The SECRET Behind Wet-in-Wet Watercolor Technique 🎨

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Hi there, Liron here!
In today’s video I want to share with you the secret of the wet-in-wet watercolor technique - TIMING!
We'll observe the levels of wetness on paper in great detail, and learn how it influences our ability to paint wet-in-wet, to get a lot of movement vs getting little movement.
We’ll also see when it’s TOO LATE for wet-in-wet, in which case you’ll have to allow the wash to dry, and then continue painting a layer above it.
I hope you find this helpful 😊🙏🏼
- Liron
🎨 MATERIALS I OFTEN USE 🎨
Paints (all Daniel Smith)
Phthalo Blue (Red Shade) - amzn.to/2FCuEvA
Ultramarine Blue - amzn.to/2FCvicu
Nickel Azo Yellow - amzn.to/2HW5Ik3
Perylene Red - amzn.to/2HUc1Ve
Quinacridone Rose
Brushes
Escoda BLACK Plein-Air Set:
www.escoda.com/brush/others/br...
Escoda Ultimo Sintetico - Size 16 - amzn.to/3043xSw
Silver Black Velvet - amzn.to/2JCnSJZ
Raphael - amzn.to/2Wo71wb (multiple sizes and sellers)
Princeton - amzn.to/2YoSHpa
Paper
Saunders Waterford / Arches, 300gsm, cold-press - amzn.to/2WrdTZU
Palette
Mijello Airtight 18 Wells - amzn.to/2IbhSoa
Plein-Air Easel
The BEST I've found so far for watercolor - amzn.to/2Ljyc6Q
White Pen
Uniball Signo White Gel Pen (easy to find on ebay!)
** MUSIC CREDITS **
Music by Joakim Karud / joakimkarud
Music by @joakimkarudmusic
* Please note this disclosure - Many of the links to Amazon (and possibly other websites in the future) are affiliate links.
This means I make a commission if you buy through them (and you obviously pay the same price).
However, my recommendations are honest and are always based on my own personal experience ^_^

[@ytreza9894]

Actually, doing thorough experiments, I discovered that cauliflowers don't appear because the paper is not wet enough, but because the consistency (pigment to water ratio) on paper is thicker than the paint we add. If you have a very thin (tea like) wash, you can do whatever you want, even when it dries (well, except going with an even more diluted paint). On the other hand, if you have a thick wash (lots of pigment), you will get cauliflowers if you come with a tea of coffee like mixture, even if the paper shines a lot. Regarding cauliflowers or more generally pigment diffusion, timing is not that important, but pigment consistency (paper vs brush) is key: always paint thick on thin, that's the secret 😉

[@SaurabhSharma-ov5hr]

Now thats some excellent observation. Thank you

[@Purplesquigglystripe]

It’s kinda like fat over lean for oils. Different reasons but similar techniques in practice.

[@overlordh1254]

Woah, that makes so much sense

[@PsiChotic]

Even your "doodles" look more like art than when I'm trying to make art 😂😂 You are the first person that made me understand what is going on with wetness and paint (out of dozens I am following and have watched). Everyone else just says "you wet your paper, you do this and that bla bla" and then you wonder why everything sucks on your own paper 🙄 Thank you!

[@PuolikuuIrene]

Agree!

[@jordancooper3855]

Facts!

[@wystemd]

I recommend to try another wet-in-wet technique many Russian painters use. You need a polyester board and wet the paper from the back and front. Because of the fact that the paper stays wet longer you can much more manage the paint (ideally tube paint) and you can very easily lift paint where it is too strong or you want to have whites, best is cotton rag min. 300g/m2. As the paper is "glued" to the polyester board by water, it does not buckle, another great advantage!

[@LironYan]

Great idea, and I have seen it in action! A very interesting technique that makes for a great and entertaining demo (: may try in the future

[@christinedekeuster7378]

@@LironYan I follow the work of Joëlle Fagot, a French watercolour artist, she mostly uses this technique. It's quite comfortable because it provides for more time, time, time ;-) I try to give the link hier : kzbin.info/door/qo_N3wBwYlSQFqjL0eNJeQfeatured Les aquarelle de Joelle de Normandie.

[@michaelhardy473]

sounds crazy and interesting at the same time

[@ryanoconnor7957]

I tried this, but because it dried soo slowly I found it frustrating, I ended up waiting a long time between the stages and pretty much doing nothing. And I even made some mistakes because the paper was always wetter than I would have liked. So I think it is about what you are used to and expect, and also what your subject matter is. Maybe if I am planning a large detailed painting I would consider this as one "solution" for how I will paint it

[@Deankut]

@@ryanoconnor7957 Or consider using a dryer?

[@edzejandehaan9265]

I can relate to your "almost clean water"...😉

[@LironYan]

Haha 😂

[@monicadewit9766]

I've heard it called water control but you explained it more clearly to me, re. water vs paint control. I often go straight from the pigment well to the painting especially if I am not mixing colors, but now I see using the palette helps to judge how much water/movement is within the brush as well. Brilliant Liron

[@jodymbmw3460]

Thank you. I never had anyone explain about adding thicker paint so it doesn’t cauliflower and move the paint that is underneath.

[@annevanstone8346]

Thank you, The photography was especially well done for us to see the sheen, and of course, the lesson was excellent!

[@LaraMarkowitzMusic]

This lesson was so helpful Liron...learning what to do at different stages as the paint dries. You have a wonderful teaching style and I'm learning so much from your videos. Thank you!! 😊

[@lisajensen1843]

I would love to see how to fix a cauliflower. Also when there is a hard edge next to a wash, and I don’t want it, what’s the best way to fade the hard edge without making a light spot in the wash? Not sure I’m being clear🤷‍♀️ Actually a tutorial on fixing common mistakes would be awesome! Thank you for your videos! You are a ray of sunshine in these sad days in the US.

[@LironYan]

Great idea Lisa! Thank you 😊🙏🏼 I’ll definitely do that (: I have shown a bit of what you refer to (regarding softening a dry edge) here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYepiJh9h7qgnJY But I should do a full video on fixing mistakes (:

[@rottahern]

@@LironYan thanks 🙏🏼 Blending wet on wet scare me a lot …. I have to keep Practice practice practice. how to keep the paper shinning when painting on 1 piece of one entire image that is 9x12 inches or 17x 22 centimeters? 🥴🥴🥴

[@celirondoni7717]

@@rottahern I suppose you already found out, but you can always wet a piece of your figure/paper, apply the paint letting a margin without any paint and then re wet the remaining pieces and painting then. you leave the margin with no paint until you end the whole figure, always fusing the water only margin with your new wash... I hope it makes sense. I live in a city with low humidity and that's the only way I found to deal with the paper drying on me 😅

[@annettefournier9655]

Yes matching the wetness of the psint to the wetness of the paper takes a bit of practice. One can always wait to dry fully and rewet the area but you can't really take back the blooms. Unless of course you want blooms which I sometimes do! Thanks Liron.😊👍

[@LironYan]

Haha indeed! (: And I will add that the next layer will always feel a bit different in terms of pre-wetting the paper. It’s definitely possible, but the paper will receive the next layer a little differently so it takes more getting used to

[@vivmog]

I learned more in this video than many others I’ve seen.... thank you so much!!!!

[@Zoomfreaky]

Great and clear tutorial Liron on one of the most challenging aspects of watercolor. Love how you make the process of painting and drying so visual. Helps a lot! Thanks so much.

[@josephprimavera2545]

I very much enjoy your tutorials and find this wet in wet lessons timely as I am finding some of these very issues in my work. Thank you!

[@ruffuss9065]

Finally, someone made it clear!!! Thank you - it was very useful. I can't wait for your next tutorials.

[@LironYan]

Haha so happy to to hear 😁🙏🏼 Thank you!

[@Renee11123]

I highly enjoy your tips. They're simple yet enough details to understand without being overwhelming. 😁

[@misswhimsy8051]

So glad to see you continuing to do this. Always so helpful, Liron! Thanks

[@JoMoolenschot]

Great tip to check the movement of the paint in your tray to gauge the right consistency before applying to the water!

[@svetlananugis6680]

It's one of the most useful lessons I've seen! Thanks so much!

[@CasparisHelena]

AMAZING!!!Thank you Liron👏

[@louisecuff2302]

Great demonstration! I so needed this. Short and clear. Thank you!

[@NancyGallagher]

This was the best water to paint explanation for wet and wet I’ve ever heard. Thanks. Very helpful.

[@Cre-Art]

I was struggling with wet on wet but your demonstration made it very clear. Not just seeing how the wetness looks on the paper, but to understand how the paints blend and react in the correct amount of water. Thank you for that.

[@catherinedoherty2025]

Finally!!! Yay! Thanks so much for explaining away a great mystery. Excellent demonstration. I’m off to see the sheen.

[@priscillawarren9979]

Thank you, Liron. This is pretty complicated and technical. Your video helps. Seeing the shine is the key.

[@beanbeanster7219]

I've just found your channel and I'm so glad I did. Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge. I'm new to watercolour so your channel will be very helpful.

[@chachiwahi]

Very clear-- not only observing the paper sheen but also how fluid the pain mixture appears on the palette.

[@amyartlou6573]

Thanks for reviewing this again in detail! Addresses what my concerns have been. Wonderful!

[@LironYan]

Perfect, so happy I could help! 😊🙏🏼

[@judyh3017]

Ok, I tried your suggestions in this video, and it worked great! Controlling the watercolor has been a problem for me. This video is so good, as this is an important concept to know. Thx for the thorough, clear explanation.

[@rachelm7525]

This is a great lesson. Thanks Liron! 🙂👍

[@judyh3017]

Very helpful info. Thx Liron!

[@kizziewhite6352]

This was great! Filmed so well. Taught well also! TY!

[@joannerip76]

Awesome demonstration! That was a really good way to explain the “wet on wet” technique! I can’t wait to try it!

[@LironYan]

Thank you ☺️ This really helped me when I FINALLY figured it out (took way too long 😂)

[@marybaksheeva2874]

I loved this demonstration, so useful, thank you!!!

[@johnporter9247]

Excellent demo!

[@judithlarkin600]

Very clear demo! Thanks!

[@heatherarnold92]

Fantastic explaining and demo thanks

[@michelinesantucci4474]

Love Liron......he knows exactly what we can struggled with.

[@LironYan]

😉

[@emilymaness]

Excellent explanation!

[@bobbysands5385]

Great stuff, Liron! Thank you!

[@Gooshayesh]

It was so good thanks a lot liron 👍🏽

[@jeromebonto8680]

Thank you Liron. This is very helpful!

[@awendaawenda8011]

Thankyou so much for this excellent tutorial. Now I understand...I think!

[@Matriarch57]

I’m so glad I found you! Excellent!

[@cindydickmyer5905]

Ah ha moment! Thank you for clear this up. You are awesome.

[@Deankut]

Liron, this has been super helpful!

[@debbiebruce6920]

Thanks for these helpful tips. Great video.

[@mskhartwatercolourwithmisu8598]

Great information and great points. Thank you for sharing.

[@jameslbaker9138]

Great explanation Liron. So simple and yet fundamental to good technique. I am going to hold this in my mind every time I pick up a brush. Thank you.

[@LironYan]

Thank you James, very happy this helps 😁 Another intuitive skill to the huge pile that’s a part of learning watercolor

[@magicalmagpiee]

Love your explanations. Thank you.😊

[@jushowalter4501]

Thank you for the demo. I now understand better how my paint is interacting with the paper

[@c8Lorraine1]

I’d like to see a full painting - using these techniques

[@gwenchaperon4262]

Very informative and well taught, I not only learnt I understood. Well done and thankyou

[@loris7184]

Excellent!! Thank you! exactly what I needed!

[@janetbaw]

awesome teacher!!!

[@tinabrewer_24ab12]

Thank you. I have always wanted to paint and this was informative.

[@jekalambert9412]

I LOVE cauliflowers - I'm intentional about creating them.

[@blinkybli8326]

This is, without a doubt, the most helpful and informative watercolor video i've ever seen. Thank you SO much!!!!

[@LironYan]

Thank you 😁😁

[@alexandruepuran]

Pure gold!

[@LironYan]

Thank you so much 😁🙏🏼

[@ReneArtistry]

Absolutely beautiful 😊

[@MedievalMary]

I think paying attention to the wetness of a wash and being able to manipulate it at different stages is the most important technique in watercolor.

[@denisewells4617]

Thank you that was so helpful!

[@softlanding138]

Super instruction! Thank you!❤

[@juliecampbell4909]

Thanks for this - love the detail. Wet in wet is more tricky than a lot of tutorials would have you believe. And trying to balance the amount of water on paper, brush and in paint mixes is complicated - especially when you also factor in the drying time. Practice, practice, practice.

[@LironYan]

Yes (: It’s just like crawling, then walking - and finally running. Takes a but to make it all intuitive. But once it is, painting becomes a joy 😁

[@robertbutler4393]

Helpful. Thanks, Liron.

[@LironYan]

Thank you Robert! (:

[@tabea258]

This is really really helpful for me. Thank you. 🌺

[@ardnasatelier78]

As always, amazing! Very good content and kwonledge sharing! Thanks! 👍😁

[@LironYan]

Thank you so much Sandra! 😊🙏🏼

[@Angela-jy8um]

This was very helpful. Thanks!

[@sueharper1976]

A really useful video lirón, thank you. As you say, us beginners struggle very much with this. I’m going to rewatch this a few times for it to really sink into my head!!

[@terriparsons6832]

This was so helpful. I live in the Arizona desert and find wet on wet a challenge because it dries so quickly. I’m a beginner so I’m hoping as I learn more and get quicker with my strokes, I’ll have better luck with this technique. Thanks for the lesson.

[@LironYan]

It's my pleasure, thank you for watching 😊🙏🏼 For this kind of climate, I would recommend generally working much wetter, and in more washes (because the washes are wetter = lighter, you may need more washes).

[@lilybay1]

Wonderful descriptive instruction

[@LironYan]

So happy to hear, thank you 😊🙏🏼

[@lindabrokaw1482]

This really helped me and I have painted with Watercolor for years! Thank you Lion!

[@LironYan]

Awesome! Very happy to hear 😊🙏🏼 Thank you for watching Linda!

[@jmarrapodi]

Super helpful. This explains a lot of the muddy cauliflower messes I’m getting.

[@jazminalvarado8433]

Awesome video! Thank you very much👏🏽💕

[@shampysingh8190]

I just love how you explain thing precisely I must say you love your work so much . keep posting such videos, these are very effective to me.

[@LironYan]

Thank you ☺️🙏🏼 Will do my best

[@heartchitect1960]

Best teaching methods EVER !!

[@LironYan]

Thank you so much 😊🙏🏼

[@user-xy2nf6mv9m]

Great explanation!

[@rashmitamhankar853]

Studied video. It gives motivation to paint in watercolour. Thanks a lot.

[@LironYan]

Then my job is done 😁🙏🏼 Thank you

[@crazyliv]

Awesome video for a beginner thank you!

[@laurarios3725]

Thank you it really help !

[@michaelterry3958]

Thanks Liron very instructive. More times than not I have the wet on wet the way I want and I need to washout to add a reflection or bring the light. At what point in the process can that be accomplished and not create undesired effects

[@phoenixsky2110]

Thank you very much , very user video🙏

[@stephanietyler5436]

Great tutorial

[@Pistachio2024]

Very good! Your way of teaching is unique in that it's almost a science lesson. It's what I need at this stage.

[@LironYan]

Thank you 😁 I like to fully break down technique at its very basic / "scientific" core. That way I mostly avoid forcing the "how or when to use it" part, and avoid venturing into any style / taste related territory.

[@zewnatury2010]

I have been struggling with this for a long time. Thank you for explaining this. Finally!😄

[@LironYan]

😁🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@ohthatsean]

Looking to level up my painting this year, very helpful video!

[@LironYan]

Thank you ♥ Have a wonderful 2024 (:

[@karenfox4432]

Thankyou for sharing x

[@stanTrX]

Thanks a lot for sharing this

[@mountainsno]

Excellent video and information

[@syncho1985]

You could not have been clearer. Thank you for making the process understandable, able to reproduce, and showing how to avoid mistakes. I look forward to watching more of your videos.

[@denisebanto3185]

Thank you for this tip!!!

[@LironYan]

You got it 😁

[@franceslazu1784]

Thanks a lot!!

[@ourDoug1]

Great food for thought .... many thanks!

[@LironYan]

Thank you so much 🙏😊

[@claudiakzn8885]

Excellent advice, thank you! 🙏😅

[@nicolem376]

LIGHTBULB MOMENT! Haha ty so much. Idk if I was taught this or my brain thought it made sense but…when my paper started to dry & I wanted to blend more I added watery paint because bringing the paper back to wet seemed to make sense. This helped me SO MUCH. I have never seen it explained to add thicker paint & why.

[@hermajestyqueenmarciamarti1151]

Thank you. I came upon this video by pure chance. Makes me want to paint. I'm afraid I've forgotten so much after many years. But you have lit the flame. So thank you dear friend. Marcia in Modesto

[@suefortin6811]

Thanks for the info

[@lisafred1362]

So say your shape has dried.. now you want to come back. Say you wanted to do another glaze.. not wet on dry. You wet the area again, and then can you start with the tea intensity or do you have to continue with the darkest dark you put on in the last session before it dried? Thank you so much Liron.. this was great.

[@cathyrankin7142]

Thank you!!!

[@MLGeb]

Thanks for the video. I would love to see a video teaching wet on wet with a lot of colors (like in a flower) but avoid creating hard lines. I always have to at the end come with a brush to smooth these unwanted hard lines. If there is a way to avoid them to be created I would love to learn how to. Thanks

[@josemiddelhuis6902]

Top explanaition thank you very much for sharing sincerely José