
You've always wanted to paint with watercolor, right? Well, this group of techniques will add some zest right off the bat.
1. Alcohol
Oil and water don't mix. Rubbing alcohol has such a dramatic effect on the wet watercolor paint, repelling it and leaving a perfect, lighter circle wherever we drop it. It’s mesmerizing!

2. Salt
The area where the salt touches the paper will be lighter in color. The salt will push the watercolor pigment away, and thus the light spot will be surrounded by a darker shade.
3. Tissue
Dab, dab, dab with a tissue
to "lift" the paint off the paper.
4. Sandpaper
A rough square of sandpaper scratches the areas
to produce a broken, edgy pattern.
5. Resist
Wax crayons will resist watercolor. (Best to use lighter colors).
6. Masking Fluid
Masking Fluid blocks watercolor.
7. Plastic Wrap
Have some kitchen wrap (Reynolds wrap) handy for some interesting patterns.
8. Splatter
A brush loaded with watercolor paint and another empty brush produces a splattered background.
Watch this 11:00-minute video to see all of the techniques used for making interesting textures and effects in your watercolor painting.

