Glazing means painting a thin, see-through layer of color over a layer that is completely dry. Because watercolor is transparent, the colors underneath still show through. This adds depth, shadows and rich color.
How do I glaze?
- Start with a light first layer. Paint your base color with plenty of water so it's soft and pale.
- Let it dry completely. The paper should look matte, not shiny, and feel dry, not cool, to the touch.
- Mix a thin second color. Use mostly water with a little paint. Thin layers keep the colors clear.
- Paint it in one go. Brush the new layer over the dry one with a light touch, and don't scrub back and forth, or you may lift the color underneath.
- Let it dry, then repeat. Two or three layers are often enough. Each one makes the area deeper and richer.
What can I do with glazing?
- Add shadows: a thin layer of blue or purple over a dry area makes a soft shadow.
- Mix colors on the paper: a thin blue over dry yellow looks green, and red over yellow looks orange.
- Build depth: paint the whole area light, then add more layers only where you want it darker.
Good to know
- Work from light to dark. It's easy to add color and much harder to take it away.
- If the first layer lifts or smudges, it wasn't quite dry yet. Give it a few more minutes next time.
- Letting each layer dry also helps the page stay flat. See "How do I stop the paper from buckling or curling?"
Many of our free step-by-step tutorials use layering: https://tobioskits.com/pages/watercolor-tutorials