How to Get the Best Result Using Salt in Watercolor Paintings

[@lorijones9579]

I dissolve quite a lot of salt in warm water, let it cool, and then paint with it. It creates some crazy granulation, a fun effect.

[@kimesch9698]

Got to try it!

[@robinhuizing4406]

I think this sounds like fun...but, mind your brush...I can't imagine it would be good for natural fibers.

[@lorijones9579]

@@robinhuizing4406 I haven't seen any harm, but I wash my brushes extra carefully after using saltwater.

[@sunnycharacter]

I’ve seen Lindsay the Frugal Crafter use heavy saltwater as well with cool effects. That being said, it needs to be a heavy amount of salt in distilled water and you can keep it in a mason jar with airtight PLASTIC lid, not metal. Salt is corrosive over time to metal. So you must use either your cheaper brushes, or wash and rinse your brushes out very well. The Ferrule can rust or corrode. Also, I think the effects of the salt, or saltwater performs is also in concert with the amount and size of pigments in the paint. The more true pigments the salt has to move and crystallize or push away, the bigger the effect.

[@artKarolina]

How much salt do you use per like a cup of water?

[@cathywhalen102]

I use an old credit card to remove salt. Thank you!

[@kristiw.1823]

Doing a "very nerdy" series about salt in watercolor painting? You have my attention, Good Lady! I'm here for all of that. 😆

[@maureennicoll2621]

With the third one that shows no salt result. I wondered if you rewet it and re salt it what would happen then. Found your demo really good

[@suzannebertrand9779]

I was painting on the seaside in a very windy beach. Salt and sand were blown on my sketchbook and the very cool granulation effects was so fun and effortless!

[@Elizabeth58886]

That sounds like it was very freeing 😊

[@sharihofmann674]

I vote YES on a series of salt studies!! Can't wait to get nerdy with salt. I always love your testing techniques, and appreciate all the hard work you do for this channel. I've learned so much from you.

[@babycakes1949]

YES! PLEASE do a salt series! My goal lately is to compile a ‘reference list’ of pigments that are great candidates for using salt on and I’ve done some swatching on my own, but I’m not that disciplined. You’re much more scientific about it. I wanted to know what pigment you used to achieve the photo that appears on this video, and how you did that. That’s the effect that I have not been able to get yet. Thanks for all you do.

[@petelangforduk]

Medium wetness with small amount of salt looks like natural clouds in sky. Great video, very helpful. Thanks.

[@ThatPaintingLass]

So happy I remembered this video before painting with salt today. I did a very small scale version of this test to check which of my colors would be affected by the salt and I saw that 4 of my 11 blues don’t react to the salt so I’m going to skip them in my painting. Thank you!

[@anne-mariemarshall3105]

Brilliant. I have never seen an experiment like this showing paint to water ratios with timing. Yong Chen does an experiment where he paints six patches at once with the same watery paint. He then applies table salt to one patch and rock salt to another patch. He waits a minute then does another two. Then waits another minute and sprinkles the last two patches. After about 15 mins you can see what a difference timing makes. The effect of salt can be hit or miss. All very fascinating. Thank you

[@parleymanderson7490]

I’ve heard somewhere that salt changes the pH of the paper , thus affecting the permanency of the painting. Is that true and if so, do you have anyway to counteract that?

[@4zengrl]

11:10 for final results (note to self for review…the entire video is informative though! Thank you for doing all the hard work!😅)

[@barbarahenn-pander5872]

I enjoyed this scientific grid to compare. It’s a work of art in itself.

[@kimesch9698]

The medium wetness/ medium or light salt would make amazing sky effects. Thank you so much for doing this. It’s very helpful!

[@stephanie_smith]

This explains so much as to why I did not get the results I saw others achieve with using salt. I'm definitely going to give salt another try!! Thank you for sharing this experiment with us all!!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Salt textures are fascinating! I use them in about half of my paintings because they are suited for landscapes. I've found salt requires sooooo much experimentation based on paper type, how much water you use, types of pigments, etc.

[@humanexperience1585]

Also type of salt.

[@wulfseig1864]

I'm a lot suprised by the whole "Pretty Dry" section. A little suprised by the light paint in all of them. Been told over and over, lots of pigment and lots of water. It never worked. Now I know why. Thank you so much for your in depth videos. I cherish the resources you've created. Thank you. ❤❤❤

[@karengodbey8517]

I found this highly beneficial as a beginning painter who is just now dabbling in texture. Thank you for taking the extra steps without preconceived ideas. The results were interesting, helpful & inspiring!

[@paulinabm_]

I love your scientific approach to art. The watercolor science is amazing. I also love that you are encouraging us to do our own research and share our findings. We can all be watercolor science nerds together and collectible build knowledge for all. Now I’m thinking of making a lightfast tests with the added factor of salt. I don’t see fading as something to avoid, I think is something we can use as a tool to make our art a living thing that ages and changes. Specially now that you can capture art and preserve it in more ways.

[@sararamer-dean7846]

Before I use this technique in a painting, I test my paint and salt. I found Prussian Blue worked very very well for night scenes with snow....made by salt....so fun!

[@sunnycharacter]

Wow! I’ve had so much trouble using salt but I’ve been determined. Now I know I’ve been doing it all wrong. Thank you so much for this ma’am!

[@TrueLoveX1027]

I love using salt for texture in landscapes and animal portraits, but I've never taken the time to look at the results is such a methodical approach as yours. Thanks so much!!!

[@huisio]

I am also interested in how does salt affect the longevity of paintings. Does it affect lightfastness, does it do bad things to the paper? Using salt is such a commonly used technique that it seems weird how I can’t find any good info on this.

[@chantalnugues-perrin3631]

Oto, I really love the way you explain everything with such accuracy and it’s always a pleasure to watch … that salt video is just what I needed 🙏🏻🤗👍❤

[@rubyfisch5077]

In my (limited) experiments with salt, I find that the paper you use makes a difference too. I've used the same amount of water/paint/salt on paper like Canson, and on Arches. The Arches had an entirely different effect. Maybe it's the difference in sizing that they use? It's always fun to play, but just when you think you have the exact 'recipe' for it, it will surprise you by doing something different. Such is the mystery and beauty of watercolor.

[@CarolinaCarolina-ph9mx]

So true. Just when you think you have finally figured out how to get salt to work to get the effects you want, you then go and apply it, and . . . FLOP! It will NOT play well and give its secrets up that easily!

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

Yussssss science! Variables and static values and experiments, I’m in.

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

Would it be useful to test the difference between tap water and distilled water?

[@jannettebeatsonberger2516]

This was an awesome test! Planning my own testing to really get this idea to sink in my brain. Have some intriguing ideas of using different paint colors to produce likeness of things like fern leaves, sea foam and frozen snow crystals through a window pane. Very inspired and excited to play with paint. Thank you for these ideas!

[@valeriegehling4358]

As I have difficulty with salts, hope to try out how you tested them. Also, the tip of letting areas dry out before using salt I’ll try. Thanks

[@valeriegehling4358]

I‘ve since also discovered that granulating & staining colours aren’t good with salt & I‘d used blues & earth tones, all bad for salt!

[@kristyphillips547]

Oto, thank you SO much for this video. Salt is one of my favorite mediums to create texture in watercolor with and I've always been stumped by the different results I would get. You are such a life-saver! If you have the time, yes, please more salt videos!

[@ilahjarvis]

Another factor which is difficult to control is heat and humidity. My studio is in a mild cool climate, but I teach classes in a hotter, drier city. I get great salt effects at home, but everyone is disappointed by the salt technique in class.

[@mythokki]

It would be really interesting to have a list of paints that you have found to react with salt!

[@rebeccahenson5328]

I have done this with salt a few times. Didn’t get such good results as you did. Too much water by the look of it. I will try it again. I liked the first and second. The third one was what I got. Thanks for the tute.

[@J.Dibble]

Hooray! Another obsessive, ultra-nerdy deep dive!! 🙌💥💪❤️

[@darvoid66]

Interesting test. Very helpful! The high wetness bottom row middle sample looks like a portrait of human in dramatic light.

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Okay wow! I didn’t think the dry brush or light amount would respond like it did either. I definitely like the light & medium applications better & can see some very useful ways for me to use both for my painting effects! Thanks for sharing this wonderful experiment with us!

[@lisamessina5952]

I love these experiments! I don’t have Indigo, or Prussian Blue, so I will try it with Lunar Blue. I will mention I got a really cool effect with DS Buff Titanium for snow covered mountain tops using “pretty dry” and “medium amount of paint”.

[@Zoibu]

This is such a nice and informative video! A great example to show the drastic changes between the amound of salt. I need to check this out more, thank you for this video!! 🧡

[@luaarenal5471]

Do we know if/how salt affects lightfastness? Loved this experiment and results!

[@BardicDabbles]

Yes, more salt tests!

[@stacys447]

Super neat as always! I am curious how different types/classes of pigments are impacted by this (quins, earth pigments, etc.). I want to apply what I learned. Thank you!

[@danellemalan]

I believe it's because salt draws moisture to itself, then as it dissolves into a salt solution, it pushes the pigment away from itself creating a light spot and flow veins. :) Thank you for another great video! Would love to see another set of these with glycerin, honey and ox gall. Have shared this with my students.

[@joycesnodgrass7068]

I like "very nerdy"! Helpful information. Thanks.

[@mendyviola]

Thank you for this! I got burnt out painting over the epidemic and gave it a rest for this past year. I’ve been wanting to get back into painting again, but haven’t had much inspiration until now. It would be fun to conduct my own set of experiments with salt and watercolors, which hopefully will get my creative juices flowing again. I used to do designs of experiments in my past, so this would be right up my alley. 🙏

[@draconobilis4608]

Great video.❤ It's a pity we couldn't zoom in on all the results. I now want to repeat the experiment so that I can see what you are talking about in close up.

[@kaboart]

Im so delighted with the high wetness/lots of salt/ darker blue swatch!! ❤❤

[@barbarahenn-pander5872]

I’d love to see more salt sizes, mix of rice and salt, etc. so many variations. All I could think of looking at this was whale skin. ❤️ Thank you!

[@lindyashford7744]

Fascinating hot W different your results are, I am sure there will be a logic to it but maybe part of the fun is it’s unpredictability. I would love to see how this oaks on other types of paper, say hot pressed, cold pressed, rough and handmade, and of course with different pigments. It would be interesting to see if itispossible to vary effects by using the different concentrations and wetness over a single larger area….. being a bit nerdy myself I would like to see how some of the more unusual pigments respond, iron glimmer violet or magnetite for instance, but also some of the heavier more opaque looking pigments such as Chromium oxide and caput mortuum. I did like some of the blooming in your more concentrated swatches too. All in all as set of effects they looked interesting an absolute invitation to experimenting! It would be good to know if there are longterm effects on the pigment though, whether it will change the lightfastness or even affect the actual hue. I think your deep samples were more problematic in removing salt because of the higher concentration of gum Arabic ….

[@acgleason]

Thank you so much! I've always had hit or miss reactions when using salt and never knew what I was doing wrong when it didn't work or what I might be doing right if I got the effects I wanted. Definitely interested in a deep dive salt series!

[@barbaramilbradt2188]

Fascinating! There are still so many variables! Soooo many colors too!

[@Ms1lonewolf]

Thank you for the experiment! Cool! I love the one on thefar left and middle! That one is so awesome of an affect! I could use that effect in many paintings. Like the middle of a flower. JK FLORIDA USA 🇺🇸.

[@Jw16mosier]

Thank you for doing this , this was very informative. The lack of consents with was driving me nuts , now I know with some idea how to get the effect I want. I have used the larger salts(like rock salt) Thinking I would get more of an effect, and it was hard to remove from dried painting , 💧- to help with that .. and - amount of 🧂 😮Shocking

[@sallyskogheim4230]

Wow! Thank you for this, all your videos in fact. I’m wondering if the problem with the pthalo blue has something to do with the concentration of pigment or how staining it is. What do you think? It seemed like the salt crystals weren’t large enough to absorb the color, maybe. I’d love to see more tests on various colors!

[@OonaghEllis]

Just found your channel through Mind of Watercolour. This is amazing, I love adding salt to pictures and felt a bit scared to experiment but i'm going to have a go.

[@lisap5615]

This experiment was very interesting as well as useful. I loved many of the results you created and am going to do some more experimenting with salt myself to see what happens. Thank you for sharing.

[@Elizabeth58886]

I absolutely love your scientific approach to art. It’s such a great balance and a great match for my personality 😁

[@anonleeleichner3915]

Genius at work......shhhhh🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫 Love it!!!!!

[@sallybarr3108]

What a wonderful video! You did a remarkable job on it and are so thorough!!! I now realize that there are a lot of factors to get different results and the only results I was getting is the salt that looks like it dried on my paper - no veining out at all. I would like to see other colors used for demonstrations but this video was a HUGE help to me. Now I guess I just have to go and play with my colors, paper and some salt. Thank you SO very much for this video!!

[@lizcharalambous9150]

I took your advice on this and waited a bit longer and added less salt than I usually do to damp paper today when painting and it worked great, thank you. I think I was adding salt too soon :)

[@kurts7969]

Very Interesting and informative. I wish there were close ups of all the resu.ts.

[@AlwaysLearning-q77]

This is not only helpful but GORGEOUS!

[@ingebiekart-joyce8712]

This was the most informative video on using salt... thank you soo much. Gonna follow you immediately...

[@keepyourshoesathedoor]

This is why I love your account. Thank you for making this!

[@johncspine2787]

Any studies on the effects Salt has on lightfastness?

[@danielleb.7055]

Beautiful and amazing! Hope this becomes a mini series. Have a great day

[@sandyb4693]

Very informative!! I've always been a bit lost with the wet paint to salt ratios to get the best results. This test definitely answered a lot of my questions. I'm definitely up for the 'salt series' if you do one. And I love these nerdy videos. I always learn something new. Have you considered trying/testing alcohol? I always get mixed results when I try using it. Thanks !!

[@RitaMoon-m6d]

I found your site and love it. I like #1 first and #2 comes in next. # 3 is ok if you want some subtle changes.

[@Cre-Art]

Very interesting. I'm new to watercolor and enjoy learning about all these techniques. :)

[@raecampbellsstudio]

incredible results

[@LindaSmithLatimer]

This was a wonderful video! I would love a series on salt!

[@RobHughes45]

That was very useful, I'm going to try that out.

[@kristiw.1823]

This was absolutely fascinating! I can't wait to start experimenting with this sort of thing.

[@jdschneider5858]

You may not be a chemist, but you certainly have a scientific mind! Thank you so much for all the variations on using salt. Here, in the US, table salt usually is iodized and I'm wondering if that has any effect on the effect! 😃

[@addasenta]

Thank you! Great informative video! I tend to use too much salt, I can see that now from your results.

[@ginettemelody1035]

Most valuable lecture. Big thanks. Blessings

[@Ann-ey1tw]

I love this test and has so much useful information! Very clever and scientific! Thank you, and more salt tests will be welcome!

[@KeepBeautyReal1]

This was fantastic, thank you!

[@rebeccaschmidt7431]

Very interesting results. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@glowycloey]

I enjoy when you go all, "Super nerdy!"

[@ollesvensk]

Loved this. Really gets me going. Now I just feel like doing a lot experimentation. Sprinkling salt on paint, painting with salt water, mixing sand and silt and salt to the paint, mixing different pants and trying it all with again (I'm sure you'll get some awesome granulation going with the right mixes of colours and pigments). And it doesn't stop there. What happens if you're not using water? What if you'd use tea, or coffee, or milk, or beer, or... with your watercolours (and salt and colour mixes and...)

[@nachobidness2553]

The acidity of tea and coffee will destroy certain pigments- might want to check your experiment results over several months and then at the 1 year mark, like lightfastness tests are checked.

[@LadyJP6969]

Awesome!!! Thanks for sharing!!! Subscribed!!!

[@cachitagarcia]

I love how geek you are! So do I 😊

[@vaartstudio]

Where do you purchase large pan indigo by holbein. What is it called? I used your link it goes to Jackson's shows only tube.

[@eileencollins3126]

VERY interesting comparison. Interesting as well as educational! Thanks very much for taking the time to share this with us.

[@JessicaSandersArt]

I totally have to try this! Thanks for sharing 🎉

[@bachplayer13]

yes!!! lets do a mini series and get super nerdy!!!😂😂😂

[@rakisk8r]

I assumed that you would show how to get the effect of the thumbnail for this video? Will you be doing one? I really hope so. i always get so much out of your videos, Thank you Dr Oto Kano!

[@nancypearson4952]

Thank you for your time and effort in doing this salt study. My question is this: I do ink patten drawings (Zentangle). I want some background color like the lightest and medium colors on pretty dry paper. Does the salt totally come off so not to harm the nibs on a Sakura Micron pen? Thank you for your time.

[@deborahthomas1617]

Thanks for sharing this test

[@fliss9962]

Really useful content! 😊

[@kaleidascopescreates]

Great video and test!

[@bachplayer13]

i wonder if in general you could say a particular brand works best. in my test daniel smith is very disappointing re salt reactivity. holbein and winsor newton are better

[@sunnycharacter]

What would some other salts do? Like Epsom salts, washing soda, baking soda, Borax (aka sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate)?

[@UraniaOfTheGalaxy]

Really useful tests, thank you!

[@chiarasola826]

Very very interesting video 🧐

[@francoiseconquy8299]

J'aime bien votre façon plutôt scientifique c'est à dire très organisée et systématique de tester ces effets sel / eau / pigments. Je vois enfin les différents aspects selon les différents dosages. Vous parlez de peintures qui réagissent ou non avec le sel, avez vous fait une liste de ces pigments ? Merci du partage

[@francoiseconquy8299]

I like your rather scientific way that is very organized and systematic to test these effects salt/ water/ pigments. Finally, I see the different aspects according to the different dosages. Are you talking about paints that react or not with salt, have you made a list of these pigments? Thank you for sharing (with Reverso)

[@foreverlearningart]

Fantastic experiment!

[@annettefournier9655]

Not all brands react to salt the same. I was getting very inconsistent reactions to salt with my mixed brand daily working pallet. So I tested all my single brand pallets and the ones that reactions to salt well and consistently I labeled with tape " Reacts to Salt". Now I just pick up an appropriate pallet when I want salt effect. So now I'm consistent.

[@babycakes1949]

Hi Annette, my big question is about pigment selection. I’ve been slowly putting together my own little database of salt swatches from my main palette but I’d love to know what your list reveals to you. I still have many pigments yet to test, and I also find that various ‘concentrations’ of the same pigment will produce radically different results. Some pigments need to be very diluted for example to produce nice results. It’s a real mine field but I’m determined to figure it out because I simply LOVE the effect of salt. Sorry for the long winded reply but I am interested in what you have learned if you feel like sharing.

[@melissaaldosari8024]

This is amazing!

[@dragonblanco2210]

Comprar papeles costosos ácid free y luego llenarlos de sal, nooo lo entiendo.

[@sunrayhihi]

what is the colour you used in the video? is it just come from one colour?thanks for sharing!

[@GarbauxM]

I wish you would have filmed them all in close up. Because it looked so much better/different when you zoomed in, we cant really see when zoomed out.

[@fabfoll]

Great video! Thanks