Washes AND GLAZES

A watercolour wash is a thin application of pigment mixed with water; there are many types, each with unique effects. A glaze is when a wash is placed over existing dried washes to strengthen colour and tone.

The transparency created by layering and mixing colours is unique to watercolour painting and, with a bit of practice, can produce beautiful results. Both washes and glazes require the same three ingredients: water, pigment, and paper.

The strength of a wash will vary depending on the proportion of water to pigment. For example, for rich colour you would add more pigment, or to achieve delicate colour, more water is added to produce a weaker mix. Glazes, on the other hand, are always weak and transparent, as their purpose is to alter subtly the colour or tone of layers that they are applied to. The thinness of a glaze will affect the way it dries and the effect this produces.

Washes can