A Beginner’s Guide to Watercolour
For curious creatives, dabblers, and “I don’t know where to start” humans.
Skip straight to the 🐳 Tutorial Video 🐳
1. Start Simple (Seriously)
You don’t need fancy gear.
Paints: A small student set is perfect.
Brush: One round brush (size 6–10) can do almost everything.
Paper: This matters more than paint. Choose watercolour paper (200–300gsm if possible).
Extras: Jar of water, paper towel, old plate for a palette.
✨ Tip: Fewer supplies = less overwhelm = more painting.
2. Water Is the Secret Ingredient
Watercolour is really about water control.
More water = lighter, looser, softer.
Less water = stronger colour, more control.
Let paint flow—don’t overwork it.
Practice by painting:
Very wet washes
Damp-on-damp
Almost-dry brush marks
3. Learn These 5 Basics First (Most covered in this video)
Mastering these will take you far:
Flat wash – even colour across the page
Gradient wash – dark to light
Wet-on-wet – dreamy blends
Wet-on-dry – crisp edges
Lifting – removing paint with a clean brush or tissue
👉 You don’t need to “move on” quickly. Repetition builds confidence.
4. Limit your colour palette (Minimise the Stress)
Start with 2 - 3 colours in a similar group.
Warm colours - Reds, Yellow, Oranges & Pinks
Cool colours - Blues, Greens & purples
These combinations will have a beautiful result for beginners.
Mix on your palette, not just on paper.
If your colour looks muddy → pause, clean your brush, add water.
Beginner rule of thumb:
2 colours > 5 colours
5. Sketch First, Lightly
Use a soft pencil (2B).
Keep lines loose and gentle.
Your drawing is a guide, not a contract.
If drawing feels scary:
Paint simple shapes, shadows, or abstract marks instead.
6. Let Paint Do the Work
Watercolour rewards patience.
Put paint down.
Step back.
Let it dry.
🚫 Avoid:
Scrubbing
Constant touching
“Fixing” everything
Some magic only happens when you leave it alone.
7. Embrace the “Wrong” Bits
Blooms, bleeds, uneven washes?
Those are features, not failures.
Try this mindset shift:
“What is this painting teaching me?”
Every page counts—even the messy ones.
8. Practice Small & Often
You don’t need hours.
10 minutes
One brush
One colour
One tiny sketch
📓 A small sketchbook removes pressure and invites play.
9. Paint What You Love
Not what you think you should paint.
Morning coffee
A chair by the window
A place you miss
Your dog
A leaf you picked up
Emotion > perfection.
10. Build a Gentle Painting Ritual
Light a candle. Make a cup of tea. Put on quiet music.
Turn painting into something you look forward to, not something to be judged.
Beginner Art Journal Prompts (Perfect Pairing)
Paint today’s weather as colour only
Capture a moment worth remembering
Paint the same object 3 different ways
Final Reminder 💛
You don’t need talent to start.
You don’t need confidence to begin.
You just need curiosity and permission.
Watch the Tutorial:
https://youtu.be/grFLteKfK48