Watercolor feels different from other paints, and sometimes more intimidating. Many people tell me they avoid watercolor because they’re scared to mess up. I get it! It feels like once the paint touches the paper, that’s it. But guess what? That’s only half true.
In this post, I’m sharing two common watercolor mistakes and how to fix them step-by-step. Grab your supplies and follow along with me!
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.
I’ve had so 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 I’ll show you today.
Mistake #1: Painting Too Dark Too Soon
We’ve all done it—added too much paint and ended up with a dark, blotchy spot. This happens a lot, especially when you’re just starting.
Why Light-to-Dark Matters
In watercolor, we work from light to dark. That’s one of the key things that makes it special. But when you’re beginning, it’s hard to know how much paint to use.
Sometimes, you keep adding more and more pigment, and then… it’s too dark. I’ve been there many times.
Let me show you exactly how that looks—and what to do about it.
How I Fix an Area That’s Too Dark
Let’s say I’m painting a leaf. I mix some green with rose, trying to add depth. But then I realize—oops!—I forgot to leave white space or add lighter colors. Now, that leaf doesn’t match the others.
Here’s how I fix it step-by-step:
1. Dab with a Napkin Right Away
- First, I grab a clean napkin.
- I gently dab the spot while it’s still wet.
- This lifts quite a bit of the color!
This trick only works if the paint is still damp, so timing is key. Be quick!
2. Use Clean Water to Reactivate and Lift
If the napkin didn’t remove enough pigment, I move on to the next step:
- I rinse my brush thoroughly in clean water.
- Then, I paint clean water over the dark area.
- While it’s still wet, I dab again with a napkin.
You’ll be amazed at how much color lifts this way! It lightens the area without ruining the paper.
3. Use a Clean, Dry Brush
There’s another method that works, too:
- I clean my brush and then dry it completely.
- Then, I gently brush over the area
The brush acts like a sponge and pulls pigment off the paper. This works well even if you missed the first chance to dab with a napkin.
Restoring Lightness and Detail
Once I’ve lightened the area, I can fix the details:
- I pick a lighter color and add it on top.
- I reintroduce white space if needed.
- I blend it with the rest of the painting.
Remember, watercolor is all about layering. Don’t be afraid to build your colors slowly and adjust as you go. These small fixes can save a painting!
Mistake #2: Accidental Paint Marks
Let’s talk about another mistake I often make—especially when I’m “in the zone.” I get so focused that I accidentally leave a smudge or dot of paint somewhere I didn’t plan.
Why These Marks Happen
Sometimes, my hand touches wet paint. Or maybe my brush drips. Before I notice, there’s an unwanted mark on my paper. It’s annoying—but fixable!
If you notice it immediately and it’s still wet, the napkin trick works. But what if it’s already dry?
How I Fix a Dried Paint Mark
Here’s my go-to method when I discover a dry paint splotch:
1. Add Clean Water to the Area
- First, I rinse my brush in dirty water to remove paint.
- Then, I dip it into clean water.
- I paint over the mark with a lot of clean water.
- I find a fresh spot on my napkin.
- I gently press and lift the water and pigment.
Even on dry paint, this method lifts color. It might not erase the mark completely, but it can fade it significantly.
2. Turn the Mistake into a Design
Sometimes, no matter how hard I try, a spot won’t go away completely—especially if I use a dark color like deep green.
When that happens, instead of fighting the mark, I work with it.
- I might paint a leaf or petal over it.
- I adjust the composition so the mark becomes part of the artwork.
Since I was painting florals, I just added a leaf over the spot. Done!
I used to feel frustrated by these mistakes. But now, I treat them as challenges. Every time I fix or adapt something, I learn more. I’ve even stopped throwing away paintings—I just rework them into something I like.
Keep a Creative Mindset
In watercolor, it helps to stay flexible. I’ve learned that messing up isn’t the end—it’s a chance to be more creative.
One of my favorite quotes comes from Bob Ross: “We don’t make mistakes, we have happy little accidents.” That changed the way I paint.
Now, when something unexpected happens, I take a step back and think: how can I use this? That mindset lets me enjoy the process and trust my creativity.
Wrapping Up
Mistakes happen—that’s part of watercolor. But the two most common ones—painting too dark and leaving stray marks—can be fixed. If not, you can work with them and turn them into something beautiful.
So next time your painting doesn’t go as planned, try these techniques. What’s one watercolor mistake you’ve learned to fix creatively? Share it with me below—I’d love to hear!