A background makes your main subject stand out. The easiest options are a soft wash of color painted around your drawing, or a gentle color painted first and left to dry before you add your subject.
Should I paint the background first or last?
- First: best for soft, light backgrounds like a sky or a pale glow. Paint it, let it dry completely, then paint your subject on top. Use light background colors so they don't show through.
- Last: best when your subject is light or white, like a flower or a white cat. Paint the subject first, let it dry, then paint the background carefully around it.
How do I paint around my drawing?
- Mix enough color first. Prepare it in the mixing area so you don't run out halfway.
- Start at the edge of your subject. Use the tip of your water brush to paint a careful outline of color around it.
- Fill outward with bigger strokes. Move away from the subject using more water and the side of the bristles.
- Work in small sections. Keep the edge of your color wet as you go, so you don't get hard lines.
- Soften the outer edges. Brush clean water at the outside edges so the background fades into the white page.
What kind of background should I choose?
- A soft halo: a pale color just around the subject, fading to white.
- Two-color blend: for example, yellow into pink behind a flower.
- Simple ground: a few strokes of green or brown under an animal or a tree.
- Complementary color: a soft purple behind a yellow flower makes it pop.
Good to know
- Make sure your subject is completely dry before painting next to it, so colors don't bleed.
- Keep backgrounds simple and lighter than your subject.
For more ideas, see our free step-by-step tutorials: https://tobioskits.com/pages/watercolor-tutorials