Learn A Watercolor Graded Wash Technique

By Mary Ann Boysen

As with the flat wash technique you will use the flat brush for the watercolor graded wash. Dip it into a color mixture, and as in the instructions above, drag it across the paper. Then, dip it in water (don’t swirl it around!), and drag it across the page, picking up a bit of the pigment at the bottom of the first pass.

Then dip the brush in water again, and repeat the second step (by allowing the brush to touch the bottom of the second pass. Each stroke should be slightly lighter than the one before.

Remember that the paper must be tilted so the paint will flow. Otherwise, your brush strokes will show.

Return to Watercolor Techniques from Watercolor Graded Wash

Watercolor Painting Tips