Colors bleed when wet paint touches another wet area, because the water carries the color across. The simple fix is to let one area dry before you paint the area right next to it.
How do I keep my colors separate?
- Let each area dry first. Wait until the shine is gone and the paper feels dry, then paint the area beside it.
- Paint areas that don't touch. While one area dries, work on a part of the painting that isn't next to it. Then come back.
- Leave a tiny gap. A hairline of white paper between two colors keeps them apart, and it often looks crisp and lovely.
- Use less water near edges. A damp tip, rather than a dripping one, gives you more control along outlines. Dab extra water on your wristband or a tissue.
- Clean your brush between colors. Leftover paint on the tip can carry one color into the next. See "How do I clean my water brush between colors?"
What if colors have already bled?
While the paint is still wet, blot the spot with a clean tissue or lift it with a clean, damp brush. Once it's dry, you can paint a darker color over it or turn it into part of your design.
Is bleeding ever a good thing?
Yes! Letting colors melt into each other on purpose is called wet-on-wet painting. It's lovely for skies, sunsets, flower petals and soft backgrounds. The trick is to choose where you want soft edges and where you want sharp ones.
You can see both techniques in our free step-by-step tutorials: https://tobioskits.com/pages/watercolor-tutorials