Watercolor Art for Beginners: Get Started Making Beautiful Art Today

Last Updated on March 19, 2025 by Nell Marie

Watercolor painting is a beautiful, relaxing, and sometimes unpredictable art form that’s perfect for beginners.

If you want to create dreamy landscapes, delicate florals, or abstract designs, watercolor is a great medium to explore.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get started with watercolor painting in a simple and fun way!

I started water coloring several years ago and love the soft watery final result. While it can be a little overwhelming and unpredictable, once you get the hang of it, you’ll turn to this medium over and over again.

Let’s get right to it!

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• 29 Colored Pencil Artwork Ideas & Tips for Beginners

1. Gather Your Watercolor Supplies

You don’t need a ton of fancy supplies to start, just the basics:

Watercolor paints – You can get pan sets (solid colors in a tray) or tube paints (liquid you squeeze out). A beginner-friendly set like Winsor & Newton or Prang is great!

Watercolor paper – Regular paper won’t work well because it soaks up too much water. Get a 140 lb (300gsm) watercolor paper for best results.

Brushes – A medium round brush (#6 or #8) and a flat brush will get you started.

Water container – One or two jars for rinsing brushes.

Palette – If using tube paints, you’ll need a palette to mix colors. If using a pan set, the lid often doubles as a palette.

Paper towels or a rag – For blotting brushes and cleaning up.

Masking tape (optional) – Helps keep your paper flat and creates clean edges.

2. Understanding Basic Watercolor Techniques

Before diving into a full painting, practice these simple techniques:

Wet on Wet

• Wet the paper with clean water using a brush.
• Drop in watercolor and watch it spread in soft, fluid patterns.
• Great for skies, backgrounds, and blending colors.

Read the tutorial here.

Wet on Dry

• Paint directly on dry paper for crisp, controlled brushstrokes.
• Ideal for details like leaves, lettering, and defined shapes.

Read the tutorial here.

Dry Brush

• Use a damp (not wet) brush with little water for a textured, grainy look.
• Perfect for adding texture like tree bark or fur.

Read the tutorial here.

Lifting

• Use a clean, damp brush or paper towel to “lift” some color off the paper.
• Helps create highlights or fix mistakes.

Read the tutorial here.

Glazing (Layering)

• Let a layer of paint dry completely, then paint another color on top.
• This creates depth and richer colors without muddying them.

Read the tutorial here.

3. Mixing Colors

Instead of relying on every color in the set, mix your own shades!

• Primary colors (Red, Yellow, Blue) – Mix these to create all other colors.
• Make muted tones – Adding a tiny bit of the opposite color (complementary colors) dulls bright colors. Example: mix a little blue into orange to make it less vibrant.
• Use more water for lighter colors – Unlike acrylics or oils, you don’t add white to lighten watercolor. Instead, just add more water!

Read the tutorial here.

4. Practice with Simple Watercolor Exercises

Before jumping into a masterpiece, try these fun beginner exercises:

🎨 Gradient Wash – Paint a dark color at the top of the paper and gradually fade it with water. Watch the tutorial here.

🌿 Simple Leaves – Paint teardrop shapes in different greens to practice brush control. Watch the tutorial here.

🌊 Clouds & Skies – Try wet-on-wet painting to create a soft, dreamy sky. Watch the tutorial here.

🖋️ Lettering & Doodles – Use a fine brush or a pen to outline watercolor shapes for a fun, whimsical look. Watch the tutorial here.

5. Start Your First Painting!

Once you’re comfortable with basic techniques, try painting something simple like:

• A sunset sky using wet-on-wet blending.
• A floral wreath with different colored leaves and flowers.
• A mountain landscape using layering techniques for depth.

6. Tips to Improve Your Watercolor Skills

Watercolor painting is such a fun and relaxing way to get creative, and the best part is that there are no rules—just plenty of room to experiment and play with colors.

The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel with your brush and techniques. Remember, watercolor painting is all about enjoying the process.

Don’t worry about making it perfect—just have fun and let the colors flow!

So grab your brushes, dip into those dreamy colors, and start creating something beautiful today!

• Let layers dry completely before adding details to avoid smudging.
• Test colors first on scrap paper before applying to your artwork.
• Embrace happy accidents! Watercolors can be unpredictable, and that’s part of the fun!
• Use a light pencil sketch as a guide, but avoid pressing too hard.
• Experiment and have fun! The best way to learn is by practicing and exploring new techniques.

Final Thoughts

Watercolor painting is such a fun and relaxing way to get creative, and the best part is that there are no rules—just plenty of room to experiment and play with colors.

The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel with your brush and techniques.

Remember, watercolor painting is all about enjoying the process. Don’t worry about making it perfect—just have fun and let the colors flow!

So grab your brushes, dip into those dreamy colors, and start creating something beautiful today!