Struggling with watercolor and feeling stuck? Nitin Singh has been there too. Watercolor is a beautiful yet challenging medium—one that can easily test your patience and make you doubt your progress.
But if you’re feeling frustrated or ready to give up, don’t worry—you’re definitely not alone.
In this post, Nitin Singh shares five common reasons why most people fail in watercolor and how you can avoid these mistakes based on real experiences from his own journey.
Contents
Reason 1: Losing Interest After a While
When artists start something new, it’s natural for them to feel excited. But over time, that excitement can fade.
The artist has seen many others lose focus after a few weeks with watercolor. They feel like it’s hard to control, and it doesn’t behave the way they expect.
That frustration makes them switch to other mediums like oil, acrylic, or pastel. They think maybe another medium will be easier.
But this behavior is very common. Watercolor is a tough medium. It’s unpredictable, and that can feel overwhelming at first.
How to Stay Motivated in Watercolor
If an artist finds themselves losing interest, they can remind themselves why they started in the first place.
Watercolor has a charm that no other medium can offer. Instead of abandoning it, the artist can take a small step back and explore the fun side of watercolor again.
They can try something new—like splashing colors, painting quick landscapes, or doodling with washes.
Keeping things light and playful can help bring the joy back into the painting routine.
Reason 2: Lack of Consistent Practice
One of the most common reasons people struggle with watercolor is a lack of consistent practice.
Many admire watercolor paintings and want to create their own, but they don’t dedicate enough time to practice.
Without regular practice, progress can feel slow or nonexistent.
When the artist started watercolor in 1999, they didn’t expect immediate results. They focused on consistency.
Even in 2001, when the artist created early paintings, daily practice continued. They would wake up early, go to nearby areas, and paint on the spot.
These early works were often on torn paper, yet they were filled with effort and determination.
How to Build Consistency in the Artist’s Watercolor Practice
Consistency doesn’t mean painting for hours every day.
Even 15 minutes a day can make a huge difference. It doesn’t need to be a masterpiece.
Sometimes it’s just playing with colors, doodling, experimenting with new forms, or letting the brush flow without pressure.
The key is spending that time every day—no matter how little. With consistent practice, progress becomes visible and confidence grows.
Building a daily painting habit is essential. Even without an hour to spare, dedicating a few minutes keeps the growth going.
Reason 3: Ignoring Sketching and Drawing Basics
Many beginners dive straight into painting without spending enough time on sketching and drawing.
While it’s tempting to start applying color immediately, the artist highly recommends not skipping the sketching phase. It plays a crucial role in mastering watercolor.
Sketching is not just outlining shapes—it helps artists understand light, shadow, and depth.
These fundamental elements are essential for creating realistic, captivating watercolor art.
How Sketching Enhances the Artist’s Watercolor Skills
No fancy equipment is needed—a simple sketchbook works fine.
The more an artist sketches, the better they understand proportions, shapes, and the interplay of light and shadow.
This practice improves watercolor work and builds a strong foundation for experimenting with different techniques.
Beginners shouldn’t worry about perfection. Developing a sketching habit strengthens skills and makes watercolor work more effective and expressive in the long run.
Reason 4: Feeling Demotivated by the Results
Demotivation is a common struggle among watercolor artists, especially when results don’t meet expectations.
It’s easy to feel frustrated when paintings don’t look the way artists want them to, or when progress seems slow.
Many beginners look at their work and feel disheartened, thinking their paintings are “ugly” or unpleasing.
This feeling of failure can lead to wanting to give up—but quitting is the worst choice.
How to Deal with Watercolor Frustration
The artist has been there too—the early stages of learning watercolor were filled with the same doubts.
They still have some early works from 2001, and they weren’t pretty. It was tough to see little improvement.
The artist thought about quitting but kept going.
Even when the paintings didn’t meet expectations, the artist continued painting, learning, and growing with every brushstroke.
The key is not letting temporary setbacks define the journey.
Progress takes time. The more one paints, the better they become.
Self-doubt and frustration must not discourage the artist.
Consistency leads to improvement, and eventually, the results will show.
Reason 5: Comparing the Artist with Other Artists
One of the biggest obstacles to improving watercolor skills is comparison.
It’s easy for artists to see stunning watercolor work and think, “How can someone paint like that?” or “Why is my work so far behind?”
But comparison only holds artists back.
How to Overcome Comparison and Stay Motivated
Each artist’s journey is unique. Every painter has their own story, struggles, and path to improvement.
Comparing oneself to others only creates frustration and self-doubt.
Instead of focusing on others’ achievements, artists can let those works inspire them.
They can think, “Painting like that is possible soon.”
This positive mindset fuels growth and keeps motivation alive.
No two artists are the same, and every journey is personal.
Comparison should never become a mental barrier.
Focusing on individual growth and trusting the process will always lead to improvement.
Final Thoughts
Mastering watercolor isn’t about perfection—it’s about patience, consistency, and enjoying the journey.
By understanding these common challenges and knowing how to overcome them, artists can improve faster than expected.
Don’t lose interest. Stay consistent. Keep sketching. Avoid demotivation. Stop comparing.
Commit to the journey, and improvement will follow.
Is the artist ready to continue painting and growing in watercolor? Keep going, and let creativity flow!