Watercolor Blending and Edge Control Technique | Tutorial

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Hi there, Liron here!
And today I want to talk to you about what I perceive to be one of the hardest watercolor painting techniques - blending and edge control!
Funny enough, this is also a very basic technique that I recommend mastering early on. It's an important pillar of watercolor painting.
🎨TIME-STAMPES 🎨
00:19 - Introduction
02:05 - Demo
06:39 - Blending different colors
07:20 - Spheres
16:05 - Conclusion
Here's the link to Stan Miller's video that inspired this one:
• Lesson 12 / Controllin...
I hope you find this video useful. Let me know what you think in a comment below (:
- Liron
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[@Tennishead21]

You enjoy the sound of rain?! I guess it must not rain much in Israel? :) Try living in Ireland, where it rains every day and let me know how you feel about the rain then. :P Really informative video, Liron. :)

[@LironYan]

Haha, I’ll admit we don’t get much rain here, and it seems the winters become shorter and shorter with every year that goes 😛 I hope to visit there one day!

[@Tennishead21]

I think we have the opposite problem. It seems Irish winters are getting longer and longer with each passing year! It is March and there is still ice and snow on the ground! You would be most welcome to visit if you can manage the rain. :) Did you ever get the email I sent you about Schmincke paints?

[@craftydegrasse3679]

I'm here in Seattle,Washington usa,it rains a lot! Love to sound of it that's about it! lol 😂 nice video. Thanks for sharing 💜😄

[@txnmopainter]

Doesn't rain much in Texas either. Thanks for the video.

[@annabunny1665]

I'm in St Petersburg and legend has it that it will be sunny someday.

[@darI33n]

I'm a beginner and found this really helpful. Thanks.

[@heather333]

This has identified where I've been going wrong. I've been using the wet in wet technique, and using too much water so I get deeply saturated edges and very pale centres as the paint flows outwards!

[@BoBnfishy]

I had the same issue! Took a while to realize exactly what I was doing wrong

[@sandra1582]

You might also want to watch Stefan Gevers on KZbin.

[@madjayhawk]

Thanks for taking the time to make your videos. They are extremely helpful to us that are just starting out in painting with watercolors. Generous people like you make this planet a better place to live.

[@eunicefarrington5779]

Thanks so much. This video was so helpful for me. Don't ever think you're breaking things down too much, or that we're bored when you go over the same thing repeatedly. You are a very gifted teacher!

[@LironYan]

Thank you so much ☺️🙏🏼🙏🏼 I really appreciate it

[@user-oy7kp8vj8u]

Oh my goodness, where have you been all my painting life? This is exactly what I have been doing wrong…going back and trying to rework my paint ! Thank you so much for such great videos. ♥️

[@michellesing7498]

Honestly this breakdown has helped me so much with blending out smoothly! Thank you so much!! Ive gone from sloppy bulky, to waaaay smoother!

[@algalande]

This channel is treasure of knowledge..lessons that are rare on youtube..Love from India❤..thank you !

[@LironYan]

Thank you my friend 😊🙏🏼 I have a lot of new videos that I think get better and better (and with less views), I hope you’ll find some gems there too 🎨

[@charlieberger2202]

I am two minutes and seven seconds into my first taste of your videos, and I already know I will be coming back for more. Why? It's a) your command of the language of artmaking, and b) your effortless blend of seriousness and humor, and c) ....well, I'll let you know as soon as I've digested a couple more of your posts, but I'm certain there will be more. Well done, Liron, and thanks.

[@LironYan]

Thank you so so much Charlie! 😊🙏🏼 Welcome aboard 😁

[@peggyboe4228]

I have watched a lot of blending videos and the results you get with that technique was really eye - opening. Don’t ever think you’re being too basic!

[@cmeblu75]

I think it’s really important that you take your time. I know most people want quick videos, but that doesn’t help those of us who are learning. So the long explanations are necessary, very important and I’m very grateful. I’m definitely new, but try every day for showing depth, blending and of course making objects look shiny. This is my constant practice. Thank you for the videos

[@alananoor4324]

I was trying to paint a white flower and I really struggled with that beginner mistake, so coming across this video right after I gave up on my 3 petals is a miracle. Thank you!

[@LironYan]

Haha so happy it helped Alana! Keep practicing and you'll make it 😊🙏🏼

[@milenabdesign]

I agree, the perfect water-paint ratio is so important and hard to find! Very cool tips! Thank you ;)

[@LironYan]

Thank you 😊🙏🏼 Indeed a tricky skill, but definitely comes with time!

[@annewatman677]

Basics are so important! I’m truly grateful to you for demonstrating this, and you are giving me all kinds of things to practice! I’m certainly not bored, just excited to try it myself!

[@hifzakhalid1879]

Excellent video. The fact that you show us how it's NOT supposed to look and the whys and hows of what a beginner is doing wrong is really really helpful 💞💞

[@kaymerrill8334]

Best video on water color blending I have seen...thank you!

[@BarbaraGilbertdesigner]

Thank you so much Liron, this is exactly what I needed! I am fairly new to watercolor and have been having a terrible time with hard edges. I will start practicing immediately.

[@LironYan]

Happy to help 😊🙏🏼

[@christessone2486]

Incredibly helpful demo, thank you! I tend to do the wet-in-wet version you did in the bottom right, and I haven’t been happy with the results. I get it now.

[@LironYan]

I'm happy this helps! ^_^ Thank you. Full on wet-in-wet has its uses too. But I indeed find that this is better done wet on dry (:

[@donnaalston2456]

Just finding you and I’m so glad I did. Thank you for showing all of the elements, i.e. the paint, the water, the towel, what you’re doing with your brush when it isn’t on the paper. For a newbie, this is so helpful.

[@susandavenport8777]

Excellent demo!! THANK YOU! As a self-taught artist, I really appreciate it when your expertise is shared👍👍❤️

[@lydiawebber1846]

Thank you so much for your videos! As a watercolor newbie, I appreciate everything that helps, and since I‘ve started a couple of months ago (ferociously painting), I feel like I‘ve already learned so much. Every week or so feels like a milestone. Absolutely love watercolors. Your channel is a gem!

[@jeannefrasier7644]

Thank you! I'm new to watercoloring and this was a short and straight to the point on how to blend properly. I was doing the wet-on-wet and was so frustrated with not being able to control the flow (which is okay for certain projects). Thanks again, I look forward to watching more.

[@marysu4]

It's never a bad thing to go back to basics! Sometimes one can get a little sloppy or forgetful and problems start happening that are hard to fix. A good return to basics reminds you what you are doing "wrong" to make the problem happen. Loving your approach so much! Thanks for sharing!

[@LironYan]

So true! I feel like I will soon go through another "cycle" of going back to basics (: Thank you

[@cheerp7313]

I learned (and still learning) so much from your videos. You are so generous with your talent. Thank you very much!

[@LironYan]

You are welcome! 😊🙏🏼It's my pleasure Thank you so much for watching!

[@Pixiewithpens]

this was really helpful, thank you! i've been struggling with getting smooth edges, particularly when i've tried to work in layers i tend to get either a sharp edge of pigment or a dry brush texture when i don't want that. this video definitely gave me tools to practice more effectively to get the look i want :)

[@LironYan]

I'm happy this helps ^_^ It's one of the most important things to "get" in watercolor. Once you do - it becomes intuitive very fast. Keep me updated on your progress!

[@tanmayshah7906]

By far, the best and most easy tips I found on watercolor. Very well explained and demonstrated 👍

[@LironYan]

Wow thank you so much 😊🙏🏼 Very happy to hear!

[@dianerademaker1896]

Thanks you Liron you have helped me understand so much that others don't explain so clearly. This and your dry washing tutorial has helped this newbie so much! I'm so happy I found you

[@vespa4jen]

Great tips and demo Liron! Thank you for taking the time to help all of us:)

[@philomena1539]

Love the style and content of your teaching - fast moving and yet extremely packed with information. Thank you!

[@TG-eh8uo]

Thank you Liron, this is something with which I have struggled and I appreciate the tutorial. And, now I am a new subscriber! The time stamps are priceless, truly! From one Landsman to another ♥

[@lynngarside8249]

I'm glad that I watched clear to the end. I think I've mastered wet on wet after years of doing it that way... but this really taught me the difference of blending using wet on dry, and I found it VERY helpful. I've been enjoying all your videos. Thank you.

[@SeanTWright]

Always worth spending time to practice blending, and all the other techniques, Liron. Beautiful green, btw. Keep up the great work in sharing knowledge.

[@LironYan]

Thank you (: There was a time I would do a basic exercise before every painting session. So I would start with blending / value matching / similar things, and then start painting. I find this to be very helpful for improving AND warming up 😁🎨

[@SeanTWright]

Yes, I also practice, even today, especially outdoor painting. I also am a fan of the preliminary sketch or two of a subject, before making a final decision on which composition to paint. Keep up the great vids!

[@ronishkrishnashrestha2465]

Thanks a lot for the tips. I recently picked up watercolor and have been struggling with clouds, and using this blending technique really helped me.

[@antiachen5032]

It is very clear for how you control the amount of water, I really need this, many videos they just apply color but they do not really show how much water they are using and is there paint on the brush, I think it is very important to a totally beginner like me. Thank you very much and now I am doing this training all the time and trying to make my circles to have as smooth as transition as possible.

[@LironYan]

Thank you so much 😊🙏🏼 Trying to show what nobody else shows 😉 Will hopefully find even more specific and neglected topics to share in the future

[@lOwlEyesl]

I love the sound of the rain. I live in a city near Phoenix, Arizona, USA so its pretty dry hear all the time and doesn't rain often, but when it does it pours and I love it. Great painting weather :) of course if you paint as much as I do (and I think you do) all weather is great painting weather. Anyway, great topic. Its good to get back to the basics sometimes.

[@LironYan]

I totally get what you are saying 😁 ☁️ 🌧 ☔️

[@cecileegeorgeson_artist]

What a fabulous tutorial..the universe gives you what you need when you need it...🙏Leon ....I enjoy listening to your videos and really love your painting technique

[@NMranchhand]

You’re a terrific teacher. You properly limit the scope of the instruction to one topic and then expand on that topic fully and unhurriedly (certainly never boring). I have subscribed. Thank you.

[@LironYan]

Thank you so much 😊🙏🏼 Very happy to have you onboard!

[@marijadika6444]

THANK YOU! Finally I get it! Please share more of the basic techniques of water control...

[@LironYan]

My pleasure! 😊🎨 I’m planning on doing more of these soon!

[@tracymac9058]

So clear and such easy instruction! You simplify EVERYTHING! Thank you so much!!!

[@LironYan]

Thank you 😊🙏🏼 So happy you found this useful!

[@gagglesc5631]

Thanks so much! This is a problem that I have encountered many times as a beginner, so this information is invaluable to me at the moment. I'm definitely going to get practicing.

[@LironYan]

So happy to hear 😊🙏🏼 Thank you!

[@heartchitect1960]

Thank you. After observing and attempting for so long, I think I'm finally getting the hang of it. I actually understand more than I thought I did.

[@LironYan]

Awesome, happy to hear I could help 😊🙏🏼 Thank you!

[@tessa6307]

Wow this instruction is a game changer for me. I have been pretty dissatisfied with my technique, and your explanation of blending really makes sense. I just put this to use and I already see a huge improvement in my painting.

[@LironYan]

So happy to hear! Thank you for letting me know and keep me updated on your progress 🙏🏼😊🎨

[@karinj.6938]

Thank you so much, Liron, your information in this tutorial is exactly what I need as a beginner ! It‘s also very helpful that you point out mistakes. 🤗

[@sandrabrito_slv644]

Thank you very much. Not boring at all. I love it. Great success for you!

[@tjdomsalla]

I really love your videos about water color techniques. Basic or advanced. I learn so much, especially about why my own experiences did not work that good … Thank you, Liron! 😎👍🏻

[@rebeccaaprice]

This is so well done and helpful. Thank you.

[@bailynnmountain]

Great video! I'm glad you made a point of speaking about the paper! That was one of the first questions that ran through my mind. Thanks!

[@KathleenRenninger]

Love this to-the-point, professional , video! I've done several watercolors but never actually got this technique down. Thank you! I'm subscribing!

[@LironYan]

Thank you, happy to have you onboard! ^_^

[@queensaharaice7376]

This was very helpful, thank you for the help! Can't wait to see more of these types of videos 😊✌

[@LironYan]

So happy this helps ^_^ I'm hoping to post a follow up soon.

[@millydaisy29]

Thanks for giving such a good demo on blending. I love your enthusiasm and your accent 👍

[@kipamides]

This will be very helpful for my beginning watercolor students. Thank you for sharing your talents with us, Liron!!

[@LironYan]

My pleasure 😇 Let me know how it goes!

[@melissaryanwocken1882]

Great video. Thank you so much for taking time to go through all the steps and also the reason why you do things a certain way.

[@LironYan]

My pleasure, really happy this helps (:

[@randyebastian8186]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you!

[@loriaragon2644]

This was extremely helpful! I'm new to watercolor and need instruction for the basics. Thanks, Liron, great job!

[@loriaragon2644]

The Stoned Videogame Nerd Thank you! There are a ton of videos... happy happy happy :)

[@LironYan]

Thank you 🙏🏼😊🎨

[@patricianeville464]

Great demo

[@patricianeville464]

GREAT DEMO 😊

[@sandrabrito_slv644]

Thank you very much. Not boring at all. I love it. Great success for you.

[@stormy439]

EXACTLY what I needed to see and hear!☺ You are great at teaching!

[@LironYan]

Thank you so much 😊🙏🏼 Happy this was helpful!

[@monpetitchouxpastry]

Very basic but just what I needed! I really appreciate you making this video! I’m a beginner with watercolor. I’ve mainly just done graphite all my life. You did a fantastic job explaining and teaching. Can’t wait to try these exercises out

[@LironYan]

Thank you 😊🙏🏼 Keep me updated on your progress 👍🏼

[@womanwithamask2631]

I'm eternally grateful. Thank you so much! I fell in love with watercolour many years ago (since Atanur Doğan founded International Watercolour society in 2011) but there were not enough educational sources then. So, I quit-I was so frustrated with the results. In the past few months, I started again and I realized that there are plenty of sources. Thank you so much! You are a great teacher!

[@222sailorgirl]

Your explanations are terrific. Now I know what I haven’t been doing trying to blend edges!

[@christierella]

I love your take on this process, I'm interested in what practice techniques come next. Thank you!

[@LironYan]

Thank you 😊🙏🏼

[@promethiamoore6462]

I love this video, because not only do you show us a very effective exercise, it is also a great painting technique and you also show us mistakes we are most likely to commit and showus how great our painting be compared to the flawed ones. Love this vid man 😍

[@avatarthelaststeambender8565]

This video is wonderful and very informative about how to blend edges and control the paint!

[@LironYan]

So happy to hear 😊🙏🏼 Thank you!

[@patriciadewit]

SO helpful! Thanks. I am glad you provide some close up to see the way the water and pigment move.

[@LironYan]

Happy to help ^_^

[@dianalynn6899]

Thank you very much. This is exactly the art lesson that I needed. You are a very good teacher. Thank you!

[@pattyboles9195]

I am just beginning to try to do watercolors and this blending lesson was really helpful. I hope i can do it!

[@2000jjcjfl26]

Thank you! Just started learning to use gouache and practicing this technique. So good!

[@LironYan]

Awesome, so happy this helps! (:

[@michelleflick1937]

Thanks, Liron. This was very clear. It is easy to understand while watching you doing the technique. Now, for the practice.

[@doloresneilson5349]

Excellent tutorial for this beginner! Wow...simple, great demonstrations and the best way is not even more difficult than the lesser techniques. Thank you!

[@LironYan]

My pleasure 😊🙏🏼 And yes - once you get used to it it’s not harder nor easier.

[@honeytta.studio]

I just love how you talk. So positive 💪💪💪

[@LironYan]

Thank you 😊🙏🏼 So happy to hear!

[@andreyklimov5955]

I feel that you love what you do and enjoy teaching. Great exercises, too! Thank you!

[@LironYan]

Thank you 😊🙏🏼 Very happy I can help! And yes - I LOVE what I do 😁

[@MrsTiffanyGrey]

Thanks, Liron!

[@LironYan]

My pleasure! (:

[@HellenCW]

I just had to say THANK YOU! At last, someone who takes the time to teach something properly!

[@catherineberkhan4112]

Now it all makes sense. I have struggled with blending until this video. Now I have to practice. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

[@LironYan]

I'm so happy this helps ^_^ Thank you for letting me know 🙏🏼

[@pesto12601]

Best watercolor teacher on the net... thx Liron!

[@LironYan]

Wow thank you so much 😊🙏🏼 I really appreciate this!

[@a.cornelia]

Thank you so much for this amazing demonstration! Definitely helped me to identify why I’ve been struggling 😊

[@dianefleming8534]

I'm an absolute beginner and your videos are a gold mine. Thank you!

[@LironYan]

So happy to hear 😊🙏🏼 This is why I do what I do. Thank you!

[@cherylj.harris4967]

I need to practice this technique! This is exactly what I need to up my results! Thank you!!

[@vulnerablerummy]

Nice job, Liron! This tutorial's very practical and really easy to apply, totally helps me as a beginner

[@LironYan]

So happy to hear this, thank you 😊🙏🏼

[@monikaroos8338]

Please post more similar videos on techniques. So appreciated!

[@LironYan]

I planning a follow-up that will answer some additional questions (: Thank you 🙏🏼

[@stephaniemorris3760]

I struggle with this too and your approach clicked with me. Please do more of this type of technique demo!

[@LironYan]

So happy to hear, I’m planning a follow-up vid too 😊🙏🏼 Thank you!

[@nivi3839]

Hi Liroy.. these tips are super helpful. I really appreciate ur keenness to help a beginner out

[@ianjackson5834]

that works fine and you have a crisp well defined edge from the way you did this. thanks

[@LironYan]

Thank you 🙏🏼😊

[@mieczyslawapascoe7234]

Thank you so much, Liron. I find this EXTREMELY helpful.

[@LironYan]

Thank you! So happy to hear 😊🙏🏼

[@diannekrogers]

Very helpful information! You can't get too basic for me - haha! Thanks again, Liron!

[@LironYan]

Haha you got it (: My pleasure!

[@TangibleTania]

I am just a beginner at watercolor painting and your video taught me something very new and it was something I just could pin down...like I knew something essential was missing and then I watch this..amazing. The camera set up and lighting is perfect. I feel as though I'm right there just watching. I know this will help me as I practice and paint this weekend. Thanks you so much for sharing your knowledge from all your own hard work. You have a new subscriber! :)

[@LironYan]

Wow, so happy to hear 😁🙏🏼 Thank you and welcome aboard!

[@christinabird832]

Extremely well-demonstrated...thank you!

[@LironYan]

Thank you Christina! 😊🙏🏼

[@jenniferkozak4478]

Very helpful! I'm still quite new to watercolor and learned a lot. Thank you!!

[@nnknkable]

Really enjoyable and instructive. Looking forward to trying it out.

[@LironYan]

Thank you, happy to help 😊🙏🏼

[@sharonbayger5387]

Great demo Thanks Liron

[@LironYan]

My pleasure 😇 Thank you 😊🙏🏼

[@chloeforthright837]

Thanks for this . All of your videos are very informative, making them helpful 🎉

[@MsPbUTUBE]

I thought you did a great job. Wish I had seen this earlier. It's very important to learn about water to pigment ratio. Thanks.

[@LironYan]

Thank you, I’m happy this helps 😊🙏🏼

[@TanyusyaMarusya]

Very helpful information! Thank you!

[@cjedd9704]

Great video, good info clearly explained! Helpful to this new hobby watercolorist. Many thanks!

[@barbiejw2012]

Excellent video, very helpful. Thanks! 👍🏻

[@LironYan]

My pleasure 😇 Thank you!

[@fbpliegorrivero8869]

All those approachs are effective and useful.

[@hemjoo]

Like this video! I’m pretty new and all this water control is fundamental. I struggled with hard lines for a while and ended up overworking it to “salvage” it (people like to say watercolouring is forgiving) so I was real frustrated. Now I realize it’s the paper quality and control of wetness of brush. Very helpful. Thanks!

[@LironYan]

Haha yes - it’s only forgiving once you know how to ask for forgiveness 😉 Thank you so much 😊🙏🏼 Keep me updated on your progress, I’m sure you’ll do great!

[@jeromebonto8680]

Thank you Liron. This is very helpful for me.

[@jeanniereinhardt3515]

Thank you for the lesson. I'm new to watercolor, and I found this quite helpful.

[@helenh2782]

Thank you Liron for making this so understandable. As someone new to watercolor everything seems a little daunting. The way you showed this process makes it so much more attainable. We just need to practice practice and then practice some more. I found your explanation of the way you dried your brush in-between each application of paint a light bulb moment for me. Just those little things of how much water to use or take away is fantastic.Take care.

[@LironYan]

Thank you so much for sharing ^_^ I'm really happy you found that one helpful! I'm planning on doing a follow-up video.

[@geraldinecrowley9172]

Brilliant Tutorial Thank you for the explanations as I am a beginner watercolourist & really appreciate this

[@LironYan]

I’m happy this helps, thank you 😊🙏🏼