What the Salt Technique Does
When you sprinkle salt onto a wet watercolor wash, the salt absorbs water and pushes pigment aside as it dissolves. As the paint dries, small starburst or snowflake-like marks appear where the grains sat. It is a simple way to add texture to night skies, snow, frosty backgrounds, and abstract washes.
Supplies
- Watercolor paper: Cotton or heavier cold-press paper is a good choice. Thin paper may buckle under the wet wash. See the best watercolor paper.
- Watercolor paints: Pan or tube.
- A brush for laying the wash, and water.
- Salt: Table, sea, or kosher salt. Each gives a slightly different effect (see below).
- Tape and a board to keep the paper flat, plus a paper towel for cleanup.
Step-by-Step
- Tape the paper down. This helps limit warping. For stretching, see how to prepare and stretch watercolor paper.
- Wet the paper (optional) and lay a wash. Apply a juicy layer of paint so the surface looks shiny and wet but without large puddles. The technique builds on the same ideas as wet-in-wet watercolor.
- Keep the paint wet. Work before the shine disappears.
- Sprinkle salt onto the wash. Scatter it where you want texture. You can use a lot for a dense effect or a few grains for scattered stars.
- Leave it alone until completely dry. Do not move the paper too much, and do not rush it with a hair dryer, which can disturb the salt.
- Brush off the salt. Once the paper is fully dry, rub it away with your fingers or a dry brush.
Choosing a Salt
- Table salt: Fine grains usually make small, dense marks.
- Sea salt or kosher salt: Coarser grains tend to create larger, more distinct starbursts.
- Mixed sizes: Combining them can give a more natural, varied look.
Results vary with the amount of water and the paint, so test on a scrap sheet.
Timing: When to Sprinkle
Timing is the biggest factor. If the wash is too wet, the salt can dissolve and spread without leaving a clear mark. If the wash is too dry, the salt will not absorb enough water to react. A damp, still-shiny surface, just past the very wet stage, is often a good target. Many painters wait a moment after laying the wash, then test a few grains in a corner.
Why Isn’t Salt Working on My Watercolor?
- The paint is already dry. Salt needs moisture. Re-wetting rarely gives the same effect.
- The wash is too wet. Pools of water dilute the effect. Wait a little before sprinkling.
- The paint is too pale. Pigment needs to be strong enough for the contrast to show. Remember watercolor dries lighter.
- Not enough salt or too fine. Try a coarser grain or a heavier sprinkle.
- Brushed off too early. The salt must be fully dry before you remove it.
- Pigment type. Some pigments may show the effect more strongly than others, so try a few colors.
Subjects and Ideas
Salt works well for night skies with stars, falling snow, frosty windows, textured backgrounds, and coral or lichen-like surfaces. It can also add sparkle to water; see watercolor techniques for painting water. Try a dark blue and purple wash with coarse salt for a simple starry sky. Once dry, add details such as trees or silhouettes using controlled watercolor brush strokes.
Common Mistakes
- Adding salt to a wash that has already begun drying.
- Using too little pigment, so the texture barely shows.
- Overdoing it, which can make the whole painting look busy.
- Not taping the paper, leading to puddles collecting in the wrong places.
FAQ
How can I paint with salt? Lay a wet wash of watercolor, sprinkle salt onto it, let it dry completely, then brush the salt off.
What does vinegar do to watercolor? Results are not consistent and depend on the paint and paper, so treat it as an experiment rather than a standard step. Salt is the more reliable option for texture.
Is there another salt painting method? Yes. A children’s craft version uses glue to draw lines, salt over the glue, and then drops of watercolor that travel along the salt. It creates raised, colorful lines and is a different technique from the traditional wet-wash method above.
What are some common mistakes with watercolor generally? Using too little pigment, overworking washes, and working on paper that is too thin are common ones.