3 Reason Why You May Be Struggling With The Wet On Wet Technique!

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[@nshively]

I watch (and love) all your videos but rarely comment. But this one was SO helpful I had to say thank you! You have a gift for teaching. YOU are why I am now painting almost every day. I never thought of myself as artistic and it never occurred to me that art was a skill I could learn. Until I found your channel. Thank you.

[@AbraCassandraCrafts]

For the paper, a really decent cold pressed (not cotton though) option is the Strathmore Watercolor paper. I got 6 5.5 x 8.5 pads for under $30 from Blick and the texture mimics Arches well enough. It's a good inexpensive starter pad and small so you waste less.

[@silvertales]

A lot of the reason why certain colors bloom “better” or further/faster using a wet-in-wet technique is the size and/or composition of the pigment molecule and what/how much the manufacturer uses as a binder. It;s also the same reason why certain multi-pigment convenience colors separate and sediment differently when using a wet-in-wet technique.

[@kingszecheung]

Emma! You make me watch your video every night even I go back home after tired work! Especially for those called “Struggling with” topics. It is because as a beginner, not only want to know how to paint well, it is more importantly to know what avoid to do! Love you, Emma teacher!

[@thegremlyn343]

Definitely a struggle for me. The first wash is easy enough. But knowing how wet/damp the paper is and how wet the paint on my brush is will take a bit more time. I have some practice prices that will walk me through apply paint while the paper is damp. Hopefully I'll get the hang of it. Wet on dry after the initial wash is what I'm more comfortable with.

[@katpaints]

Great tips. II usually paint with an inexpensive, NO LOTION tissue in my non-dominant hand. If you touch that to the ferule end of the bristles, it will suck up the excess moisture and leave most of the color in the brush.

[@DianeAntoneStudio]

You *can* do wet in wet on paper which isn't 100% cotton. For example, Clairefontaine Etival paper is 100% cellulose and it responds almost identically to Arches to all techniques including wet in wet. The key factor is that your paper should be about 140lb in weight, cold pressed (also called NOT) which gives it the tooth, and made by a reliable manufacturer. You won't get good results on hot-pressed paper no matter how heavy the weight. Etival, made by Canson, the same company as Arches is just one example, there are many other good cellulose papers.

[@trevorjennings8483]

Hello Diane👋👋

[@EmmaLefebvre]

Hmm, I haven’t tried either of those papers! Good to know! However with every 140lbs cold pressed paper that I have available to me in my region, they don’t preform nearly as well as arches.

[@MiniMu-2008]

I always learn more about watercolour watching your videos. Another great job!

[@davidlindh7938]

You are a natural speaker. What a great job explaining watercolor painting!!! Thank you.

[@cathywalker7117]

This is hugely helpful! I just started watercolor painting a few weeks ago and have been struggling with this, now I can practice using these solutions, thanks!

[@sarahbratty5931]

I just love videos like this one cause it lets me pin point which detailed step I need to work on to improve this technique! For me, it's having too much water on the brush when adding a second color, say, to a leaf for shading at the bottom. Great great tips.. sooo helpful!! Wet on wet is my favorite technique and since I'm relatively new I need these instructions, THANKS EMMA!! ❤

[@appleknocker56]

Struggled so long with paper that just couldn’t take wet on wet! Once went to 100% cotton (very hard to go back) & ty for this video!

[@audreylewandoski6212]

This is exactly what I'm struggling with. I'm new to watercolor and get very frustrated with the water to paint ratio, but I'm learning, slowly, but learning. THIS was very helpful...thank you! So glad to have found you!

[@philholst3023]

Hi Emma, what a helpful tutorial. I know a lot of people benefited from this one. Thanks again. Phil from Ohio

[@jimflack9462]

Great tips. If I have learned anything from you, it's that paper makes all the difference! I am finally using my Arches cold press that I've been saving until "I get good enough!" Lol!😁 Thank you for sharing your knowledge!!

[@amypanddirtytoo1926]

🤣🤣🤣 Same!! I finally broke open my Arches and Fabriano!! Oddly enough, I have a feeling I have been "good enough" for a while now, but the paper was just making it look crappy🤣🤣

[@jimflack9462]

@@amypanddirtytoo1926 i just did my first watercolor painting on Arches coldpress. What was I waiting on??? All the difference in the world. My mountains actually look like mountains!!🤣🤣👍

[@Hiba-vg1if]

I knew that the problem was my wood watercolor paper for many years but cotton paper is hard to find here this is why I have been doing watercolor painting that includes wet on dry although I love wet on wet because it’s satisfying 😭

[@MixedMediaCraftsbyDiane]

Thank you Emma. This was just what I needed just starting out in watercolor.

[@jessicabrauman]

In regards to paper, if you need to go with non-cotton cheaper paper, get something with a rough tooth and heavy gsm (thickness)! It won't be as cheap as the cheapest paper, but it's less expensive than cotton paper.

[@mellularphone]

This was incredibly helpful, thank you for your detail!

[@carolguthmann6646]

Always helpful! Thanks

[@ashleyv.8082]

Loved this tutorial! Perfect length too!

[@crazytenor]

Thank you so much! Wet on wet is always a struggle for me, and you make it look so easy. This really broke it down well for me. 😊

[@margaretgeorge3903]

Loved this. Thank you.

[@crystalg411]

Thank you for your videos. It's lovely to see not only mistakes we can make, but also how to fix them.

[@jazminad]

You are amazing at teaching watercolours! It’s because of you that I’m learning so much and getting passionate about it ! Thank you ! Thank you !

[@afishcalledmeg]

This is very helpful

[@cherigreen4471]

Great job Emma! This was very helpful!

[@jannissen8146]

Really great tutorial! I needed this. Thank you!

[@SheriWinston]

Thanks that was very helpful! How much appreciated

[@esterfleurke9309]

YAAAAY EMMA thank you so much especially the second tip was super helpful. I struggled with it! Will try again now with your advice!

[@madmax7201]

Good tips. And also as you said yourself, paint makes difference, too - depending on brands or on colors themselves.

[@CraftingJourneywithRebecca]

Very helpful, thanks.😊

[@andreaj6524]

Very helpful thank you!

[@nehalrathod2024]

Thank you so much.. It was so helpful

[@monica-NJ-123]

Thank you , this is so helpful xoxo

[@elaineporter182]

Perfect illustration. Thank you

[@chitraguru6031]

Very useful .Thank you

[@meeraahuja1594]

Thank you for the helpful tips

[@christinedrake1645]

very helpful...thanks

[@coletteg.4548]

Thank you SO much for explaining the best paper for loose watercolor !! I’ve been struggling so hard with the loose watercolor.

[@LisaYoungmpp]

Very helpful tips, Emma!

[@cejo4636]

Great video! Helped a lot! Thanks

[@floriaskite938]

Very helpful, thank you 😊

[@Linda-qq5mg]

You explained the problems so well and made this very understandable!

[@letiadawnumbarger4323]

What helpful tips Emma, and that color of shirt you are wearing really is stunning on you!

[@christinahutchison3967]

Great tips

[@cherylyou5515]

Super helpful, thank you! Was just struggling with this last night.

[@zehranurkok]

Thank you so much Emma! This video was very helpful

[@CP-zp5zw]

Thanks a lot ti share your tips

[@kaleneholman6306]

thank you!! this is a great video. i'm new so this was very helpful!!

[@maryannknox7158]

Really helpful

[@reemhaji5148]

Soooo Useful Tips❤❤❤

[@leslies4104]

Great demonstration! I tend to have too dry of a brush when I first start on my painting.

[@lauradellepoirier8559]

Thanks for sharing your tips. I now have a better understanding

[@DayOwlify]

Good lesson!

[@user-xe8ph7kl7c]

Thank you so much Emma! This is what I try to overcome!

[@tiffanibrown6538]

Thank you so much for doing this video! I can get frustrated sometimes doing wet on wet, I think this video will help me.

[@doaakamal7592]

Thank you ☺️

[@toekneeroni]

Thank you so much for these awesome videos. Really super grateful

[@hankejoosen4029]

Thank you 🤩

[@Babyjohn8170]

Your videos are so helpful and wonderful. Thank you for all you do for your KZbin community. ☺👍🌺

[@suzanne4258]

As a beginner this video is very helpful. Thank you!

[@katharinequiricoinmyownwords]

Love this. Never understood, and never been taught any of this so thank you for your explanation.

[@aayeff]

Thanks for the education. Your info is invariably good. I have one observation. When demonstrating the 100% cotton CP vs Cheap CP, I noticed when testing the cheap paper you touched the loaded brush to the bottom of the water blot. However, when testing the 100% cotton paper, you touched the loaded brush to the middle of the blot. It appeared both papers dispersed equally well, but for this difference. Of course its not my point that there is no difference. Only in the demonstrating it seems the same. Is my observation correct.

[@jennw6809]

Wonderful video. Different colors disperse differently in water because of various factors: largely it's how finely it's ground and how heavy the pigment is -- for instance cobalt pigments are larger, heavier and sink quickly, so they don't spread as much as phthalos and quins, which are light and fine. Also there are dispersants like oxgall or synthetics that make them spread farther, which some brands use, like Qor and Schmincke.

[@judynewsom5472]

Thank you!!!!!!

[@findsylvie]

I've watched a ton of videos since starting wtc in 2017 and this one is definitely one of the most useful !!! 😁🤩

[@CraftyKSLady]

Helpful video and, I think, a problem a lot of beginners have. Thank you!

[@alyssarivas4018]

Random, but that blue is totally your color! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us! You continue to inspire me with every video! You rock!

[@EmmaLefebvre]

Thank you so much!

[@karendirmish2696]

It was a wonderful class! Starry Nights in Wisconsin! Memories, love the tree placement, and use is splatter white, wonderful moment for me! Thanks, Karen Dirmish

[@brendacollinsdeeks7268]

Thanks so much for this help Emma. I’ve struggled with wet-on-wet for years now and could not get it right. I’ll give your tips a try to see if I get sort out my issues.

[@vanlifevibes9241]

Great videos for newbies with great amount of instruction vs filming and painting. Some of the you tubes I watch I just turn off because all they do is talk, crappy filming and not enough painting. Love your channel !

[@Lionheart2323]

Very helpful 🙂

[@lizborberg6339]

I always loose control of my wet on wet, I'll practice these (or avoid them)! 💛

[@corasantos4872]

Thank you, good to learn what works and what doesn't.

[@trevorjennings8483]

Hi

[@kaijabeaulieu973]

I hope you do a tutorial showing wet on dry and how to avoid hard edges !

[@mayloo2137]

I go with buying the best paper I can afford. I use Canson XL 140lbs. PS I also try to remember to apply painter's tape on the sides to prevent warping.

[@patlatour2465]

❤I can say the artist loft isn’t the best I’ve been there I only use canson Xl which does bloom but it’s okay one day I’ll splurge and buy the 100 %cotton.😊

[@lefthandstory1280]

Great sharing friend,beautiful❤️❤️.....

[@Halo2glitchlover22]

I think a more fair comparison would be a higher quality, thicker cellulose paper vs the cotton paper. Artist Loft is the worst of the worst.

[@cheapscaitcreates7362]

What would be a high quality cellulose paper?

[@DianeAntoneStudio]

@@cheapscaitcreates7362 That would be a paper such as Clairefontaine Etival, or Bockingford from St Cuthberts Mill. Both are great for wet in wet work.

[@maryhazlett]

I know this is an old video but I just came upon it. My problem is in mixing. When I want to make sure I have enough of a color mixed, I end up with too much water (which thins out the color) which then puddles.

[@chaoticgood8645]

Unrelated to watercolor but that blue shirt is a really good color on you!

[@Allen-jn4kx]

Hi Emma, I like this, what kind of paint set are you using? I am pretty new to this, I spent about 100 last month but got cheap paints. I was planning on getting good pro paints in a tube, but this paint set you have with paint wells looks great!

[@janevincent7103]

Exremely helpful. Thank you so much. XOXOJANE

[@susanchamblee2549]

Emma my sweet awesome teacher - any chance you could ACTUALLY SHOW US how you are dipping your brush into the water jar and swiping it as well as the paint…?? Maybe just bring it all a bit closer? When you’re changing colors or going for a light wash - I can’t see how you’re moving from one to the other. It would be a HUGE HELP (to me at least) to see EXACTLY how you are moving from the water or paint to the paper. Would help greatly with ‘water control’ and pigment as well. I’ve watched your tips on water control but when you are painting and going at a rather brisk pace - it’s so hard to see how exactly you’re creating the looks you are putting down. I don’t mean to sound like a ‘bugger’ for asking because all in all you are an AWESOME TEACHER…!! But for me as a beginner and not being able to sit next to you…it would help a lot. Only a suggestion for a short video and I’d greatly appreciate it. Thank you for allowing me to even ask. I think you’re terrific…‼️❣️‼️

[@anni50ful]

100% cotton can be expensive I have all sorts of paper ,as long as have 140 lb weight paper,wet in wet should work fine, I like Winsor and Newton .☺🇬🇧

[@EmmaLefebvre]

Really depends on the paper. I have a bunch of 140lbs paper that’s not cotton where you run into these troubles.

[@lori900]

Your timing is oddly on target for me this morning. If you could see my table, I have 10 cards I was working on.....all leaves.....that I will doodle later. Having that EXACT problem of blending. THEN you show the leaf! Thank you. It is totally me; adding too much water with the lowlight color. Good thing these will have doodles on top, but I am totally trying this on the cards moving forward. Thank you!!! UPDATE: lol! It's the paper!!!

[@susanjimenez62]

I really love and appreciate your videos. They are always so interesting and helpful. I struggle with wet on wet a lot, although I I am using arches cold press good paper. One of the big problems I have is that the water I put down dries very very quickly, and by the time I get the paint on it, it is no longer wet enough (I think). I try to work quickly, and I can get it to work when I’m working on something small, but there’s no way I could possibly do a larger area - like sunset. for example. Any time I try adding more water, I get puddles. I live in Arizona, and it is very dry here, so it has occurred to me that perhaps the climate is having an effect. Have you ever heard of that, or am I being crazy? If you have heard of it, any tips or ideas on what to do about it?

[@terriparsons6832]

I have the same problem, live in Arizona as well, and have often thought the same thing.

[@EmmaLefebvre]

Climate can definitely have an effect on that! I find if my office is hotter and some of the hot summer days, it dries faster! Maybe try to work on smaller papers, like card size?

[@jimflack9462]

Living in the midwest, we have ups and downs in humidity during every season. Do you Arizona residents ever use a humidifier? I was wondering if running one in your studio area might help.

[@PatriciaGodboutArt]

Emily, I understand it is the pii

[@trevorjennings8483]

Hello Patricia :-)

[@easternsecrecy9777]

Great info. I'm a complete beginner and just tried my first background on cheap paper because I'm saving the good stuff for when I have more confidence. Needless to say, your video demonstrated exactly what happened to my background. You convinced me to try the better paper for better results.

[@L0ckE08]

Loved this! I'm struggling with the wet-on-wet technique because I usually get blooms. :( Do you also have any recommendations for mid-priced watercolour pad?

[@EmmaLefebvre]

Honestly that’s a struggle, there are many mid range papers that I’d recommend. Although, depending on where you are located, Wonder Forest had great paper! She’s a Canadian artist!

[@L0ckE08]

@@EmmaLefebvre you know, I actually follow her channel but didn't realize that she has her own line of art supplies, lol. Thanks! :)

[@PeachTea38]

Arto 200gsm & 300gsm is best & affordable Good for practice

[@dijosephine9556]

Thank you Emma. You have answered my question why I can’t get my water to move on hot pressed paper. Even tho it’s a good quality paper. 👍❤️

[@EmmaLefebvre]

Yes, hot pressed is totally different! I’ve tried arches hot pressed and it was quite the struggle. It doesn’t react the same even though it’s 100% cotton! I find hot pressed is more for illustration work.

[@sharonmansfield3053]

Do you ever use colored pencils on your pieces? I love watercolor and love watching your videos! ❤️👍

[@trevorjennings8483]

Hi

[@travelinglovebugs7]

Not soaking my brush explains a lot 😯😯😯

[@oldsoul6696]

I don't think it was a fair comparison. First of all you should have taken both papers ,the cotton and the non cotton one, in same texture i.e cold press. Secondly, I noticed that you touched the brush on the better quality paper in the centre of the watered area so that would definately let it spread nicely given the colour travels slowly with water and when you apply it in the centre it dispereses more evenly without leaving hard edges due to the colour staying within the boundary of wet area and would not travel till the edge because the farther it moves from the centre (where it is the strongest and wettest) the weaker it becomes resulting in smoth edges. While in case of non cotton you applied water at the edge of the watered area and not in the centre which also contributed to hard edges along with the paper buckling.

[@ellieandhannah]

How is your baby doing?

[@StrangeArrangements]

Start out with Arches.

[@DianeAntoneStudio]

Not advisable. Arches is difficult to use if you are a total beginner. It's also sadly pricey.

[@StrangeArrangements]

@@DianeAntoneStudio Actually, I didn't start out with Arches, it took me almost a year to stop buying cheaper papers. It has made a difference with my painting.

[@amyx231]

Oh. I know why. Cheap paper, cheap paint, cheap frayed waterbrush instead of a good quality brush. But I get okay results and it feels wasteful to use my nice cotton WC paper for practice.

[@zehranurkok]

Thank you so much Emma! This video was very helpful