Washes AND GLAZES

Art Academy’s ROB PEPPER introduces an in-depth guide to incorporating various techniques into your next masterpiece. Artwork by STAN MILLER, CHRIS ROBINSON and MICHELE ILLING

- ROB PEPPER

A watercolour wash is a thin application of pigment mixed with water; there are many types, each with unique effects. A glaze is when a wash is placed over existing dried washes to strengthen colour and tone.

The transparency created by layering and mixing colours is unique to watercolour painting and, with a bit of practice, can produce beautiful results. Both washes and glazes require the same three ingredients: water, pigment, and paper.

The strength of a wash will vary depending on the proportion of water to pigment. For example, for rich colour you would add more pigment, or to achieve delicate colour, more water is added to produce a weaker mix. Glazes, on the other hand, are always weak and transparent, as their purpose is to alter subtly the colour or tone of layers that they are applied to. The thinness of a glaze will affect the way it dries and the effect this produces.

Washes can be applied to dry, damp, or wet paper – this will affect the outcome, as will the paper’s texture, weight, and sizing. The smoother the surface, the better it will show detail, while a rougher surface allows for more characterful washes and looser detail. The paper’s absorbency also affects the result. Heavier, more absorbent paper produces softer effects than lighter paper, which dries more quickly.

You can also control the effect of your wash by tilting the paper after applying a layer of colour. Rough paper often causes the pigment in the wash to granulate (form into particles); smoother surfaces tend to allow the paint to run freely in all directions when tilted, so control is needed.

MULTILAYERING WASHES