Update: My watercolor painting turned into a muddy mess

I tried to paint a sunset but mixed too many wet colors. It became a blurry brown blob. Now I know to let each layer dry fully before adding more.

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3 Comments

michael_campbell6mo ago

Was it mostly reds and yellows that turned muddy? I find those colors blend into brown real fast if you don't let them set. A trick is to paint the lightest areas first and work in sections. It saves you from the blurry blob fate.

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miawalker6mo ago

Totally, sections keep edges crisp where you want them.

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aaron_foster206mo ago

@michael_campbell, blending reds and yellows on purpose can give you warm browns that work well in landscapes. I skip the light-first rule and often start with darks to set the mood. Working in sections kills the flow, so I keep the whole canvas wet and move fast. That way, the colors interact more freely and don't look chopped up.

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