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TECHNIQUE www.painters-online.co.uk 22 EXPLORE WATERCOLOUR 2020 Backruns Learn how to turn accidents into features in your watercolour paintings, by Barry Herniman T he last thing you want in the middle of your lovely sky wash is a backrun or ‘cauliflower’. But, in certain areas, you can use backruns for particular effects. Leave the wash until it starts to dry, then touch a brush loaded with colour on the spot where you want the backrun and see what happens. This is a rather unpredictable technique, so use it with care. Using the technique On my painting holiday to the Grand Tetons, USA, we stayed just outside the small town of Driggs, Idaho. From here it was a short drive up into the foot hills where we got these super scenes of fall foliage and huge rocks. The scene was further enhanced by the fact that there had been a heavy ground frost which added a sparkle throughout. To contrast the bright yellow-orange foliage I painted in the fir trees with juicy greens and browns, allowing them to merge with each other producing backruns in the process. ▲ Backruns can be used to great effect ▲ First Frost, Idaho , 11 x 15in. (30 x 38cm)