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Walking into an art supply store as a beginner watercolor painter is a lot. The options are endless, the price tags are all over the place, and it's genuinely hard to know what you actually need versus what's just clever marketing. The good news? You need a lot less than you think. Here are ten things beginners commonly buy that they'd be better off skipping if your goal is to really learn the skill of painting with watercolors. Links in this post will take you directly to th

There’s no shortage of advice on what you “need” to start watercolor painting—different paper types and weights, spiral pads versus blocks, tubes versus pans, and an endless array of brushes in mysterious sizes. It’s enough to make anyone feel overwhelmed, whether you’re just starting out or picking the craft back up again. So what do you actually need as a beginner? The honest answer is: it depends. Your goals as a painter matter far more than any universal supply list. Are

These soft cherry blossoms will teach you much about controlling wet-into-wet, timing your layering, and how to glaze two complimentary colors to create the most interesting brown. This 33-minute full-length lesson  is clear and flexible. Follow along slowly, or move through it at a quicker pace by speeding up the video if you prefer. Materials round brush size 8 smaller detail brush larger brush that holds more water white paper towel 8x10in watercolor paper 140lb cold press

Most painters learn to work from the inside out. You see a flower, you paint the flower. You see a tree, you paint the tree. It's intuitive, direct, and for many other mediums, perfectly logical. But watercolor has its own logic — and one of its most powerful techniques turns that instinct completely on its head. Negative painting is the practice of defining a shape not by painting it, but by painting around it . Instead of applying color to a leaf, you paint the shadow and

Pansies are a great subject for developing control and confidence in watercolor. This step-by-step tutorial is designed for intermediate watercolor painters and focuses on how to paint complimentary colors without creating mud, and how to add a soft, wet-on-wet background to an existing artwork. You’ll work on shaping each petal with careful strokes, blending smooth transitions, and preserving light areas to keep the flower luminous. These techniques carry over well into othe

Starting out as a painter is exciting—and a little overwhelming. Whether you’re working in watercolor, acrylic, or mixed media, the habits you build early will shape your skills, confidence, and even your ability to earn income from your art. If you’re a new painter, these 7 practices will help you grow creatively, stay healthy, and set a strong foundation for the long haul. 1. Paint Regularly (Consistency Beats Talent) You don’t need to paint every day, but you do need consi

Color is one of the most powerful tools you have as a watercolor painter. It shapes mood, directs attention, creates depth, and helps tell a story. Even the simplest subject can feel expressive and alive when color is used intentionally. If you’re new to watercolor, understanding color theory will immediately improve your paintings. Let’s break it down in a simple, practical way. Why Color Matters Color does more than make a painting “pretty.” It helps you: Establish mood and

Watercolor painting can be magical—but it’s also easy to make mistakes. The good news? Most “oops” moments can be fixed or even turned into something beautiful. If you’re looking for ways to improve your watercolor painting outcomes, here’s a simple guide to help you correct common watercolor mishaps. 1. Unwanted Edges or Blooms Sometimes water flows into a drying area, creating hard lines or “cauliflower” blooms. Fix it: Let the paper dry completely before touching it. Re-we

If you’re looking for a watercolor tutorial that helps you grow your skills, this mason jar lesson is a perfect challenge to take on. Designed for beginner to intermediate watercolor painters, this step-by-step tutorial focuses on layering techniques, lifting pigment, and learning how to paint realistic light and transparent glass. You’ll discover how to build depth with transparent washes, create glowing highlights, and control values to make a simple mason jar feel three-di

If you're new to watercolor painting, you’ve probably already discovered one of the medium’s most important quirks: there’s no white paint in traditional watercolor. Unlike acrylics or oils, watercolor relies on the white of your paper to create light values and highlights. This fundamental difference changes everything about how you approach a painting. Learning to preserve and create white is one of the most critical watercolor painting techniques for beginners to master. W

Wet-into-wet is one of the most beautiful—and misunderstood—watercolor techniques. When it works, the results feel loose, luminous, and alive. When it doesn’t, beginners often feel like the paint has a mind of its own. If you’re learning watercolor in Maryland or anywhere else, understanding timing  and water control  is the key to making wet-into-wet work for you instead of against you. Wet-Into-Wet Wet-into-wet (or Wet-on-wet) is a watercolor technique where wet paint is ap

If you’re learning watercolor, one of the simplest but most powerful ways to set yourself up well is by making color swatches of your palette. Artists of all levels, from beginners to experienced painters, use swatches to understand color behavior, improve mixing, and speed up their workflow. Here are the benefits of creating color swatches... Understand Your Colors Better Every watercolor brand and pigment behaves differently. Making swatches lets you see: • True color on pa

Learning to paint clean, beautiful washes is one of the most important skills in watercolor. Flat and gradient washes form the foundation and background for many paintings. When these washes are smooth, everything layered on top looks better. If you’re learning watercolor, mastering these two wash types will beautifully improve your paintings—no matter what you like to paint. What Is a Watercolor Wash? A wash is a broad, even application of diluted paint across the paper. Was

Okay, we covered the big ones already, now let's look at all the extra watercolor supplies one might need to get started. Now listen, y'all...These are my own recommendations, you might not find all these to be helpful to you, or you may think I've left an essential tool out. Tell me! Comment below your best tools and share the knowledge! Links in this post will take you directly to the products I'm recommending, and if you purchase the item, I will get a tiny percentage of t

In watercolor painting, the “water-to-paint” ratio is one of the main ways to control transparency, intensity, and texture. In other words, it's REALLY important to master! Using terms like “tea,” “milk,” and “cream” is a helpful way to think about it. Imagine a saucer of each liquid, how do they act when you tip the saucer side to side? Can you see through the liquid? How much does it move? Mastering the right water-to-paint ratio in watercolor painting takes good observatio

Your watercolor palette type can make or break a newbie's interest in learning watercolor. A good palette is more than a container for paint—it’s a workspace that helps you mix colors efficiently, stay organized, and paint more confidently, so having the right one is important. Alright y'all... let's get into this short but sweet chat about palettes! Links in this post will take you directly to the products I'm recommending, and if you purchase the item, I will get a tiny per

Watercolor paper is not just thick art paper or cardstock. It is a specialty paper designed specifically to handle water. The difference lies in both its weight  and its sizing . High-quality paper makes watercolor easier and far more enjoyable to work with. Let's get into it... Links in this post will take you directly to the products I'm recommending, and if you purchase the item, I will get a tiny percentage of that sale at no cost to you. These links are affiliate links.

Water is an essential “tool” in watercolor painting. It’s used to dilute paint, control transparency , create washes , blend colors, and lift or soften edges. How much water you use—and when—has just as much impact on a painting as the pigment itself. In this post, we will only be talking about water as a supply, this is not a comprehensive guide to using water in watercolor painting! We'll cover the topics listed about in future posts, today let's look at it's place in our

Watercolor brushes come in many shapes and sizes... but most artists eventually discover they rely on just a few favorites. The best brush is one that feels comfortable in your hand and holds water well for the way you like to paint. Quality matters more than quantity, and a small, reliable set will take you far. That said, I have to admit that I do love my dozens of little junk brushes for various jobs, so collect what you like or want to experiment with over time and your s

Watercolor has a reputation for being simple—and it is—but the materials you choose play a quiet, powerful role in how enjoyable and successful your painting experience feels. From how paint flows to how paper responds to water, each supply has a purpose beyond just being “art stuff.” This six-part series for beginner watercolor painters walks through the core watercolor supplies, explaining what they are, how they behave, and why they matter, so you can make confident choice