Wet-on-Wet vs. Wet-on-Dry: The Watercolor Basics Every Beginner Should Know

Going Back to the Basics…

If you’re just starting out with watercolor painting, you’ve probably heard the terms wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry. But what do they actually mean—and how do they change the way your art looks?

In this post, we’ll break down these two essential watercolor techniques with easy examples, helpful tips, and ideas for when to use each one.

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What Is Wet-on-Wet Watercolor?

Wet-on-wet means you paint onto paper that’s already wet.

Start by applying a thin layer of clean water to your paper. Then, while it’s still damp, drop in your watercolor paint. You’ll see the color bloom, swirl, and blend all on its own—like magic!

Why Use Wet-on-Wet?

• Creates soft, floaty effects
• Perfect for clouds, skies, water, or dreamy backgrounds
• Great for loose painting styles
• Helps colors blend naturally with no hard edges

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What Is Wet-on-Dry Watercolor?

Wet-on-dry is when you paint directly onto dry paper.

There’s no water layer underneath, so your brush strokes stay sharp and defined. The paint goes exactly where you put it—making it great for precise work.

Why Use Wet-on-Dry?

• Perfect for details, outlines, and controlled shapes
• Great for lettering, patterns, or realistic painting
• Helps build clean layers over earlier washes

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Use Both Techniques for the Best Results

You don’t have to choose just one! The real magic happens when you combine both wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry techniques.

Try This:

1. Paint a loose background with wet-on-wet.
2. Let it dry completely.
3. Add details or shapes on top using wet-on-dry.

This combo gives you the best of both worlds—soft, flowy effects and sharp, defined accents.

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Quick Recap Cheat Sheet

technique	look + feel	best for
wet on wet	soft, floaty, blended	backgrounds, skies, dreamy effects
wet on dry	crisp, sharp, controlled	details, outlines, precise shapes

And that is a quick run down of the basics of Wet on Wet vs. Wet on Dry watercolor application. This post is part of my Back to the Watercolor Basics series, where I break down key watercolor techniques for beginners (including updated versions of some of my older videos!). So make sure to follow me on YouTube and here for the latest content!