Blooming
Blooming
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Cauliflower Blooms - Cerulean Blue Hue (PB15) and Alizarin Crimson Hue (PR179): Clear Water Drop
In watercolor painting, "blooms" (also known as backruns, cauliflowers, or blossoms) occur when excess water is introduced to a drying wash. While often considered a mistake by beginners, they are a fantastic way to add organic texture to landscapes, skies, and stones.
When? Wait until the wash has lost its "mirror-like" shine and looks satin or damp.
Top Bloom-Prone Colors from Your Set
Top Bloom-Prone Colors from Your Set
Cerulean Blue Hue (PB15): As a "Hue" version made with Phthalo Blue (PB15), this is a modern, finely ground pigment that is extremely active wet-into-wet and creates dramatic explosions when water is dropped into it.
Viridian Hue (PG7): This Phthalo Green-based pigment is also a "surfer" color—it stays near the surface of the paper and spreads aggressively when disturbed by excess moisture.
Alizarin Crimson Hue (PR179): Highly transparent and staining, this color moves easily in water and is characteristic of the types of colors that "like to bloom".
Sap Green (PG36/PY139/PR101): Because it contains Phthalo Green (PG36), it shares the same high activity as Viridian Hue and will easily create textured backruns.
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolors Sketcher's Pocket Set of 12
The Timing (The "Damp" Phase) The secret to a perfect bloom is catching the paint at the right stage.
Too Wet: If the paper is soaking wet, the new water will just mix in evenly.
Too Dry: If the paint is bone dry, the water will just sit on top.
The Sweet Spot: Wait until the wash has lost its "mirror-like" shine and looks satin or damp.
Technique
The Clear Water Drop: Take a brush with clean water and tap a single drop onto the damp wash. The clear water will push the existing pigment outward, creating a jagged, textured edge.
The "Tea on Cream" Rule: To get a bloom, the incoming liquid must be thinner (more watery) than what is already on the paper. If you drop a watery mix into a thick, "creamy" pigment wash, you will get a very dramatic explosion of texture.
Tip: If you want to avoid blooms, make sure your brush isn't carrying more water than what is already on your paper when you go back in to touch up a section.
Viridian Hue (PG7) & Sap Green (PG36/PY139/PR101)
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