Watercolor Painting - Sponging A to Z

Sponges are a valuable tool in the artist's studio, as they are used in many applications and disciplines. Potters use them to clean the surface of a freshly thrown pot, to smooth the surface and remove excess slip or water, and to remove excess glaze from the bottom of vessels as well as other details. Charcoal and pastel artists use them as "erasers" to smooth away excess powdered pigment from their work and to soften harsh areas. Of course, general cleanup and maintenance includes sponges for almost any studio or workspace situation. But perhaps one of the most valuable areas of artistic application for sponges is in watercolor painting.

From the start of set-up and preparation, sponges are indispensable to the watercolorist. Once a sheet of watercolor paper is mounted either with tape to a board or with one of the wraparound, clamp-style paper stretchers, water is required to soften the paper, opening the surface to accept initial washes. This step can be accomplished with any type of sponge: natural or synthetic. All that is required is a very clean sponge. Maintenance should include thorough washing in warm, soapy water to remove debris and keep it subtle and receptive. Once paint is allowed to dry in the sponge, its character is altered and its ability to absorb is compromised. Sponges, however, should not be soaked in solvents, but soaking and rinsing with soap and water is safe for all. Allow your clean sponge to dry before storing.

Initial soaking of watercolor paper is best accomplished with a large, thirsty sponge that can be charged with lots of water. Once the first "bath" is applied, let it set for a couple of minutes in a flat position to allow penetration. Bathtub soaking is sometimes preferred for very dense or heavy papers, but with patience, repeated sponging can evenly and thoroughly soak any paper.

Once the initial water is applied and has been allowed to penetrate, use your squeezed-dry sponge to pick up any pools on the paper. Gently pat the surface without scrubbing. Allow the paper to rest before starting work, but do not let it dry. If there is an interruption between dampening and painting, cover the work surface with a sheet of plastic. This will put the paper "on hold."

During painting, sponges can be used in a variety of ways. One of the first uses is as a pick-up tool for excess fluid watercolor. A clean, squeezed-dry sponge can wick an amazing amount of suspended pigment from a paper surface. As long as the painted area is wet, a sponge can lift color from the surface. The wetter the surface, the cleaner the removal will be. Once the paint begins to set into the paper, less pigment can be lifted away. In extreme cases, gentle scrubbing is possible, but care should be used. The surface of the paper will begin to release fibers; and the altered area will collect and hold more pigment once repainted, looking darker than the surrounding painted surface.

Blotting with a sharp sponge edge can create distinct lines and areas of dramatic light. Again, cutting through wet areas rather than slightly damp areas will yield the sharpest lines. Small natural sponges with a firm texture achieve this result easily. Cut the sponges to any size and shape desired and store them in a section of your paint box or in a glass jar on your worktable, ready for instant retrieval. One small sponge can be used to create a variety of sponge "tools."

Soft synthetic sponges (the type with tiny holes) are valuable pickup tools, too. They lift less pigment from the surface and are especially good for mingling background tones in skies or landscapes. The close-set, tiny air pockets of these sponges help lift some color, while they simultaneously blend the tones remaining on the paper. Synthetic sponges are not as good at total tone and pigment removal as natural sponges because they attract less pigment, thereby offering another look and "feel" to your art.

During the application of watercolor, sponges (both natural and synthetic) can be used to create a wide range of looks. When a clump of natural sponge--one with a feathery, irregular surface--is charged with paint, it can be used to create foliage in landscapes, foreground textures and interest as well as tone-on-tone variety. By selecting a tone that is lighter than the surrounding painted areas, a chunk of sponge is great for quick and dramatic application of highlights. This same chunk can also be used to add texture in both light and dark tones. To bring life to floras, sponges can be used to apply paint in colors similar to underpainted areas, creating visual interest and a velvety texture.

To create a sky or background of soft and mingled tones, use sponges rather than brushes to swipe color across a sheet of wet paper. The results are quickly achieved and set the stage for further subject development without a lot of brush underpainting. And sponges can be used to "sling" color onto a surface. Large drops will splash against the surface of the paper, either damp or dry. In abstract works, this will add texture and drama in a flash. Sponges can soften the edges of hard, linear areas and be used to blend dissimilar tones into a homogeneous color.

It might take a bit of experimentation to learn control and the methods that work best for your style, but the time invested is well worth the results. So grab that sponge and have some fun!