Edges and How to Treat Them

'Spring Birches' Acrylic Watercolour

The treatment of the edges of objects within a painting is extremely important. The quality of the edges defining the shapes of the various objects will have a substantial effect on the final impact the picture makes with the viewer.

Not all edges are equal in that some are hard and firm while others are softer and less substantial. Often adjacent objects will have component parts that are tonally similar, and so the common edges will tend to merge together giving what is referred to as ‘lost and found’ edges.
Some objects will have completely soft edges, clouds for example. But even some cloud forms will have hard edges which show clean and hard against the blue of the sky.

Before you start to paint, perhaps during the time you are studying the subject to determine the tonal values within it, pay attention to how the edges of objects appear.

When painting with any of the water based media on paper the wetness or dryness of the support will determine the quality and definition of an edge. If the support is bone dry a hard edge will form but as the support becomes more and more damp so the edges will become softer as the paint diffuses across the surface.

If you wish to achieve a mainly hard edge but with some softer sections this may be done simply by dampening the paper just in those places where you want the soft edges to occur. Alternatively, lifting some of the still damp paint with a damp brush may soften a hard edge. Some practice with both of these techniques is required but they are easily mastered so give it a try.

That’s it for today. I have decided to give myself a day off tomorrow and have a long weekend out and about with the sketchpad and camera. The next article, on colour, will be on Monday.

Have a good weekend and paint a lot.

All the best.

Tony