Tutorials › Watercolour

Watercolour for absolute beginners

Video: “Watercolor for beginners!” by Andrea Nelson Art on YouTube.

Watercolour for Absolute Beginners

Watercolour painting is a beautiful medium that allows for a range of expressions, from delicate washes to vibrant splashes of colour. If you’re just starting out, this tutorial will help you gather the essentials, understand key techniques, and avoid common pitfalls. Let’s dive in!

What You'll Need

Before you start painting, it’s important to gather your supplies. Here's a list of essentials you’ll need:

• Watercolour paints: You can choose between tubes or pans. Beginner sets are often a great starting point.
• Watercolour paper: Look for paper specifically designed for watercolour. It should be thick (around 200gsm or higher) to absorb water without warping.
• Brushes: A few good quality brushes in different sizes (round and flat) will help you create various effects.
• Water container: You’ll need this for rinsing your brushes and mixing colours.
• Palette: A flat surface or a dedicated palette for mixing your colours is essential.
• Paper towels or cloth: Great for blotting brushes or cleaning up any spills.

Key Techniques Step by Step

Once you have your supplies ready, it’s time to learn some essential techniques. Here are a few basic methods to get you started:

1. Wet-on-Wet Technique

This technique involves applying wet paint onto wet paper. It creates soft, blended edges.

• Wet your paper with clean water using a brush.
• While the paper is still wet, drop in your watercolour paint and watch it flow.

2. Wet-on-Dry Technique

This technique involves applying wet paint onto dry paper. It gives you sharper edges.

• Start with dry watercolour paper.
• Load your brush with watercolour paint and apply it directly to the paper.

3. Dry Brush Technique

This technique uses a dry brush to create texture and detail.

• Ensure your brush is almost dry, with just a little paint on it.
• Use quick, light strokes to create texture on the paper.

4. Lifting Off

This technique allows you to remove paint from the paper.

• Use a damp brush or a clean, damp cloth to gently lift paint off the paper.
• Be careful not to damage the paper; use a light touch.

Common Beginner Mistakes

As you start your watercolour journey, it’s normal to make mistakes. Here are some common ones and tips to avoid them:

• Using too much water: Beginners often use too much water, which can lead to muddy colours. Start with less water and gradually increase as needed.
• Pushing too hard with the brush: Gentle strokes work best with watercolour. Pressing too hard can damage your brush and create unwanted textures.
• Not waiting for layers to dry: If you layer paint without letting the previous layer dry, the colours can mix in unintended ways. Be patient and let each layer dry before adding more.
• Overworking the paint: It’s tempting to keep working on a section, but this can lead to a muddy appearance. Know when to stop!

Wrap-Up

Watercolour painting is a rewarding and enjoyable art form that anyone can learn. Remember, it’s all about practice and experimentation. Don’t be discouraged by mistakes; they are part of the learning process. With the right materials and techniques, you’ll be creating beautiful watercolour art in no time. So grab your brushes, have fun, and let your creativity flow!