How to improve your watercolour skills as a beginner

Watercolour painting is a beautiful and rewarding hobby, but it can be intimidating for beginners. However, with the right mindset and approach, anyone can learn the basics and create beautiful works of art. Here are some tips to help beginners in watercolour painting get started.

One of the best ways to learn watercolour painting is to watch tutorials on YouTube, Instagram or TikTok. There are thousands of videos available that cover everything from basic techniques to more advanced topics. Watching other artists work and explaining their process can be incredibly helpful in developing your skills and finding inspiration.

In addition to learning new techniques, watching tutorials can expose you to different styles of watercolour painting. You can see how different artists use colour, composition, and brushstrokes to create unique and individual works of art. By exposing yourself to a variety of styles, you can start to develop an understanding of what you like and what resonates with you. This can help you find your own style as you experiment and incorporate different elements into your own paintings. You may find that you're drawn to a particular colour palette, subject matter, or brushwork, and this can become a defining feature of your own artwork.

In short, watching tutorials can not only help you learn new techniques but also help you find inspiration and develop your own unique style. By incorporating different elements into your paintings and experimenting with different styles, you can develop a style that's uniquely yours and that brings you joy and fulfillment as you continue to paint.

Are they more expensive? Yes. Do you want to hear you have to invest even more than you already do on your materials? No. Do I tell you anyway? Yes, I do - cause it will make your life so much easier 😄

But I still have good news for you: You don’t need to buy Arches paper or Daniel Smith paint. In my opinion a decent paper, brush and paint will do the job to start with watercolour and advancing in it.

I will make a blog posts to go much more in detail but here are some rough guidelines:

1. Use paper that is especially made for watercolour Even though I paint mostly on cotton paper now, I started with cellulose watercolour paper. And this is what I can recommend to you too, when you are just starting out. I know, everybody is telling you to use cotton paper, but seriously, to just practice how colours mix, how your brush behaves, how to guide your brush the way it needs to, in order to achieve the wanted result - this is perfectly doable on cellulose paper as well. And it doesn’t hurt so much when your paintings don’t turn our like you want it too. When you start to feel more comfortable with watercolours it is time to switch to cotton paper as it makes it much easier to paint more complex motifs and allows more refined techniques. But till then - enjoy the much cheaper option!
2. Paint choose a watercolour palette with 6 colours: a cool and warm yellow, red and blue + some white gouache. This way you have to learn right away how to properly mix colours which will pay off later soooo much, believe me! And also: Don't let yourself be too heavily influenced by other artists that you end up needing different colours. There are for sure some colours that you won't be able to mix with your primary colours, but you can get close enough, which is more than sufficient if you're painting just for yourself. If some time has passed and you still feel like you're missing a particular color, buy it and test it. Some brands offer dot cards that allow you to test colours beforehand, so you won't waste your money
3. Brushes The quality of the brush hairs is also important. Natural hair brushes, such as those made from sable or squirrel hair, tend to be more expensive but can provide better water retention and a smoother stroke. Synthetic brushes, while less expensive, can still provide good results and are often more durable. And they are animal friendly.

Once you've done a tutorial, learned something new from a book, etc. try recreating a similar motif by yourself. Choose a subject that inspires you and try to incorporate the techniques you’ve learned from the tutorial. By choosing a similar motif to the one you learned in a tutorial, you can give yourself the freedom to experiment and try things on your own while also having the option to refer back to the tutorial if you get stuck or need inspiration. The first few times it will feel like a jump into cold water - push yourself and take the tutorial as a life vest with you. This way you know you will survive and you can be more confident!

When you try a similar motif by yourself, you can start to incorporate your own unique style and techniques into the painting. You may discover new ways of using the watercolour medium that you didn't learn in the tutorial, and this can be an exciting and rewarding experience. It also lead to it, that what you’ve lea

However, if you get stuck or feel unsure about how to proceed, you can always go back to the tutorial for guidance. By alternating between experimenting on your own and referring back to the tutorial when you need help, you can strike a balance between creativity and structure. This can help you develop your skills while also staying inspired and motivated to continue painting.

Overall, choosing a similar motif to the tutorial can be a great way to challenge yourself, try new things, and develop your own style while also having the safety net of the tutorial to fall back on when needed.

Don't be afraid to paint a motif as often as you need to be satisfied with the result. Practice makes perfect better, and the more you paint, the more comfortable you'll become with watercolours. Don't worry about making mistakes or having to start over – it's all part of the learning process. I would even say that I paint most of my paintings at least twice. My record is 6 times 😃

But first(!!) analyse what you like about your painting and what you don’t like and how you could improve it next time. Otherwise you will just make all the mistakes again ;) It also helps zu write it down so you remember it better when you start your next try.

You have probably started with watercolour to have a nice hobby, maybe to relax, maybe to express yourself. Watercolour painting can be challenging, which can lead to frustration and in the end we lose the initial reason why we started watercolour: To do something good for ourselves.

It is so important to have fun. Don't be too hard on yourself if your paintings don't turn out exactly as you envisioned. The process of creating is much more important than the final product, so allow yourself to enjoy the journey and learn from your mistakes. <3

So don't put too much pressure on yourself to create a perfect masterpiece every time you sit down to paint. Focus on the process and enjoy the act of creating. The more you relax and enjoy the experience, the more natural your strokes will become, too and the more you'll improve your skills.

Having fun is also crucial for sticking to painting in the long term. When you enjoy painting, it becomes a hobby that you look forward to, and you're more likely to make time for it in your schedule. When you're having fun, you'll also be more willing to try new techniques, experiment with different styles, and take creative risks.

In conclusion, watercolour painting can be a fulfilling and enjoyable hobby for beginners. Remember to have fun, watch tutorials, and practice often to improve your skills. By following these tips, you'll be on your way to creating beautiful works of art in no time.