DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Lifting Technique in Watercolor Painting (Age 12+)

lifting white to make ocean wavescontributed by Leanne Guenther

Lifting is a watercolor painting technique used to remove or lighten areas of paint to create highlights, correct mistakes, or add texture. This method can be applied to both wet and dry paint, allowing young artists to achieve various effects. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you master the lifting technique:

Materials:


Instructions:

Step 1: Set up your workspace

Tape your watercolor paper to the board to keep it secure and flat while you paint. Prepare your paints, brushes, water container, and palette nearby.


Step 2: Apply your paint

Create your painting using your preferred watercolor techniques, such as wet-on-wet or wet-on-dry. Allow the paint to dry completely if you plan to lift color from a dry surface.


lifting small spots with a cotton swabStep 3: Choose your lifting tool

Select a brush, sponge, cotton swab, or clean eraser to lift the paint. Brushes work well for more precise lifting, while sponges and cotton swabs are better for larger areas or softer effects.

Example to the right -- a damp cotton swab is great for lifting small areas from like dandelion fluffs or snowflakes from a light wash of watercolour paint. Just make sure not to scrub the paper. Just gently dab at it. You can always use a bit of white acrylic paint to touch things up (much better than marring the paper by scrubbing to vigorously)


Step 4: Prepare your lifting tool

For brushes, dip the brush in clean water and remove the excess water on a paper towel or cloth, leaving the brush damp but not wet. For sponges, wet the sponge and squeeze out the excess water. For cotton swabs or clean erasers, no water is needed.


Step 5: Lift the paint

Gently press or rub your lifting tool on the area you'd like to lighten or remove paint from. Be careful not to scrub too hard, as this can damage the paper surface. If the paint is wet, use a clean, dry brush or paper towel to lift the color by gently touching it to the wet area.


Step 6: Clean your lifting tool

After lifting, clean your brush, sponge, or cotton swab by rinsing it in water and wiping it on a paper towel or cloth. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you've achieved the desired effect.


Step 7: Adjust and refine

If necessary, use other watercolor techniques to adjust and refine your painting after lifting. Remember to wait for the lifted area to dry completely before applying more paint.


lifting white to make ocean wavesStep 8: Practice and have fun

Mastering the lifting technique takes time and practice. Experiment with different lifting tools and methods to discover the effects you like best. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the creative process!


By following these steps and incorporating the lifting technique into your watercolor painting practice, you can create highlights, fix mistakes, and add texture to your artwork. Keep experimenting and enjoy your artistic journey!

 

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