Are you struggling to make your white objects stand out in watercolor?
You're not alone. Getting white to look bright, clean, and full of life can be tricky.
In today's post, I'll walk you through three simple techniques I always use to make white areas pop without overworking your painting.
These methods are easy to follow and super effective. Let's get started.
Contents
Getting Started: Preparing Your Watercolor Paper
Before jumping into painting, preparing your paper the right way is essential. A good start makes a big difference.
I always start by outlining my subject on a separate sheet of paper. Once I'm happy with it, I darken the back using a 4B pencil.
Then, I trace that drawing onto my watercolor paper. This method helps keep the watercolor paper clean and smooth.
Why does this matter?
Watercolor paper can be sensitive. Too much rubbing or erasing can damage its surface. This simple trick avoids that problem and prepares you for a crisp painting.
Technique #1: Lifting – Reveal the White Beneath
This first method is about pulling the paint off the paper to create light and shine. I'll show you how I use this technique while painting a ceramic jar.
Lifting is excellent when you want soft transitions or to bring out highlights on a painted surface. It works especially well for objects with smooth textures like ceramics.
In this example, I start by painting the jar with watercolor. While the paint is still damp, I gently lift the pigment off the surface with a flat brush.
This helps me create a soft, natural-looking highlight. You don't have to use a flat brush, but I like it because it allows me to control the edges and build gentle transitions in tone.
By lifting the paint, I let the paper's white show through. This gives the object form and light without using white paint. It's a subtle technique, but it's super effective.
Technique #2: Leaving the White Area Unpainted
Instead of painting and lifting the color, I sometimes don't paint the white object. This might sound strange, but it's one of my favorite ways to paint delicate subjects like flowers.
Leaving white space untouched is a powerful technique. It uses the natural brightness of your watercolor paper to create the white object.
The effect is clean, elegant, and super effective, especially for petals or other soft shapes.
To make this work, I leave a small gap outside the pencil line of the painting object. For example, I don't color up to the line if I'm painting a jar or a flower.
That tiny, unpainted space becomes the edge of the object. It adds shape and depth without using any paint.
I find this works especially well with white flowers. The untouched paper is a highlight, making the petals look soft and glowing.
I leave this area to dry naturally before adding more detail. That way, the paper stays fresh, and I don't muddy the clean white I'm trying to keep.
Now, let's move on to the final technique. This one involves using actual white paint.
Technique #3: Using White Gouache or Acrylic for Bright Highlights
There are times when lifting or leaving the paper untouched isn't enough.
Maybe the paint went too dark, or I need stronger highlights. That's when I reach for white gouache or sometimes acrylic paint.
This trick is perfect for adding back white details after the main painting is done. Gouache is opaque, which means it covers what's underneath.
It gives you a strong, bright white, which is great for creating highlights or fixing small areas.
For this example, I paint an entire carrot first using regular watercolor. I make sure the whole carrot is dry before adding any white paint.
It's important to wait! If the paint is still wet, the gouache can mix with it and lose its brightness.
While the carrot dries, I return to the white flower and add a few soft details. I keep it very minimal.
If I add too much, the flower loses that glowing white look. The key is to suggest texture without covering up the clean white paper.
Once the carrot is completely dry, I apply white gouache to add some highlights. I place it where the light naturally hits the carrot, usually on the curved side or near the tip. This final touch gives the carrot form and sparkle.
Final Tips: Choosing the Right Method for Each Object
Depending on your painting, these three techniques can help make your white objects look amazing.
- Lifting works best for smooth surfaces like ceramic, where you want soft gradients and realistic highlights.
- Leaving the object unpainted is ideal for delicate items like flowers. It brings out a gentle glow and keeps the white pure.
- White gouache or acrylic is great for bold highlights or fixing areas after your painting has dried.
Sometimes, I use more than one of these tricks in the same painting. The key is to experiment and see what fits best for your subject.
Final Thoughts
These three watercolor tricks, lifting, leaving the white unpainted, and using white gouache, are simple but powerful. Each one can help your white objects shine differently.
Which technique will you try first? Feel free to experiment and see what works best for your style. I'd love to hear how it goes!