Lesson 4 - Glazing

Glazing in watercolor refers to laying down a thin film of color which will subtly influence colors underneath. Because of the transparent nature of watercolor, glazing is a very useful tool and can create beautiful effects.
An interesting exercise is to make a series of vertical stripes of various colors, dry, and paint horizontal stripes of glaze colors over. The edges of the vertical stripes should not be disturbed and the new glazed colors created should be apparent.


Some pigments are easier to use than others; for instance, opaque colors will tend to lift. Also papers with a lot of sizing are more difficult to use. But most people have success if you keep three things in mind:
1. The paper must be absolutely dry before you glaze.
2. Use lots of water and a light touch.
3. Only go over an area once - a second stroke may disturb whats underneath.

Here is a simple landscape.

Here I've used glazes in various sections to:

1. unify an entire area by glazing with yellow
2. dull the orange and green by glazing with the complements, blue and red
3. cause the hills to recede by glazing the hills and sky with violet.

Here are examples of other artists using glazes.

Ellen used glazes on the sky and mountains to create a sense of depth.


Bev created interest in each of her shapes using a series of glazes.

Karen used glazes to create transparent reflections.

Selma used glazes to unite sections of her landscape.

Barbara used a series of glazes to give her piece a luminous glow.