Watercolor artists know how frustrating it is to see their carefully made masterpiece ruined by smudges that they didn’t see coming. No matter how experienced you are as a painter, smudging watercolor can be a constant problem. But if you take the right steps and use the right techniques, you can lessen or even get rid of this problem.
The Beginning
It’s called watercolor smudging when wet paint touches another wet or partly dried area, leaving behind an unsightly blur or smudge. If you aren’t careful, it can happen by chance while you are painting or even after the piece is finished. Figuring out why watercolor smudges is the first thing that can be done to stop it.
Why keeping watercolors from smudging is important
Watercolor works are fragile and need to be handled with care. Smudges can take away from the art’s beauty and effect, which could ruin hours of hard work. Professional artists must avoid smudging in order to protect the quality of their work and keep their reputations.
How to Pick the Right Paper
The grade of the paper used is one of the main things that causes watercolor to smudge. When you use cheap paper, it will absorb water in different ways, which can lead to unpredictable effects. If you want to avoid smudging as much as possible, buy heavyweight, high-quality watercolor paper with a smooth surface.
Fixatives Use
Fixatives are sprays of chemicals that are used to protect and seal finished art. Putting a fixative over dried watercolor works makes a barrier that keeps the colors from smudging and helps them last longer. But it’s important to use a fixative that’s made just for watercolor so that the art doesn’t lose its original look.
How to Use Layers
Layering is an important part of watercolor drawing, but if you’re not careful, it can make smudging more likely. To keep the colors from running into each other, wait until each layer is completely dry before adding another. To get clear shapes without smudging when you add watercolors, you need to be patient.
Time to Dry
When working with watercolors, you need to be patient. Smudging is more likely to happen if you hurry the drying process. Do not touch the painted surface until it is completely dry, and make sure that each layer dries fully before adding the next one. If you use a hairdryer on a low, cool setting, you can dry your hair faster without worrying about smudging.
Right Way to Store
Even after you’re done with a watercolor drawing, it needs to be stored correctly to keep it from getting smudged. When you’re done with an artwork, lay it flat to dry fully. Then, store it in a portfolio or frame it behind glass to keep it safe from water and other environmental factors that could smudge it.
Putting on masking fluid
Masking fluid can be used to keep white or light-colored areas in a watercolor drawing. Before you paint, put masking fluid on the areas you want to keep safe. Once the paint is dry, peel off the masking fluid to show sharp, clean edges. By putting a buffer between different parts of the art, this method helps keep it from smudging.
Using a fixative that works
Temporarily stopping smudging while drawing can be done with fixatives that can be used. Spray a thin layer of workable fixative over areas that are only partly dry to keep the paint in place for now. This way, you can keep working without thinking about smudges.
Tips for Being Accurate
To avoid smudging by mistake, watercolor painting requires a lot of accuracy. To keep your colors from bleeding into each other, keep your hand steady and use light brush strokes. Also, work from light to dark colors. Use precise methods to get a better handle on the painting process and cut down on smudging.
Not Working Too Much
A watercolor drawing can get muddy colors and smudges if you work on it too much. Allow the picture to breathe when you know when to stop. When drawing with watercolors, sometimes less is more. Leaving parts of the paper blank can create interesting contrasts and textures without the risk of smudging.
Putting money into good brushes
Any watercolor artist needs good brushes to do their job. It’s more likely for cheap brushes to lose hair or make brush strokes that aren’t even, which makes smudging more likely. To paint more smoothly and with more control, buy good brushes with soft, absorbent bristles that hold water and color evenly.
Playing around with Different Methods
Painting with watercolors is a flexible tool that can be used in a lot of different ways. To find what works best for you, don’t be afraid to try out different methods and products. You can improve your drawing skills and stop smudging in new and creative ways by trying out new techniques and methods.
Going Over Common Mistakes
To avoid making the same mistakes that cause watercolor to smudge, you need to know what they are. Smudging is less likely to happen if you don’t paint too quickly, use too much water, or work the paper too hard. Write down the mistakes you make so you can get better at what you’re doing.
In conclusion
It takes time, skill, and close attention to detail to keep watercolor from smudging. If you follow the tips and tricks in this article, you can make sure that your watercolor drawings don’t get smudged and will look great for a long time. To get the best results, make sure you pick the right paper, use fixatives, give it enough time to dry, and practice precise methods.
FAQs
What are some signs that my watercolor paper is good?
Look for heavy paper that is made just for watercolor art. It should have a smooth surface that doesn’t buckle or bend when it soaks up water.
Can I use hairspray to keep watercolor drawings in place?
Some artists use hairspray as a temporary fixative, but this isn’t a good idea because it can turn yellow over time and change the way the art looks. For the best effects, buy a professional fixative.
What should I do if I smudge my watercolor drawing by accident?
Depending on how bad the smudge is, you might be able to save the painting by using a clean, damp brush or paper to gently lift the extra paint. If the smudge is big, you might want to start over on a new piece of paper.
Should I wait until every layer of watercolor paint is dry before adding the next one?
Yes, letting each layer dry all the way through helps keep colors from running into each other and lowers the chance of smudging. In watercolor drawing, you need to be patient.
How can I keep my watercolor drawings from getting smudged by things in the environment?
Put finished paintings in a folder or frame them behind glass to keep them safe from dust, water, and other things in the air that could damage or smudge the painting over time.