Every watercolor artist experiments with different techniques and tools to gain knowledge to produce successful texture in their paintings.

Transparent watercolors do not create natural texture as many other mediums do. Therefore, it is necessary for a successful water colorist to learn different methods that can replicate texture to make paintings successful.

A certain tool that I found fascinating in creating technique is cotton gauze. I discovered this over thirty years ago when I painted Woman in the Field.

I still use this technique to this day. I find that I can create interesting foreground effects (as in the picture), as well as, interesting background techniques. Often, I will cut small pieces with scissors to use in selected areas such as a knitted white curtain faintly seen through a reflected window from the outside on a bright sunny day.

Try shredding or stretching gauze and you can get unusual and appealing texture. You can vary the texture by moving the gauze around and reshaping it. Try experimenting with this in every way you can imagine. Take an entire day and play with it…be creative!

Tip: Lift the entire painting and allow different colors to run together after applying colors next to each other  on wet paper and gauze.

What you will discover when experimenting is that the gauze will stick to the paper when applying a clean mist of water with a spray bottle. You will need to find what works best for you, however, I suggest you use thick fluid colors when using gauze. The effect will be much more pleasing. After the paint dries, gently lift the gauze from the paper. I’ll predict you will be pleasantly surprised with the results.

When using gauze or any other “tool” to create technique, keep in mind to use masking fluid (or whatever you use) to block off the segment of your composition you wish to protect to keep paint from accidentally landing on them in the process.

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