Watercolor feels different from other paints—and sometimes more intimidating. Many people tell Alexandra Victoria Studio they avoid watercolor because they’re scared to mess up.
She gets it! It can feel like once the paint touches the paper, that’s it. But guess what? That’s only half true.
In this post, Alexandra Victoria Studio is sharing two common watercolor mistakes and how to fix them step by step. Grab your supplies and follow along!
Contents
Understanding Watercolor’s Challenges
Let’s talk about why watercolor seems scary. For many artists used to acrylics or oils, watercolor feels like a one-shot deal. But that’s not the full story.
The artist has had many chats with acrylic and oil painters who say, “If I mess up, I just paint over it.” That’s not as easy with watercolor, right?
While it’s true that you can’t simply paint over mistakes, you can fix many of them. It’s all about knowing the right techniques—and that’s what the artist shows today.
Mistake #1: Painting Too Dark Too Soon
Artists often do this—adding too much paint and ending up with a dark, blotchy spot.
Why Light-to-Dark Matters
In watercolor, artists work from light to dark. That’s one of the key things that makes the medium special. But for beginners, it can be difficult to judge how much paint to use.
Sometimes, additional layers of pigment keep getting added, and the result becomes too dark. The artist has encountered this situation many times.
They demonstrate exactly how this issue appears—and how to correct it.
How to Fix an Area That’s Too Dark
Consider a situation where a leaf is being painted. A mixture of green and rose is applied to create depth, but an important step is overlooked—leaving white space or adding lighter tones. As a result, the leaf no longer matches the others.
Here is the step-by-step fix:
1. Dab with a Napkin Right Away
- A clean napkin is picked up.
- The spot is gently dabbed while still wet.
- This lifts a significant amount of color.
This method works only when the paint is still damp, so timing is essential.
2. Use Clean Water to Reactivate and Lift
If the napkin does not remove enough pigment, the next step is used:
- The brush is thoroughly rinsed in clean water.
- Clean water is applied over the dark area.
- While the area remains wet, the napkin is used again to dab.
This process lifts a surprising amount of pigment and lightens the section without damaging the paper.
3. Use a Clean, Dry Brush
There’s another method that works, too:
- A brush is cleaned and then dried completely.
- Then, the area is gently brushed.
The brush acts like a sponge and pulls pigment off the paper. This works well even if the first chance to dab with a napkin was missed.
Restoring Lightness and Detail
Once the area has been lightened, the details can be restored:
- A lighter color is selected and added on top.
- White space is reintroduced if needed.
- The color is blended with the rest of the painting.
Watercolor relies heavily on layering. Building colors slowly and adjusting along the way can make a big difference. These small fixes can save a painting!
Mistake #2: Accidental Paint Marks
Here’s another common issue—especially during moments of deep focus. It’s easy to accidentally leave a smudge or dot of paint somewhere unplanned.
Why These Marks Happen
Sometimes a hand brushes against wet paint. Other times, the brush may drip. Before the artist notices, an unwanted mark appears on the paper. It’s annoying—but fixable!
If the mark is noticed immediately and is still wet, the napkin trick works well. But what if the spot has already dried?
How to Fix a Dried Paint Mark
Here’s a reliable method for dealing with a dry paint splotch:
1. Add Clean Water to the Area
- First, the brush is rinsed in dirty water to remove leftover paint.
- Then, it is dipped into clean water.
- A generous amount of clean water is applied over the dried mark.
- A fresh spot on the napkin is located.
- The area is gently pressed to lift the water and pigment.
Even on dry paint, this method lifts color. It may not erase the mark completely, but it can fade it significantly.
2. Turn the Mistake into a Design
Sometimes, no matter how much effort is applied, a spot refuses to disappear—especially when a dark color such as deep green is involved.
When that happens, instead of fighting the mark, the artist works with it.
- A leaf or petal may be painted over it.
- The composition can be adjusted so the mark becomes part of the artwork.
Since this piece involved florals, a leaf was added over the spot. Done!
Frustration over these mistakes used to be common. Now, each one is treated as a challenge. Every adjustment becomes a learning moment. Paintings are no longer thrown away—they’re reworked into something enjoyable.
Keep a Creative Mindset
In watercolor, flexibility is essential. Making an error isn’t the end—it’s an opportunity for creative problem-solving.
A favorite quote from Bob Ross captures this perfectly: “We don’t make mistakes, we have happy little accidents.” That idea reshapes the entire painting process.
When something unexpected occurs, a moment is taken to consider: How can this be used? This mindset encourages enjoyment of the process and trust in creative instincts.
Wrapping Up
Mistakes happen—that’s simply part of watercolor. But the two most common issues—painting too dark and leaving stray marks—can be corrected. And when they can’t, they can still be transformed into something beautiful.
So when a painting doesn’t go as planned, these techniques offer solutions. What’s one watercolor mistake that has been creatively solved?