Watercolor and salt: a how-to guide to creating perfect textures with salt

In this video I show you how to use salt in your watercolor paintings. I take two kinds of salt: fine salt and kosher salt and compare their effects side by side. I test each kind of salt on different consistencies of watercolor. Which is more important? Pigment or water? Take a look at the video to find out!
At the end of the video I also show you two step by step tutorials using watercolor and salt to create a snowy mountain and a dandelion. The unique effect of the salt with the watercolor creates the perfect texture for both of these paintings.
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Polina Bright Brushes
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[@debbieabruzzini7004]

I've found salt reacts with different pigments from different manufacturers, too!

[@cgpartistry]

So glad that I found this! I’ve been curious on how to paint dandelions, thanks.

[@kathf2932]

What a great demo of watercolor and different household salts! I will be utilize this idea in a project I am just beginning! Thank you!

[@merlinsreturn]

WOW! LOVE IT!

[@pennywheeler2598]

Brilliant! Your amazing! I enjoy the way you teach, even your voice is soothing. 🎨🎨🎨 You need to start watercolor classes on line.🎨

[@kristinvanleuven]

Thank you so much Penny! It's definitely something I'm looking into

[@irenebradford5167]

You make this look so easy I have to try it xxx

[@dinky..]

This was fantastic! Thank you👏👏👏

[@craftykat]

Thank you so much! This is so helpful.

[@ButterFly-cw7sj]

I love it!!!!

[@prettyghost7019]

I looooove the dandelion❤

[@gwenharrison7624]

Extremely helpful. Much appreciated

[@chellepitts6677]

I love this!! So beautiful and amazing what you can do with salt!!

[@dais.saysgoaway]

Brilliant! Thank you 😊

[@deirdrehalstead6963]

Many thanks Kristin, great tutorial 👏👏👏💕

[@EktaShah82]

Wow that’s so cool

[@janetcurci2251]

Love this! Thank you, Kristin.

[@kristinvanleuven]

You are so welcome!

[@cherylweidenweber6594]

Brilliant use of salt for the dandelion!!

[@kristinvanleuven]

Thank you! I was pleased the salt cooperated so well haha

[@LeParisien78370]

Nice study! Thanks.

[@wendychampness1901]

Definitely trying that dandelion ❣️

[@kristinvanleuven]

It's addictingly fun!

[@michellebambrick9832]

FUN project!

[@kristinvanleuven]

Thank you Michelle!

[@darbydupree4056]

What a great video! Thumbs up!

[@anniemac7545]

Looks so pretty, great video ...thank you from Australia

[@EvieVermont]

Very helpful

[@patriciasheridan7]

Very wonderful ❤!

[@kristinvanleuven]

Thank you very much!

[@Midgy21747]

Thanks for sharing

[@tracyebrandt3235]

OMG - I loved this and can't wait to try it! Thanks for the salt experiment, it explains the issue I had when I tried using salt😉

[@kristinvanleuven]

You are so welcome! I'm so glad it was helpful for you

[@CoreyRossArt]

Thank you Kristin. No one has ever pointed out that water colors are somewhat unpredictable. Mentally it frees up so much for me. I can't quite explain it but it genuinely helped. Thank you again. 🙏🏾

[@NE-ni7mr]

Watercolours are pretty unpredictable and challenging at times compared to any other media. I remember really struggling when I switched to watercolours from acrylics. I initially did a lot of washes like I used to with acrylics but then started experimenting more with watercolour techniques and started to love it. Just remember that less is more in terms of water and pigment. And enjoy the process.

[@lpayne91]

Hello, I’m a new subscriber from UK and found you via instagram. This was such an informative video as I didn’t really know how to use salt in watercolour so will have a try next time I’m going to paint. Thank you! Now need to binge watch your channel lol.

[@kristinvanleuven]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much for being here and enjoy the videos haha :)

[@RameyRocks]

This is great. I have got to try that dandelion!!! But I am new to watercolor and I don't even have any watercolors yet LOL but I do have Derwent inktense watercolor pencils. I'm going to try with them and see if it works.

[@kristinvanleuven]

Thank you! That sounds great. Let me know how it goes

[@minicookinghd7373]

Dear friend Awesome!! It’s so cute, Grate Idea. So beautiful. Good scenery & looking Side. So satisfying, love your videos. Wish me luck

[@kristinvanleuven]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@lindahoarau5377]

😍

[@arlenemurphy804]

Hi Kristin, thank you. I have been trying without success. I will try it again. Does the paper have any effect? Love your video

[@lisawik7234]

Me too! I tried it. No results!

[@b.lab.__blab_colors]

I really like this kind of demonstration and research. Thank you 🙏 and good job!! I'll upload a video about pigment comparisons and there's little part to show salt effect on the watercolor. Could I link this video as a reference video?? It will be surely a good knowledge to understand about salt effect. Sincerely 🙏❤️

[@kristinvanleuven]

Thank you for your kind comment! You can definitely link this video as a reference. Thank you for asking!

[@b.lab.__blab_colors]

@@kristinvanleuven wow 🤩 thank you so much!! As soon as I link your video, I’ll let you know. 🙏🙏🙏

[@b.lab.__blab_colors]

@@kristinvanleuven Hello? Last time, I asked if I could link your video on my channel. I uploaded a video related to your video today. Thank you again for your permission. 🙏 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJu5aJ-iqa2WoqM

[@ennelle2024]

Obviously the more water the more the salt has to react with

[@xo5795]

my salt doesn’t do that ): it doesn’t have that grand of an affect any advice ?

[@lenkiewiczlover7256]

Mine didn’t either

[@donnajones2332]

You are such a gifted teacher! Thank you! It works and it’s so pretty!

[@lisawik7234]

​@@lenkiewiczlover7256mine either

[@prettyghost7019]

Maybe your paper is too wet too much water? My salt doesn't work when there's too much water on my paper

[@user-xi1ey6fy6f]

Muchas gracias por compartir. Buenísimas ideas.