Watercolor painting is a fun and relaxing hobby that is great for beginners. With just a few simple supplies, you can start experimenting with mixing colors and creating beautiful works of art. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know to get started with watercolor painting as a beginner.
Getting Started with Watercolor Paints
The first thing you will need to begin watercolor painting is a set of watercolor paints. Watercolor paints come in pans (small blocks of dry paint) or tubes of liquid paint. For beginners, a pan set with 12-24 colors is a good place to start without being overwhelming. Some good starter colors include:
- Cadmium red
- Alizarin crimson
- Cadmium yellow
- Lemon yellow
- Cerulean blue
- Ultramarine blue
- Burnt umber
- Burnt sienna
- Payne’s gray
Look for student or cotman grade paints which are formulated for beginners. Artist grade paints are more expensive and contain more pigment.
Watercolor Paper
After paints, you will need watercolor paper. Watercolor paper is thicker than regular paper to avoid warping when wet. The two main types are:
- Cold press – This has a lightly textured surface that results in soft edges.
- Hot press – This has a smooth surface that results in crisp edges.
For beginners, 140 lb cold press paper in a 9×12″ or 11×15″ pad is a good choice. This will give you enough paper to practice techniques without being too overwhelming. Strathmore, Canson, and Arches all make good student grade watercolor paper pads.
Brushes
Having the right watercolor brushes makes a huge difference in your ability to control the flow of paint. For beginners, a set with a variety of shapes and sizes is recommended. Essential brushes include:
- A large round brush (sizes 8-12) for washes
- A medium round brush (sizes 4-6) for flexibility
- A small round brush (sizes 0-2) for details
- A flat wash brush (1″ or 1.5″) for large areas
Sable hair brushes are best, but synthetic blends are a more affordable option for beginners. Look for brushes with soft hairs that come to a fine point.
Other Essential Supplies
In addition to paints, paper, and brushes, there are a few other essential supplies you will need:
- Plastic palette for mixing paints
- Water containers for rinsing brushes
- Paper towels or rags
- Pencil and eraser
- Masking tape or artist’s tape
An easel or tilt-top table can also be helpful but is not essential. With these basics, you will have everything you need to start practicing watercolor techniques.
Choosing Your First Watercolor Subjects
When starting out with watercolor, it’s best to keep your subjects simple. Here are some easy ideas to get comfortable with the medium:
- Single objects – Paint something simple first like a piece of fruit, a cup, or a vase of flowers. This helps you practice mixing colors and controlling the paint.
- Landscapes – An outdoor scene with simple shapes like trees, mountains, or a fence line. Avoid highly detailed landscapes early on.
- Abstract – Play with mixing colors and letting them blend wet-on-wet to create abstract backgrounds or textures.
You can also find all kinds of beginner watercolor tutorials online that will walk you through painting simple subjects step-by-step.
Basic Watercolor Techniques to Learn
As a beginner, focus on learning these core watercolor techniques to build your skills:
- Wet-on-wet – Painting wet paint onto wet paper so the colors blend softly.
- Wet-on-dry – Painting wet paint onto dry paper which creates crisp edges.
- Layering washes – Building up thin layers of color for depth.
- Grading wash – Transitioning from dark to light.
- Lifting – Removing color with a damp brush or paper towel.
- Glazing – Layering a transparent color over another color.
- Backruns – Allowing wet paint to flow into another color.
- Splattering – Flicking brush bristles to create texture.
Aim to practice each of these techniques as you work on your first few paintings. Don’t worry about creating a perfect masterpiece right away – the goal is just to get comfortable with the medium.
Step-by-Step Painting Process for Beginners
When starting a new watercolor painting, follow this basic process:
- Lightly sketch the subject with pencil.
- Paint the lightest areas first with thin washes of color.
- Allow layers to fully dry between applications to avoid muddiness.
- Gradually build up darker values adding details.
- Leave whites by preserving white paper or lifting color.
- Finish by accentuating darks and adding final details.
Remember it’s always easier to start light and add more color later. Be patient in letting layers dry before moving on. And don’t overwork the paint by fussing too much – let the natural flow of watercolor create the textures.
Tips for Painting Specific Subjects
Here are some tips for successfully painting common watercolor subjects as a beginner:
Landscapes
- Start with the sky using wet-on-wet washes of blue and white.
- Paint background elements like distant mountains first.
- Gradually add foreground elements like trees and bushes.
- Suggest details like grass and rocks with quick irregular strokes.
Flowers
- Outline the basic shapes lightly in pencil first.
- Paint the flower center and innermost petals first.
- Use wet-on-dry brushstrokes to capture the texture of petals.
- Add leaves and stems last with masked edges.
Fruit
- Start with a basic outline and light shadow shape.
- Layer colors gradually building up values.
- Leave white highlights by preserving white paper.
- Deepen shadows and add details like stems and seeds last.
Don’t be afraid to experiment as you go! The more you paint, the more intuitive these techniques will become.
Common Beginner Mistakes
As you’re learning watercolor for the first time, watch out for these common mistakes:
- Overworking the paint by over-blending colors. Let the paint flow naturally.
- Applying dark colors too soon. Start light and layer up to darker values.
- Using too much water resulting in weak washes of color. Allow paint to dry between layers.
- Applying new paint on top of damp layers causing muddiness. Be patient in allowing drying time.
- Choosing colors that are too similar in value resulting in a flat look. Use a full range of lights, mediums and darks.
Don’t worry about perfection right away. Making mistakes is part of the learning process! Focus on enjoying the journey as you experiment with the medium.
Frequently Asked Questions for Beginners
Here are answers to some common questions for watercolor painting beginners:
What brushes do I really need to get started?
At a minimum, a large round brush, a medium round brush, and a small round brush will allow you to paint a wide variety of subjects. An inexpensive set with a range of rounds and flats can help you determine what sizes and shapes you use most.
Is it okay to use cheap student grade paints and paper?
Yes, student grade paints and paper are perfectly fine for beginners learning techniques and experimenting. Upgrade to professional grade only once you feel limited by your supplies.
How do I avoid muddying my colors when layering washes?
Be sure to let each layer dry completely before adding the next layer. Start light and gradually build up to avoid over-blending. Use clean water and change it frequently to keep your colors bright.
What basic color palette should I start with?
A good starter palette includes cadmium red, alizarin crimson, cadmium yellow, lemon yellow, ultramarine blue, cerulean blue, burnt umber, burnt sienna, and Payne’s gray. This gives you a wide mix of primary and secondary colors.
How do I fix mistakes or lighten areas that are too dark?
You can lift out color with clean water and a paper towel. Scrub quickly before the paint dries to lighten the area. Some stains may remain but can become part of the painting.
Conclusion
The beautiful thing about watercolor painting is that anyone can pick it up and enjoy the process, regardless of skill level or experience. Don’t put pressure on yourself to create perfect paintings right away. Instead, focus on having fun experimenting with color mixing, practicing techniques, and discovering the flow of the medium. As long as you start with quality paints, brushes and paper, the rest will come naturally as you gain more experience. Be patient with yourself, embrace mistakes as learning lessons, and above all, relax and let the paint guide you. Watercolor is a journey of discovery – enjoy each step along the way!