White has a very special relationship with watercolor. No other medium has quite the same nuances as watercolor when it comes to incorporating white into your painting. It is very difficult to get a vivid white with watercolor unless you are intentional about planning ahead. Painting with “white” over top of another color will result in a vague and muted lightening of that color. After much experimentation (and many mistakes) here are a few tips I have collected on how to get white into your painting.

Water is White

One trick I’ve found helpful is to think about water as “white.” If you use a lot of water with just a smidge of red, the paint will look pink on the page. If you want a sky blue, use the same method. Additionally, you can create lighter pockets by simply dabbing clean water directly onto the page where there is already a color laid down. The clean water will “push” the color out of the way and expose the white paper underneath (great way to make clouds).

Plan Ahead

Planning is really important when it comes to white. It is difficult to put white in where you have already painted. It is hard to take back what you have already put down. With regards to white, it is helpful to mentally, or even physically draw out where you want the lightest areas to be. Avoid these areas as you paint, and use more water in your brush as you get closer to the white area.