Starting watercolor painting can feel tricky. It’s easy to end up with muddy colors or soggy paper at first.
Over time, I discovered simple tips that really improved my work.
Stick around—I’ll share five lessons that can make a big difference!
Contents
Avoid Using White and Black to Alter Color Intensity
Do not use white to lighten and black to darken!
Adding white paint ruins the transparency of watercolor and makes it opaque. Instead, I lighten colors by mixing in more water.
This keeps the soft, glowing effect that watercolors are known for.
Using black paint changes a color’s chroma or intensity. It dulls vibrant shades, sometimes giving muddy results.
To darken a hue, I take concentrated paint straight from the pan with less water mixed in.
This creates depth without losing richness.
Master Water Control Techniques
Water control is key in watercolor painting.
Too much water can make colors bleed everywhere. Too little water makes the paint look dry and lifeless.
I like to think of it as a “tea to butter” guide.
Tea has the most water and creates light, transparent layers. Coffee mixes more pigment, offering medium transparency.
Milk strikes a balance with less water and deeper color saturation.
Practicing value scales helped me improve control fast.
I started by mixing pigments from lightest to darkest using different amounts of water—lighter at the top, darker at the bottom.
It felt tedious at first but taught me how much or little liquid was needed for each effect!
Each stroke became smoother and more predictable over time—like learning how your car brakes work!
Invest in High-Quality Paper
“You are worth the good paper”
Cheap paper gave me more headaches than progress. It buckled, tore, and ruined my colors. I learned the hard way that fine art paper matters a lot.
Arches 140 Lb cold press watercolor paper changed everything for me.
Its texture and weight held water better, letting my work shine.
To save money without skimping on quality, I started cutting larger sheets into smaller pieces for practice.
Artist-grade paper costs more upfront but lasts longer—and makes painting so much easier!
Using poor-quality sketchbook or mixed media paper only created setbacks in my skill growth.
Embrace the “Ugly Stages” of Painting
Don't be afraid of the ugly stages
Every painting has an awkward phase. My strawberry painting started dull and flat. It looked like a red blob at first, but patience changed everything.
Adding layers brought depth and interest to it over time.
The process felt messy, but that’s part of artistic development. Each stroke transformed the bland parts into something better.
This progression is where true creative evolution happens, so I stopped stressing about perfection too early.
Learn and Apply Color Theory
Take time to understand color theory
I learned that knowing how colors work together makes a big difference. Using the color wheel helped me find harmony in my paintings.
Primary colors like yellow, magenta, and cyan are where it starts.
Mixing them creates secondary and tertiary colors. For example, blending magenta with yellow gives me orange shades for sunsets or flowers.
Cool colors like blue bring calm tones, while warm ones like red add energy to a piece.
Mixing complementary colors adds depth and natural shadows.
Combining sap green with magenta creates earthy tones like dusty rose or army green—perfect for plants or fabrics in my art.
Blue mixed with orange works well for painting realistic blueberry shadows without looking too harsh.
Understanding hue (pure color), saturation (intensity), and value (lightness/darkness) taught me control over mood and focus in each stroke I paint.
Supplementary tips for Watercolor Beginners
Use simple tools, try small experiments, and set up your space for easy painting fun.
Choosing the right brush types
Picking the right brush can make or break a painting. I prefer round brushes for most of my work.
They hold water well and create fine lines or broad strokes. Flat brushes are handy for sharp edges and washes.
Fan brushes add texture, like grass or fur details.
Synthetic brushes cost less but don’t hold as much water as natural hair ones. Natural hair brushes, like sable, absorb more but can be pricey.
A mix of both works best for me, depending on the task at hand!
Practicing with small paper pieces
Cutting high-quality paper into smaller pieces saves money and helps build skills. I bought an Arches pad, sliced it into mini sheets, and practiced every day.
Small sizes feel less scary, making it easier to try new painting exercises without fear of wasting supplies.
These tiny pieces push me to focus on details like brush control or water use.
Mistakes hurt less since the area is smaller, so I experiment freely with color theory or blending techniques.
It’s a simple trick that boosts artistic development while managing resources wisely.
Selecting a suitable palette
I pick primary colors like yellow, magenta, and cyan for my palette. They mix well to create endless shades.
Complementary colors work wonders too. Mixing blue with orange or magenta with sap green helps me get soft natural shadows.
Understanding color interactions makes painting easier. I learned muted tones are great for realistic effects in landscapes or portraits.
A balanced palette saves time and keeps the process fun!
Conclusion
Watercolor is a wild, wonderful journey. It’s messy, but that’s part of the magic. Each mistake teaches something new.
Embracing growth and experimenting will push your skills further.
So grab your brush, and let creativity flow!