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There are a number of tips or tricks' that many artists have developed or discovered over the ages and knowing them can really help your watercolor painting be more fun and interesting.

The first rule of watercolor painting is that you must leave the light'. One chance is often all you get. If you fill in the entire paper with color, it will be very difficult or impossible to get your lightest areas back. I have listed supplies you will need at the bottom of this article, but the focus is on painting tips, so I'll start here.

PLACE and PULL:
That's my term, so you probably won't find it in art books. Practice with a piece of medium quality watercolor paper and first try painting on it dry. Place a dob of color on it and then dip your brush into the water and gently touch the tip of it to the very edge of the dob, then gently pull out the color with a bit more water and then a bit less to get the feel of how the paint and that particular color flows (or doesn't). You learn that some colors really bloom' with just a tiny bit of moisture and others just sit there like a tired toddler and need more coaxing.

Next, moisten a sheet of paper (use a large brush or a mister bottle). Use the Place and Pull method again and you'll get an entirely different result from the damp background.

This will help you understand how different colors work and knowing how your paint will behave (or not) really helps you have more control over the situation.

MASKING
Masking out your light areas is very helpful, especially if you tend to get a bit too exuberant at times and end up painting in areas that were not meant to be.

Masking fluid is basically a liquid that you paint over the areas that you want to leave white. After you've finished the dark areas you gently roll off the dried liquid. I've learned there is a shelf-life to these liquids on and off the paper. If you leave the making medium on too long, it may not come off without removing the sizing or protective coating on your paper. If you keep it too long you'll end up with a little lump of hardened goo.

Masking tape (again don't leave it for months) is helpful, especially if you want sharp lines and angles in an area. You can either make an enclosed shape, like a triangle and paint inside the taped area, or paint around the edges for a different effect.

SALTING AND DABBING

Salting is lots of fun and usually full of surprises. For starters paint an area (say 6"x8") with one color, make the paper slightly damp, but not running. Now take

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