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Brushes

As gouache has the same properties as watercolour, all watercolour brushes can be used with gouache.

There are a number of different brush shapes for watercolour painting:

• Round brushes are the most versatile and widely used brushes. Their shape makes them suitable for small details and delicate lines. They can also be used to make broader strokes and washes.
• Flat brushes aren't as versatile as round brushes but they're useful for blending and creating washes.
• Spotter brushes are small round brushes with shorter bristles to give extra control. They are excellent for precise details.
• Wash brushes are similar to flat brushes, but are much wider. They are suitable for blending or applying lots of paint.

Painting surfaces

140lb paper is good to work on but might need to be stretched beforehand. This is done by wetting the paper and taping it to a board using brown gum tape. When the paper dries it stretches. This helps it stay flat during painting.

Watercolour boards are a convenient option if you do not want to pre-stretch your paper.

Other techniques

Highlights can be created using masking fluid. This is a latex liquid that can be painted over areas of a surface to protect it from washes or other applications of paint. It dries quickly to form a waterproof coating that resists any watercolour. It can then be peeled off or removed with an eraser.

Sponges can be used to lift out areas of paint. Using a moist or a dry sponge will change the textural effect.

Areas of dried paint can be scraped off using sandpaper or other abrasive surfaces. Experimenting with the direction you scrape or rub your painting in will give different results.