Watercolor Wednesdays: How to Paint Sand

Adding texture to your watercolor landscapes is a great way to fool the eye into thinking there is more meticulous detail than there really is. One of my favorite (and easiest) tricks is to use salt, and I especially love that effect when creating sand on the beach.

Salt Effects: 7 key points

1. Sprinkle salt on damp washes (not soaking)
2. Salt creates a crystalline pattern as it absorbs the wet paint-- and the pigments separate
3. Different salts have different effects-- try rock salt, kosher salt and table salt
4. Different papers have different effects! try this on hot pressedn, cold pressed, rough and smooth papers!
5. Brush the salt off after it has dried!
6. Build up elaborate textures with layers of washes and salt
7. Try adding a little salt to your wash before applying it to the paper for a delicate textured effect over the entire wash area

1) Apply a mixture of yellow ochre, cobalt blue and burnt sienna and sprinkle salt when damp 2) Layer on shadows  3) You can blot with tissues while the salt is drying for more interesting textures 4) shadows painted again for rich effects.  like this technique? why don't you pin it?

How do you create sand in your watercolor paintings? Would you give this technique a try?

Want to learn more techniques like these? In Watercolor Textures, an online video  ecourse, you will discover the confidence  to create your own landscape painting in your own style. → Learn more about this online class

other blog posts you might like:

• Watercolor Wednesdays: How To Mix Green Paint

• Are you making these 3 mistakes with your watercolor paintings? 

• Watercolor Sketchbook: watercolors of Maurice Predergast

Download your FREE ultimate watercolor supply list  to get the exact list of paints, brushes and paper I use everyday to create my watercolors!