Watercolors are a light and airy medium, perfect for creating luminous effects. But sometimes you want to add a little more oomph to your painting by making it darker. Here are a few tips on how to make your watercolors darker.
1. Use a darker paper.
If you’re starting with a white piece of paper, it’s going to be pretty difficult to make it darker. But if you use a dark piece of paper, it will be much easier to add dark colors and achieve the darkness you desire.
2. Add more paint.
It sounds simple, but it’s true. If you want your painting to be darker, you need to add more paint. This will make the colors more concentrated and intense.
3. Use darker colors.
Obviously, if you want to make your painting darker, you need to use darker colors. So reach for those deep blacks, dark greens, and rich browns.
4. Layer your colors.
One way to make your colors darker is to layer them. This means painting one color over another. The bottom layer will show through and make the top layer appear darker.
5. Dilute your colors less.
When you’re mixing your colors, you can add more water to make them lighter or less water to make them darker. If you want your colors to be darker, add less water so they’re more concentrated.
6. Let your paint dry before adding more.
If you want to achieve a deep, dark color, you need to let your paint dry before adding more. This will prevent the colors from getting muddy and will allow you to build up the darkness you desire.
7. Use a fixative.
A fixative is a product that you can spray on your painting to help set the colors. This will make the colors darker and more concentrated. Just be sure to follow the directions on the fixative, as too much can make your painting look dull.
With these tips, you should be able to make your watercolors as dark as you desire. So go out and experiment!
Other related questions:
How do you lighten dark watercolor paint?
There are a few ways to lighten dark watercolor paint. One way is to add white paint to the mixture. Another way is to add more water to the mixture.
How do I make my watercolor brighter?
There are a few things you can do to make your watercolors brighter:
1. Use a white paper or canvas.
2. Use a higher quality paint.
3. Add more water to your paint.
4. Use a brighter color.
Does more water make watercolor lighter?
Yes, more water will make watercolor lighter.
How do you lift water color?
There are a few ways to lift watercolor from a painting surface. One way is to use a damp sponge or cloth to gently blot the area where you want to lift the color. Another way is to use a paintbrush or other tool to lightly scrape the top layer of color off of the painting surface.
Bibliography
- Tip file: How to fix too-dark watercolor paintings – Artists Network
- Watercolor: Making colors lighter – Canson
- how to lighten too dark areas? – Watercolor – WetCanvas
- Paintings with PUNCH!- How to Get Dark Value in Your …
- Watercolor Painting Light to Dark (Watercolor Cookies)