Connect and disconnect shapes in watercolor like a pro – learn how in this easy-to-follow tutorial.
Connecting shapes in your first wash gives your painting unity. Whatever the technique or subject, by initially painting through the shapes you achieve unified underpainting on which can be built upon.
After painting a single connected shape first you can let the wash dry or you can disconnect (read: separate, define) your shapes while the wash is still wet. After this dries you can define the shape further still with additional wet-on-dry washes.
This kind of approach assures not only unity but natural variation of edges as well (lost and found).
Differentiate with value, that is change of tone (lighter or darker), but you can also use color to add interest (warm and cool). But do make sure to have enough value distinction at the same time so that the definition reads well.
