Major Screw Up in Your Watercolor Painting?
What do you do when you are in the middle of a watercolor painting and a blob of paint lands where you really don’t want it? Has this ever happened to you? It has to me, more times than I care to admit. Since I discovered this method of fixing watercolor mishaps I no longer fret or worry about it. The anxiety is gone and I can confidently say I am able to get rid of this kind of mistake easily.
Disaster or Repair?
I once did a watercolor painting and discovered after I was totally finished with it, a major branch was off center from the blossom. It was devastating. I spent a lot of time on the drawing as well as the painting. The branch was in dark brown and the pigment was a stain gin one. It was obviously in the wrong place. I had to either hold my breath to try and fix it or trash the painting. I used the method in the video below. Not only was I able to eliminate the mistake, but I then moved the branch over so it was positioned properly. Lastly I attached it seamlessly to the rest of the branch. No one has ever been able to see where the mistake or the repair was. Yippee, Yahoo!!!!
Check out this video to see how I fixed the watercolor mistake.
How do you deal with issues like this? If you are new to watercolor and find it difficult, I have a great 12 week online watercolor class filled with lots of tips and techniques to get you comfortable with watercolor and color mixing. I would love to have you in class. If you know of anyone who would love to learn watercolor please share with friends!
Great video! I have that Mr. Magic and wasn’t sure how to use it. I will look for that sanding disc. Love your nails!
Hi Debra! Glad to be of help. Here is a link to where I purchase the Sanding Pads online:
https://www.hofcraft.com/decorative-painting-and-tole-painting-surface-preparation.html
I use the small 280/400 dic. I usually order a dozen. They are cheap and great to have on hand.
Happy painting! ~ Mindy
Wonderful informative video. Will save lots of tears and paper. You are a great teacher – quiet, patience, and ever so positive. Thank you.
Awww Beth, Thanks so much for your kind words. I love teaching and so glad when I know I helped someone be creative.
Cheers! ~ Mindy
Great tip! Thank you!
Hi Cathy! Glad to hear it helped. My pleasure!!! ~ Mindy
Mindy, this is so helpful. Thank you! Hope to see you at Salmagundi when it’s safe and open.
June
PS If you have an old “Botanical Artist” you may enjoy my article on “The Artichoke”. It’s in the September, 2017 issue, p.25.
Hi June, Glad this was helpful! Looking forward to traveling again! Hope to see you too!!!~ Mindy
Hey, Mindy! Once again, another spectacular blog posting. I’m still “reviving” paint from old tubes and have 2 going at the moment. Practical advice I’m thinking is sometimes the best advice. Bless you, dear Teacher!
Awesome! So glad to help. Happy painting!!!! ~Mindy
Hi Mindy, Thank you for your video. I was missing the sanding step in my process. This looks like what I was missing! Would you be kind enough to let me know what sand paper make and grit you use? I didn’t see it in the post. Thank you so much!
Hi Liz, Glad this helped. Here is a link to the disc sandpaper I use: Sanding Pads
https://www.hofcraft.com/decorative-painting-and-tole-painting-surface-preparation.html
I use the Small 280/400 Grit, 2″ x 3″
thanks Mindy. Just finished on-line course with Linda Gist and she lightly referred to fixing problems with sandpaper but I’m not sure she knew about balsa wood craft sandpaper or using metal shield. We are humans – and humans make errors – some worse than others – if I have time and I’ve corrected several errors, I consider the painting a lost cause and do it over – goes a whole lot faster the next time!
Hi Virginia- The sandpaper makes a big difference in resurfacing the paper. I agree…if you have tons to correct or fix, it is sometimes better to start over! Take care and happy painting!
~Mindy