If you’ve always painted watercolour on paper, you might think that’s the only way. But what if I told you that you can absolutely use watercolour on canvas—and that it creates some of the most ethereal, dreamy textures?
I’ve been experimenting with watercolour on canvas for about five years and let me tell you—it’s a totally different experience. The way the paint flows, the way it lifts, and the way it interacts with the surface…it’s pure magic. And when you mix in a little acrylic? Chef’s kiss.
If you’re curious about trying it out, here’s everything you need to know.
Prepping Your Canvas for Watercolour
Here’s the thing—regular canvas isn’t made for watercolour. If you try to paint on it straight out of the package, the water will just sit on the surface, refusing to sink in. But there’s a little trick to fixing that: watercolour ground.
What’s Watercolour Ground?
Think of watercolour ground as a special primer that transforms any surface—canvas, wood, metal, even stone—into something that can hold watercolour like paper. It creates a slightly textured, absorbent layer that lets the paint settle in instead of just sliding around.
You can find watercolour ground in different shades, but I usually stick with transparent or titanium white for the most natural look.
How to Apply Watercolour Ground
- Start with a blank canvas. Make sure it’s clean and dry.
- Use a wide, flat brush to apply a thin, even layer of watercolour ground.
- Let it dry completely. It dries in a few hours, but for best results, let it sit for 24 hours.
- Optional: Add a second coat. If you want more absorption, apply another thin layer—but don’t go overboard! Too much ground can make the surface feel too smooth, which takes away that beautiful canvas texture.
Pro Tip: If the surface feels a little bumpy after drying, lightly brush over it with a wet brush before it sets. This helps smooth everything out.
How Watercolour Behaves on Canvas
Alright, so once your canvas is prepped, what’s it like to paint on? Well…it’s different from watercolour paper. But different in a good way.
- Paint stays wet longer. This gives you more time to blend and move the pigment around.
- Lifting is incredibly easy. Made a mistake? Just dab with a damp brush, and the paint comes right off—even after it’s dry!
- Glazing takes patience. Since paint lifts so easily, layering transparent washes can be tricky. You have to work gently.
- Hard edges are harder to control. The paint tends to spread a little more than it does on paper, so if you love crisp details, you might need to adjust your technique.
One of the best things about watercolour ground? If you mess up, you can just paint over the mistake with another thin layer of ground and start fresh. It’s like having an undo button in real life!
Mixing Watercolour & Acrylic on Canvas
If you really want to have fun with your paintings, try mixing watercolour with acrylic! This combo gives you the best of both worlds—watercolour’s delicate, flowing softness and acrylic’s bold texture and permanence.
Acrylic acts as an anchor, helping to define shapes, add contrast, and build up layers without disturbing the underpainting. Meanwhile, watercolour keeps the whole piece feeling light and ethereal. The key is knowing when (and how) to layer them so they work together instead of competing.
How to Layer Watercolour & Acrylic
🌿 Step 1: Start with Watercolour Washes
Lay down your initial washes with watercolour. Let the pigments move and blend naturally—this is where you get those dreamy, organic transitions. Don’t worry about details yet, just let the paint flow.
⏳ Step 2: Let Everything Dry Completely
This part is so important. If you paint acrylic over wet watercolour, it’ll mix into a murky mess instead of layering beautifully. Give your watercolour time to fully dry (you can use a hairdryer if you're impatient like me!).
🎨 Step 3: Add Acrylic Details
Now, bring in your acrylics! You can use:
- Thin acrylic glazes for soft depth
- Bold strokes to define shapes
- Splashes of colour for contrast
- Textured areas (using a palette knife or dry brush) for extra dimension
✨ Bonus Tip: If you want your acrylic to have a more translucent, watercolour-like feel, try diluting it with a bit of water or acrylic medium.
Why This Combo Works So Well
- Watercolour gives your piece a fluid, airy quality.
- Acrylic locks in details and adds bold, lasting elements.
- You can create beautiful contrasts between soft washes and textured acrylic strokes.
- It’s perfect for mixed media lovers who want a balance of control and spontaneity.
So, if you’ve never tried mixing the two before, grab a canvas, play around, and see what happens. The possibilities are endless! ✨
Note: The images in this post show the work-in-progress for Whispering Winds, a card from my upcoming Tidal Ember Oracle deck. Stay tuned for more glimpses of the journey!