Wet On Wet Watercolor Hummingbird
If you've been around the world of watercolor for a little bit you've probably already know of the term "wet on wet".
And if you haven't, that's ok! It's one of the basic watercolor techniques that in simplest terms means applying paint onto wet paper (as opposed to dry paper).
When I first started exploring watercolors "wet on wet" was what drew me to the medium. It felt like magic but also like a mess.
There's a certain lack of control that is intimidating yet beautiful at the same time. It's just one of the qualities of watercolors that keeps me wanting to explore it.
After I started exploring watercolors, I happened upon a class where the instructor was teaching how to paint using a method I had never tried before: wetting both sides of the paper and then painting wet on wet.
I had never tried this before and it felt crazy to use that much water. But I dove in and gave it a try.
It was a disaster.
I mean, are you surprised? I wasn't!
A completely soaked paper so wet that it can 'suction' itself to the working surface. To which when you add any color, will immediately send it running in all directions like a soft firework.
I swore off painting using that approach until now. It's been more than a year.
I recently saw this method used in a few different paintings and the results were so beautiful that I was inspired to give it another try.
The first time I tried this method, the painting size was much bigger. I decided to go small so I could have a bit more control.
4"x4" to be exact. The subject is small too: a hummingbird.
I think keeping things small and more manageable definitely helped me with this approach. I would say this experience felt less 'crazy'. Perhaps because I have more experience under my belt now?
If you'd like to follow the painting process of this hummingbird, I posted the time-lapse video on YouTube:
If you've never tried this very wet-on-wet method before, I encourage you to give it a go. It's different, it's a little difficult, but you might find some qualities about it that you really enjoy and can carry on to other paintings.
I hope this video is helpful and/or inspiring!
SUPPLIES USED IN THIS VIDEO
Arches Cold Press Sheet 140lb (4"x4")
Acrylic Sheet 8x10 (I got mine at Lowes - Brand: Optix)
Princeton Neptune Mottler Brush (mine is 1-1/2)
Princeton Neptune Round Size 10
Hairdryer
SUPPLIES USED IN THIS VIDEO
As always, thank you for reading,
Susan
