YOU need to paint more WET ON DRY | Watercolor Advice

Hi there, Liron here!
In today's vid I'll address some questions I recently got regarding wet on dry VS wet on wet.
I'll focus on why I strongly prefer wet on DRY! 🎨

Time Stamps:
00:00 - Introduction - I Prefer Wet on DRY
00:50 - Getting a VIBRANT color
02:25 - Why wet on DRY is usually superior
03:47 - Wetting the paper = more difficult process
04:48 - In defense of wet on wet...
06:47 - How to decide which one to use?
07:47 - Hybrid approach using a water sprayer
08:26 - Conclusion

I hope you enjoy this one 😊🙏🏼
- Liron

🎨 MATERIALS I OFTEN USE 🎨

Paints (all Daniel Smith)
Quinacridone Rose

Brushes
Escoda BLACK Plein-Air Set:

Paper

Palette

Plein-Air Easel

White Pen
Uniball Signo White Gel Pen (easy to find on ebay!)

*** MUSIC CREDITS ***

Music by @joakimkarudmusic

* Please note this disclosure - Many of the links to Amazon (and possibly other websites in the future) are affiliate links.
This means I make a commission if you buy through them (and you obviously pay the same price).
However, my recommendations are honest and are always based on my own personal experience ^_^

[InLiquidColor]

I agree. It's very rare that I paint on wet paper. I like the level of control that comes with wet on dry and then softening off edges :)

[AlisonLeighLilly]

Thanks for this video! I struggled with watercolor for a long time because I thought you basically *had* to start out wet-in-wet and I could never seem to get the effects and rich, vibrant colors I was going for.... It was only after I gave myself permission to start wet-in-dry that it all clicked for me, but I still sometimes feel like I'm secretly doing it "wrong." It's nice to have this approach affirmed :)

[robinlandry]

Thank you forvyour videos. At first i thought you were kind of arrogant, but i continued to watch your videos. I have learned so much from you. I also realized that what i saw as arrogance is really confidence and passion for what yoy are trying to share. I don't even watch most of the other watercolorists anymore unless its something I'm really interested in. You explain things so much clearer. Even my sketches are improving. Thank you again 🙏

[jameslbaker]

Thanks Liron for another great insight into the painting process. I tend to over work by going back into already painted areas. From now on my mantra is going to be paint it once and leave it alone.

[antoniomarcos]

I like to use wet on wet on light or pale backgrounds to heighten the sense of depth. As you pointed out, because of the extra water, the paint tends to dry paler when you do wet on wet, which makes it ideal for parts of the painting you don't want to call too much attention to, but still are very important for the overall perspective, especially when painting cityscapes. At the end of the day, as you said, it all comes down to knowing your values and areas of contrast and working out a good strategy to render them effectively. Thanks for the tips.

[paulah]

I paint both wet on dry and wet on wet. I do love the action of wet on wet and loosing control...that's what makes my heart sing.

[chantelmcskimming]

Liron!! This makes sense to me, kinda feels silly to wet the paper with water and then wait til it hits just the right moment to add paint. Just put a nice paint down first, and charge in more paint if it's needed. Thank you for a clear message 😊

[darciebooth]

I find if I don’t prewet, my edges dry too fast. Especially when humidity is low. So I often soak the paper for a few minutes (Arches cold press 140 lb), then roll the top dry with a towel. This means the underlying fibres of the paper stay wet longer. But you still get sharp edges if you want them because the top is relatively dry.

[kristindemuzzio]

THANK YOU!!! I finally, literally GOT IT, and, what a difference!

[lulujordaan]

I agree. I also find wet on dry working the best for me. Also a beginner and I had my share of not being overly satisfied with wet on wet. Thank you, I thought it was only me being fussy.

[PHALOMOON]

As a beginner, I think I go to wet on wet because no one has shown me how to mix directly on the paper with wet on dry. Your example of the apple was really good. It could be a whole video on its own. Thx Liron!

[karenmargo]

I just found this and am glad I did. I'm a beginner watercolorist and am finding it way more difficult than acrylics and oils. I searched online for how to paint wet on dry and found this site. I'm so grateful. Thank you.

[annettefournier]

Yes Liron! The more experience I get working with paint the more I am in the hybrid approach! I figure out what level of wetness do I need to get the effect I want in an area. How vibrant do I want the color? Do I want a hazey effect? What type of edges am I going for? How much of a mix do I want on the paper? And so on. Bit these types of thought processes took a long time to come to the tip of my brain and maybe for many others too? I think that is because there is so much to learn and remember and try to put into practice in the beginning and however long it takes for these things to become automatic and muscle memory is different for everyone. But oh what a joy when the coin drops all the way through the machine and the desired product is delivered into the hand! 😉💜

[lindathaxton]

Love this - I often don’t wet & felt like I was perhaps not doing right & maybe missing the mark doing the best I could! Thank you Liron

[kaliopinikitas]

Thanks Liron. I really needed to hear this today! Funny enough, I've been thinking about this lately and wondering if I should paint more wet on dry. I got my answer! Thanks again

[angelabyker]

Wet on dry and controlled wet in wet works well for me. Great video, thanks Liron!

[christinedekeuster]

Thank you, Liron, for this very interesting point of view... From my side of beginner, I look at a lot of videos and it is also true that the wet in wet technique is sometimes considered as a "must", which is problematic... I think I feel more comfortable with painting different thin layers...

[julielevasseur]

I like your take on this. Think you're right, for what I want to achieve.

[LucemFerre]

I use wet to wet a lot and actually incorporate blooms in my artworks

[jennw]

"Based on a lot of research I did" = "I stayed up half the night reading Handprint."
Yeah, believe me, I've been there many times ;-)
There's also a great article on there on the 5 different stages of paper wetness that is extremely helpful, and advice on matching the wetness of the paper to the wetness of the brush. Great stuff.