Dark color is removed from watercolor paintings with the aid of lifting preparation.
Lifting preparation is a medium available to watercolorists manufactured by Winsor & Newton. Lifting preparation alters the properties of watercolor paper, enabling pigment to be more easily removed from the painting surface with a brush or a sponge. Lifting preparation works with staining and non-staining watercolors and gouache. Beginning watercolorists can apply lifting preparation to their paper prior to beginning a painting. The lifting preparation will enable them to make corrections more easily. More advanced watercolorists can use lifting preparation to create a variety of light-into-dark painting and texturing techniques.
Instructions
1. Apply lifting preparation to a sheet of watercolor paper using a broad, soft brush. Work slowly to ensure that the lifting preparation covers the entire sheet. Allow the paper to dry.
2. Select your source material or inspiration for the planned painting. Test the capacity of the lifting preparation by selecting an image in which dark or staining colors are predominant over highlights. Prepare your palette with desired colors. Prepare fresh water and clean brushes.
3. Paint a wash in the desired tones over the paper that has been prepared with lifting preparation. Allow to dry. Remove desired areas or details with a soft brush dipped in water. Blot off the dissolved color with a clean sponge. Repeat the process if you desire to remove more color. The removed areas may be left white or overpainted with additional washes.
