3 things to avoid dirty washes in watercolor

I’ve been working closely with students on their paintings. One of the things they struggle with, especially with the beginner paintings, is getting a nice wash that looks both clean and rich in color. So today, I want to give you 3 things to watch out for when painting a wash, and I’m going to show you the comparison between what I see students usually do and what I consider a better way to do a wash.
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[@patsullivan1545]

Feels like you have a hidden camera in my studio, watching me paint with too small a brush and too watery a mixture! Thank you, Eric, for this excellent video. It is a great lesson in using bigger brush, bigger puddle of paint, bigger shapes. Can’t wait for your brushes!

[@deerfoxraven2965]

Very helpful. And bigger brushes are more expensive so probably beginners usually paint with smaller brushes.

[@artisticallyofficial]

I cannot wait for your brushes! Watching you paint with the smaller brush frustrated me so much lol.

[@DDartlover8888]

I like the “good” and “bad” comparison!

[@andiedonahue9400]

Thank you Eric, for demystifying the wash process! I was struggling with this! You ROCK!

[@monica-NJ-123]

Thank you Eric , I really needed to hear this , I’m so guilty of doing all the wrong things lol , great lesson thank you 😊

[@InspireHealthSystem]

Fantastic lesson, thank you for sharing your wisdom! 😊❤

[@hainingjin4133]

nice advices to solve my problems, thank you eric.

[@helenmccormick1982]

I appreciate your lesson using larger brush for washes of large areas... I learned the hard way over the years. Thank you for sharing 🎨

[@raulugalde1333]

Thanks maestro! Normally don't write comments but happy to follow a few months ago and learning with your excellent tutorials. Gracias!!!...🐗❤🎨🔥

[@sabinakhan9909]

Thank you Eric.

[@margaretsharpe148]

Thanks!

[@DayByeDayChristine]

Thank you for the invaluable knowledge 🙏

[@stopthatluca]

Thanks Eric.

[@dandfawesome3611]

Very helpful, thank you for posting

[@lzal9204]

Oooohhhh looking forward to the brushes!

[@Cafewatercolor]

me too! :)

[@ArtistYellow]

Excellent video! I learned much from the virtual class

[@asphotography6443]

Great Tank you Erick

[@natlisan]

Great video Eric! A trick I use when painting a large wash is to completely saturate my paper several times with just clean water allowing the paper to absorb the water each time, after the water is absorbed I'll go in with my paint. It allows for much longer working time without me having to worry about my wash drying on me.

[@redge9158]

Newbie here - does saturating the paper several times not alter the sizing on the paper?

[@natlisan]

@@redge9158 I haven't had any issues so far! I use cold water and a very soft wash brush, so I'm not scrubbing the surface too much. Your result can also depend on the paper you use! I use a 100% cotton paper that can take a fair bit of abuse, such as Arches & Saunders Waterford.

[@redge9158]

@@natlisan thank you :-)

[@natlisan]

@@redge9158 You're welcome!☺️

[@ganesanganesan-ub2sg]

Thank you so much sir 🙏

[@kateflowersart]

Love how I would be happy for my painting to turn out like your "bad" one. 😂 Your brushes are enticing.

[@barbaralee915]

Great explanation. Helps to know why.

[@andiedonahue9400]

Eric, thank you for demystifying the wash for me. I was struggling with this! You ROCK!

[@wynnelee1810]

i first found your video on fog, got hooked, working my way thru your others. Tried to join your patreon but you arent taking new subscribers. Too bad but i'm sure Patreon takes a lot of time to do well. Better spend your time and energy on occasional youtubes - and your own painting! You have my sincere thanks for your painting and teaching skills.

[@Cafewatercolor]

Thank you! The membership is paused for December due to holiday, I will open it up again in January. 😊

[@esthers5876]

Great video! It helps to see the comparison side by side. Thank you! Hope you have a wonderful summer!

[@margaretsharpe148]

It’s so easy to get caught up in small details with a brush that’s too small! Before you know it, the painting is ruined!

[@ПавелЕгоров-е3я]

Я люблю Ваши ролики, все что можно смотрю, обучаюсь у Вас

[@ruthdallas6125]

Thanks Eric, one question I have is if you are trying to paint fast why paint the whole field a light green and then cover it all up with a dark green.

[@Cafewatercolor]

Ideally, I do it once and it'll be the right value. But I'm not always able to do that so I might need a second wash over it. Also, sometimes you do want a bit more value varieties.

[@sandradonofrio413]

Good sale video.

[@MichaelHattem]

Is that a 1/2 inch oval mop?

[@rishabhmayank]

I'm in the value stage of my exercise and it's annoying how i can't focus on what you're saying Vs the value shift after the nose ( p.s. Makes sense if you're Indian) 😂😂 Sorry

[@rishabhmayank]

Is it normal to not agree with one's heroes??