How to Paint Smooth Watercolor Washes Like a Pro?

Do you want your watercolor paintings to look more professional?

Learning how to make smooth washes is a simple skill that can completely change your watercolor journey.

In just a couple of hours, you can master this one technique and see real progress. Let me show you how I do it and how it can help you enjoy watercolor painting even more.

What You Need to Practice Smooth Watercolor Washes

Let's start by setting up the tools. Having the right materials can make this exercise more effective.

Watercolor Paper: Quality Makes a Difference

We all know watercolor paper is essential. But did you know that paper with a high percentage of cotton makes it much easier to get a smooth wash?

I'm using pretty cheap paper here. Honestly, I don't even know how much cotton it has—it doesn't say. And that's fine for exercise.

If you can master washes on this kind of paper, painting on high-quality cotton paper will feel effortless.

Brushes: Size and Shape Matter

Now, let's talk about brushes. You need a big brush, squirrel hair, or a good imitation, which works best.

It's tough to get smooth washes with small brushes. Big ones hold more water and pigment, which is exactly what we need.

Other Supplies You'll Need

Of course, we need clean water, ideally in a couple of containers. You'll also need paints, either in tubes or pans. Both work fine, and I'll show you how to use both. 

And finally, a palette. I like ceramic plates, but any palette or even a dinner plate will do the job.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Smooth Watercolor Washes

Now that we have everything ready, let's walk through the exact steps to make your washes smooth and even. These steps are the heart of the exercise.

Step 1: Mix a Generous Amount of Paint

Before you put a brush on the paper, take the time to mix enough paint. This is crucial.

Using Tube Paints

Start by squeezing some tube paint onto your palette. Then, grab clean water with your brush and add it to the paint.

I had some leftover water on my palette from cleaning; it's okay. We need quite a bit of water.

Use your brush to add water several times. Or you can pour water onto the palette. The goal is to mix the water and pigment thoroughly until it forms a smooth and even solution.

I'm not speeding this up or skipping ahead because it's important to know that mixing takes time. You need a rich mix of both paint and water.

This way, you'll have a big puddle of ready-to-use paint that can cover an entire wash without stopping.

Using Pan Paints

If you're using pan paints instead, it's pretty similar. First, clean your brush. Make sure it's filled with water before you touch the paint.

Then, pick up some color and keep adding water to the pan. Do this several times until the pan is full of water and you've built a smooth color mixture. Transfer this color mix to your palette.

Let's take a closer look. Add more water, blend it with the paint, and move it to your palette. Again, we want plenty of color solutions here.

Now, you should have two rich color mixtures: one from a tube and one from a pan. Both will work to create perfect washes.

Step 2: Prepare Your Paper for Success

This next step is often overlooked, but it's beneficial. Slightly tilt your board. I use paper tape to fix my watercolor paper. 

Then, I place something under the board to slant it. The angle doesn't have to be steep. Even a small tilt helps the paint flow smoothly downward.

Step 3: Creating Your Smooth Wash

Now we're ready to paint. It is the fun part!

Single-Color Wash

Take your big brush and load it with paint. Make one horizontal line. Then dip into your paint again and make the second line.

You'll notice a bit of extra paint pooling at the bottom of each stroke. I call this a “hanging drop.” That hanging drop is the secret to a perfect wash. It helps the paint flow smoothly from one stroke to the next.

Keep the hanging drop going until the end. That's how you get that beautiful, even color across the entire section.

Let's do another one. Same idea: paint one line and check for that hanging drop. If you don't see it, let more paint flow from your brush.

Then continue, line by line, until you finish the wash.

Two-Color Wash

Once you feel confident with a single-color wash, it's time to try more advanced versions. These are great for learning color blending and control.

Start just like before with your first color, such as purple. 

Then, clean your brush thoroughly. Pick your second color, like green, and paint the next line. 

These two are very different colors, so cleaning the brush again is vital before using more green.

Honestly, it's not my favorite color combo, but this example still shows that the method works. You can use any colors you like.

Graded Wash: From Color to Water

This time, we'll go from intense color to clean water. Start with your mixed color as usual. 

Then, paint the next line and wash some pigment off your brush, but not all of it.

Now, thoroughly rinse your brush. Use a tissue to squeeze out excess water gently. Paint the next line, and finish your wash.

You'll see a beautiful transition from color to clear water. It's very smooth and natural.

Let's try another graded wash for practice. First line, second line, then start reducing the pigment. Rinse your brush, remove extra water, and finish the wash.

Helpful Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes

These little tips can improve your results. Let's go over them quickly.

Pale Stains or Uneven Spots

Sometimes, you'll see pale, patchy areas in your wash. This can happen for two main reasons.

First, it might be the paper. Cheap watercolor paper often has too much glue in places, which repels water and paint.

Second, it might be from your fingers. If you touch the paper too much before painting, natural oils from your skin (sebum) can block the paint.

I always wash my hands with soap before I start to avoid this. And when I see those spots now, I usually know it's just the paper.

Use a Big Brush

Big brushes hold more liquid, which means fewer breaks in your strokes. That's what makes smooth washes possible.

And don't worry. Using a large brush isn't hard. It's often easier because you work faster and cover more space.

Thanks to the mix you prepared earlier and the size of your brush, you can move quickly and confidently.

It also makes it easier to paint smooth shapes, not just backgrounds. So, if you're holding back because you're scared of big brushes, don't be. Embrace them.

Avoid Paint Bubbles

As you paint, you might see little bubbles or pools. These can dry unevenly and leave ugly marks.

It's a good habit to check your wash before it dries and gently remove any extra puddles with your brush. This small step keeps your wash looking clean and professional.

Final Thoughts

Now, you've got everything you need to master smooth watercolor washes. With just a couple of hours of focused practice, your paintings will look cleaner, more vibrant, and more professional.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your brush, prep your paint, and give it a try. If you've got questions or need help, drop a comment. I'm happy to share more tips anytime!