Watercolor Painting and Projects Logo
"Most problems can be fixed with a simple solution"
  
Basics
and Skills
Click here to learn the basics
More
Watercolor
Techniques
Click here to learn the techniques
Step-by-Step
Lessons
Click here to practice the lessons
Projects
to Paint
Click here to paint a project
  


 
Softening watercolor edges is a skill that you may grasp right away, or it could possibly take you a few attempts to develop a knack for it. With time and practice, your skills and techniques improve. It's helpful to know what causes certain problems, and even better, how to fix and avoid them.
  

Common Edge Softening Problems

  

Learning how to recognize and avoid

edge problems sampler    
 
Seeing   -   Examples   -   Solving


 
As with any other painting technique, you may run into some problems when learning how to soften edges. Below are a few of the common problems that might occur, along with solutions on how to fix them.

Edge Softening Problems and Solutions
   




Problem

Too much water in the brush caused the water to charge into the edge.

Example   1.




Solution

Blot a little more water from your brush before softening.
    
 
 
 
   


Problem

Paint dried too quickly,
causing a hard edge.
Example   2.


Solution

Speed up the painting process or stop after a short distance and soften a section of the edge.
    
 
 
 
   


Problem

The wash was too wet, causing the color to charge over too far.
Example   3.


Solution

Allow a few more seconds to dry before softening the edge.
    




Edge Softening
Effects
Watercolor Painting   Techniques

  Common Edge Problems
Lifting, Scrubbing,
and Blotting
[  Back to list  ]
[  Back to top  ] 
 order projects
Step-By-Step Guide to Painting Realistic Watercolors © 1997 - 2010
www.watercolorpaintingandprojects.com Copyright © 2010 Dawn McLeod Heim. All Rights Reserved.