In a recent Friday LIVE demo with DANIEL SMITH owner John Cogley, Brand Ambassador Julie Ann Karlsson showed how DANIEL SMITH Watercolor Ground can be used to transform a painting from a flat surface into a richly textured, light-filled scene. Her subject—a softly backlit bird perched on a wooden post—became a showcase for how watercolor ground allows artists to build dimension, control absorbency, and layer luminous color in new and exciting ways.

By applying Titanium White and Transparent Watercolor Ground in targeted areas, Julie created a surface that brought her subject to life with feather-like texture, weathered wood grain, and glowing warmth. The demo revealed how watercolor ground expands the possibilities of DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolors, offering artists more freedom to lift, layer, and explore expressive effects—all while staying within the world of watercolor.

Julie took a strategic approach to surface preparation, using two types of ground to create contrast in texture:

Bird – Titanium White Watercolor Ground

• Applied directly with a palette knife to mimic the layered softness of feathers
• Absorbs paint beautifully while allowing for lifting and reworking
• Creates a forgiving surface ideal for juicy washes and expressive detail

Fence Post – Transparent Watercolor Ground

• Brushed onto the wood area and pressed with single-ply tissue or paper towel
• Dried clear but added subtle ridges and valleys for granulating color to settle into
• Helped evoke the natural texture of aged, weathered wood

• Paper: 300 gsm Rough Texture
  
• Brushes: Synthetic flat brush and a silver-handled custom brush
  
• Sketching Tool: watercolor pencil for light, erasable outlines
  
• Ground Application: Palette knife and tissue/paper towel

1. Sketch Lightly
   Julie used a watercolor pencil to loosely sketch her bird and fence post before applying ground. The pencil marks could be easily lifted with water later.
2. Apply Watercolor Ground
   • Titanium White Watercolor Ground was applied thickly with a palette knife to the bird, forming feather-like ridges.
   • Transparent Watercolor Ground was brushed onto the wooden post and pressed with tissue to add organic, irregular texture.
3. Let Dry Overnight
   Fully curing the ground gave her a sturdy, absorbent surface that welcomed paint and texture.
4. Paint Juicy Layers
   Julie used rich, wet applications of DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolors, allowing color to pool, settle, and interact with the textured surface.
5. Build Gradually
   She worked in layers, creating a soft backlit glow around the bird’s edges and gradually enhancing form and contrast.
6. Enhance with Granulation and Dry Brush
   Granulating watercolors and dry brush techniques added final touches of realism and texture after the painting had dried.

Julie painted with a warm, expressive palette that included both new and classic DANIEL SMITH colors:

Granulating favorites like Sodalite Genuine and Hematite Genuine emphasized the textured ground beautifully.

Application

• Use a palette knife to sculpt texture with Titanium White Ground
• Try layering Transparent Ground with tissue to enhance natural textures

Drying

• Let grounds dry completely—preferably overnight or 24 hours—for best results

Painting

• Use juicy, wet washes to accentuate the ground’s absorbency and texture
• Build color gradually in thin layers
• Experiment with granulating pigments for texture-rich effects
• Try dry brushing for subtle highlights and surface contrast

Creative Freedom

• Watercolor ground allows for lifting, reworking, and layering without damaging your surface
• It opens the door to creative exploration—without ever leaving the world of watercolor

Take a page from Julie Ann Karlsson’s sketchbook and explore how DANIEL SMITH Watercolor Ground can change the way you approach watercolor. Whether you’re creating feathers, woodgrain, or atmospheric backlighting, texture is just a ground away.

Explore Watercolor Ground
Explore our Extra Fine Watercolor range
Watch more Friday LIVE demos for techniques and artist inspiration