almost magic – you’ve got to try it to believe it.Now let’s talk about tools. So, beyond your brushes, if you’re feeling experimental, you can use items like sponges, tissue paper, or even plastic wrap to create textures. Sponges give you these organic, irregular patterns that are perfect for things like foliage or clouds. Plastic wrap is a bit bolder – you layer it down over wet paint and then scrunch it up a little before letting it dry. When you lift it, you’ll see sharp, fragmented lines like cracked ice or jagged rocks. And let’s not forget tissue paper – amazing for lifting pigment and creating soft, dreamy textures that feel almost like whispers on the paper.Finally, let’s tackle whites. In watercolor, we've got transparent and opaque whites, and knowing which to use can change the vibe of your piece entirely. Transparent whites are a little tricky – technically, in watercolor tradition, the paper itself is the white. So, instead of using white paint, avoid painting over areas of your composition where you want the white of the paper to show through.For transparent light pastels, water down your paint to make it sheer and let the brightness of the paper peek through. This technique is ideal when you want soft highlights that look like light spilling onto a surface.Opaque whites, on the other hand, involve pigments like gouache or Chinese white. You can layer them over a darker base when you need stronger, more defined whites, like the gleam of light on a glass jar or the sparkling crest of a wave. They’ve got a more solid presence and can really stand out when used sparingly.So, textures and whites are all about experimenting and letting yourself play with the medium. There’s no right or wrong here – it’s really about what speaks to you and how you want to bring your vision to life on paper. Try some of these techniques out, mix tools, maybe improvise with something unusual you find at home. Remember, in creativity, there’s freedom.And that’s all for today’s lesson. I hope you’re feeling inspired to add some vibrant textures and luminous whites to your next project. As always, keep painting, stay curious, and embrace the joy that comes with every brushstroke. Until next time, take care, and happy painting. For more details about this lesson, see the description.

Episodes

Introduction to Watercolor Textures and Whites