Two-Color Wet-on-Wet Watercolor Painting

After artists have had a chance to individually paint with each primary color using the wet-on-wet watercolor method, it’s time to introduce a second primary color.

One of the best ways for young children to experience color is to paint with watercolors on wet paper. It is a process art technique in which the emphasis is on the experience of color rather than the form the painting takes. And painting sessions are not treated as lessons but as experiences.

Two-color wet-on-wet watercolor painting begins after a child has tried their hand at single-color wet-on-wet watercolor painting. In Waldorf education, a second color is not introduced until a child has worked extensively with each of the primary colors (yellow, red, and blue) individually. To learn more about this art process, visit the introductory tutorial above.

In Waldorf early childhood programs, only the primary colors — red, yellow, and blue — are used. These will eventually allow an infinite number of other colors to appear on the wet watercolor paper.

Child painting with two primary colors using the wet-on-wet watercolor painting method.

Watercolor Painting Supplies

In the Waldorf tradition, good-quality art materials are always used. It is believed that they appeal to the child’s sensory nature and are better suited to it.

140 Weight 11 X 15 watercolor paper
A sink, tub, or tray large enough to soak the paper.
A flat, waterproof surface or a paintboard to work on.
1 to 1 1/2 flat wash watercolor brush.
Red, Yellow, or Blue Watercolor Paint (Stockmar Paints are recommended, but high-quality artist tubes work just as well. Use Carmine Red, Lemon Yellow, and Ultramarine Blue.)
16 oz mason jar for water (canning jars and recycled glass jars with wide mouths work well).
8-oz canning jar for mixing and storing paints.
Small 2-6 oz jar for paints while in use (recycled baby food jars work great).
- I use glass jars made for homemade baby food. You can also use 4-oz canning jars or ramekins. (You will only need two for this art project.)
Two sponges – or one cut in half.
- One clean-to-wipe paper to wipe excess water, and one to clean the board or surface once finished.
A rag or small towel
Apron or painting smock.
Chopstick

How to Paint with Two Colors Using The Wet-on-Wet Watercolor Method

As mentioned above, when artists first attempt wet-on-wet watercolor painting, it is best to work with each color individually before adding a second color.

So, if you haven’t already, please read Wet-on-Wet Watercolor Painting for directions on mixing the paint, setting it up, and getting started with wet-on-wet watercolor painting.

Tip: Mix more paint than you need each time you introduce a new color. Then store the extra mixed paint in a canning jar in the refrigerator.

Two primary watercolors on art table mixed and ready for wet-on-wet watercolor painting — *We like to work on our DIY Outdoor Art Table and Mud Kitchen.* Click on the link for the DIY details to make one for your little artists.

Painting with Two Primary Watercolors

When working with two colors, you will begin by pouring two colors (from the stored, mixed paint) into separate jars. Before handing the paintbrush to your child, demonstrate that it needs to be rinsed before changing colors.

While demonstrating and telling your color story (see Single Color Wet-on-Wet), you could say, “After dancing and playing with yellow, Tippy decided she wanted to play with red. So she jumped into a puddle (jar with water) and then wiped her feet (on the rag), making sure there was no yellow on her feet before she went to play with red.”

You don’t need to provide any “lessons” other than the color story and your demonstration. Read this introductory tutorial on painting with one color to learn more about this. It may sound odd to teach this way, but it is much better for the young child’s understanding. Children are imitative creatures. They need to see you doing it to know what and how to do it.

When you begin to work with two colors after working with only one, a child will be delighted to discover what happens when yellow plays with red, blue plays with yellow, or red plays with blue. Shhh–don’t tell them about it. Do your best to refrain from teaching anything. Allow the child to experience the colors as they appear while painting.

Red and yellow watercolor paints mixing on the paper while a child paints using the wet-on-wet watercolor painting technique

The Experience of Color Mixing with Watercolors

When children begin painting with watercolors in this way, they will have an experience of color rather than an intellectual understanding of it. Learning that yellow and red make orange while painting with watercolors provides the experience of that knowledge.

It is hard to forget something you have had a direct experience of. Children who learn yellow and blue make green by experiencing it are much more likely to remember and understand it.

Allow your child to experience what happens when yellow plays with red, blue plays with yellow, or red plays with blue. After they have played with two colors for quite a while, you can offer them all three primary colors at once.

But please ensure your child is ready for all three primary colors before offering them. If they are not, the painting will become brownish or grayish.