Lifting and Removing Watercolor Pigment - Tips and Techniques

Lifting, removing or picking up watercolor pigment is an essential technique to learn for highlighting, light modeling, tonal adjustments and even corrections. I'll show you several ways to do it while painting wet and after the paint is dry.
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[@stephaniemitchell8509]

Scraping and sandpapering blew my mind. Never heard of using sandpaper before, and when I heard the term "scraping," I was under the impression it was using a palette knife to scrape wet paint down, not an actual knife to scrape dry paint completely off! I've only ever blotted with paper towels, tissues, or dry brushes. I've always been irritated with how unrefined and large these methods made my finer details. Also, masking fluid ended up making highlights and water spatter look odd and unrealistic, so knowing that scraping and sandpapering is okay on paintings is like heaven to me!

[@ChessGoatSusie]

Excellent video, thank you! I'm a beginner and I needed this!

[@user-pf2lp4gy8c]

This is priceless! This info could have saved me several pieces of artwork that I messed up, so glad I found this page!!!

[@denisec3131]

Super helpful!! I'm a beginner and found this video helpful in attempting to 'save' a project!

[@victoriasnyder5992]

Moving from Acrylic into watercolor...I am binge watching your videos!! Gosh you are very informative and have a lovely sense of humor....Thank you so much for your time and great content!!

[@mindofwatercolor]

+Victoria Snyder You're quite welcome, thanks for watching!

[@ellainegalima2496]

what kind of paper are you using? it's nice

[@sarahconroy3634]

VictoriaSnyder

[@ginafafard6845]

Thanks for this! It’s been a while since I’ve painted, I tend to be heavy-handed with my pigments. This was super helpful, to know that I can make adjustments later thankfully, the painting I’m working on is with two colors that can lift very easily.

[@lOwlEyesl]

You totally got me out of a jam! I remember watching this video once before. I was doing a painting of my friends dog in very muted colors then bam! right on the nose of the dog, the color dried really intense ...I thought it was ruined until..I remember watching this video once before. Thanks so much Steve!

[@emmittjesse7443]

You all probably dont give a shit but does someone know a way to log back into an Instagram account..? I was dumb lost the password. I would appreciate any help you can offer me.

[@archerjesiah6539]

@Emmitt Jesse instablaster :)

[@emmittjesse7443]

@Archer Jesiah Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site thru google and im in the hacking process now. I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@emmittjesse7443]

@Archer Jesiah it did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thanks so much, you saved my ass !

[@archerjesiah6539]

@Emmitt Jesse glad I could help =)

[@rebeccagolfs]

Thank you so much! Wished my college professor showed me what you did in 20 minutes. You're fantastic!

[@lilycortes5238]

Thank you so much for posting these videos! They're so super helpful, I've been going through your beginner's playlist and I'm excited to try painting with watercolors using the techniques that you demonstrated.

[@adelejones1054]

This is so incredibly helpful and I'm going to try a few of these techniques today! Thanks so much for this- 5 years later and this video is still helping people out!

[@karenschreiber9936]

Thank you so much! I've recently discovered your channel and am learning so much!

[@LilCraftyNook]

Ha! I guess Reese told you!!? I hope water is damp! 😂 This was extremely valuable! I’m starting to watercolor after years away (I never was very good) and I’m excited about getting better!! You are such a blessing!! 😊

[@iameowyn]

It's such a pleasure to watch and learn from your fantastic videos and skill. Thank you!!!

[@lindathaxton1994]

Thank you for making the basics so clear. Gives me hope

[@adamw2621]

Good one Steve. I have about 5 pages worth of tree studies you gave me cause to work on, thanks for that, I found some great color combos I would have never tried if I hadn't been painting in repetition. I don't have any of those scrubbers, but what I did was buy a pack of cheap loew cornell brushes in the craft dept at Walmart. They are bristle brushes, I just trimmed the bristles closer to the ferrule, making it even stiffer.

[@krismua1209]

Beautiful paintings you have. Thank you so much for sharing your talent & techniques!

[@danhoward2264]

This is really great. . ..I have some lessons (4) recently described as lessons for beginners, BUT they didn't do what you are doing. I'm learning from you what the others didn't get down to. It all begins to make good sense now, and I'm loving it! Thanks, Thanks, Thanks!

[@luangu]

This was the lesson I was yearning for. THANKS! Good episode.

[@michelewhite990]

I’ve been painting water color just because it’s the only medium that has come naturally to me! You’re video gives helpful technique to my amateur techniques! Thanks!

[@bushrarehman]

Thank you for sharing such wealth of information about watercolors in an amazing style.

[@mariwyl]

I SOOOOO needed this remedy today!! Thank you, Steve!!

[@teresaluna1936]

Awesome tutorial! Thanks for sharing.

[@mabelbowen25]

Thank you for a very helpful video! I’ve done a lot of trial and error as a newbie to watercolor. Just wish I had seen this and your series on washes sooner. You take a lot of the guesswork out of it. Thanks again!

[@katepanthera7265]

Great video. I really like the clouds you did, with feathering the paint back in, to make the shapes more cloud like and detailed! Cool trick!

[@annachernova1867]

Thank you so much. I have never used 100% cotton paper before. After your video i bought Arches hot press and it is much more absorbent then cheap paper. This video really helped.

[@wanttolearnreidy4469]

Hi Steve, This demonstration was excellent. You take such care with your examples and descriptions. I think that I shall watch this again at another time. These techniques are extremely valuable tools.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks, glad to know they're a help.

[@labtrainer09]

Very helpful and comprehensive as to methods. Thank you.

[@itsalgud1459]

Great video, easily followed! Thanks!

[@cardsbypanda]

Paint lifting - Magic eraser sponges, when wet can be used to remove paint. I tried and it worked just fine. The society for all artists in the UK sells 4 for £6, with Watercolor inserted in the label. You can find them in dollar stores too $1 for 2. Hope the tip helps!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Andrea Motta Thanks for the input.

[@artistbrindle]

This was wonderful and extremely helpful. Thanks for sharing this

[@carlaa.1617]

As you can see from all my comments I am watching all your videos. I can't thank you enough😀 I used to paint with acrylics and now only want to work with coloured pencil and watercolour. Your videos are helping me so much.

[@mindofwatercolor]

+Carla A. Awesome! Thanks for watching.

[@annersbanananers]

This just saved a portrait I was working on! Thank you!!!

[@cathaire]

Wonderful video, thank you! Not only informative, but essentials are covered clearly and succinctly and your demonstrations are simple and effectively powerful imho...in contrast to many others' videos which are clouded with extra and repetitive information and are painful and difficult for me to watch.

[@phebefriddle9133]

I found that you can use a magic eraser to lift. Great video👍 I am a newby to your videos, I have been binge watching for a few weeks.I never cared much for watercolor until recently. I did oil or acrylic painting, because I liked the detail. Thanks to your videos I'm getting a New perspective on the media. I think I like😍

[@cowboyblairehobbsarts5398]

very helpful Steve, thank you

[@annechumbley7284]

Extremely helpful video, thank you x

[@hollymottai4004]

Thanks so much! Your instruction has been very inciteful!

[@loreleibell6287]

I love making water droplets using the scrubbing technique. And clouds using the lifting one. Have never tried sandpaper, and wondering how that would work. Thanks so much!

[@myrnalandersartist]

What a great video, thank you!

[@terryohehir2241]

Thanks STEVE YOUR ONE GREAT TEACHER HAPPY NEW YEAR TOYOU ALL

[@marinadossantos7822]

wow, great one Steve! thanks this one will certainly be extremely useful. :)

[@LizatHome]

Thanks so much. This is so exciting to learn.

[@robertsloan8923]

Another great lesson! For most of my life I treated watercolor as immovable, if it was down then it stayed that light. Your examples are perfect! Got scrubbers as a freebie with an art supply order ages ago and now really see how to use them more carefully.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Robert Sloan Thanks! My warning in the video, though, cannot be overstated. Its and easy technique to overdo.

[@dollydollop6249]

I can't tell you how much I'm learning from you. I love your lessons

[@mindofwatercolor]

+Dolly Dollop Thanks!

[@andreapomacaja5086]

This helped me so much, thank u!

[@SusanCarroll]

It's quite different working with hot press vs. cold press. I'm so glad to see how to use these techniques with hot press.

[@rachaels.7769]

I love the silly little intros and your humor. It makes the videos more interesting and fun to watch. Also, thank you for making these instructional videos, I'm a beginner at watercolor painting and these videos are really helping me along the road. :)

[@mindofwatercolor]

+Fluffy Toast 52 So glad, thanks for watching!

[@aboveallco.3966]

Fantastic! thanks for sharing! Keep up the amazing work!

[@KathleenRenninger]

Thank you for this well-demonstrated, very helpful, video! New subbie!

[@luannjohnson9606]

I am loving your videos . I did a lot of acrylic painting just getting into watercolor I am learning a lot from you. I will be looking forward to a lot of your videos.

[@Kalinna]

Thank you this is so helpful ♥

[@starmazaheri7448]

Thank you very much Sir, the scrubber is like magic :)

[@user-goodtherapist]

Thank you Steve, your tutorial is a real help for me everyday. :)~~

[@flickaJay]

The book by Claudia Nice just arrived today in my mailbox and as I flipped through there I saw a painting of the seaside with the foaming waves. She used a razor blade to make tiny marks that indicated the splash drops from the water. There's another way to use 'lifting'.

[@CoxJoxSox]

You do such a good job - thanks

[@tombryan720]

Great video! Thank You

[@claudemaximus9409]

You are a great teacher, thx

[@MariuszKuszaj]

Big thanks that you showed us these techniques. Surely they will be very useful.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Mariusz Kuszaj Glad to hear it. Thanks for watching.

[@havvaalexander9520]

Excellent. Thank you so much!!!

[@1msfit]

Takes time and patience. Hmm, so that means don’t jump in with a scrubber to start with and scrub right through the finish of the paper and make little paper balls like I did the other day😂 All’s well that ends in a lesson well learned, I guess. Thanks for this video, Steve. I should have watched it last week but better late than never!

[@MsMonika59]

You are simply fantastic thank - you so much 😊

[@joannhall9733]

Important! Thank you!

[@tamiii]

I've always wanted to learn how to lift watercolor! thank you so much for this!

[@mindofwatercolor]

coco You're welcome!

[@DS40764]

You would make a wonderful Teacher. You helped me to understand the importance of doing studies , trying out techniques-which in themselves can produces instant gratification when practiced; gratification that you can paint something that looks realistic(such as highlighting rocks for example). As a beginner, it's nice to be able to paint something..anthing,lol Thank you.

[@pommyfairy]

Thanks! This video saved one of my pieces😃💜

[@scottbryant6220]

Wow! This video is going to be a big help for me. I have been struggling with control, and these lifting techniques will help. Thank you!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Scott Bryant Glad to hear its a help.

[@Butterinyourear]

I really enjoy your lessons, thank you for sharing!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Butterinyourear You're welcome!

[@nanburger1427]

THANK YOU!!! This was so helpful!!!

[@artzology]

Great demonstration! Thank you!

[@mindofwatercolor]

artzology Thanks.

[@marahindshaw8702]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@chipcurry]

Thank you for your work!

[@43110s]

Super great tutorial! Thank you for making this, and for sharing your knowledge! Now I do not have to be sad after all that I cannot attend art courses in the fall. I can learn from your channel! Yay! : )

[@mindofwatercolor]

👍

[@anmariehendrikse]

Thank you Steve, I'll definitely give the sandpaper one a try! You can also use a pallet knife or the corner of a credit/bank card

[@jeanmilhollin7890]

Again thanks for being a very generous and One of not the best teaching artist on the channels.

[@mindofwatercolor]

+jean milhollin aww, thanks!

[@ashleyhoward3280]

I love your channel, it's so helpful. Thank you.

[@mindofwatercolor]

👍

[@marjoriescott3157]

Very helpful. I’ve had a terrible time doing this in the past.

[@carolrichmond3212]

SO helpful! Thanks! Hi Reese!

[@Hollybeth25]

Thank you so much for making videos! I really want to illustrate my own children's books and these videos are really helping me a lot! :)

[@mindofwatercolor]

Cool! Glad to hear it!

[@nelidafelizia8395]

Muy buenos Tips. Es realmente muy útil ver cómo trabajas. GRACIAS.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Nélida Felizia You're welcome.

[@chaex3563]

THANK YOU SO MUCHHH, U SAVED MY PAINTING😭😭

[@joseynoyb9467]

Fleckled ❤ good word I love all your videos

[@kriskrumanaker4315]

Nice scripture--thanks for that!

[@dollgonegood]

Thank you for the sandpaper tip.

[@johnnyrbattaglio6943]

Awesome thank you 👍

[@michelehinnrichs3067]

Thanks, I will try.

[@Ms1lonewolf]

Cool never thought about sandpaper. Thanks

[@gillianbc]

Many thanks - just tried it on a leaf I'd painted and now it really does look like highlights.

[@mindofwatercolor]

+gillian bc 👍

[@MaryVivit]

Thank you for a very clear presentation and demonstration! Thanks for the reminder about the staining paints/pigments being a little tougher. I discovered that the hard way: "Why is there a hole in my paper?!" ;) Cheers!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Mary Vivit I know right? lifting is one of those techniques that can foster over reliance. Easily over done. Staining paints will definitely frustrate too.

[@heiniturpeinen10]

Thankyou yor videos. I would like to ad one more technik here for removing exat shape from dry paint. Drop of water on surface on dot draw lines or on other smal shapes whit clear water(or on those mistakes that we don't do), let shape wet for a second or two, take dry brush, rub out colour from wet area water and carefully with paper push surface lift up and tadaa you have a white dot, line or exact shape in picture, whiteout any damage on surrounding dry colour. Stars, sun strays, light spotshapes in eyes, or those highlights.

[@christinebell2294]

Fabulous,thankyou

[@peggymadigan8539]

Thanks!!

[@maryriley6163]

This is going to be really handy where I've put a little too much pigment on a sunset. Tell Reese I said he looks really cool in those shades.

[@ZeeCeeCreations]

Hi Steve, I’m a new subbie... enjoying your videos/tutorials very much! Thanks! PS please don’t stop adding scriptures to the end of your videos! Hugs Marsha

[@BobbySpiessVienna]

Cool! Thanx

[@sarrasaffronpowell6154]

thank you x

[@kataalamon4523]

love your tutorials!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks!

[@cmeblu75]

This was so needed!!! Thank you so much. I was about ready to throw my Stonehenge Hp out the window!!! I’m still on the fence about this paper… too delicate for many techniques & absolutely unable to deal with masking, lifting is the only way and even that’s proving a tad difficult!

[@timeenuf4200]

Wonderful! Brilliant as always and so well presented. I only knew one way to lift before this video. Think I'll go make some amorphous blobs and practice lifting. Blob lifting. Sounds fun doesn't it? Thanks again for your great instructional videos.

[@charliemcquillan7058]

Another way to lift is to use a ‘Magic Eraser’. They’re little fine grained sponges that are intended for removing marks from plasterboard walls. The advantage is that they are abrasive and absorbent at the same time (also, they’re magic). You can buy them from the supermarket or hardware shop (in Australia in any case but I’m sure you could buy similar elsewhere…or maybe you’ll need to come to Australia to buy them…probably worth the trip). Thanks Steve, love your work!!

[@VanmeterFL]

I've used magic eraser type sponges (I use them around the house and pool area so much I purchase the bulk off brand through Amazon to save money, though). They are awesome at picking up pigment softly. They are indeed magic.

[@sneakpekoe]

ILY, you low key ganster.