7 Ways to Avoid Muddy Colours when Watercolour Painting

Here are 7 things every beginner watercolour painter needs to know about how to avoid making muddy colours.
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✍🏻 Blog Post: 9 Tips to Avoid Muddy Colours: www.louisedemasi.com/tips/2023/5/11/9-tips-to-avoid-muddy-colours
🎥 Colour Temperature Video mentioned: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3SrYZyKoK2trtk
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⏱ TIME STAMPS
0:00 Introduction
0:10 What are muddy colours?
0:37 Don't mix too many pigments together
1:20 The importance of colour temperature
3:31 Don't overmix colours
4:00 Complementary colours
5:00 Opaque colours
6:35 Keep your palette clean and use large water containers
7:47 Make sure previous layers are dry
8:54 Outro
9:13 Bloopers
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[@susanavenir]

My best technique has been convincing people that neutralized colors are the most artistically desirable, especially if they appear to be randomly distributed, and that I am exquisitely skilled at creating them, a process that requires a lot of muttered swearing and the occasional weeping.

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Yes great advice Susana. Mixing and using semi-neutral colours is something that took me a long time to learn and it's so important. Thank you! Swearing and weeping here too! 😂

[@VanmeterFL]

Instead of "swearing like a sailor" they should have said "swearing like a watercolor artist"! 🤣

[@dianedean9116]

I have a palette devoted to all cool colors and another devoted to all warm-it’s great for helping to avoid mud. I loved this video-good reminders. Bring self taught I can’t believe how long it took me to realize how important it was to let each layer dry thoroughly before proceeding. I ruined so many pieces by trying to save it with new colors when the previous washes hadn’t dried completely. I’m a testament to everything you taught here. Lol

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Great idea about the temperature palettes Diane. Thank you!

[@jscook54]

Your bloopers are just the sweetest! Love your personality along with your art.

[@chordata1]

Bloopers are my fav part 😂

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thank you JS. 🥰

[@MissAdoptaCat]

I’ve been watching your videos for a while now and am always amazed how much I learn from you in a manner I can understand and use. I quite often go back to your videos if I need help. Your videos are my watercolor bible.

[@LouiseDeMasi]

I'm really happy to hear that! Thank you very much.

[@Saahrish]

Using a big brush is something I never considered important but now how see how fussing too much over an area could be avoided by using a big brush. Thank you for this tip. Now I understand why all professional artists always use bigger brushes rather than smaller ones. Thank you so much for all these tips. Ps: I wait for the bloopers in the end. Thank you for bring a smile on our faces ❤❤

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Lol- a pleasure 😆.Thank you Saahrish. I have heard many watercolour masters say, 'Use large brushes.' I heed their advice now because it's important. ❤️

[@anermila6325]

I know this is not painting related but gotta say this blue blouse on you made you glow! (And of course I’ve learnt great tips from all your previous sharing)

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Oh thank you very much!

[@RadishTheFool]

You explain and demonstrate all these points so well. Thank you very much. I feel you got all the big ones, but another tip I'd like to share is to be careful with graphite. It's water-soluble, so pencil sketches can get reactivated when painting, mudying up the colours. To counter this, one option is to lift most of the graphite delicately with a kneaded eraser so that only a faint outline remains (being careful not to damage the paper and/or the sizing). A second option is to draw with a coloured pencil instead. Some artists prefer erasable coloured pencils (like col-erase). Others prefer drawing in watercolour pencil, which is of course also water-soluble, but you can pick a colour that complements your paint choices. Finally, a third option is to ink the pencil sketch, and (again carefully) erase the graphite before starting painting.

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Great tips. Thanks so much! ❤️

[@SDMoore_LighthouseArtsStudio]

I just found your videos and I cannot stop watching them. I have learned so much, but having the knowledge doesn't always translate immediately to success. I tried the grapes with colors I had. Then I purchased the colors you used. Took several efforts before I was happy with my grapes. I have been painting off and on for three years and also just watched your video on mistakes and it so hit home. I am a perfectionist and think every painting should be a masterpiece. Then I get discouraged and quit for a while. Your message has inspired me to keep painting as I think I have some talent and resign myself to 25% or more failures. Thanks so much for your videos!!!

[@patti3d]

I definitely have to remind myself to not overwork a piece. I will work with larger brushes to eliminate that problem and to remember to wait till an area is dry before adding more color. Patience Patti! My mantra! 😂 Thank you Louise for sharing your skills. You are amazing at the way you word things so it’s understandable. Awesome teaching!

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thanks Patti! I love your mantra. I'm still reminding myself about not overworking 12 years on. 😆

[@patti3d]

@@LouiseDeMasi 🥰

[@bluewren65]

I have no patience. My hairdryer is always at the ready.

[@dizzylizzy7582]

The information about the square to indicate opacity is so helpful! I had no idea that was what that meant and I've been going to my phone to look at the brand's sites to find out whether paints are transparent or opaque.

[@twinningtwins4721]

Love the way you teach. I'm never bored when watching your videos.

[@LouiseDeMasi]

That's wonderful to know. Thank you!

[@johannahuisman5546]

Really enjoy your way of explaining. Thank you.

[@karendirmish2696]

You always teach me something I need to know! I agree with being careful not to Muddy my painting, and will keep this video when I need to be reminded. Use of multiple water containers is a Big Tip. You always make me feel like I’ve just attended a master class! Thank you , Karen Dirmish always learning!

[@LouiseDeMasi]

What a lovely message. Thanks so much Karen. ❤️

[@grahamnash9794]

When I was little my dearly missed Grandad tought me to avoid mud, "Don't tread in that my boy" he's say... All joking aside, thank you Louise. It's the basics I very often over look, and need a timely reminder of.

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thanks Graham! Thanks for stopping by.

[@p.e.zaccardo5578]

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!! I am learning so so so much.

[@debh4190]

Really helpful, thanks! And I STILL love the outtakes! :)

[@grandmabarby]

Your advice is always spot on! I so enjoy your wisdom and your beautiful ability to share and paint. Oh and is stated below....your bloopers! Cheers!

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thanks very much grandmabarby! 🥰

[@leannnewton1]

All good tips!

[@dijosephine9556]

Thank you Louise that is all soo helpful. 👍

[@maryldoty2400]

Thanks for the good direction.

[@LouiseDeMasi]

You bet. Thank you.

[@lindenjenesse5078]

Numbers three and seven are my downfalls! Thank you for this!!

[@LouiseDeMasi]

A pleasure. Thank you.

[@lisadoxey7563]

This was very useful!!! Thank you!!!

[@bluewren65]

The fishy counting song was my favourite as a 3 year old 😭😭😭. Great advice, and not bad singing either 😂

[@977400Dana]

As always, such a helpful video. I know I struggle with fussing with my paintings and have finally learned to make sure the layer is DRY before I start painting over it. Thank you!!

[@kathysampson826]

Great video!Thank you!

[@katemccarthy2463]

Excellent video, I am learning a lot from you

[@rinavogels4262]

Thank you so much for all the useful tips and the lovely bloopers. I always watch till the end for being sure not to mis them 💛

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Lol- thank you! 💙

[@anam3864]

Thank you so much ❤ the video is very useful for me. I am a very beginner so to make a good habits will help in the future

[@itsdaksha]

Wow, thanks for the great tips ❤❤

[@juliearanha8679]

Very useful tips and as always you explain it all so beautifully. Thank you for sharing ❤😊

[@missrebeccadance]

Wonderful advice, Louise! Thanks for the tips. ❤

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Glad it was helpful. Thank you Rebecca.

[@NATUREDRAWINGS]

Wow, awesome video! Very useful and interesting information presented. Beautifully explained technique. Thanks

[@LollyWildharber]

Such helpful information! Thank you so much! I love your paintings!

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thank you very much Lolly!

[@donnaeiler3179]

I didn’t know a lot of this!

[@VanmeterFL]

This is a wonderful video, Louise. All of your videos are awesome and chock full of great information. I took a watercolor course from Jane Blundell that taught me a great deal about mixing. My favorite instructors are from Australia! I've learned which colors play well together and why, mixing, mixing, and more mixing from a multitude of triads. That course taught me that a limited palette of single-pigment colors is essential, too. Though fun to play with, my hoard of watercolor paints is rarely used these days unless I need a convenience color that I can mix from the triad I'm using to retain color harmony, but I'll need a large supply of. OR if I'm painting an unusual landscape, like Sedona or Australia,. 😜 Knowing which way the bias leans and why that information is important when mixing was also a huge help. My 24-color palette includes the Ultimate Mixing Palette (15 colors) and those colors you use most often on your palette, like Lemon Yellow. My 2 favorite Aussie watercolor palettes combined. Thanks again for a great video.

[@suzannemarieclinton1635]

Really helpful. You are a fabulous teacher and artist.

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thanks so much Suzanne.

[@yvonnebauer9612]

I always overwork my colours and really should be more patient and let the layer below dry. I also need to work on which are cool and warm colours. Thank you so much for your instruction. I love how light and vibrant your paintings look

[@amandastratton8242]

Thank you Louise for some great information, the colour mixing has helped me greatly. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us x I learn such a lot from you x

[@LouiseDeMasi]

I'm so glad Amanda. Thank you.

[@EliseD.A.]

❤❤Thank you, love your videos!😊

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thank you Elise. ❤️

[@fuzzydragons]

thats a BIG bucket of water! lol I would spill that in a minute 😝

[@basrahg.250]

Thank you🙌🙌🙌

[@LouiseDeMasi]

You're welcome 😊.

[@louisebatby5758]

Super!

[@MsMoniqueWilson]

Great tips! I need to spend more time on colour temperatures.

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thanks Monique. Knowing what you are doing wrong is always half the battle. Once you know that you can fix it. ❤️

[@radiantnavin8033]

That's so true Louise , The other day I was painting a red lily with a light green center that went downhill... the center of the flower got muddied and looked dull (because of the brown) and the freshness of the entire flower was lost. All the other points you mentioned were totally valid, overworking the paint also causes a muddied effect.

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thank you Navin. Did you have to start a new painting?

[@radiantnavin8033]

@@LouiseDeMasi well ., I used that as my study page, combined other few paintings around and I made some annotations here and there. It reminds me at times not to repeat the same mistake.

[@evrwonderwhy]

Great idea @radiantnavin8033! Like having a debrief after a meeting!

[@teresac6166]

I can sure see the value of a limited palette. Otherwise it is overwhelming to try to remember the characteristics of each paint.

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Yes definitely. It's freeing when you only use a few pigments on a painting. Thank you Teresa.

[@lyndasmith593]

This is one of the most helpful videos I've watched. It's really difficult of course when you're just beginning to paint to realize how in the world you just got that disgusting color when you had such a beautiful color before... I guess I must overpaint to a fairly well😂 now I know better thank you I just found your channel and I will be subscribing

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thank you Lynda. 💕

[@rolandevans5894]

Really useful and helpful video - thanks. Quick question: if mixing cool blues and yellows results in a vibrant green and vibrant colours feature more in the foreground than the background does this somehow contradict the cools recess and warms advance methodology?

[@joyceshields9156]

I really appreciate your topics on color management. Warm, cool, transparent, etc. Also, how to find information on a color by going to the tube and/or website, and what to look for and where to find it. You may have answered this somewhere, but what is your stance on mixing different brands of watercolor paints? Thank you!

[@demi3115]

Is it also true that for warm color a cool shadow and vice versa is more realistic?

[@agfisher007]

Louise... Is there anything you can add to watercolor to keep the washes from getting dull after drying... seems to me there is a huge difference from a wet wash to a dry finish and its hard to determine the color and value.......Thanx PS I like a lot your videos nicely done .....

[@sylphofthewildwoods5518]

Thank you, Louise! I always look forward to notifications from you. Your information is invaluable. Where's that rascal, Leo? I've missed him. 😍

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thank you so much! Leo is running amok around me at the moment. He's just had his breakfast and he is chasing a stick around on the ground. 😂

[@sylphofthewildwoods5518]

@@LouiseDeMasi Aww 🥰 Precious, mischievous boy. Thanks Louise! ❤️

[@theartistlove8113]

👍🏼 👍🏼 ❤

[@dq3974]

I don’t believe muddy colors are bad. Muddy colors can be the perfect foil to bright colors. Muddy colors are only bad if they are used in the wrong places in the wrong amounts.

[@wendychampness1901]

I am always put off when I see a tutorial in which the teacher is using a dirty palette. For example, the yellows are contaminated with some other color. How can you get a nice mix starting with that dirty yellow?!

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Good question Wendy. It's also confusing to beginners. Thank you!

[@user-ni4dl5vl7f]