Whether you’re making watercolor word art for fun, card making, journaling, or designing quote wall art, using resist techniques makes lettering feel less intimidating and way more fun. 

If you’ve ever wanted your watercolor paintings to have that wow, effect — the watercolor resist technique is your new best friend.

This beginner-friendly method lets you create bold shapes, words, and textures using simple tools you probably already have at home. No fancy skills. No perfection required. Just paint, play, and relax.

What Is the Watercolor Resist Technique?

Watercolor resist (short for resistance) is a technique where you use a water-repelling material  (like wax, oil pastel, tape, or glue) to block watercolor paint from sticking to certain areas of your paper.

When you paint over it, the watercolor slides right off, revealing clean lines, shapes, or words underneath. It’s like telling the paint, “You’re welcome everywhere… except here.”

This technique is perfect for:

• Lettering and quotes

• Abstract backgrounds

• Complex illustrations

• Beginner watercolor practice exercises 

Common Watercolor Resist Materials 

1. Crayon, Wax or Oil Pastel Resist

Draw with a white or light-colored crayon or oil pastel. When you paint over it, the wax resists the watercolor and reveals your design.

Best for: words, stars, doodles, simple shapes

2. Glue Resist

Draw with glue and let it dry completely. Once dry, paint right over it for raised, stained-glass-style lines.

Best for: bold outlines, kids’ projects, decorative designs

(Black glue gives an even stronger contrast!)

3. Tape or Sticker Resist 

Place painter’s tape or washi tape on your paper before painting. Once the paint dries, peel off tape to reveal clean white shapes.

Best for: geometric designs and crisp edges

4. Masking Fluid (Liquid Frisket)

Masking fluid acts like liquid tape. You paint it on, let it dry, then paint over it. Once removed, the paper underneath stays perfectly white.

Best for: detailed lettering and precise highlights

5. Rubbing Alcohol 

Drop rubbing alcohol onto wet watercolor and watch the pigment push away, creating dreamy, galaxy-like textures.

Best for: abstract backgrounds and texture lovers

How to Use Crayon to Create Watercolor Resist Word Art

You’ll need:

• White crayon, wax candle, or oil pastel 

• Watercolor paints

• Brush

• 2 water containers

• Watercolor paper 

Steps:

1. Write your word:  Press hard to write using white crayon, wax  or oil pastel. I wrote "Be Happy" using sharpened candle wax. You can also embellish your design with stripes, stars, spirals etc. 

2. Paint around and over your words using colorful watercolor paint. You can paint all in one color or try lots of different colors.

3. Watch the letters appear as the wax repels the paint.

4. Add Texture (optional): Sprinkle salt while wet for a starry effect.  

Helpful Tips For Success

• Tilt your paper to see the wax shine before painting.

• Press hard with your crayon, oil pastel or candle wax to get a good coating of wax on your paper.

• Experiment with different colors for varied effects. 

Final Thoughts

Mixing words with watercolor is about freedom. It’s about slowing down, playing with color, and letting the paint do its thing.

Don't get caught up in perfectionville.

Easy Watercolor Tape Art for Beginners (No Drawing Required)

If you’ve ever wanted to paint with watercolors but felt stuck thinking “What should I paint?” — this one’s for you.

Today’s project is calm, simple, and wonderfully low-stress. No drawing skills needed. No perfect brush control required. Just tape, paint, and let the colors do their thing.

This is the kind of watercolor exercise you do when your brain wants quiet and your hands want play.

What You’ll Need

• Watercolor paper
• Any tape you have on hand:
• Washi tape
• Masking tape
• Painter’s tape
• Watercolor paints
• I’m using: Yellow, Green and Blue (use whatever colors you like.) 
• Brush and water
• Optional: hair dryer or heat gun (Helpful if the tape feels stubborn when it’s time to peel.)

I recommend using watercolor paper — but for this project, I’m actually not using it.

I believe in painting over perfection, not waiting for the “right” supplies. So I used thin, non-watercolor paper because that’s what I had on hand.

  A few things to note:

•  The paper did wrinkle a bit
•  It has a slight coating on it (which helps the water not soak into the paper fast )
• And honestly? It still worked, you just have to adjust how much water you use.

If you have watercolor paper, great. If you don’t, use what’s available and experiment with the amount of water and painting speed.

No fancy supplies. No “correct” brand. Use what’s already nearby.

Step 1: Tape Your Shapes

Lay your watercolor paper flat on your table and start taping off simple shapes.

I personally love triangles — they’re easy, satisfying, and somehow always look intentional. But squares, rectangles, or random angles work just as well.

Don’t overthink the layout. Let the tape land where it wants to land.

Step 2: Paint Inside the Tape

Now for the fun part.

Paint inside the taped-off shapes using bright, playful colors. Try:

• One color per shape
• Blending two colors together
• Letting colors bleed and surprise you

This is not about perfection. It’s about enjoying how the paint moves, spreads, and settles.

Step 3: Let It Dry (Seriously)

Once everything is painted, step away and let the paper dry completely.

Resist the urge to peel the tape early. 

Step 4: Peel the Tape

When the paper is fully dry, gently peel off the tape to reveal clean, crisp edges underneath.

If the tape feels stubborn or starts pulling the paper:

• Use a hair dryer or heat gun
• Warm the tape slightly
• Peel slowly at an angle

Your paper will thank you.

The Final Reveal

And just like that — you’re done.

You’ll be left with a bold, colorful piece of watercolor art that looks thoughtful and polished… without any stressful planning.

This is one of my favorite techniques for:

• Relaxing after a long day
• Getting back into painting after a break
• Warming up before a bigger watercolor project

No pressure. No expectations. Just paint.

Happy Painting 

If you try this project, let yourself enjoy the process more than the outcome.