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Watercolour Painting Tips
A Guide to the wonderful world of Watercolour Art
Hello, art lovers!
Have you ever dipped your brush into a pool of shimmering watercolours and watched the hues blend and flow, almost like magic? If not, you’re in for a treat! Watercolour painting is a captivating and meditative art form that has stolen my heart, and I’m here to share why it might just steal yours too.
From its versatility to its dreamy aesthetic, watercolours are perfect for beginners and seasoned artists alike. Plus, it’s also lightweight, portable, and easy to clean up— so what’s not to love? Let’s dive into the world of painting with watercolours together.
Why I Love Watercolours
The first thing that drew me to watercolour painting was its unpredictability. Unlike acrylic or oil paints, watercolours seem have a mind of their own. The way the colours swirl, blend, and create soft, ethereal effects is simply magical. Sure, it takes a bit practice to become skilled with this less precise artform, but sometimes even “happy accidents” can turn into unique and beautiful!
Watercolours also allow for:
- Transparency: The light, airy quality lets the paper beneath shine through, giving the painting a wonderfully unique effect.
- Portability: With just a compact palette, a few brushes, and some paper, you can paint anywhere. I’ve painted in parks, cafés, and even on the beach! (just not on a windy day)
- Versatility: From abstract washes to more detailed work, watercolours can adapt to nearly any style.
The Tools of the Trade
Let’s talk about the tools you’ll need to get started. While you don’t need a massive art store haul, investing in good-quality supplies makes a world of difference. Here’s what’s in my Watercolour Toolkit:
1. Watercolour Paints
There are two main types of watercolour paints:
- Tubes: Great for bold, vibrant colours and larger projects. Watercolour tubes are small, squeezable containers filled with concentrated watercolour paint. They provide vibrant, highly pigmented colours that can be diluted with water to achieve a range of tones. Ideal for creating bold washes or intricate details, tubes offer flexibility and are perfect for artists who need precise control over colour intensity.
- Pans: Perfect for portability and quick setup. Watercolour pans are compact, solid blocks of dried paint activated with water. Perfect for portability, they’re ideal for painting on the go or outdoors. With pans, you can easily control the pigment’s intensity by adjusting water usage. They’re a favourite among artists for their convenience, longevity, and vibrant colour range.
I adore brands like Winsor & Newton and Daniel Smith for their rich pigments. These are well known and well-loved by artists worldwide!
2. Brushes
Brushes come in many shapes and sizes, but here are my go-to choices:
- Round Brushes: Ideal for detail work and smooth lines. Round brushes are versatile tools with a tapered, pointed tip and a rounded body. They excel at creating smooth lines, detailed work, and broad strokes. The bristles hold water and paint efficiently, allowing for easy application. Perfect for beginners and professionals, they’re a staple for many watercolour techniques and effects.
- Flat Brushes: Perfect for washes and bold strokes. Flat brushes have a rectangular, flat tip with evenly arranged bristles. They are ideal for bold, even strokes, creating sharp edges, and laying down large washes of colour. Perfect for blending and layering, they’re versatile tools that help artists achieve clean lines and striking geometric or textured effects in their paintings.
- Detail Brushes: Essential for tiny, intricate work. Detail brushes have fine, pointed tips designed for precision and intricate work. Perfect for adding delicate highlights, tiny patterns, or sharp lines, they’re essential for painting small details. These brushes come in various sizes, often with short handles for better control, making them a favourite for detailed and intricate work.
A quality brush can last years, and I’m a fan of Princeton or Escoda brushes for their durability and precision.
3. Paper
Paper is everything in watercolour painting! Regular printer paper just won’t cut it, so make sure to use:
- Cold-Press Paper: This paper has a slightly textured surface, making it a versatile choice for artists. It balances absorbency and detail, holding water and pigment well while allowing for soft blending. Ideal for both bold washes and fine work, its texture enhances the natural beauty of many watercolour techniques and effects.
- Hot-Press Paper: Has a smooth, velvety surface, perfect for intricate detailed work and precise lines. Its lack of texture allows for sharp edges and even colour application. It is favoured by illustrators and those working with mixed media, it’s ideal for delicate washes, fine brushwork, and creating clean, professional finishes.
- Rough Paper: Perfect for bold textures and granulation effects. Rough watercolour paper has a highly textured surface, creating bold, expressive strokes and distinctive, vibrant effects. Its uneven surface enhances paint granulation, making it ideal for dynamic, textured artwork. Artists often use it for abstract pieces, landscapes, or experimental techniques, as it adds an organic, raw feel to their painting.
I use Arches watercolour paper—it’s a little pricey but worth every penny for its durability and performance.
4. Palette
One of my main watercolour painting tips is to have a good palette, a flat shallow container used to mix and hold paints. Typically, it is made of ceramic, plastic, or porcelain, it features wells for individual colours and a large area for mixing. It allows artists to blend hues, control colour intensity, and experiment with different tones and washes. A sturdy, non-porous palette is essential for mixing colours. I use a ceramic palette because it’s easy to clean and keeps the colours vibrant.
5. Other Essentials
- Water jars (always keep two: one for rinsing and one for clean water!)
- Masking tape for clean edges.
- Pencils and erasers for sketching rough outlines and working on the general dimensions of the picture.
- Paper towels or a sponge for blotting (the process of removing excess water or pigment from the paper using a paper towel, sponge, or cloth. This process helps to lighten areas, create texture, or correct mistakes. Blotting is especially useful for softening edges, lifting colour, and creating interesting, dynamic effects in a painting.)
Click Here to see some excellent watercolour painting equipment
Watercolour Painting Tips Part 2
Getting Started – The fun part!
So, you’ve got your tools—what now? Don’t worry; you don’t need to be a professional to begin. Watercolour is incredibly forgiving and fun to experiment with. Here’s how I usually start a painting:
- Choose a Subject:
- It could be anything—a blooming flower, a misty landscape, or even a whimsical abstract idea.
- Sketch Lightly:
- If your painting has details, sketch them lightly with a pencil first.
- Apply a Wash:
- A “wash” is a technique where a thin, even layer of paint is applied over a large area of the paper, creating a smooth, transparent background. It can be a light, delicate wash or a rich, deep one, depending on the amount of water and pigment used. A flat brush can be used to spread it across the paper.
- Add Layers:
- Build up the painting with layers. Start with light colours and gradually add darker tones. This technique builds depth, intensity, and dimension in the artwork. By layering colours, you can create complex gradients, enhance shadows, and achieve a more vibrant and detailed final piece.
- Embrace the Flow:
- One of the most important watercolour painting tips I can give is to embrace the flow ! Let the paint and water dance on the paper. If things go “wrong,” just go with it, sometimes you might discover a unique effect! If things don’t work out, then just start another piece. Watercolour painting is an artistic journey with many twists and turns to enjoy.
I really hoped you enjoyed all the watercolour painting tips in the you tube video, its a great place to start
Also if you you are interested in fine art prints of classic watercolour paintings then see this article, fine art printing
Now back to some more Watercolour Painting tips
Techniques to Try
watercolour painting is brimming with exciting techniques. Here are a few of my favourites:
- Wet-on-Wet: Apply wet paint onto wet paper for dreamy, blended effects.
- Wet-on-Dry: Use wet paint on dry paper for sharper details.
- Salt Texture: Sprinkle salt on wet paint to create sparkling, textured patterns.
- Dry Brush: Use minimal water for rough, textured strokes.
- Masking Fluid: Protect areas of your paper from paint with masking fluid, to keep them white. Applied with a brush or applicator, it creates a waterproof barrier that prevents paint from sticking to the masked areas. Once the painting is dry, the masking fluid is peeled off, revealing untouched original paper.
Inspiration from Masters
When I need inspiration, I look to the masters of watercolour painting. These artists have left an indelible mark on the art world:
- John Singer Sargent: Known for his luminous portraits and loose, expressive style.
- Winslow Homer: Famous for his dramatic seascapes and mastery of light.
- Albrecht Dürer: A Renaissance genius who created breathtaking botanical studies.
- J.M.W. Turner: His atmospheric landscapes are the epitome of watercolour brilliance.
Their works remind me that watercolours can be both delicate and bold, controlled and free-spirited. Just take the time and take a look for yourself at their breathtaking work !
Why You Should Try It
If you’ve been on the fence about trying this style, let me tell you—it’s well worth it! Here are just a few reasons to give it a go:
- Relaxation: Painting with watercolours feels like meditation. Watching the paint flow and blend is incredibly calming.
- Accessibility: You don’t need fancy tools to start out with, and a small portable kit is easy to carry anywhere.
- Expression: Watercolours are a fantastic way to explore your creativity, whether you’re painting a realistic landscape or just splashing colours for an experimental piece. Just go have some fun with it!
My Personal Favourite Moments
Some of my happiest memories are tied to watercolour painting. Like the time I sat by a quiet lake, painting the serene reflections as the sun set. Or the day I painted flowers in my garden and accidentally discovered a new technique for blending colours. Its all just a lovely relaxing journey. Sure, not everything you paint will be a masterpiece or even your own best work. But you will absolutely learn something with each painting and if you’re anything like me you may become a bit obsessed with the whole thing! (in a good way)
Painting with watercolours isn’t just about the final product; it’s about the process—the joy of creating something uniquely yours.
A Few Tips for Beginners
If you’re new to working with watercolour, here’s my advice:
- Start Small: Don’t overwhelm yourself with a big project. Begin with simple shapes or single-color washes.
- Experiment: Play around with techniques and see what you like. There’s no wrong way. Just experiment, experiment, experiment!
- Be Patient: Watercolours can be unpredictable, but that’s all part of the fun.
- Practice Regularly: Like anything, practice makes perfect. Dedicate even 10 minutes a day to painting, and you will soon see the improvement.
Let’s Get Painting!
Painting has brought so much joy, colour, and peace into my life, and I hope it can do the same for you. Whether you’re painting a sunset, a bowl of fruit, or just splashing colours for fun, watercolours have a way of lifting your spirits and sparking your creativity.
Good luck and see you again soon
