Watercolor Salt Technique - New tips!

In this video we look at using salt with watercolour. Go beyond beginner level with this tutorial and learn about 3 extra tips that will lead to more consistent success with salt textures in watercolour. Use this method for backgrounds, ice and snow, lichen and rocks, and underwater corals. Then remember to subscribe to my channel to take your creativity to the next level. Learn art tips and tricks here plus practical skills and business and social media training especially for artists and crafters. SUBSCRIBE HERE: bit.ly/2W9dSuh
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• Watercolor Salt Techni...

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Let me know if you have any special tips or subjects for using salt with watercolor!

[@crazycatlady8000]

Hellow, i tried the salt method and now im about to cry because my paper is not drying, I live in India and its rainy season now, and the salt is also melting ,but the paper is not drying..😔😔 also..then i used alum..i dont know whether alum will work or not..pls give me some tips that which kind of salt i should use..

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

@@crazycatlady8000 never cry over painting, everything teaches us a lesson to help us improve our future ♥️ I would experiment with different types of salt, but on scrap paper, not on your painting. You may need to leave it overnight to dry. Or it may not work at all if it's too humid where you live. Another alternative is to drop small pebbles onto your wet paint. It won't give the same results but it will make interesting texture marks. Again you will need to wait until it's completely dry before removing the pebbles.

[@crazycatlady8000]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber I am not feeling good, I was so excited to try this tutorial..will this technique work on everypaper?? I doubt it has something to do with paper or weather..I painted on classmate drawing book..it is a good brand..will this method work on that?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

@@crazycatlady8000 you need to use watercolour paper not smooth paper if possible. But it might work. There are so many factors, it's always best to try a test piece first.

[@crazycatlady8000]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber ok thank you for this information, i was trying it on a smooth paper....if possible pls make a video on do's and don'ts regarding the salt technique pls..i want to know everything..it has been 2 hrs and it has still not dried..😔😔

[@loissemanek1715]

Thanks

[@martinpettinger]

Thank you Michele.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Welcome!

[@EvieVermont]

I use (and teach using) salt for frost. We live in New England. It's a "Jack Frost " imagining technique... one you would see on an indoor side of a window in a really cold morning.

[@rebeccakahrs7290]

Just a tip for storage of your salt. Having grown up in the South southerners put a few grains of rice in our salt and the rice will absorb the moisture and keep your salt dry and it won’t lump.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Great tip!

[@deeporter7369]

Your videos are so informative and useful. I have used salt for a night sky background of an owl in flight and it added just the right amount of drama for the painting. Also, I find salt very useful for woodland scenes. I used it for moss on a forest floor and it turned out beautiful. I have just subscribed to your channel and will be binge watching for sure....and taking notes

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

That's a great idea!

[@joyceenjoy-reading7914]

i watched a number of videos on salt techniques, this is the best! thanks a lot

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You're very welcome!

[@rebeccaparmeley7829]

Brilliant use of the 3rd color around the salt!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@godfreyyoung274]

Dishwasher salt also works well, available in pound shops too!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Well I didn't know that! Thanks 👍

[@marcia2095]

Thank you for doing a close up and explaining in detail !

[@annheinrich4886]

I find your tutorials so very helpful. I love your tips. You explain the reasons and desired effects so clearly. I feel more confident when I have more of your techniques in my “tool box.”

[@4ohgollycats]

I’ve used salt that worked and didn’t work. Never knew why until now. Thanks. I used it on an eroded ditch.

[@everirisart3554]

Very good lesson! I have found that keeping salt in a tightly sealed plastic container helps to keep it dry and fresh. The air and humidity make it ineffective and you get better results when it's dry/new with lot of absorbency to suck up paint. :)

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks! Yes that's a great idea 🙂

[@psyflyhunter8543]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber I live in a very hot and humid part of Australia and Ive found its really important to make sure the salt is dry before starting. I keep mine in a sealed jar. Also, the bigger the salt granules the longer it takes to dry. Especially the pink Himalayan salt.

[@4ohgollycats]

I used margarita salt.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

What fun!

[@karenjames5063]

Wonderful ideas. Now I know why it was hit or miss when I used salt. Thank you so much.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@valeriegehling4358]

Super info especially about the granulated colours! And, leaving it to dry thoroughly! Thanks.I, like many of followers have only used table salt, will now try the granules. Thanks

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jaapongeveer6203]

I paint one colour, let it dry, then paint a darker colour over it and add salt. That lets the underlying colour come thru like the seeds in a sunflower.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I haven't tried that one, but I can see how it would!

[@helensmith1648]

Thanks again for your useful tips

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are very welcome Helen, I am glad you are finding them useful 🙂

[@robertweinblatt2018]

Great tip on choosing granulating colors for the salt! I did not know that or that the drying time was so very long!No wonder why it never really worked.Table salt is not the best for this!

[@saraswativaidheesh2160]

Another thing, I was told to sprinkle the salt when the paint was semi dry not as soon as one put the paint on the paper. Next time I will try your technique .

[@joegriffin5851]

This is about the best video on these techniques I have come across. And I've been looking for some time and trying without much success to achieve these effects. And you posted it on my birthday as well. Thanks and greetings from the west of Ireland.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you Joe, so glad you liked the video! Can't figure out if your birthday is today or when I posted the video but happy birthday anyway 😁

[@joegriffin5851]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber My birthday is Jan. 30th.

[@galedar1537]

Michelle is a terrific teacher!

[@galedar1537]

This was wonderful! Thanks so much for the info about granulating colors. I didn’t know that there were so many!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful Gale :-)

[@saraswativaidheesh2160]

I use salt while painting birds . However I used table salt. Great video. Will try out with rock salt. Thank you for the great tips.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are very welcome Saraswati ☺️ Table salt will give some texture but you will find the bigger sea salt granules much more effective.

[@essietangle9931]

I have used salt in various ways but I haven’t added a second color like you showed. (Backgrounds, storms, water, ice etc.) thank you for the tips and the reminder of granulating paint.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I am so glad you found it useful Essie, storms yes great idea!

[@kathiecranston1577]

GOD BLESS & THANK YOU AGAIN MICHELE❣ AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE MORE OF YOUR OWN BEAUTIFUL PAINTINGS 😊 ~ In Lebanon,Tennessee

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you so much!

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

I’ve never tried using the salt technique before but I might have to give it a try soon. Thanks for explaining this technique & sharing this with us.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@susankeable6201]

I use salt actually over did it and the whole sky is yellow with purple and added a pop out tulip, purple. Bent the petals a bit for a realistic look and glued it on the picture. Thanks for more explanation on salt techniques. It really does help out.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Sounds great, no problem!

[@veenasalunkhe3847]

Wonderfull

[@brianazmy3156]

There are times when I use chalk to make different colors of salt and get different degrees of depth, detail, and effect.

[@marcia2095]

That sounds interesting….

[@keepingourhome7271]

Thank you for another informative, concise video. I’ve used salt for some flower areas on hills, in loose landscapes. Thank you for sharing. Keep safe.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks and you too!

[@hermajestyqueenmarciamarti1151]

Just getting back to art.watercolor was my medium but now I have no room to spread out and have turned to pastels, crayons,pencils but got to thinking about the salt I had used and what backgrounds,oceans and clouds I could create. I really like your tutorials as you teach like a professional. I have a whole lot of daniel smith watercolors in storage...I'm excited.i owe you.dear friend.. Marcia in Modesto

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you Marcia I have been teaching for years :-)

[@suel4269]

Interesting tips. I’m struggling with salt textures. Will try you tip using more paint or water afterwards .

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Have fun, I hope it helps you!

[@saraswativaidheesh2160]

Michelle, one more thing, I live in a tropical climate so very often, while using salt it takes forever to dry and at times it melts too but I usually wait several hours before I remove it gently from the painting .

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Yes you need to leave it on for quite a while, it does make a big difference, climate, humidity. There's no right way, just experiment and see which works best for you 🙂

[@prayalways-]

interesting!!😊

[@Karlena_Lewin_Studio]

I use salt a lot great vid hun 😘

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you!

[@elizabethgray2386]

Very helpful. I have tried multiple times with little to no effect.

[@tectec9125]

will try tips thank you soo much , i dont think i could do effects with just a brush alone

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Many watercolor effects can't be done with a brush :-)

[@tectec9125]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber ,glad came across your channel

[@clairevoutsinas1991]

Thank you Michelle ,just subscribed .

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks so much Claire 🙂

[@jennymurray2873]

Have you ever used granulation medium? In theory, I assume you could add that to any colour. I need to buy some and try it

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I have tried the winsor and newton one and I just couldn't make it work, even used neat it added zero granulation to a staining colour... I am going to review some for my channel in due course, I know the manufacturer who makes my paints is working on a formula but it's not ready yet.

[@rowenawhiteford1928]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber I don' t think it works so well with transparent staining paints. It works wonderfully with acrylic inks though..especially sepia. I use FW. Thanks for your great video and tips!

[@VanmeterFL]

I use salt for many applications. I'm currently using it for interest for a basset hound's nose. I've used it on feathers, for snow, in water, in skies, and landscapes. Though I love the way it looks, it's especially nice when the textures are not so noticeable. I use margarita rimming salt. It's courser than table salt but not as large as the salt you used in the video. I've used table salt, but it's usually a much different look. There are times here in Florida when it's so humid, the technique just does not work at all!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

That's interesting. We don't suffer with humidity much here. Just dull weather!

[@VanmeterFL]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber I ended up placing my basset hound portrait in the oven to dry it successfully. Sometimes I just give up and use orange peel to provide the texture I need. It's especially helpful for dog noses. ;-)

[@heidikaplan5110]

I was not able to access the list of granulated colours. Would you be able to provide them again? I’ve not been able to get salt to work for me! This was so helpful, and I’ll be trying these new tips out straight away!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Hello Heidi. Granulating colours, Ultramarine, Cerulean, Burnt Umber, most earth colours and brick (brown) Reds, also Chromium Oxide Green and (true) Viridian

[@pinderweatherly]

Is it possible to 'mist' a finished work and then add salt ? (I am trying to improve a painting after it dried).

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

It might be better to add another layer of paint, but if you aren't happy with it then it's worth trying anything I feel!

[@OneTrueWord1988]

You always have such interesting lessons, and things I've never heard before! I have never used salt with watercolor, and I have a question: Is there any concern that the salt can leave residue that could harm the paint or paper? Thanks Michele! 😊 Donna

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Hi Donna, yes salt could, in theory affect your paper, but then so could anything including impurities in water. We have the hardest water in the world here (my opinion, not actual fact). Literally have to chisel the limescale off taps. Most of the salt is removed of course, and work I did 15 years ago is still in excellent condition :-)

[@OneTrueWord1988]

In the Studio with Michele Webber: Hi Michele! Thank you for your comprehensive answer! Wow, same here with chiseling off the deposits. So much iron in the water that every six months or so I have to use a treatment on my ash blonde hair to remove the bright red! Great to know that pieces you've had for 15 years are unaffected by the salt; I have hesitated to use it, but now I'm going to try it. Not that my artwork has any possibility of being considered as valuable anyway - lol!! 😂 Donna

[@kathyhall668]

I wonder if we could use salt in creating eyes, especially animals . I'm working on a cat , I think I'll try it in a thumbnail sketch.

[@pamhayes3320]

I have been looking at Brusho but it is quite expensive and I wondered if salt creates similar effects.🙂

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

One of my students who lives in a country where she can't buy it had some success with watercolor pencil shavings using a craft knife.

[@pamhayes3320]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber Thank you

[@nancyhauck2979]

I always wonder which type of salt is best to use. I have tried table salt, kosher and seas salts as well as salt flakes.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I think it's just a matter of experience and trial and error 🙂

[@beckyuhler4257]

nancy hauck, What kind of result did you get with the salt flakes?

[@SueKerriganHarrisArtist]

I have some of this bought for me a few Christmases ago. I really should have a go! Can't remember what it's called exactly... Brusho? Maybe not 🤔

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Brusho is different, it's kind of a pigment powder, although you can use it with salt, and bleach too, I will make a tutorial sometime :-)

[@lynnswango8768]

I checked to see if you had a video on salt because I found that my watercolor painting colours seemed to fade out with the sale. Did I use too much salt, too much water? I did use the granulating paints like ultramarine and burn umber etc. But, I did know I made the one mistake - I didn't have the salt right by me!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

It's unlikely to be the salt. It is probably to do with the paints. Try dripping some staining colors on top when it's half-way through drying.

[@shelleylee2162]

I tried 3 type of salts with all the pigments from my palette which includes ultramarine, cerulean blue, yellow ochre before, the salt effect are only little or none, the only one has really show off was Dioxazine Purple. Just wondering the pigments from different brands make different effect?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Yes, and I am told that in countries where humidity is high it's almost impossible to get results. It's a matter of experimenting!

[@shelleylee2162]

Thank you for the reply. I’m living in a very dry environment, the only pigment with the salt effects is the purple. Therefore I think the different brands of the paints might have huge differences.

[@jeannettesmith5492]

Have you used salted water to paint with I stead of plain water. What's your thoughts on that?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I've never tried it myself; but as salt damages paper, it's probably wise to keep it in small areas.

[@asim7255]

Just wondering, will the salt deteriorate the painting over time? Because I find that there's still some roughness on the surface of my painting, probably dried dissolved salt that could not be completely removed. Thanks! 🙏

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

The short answer is yes, it can damage your art long term, but I mean very long term, like decades. I have stuff I did 15 years ago and it's fine, but in theory, yes it could affect the paper, as could many other techniques and additions.

[@asim7255]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber thanks Michele!

[@suzannesoman7819]

Hey Michelle! I use a hair dryer to dry the Watercolor quicker. Will it work with that or do I need to wait?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Hi Suzanne, it's hard to use a dryer because it can move the salt. Putting it above a heater or out in the sun can help 🙂

[@suzannesoman7819]

In the Studio with Michele Webber Thanks☺️

[@Maya.6868]

I don't agree with you because I've got fantastic results with Daniel Smith's Phthalo Blue (g.s.) on Arches cold pressed not paper

[@markdonovan1540]

I tried this once, but it didn't seem to work. No I know why! Time to give it another go

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

It's very hit and miss, all sorts of things like room humidity can affect it!

[@natford8271]

Is not science amazing?! It is the heavy metal pigments that granulate.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I like a bit of metal ;-)

[@jkgray0313]

Why don't you tell the salts u used? The yellow, green picture is beautiful... but don't know the salt(s) you used for the affects.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Hi Janet, I use Maldon Sea Salt but any Sea Salt will do :-)