Watercolor Beginners Guide: Easy Tips to Start Painting

If you’ve never opened a watercolor set, the first step is to stop overthinking and just start. Grab a few basic tools, try a couple of simple washes, and watch how quickly you feel more comfortable.

Essential Supplies You Need

The good news is you don’t need an expensive kit. A small pack of pan or tube watercolors, a pad of cold‑press paper (140 gsm works fine), a couple of round brushes (size 4 and 6), a plastic palette, and a spray bottle for misting are enough. Choose paper with a bit of texture; it holds water better and makes colors pop. If you’re on a budget, look for student‑grade paints – they’re decent for practice and cheap to replace.

Before you open the paints, set up a clean workspace. Lay down a towel or newspaper, fill a cup with clean water, and keep a rag handy. This simple setup saves you from spills and helps you control the amount of water you add to each color.

Simple Techniques to Try Today

Start with a wet‑on‑wet wash. Wet the paper with clean water using a large brush, then drop a color onto the damp area. Watch it spread and blend on its own. This exercise teaches you how water moves on the surface and how colors can mix without you doing the work.

Next, practice a dry‑brush stroke. Load a brush with paint, wipe most of it off on a paper towel, and lightly drag it across dry paper. The result is a textured line that’s great for foliage or rough edges. It’s a quick way to add detail without muddying colors.

Try a gradient wash: fill a cup with water, add a small amount of paint, and dip your brush at the top of the paper. Pull the brush down, adding a little more water as you go, until the color fades out at the bottom. This builds confidence in controlling tone.

Keep a sketchbook handy and set a timer for 15 minutes each day. Sketch a simple object – a leaf, a cup, a fruit – using the techniques above. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s to get your hand used to moving paint and water together.

Common mistakes beginners make are using too much water, which makes the paper buckle, and over‑mixing colors on the palette, which turns them muddy. Instead, start with a small amount of paint, add water gradually, and let the paper do the blending.

When you’re ready, experiment with layering. Let the first wash dry, then add a second color on top. This creates depth and lets you correct mistakes without scrubbing the paper.

Finally, don’t forget to clean your brushes after each session. Rinse them in clean water, shape the bristles, and let them dry horizontally. A well‑cared brush lasts longer and paints smoother.

Watercolor is all about learning how water and pigment interact. By focusing on a few supplies, practicing basic washes, and painting a little every day, you’ll see steady improvement. Keep experimenting, stay curious, and enjoy the process – the art will follow.