Exploring Color with Spray Bottles

If you’re looking for a way to add extra color and texture to your work, spray bottles are one of the most versatile and easy-to-use tools to get you there. We’ll show you how to use spray bottle colors for unique effects, giving your work everything from soft, misty gradients to splashes of vivid hues. Let’s dive in and see how a spray bottle can bring out the artist in you!

Step 1: Choosing Your Color and Mixing It Right

Let’s start with a tube of paint—in this video, we're using American Journey’s Coastal Fog, a slightly opaque shade that can beautifully fill in areas without overwhelming your composition. To get started, remove the sprayer from your bottle. Then, squeeze about three inches of paint straight from the tube into the bottle. (No need to be precise—part of the fun is experimenting!) Next, add water until the bottle is halfway full.

After that, put your thumb on the bottle's opening and give it a good shake until the paint and water are thoroughly mixed. The goal is a smooth, well-blended paint mix with the perfect consistency to flow through the spray nozzle. Once you have a consistent mix, pop the sprayer back in, and you’re ready to go!

Step 2: Spraying on Color

Now for the best part: spraying your art with color. Try spritzing over darker areas first to see how the Coastal Fog stands out—almost like a misty snowfall blanketing a landscape. You’ll see how it adds a subtle yet effective layer that feels natural and soft. Don’t be afraid to try other colors too!

For instance, if you want to deepen your piece, introduce some Ultramarine Blue. By layering in this darker tone, you add visual depth, building contrast that can bring different elements of your work to the foreground. Now, go ahead and grab a bit of red, give it a few sprays, and watch the magic happen as it blends with the blue to create a lovely violet. These color blends are so effortless but look like they took hours of careful planning.

Step 3: Adding Details with a Rigger Brush

Once you’ve sprayed down your colors and achieved a mix you like, it’s time to bring in some finer detail while the paint is still wet. Grab a Rigger brush and gently pull through the wet colors to create the effect of tree limbs, stems, or other delicate shapes that add interest and texture to the piece. This technique works wonders in landscape scenes, where the blended colors and natural textures can mimic nature’s beauty.

Experimenting and Reclaiming Your Art

One of the best things about this technique is that it’s forgiving! If your initial colors didn’t turn out quite as planned, you can use your spray bottle colors to “reclaim” a painting. Adding layers with spray color lets you rework areas of your art, hiding spots you’re not thrilled with or adding layers of visual interest. Sometimes, the “mistakes” make the best textures, giving your painting a richness that feels unexpected and dynamic. 

Let Your Creativity Flow with Spray Colors

We hope this post on how to use spray bottle colors was helpful to you! Using spray bottles in your art is a great way to break free from traditional brushes and let spontaneity guide your process. With just a few supplies—paint, water, and a spray bottle—you’re equipped to make textures and effects that are impossible to replicate with brushes alone. Whether you’re adding a misty landscape effect, layering colors for vibrant backgrounds, or reclaiming a piece that didn’t go as planned, spray bottle colors can become one of your favorite tools. Shop our Holbein Watercolor Atomizer Bottle today to get started!