Elevate your Art with Watercolour Backgrounds: beginners to advanced — Louise De Masi Watercolour Artist (2024)

How basic watercolour techniques can create stunning watercolour backgrounds

In the nuanced world of watercolour art, crafting the perfect background is akin to setting the stage for a gripping narrative. It's not just about filling the space around the subject but about enhancing the overall impact and effectiveness of the visual narrative. Backgrounds are integral elements that contribute depth, context, and emotion, transforming simple compositions into captivating stories. This comprehensive guide dives into the palette of techniques that can elevate your watercolour backgrounds, ensuring they play their crucial role in your artwork's storytelling.

The Role of Backgrounds in Art and Storytelling

Backgrounds in art fill the critical space between the subject and the frame, turning empty canvases into resonant scenes brimming with life. They define the positive (subject) and negative (space around the subject) spaces, adding layers of depth and context. A background can support the main subject with a contrasting or complementary backdrop or even steal the spotlight, as Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night” beautifully illustrates. They're not just settings; they're expressions, setting the mood, suggesting settings, and influencing the viewer's emotional response.

A dark, brooding background might whisper tales of sorrow, while a brightly lit backdrop could sing songs of joy and tranquility. Techniques like coherence, contrast, and framing work in concert to enhance the subject and unify the composition, ensuring a harmonious interplay of all elements within the artwork.

Moreover, backgrounds serve as powerful narrative tools, enriching the storytelling dimension of art. They ground the subjects, providing a sense of space and light, and invite viewers to explore the world beyond the focal point. The inclusion of a background, its design complexity, and its interaction with the main subject are vital considerations that dramatically shape the artwork's impact. Through thoughtful backgrounds, artists can transform simple pieces into rich, engaging narratives that captivate and inspire.

Should I paint the watercolour background first or last?

When painting with watercolours, choosing the right time to paint the background depends on your specific project and the effect you're aiming to achieve. Here are some general guidelines to consider:

If you're aiming for a soft, diffused look for your background, you might want to paint the watercolour background first, using the wet-on-wet technique. This method allows the colours to blend seamlessly on the page, creating a gentle gradient effect. It's ideal for skies, landscapes, or abstract backgrounds.

If you prefer a more controlled and detailed background, or if your subject requires sharp contrasts and crisp edges, you might paint the background after the main subject. This technique involves painting on dry paper, allowing for more precision. It's suitable for when you want to avoid colours bleeding into each other, especially if the main subject is already painted and you wish to preserve its integrity.

Watercolour relies on the paper's whiteness to create highlights since it's a transparent medium. If your composition requires bright highlights or white spaces, you might plan your background accordingly. Sometimes, you might even leave the paper untouched in certain areas to preserve the white or apply a masking fluid to protect these spots. You can also lay down a subtle wash first and then preserve this wash with masking fluid.

Watercolour works well in layers. If your piece requires depth, you might start with a lighter wash as the initial background layer, let it dry completely, and then add detailed elements or darker tones. This approach can add complexity and richness to your work.

Ultimately, the choice of when to paint the background in watercolour art depends on your personal preference, the specific demands of the piece you're working on, and the effect you wish to achieve. Some artists prefer to start with the background to set the tone and atmosphere of the piece, while others might paint it last to ensure the main subject dictates the background's form and colour.

Experimentation is key in watercolour painting. Don't be afraid to try different approaches to see what works best for your style and your particular project.

How to create a Simple Watercolour Background

Simple and basic watercolour techniques can profoundly enhance the background of your artwork, adding depth, texture, and a subtle interplay of colours that can elevate the overall impression. Techniques such as wet-on-wet, where watercolour is applied to damp paper, can create soft colour gradients that mimic the gentle shifts of the sky or the ethereal quality of distant landscapes. On the other hand, the wet-on-dry method allows for more control and definition, perfect for adding detail and contrast to the background elements. Layering thin washes of colour can build up a rich, complex background without overpowering the main subjects.

I demonstrate a fewdifferent background ideasin a recent YouTube video.

Watercolour background ideas

Blending Brilliance with wet-on-wet

The art of blending on wet paper is akin to capturing the seamless transition from dawn to day. This technique allows colours to merge gracefully, creating smooth transitions and gradients that can evoke the right mood and atmosphere for your piece. I just love working with wet washes and wet watercolour paint so much, I have created a blog post with12 fun ideasthat you can do with a wet watercolour wash.

Scumbling and Dry Brushing

Invoke the textured feel of an ancient stone wall or the rugged surface of a distant planet with scumbling and dry brushing. These methods build up layers of colour and texture, adding depth and intrigue to your backgrounds.

Salt Effects

A sprinkle of salt on wet paint can create mesmerizing patterns and textures, adding a dash of whimsy and magic to your backgrounds. This simple trick can produce stunning results, ideal for adding intricate details or suggesting otherworldly terrains. I have painted acrimson rosellausing that technique for the watercolour background.

Using Stencils

For more control and consistency in your background designs, stencils can be invaluable. Whether you're aiming for detailed floral patterns or abstract geometric shapes, stencils offer a way to add complexity and precision to your work.

Splatter Technique and Blowing Through a Straw

Inject dynamism and playfulness into your backgrounds with the splatter technique. Flicking or splashing paint onto the paper captures a sense of movement and texture, perfect for lively scenes or adding an element of unpredictability. You may use a rather stiff old brush for it or a toothbrush.

Another suggestion is to use a short straw. On the background splash below I painted a wet wash of blue and then I blew the wet paint across the paper with a straw, to add some movement.

Shadows and Depth

Ground your subjects and add a layer of realism by incorporating shadows. This subtle technique enhances the composition's depth, making your main subject appear more vibrant and anchored in the scene.

Grounding Elements

Providing context and believability, elements like grass or ground beneath your subjects can enhance the narrative, making your scenes more relatable and immersive.

Coffee Washes

For an unconventional touch, using coffee as a painting medium can introduce earthy tones and unique textures. This method adds a rustic, organic feel to your backgrounds, creating an interesting visual appeal.

Fade-Out Effects

A soft wash that gently fades into the paper can effectively draw attention to your main subject, ideal for minimalist compositions that require a delicate touch.

No Watercolour Background - Clean and Simple

Sometimes, the most powerful statement is made with simplicity. A clean and simple background can amplify the focus on your subject, showcasing that less is indeed more.

Negative Painting Technique

Negative painting is a technique where you paint around the subject rather than on the subject. It's a technique that can add depth and dimension to your paintings. I have written an entireblog postabout just this technique.

Crafting Your Canvas: Planning and Execution

The journey to creating impactful watercolour backgrounds begins long before the brush meets the paper. Consideration of your background's role in the overall composition is paramount, setting the narrative and emotional tone for your piece.

Selecting Your Technique

The choice of background technique should harmonize with your subject, enhancing the storytelling without overwhelming. Experimentation is key to finding the perfect match that conveys your intended narrative.

Quality Matters

The materials you choose can significantly affect your artwork's outcome. Investing in high-quality watercolour paper, paints, and brushes can make a substantial difference, elevating your work from good to great.

Embrace Experimentation

Mastery of watercolour backgrounds is a journey filled with discovery. Practice various techniques, explore how different colours interact, and be open to the new effects that experimentation can bring.

Backgrounds in watercolour art are more than just settings; they're a canvas for emotion, context, and depth. By giving them the attention and creativity they deserve, you can turn your watercolour paintings into compelling visual narratives that resonate deeply with viewers. Remember, every stroke, every blend, and every technique you employ is a step towards creating a piece that not only captures the eye but also the heart.

I hope these watercolour background ideas inspire you!

Happy painting! 🎨

If you are interested in learning to paint in watercolour, I have over 170 online, voiced over watercolour tutorials for all skill levels.

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