Watercolor Painting
Create luminous, flowing artwork using water-soluble pigments that blend and layer beautifully on paper. Watercolor's unique transparency creates effects impossible with other mediums, from soft dreamy washes to precise botanical illustrations.
What You'll Do
What You Need
Required
- ●Any white plate or plastic lid (for mixing)($0)
- ●Any paintbrush (round brush preferred)($0)
- ●Two cups of water($0)
- ●Paper towels or cloth rag($0)
- ●Watercolor paint set (student grade)($8-15)
Optional
- ○Watercolor paper (140lb/300gsm)($10-15)
How To Do It
- 1
Set up your workspace
Lay out your materials with two water cups: one for rinsing brushes, one for clean water. Place your palette and paper towel within easy reach. Tape your paper to a flat surface to prevent buckling.
- 2
Pick your first project
Follow along with a beginner tutorial that teaches basic techniques through a simple project.
- 3
Practice wet-on-wet technique
Wet your paper with clean water, then drop in pigment and watch it spread and bloom. This technique creates soft, blended effects perfect for skies and backgrounds. Let the water do the work.
- 4
Practice wet-on-dry technique
On dry paper, apply wet paint to create controlled, crisp edges. This gives you precision for details and defined shapes. Notice how differently the paint behaves on dry vs. wet paper.
- 5
Layer your first painting
Work from light to dark, applying your lightest first and letting it dry completely before adding darker layers. Start with big shapes using a larger brush, then add details with smaller strokes.
Tips
- →Common mistake: overworking the paint. Once you apply a , leave it alone. Scrubbing or layering too much damages the paper and creates muddy colors.
- →Always let layers dry completely before adding the next. Painting on damp paper causes colors to bleed together and create 'mud.'. Use a hairdryer to speed drying if needed.
- →Keep two water cups: one for rinsing dirty brushes, one with clean water for mixing. This prevents muddy colors and keeps your es vibrant.
- →Mix more paint than you think you need. Running out mid- means you can't match the color exactly, leaving visible seams in your work.
- →Use bigger brushes than feels comfortable. Small brushes encourage overworking; large brushes force you to stay loose and capture broad shapes first.
Communities
Resources
- The Postman's Knock - Watercolor for Beginners
Digestible beginner guide covering supplies, color mixing, and blending techniques with free practice worksheets.
- Strathmore Artist Papers - 7 Tips for Beginners
Practical tips from a trusted art paper brand covering materials, techniques, and workspace setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to learn watercolor painting?
You can complete your first simple painting in 30 minutes. Developing consistent control over water and pigment takes 10-20 hours of practice. Many artists spend years exploring because watercolor offers endless techniques to master.
How much does it cost to start watercolor painting?
You can start for about $25-30 with a student-grade paint set ($8-15) and watercolor paper pad ($10-15). A white dinner plate works as a palette, and you probably have brushes and cups at home already.
Do I need special watercolor paper or can I use regular paper?
Regular paper will buckle, tear, and not absorb paint properly. Watercolor paper (at least 140lb/300gsm) is designed to handle water without warping. It's worth the investment - cheap paper causes more frustration than it saves money.
Why do my colors look muddy?
Muddy colors happen when you layer wet paint over damp (not dry) paint, mix more than 3 pigments together, or overwork the same area. Let layers dry completely and limit your color mixing to 2-3 colors at a time.
Can I fix mistakes in watercolor?
While wet, you can lift paint with a damp brush or paper towel. Once dry, watercolor is hard to erase completely - this is why artists work light to dark. Embrace happy accidents; they're part of watercolor's charm.