How to Lift Staining Watercolor

Staining watercolor paint can be difficult to remove.

Staining watercolor paint does exactly what is implied by its name -- it stains paper. This means that lifting techniques used with non-staining paints, such as brushing and wiping, won't work. With staining paints, you need to take drastic measures to fix a painting error. While these measures will damage watercolor paper, it is the only way to completely remove this type of paint.

Things You'll Need

• Spray bottle
• Water
• Paper towel
• Craft knife

Instructions

1. Spray the area of paint you want to remove with water. If the area is still wet, skip this step.

2. Dab the area with a paper towel to remove as much paint as possible.

3. Hold a craft knife at a 45-degree angle to the paper.

4. Gently drag the blade over the paper as if you were putting jam on toast. This will scratch off a layer of paper, revealing the untouched fibers underneath.

5. Brush the areas of lifted paper from the painting with your hand.

Tips & Warnings

• You may be able to mask small areas of staining watercolor with white paint.

• Do not cut into the paper. This can cause irreparable damage.

References

• "The Techniques Book"; David Norman; 2002

Resources

• WatercolorPainting.com; Lifting Dry Watercolor Paint; Gregory Conley