How to Paint With Watercolors for Beginners

Are you a beginner artist feeling overwhelmed by the world of watercolor painting? Do you see stunning watercolor pieces and wonder how in the world to create something like that yourself? Don’t fret, because with the right techniques, anyone can learn how to paint with watercolors.

Watercolor painting can seem daunting at first, but with practice and patience, it can become a relaxing and rewarding hobby. Not only does it allow for creativity and self-expression, but it also has numerous benefits for mental health. Plus, the end result is a beautiful piece of art that you can be proud to hang on your wall or even give as a gift.

In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about how to paint with watercolors for beginners. From basic techniques such as brush strokes and color mixing to more advanced methods like layering and blending, we will cover all the essential skills needed to create stunning watercolor paintings. So grab your brushes and let’s dive into the wonderful world of watercolors!

Essential Materials for Watercolor Painting as a Beginner

Watercolor painting requires specific materials to create beautiful and vibrant artwork. As a beginner, you need to familiarize yourself with the essential supplies you need to have for watercolor painting.

Paints

Watercolor paints come in different forms, including tubes, pans, and liquid. Tubes are an excellent option for beginners because they last longer and offer more pigments than pans. Also, tube colors are more concentrated than pan colors, which means they will last longer.

When selecting your paint, consider the quality of the pigment. High-quality paints will give you better results than low-quality ones. They produce intense color that is easy to blend with water.

Paper

The quality of your paper can make or break your watercolor painting. Watercolor paper comes in three types: hot press, cold press, and rough. Cold press paper is the most popular choice for beginners due to its versatility. It has a medium texture that allows it to hold pigments well without being too rough.

When selecting your paper, look for a weight of at least 140lb (300gsm). The heavier the paper weight, the better it can handle wet washes without buckling or warping.

Brushes

Watercolor brushes come in various shapes and sizes. Each brush shape has its own unique purpose in watercolor painting. For example, round brushes are ideal for outlining or adding details while flat brushes work best for washes or large areas of color.

As a beginner, consider starting with synthetic brushes instead of natural hair brushes since they tend to be less expensive but still provide good results.

Choosing the Right Paper for Your Watercolor Painting

Choosing the right type of paper is essential when creating watercolor paintings. You want your artwork to look beautiful, but it can be challenging to know which paper type will work best for your needs.

Paper Texture

Watercolor paper comes in three textures: hot press, cold press, and rough. The texture of the paper affects how the paint interacts with the surface. Hot press paper has a smooth surface that is ideal for detailed work and fine lines. Cold press paper has a medium texture that is versatile enough to handle both detail work and washes. Rough paper has an uneven texture that creates interesting effects but can be challenging to work with for beginners.

Paper Weight

The weight of watercolor paper refers to how much a ream (500 sheets) weighs. The higher the weight, the thicker and more durable the paper is.

When selecting your watercolor paper, choose a weight of at least 140lb (300gsm). This ensures that your artwork won’t buckle or warp when you add water.

Brand Quality

Different brands of watercolor papers offer different quality levels. Some popular brands include Arches, Fabriano, and Strathmore. It’s essential to try out different brands to see which one works best for you since each brand has its unique characteristics.

Techniques for Controlling Water and Pigment in Watercolor Painting

Controlling water and pigment in watercolor painting can be difficult for beginners because it’s easy to overwork or underwork your painting. Here are some techniques you can use to control your paints better:

Wet-on-Wet Technique

The wet-on-wet technique involves applying wet paint onto a wet surface. This technique allows colors to blend naturally and create soft transitions between colors.

To use this technique, start by adding water to your canvas using a brush or spray bottle. Then add color on top of the wet surface. You can use a dry brush to blend colors or tilt the canvas to let the pigments flow and blend naturally.

Dry Brush Technique

The dry brush technique involves using a nearly dry brush to create texture and highlights on your painting. It’s an excellent technique for creating subtle details, such as fur or feathers.

To use this technique, load your brush with paint and remove most of it by wiping it on a paper towel. Then lightly drag the brush over the surface of your painting to create texture or highlight areas.

Layering Technique

The layering technique involves building up layers of paint to create depth and luminosity in your painting. This technique is useful for creating realistic shadows and highlights.

To use this technique, start with a light wash of color and let it dry completely before adding another layer. Each layer should be slightly darker than the previous one until you achieve the desired depth of color.

Mixing Colors: Tips and Tricks for Achieving Desired Shades in Watercolor Painting

Mixing watercolors can be challenging since they are transparent, which makes it difficult to achieve specific shades. Here are some tips and tricks for mixing colors:

Color Wheel

A color wheel is an essential tool for understanding how different colors interact with each other. The primary colors in watercolor painting are yellow, red, and blue. By mixing these three primary colors in different proportions, you can create any color you want.

For example, mixing yellow and blue creates green while red and blue create purple.

Color Temperature

Colors have different temperatures that can affect how they look when mixed together. Warm colors like reds, yellows, and oranges tend to advance while cool colors like blues and greens tend to recede.

When mixing warm and cool colors together, consider how their temperature will affect the final result.

Mixing Techniques

There are different mixing techniques you can use to achieve desired shades. For example, layering colors on top of each other creates depth and luminosity while adding more water to your paint creates lighter shades.

Avoiding Common Mistakes as a Beginner in Watercolor Painting

Watercolor painting can be challenging for beginners, and it’s easy to make mistakes that can ruin your artwork. Here are some common mistakes you should avoid:

Overworking Your Painting

It’s easy to overwork your painting by continuously adding layers or trying to fix mistakes. Overworking causes colors to become muddy and lose their vibrancy.

To avoid overworking, let each layer dry completely before adding another one. Also, don’t be afraid to start over if you make a mistake.

Using Too Much Water

Using too much water can cause your paper to buckle or warp. It also dilutes the pigment, making it appear washed out and weak.

To avoid using too much water, use a spray bottle to moisten your paper instead of soaking it. Also, use less water when mixing your paints.

Not Planning Your Composition

Not planning your composition can lead to an unbalanced or cluttered artwork. Before starting your painting, sketch out your composition and consider the placement of shapes, colors, and negative space.

Creating Texture and Depth in Your Watercolor Paintings

Texture and depth add interest and realism to watercolor paintings. Here are some techniques you can use to create texture and depth:

Dry Brush Technique

The dry brush technique involves using a nearly dry brush to create texture on your painting. You can use this technique for creating fur, hair, or tree bark.

To use this technique, load your brush with paint and remove most of it by wiping it on a paper towel. Then lightly drag the brush over the surface of your painting to create texture.

Splatter Technique

The splatter technique involves flicking paint onto your painting to create a speckled effect. This technique is great for creating texture on backgrounds or adding stars to a night sky.

To use this technique, dip your brush in paint and tap it against another brush or pen to create splatters on your painting.

Mixing Colors

Mixing colors can also add depth and texture to your artwork. Layering different shades of the same color or using complementary colors creates interesting effects that draw the eye.

Tips for Successful Composition in Watercolor Painting

Successful composition is essential for creating beautiful watercolor paintings. Here are some tips you can use to improve your composition:

Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds divides your canvas into nine equal parts and suggests placing important elements along these lines or intersections. This creates balance and interest in your artwork.

Negative Space

Negative space refers to the area around an object or shape. Using negative space effectively can create interesting shapes and add depth to your painting.

For example, if you’re painting a tree, consider using negative space between the branches to create the appearance of light filtering through.

Color Harmony

Using complementary colors or analogous colors creates harmony in your artwork. Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel while analogous colors are next to each other.

Using these color schemes creates balance and unity in your painting.

Improving Your Skills Beyond the Beginner Level in Watercolor Painting

Watercolor painting is an ongoing learning process, and there’s always room for improvement. Here are some tips for improving your skills beyond the beginner level:

Experiment with Different Techniques

Try out different watercolor techniques to find what works best for you. Experiment with layering, glazing, or wet-on-wet techniques to create interesting effects.

Learn Color Theory

Color theory is essential for understanding how colors work together and creating harmonious artwork. Learn about complementary colors, analogous colors, and color temperature to improve your color mixing skills.

Practice Regularly

Practice regularly to improve your painting skills. Set aside time each week to paint, even if it’s only for a few minutes. This allows you to build muscle memory and become more comfortable with your materials.

In conclusion, learning how to paint with watercolors as a beginner can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. With the right tools and techniques, anyone can create beautiful works of art that showcase their creativity and passion for painting.

Frequently Asked Questions about How to Paint With Watercolors for Beginners

What do you paint first in watercolor?
When using watercolor paints, it’s best to start with lighter colors and gradually add darker ones. This is because the white in watercolor paintings comes from the paper, not the paints. Because the paints are transparent, lighter colors won’t stand out as well if painted over darker ones.

What is the secret to watercolor painting?
When using watercolor paints, there is no need to vigorously rub or stroke the paper. Instead, the paint will naturally adhere to the damp areas of the paper, creating a fluid effect. It is important to note that the paint will only spread to wet or damp areas of the paper, and dry areas will act as barriers, preventing the paint from spreading beyond these areas.

Do you have to wet watercolor paper before painting?
If you plan on using a wet-on-wet painting method, you only need to moisten the watercolor paper beforehand. However, if you wet the paper, it may become warped and make it difficult to control brushstrokes due to the uneven surface.

What is the most basic watercolor technique?
Fundamental to watercolor painting are two techniques: wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry. This tutorial explains the meaning of these terms, when to use each technique, and how to execute them effectively.

Do you sketch before watercolor?
Regular sketching practice can enhance your painting abilities and can be done efficiently in a short amount of time. It also enables you to simplify complex subjects by focusing on essential elements. Sketching can serve as a study tool for developing compositions, color schemes, and value studies before creating a final watercolor masterpiece.

What is the golden rule of watercolor?
Don’t do something just to make someone else happy, do what makes you happy, such as choosing a paint color that you personally like.