Watercolor painting is one of the most approachable forms of art, but getting started can feel overwhelming if you’re unsure about the basics.

Learning how to start watercolor painting is about understanding the right supplies, mastering foundational techniques, and practicing control over water and color.

In this article, I’ll guide you through everything you need: from selecting student-grade paints or professional-grade paints, to choosing between cold-pressed and hot-pressed paper, and picking the best brushes.

You’ll also get practical advice on applying techniques like wet-on-wet and dry brush, plus tips on how to avoid common pitfalls like overworking your layers.

By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of essential tools and techniques that can take you from hesitant beginner to confident watercolorist.

Essential Supplies for Watercolor Beginners

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Watercolor Paints: Student vs. Professional Grade

Choosing the right watercolor paints can be overwhelming. Student-grade paints like Cotman Watercolors are affordable and decent for beginners.

The pigments are less intense but give you room to practice without burning a hole in your wallet.

As you progress, though, upgrading to professional-grade paints like Daniel Smith Watercolors makes a noticeable difference.

These paints have higher pigment concentrations, offering vibrant colors and better blending.

Paper Quality: Cold-Pressed, Hot-Pressed, or Rough?

Cold-pressed paper is a favorite for most beginners. It has a slightly textured surface that holds the paint well, allowing for controlled blending.

If you’re looking for smoothness, hot-pressed paper will give you that, but it can be tricky with large washes.

Rough paper has a heavy texture, and while it’s more advanced, it can add interesting effects once you’re comfortable.

Brands like Arches paper are well-known, especially their 100% cotton options. The texture and absorbency of the paper really change how the paint behaves, so invest in good paper early on.

Brushes: Types and Sizes

The type of brush you use affects your entire painting experience. For beginners, sable brushes might be a little too fancy, so starting with synthetic brushes is fine.

Look for round brushes in sizes 6, 8, and 10—they’re versatile enough for most needs.

For larger washes, a flat brush or a hake brush is useful. You might also want a smaller detail brush, but don’t overdo it with buying a full set upfront.

Keep it simple, then expand based on the techniques you explore, like wet-on-dry or wet-on-wet.

Water and Paint Mixing Tools

You’ll need containers for water, one for clean water and one for rinsing. Using a spray bottle helps keep your palette hydrated. And speaking of palettes, a watercolor palette with deep wells works best for mixing.

Keep in mind that water control is key in watercolor painting. Too much water and your paint will run all over the place.

Too little, and it won’t blend properly. Understanding paint dilution and how to create smooth washes is something you’ll develop with practice.

Masking Fluid and Other Extras

Once you get more comfortable, experimenting with tools like masking fluid is helpful. It allows you to block off areas you want to keep white or paint later.

It’s a bit tricky to use, but it adds a lot to your toolbox as you get better.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

It’s tempting to buy cheap paper or brushes, but you’ll quickly regret it. Low-quality supplies lead to frustration.

Also, avoid overworking your paper—layering in watercolor is essential, but too many layers can ruin the texture.

Lastly, don’t forget about water control. Most beginners tend to use too much water, resulting in washed-out colors or uncontrolled bleeding.

Foundational Techniques in Watercolor

Wet-on-Wet Technique

The wet-on-wet technique is pretty straightforward but takes some practice. You wet the paper first and then add your watercolor.

The paint spreads quickly, creating soft edges and gradients. It’s perfect for skies, backgrounds, and any area where you want smooth transitions.

Controlling it can be tricky, though. Too much water and the color floods everywhere. If you’re not careful, it’ll dry unevenly, and you’ll end up with blotches instead of the smooth look you were aiming for.

Wet-on-Dry Technique

With wet-on-dry, you’re painting directly onto dry paper. This is where you get the sharp edges and clear definition.

Great for details like outlining or small objects that need to stand out. You can also layer the colors more effectively without everything bleeding together.

However, the challenge with wet-on-dry is the brushstrokes can look harsh if you’re not careful. If the paint is too thick, it might look too opaque or sit on the surface rather than blending in naturally.

Layering Colors

Layering is one of those essential watercolor skills that can change your entire painting. It’s about patience.

You wait for one layer to dry before adding another. This helps build depth and richness, especially with darker tones or shadows.

The risk here is overworking the paper. If you try to add too many layers too quickly or don’t let things dry properly, the paper can tear or get those ugly pilling spots. Also, if you use too much water, the layers won’t be distinct; they’ll just merge into a muddy mess.

Dry Brush Technique

The dry brush technique is for texture. You load a brush with paint, but only a little water. When you drag it across the surface, it leaves rough, broken marks.

This works well for things like grass, wood textures, or any place you want a more rugged look.

It’s not the easiest technique for beginners. Too much paint or water, and you lose that scratchy effect. But when done right, it can add a whole new dimension to your work.

Lifting Paint

Lifting paint is when you remove color from the paper after it’s been applied. Sometimes you make mistakes, or maybe you want to lighten areas for highlights.

You do this by using a damp brush or a tissue to blot the paint away.

This technique requires a light hand. If you’re too rough, the paper can tear, especially if you’re using cheap or thin watercolor paper like student-grade paper.

Plus, some pigments, like those in professional-grade paints, are more staining, which makes them harder to lift cleanly.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

One of the biggest problems with these techniques is water control. Beginners often use too much water, and that can lead to a washed-out look.

Another issue is over-mixing. Mixing too many colors on your palette or directly on the paper can result in muddy tones, which kills the vibrancy of your work.

Practicing Control and Precision

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Brush Strokes and Pressure

The way you handle a brush is everything. Watercolor demands control over pressure. Sable brushes give you more flexibility, but for beginners, synthetic brushes are a good start.

You press hard, and the strokes widen; go light, and the lines stay thin and crisp. It sounds simple, but controlling this takes time. You’ll need to practice, especially when working on details or delicate textures.

Water control is also a critical factor. If your brush is too wet, you lose precision—paint floods the page, blending in places you don’t want.

Too dry, and your strokes will look harsh or uneven. Practice creating strokes with just enough moisture to maintain control but still keep the softness watercolor is known for.

Controlling Water and Paint Ratio

Balancing water and paint is where the challenge really ramps up. Too much water dilutes the paint to the point where it’s barely visible, while too little leaves you with thick, opaque marks that don’t blend.

Practicing with a watercolor palette that allows you to control paint consistency helps.

You’ll often hear advice about the importance of layering, especially when discussing watercolor layering. But even in layering, that water-to-paint ratio is crucial.

You can’t just slap on layers and expect depth. It’s the subtleties in control that make the colors pop and create those gentle transitions that watercolors are famous for.

Mastering Edges: Soft vs. Hard

Learning how to achieve soft and hard edges is key to how to start watercolor painting. When you paint on dry paper, you get hard edges.

Wet paper gives you soft, flowing edges. But precision comes from knowing how to blend the two.

The wet-on-dry technique helps define areas sharply, while wet-on-wet allows you to soften transitions. Combine them within the same painting for contrast—this is where the mastery of control comes in.

Softening a hard edge after it dries requires more practice. You lift some pigment or blend it with a slightly damp brush, but too much and you ruin the detail or overwork the area.

Practicing Gradients and Transitions

Gradients are essential in watercolor, whether you’re painting a sky or creating depth in a landscape.

To master transitions from light to dark, you’ll need to work quickly and smoothly. Start with more water at the top of your gradient and slowly add more pigment as you move down.

Blotting with a tissue can help lighten areas, but too much blotting leaves awkward spots. Use blotting only sparingly, and always keep the brush wet enough to create a smooth transition in tone.

Applying Watercolor Techniques in Projects

Landscapes and Nature Scenes

Landscapes are where you’ll probably first notice the beauty of watercolor layering. Start with a wash technique for the sky.

Use wet-on-wet to get that smooth gradient—just be careful with your water control. If the sky bleeds too much into the land, you’ll lose that horizon line.

For trees and foliage, try the dry brush technique. It gives you that rough texture for leaves or branches without needing to paint every little detail.

Add depth by using multiple layers. Don’t rush. Each layer needs time to dry. Otherwise, you’ll just create a muddy mess. And when painting mountains or distant objects, keep the colors more diluted, softer. That way, they’ll recede into the background.

Abstract Watercolor Projects

Abstracts give you room to experiment with paint consistency and the movement of water. Use a flat brush for large, bold strokes, and let the water flow. There’s freedom here. But even in abstracts, you need to control the chaos.

Too much water, and it’ll turn into an uncontrolled flood. Not enough, and the paint sits heavy, lacking the soft transitions that make watercolor interesting.

Play with lifting paint in sections to create light areas or blotting techniques for texture. The unpredictable results can add interesting layers to the piece.

Still Life Paintings

When working on still life, precision matters. You’re dealing with objects that have clear shapes, so you’ll want to use wet-on-dry techniques to get those sharp edges.

But remember, even in still life, watercolors are about balance. You can soften some of those edges using a damp brush, blending areas where light transitions.

Objects like glass or reflective surfaces? Those require a more delicate touch. You can use masking fluid for highlights, making sure to preserve those bright spots.

Be careful with it, though. If you leave it on too long or apply it too thick, it’ll be tough to remove without damaging the paper.

Watercolor Journals and Sketchbooks

For more casual projects, like watercolor journaling, the focus is less on perfection and more on exploring ideas quickly.

These are great for practicing water control, trying out color schemes, or experimenting with pigment quality. The goal isn’t a polished piece but understanding how techniques translate to a finished painting.

When sketching in watercolor, start with a light watercolor wash to block in major shapes. Then, layer in details with small brushes or even watercolor pencils for more precision.

Enhancing Creativity and Practice

Experimenting with Color Palettes

To get out of a creative rut, I’ll often start by changing up my color palette. Sometimes, I’ll limit myself to just a few shades, using only complementary colors or sticking to monochromatic themes.

Other times, I’ll use more vibrant, clashing combinations to see how they interact. The way colors blend in watercolor is unpredictable, but that’s the fun part—watching how they bleed, how a watercolor wash can reveal unexpected hues.

You can try creating your own swatches in a sketchbook just to see what happens when you mix and match. It opens up new ideas, even when the subject feels stale.

Trying New Techniques

If I get bored or feel stuck, experimenting with a new technique shakes things up. Maybe I’ll practice lifting paint to bring out highlights, or use a flat brush where I’d normally use a round one.

Trying a dry brush technique gives me new textures. Each brushstroke feels different, and the result is usually not what I expect—but that’s the point. You can’t control everything, but it pushes your creativity in directions you wouldn’t naturally go.

Joining Art Challenges

Joining art challenges, especially ones that focus on watercolor, keeps the momentum going. A prompt like “paint a still life” or “explore abstract forms” forces me to work outside my comfort zone.

There’s also accountability in it, whether it’s an Instagram challenge or just a personal project. You commit to finishing, and it leads to consistent practice. That’s where growth happens.

Studying Master Watercolor Artists

Whenever I’m looking for inspiration, I turn to John Singer Sargent or other fine art gallery exhibitions featuring watercolors.

It’s not about copying their style, but about seeing how they manage light, the way they let the water guide the paint, the looseness that still feels intentional. Studying their approach changes how I think about composition and water control.

Practicing Daily, Even in Small Sketches

The real breakthrough happens with daily practice. Sometimes it’s a full piece, but most days, it’s just quick sketches or color experiments in a watercolor journal. Even a small study of botanical painting or experimenting with watercolor pencils keeps the skills sharp.

FAQ on How To Start Watercolor Painting

What supplies do I need to start watercolor painting?

You’ll need watercolor paints, brushes (start with a round brush in sizes like 6 or 8), and cold-pressed paper.

A watercolor palette for mixing and a couple of water containers are essential. Don’t skimp on quality paper like Arches paper—it’s more forgiving for beginners.

Should I buy student-grade or professional-grade paints?

If you’re just starting, student-grade paints like Cotman Watercolors are perfectly fine. They’re more affordable and still work well for practice.

Later on, switch to professional-grade paints when you’re ready for more vibrant pigments and smoother blending, like Daniel Smith Watercolors.

What’s the difference between cold-pressed and hot-pressed paper?

Cold-pressed paper has a textured surface that holds water better, great for general use.

Hot-pressed paper is smoother and works well for finer details, but the water can spread unpredictably. Cold-pressed is the better option for most beginners because it’s more forgiving.

What brush sizes should I start with?

Start with a few basics: a round brush in sizes 6, 8, or 10 for versatility, and a flat brush for washes.

Sable brushes are great but expensive, so synthetic ones are good enough for now. You can expand your collection later as you experiment with different techniques.

What is wet-on-wet painting?

Wet-on-wet is a technique where you apply wet paint onto wet paper. It creates soft, flowing edges, perfect for skies and backgrounds.

Control is tricky, though—too much water can make the colors bleed uncontrollably. You’ll need practice to master water control and avoid over-saturating the paper.

How do I layer colors in watercolor?

Let each layer dry completely before adding another. This builds depth without making the colors muddy.

Watercolor layering takes patience. Start with light washes, then slowly build up darker tones. Remember, it’s easy to overwork the paper, so don’t add too many layers in one spot.

How can I control the amount of water I use?

Practice controlling how much water you add to your brush. Too much water makes the paint run, too little and the strokes look stiff.

The balance between water and paint is key. Use a watercolor palette with wells to mix and manage your paint consistency better.

How do I avoid muddy colors?

Mixing too many colors can turn everything into a dull brown. Stick to a few colors in the beginning and test your mixes on scrap paper first.

Let each layer dry before adding more color, and remember that using less water in your layers prevents unwanted blending.

What paper should I avoid?

Avoid cheap watercolor paper. Thin, low-quality paper warps, tears, and doesn’t hold water well, making it frustrating to work with.

Stick with higher-quality brands like Strathmore paper or Arches paper. A good paper makes a huge difference in how the paint behaves.

How can I improve my watercolor skills?

Daily practice is the best way to improve. Try small studies, like simple landscapes or botanical painting.

Use a watercolor journal to keep track of your progress and experiment with different techniques like lifting paint or dry brush technique. Practice builds confidence and precision.

Conclusion

Learning how to start watercolor painting isn’t complicated, but it takes practice and the right approach.

Begin by choosing quality watercolor paints, reliable cold-pressed paper, and the right set of brushes to give yourself the best chance for success.

Focus on mastering fundamental techniques like wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry, and practice balancing your water control.

As you build your skills, don’t forget to explore different ways to layer, blend, and use textures like the dry brush technique.

Consistency and experimentation will improve your technique, and keeping a watercolor journal can help track your progress over time. Most importantly, let yourself make mistakes—that’s how you learn what works.

Whether you’re drawn to landscapes, abstracts, or more detailed projects, the right tools and techniques will make all the difference in your results.

Keep practicing, stay patient, and watch as your control and creativity grow.

 

Author

Bogdan Sandu is the editor of Russell Collection. He brings over 30 years of experience in sketching, painting, and art competitions. His passion and expertise make him a trusted voice in the art community, providing insightful, reliable content. Through Russell Collection, Bogdan aims to inspire and educate artists of all levels.

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