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Beginner's Guide to Watercolor
Watercolor is one of the most popular mediums for artists to start with because the supplies are affordable, it’s approachable, and the techniques are accessible to both beginners and experienced artists. The vibrant and translucent nature of watercolors allows for a unique and expressive form of art. In this beginner’s guide to watercolor we'll explore the essential supplies you need, steps to get you started, and dive into some basic watercolor techniques to help you create your own beautiful works of art!
Basic Watercolor Supplies
Supplies are arguably the most important part when painting with watercolor. You can have all your techniques down, but if you don’t have good supplies, your artwork might not turn out how you want it to. Before you start your watercolor adventure, gather the following supplies:
- Watercolor Paints: Invest in a basic set of watercolor paints with a variety of colors. Tubes or pans are both suitable options and ultimately come down to artist preference. We love MaimeriBlu watercolor tubes. They’re highly pigmented and have no additives. If you want an excellent value for high quality colors, Daler-Rowney Aquafine watercolors are a great place to start!
- Watercolor Brushes: Get a set of quality brushes in different sizes, including rounds for details and flats for washes. Our favorite Princeton Brush Series for watercolor are Velvetouch, Heritage, Aqua Elite, and Neptune.
- Watercolor Paper: Choose heavyweight, acid-free watercolor paper to minimize warping. Cold-pressed paper is a good choice for beginners because of the slightly textured surface. As a beginner friendly option, we recommend Strathmore 400 Series Cold Pressed Watercolor paper. If you’re looking for something more high-end, our favorite is Arches 100% Cotton Cold Pressed Aquarelle Paper or St Cuthberts Mill 100% Cotton Saunders Waterford Paper.
- Palette: A palette with wells for mixing colors is essential. Alternatively, you can use any ceramic plate that you don’t use anymore.
- Container for Water: Have two containers—one for cleaning your brushes and another for fresh water. Or you can use one for cool colors, and one for warm colors to prevent the colors from getting muddy.
- Masking Tape: Use masking tape to secure your paper to a board or table to prevent it from moving while you paint if you’re not using a block of paper.
- Pencil and Eraser: Sketch your ideas lightly before applying watercolor. An eraser is handy for removing any visible pencil lines.
- Paper Towels: Keep paper towels nearby for blotting brushes and controlling water levels in your paint. Or alternatively use a rag that will be just for painting.
How to Get Started
- Prepare Your Workspace: Set up a clean and organized workspace. Tape your watercolor paper to a board or table to prevent it from warping.
- Sketch Your Design: Lightly sketch your desired design on the watercolor paper using a pencil. This serves as a guideline for your painting.
- Mix Your Colors: Start by mixing a few primary colors to create a color palette for your artwork. Experiment with different combinations to discover new shades. Label your colors so you know what you mixed if you need to come back to your project later.
- Apply the First Wash: Wet the paper with clean water using a large brush. Apply a light wash of watercolor over the entire paper or specific areas, depending on your design.
- Layering Colors: Once the first wash is dry, start layering colors. Work from light to dark, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next. This technique adds depth and complexity to your artwork.
- Experiment with Wet-on-Wet: Apply wet paint to wet paper for a soft and blended effect. This technique is great for creating atmospheric backgrounds.
- Details and Shadows: Use smaller brushes for intricate details and shadows. Let each layer dry before adding finer details to avoid color bleeding.
- Remove Masking Tape: Once your artwork is complete and dry, carefully remove the masking tape to reveal clean edges.
Different Watercolor Techniques
There are many different watercolor techniques that you can use in a piece. Here are just a few basic ones that you could practice:
Wash: Use a large brush and load it up with a mixture of paint and water that is thin enough that it flows easily. Start applying it to the paper in a smooth, sweeping motion side to side.
Wet-on-Dry: Applying wet paint to dry paper allows for sharper edges and more defined details.
Wet-on-wet: Apply a wash of just water. Then release wet pigment into the wash. It allows the paint to move in organic and natural ways.
Dry Brush: Use a dry brush to create texture or add details to a dry surface.
Salt Technique: Sprinkle salt on wet paint to create interesting textures as the salt absorbs the pigment.
Splattering: Tap a loaded brush against your finger to create controlled splatters for a dynamic effect.
Lifting: Lift color off the paper using a clean, wet brush or a paper towel to create highlights or correct mistakes.
Blooms: Place a wash down first. Then take a clean, wet brush and release a little water into the wash to create bursts.
Armed with the right supplies, a few easy steps, and a basic understanding of techniques, beginners can confidently dive into the world of watercolor painting. As you explore and practice, remember that mistakes are part of the process. We hope this beginner’s guide to watercolor will help you confidently get started!