DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Tips for Using White Space in Watercolor Painting
contributed by Leanne Guenther
White space, or the unpainted areas of your watercolor paper, plays a crucial role in creating a balanced composition and adding contrast and highlights to your artwork. Here are some helpful tips to guide young artists in using white space effectively:
Tip 1: Plan your composition
Before starting your painting, take a moment to plan your composition, including where you want to leave white space. This can help you create a more balanced and visually appealing artwork. Lightly sketch your subject with a pencil, keeping in mind the areas you want to preserve as white space.
In the example of the lighthouse to the right, the gulls, lighthouse and rocks were lightly sketched in pencil. Then the gulls, the entire lighthouse and grey rocks and a few splatters were covered in masking fluid and left to dry. Then the blue of the ocean and sky were added to the background with some glazing done (layer one was wet-on-wet with the rest added wet-on-dry). After that was all dry, the masking fluid was gently removed with fingers and a rubber eraser. The details of the gulls, lighthouse and grey rocks were added in wet-on-dry with smaller brushes. Finally, a fine black marker lines were added to give the edges of the seagulls and the lighthouse a bit more fine detail.
Tip 2: Paint around the white areas
One way to maintain white space in your painting is by carefully painting around those areas. Use a smaller brush for more control, and take your time to create clean edges around the white space.
Tip 3: Use masking fluid
Masking fluid is a liquid that can be applied to your watercolor paper to protect areas you want to keep white. Paint the masking fluid onto the areas you want to preserve, allow it to dry, and then paint over it. Once your paint is completely dry, gently rub or peel off the masking fluid to reveal the white paper underneath.
The lightning in the image to the right was created with masking fluid.
Tip 4: Lift paint for highlights
If you've already painted an area and want to create a highlight or add white space, use the lifting technique to remove some of the paint. Dampen a clean brush or a cotton swab and gently dab the area you want to lighten. Be careful not to scrub too hard, as this can damage the paper.
White space in the sand was created with masking fluid. White space in the ocean was created by lifting.
Tip 5: Embrace negative painting
Negative painting is a technique where you paint the background or space around your subject, leaving the subject itself white or unpainted. This can create interesting shapes and depth in your painting, as well as draw attention to the white space.
Tip 6: Use white/light space for balance and to move your eye around the artwork
Incorporate white space throughout your painting to create a sense of balance and harmony. It can help guide the viewer's eye through your artwork and prevent your painting from looking too busy or cluttered.
Tip 7: Keep your colors transparent
One of the unique qualities of watercolor paint is its transparency. By using transparent colors and allowing the white of the paper to shine through, you can create a sense of light and depth in your painting.
Tip 8: Practice and experiment
Using white space effectively takes time and practice. Experiment with different techniques and compositions to discover the best ways to incorporate white space into your artwork.
By following these tips and incorporating white space into your watercolor painting practice, you can create more balanced, dynamic, and visually appealing artworks. Keep practicing, and enjoy the artistic journey!
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