Before we get into the technique, I just want to say—I am completely self-taught. & also, only started my artistic journey in my late 20’s – before this I was all science & no craft.
Painting may still not be my full time job, but it surely is my full time love. Painting has brought me so much peace and joy, and I can’t get enough of it!
It’s just me, my brushes, and Alys (my little studio assistant 🐶) in my home studio, learning as I go.
What I’m trying to say is that, I don’t pretend to know everything. I’m always open to suggestions and advice—so if you have your own favourite watercolor tips, I’d love to hear them!
Now let’s get into watercolour layering technique!
Watercolour layering is a technique that has been refined over centuries. Early examples can be found in Renaissance botanical illustrations, where artists like Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528) used delicate transparent washes to capture lifelike details. In the 18th and 19th centuries, British painters such as J.M.W. Turner elevated watercolor layering to create atmospheric effects in landscape paintings.
This technique relies on the optical mixing of colors, where thin, transparent layers allow underlying pigments to shine through, creating luminous depth. The concept is closely tied to glazing in oil painting, where artists build up tones gradually for a rich, dimensional effect.
Watercolour layering is a technique that has been used for hundreds of years, dating back to the Renaissance when artists like Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528) experimented with transparent watercolor washes to create depth and luminosity. Later, in the 18th and 19th centuries, watercolor became a favored medium among British landscape artists like J.M.W. Turner, who used delicate layers to create atmospheric effects in his paintings.
By carefully building up thin washes of colour, artists could achieve soft, glowing transitions—something that remains a cornerstone of watercolor painting today!
Watercolour is all about transparency and layering techniques, allowing artists to build color depth gradually while maintaining the luminous quality that makes watercolor paintings so unique. Instead of mixing heavy colors on the palette, layering lets you build up colors gradually, adding depth and detail over time. Here’s why I love it:
🎨 It creates natural gradients – Instead of one flat wash of colour, layering allows you to build smooth transitions between tones.
🎨 It adds depth – By layering shadows and highlights, you can make subjects look more three-dimensional.
🎨 It keeps colours vibrant – Too much mixing can make watercolors muddy. Layering lets you keep colors crisp and clean.
I’ve tried heaps of watercolour painting techniques, & layering is what seems to really resonate with me. I think it’s great to try different approaches, but at the end of the day you should paint how feels natural and is most enjoyable. For example, I love the look of alla prima artworks (painting all in one layer), but I find it a really stressful process. What feels more natural to me is layering glazes of watercolour.
One of my most personal paintings where I used watercolor layering techniques was a portrait I did of my Grandad, who was also a watercolor artist himself. You can see the finished painting here below, next to the reference photo I used.
I don’t aim for a life-like replica of the photograph—instead, my goal is to interpret the image in my own way, expressing the colors I see in each layer of paint. This approach allows me to bring more warmth, movement, and personality into the piece rather than creating a perfect copy of the reference. I do love realism artworks, but they are certainly far from my own style of painting.
I took this photo after we both walked up a long flight of castle steps, up to a lookout where you could see the whole town in which he grew up. See how I built up multiple layers of color to create depth and emotion?
I use layering in every single painting I do, whether it’s people, frogs, fish, butterflies, fruit or veg or anything else! Here’s my general approach:
1️⃣ Define the shadows – for my personal technique, I always start by marking out the shadows with a shade of blue.
2️⃣ Start light – Once the blue is completely dry, I then begin laying down the lightest colours, applying a soft wash to define the main shapes.
3️⃣ Build midtones – After letting this second layer completely dry, I add the midtone layers, adjusting color intensity and shaping the subject. This is where it really starts to come to life!
4️⃣ Add shadows & depth – I slowly deepen the darker areas, layering thin washes of colour rather than going in too dark all at once.
5️⃣ Final details – The last layers are for the finishing touches: fine details, textures, and white gouache highlights.
You can see me use these techniques here below in my instagram video.
💧 Patience is key – Always let each layer dry completely before adding another to avoid muddying the colors.
💡 Use transparent pigments – Some watercolor paints are more opaque than others. Transparent paints work best for layering because they let the lower layers shine through.
🖌 Work with soft brushes – A good watercolor brush will hold plenty of water but still allow for delicate layering. You can find all the brushes I use in my shop – here’s a link to the kind I use the most.
One of my favorite parts of painting my Grandad’s portrait was capturing his cheeky grin after he climbed his way up the castle. Expressions can be tricky to paint, but understanding the underlying facial muscles and movement helps bring personality to a portrait. A fantastic resource for this is The Artist’s Complete Guide to Facial Expression by Gary Faigin.
This book breaks down how to paint and draw different facial expressions, showing how slight changes in muscle movements can completely alter the mood of a portrait. It’s a great tool for any artist who wants to improve their ability to capture human emotions authentically.
This book has helped so much along my journey learning how to paint faces. You can get it on amazon for yourself 😍
While layering is an essential technique for depth and vibrancy, here are a few additional things to consider:
🔄 Water control is key – The amount of water on your brush affects how your layers interact. Too much water can cause colors to bleed unpredictably, while too little can create harsh edges.
🖌 Paper matters – High-quality, thick watercolor paper (at least 300gsm) absorbs layers better and prevents buckling.
🌿 Color harmony – Layering different colors on top of one another can create rich, unexpected hues. Experiment with color mixing through glazing rather than pre-mixing everything on the palette.
🕰 Give it time – Sometimes, the best effects happen when you step away and let the painting dry fully before deciding on the next layer.
I’d love to hear from you—do you use layering in your watercolor paintings? If you have any tips, feel free to share! I’m always learning, and I love talking about art with other creatives.
If you want to see my layering process in action, check out my latest frog painting, now available as a fine art giclée print in my shop! If you’re interested in learning more, I recommended checking out my article on understanding colour theory – something worth knowing if you plan on laying transparent pigments over the top of each other!
Looking for more watercolour techniques, inspiration, and historical insights? Check out all my artsy articles if you’re in the mood to read more 😊🎨✨
☼ Cohn, M. (2015). The art of watercolor painting: History and techniques. New York, NY: ArtPress Publishing.
☼ Gage, J. (1993). Color and culture: Practice and meaning from antiquity to abstraction. University of California Press.
☼ Smith, R. (2018). The science of pigments and water interactions in watercolor painting. Cambridge University Press.
☼ Wilcox, M. (2001). Glazing techniques in watercolor and oil painting. Watson-Guptill Publications.
☼ what is watercolour layering technique?
☼ how do I paint with watercolours in layering technique?
☼ how do I paint with watercolours?
☼ who first used watercolour layering technique?
☼ when was watercolour layering technique first used?
☼ what are some tips for painting with watercolours in layers?
☼ What is watercolor layering, and why is it important?
☼ How do different historical artists like Albrecht Dürer and J.M.W. Turner use layering techniques?
☼ What are the benefits of building up colors in layers instead of mixing them heavily?
☼ What are the best watercolor layering techniques for achieving depth and vibrancy?
☼ What are the best tools and materials for layering in watercolor?
☼ What common mistakes should you avoid when layering watercolor?
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hi, i’m sarah, an australian artist head-over-heels for watercolour & creative practice- it truely is good for your soul.
& this ↑, is my girl alys.
i am completely self-taught in all the mediums i use & i am here to share everything i know with you!
i write about all things creativity, watercolour, gouache, hand-made ceramics, collecting art, & my own artistic process. I have degrees in human psychology & veterinary medicine- so you might find some sporadic related facts in my writing.
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