AdurArt

A Beginners Guide to Watercolour Painting

by Tom Ellery

beginners guide to watercolour painting

There’s something quietly magical about watercolour. The way pigment meets paper, the light shining through layers of colour — it’s as close as painting gets to poetry. For beginners, it can also be a little intimidating. Watercolour has a reputation for being “unforgiving,” but I promise, it’s far more about learning to let go than getting everything right the first time.

This guide is for anyone picking up a brush for the first time — or coming back to it after a long break. I’ll take you through the essential materials, techniques, and tips to help you enjoy the process rather than wrestle with it.

Table of Contents

Choosing Your Materials

Paints

Start simple. You don’t need a huge set of colours — six to twelve is plenty. Look for artist-grade paints if your budget allows; the pigment quality makes a world of difference.

✅ Recommended beginner sets:

  • Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour Set – affordable, reliable, and widely available.
  • Daniel Smith Essentials Set – excellent quality pigments that mix beautifully.
  • Sennelier Aqua Mini Travel Set – perfect for compact, on-the-go painting.

Brushes

A good brush will make watercolour painting feel effortless. You want brushes that hold plenty of water and come to a fine point. Synthetic brushes have improved dramatically in recent years — they’re durable, affordable, and cruelty-free.

✅ Start with these shapes:

  • Round (Size 6 or 8) – for most washes and details.
  • Flat (½ inch) – for backgrounds and edges.
  • Rigger or Liner – for fine lines and signatures.

Recommended brands: Princeton Neptune, Da Vinci Casaneo, or Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour Brushes.

Paper

Watercolour paper is your foundation. Ordinary sketching paper will buckle and dull your colours. Choose 100% cotton, 300gsm (140lb) paper for the best results.

✅ Good starter papers:

  • Arches Cold Pressed – the gold standard for texture and absorbency.
  • Saunders Waterford – made in the UK, slightly softer and lovely to work on.
  • Bockingford – a dependable, affordable student-grade option.

If you’re on a budget, try watercolour blocks (glued on all sides) to avoid stretching paper.

Other Essentials

  • Palette – a white plastic or ceramic palette helps you see colour accurately.
  • Water containers – one for rinsing, one for clean water.
  • Pencil and eraser – use lightly to avoid indenting your paper.
  • Masking tape or board – keeps paper flat while you paint.
  • Tissues or sponges – for lifting colour and softening edges.

 

Understanding Basic Techniques

Wet-on-Wet

Wet the paper first, then drop in colour and watch it flow. This technique is perfect for skies, backgrounds, and soft transitions. It’s also great for learning how water and pigment interact — one of watercolour’s most rewarding lessons.

Wet-on-Dry

Apply wet paint to dry paper for sharper lines and more control. Use this for detail work, textures, and layering.

Lifting

Don’t panic over mistakes — most can be lightened by dabbing with a clean, damp brush or tissue.

Layering (Glazing)

Build depth and richness by applying transparent layers once previous washes are dry. Patience is key — let each layer dry fully before adding another.

Mixing Colours

Watercolour mixing is all about transparency and restraint. Start with primary colours — a warm and cool version of each — and learn how they interact.

A few tips:

  • Mix gently on the palette — overmixing dulls the colour.
  • Leave some separation between pigments for lively, natural variation.
  • Keep a scrap of watercolour paper handy for testing mixes before you commit.

Learning to Work with Water

The heart of watercolour painting lies in understanding water control. It determines how colours blend, spread, or stay sharp. Practice making gradients from strong pigment to clear water. This will teach you how much moisture your brush and paper can handle.

Remember: the paper always has the final say. Watercolour rewards adaptability — learn to work with the flow, not against it.

Practice Projects for Beginners

Try these simple exercises to build confidence:

  1. Colour Swatches – Paint each colour you own in gradients from dark to light.
  2. Soft Sky – A wet-on-wet gradient from blue to warm pink.
  3. Tree Studies – Experiment with brush shapes and texture.
  4. Still Life – A simple object like a mug or fruit using layering and shadow.

 

Keep these early paintings. They’re invaluable records of your progress.

Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

❌ Overworking the paint – Too many layers will muddy the colours.
✅ Let the water and pigment do some of the work for you.

❌ Using too little water – Watercolour needs freedom to flow.
✅ Err on the side of too wet — it’s easier to control than too dry.

❌ Rushing the drying time – Watercolour rewards patience.
✅ Use a hairdryer on low heat if you’re eager to continue.

Embracing the Watercolour Mindset

Watercolour teaches you more than technique — it teaches you to relax, observe, and respond. Every wash, bloom, and run of colour is part of the charm. Don’t fight it. The best paintings often come from happy accidents.

As you paint, you’ll start to see the world differently — in tones, light, and edges softened by air. That’s when you know you’re really painting with watercolour, not just using it.

Final Thoughts

Start small, stay patient, and enjoy the process. A single brush, a handful of colours, and a good sheet of paper are all you need to begin. The rest will come naturally with time and practice.

So fill your water jars, tape down your paper, and make that first wash. The journey starts the moment pigment touches water.

Beginner’s FAQ: Watercolour Painting with Tom Ellery

1. Do I need special brushes for watercolour?

Yes — watercolour brushes are designed to hold plenty of water and release it smoothly onto the paper. Regular synthetic brushes for acrylics or oils won’t behave the same way.
For beginners, I recommend Princeton Neptune or Da Vinci Casaneo brushes — both offer great control and softness without the cost or maintenance of natural hair.

2. Can I use normal paper for watercolour painting?

Not really. Standard drawing paper will buckle and absorb pigment unevenly.
Choose proper watercolour paper — ideally 300gsm (140lb) and cold pressed. For beginners, Bockingford offers an affordable entry point, while Arches or Saunders Waterford provide professional-grade results.

3. What’s the difference between pans and tubes?

Pans are small, dry cakes of paint — portable and tidy, perfect for beginners and sketching outdoors.
Tubes contain wetter, more concentrated pigment, ideal for studio work or larger paintings.
Many artists use both: pans for convenience, tubes for mixing rich washes.

4. Do I need to stretch my paper?

If you’re using loose sheets of watercolour paper, stretching helps prevent warping when wet.
However, if you buy watercolour blocks (paper glued on all four edges), you can paint straight away — no stretching required. Bockingford and Arches both make excellent blocks.

5. How long do watercolour paints last?

A long time! Even student-grade sets like Winsor & Newton Cotman will last years if stored properly.
Tubes may dry out over time, but you can rewet and use the paint again. That’s one of the joys of watercolour — nothing goes to waste.

6. How much water should I use?

It depends on the effect you want.

  • More water = lighter, more transparent washes.
  • Less water = stronger, more defined colour.
    Practice on scraps of paper to get a feel for different consistencies. Control comes naturally with experience.

7. Can I mix different brands of watercolour paints?

Absolutely. Professional artists often mix brands to get the best properties from each.
Just remember: artist-grade paints like Daniel Smith, Winsor & Newton Professional, and Sennelier have higher pigment loads and behave differently from student-grade paints — so always test your mixes first.

8. What’s the best way to clean my brushes?

Rinse them thoroughly in clean water after each session and reshape the tip with your fingers.
Never leave brushes standing in water — it will damage the bristles and loosen the ferrule.
For occasional deep cleaning, use a mild brush soap such as The Masters Brush Cleaner.

9. Do I need masking fluid or tape?

Masking fluid protects areas you want to keep white — like highlights or clouds — while you paint. It’s optional but useful once you’re more confident.
Daler Rowney Masking Fluid and Winsor & Newton Colourless Masking Fluid are both excellent options.
Masking tape, on the other hand, is essential for neat edges and flat paper.

10. Is watercolour suitable for complete beginners?

Definitely! While it takes time to master, it’s one of the most rewarding mediums to learn. Watercolour encourages looseness, patience, and experimentation — all valuable lessons for any artist.
Start with a few colours, a good brush, and a reliable pad of paper. From there, you’ll find your rhythm.

“The biggest mistake beginners make is worrying about mistakes. Every uneven wash or bloom is part of your learning. Keep your first paintings, even the messy ones — they’ll remind you how far you’ve come.”

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