Beginners Guide - Basic Techniques

Flat Wash

Using a brush loaded with colour  make steady horizontal strokes, overlapping the one above. The paper should be tilted at a narrow angle (almost horizontal)

Graduated Wash

As for a flat wash, but add more clean water to the brush as you move down

Dry Brush

With the brush almost dry, drag the side across the paper. the colour will be picked up by the 'tooth' of the paper (the tops of the textured surface). This can be used to add texture to your paintings and for representing the foliage on trees and bushes

Wet in Wet

To a wash that is still wet drop in another colour. Note the colour you are adding should be mixed stronger than the original wash. The colours will merge into one another creating a soft transition. 

Lifting Out

Use a tissue or sponge to list the colour from a wash which has not dried. This can be used for example to create clouds against a blue sky. You can also re-wet an are that has dried and lift the re-wetted area the same way (the success of this depends on the paper and pigment used - staining colours may not lift at all).