Watercolour Texture Techniques You Have to Try!

Learn how to create beautiful watercolour textures using items around the home such as cling wrap, salt, bubble wrap, and foil. Plus, we'll also look at two mediums you can use with watercolour: fiber paste and masking fluid.
I hope you enjoy the video. Let me know in the comments which technique is your favourite!
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🌻 Hello there, If you're new around here, I'm Laura Horn, an artist based in the Adelaide Hills. I teach online classes on how to paint abstracts and botanicals in acrylic, watercolour, and mixed media. If you are looking for a weekly dose of creative encouragement and inspiration, press subscribe!
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[@sherylosullivan9619]

This is the first of your videos I’ve seen. Firstly, may I say how blown away I was by the high level of recording from multiple angles but it all ran so smoothly! Also, very refreshing to have an Australian tutorial. I’ll be back. Thank you so much and well done.

[@JadeScarlett]

Every time an artist leaves a brush in the water cup, a fairy looses her wings 😂

[@Annie261.]

The bubble wrap technique looks like an abstract brick wall, very nice.

[@NatashaAllisonMissionAFamily]

I lay the clingwrap flat onto the wet paint and then scrunch it up into shapes. It makes lovely flowers!

[@LauraHornArt]

Great idea!

[@SuzyNuyos]

Just discovered your channel. Love how you don't ramble too much and explain in a clear and concise manner. The alternating angles editing style is very pleasing and makes things easy to understand as well. Thanks for the tips. 😃

[@juliescrapbook]

I also enjoy using a white wax Crayola crayon for a really easy resist.

[@Ms1lonewolf]

Yes I forgot about that.

[@Ms1lonewolf]

Thank you for the demonstration. I've never used the fiber paste but I do like that effect also the sponge and the salt I like and have used. I also have another one for you. I use a stick and a piece of a credit card 💳 cut it up and you can get some good Texture for rocks and grasses and Buildings. That paste would be good for water like water falls. Have a great day. JK FLORIDA 🇺🇸 USA 🙏.

[@debpate9405]

To get a fine line of white saved you can lay down adhesive paper tape parallel to each other and then rub a white wax crayon onto the paper between the tapes. It will give you a very clean edge. Ive used this technique for sail boats rigging and painting architecture. Remove tape before painting over wax lines. @Debra L Pate Art

[@gaylerobinson6224]

I really liked the bubble wrap! I used to sponge paint the walls in my house but I've not used that for a background (I'm a card maker). I loved the sponged look on my walls so hopefully I can make it look as good on paper!! ! I haven't used any of the other techniques but I want to know if I can come live at your house and do the "relaxing technique" on your porch (lol)??? What a beautiful spot to sit and relax! Sweet!!! TFS! That was very informative.

[@kreativeReise]

I love using gauze for texture. Maybe you can add this to your collection in future.

[@barbaraadams9499]

Thank you so much for your video!!!! I loved learning about the fiber paste!!!! I’ve already made a card with it❤❤😊.

[@deannadent8111]

Loved the bubble wrap effect the most. I have used the salt before and that does leave a really good effect. Thanks for sharing. It was nice to watch a fellow Aussie for once 💕

[@jessicakarsten987]

Awesome vid, thanks for sharing these great techniques!

[@Barbara-fy8cs]

I plan to try them all.

[@paperandtwine]

The bubble wrap looks like a brick wall. Lovely 🤗

[@noremac4807]

I loved your house and verandah the best!!! 2nd to that, the bubble wrap. Aloha from a fellow Aussie NSW

[@kanamichelle7404]

I have tried all except the texture past and I love the effect it gave. The bubble wrap would be a great way to do bricks in a painting. That is what it reminded me of.

[@mariawill4676]

That is a really good idea!

[@RitaMeterMaid99]

Enjoyed this 👍🏻

[@CHARUL814]

Amazing. I have done cling wrap, tissues and salt but never used straw or bubble wrap. That I really enjoyed. I have also used stencils to imprint and lift and 🍃 from garden that also created nice effects.

[@nataliearena2241]

Well done 👍🏼

[@carolgeurts8075]

The fibre paste looks amazing! Can’t wait to get my hands on some and try it…love the idea of a reference collection.

[@LauraHornArt]

It’s a brilliant medium. Have fun with it!

[@lisalange4922]

wow very nice! I am new to watercolor (worked only with Alcohol ink) and just love the textures! I am going to experiment with some of these for sure! the paste and bubble will make wonderful backgrounds!

[@AngelaJonesQuilts]

Interesting & fun techniques. I love having & making swatches! I also like your camera set up & close ups. I'm a newbie to your channel, and now a new subscriber!

[@ladyamalthea85]

These are lovely

[@Artful-Advisor]

So beautiful swatches! And also, your video quality is awesome, and so naturally flowing. By the way, where do you use these textures? What is the application?

[@viktorijamartinkute5048]

I liked straw❤

[@kirstenl7593]

This is my first video of yours. I am excited to start my watercolor journey with swatches as that feels pressure free. Thank you for helping to unlock the mystery. I found you through Sarah at Fiber Trek. Your camera work and editing is fantastic. Lighting and sound are great as well. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

[@denisecope]

What a great video. Thank you!

[@sherrysilvestrini7799]

Just found you! I really enjoyed the different techniques. Thank you so much.

[@arleenison7399]

Love your video .. learning as I go along ... thank you

[@EvieVermont]

I loved the effect of the bubble wrap. Put me in mind of a stone wall and I can see how I can use it in building paintings. Nice tutorial. ❤

[@serenitys.434]

Ooooo beautiful!!! 🖤

[@nanetteatienza4297]

Just discovered your channel and it was really a nice tutorial. Great textures.

[@jkerr-bethedreamandthedrea4379]

This was fun! I really like the salt technique. I'm surprised how well the plastic wrap worked. Fun exercise! Thank you

[@TariHuffaker]

I love them all. I think the bubble wrap would make nice exterior walls...reminds me of bricks or stones. The sea salt is lovely and subtle. The cling wrap makes me think of water...like a very gentle breeze across a swimming pool. Thanks for sharing these.

[@karenjoy9997]

Hi Laura. I just found you. Love all these techniques. I wanted to share what I’ve done w/ the inks. I gesso the watercolor paper, let it dry, then paint with some water, Play in the paint & water. It all resists beautifully. Stop when you like the design it makes, let dry. Gorgeoso! All your techniques will with this little gesso step. Love your video. And your house is so beautiful!

[@c8Lorraine1]

As soon as I heard you’re Australian I subscribed to your KZbin channel. So nice to hear a familiar accent. And you use materials available to us

[@jeaniethompson5623]

Wonderful video, very inspiring. ❤xo

[@QOGS]

Excellent reference

[@studioplanetesilhouette]

Yummy ! Gorgeous results !

[@kylies.paperie]

These are so lovely! I look forward to your videos each week (: I think my favorite is either the fiber paste or the bubble wrap, but they were all beautiful! Thank you for inspiring me to experiment with my supplies!

[@LauraHornArt]

You are so welcome and I agree about the bubble wrap and fiber paste, really beautiful effects!

[@monika.71]

The bubble wrap and the fibre paste def are my favourites!

[@Truthfully7]

Fantastic idea swatches, I have accumulated so many things but forget to use them, thanks so much for this 🥰🥰🥰🥰from. UK

[@carolawatson123]

Thanks much for sharing all these videos Laura! I have tried all that you showed and love the bubble wrap effect the best. Another one that I've used before is spritzing or dabbing rubbing alcohol into the wet paint with the tip of a paint brush. It pushes the paint away creating cool dots. I also recently tried placing a "sprig" of pine needles down in the wet paint.

[@LauraHornArt]

Thank Carol, I must try the rubbing alcohol. I don't have any at home, but I've been wanting to test it out.

[@susanfontaine5214]

I love rubbing alcohol on watercolor!❤😊

[@wendyboyd6838]

On mlm😅

[@franciemoore4207]

The sea sponge technique was my favorite.

[@lucya.caracoglia5781]

I've used most techniques you have shown. My favorite is the salt. Thanks for showing.

[@micheleleech8128]

Fascinating to watch these experiments. I especially liked the bubble wrap, cling film and fibre paste.

[@MrCoppersMom]

Very good!! Well organized, too! Thank you 😃

[@maestra730]

New subscriber here! Beautiful video with great techniques!

[@artobsessedJ]

very pretty! 🎉

[@iwantnudelips]

Wow, thank you for creating this video! It was so helpful to see how I can use watercolors and things around my house. I LOVED the bubble wrap technique and the fiber paste!

[@franlynch9428]

My favorites were the bubble wrap and the straw!

[@cathleencavanaugh2113]

Fiber paste , straw, and bubble wrap are my faves. Could be I’m partial to those colors too🙂TYFS

[@gathercreatelivewithleslie8340]

I really liked the sea sponge and the bubble wrap. I need to make these. The fiber paste was amazing.

[@darlenegreen1089]

I'm so glad I found your channel.I'm Amazed at all the beautiful techniques you used. Thank you for sharing. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us in the future.

[@TeAsEnToRmEnT]

Another cool technique but not archival, is to sprinkle on a herbal tea mix, the tea depending on type gives off some lovely colours aswell as creating a texture, you can do it straight on to wet paper on its own or over wet water colour for some really interesting colour mixes and textures. The bubble wrap and the salt are my faves out of the ones here, I love how changing up the type and size of salt crystal can so dramatically change the texture effect.

[@brigitasehgal2937]

Yes, add rubbing alcohol to the list: sprinkles of it create a bubble effect when dried out. Thanks for sharing the other techniques, as I used only salt and alcohol so far.👍🤩

[@franlynch9428]

Love this video, thank you

[@lindak987]

Thank you for this Laura!! Never thought about swatching textures. I have used all of these techniques- with acrylic paints but only the salt and masking fluid with the watercolors. Now I'm excited to try that too :). I love using the fiber paste! I am thoroughly enjoying your classes- still working on some of the older ones- but really they are all gems and you couldn't go wrong with any one of them!

[@LauraHornArt]

Thanks Linda, really appreciate your lovely comment about my classes. Have fun with the techniques. They are very versatile! It’s great to try them with different paints and mediums.

[@kaceeboxers3580]

Your samples are all lovely! My favorites are the sea sponge, bubble wrap and clog wrap. Thanks for sharing.

[@EdnaAguilar-lz5cj]

❤❤❤❤❤ Love this! I've tried bubbles wrap b4 but not like this. I'm excited to try these techniques. Thank you.

[@LauraHornArt]

Have fun! It's a fun little twist on using bubbles!

[@SS-wk7fx]

Tried all. I love Tim Holt's texture pastes especially the crackle.

[@janelloyd7601]

Wow love the bubble wrap. That's my Sunday sorted. Thanks

[@kathrynciavone6624]

I think the sea salt technique would be great for beachy sandy scenes on a card. I love making seaside cards. I live in the Great Lake State of Michigan and I just found your channel. I enjoyed this video very much. Thank you

[@lauraking1331]

Oh my gosh. This is like trying to answer the question: What's your favorite color? So I have a three-way tie: Rembrandt because they are lovely and delicate; M. Graham because they are luscious and so color saturated; D. Smith because (can't help it) I'm obsessed with granulation. Runners up: Rosa (remind me of M. Graham), SWC Shinhan (just fun) and Turner (workhorse). But there are so many others I'd like to try: Scmincke super granulating are top of the list. Thanks again, Lindsay, for all of the wonderful videos you bring us every week!

[@martehepburnart]

Best watercolor texture video I've seen. Thank you!

[@LauraHornArt]

Thanks so much 😊

[@denaheck1506]

Loved the techniques, the fiber paste was new for me. In a watercolor painting would you draw on top of the paste when dry ? Or would you apply on top of your drawing ? Great video, you may be the first. Ps love how you could record your outdoor tea break, your camera both directions. Impressive camera work. Loved your home & yard, tranquil.

[@rainydaymakers2222]

Really enjoyed seeing you create these textures! Can’t wait to try some myself.

[@Alice-ow9de]

Thanks for sharing so many creative ideas! Each one turns out great! The bubble wrap one is sooooo stunning!

[@Bravelle]

Lovely

[@chrisraymond6618]

Thanks for sharing these, Laura!

[@LuchaCatDIY]

Great teaching video

[@angelawiramihardja9185]

Thank you for the very informative & beautiful video Laura 😍😍 They look very fun and can't wait to try it myself!

[@illawallaroo]

Hello Laura, just discovered your channel. I’m an Aussie living in Massachusetts USA, and I felt so homesick watching you go out on your lovely verandah. Loved this texture lesson, and subscribed at once!

[@LauraHornArt]

Welcome!! Glad the video reminded you of home, thanks for subscribing!

[@millygit]

Definitely the bubble wrap, I’ve only tried painting on the wrap not the paper, very inspiring. Loving your videos

[@LauraHornArt]

Thanks so much 😊 The bubble wrap is amazing! I love using it in that way, very different marks - more organic looking!

[@emmacabrero1614]

You have such a good taste in everything you do ❤

[@susanhelmuth4247]

Watching replay loves the sponge one

[@valentinasampietro3074]

Thank you so much!!! This video is very inspiring 💓

[@leslieburlison]

Thank you so much for the video. I look forward to swatching all these techniques and using them in my projects!

[@cristinalattuada5322]

Love the bubble wrap

[@ladonnarode4234]

I just love your work and am pleased to find your videos on KZbin! More please!

[@Teresa63274]

I enjoyed watching this video. My favorite techniques are all of them.

[@marciamcgrath4953]

I liked the bubble wrap and straw techniques. Thank you! ❤️

[@juliebishop6898]

Thank you for a great hands on experience ☺️

[@jennifernichols8403]

Thanks, these are great😊

[@TheBloomingArtist.by.Han.A]

Beautiful textures! I always have salt on hand and I’ve tried the cling wrap and bubble wrap with kids before. I’m looking forward to actually integrating some of that in my own work and trying the fiber paste. Thank you for sharing.

[@snowcrystal262]

wonderful🎉I want to tray it❤

[@helenmcmaster3405]

Great video. Love all the techniques, think the sea sponge is my most favorite. You’ve inspired me to do this💖💖💖

[@michelleearlam6121]

Love the bubble wrap, will definitely give that a go 😊

[@willareeneacealbertini975]

Very enjoyable video. I can’t wait to try it and use in my junk journals ❤

[@artwithdebbie]

Hi Laura! Loved looking at the watercolour techniques! I have used them before but never get tired of playing with the textures. I thought I'd let you know an alternative cling wrap method. I usually put down several colours in small puddles across the surface...leaving open paper in places. Then I apply the cling wrap flat on the page and massage the wrap to bunch together in places and create air gaps = lighter or no colour in those spots. It's quite a different result from yours - I think you'll love it too! Best wishes, Debbie

[@jlm517rocks]

Lv all demos, colors, textures, variety of apps. Ty.

[@alinearttherapie9099]

Love it! Thanks for inspiration Laura 🙏!

[@LauraHornArt]

You are so welcome!

[@beverleychristiansen8121]

I like the bubble wrap. It looks like a stone wall texture.

[@rgporter1957]

This was great! I've done some of these, am excited to try those I haven't. Great idea to make swatches!

[@ilahjarvis]

Thank you for letting us watch your experiments with these techniques! I use salt and masking fluid all the time, but the plastic bags and bubble wrap are new for me. I've seen the straw trick before but haven't really jumped into it. I'll have to give it an another go.

[@purfleac]

What fun! I love watching you work and seeing you mix colors. The fiber paste is new to me and I can’t wait to give it a try. Thanks!

[@LauraHornArt]

Thank you! It really is great fun, and fiber paste is a great medium - works really well!

[@janpiqueur2302]

The bubble wrap produced surprising effects. I will definitely use this one. Loving your videos.

[@katebirdart3869]

Love the bubble wrap one! Definitely going to give that a try. I'm currently exploring landscapes in acrylic but you've inspired me to experiment with texture in that 😊

[@deborahwolff5651]

I came across your channel, and your techniques are so amazing that it blew me away ! Mynl favorite technique was the straw blowing. I am looking for more inspiration and found this very interesting! Thank you for sharing.