I love washes, they look so pretty, specially when mixing colors.

I had a promising start, I could some streaks but just that. Then I started mixing colors and problems starting to appear. Had no idea how to make smooth transitions and started wondering what was I doing wrong. Glazing was quite satisfying and a more forgiving technique.

 

After that I really wanted to found out how to do a proper gradient and get rid of those streaks, so I tried different paper and brush:

 

Went back to my original mop brush and used Canson XL mixed media paper:

But more than all those changes, I think that as I kept doing more and more, I realized that my bead wasn't wet enough. At the beginning I took longer time in between charging my brush and had to play around with colors. After trying, failing and learning, I went back to my first paper, I wanted to see if, indeed, the paper was the problem at the beginning or was it my lack of familiarity with the technique.. and guess what? It looked way better this time! :D Practice, practice, practice!

Things I needed to consider more: keep a big enough bead, prepare your colors beforehand, don't press your brush too much (even better if not pressed at all), just "guide" the bead across the paper and don't stop for too long and then go fast and almost dry your bead. Even timing and water makes even gradients.

Thank you Stefanie!