This first session looks at light reflecting on water. Also known as shimmer. In this painting I masked the areas where I wanted shimmer. After the painting dried I rubbed off the masking fluid. I could be satisfied with the results that you are looking at here. But on closer observation and as I contemplate how this painting effects me I don't really feel a sense of light energy. It seems to be missing the brightness or the glow that reflected light has which causes us to squint in real life. What can I do to this painting to give it that glow? 

If you have old bristle brushes you can cut them into different shapes and use them for scrubbers in watercolor. I use many different shapes for a variety of purposes. Look for used bristle brushes at garage sales or self help stores, or pick up discontinued brushes on sale at an art store.

Before I begin painting I pre-soak all my paints in my palette. This allows the dried paint to get soft making it easier to get rich color from the palette. Timing is very important in watercolor painting and the paper doesn't like to be kept waiting. It can cause a problem when your taking too much time trying to scrub and pull color from a dry palette.