🎨 Top 5 Van Gogh Watercolour Techniques Every Artist Should Try

Written by a watercolour enthusiast obsessed with expressive colour and texture

There’s something magical about Van Gogh watercolours by Royal Talens. They’re vivid, expressive, and surprisingly forgiving—perfect whether you’re just starting out or deep into your practice like me. Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of brands, but I keep coming back to these vibrant pans and silky-smooth tubes. The pans activate easily with just a touch of water, delivering bold colour with very little effort.

1. Layering for Depth Without Mud

Van Gogh watercolours dry beautifully transparent, which means you can build up delicate layers without the colours getting muddy. I like to start light—think a diluted Naples Yellow—and glaze over with deeper tones like Permanent Red Deep or Indigo. The clarity stays crisp and lets the painting breathe.

🖌️ Try it with: Van Gogh Watercolour Pocket Box Set – a great starting palette.

2. Dry Brush Textures with Bristle Flat Brushes

This is where the right tools make all the difference. I love using a stiff Royal & Langnickel white bristle flat to dry brush over rough cold press paper. It gives my tree bark and stone textures an honest, gritty feel.

💡 Tip: Mix Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine for a perfect granulated bark colour.

3. Lifting and Reworking Without Damage

One of Van Gogh’s underrated qualities is how liftable they are. Forgot to save a highlight? No problem. Use a clean damp brush or even a cotton bud to gently lift colour. No chalky residue, no tears.

4. Salt Effects with Iridescent Medium

For something a little cosmic, I’ve been mixing Van Gogh Iridescent Medium (yes, it works with watercolours too!) with deep blues like Cerulean or Payne’s Grey and sprinkling sea salt while wet. The result? Starry, dreamy skies with shimmering edges.

✨ Find it on LocalArtShop.co.uk: Pebeo Iridescent Medium

5. Bold Shadows with Limited Palettes

Limiting your palette to just three colours can boost creativity. My go-to trio: Van Gogh Azo Yellow Medium, Quinacridone Rose, and Phthalo Blue. You get vibrant mixes and clean neutrals—a dream for plein air painting.

Final Thoughts

If you’re after watercolours that balance quality and affordability, the Van Gogh line is a total gem. They’ve got the punchy pigment of pro paints, but they’re not so precious that you’re afraid to experiment.

💬 Have a favourite Van Gogh watercolour technique?

Tag us @LocalArtShopUK on Instagram—we’d love to see your creations.

👉 Shop Van Gogh Watercolours here

(P.S. I always recommend the 12-pan pocket box to new students—it’s a reliable companion.)