Are you ready to create a stunning watercolor moon? In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll show you how to paint the moon using just one color and a simple wet-on-wet technique. Plus, I’ll share some mindset tips to help you enjoy the painting process rather than focusing on perfection!
Step 1: Sketch the Moon
To begin, lightly outline a circle on your watercolor paper. To avoid damaging the paper, I used a bowl to trace the shape. You can choose any size you like—the larger the circle, the more space you have to play with textures and details.
Step 2: Prepare the Paper for the Wet-on-Wet Technique
Once the circle is ready, apply a thin, even layer of clean water over the entire shape. This will create a glossy surface, allowing the paint to spread naturally and create soft, organic textures.
Step 3: Lay Down the Base Color
For this painting, I’m using Payne’s Gray with a bluish undertone, but you can experiment with other grays, black, or even completely different colors! After diluting the paint with plenty of water, gently brush it over the entire moon shape without worrying about making it too neat—this is just the base layer.
Step 4: Add Depth and Texture
To create the moon’s craters and shadows, use a more saturated version of the same pigment. This means using more paint and less water to achieve a darker value. Dab the paint onto areas where the moon is typically darker, letting the color blend softly into the wet surface. If you need a reference, a quick Google search for moon images can be helpful!
Step 5: Master Water Control
Understanding how water behaves on your brush and paper is key to watercolor painting. The amount of water you use will determine how much the paint spreads. Be patient and embrace the different stages of the painting process—sometimes it might look “ugly” before it comes together beautifully!
Step 6: Adjust and Refine
One of the biggest misconceptions about watercolors is that mistakes can’t be fixed—but that’s not true! If you don’t like an area, you can lift off some paint with a tissue while it’s still wet or reactivate the pigment with water once it’s dry. Using high-quality watercolor paper, like 100% cotton cold-pressed paper, will give you more time to adjust your painting.
The Art of Letting Go in Watercolor
Many artists struggle with perfectionism, myself included! While working on my upcoming watercolor book, I found myself obsessing over tiny details, often redoing paintings for hours. But I’ve learned that painting is about enjoying the process, not just the final result. If you’ve ever felt frustrated trying to control your watercolor painting, remember—watercolors are meant to flow freely! They teach you to relax and adapt, rather than forcing everything to go exactly as planned.
I hope this inspires you to pick up your watercolor supplies and start painting. If you’d like a list of my favorite watercolor materials, grab my free guide on watercolor supplies here!
Practice and Play!
To truly enjoy watercolor painting, allow yourself to play! Try painting a simple moon using just one color, and don’t worry about making it perfect. Focus on the experience rather than the outcome. I spent an hour experimenting with this moon, and it was so much fun!
New to watercolor mixing? Check out my free guide on watercolor mixing!
Final Thoughts
Watercolor painting can be an incredible way to de-stress and express yourself creatively. Instead of worrying about achieving a flawless result, remind yourself why you started painting in the first place—because it’s fun, relaxing, and rewarding!
Happy painting!