Are you thinking about learning watercolor painting to relax and unwind, but feel like you don’t have enough time? The good news is—you don’t need hours to create beautiful art! With a few simple tricks, you can start painting and enjoy the process without feeling overwhelmed. Let’s break down how you can make the most of your time and dive into watercolor painting with ease.
Overcome the Fear of a Blank Page
One of the biggest challenges beginners face is staring at a large, empty sheet of watercolor paper and feeling overwhelmed. How do you fill up all that space?
Solution: Divide your paper into smaller sections! Use a pencil or, even better, washi tape to create a grid. This way, you’ll have multiple small sections to paint, making it less intimidating and allowing you to complete multiple paintings quickly.
What to Paint? Start with Simple Ideas
If you’re new to watercolor and feel stuck because you don’t know what to paint, don’t worry! You don’t need to have a ton of ideas right away—just focus on learning basic watercolor techniques.
Tip: Browse royalty-free image websites for inspiration. You might find a beautiful sunset or a simple landscape that sparks your creativity. Remember, you don’t need to recreate a photo perfectly; use it as a starting point!
Simplify the Painting Process
Watercolor painting can seem complex, but breaking it down into small steps makes it much easier. Let’s use a sunset as an example:
- Start with two colors: Instead of trying to match every shade in a reference image, begin with just yellows and oranges.
- Focus on big shapes: Don’t get lost in the details—paint broad, flowing strokes.
- Expand as you go: Once you’re comfortable, add more colors like reds and browns to create depth.
By keeping it simple, you’ll build confidence and avoid frustration.
Avoid Muddy Colors with Smart Color Choices
A common mistake in watercolor painting is accidentally mixing colors that create muddy results. To prevent this:
- Stick to colors that are close to each other on the color wheel (like yellow, orange, and red for sunsets).
- Work in layers, letting each layer dry before adding new colors.
- If you need help with color mixing, download my free watercolor mixing guide.
Speed Up the Drying Time
One reason watercolor painting can feel slow is waiting for layers to dry. A simple trick? Use a hairdryer! This speeds up the drying process, allowing you to keep painting without long pauses.
You Don’t Need to Know How to Draw
Many people hesitate to start painting because they think they need strong drawing skills. But guess what? You don’t! Watercolor is all about expression, and you can create stunning art without sketching.
- Use simple shapes like wavy lines for landscapes.
- Experiment with dabbing your brush to create texture.
- Focus on color and composition rather than intricate details.
Let Go of Perfection & Enjoy the Process
If you worry about your painting not looking “good enough,” remember: the goal is to enjoy the process! Watercolor is a fluid, expressive medium that allows for happy accidents and unique results.
Instead of aiming for realism, try:
- Abstract washes of color.
- Playing with blending techniques.
- Letting the paint flow naturally without over-controlling it.
Set a Creative Goal for the New Year
As we approach a new year, why not make watercolor painting part of your creative goals? Whether you want to paint regularly or just experiment, now is the perfect time to start!
If you’re looking for more guidance, be sure to check out my free watercolor resources.
Happy painting!