The bane and the blessing of watercolor is negative painting. Bane because so many find it difficult. Blessing because of the way it can unobstusively direct the eye and focus attention. Learning to do it is like learning to back a trailer. It is difficult enough to teach in a class situation so teaching it without watching you as you try will be even more challenging. But here goes!
How do we get from that wet-on-wet start discussed in earlier posts to finished paintings? Mainly by negative painting and layering. We are always pushing back to bring other shapes forward. For example, on the left you see the end of my first wash for Natty Dred’s Love Shack. On the right is the finished painting. The white shapes — what is left of the white paper — lead you through the painting. With layers of negative painting they were carved out.