Your Watercolour Eraser!

 

Mastering the Art of Lifting Paint: Your Watercolour Eraser

Welcome back, my fearless watercolour warriors! Today, we’re diving into a little trick that can save your painting from the brink of disaster (and no, it’s not throwing it in the bin). Meet lifting—your very own watercolour eraser. Whether you’ve gone too dark, splashed paint where you didn’t mean to, or just want to create some cool highlights, lifting is your secret weapon.

Let’s face it, mistakes happen. But unlike most mediums, watercolour has a lovely little undo button—as long as you know how to use it. In this blog, we’re going to explore different techniques to lift paint, when and why you’d want to do it, and how to master the fine art of damage control in watercolour.

What is Lifting?

Simply put, lifting is the process of removing or lightening paint on your watercolour paper after it’s been applied. You can do this while the paint is still wet or even after it’s dried (though it’s a bit trickier). It’s like hitting rewind on a painting mishap—but as always with watercolour, it’s never totally predictable. That’s part of the fun, right?

Whether you’re using this technique to fix a mistake or add intentional highlights, it’s a great tool to have in your watercolour arsenal.

Why Lift Paint?

There are plenty of reasons to lift paint in watercolour. Here are a few scenarios where lifting can save the day:

1. Fixing Mistakes: Maybe you’ve gone too dark in an area or your colours bled into places they weren’t supposed to. Lifting can help lighten or remove those unwanted patches.
   
2. Creating Highlights: Instead of painting around light areas, you can lift paint off to create highlights or give an area more contrast.
   
3. Softening Hard Edges: Sometimes, you end up with an edge that’s just too harsh. A little lifting can soften that transition and give your painting a more natural flow.
   
4. Adding Texture: Lifting isn’t just for corrections—it’s also a fun way to add texture and interest to your work, especially if you’re going for a more abstract or impressionistic style.
   

 

How to Lift Paint Like a Pro

Now that you know why lifting is so useful, let’s get into the how. There are a few different methods to lift paint, depending on whether you’re working with wet or dry paint, and how much control you want over the process.

1. Lifting Paint While Wet

This is the easiest and most effective way to lift paint. If you catch the paint while it’s still wet, you can lighten or remove it with minimal fuss.

How to do it:

• Clean your brush. Make sure your brush is clean and damp (but not soaking wet).
• Gently blot the area. Use the clean brush to blot or gently stroke over the area where you want to lift the paint. The paint will start to lift off the paper and onto the brush.
  • Dab with a tissue or cloth. For even more lifting power, you can gently dab the area with a tissue or a clean cloth. This will soak up any excess paint and water, lightening the area.

  Pro tip: Be gentle! Overworking the area can damage your paper, especially if it’s not high-quality watercolour paper.

  

  2. Lifting Paint After It’s Dry

  Once the paint has dried, lifting becomes a bit more challenging, but it’s still possible. This technique is great for creating subtle highlights or lightening areas that ended up too dark.

  How to do it:

  • Dampen the area. Use a clean, damp brush to re-wet the area where you want to lift the paint. Don’t flood it—just lightly dampen the surface.
  • Blot the area. Use a tissue, sponge, or dry brush to gently blot the paint. The moisture will reactivate the paint and allow you to lift it off the surface.

  Pro tip: Some pigments stain more than others, which means they’re harder to lift once dry. Non-staining pigments (like cadmium yellows and cobalt blues) are easier to lift, while staining pigments may be more stubborn.

3. Lifting with a Sponge or Paper Towel

Sometimes, you need to go bigger and bolder with your lifting technique. For larger areas or a more textured effect, a sponge or paper towel can be a lifesaver.

How to do it:

• Wet the area. Lightly wet the area you want to lift, using clean water.
• Press the sponge/paper towel. Gently press the sponge or paper towel onto the damp surface. Lift it off, and voilà! Some of the paint will come up, creating a textured, lifted effect.

Best for: This technique is perfect for creating cloud textures, soft highlights in skies, or abstract, organic effects in your painting.

4. Scrubbing (When You Need Serious Lifting Power)

Desperate times call for desperate measures. If you’re dealing with a particularly stubborn patch of paint that just won’t budge, you can try scrubbing it off. But be warned, this technique can be rough on your paper so use it sparingly!

How to do it:

• Use a stiff brush. Grab an older brush with stiff bristles, or even a toothbrush, if you’re feeling adventurous.
• Dampen the area. Lightly wet the area where you want to lift the paint.
• Scrub gently. Gently scrub the area in a circular motion to loosen the paint. You can then blot the paint away with a tissue or cloth.

  Caution: Be super gentle when scrubbing or you’ll risk damaging your paper. This technique is best for thick, hardy watercolour paper that can handle a bit of abuse.

  

  When NOT to Lift Paint

  While lifting can be a lifesaver, it’s not always the best solution. Here are a few situations where lifting may not work in your favour:

  1. Staining Pigments: Some pigments are notorious for staining. Once they’re on the paper, they’re not coming off easily (if at all). Trying to lift them may just damage your paper without much effect.
     
  2. Delicate Paper: Not all watercolour paper is created equal. If you’re working on thinner or lower-quality paper, lifting too aggressively can tear or damage the surface. Always be gentle, especially with more delicate papers.
     
  3. Overworked Areas: If you’ve already gone over an area multiple times, lifting may just turn it into a muddy mess. Know when to quit!

      

     Creative Uses for Lifting Paint

     Now that you’ve mastered the basics, let’s talk about some creative ways to use lifting to enhance your artwork.

     • Creating Clouds: Lifting is perfect for painting skies. Lay down a wash of blue, then lift out soft, fluffy cloud shapes while the paint is still wet. It’s an easy way to add dimension and interest to your skies.
       
     • Highlighting Water: Want to make your lakes or rivers sparkle? After painting your water, lift out a few streaks of paint to create highlights and reflections.
       
     • Adding Texture: Lifting isn’t just for fixing mistakes. You can use it to create interesting textures in rocks, foliage, or abstract backgrounds. Play around with different tools—like sponges or textured cloths—to see what effects you can create.

        

       

       Exercise: Paint a Landscape and Lift the Paint!

       Follow the steps above and try lifting paint for highlights and white areas!

       Final Thoughts: Don’t Fear the Lift!

       Lifting paint is one of those techniques that will give you more confidence and flexibility as a watercolour artist. It’s a gentle reminder that watercolour is a medium that can be forgiving,at least, sometimes! The key is to experiment and find out how lifting works with your particular paints, paper, and style.

       So, next time your painting starts to go off the rails, don’t panic, just lift! Whether you’re fixing mistakes, adding highlights, or creating cool textures, lifting is a tool you’ll want in your watercolour toolkit.

       
       

       Thanks for joining me again on this watercolour adventure! If you’re loving the journey and want to see some of these techniques in action, don’t forget to check out my gallery at Jules Smith Art. You can also snag some of my watercolour creations for yourself and take a piece of this unpredictable medium home. And, of course, be sure to follow me on Instagram @julessmithshots for daily doses of colourful inspiration.

       Until next time, keep painting (and lifting) away! 🎨

       
       

       Join me next Saturday for The Watercolour Dance!