I finally stopped overworking my washes and my paintings got clearer

Mia White · 2026-02-23T15:11:02.881346+00:00

I used to keep brushing over my watercolor washes until they dried, which made colors muddy. Last month, I forced myself to lay down the pigment and leave it alone. The difference was instant and my skies look more transparent. Now I have more confidence in letting the paint do its thing. It’s a small change with a big impact.

adams347mo ago

What finally clicked in your brain to make you stop?

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hall.nina7mo ago

I had the same thing happen with oil paints last year. I kept adding more ultramarine to a shadow on a portrait until it looked like a bruise. The weird part is I knew it was fine about three brushstrokes earlier, but my hand just wouldn't stop. Now if I catch myself doing it, I take the palette knife and scrape the whole section off. Starting over is less frustrating than trying to fix the sludge.

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charlie_ellis7mo ago

Laying down the pigment and leaving it alone sounds simple but it's tough in practice. What was the hardest part about breaking the habit of overworking the washes? Did you set a timer or try a new way with your brush to make yourself stop? I wonder if how wet the paint is or the paper you use played a role.

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