Simple Tricks For SALT Watercolour Techniques

[@thefabuloustravelingartstu5119]

You have made your explanation very clear. Thank you.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you 😊

[@pattymcclung3300]

I love all the different effects. The bottom left looks like a wild sky and the bottom middle makes me think of a school of tiny fish!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you Patty! That is what I love about salt... it creates amazing effects and opens up so much for the imagination! Thank you for sharing :)

[@catherinesummerfield5231]

Brilliant to share this comparison. Thank you very much. Love and Peace from Canada ! Catherine

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you Catherine and the same to you from the UK 😀

[@faribaj.4619]

How beautifully you explain everything. Thank you very much for invaluable videos. Happy to find you.

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome!

[@susanamer7904]

Dear Karen, I have viewed your tutorials for a long time now and it amazes me how you can always learn something new in watercolour painting. Your techniques with the salt are amazing, such tiny grains sprinkled onto the wet and damp paper create such a stunning result. It's easy to pinch too much and ruin the painting! I have to say though I was actually worried about the effect of the salt on your lovely brushes !! I guess it's ok ? Your instructions and guidance are always so clear and precise , you are an amazing artist and I love your work. Thank you.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much Susan, really pleased you are learning so much from the tutorials. I love trying out different techniques. I am not sure of the long term effects on the brushes. I would recommend using older well worn brushes just in case. Hope this was helpful 😊

[@AnaSnowWhite]

You have the most useful videos for learning watercolor techniques

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@sueking3870]

Love the technique where the first colour comes through the second, really would never have thought of that. Thank you Karen.

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome again Sue. Thank you 😊

[@judithhombsch1535]

Thank you for such an extensive explanation

[@KarenRiceArt]

You're very welcome! Thanks Judith 😀

[@enlighteneduk]

Thanks for this. I'm one of those who has trouble with salt but am so envious of the effects! Will try again, thanks so much!

[@KarenRiceArt]

I am so glad you found this helpful Heather... good luck with trying again!!

[@andrewfrost8866]

Love, love, love salt and watercolour!!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Me too! Thank you Andrew! 😊

[@mizkeenmills]

I learned something new today about the salt water! Can't wait to play with it. Thank you.

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome! Have fun 😊

[@yunzers]

I’ve tried using salt with no luck. This is so helpful. Thanks so much!

[@KarenRiceArt]

S glad it was helpful! 😀

[@pattiartiste]

Thanks so much for all your tips!!❤❤❤

[@KarenRiceArt]

My pleasure 😊

[@marialunatorres7581]

Karen the tutorial very interesting, thank you very much

[@KarenRiceArt]

You’re welcome 😊

[@trishmunro6885]

Brilliant 👏 thank you Karen

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks so much Trish 😊

[@sandraneale128]

So interesting. Cd you use the green square as a background and then pant flowers over it!❤️🦋

[@KarenRiceArt]

Great question... It may be a little dark for watercolour. It would work with gouache or adding white to watercolour paint.

[@thisiscryswood]

You had the key, thank you! I've been so frustrated because salting a painting never worked for me, and I did some experimenting based on your video, and I was doing all of it wrong lol 😹 - wrong timing, wrong paper, and the wrong type of salt. Thanks again 😊👍🏾

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks Crystal, so glad you found this helpful 😊

[@neverwares]

That was super informative, thank you! I’ve struggled with using salt on my paintings and this helps so much. Off to have a play now

[@KarenRiceArt]

Glad it was helpful! Happy painting 😊🎨

[@amandasymon4363]

Great tutorial - I can image many applications for these techniques 👊

[@KarenRiceArt]

Wonderful! Thank you 😊

[@janiceblough]

This is very interesting- I’m going to try it next time I paint! Ty!

[@sanazrafi2707]

Great 👍 thank you so much Karen ❣️

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome

[@Baldridge12]

I often add salt dry onto paint but never thought of salty water! Thank you 😊

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome! Thanks Catherine 😊

[@PMartistStudio]

We loved it and needed a place to send people for a simple yet in-depth video for techniques. We are mixed media artists and our approach is from that mind-frame. Thank you!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much... glad it was helpful and thanks for sharing... I really appreciate that 😊

[@PMartistStudio]

@@KarenRiceArt our pleasure truly 🥰💖✨

[@teresajordao6634]

Thank you for these tips on using salt!

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome!

[@anni50ful]

Thank you so much,I was one of the artists that asked you about salt as I have experimented to know avail, one of my arty friends said she also has problems,so it was interesting what you said about humid conditions we are in Cornwall, I will have another go I have some aquarium salt which should be interesting, if all else fails I will try the water effect . Thank You so much Karen ,it doesn't matter how long you have been painting there is always something new to learn.Cheers ☺

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks so much, I am glad you asked that question, because it has helped so many!! I hope you have more success with the salt.. but you never know it could be the climate in Cornwall! If all else fails the spritzing water is great and produces some great textures... Good luck... let me know how you get on😊

[@deannamunro8148]

this was great Karen. Thank you!

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome!

[@patriciadupuis9857]

Extremely helpful demonstration! Yet more creative techniques to enhance our watercolour art...many thanks.

[@KarenRiceArt]

So glad it was helpful Patricia! I hope you get a chance to include it in your watercolour painting soon 😊

[@ЛалаДавыдова]

Вот сколько пыталась, ни разу не получились такие красивые пятна с солью

[@KarenRiceArt]

Just keep having a practice, try different salts, paper and timings :)

[@ЛалаДавыдова]

@@KarenRiceArt Спасибо!

[@Klecksfabrik]

Very interesting! Thank you!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks Johanna 😊

[@pamgibbons2043]

Another excellent tutorial.😍.thank you Karen,

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks so much!

[@jeannetteleonard257]

Thank you! I'm about to start using salt so this video is really helpful. 👌

[@KarenRiceArt]

Glad it was helpful. Happy painting 😊🎨

[@geertjestarreveld3125]

Excellent. Thank for the tips

[@KarenRiceArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@KensacART]

Interesting salt effects, excellent tutorial. Thank you.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks for watching!

[@rebeccaparmeley7829]

This was brilliant! Very, very nice and informative!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you Rebecca! 😊

[@nickybomont6074]

That was fun thanks Karen! And more inspiration 👍🏻😊

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome! Thank you Nicky

[@lauriehuber8048]

Definitely going to try the saltwater technique for sure! Thnks Karen!

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome! Hope you have fun! Such a cool technique. Thank you Laurie 😊

[@christinewilde110]

Thankyou for that. Brilliant!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks so much Christine 😀

[@ShatteredRippleBooks]

Very helpful tutorial

[@KarenRiceArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@janierimer7371]

Wow. It never occurred to me to try salt with the initial wash on the paper. Thanks for this inspiring video.

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome! Thanks Janie :)

[@RadishTheFool]

Another helpful and inspiring salt video (I got this in my recommended after watching the other one). Thank you! ☘️

[@KarenRiceArt]

Glad it was helpful! I added some extras here... thank you for watching.

[@darleneplant.6284]

Thank you Karen, you've made things clear for me regarding salt.very informative. I like the idea of the second color

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks so much Darlene, so pleased this tutorial has been helpful! I loved using the idea of using the second colour! It turned out better than expected 😊

[@anitadavidson1266]

This was extremely useful Karen, thank you 👩‍🎨🖌🎨

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks so much Anita 😊

[@leslie-annepepin8927]

This is a great tutorial. I really like the undercoat of different colour. Thank you!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks so much Leslie-Anne, really pleased you liked the undercoat demo... I was really pleased how it turned out 😊

[@bill4886]

thank you. it was helpful

[@KarenRiceArt]

So pleased this was helpful 😀

[@joannepeyton1654]

Hi Karen: This is a great lesson for salt techniques. I think the key is to practice with the amounts of water for the effect you want. Thank you for the tutorial. 😎💜🇺🇸

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks so much Joanne... I totally agree... it is all about practice! 😊

[@eastsussexbeesandwildlife5801]

Very helpful as always, thankyou. Peter

[@KarenRiceArt]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you Peter 😊

[@kitwhallon3716]

Thank you so much for sharing these great tips !

[@KarenRiceArt]

So glad it was helpful! Thank you Kit

[@rayrasiqueira]

This is so interesting to know! Thank you for showing and teaching us!!!

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome!

[@marybusse2825]

This is a great tutorial. I am going to share it with my art group.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much Mary, I am delighted you think so! Thank you also for sharing it with you art group! I really appreciate that 😊

[@ooakleaf]

Wonderful video! Thank you so much! ☺

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome 😊

[@philipdown3147]

Thanks greatly Karen how amazing the different results in this paints, enjoyed how you've calmly explained what is your way to apply the salt. I must confess not tried using salts yet,greatly appreciating your tutorials Karen stay safe and healthy

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks so much Philip, really pleased you found this helpful 😊

[@pietrovitali6788]

Excellent work test

[@rosiefarrell3833]

Great tutorial. The green paint on a dry pink background with Himalayan salt is stunning and would make a beautiful background for a bird or floral subject.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks so much Rosie... so pleased you liked the tutorial and great suggestion btw! 😊

[@4bews]

I love using the salt technique. I never thought about adding a second color over another one and then using salt so the first color comes through from the salt - so cool! I can't wait to see you do a wildflower painting some time using saltwater effect as the flowers. It's going to be beautiful! Thanks for another wonderful tutorial.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much for your comment. So pleased you liked the technique of painting a second wash, then use the salt. It is so effective, as you say creating a wildflowers scene 😊

[@huynhthanhtruc4670]

Dear Karen, I have problem with using salt in painting. I have tried table salt and flakes sea salt on wet or damp painting. But I’ve never had any nice results. I am so lucky to find out this video. It’s full of knowledge and your demonstration is very easy to understand. I will practice and fully hope that my cards will have more beautiful texture in spirit of Christmas 😍 Thank you so much !

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome... I hope this helps and you get good results for salt and watercolour. Have fun!!

[@huynhthanhtruc4670]

My problem is I am not enough patience to wait few hours for the paint dry naturally. I used the hair blower to dry the paint. Now I know my mistake. Thank you Karen !

[@KarenRiceArt]

Wonderful... I hope you get better results now :)

[@andreagriffiths3512]

Never had any luck with salt the two times I’ve tried (I’m a complete watercolour beginner) but this is worth a try. The effects are lovely and would make interesting backgrounds if only I can get a handle on it.

[@KarenRiceArt]

You can do it! Good luck Andrea 😊

[@loissemanek1715]

Thanks I learned alot

[@KarenRiceArt]

Glad to hear it - thank you 😊

[@HPerdrix]

Thank you !!

[@KarenRiceArt]

You're welcome!

[@24starbuck]

Thank you for being so generous with your tips. I’ve never seen the two layer effect before! I do find though that some pigments work better than others as well.

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome! So pleased you found this helpful... I agree some colours are better with salt than others... I never seem to get on with Ultramarine!

[@mywifetheartist]

So cool. Thanks for sharing. ❤❤

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much 😊

[@nazneenjabbar6618]

Enjoyed all the snow scenes previously. This salt experiments were so interesting. Great videos and precise tutorials 👌🏽

[@KarenRiceArt]

So glad you enjoyed it and found them helpful!

[@annettefournier9655]

Thanks Karen. I really have trouble with salt being hit or miss. I just did a card and it worked perfectly. I need to write notes on which paint and paper react well . Love the two paint effect. That would make lovely trees and frozen water too. 💜

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much Annette! So many have trouble with salt... as you say it can be hit or miss. I think you are right to keep a record on which paper & colours work the best with salt. So pleased you like the two paint effect... great suggestions for trees and frozen water 😊

[@theresehudran7635]

You are great!!!! Thank you.

[@cindycyr2361]

love this tutorial!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much 😊

[@helengill5481]

Such a good tutorial :)

[@isabelwittich9148]

Wonderfull

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you Isabel 😊

[@chrischurchley7003]

Brilliant Karen - this is beyond helpful. I have also tried dropping on isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) which also creates an interesting effect 👏👍😁

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you Chris, so pleased you found this helpful! Thank you for sharing also about dropping in the rubbing alcohol! I love that effect! 😊

[@christinerolf9348]

i love this thankyou how much salt to mix with water please

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much. I don’t add salt to water? I sprinkle of salt onto damp paper.

[@sshelton4611]

I thought the first examples were with a salt water mixture. Did I misunderstand?

[@louisebacon-ogden5032]

Thank you so much! I discovered that our damp humidity has affected my "salt" work and also using an inferior paper. I was glad to hear that as I got rather frustrated using that technique. I just thought it was ME! However, I still have trouble knowing how long to wait before adding the salt. I think I may try ocean water to paint and see what happens! So, off to the beach!

[@KarenRiceArt]

I hope you get some better results Louise! Love your idea of using ocean water! Have fun... let me know how you get on! :)

[@101curlywurly]

Fantsstic video. Can you tell me what you have your paper taped to, is it a piece of wood or something, it seems to help with the buckling of wet paper that always seems to spoil my paintings. Thanks xx

[@KarenRiceArt]

I am using a watercolour block, it helps with warping.

[@euphrasiebrun2786]

Fascinating, Karen, I'll give it a try but as I don't have access to Patreon from here I would like you to show us how to use these salt techniques in a painting.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you! Check out my latest video, I use salt in the background... you may find it helpful : kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmrWpmhuhLWId6c&start_radio=1

[@annehumphreys57]

So helpful, thanks Karen. I have difficulty with salt and now I know my paint was too wet! It always looks like it's exploded!

[@KarenRiceArt]

I am so glad you found it helpful Anne... have fun giving salt another try! Good luck 😊

[@karolfrench5816]

Very interesting. I always stretch paper it’s cheaper that way. And you can have lots of boards and different surfaces of paper on one board. Please can you help those of us who stretch Much appreciated

[@KarenRiceArt]

Hi Karol, I haven't stretched for years, sorry... As a quick very cheap alternative you could wet the back and front of the paper, and paint wet in wet. Here is a link to a video where I did just that... Hope you find it helpful :kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqWsaWCZh8iIerc

[@mariaswierczynska6797]

Hej, Karen, my sol never explodes, it only creates dots. Does the paper have to be very wet or a little dry?. Thank you !!!Maria.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Hi Maria, try putting your salt on a little earlier... experiment and see what happens... hope this was helpful :)

[@maineiacts]

Hi! Thank You for this!! I adore the salt technique you used!! Wonder how Sea Salt would work?🤔😃Happy Holidays!!🌲🙋‍♀️

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you! Sea salt is amazing also... happy holidays to you too! 😊

[@vimim5088]

Thank you so so much Karen. Somehow salt never worked right for me though I love its effect, but this tutorial has given me hope and I'm definitely going to try it! My eureka moment??😊

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome! I hope this helps... let me know how you get on 😊

[@catherinelidden257]

Thanks Karen. I was wondering though, wouldn’t salt eventually ruin the paper as it’s so corrosive? No one seems to talk about that.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Hi Catherine, I’ve been using table salt for years. So far so good. I do brush off the salt when dry. A good alternative to salt is to spatter water into damp paint. Hope this was helpful 😀

[@elizabethremwick3038]

Cool😊

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you!

[@tamsinholland1297]

I love using table salt! It never dawned on me to use himalayan salt - that's next! I also handpaint silk scarves and use salt on those as well, for a really gorgeous texture.

[@KarenRiceArt]

So pleased you love using salt Tamsin! Hand painted silk scarves sounds wonderful and so creative! 😊

[@marycope2278]

This was great. When making my ckor charts for each of my paints i do a salt test for wach. I have found that some colors give gteat results while others do not have much of an effect. Have you noticed this?

[@KarenRiceArt]

Hi Mary, so pleased you found this helpful! What a great idea of doing a salt test on your colour charts. I too have found some colours work better with salt than others. Thank you for sharing 😊

[@triciabennetts6578]

Thankyou Karen 😄- very useful and interesting. I do get very mixed results with salt and spattering water - timing and paper seem to be very important. Do you think the Saunders Waterford is the better of the ones you’ve mentioned? TIA.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you Tricia... timing is so important as well as the paper. I have used Saunders Waterford in my teaching for nearly 30 years and other papers... I always go back to Saunders and recommend it to all of my students for quality, performance and price. I hope this was helpful 😊

[@julieb737]

Awesome . Such variety . Is Himalayan salt like rock salt ? Essentially chunks of salt as apposed to table salt grains ? Never seen this done with a different under colour . You’ve certainly inspired me to have an experimental play . Thank you for the inspirational teaching .

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you for your lovely comments 😊 I actually use and would recommend sea salt, but you can use table salt, just make sure it's not low salt. I recommend laying down some mid tone washes, wait for your paper to be damp, and sprinkle the salt. Give it time to work. Hopefully you will get some nice results.

[@julieb737]

@@KarenRiceArt low salt , ha ha , if you knew how much I love my salt !

[@sambeawesome]

Thanks for this video! Using salt water and layering colors are ideas I hadn't thought of, but am looking forward to trying! :) That last technique also works with paints that don't react to salt, which sounds weird, but a brand I use, no matter what I've tried, couldn't care less about salt x'D

[@KarenRiceArt]

So pleased you found this helpful! I hope you have fun trying out the techniques :)

[@bettystychno5723]

Have you ever experimented with rock salt? I’ve tried it once in an ocean background to make bubbles. Interesting but sort of out of control. I think it was too wet. I’ll keep experimenting. I’ll try now to wait until it’s damp. Thanks for that tip.

[@KarenRiceArt]

I have Betty, creates some amazing effects as well as sea salt. Experimenting is the key because of climate, paper, timing and salt! Have fun 😊

[@mariawallbrecht5511]

The salt effect online works with certain colours. Is it brand related?

[@KarenRiceArt]

I haven’t found a difference with brands. Sometimes the paper, colours, salt or weather conditions!

[@MrMaker-se1qr]

What kind of paper is this?

[@KarenRiceArt]

I have listed all of my materials in the description... I was using Saunders Waterford 300gsm rough watercolour paper 😊

[@alanfleming8641]

Try popcorn salt (smaller grain). Also saline solution from medical application.

[@MargaretBonner-r2n]

Wonderful 12:37

[@HeleneHe-bg5sq]

Hello Karen, I have tried two days now,but have no luck. Sometimes it can leave some light white flowers but with dark dot in the center. Why is that? Thank you for your lessons.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Sorry to hear you’re having some issues and not sure if you read my reply to your previous message? I always use sea salt or you can use table salt, just sure it's not low salt. I recommend laying down some mid tone washes, wait for your paper to be damp, and sprinkle the salt. Give it time to work. Or maybe try different watercolour papers. Hope this helps 😊

[@HeleneHe-bg5sq]

@@KarenRiceArt Thank you for your reply. I have changed to sea salt and find a way to do it. The white flowers are just not so clear as yours. But I am happy for it. I will try again. Thanks again.

[@HeleneHe-bg5sq]

It can take several hours! That is important. I will try again.

[@KarenRiceArt]

I use sea salt but you can use table salt, make sure it's not low salt. I recommend laying down some mid tone washes, wait for your paper to be damp, and sprinkle the salt. Give it time to work. Hopefully you will get some nice results and well done for persevering 😊

[@ingridsvensson2419]

Lovely effect! Looks like frost on a window.

[@smileyphotography1]

How is it that your watercolor paper doesn’t buckle/warp? I tape mine down and it still warps.

[@KarenRiceArt]

I mostly use watercolour gummed blocks, which help with keeping the painting from buckling. I also use paper that is 300gms and that seems to help also.😊

[@Misses-Hippy]

When you say creamy, do you mean opaque?

[@KarenRiceArt]

Just thicker paint with the consistency of cream 😀

[@juliacastella796]

Intéressant apparemment , mais dommage que ça ne soit pas sous titré en Français ...

[@suel4269]

6 years later and I’m stilllllll struggling , dry climate. Tried different papers, pigments , water levels .

[@KarenRiceArt]

Sorry you’re having trouble with salt effect. I have heard climate can effect the results.

[@valentinadagramo9683]

Hi, dear, I used grainy salt, it’s like small stones… I am not that happy withmy results:((( I used also lots of water, the salt is still there…. I ruined a nice painting with amaryllis 🙆🏻‍♀️🙈😞😞

[@KarenRiceArt]

Hi Valentina... you want to apply the salt when the paint is damp and not too wet... keep practicing it's worth it as it builds confidence 😊

[@soongloege3241]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@PessoasnaPessoa]

❤

[@carmentryssesoone3505]

🌹👍

[@mariaswierczynska6797]

salt, of course