Watercolor is one of the most beautiful, dynamic, and sometimes frustrating mediums an artist can learn. As a watercolor artist and teacher, it is common for beginners to feel confused or discouraged early on. More tips and tricks you learn upfront, the smoother your learning journey will be.
If you’re just getting started or looking to refine your practice, here are the five essential lessons I wish someone had told me before I have started.
1. Don’t Use White to Lighten or Black to Darken
Watercolor is unique because of its transparency. Unlike acrylic or oil, we don’t use white to make a color lighter or black to make it darker. Instead, we rely on water control to adjust value.
- To lighten a color: Add more water.
- To darken a color: Use less water—go straight from the pan or mix a more concentrated paint.
When you add white, you lose that luminous transparency that makes watercolor so magical. And while black is transparent, it can dull or “dirty” your vibrant hues.
👉 Use water to control value, not white or black paint.
2. Master Water Control: It’s Everything
If you’re struggling with your watercolor paintings, I can almost guarantee the issue is water control.
Think of paint consistency as a scale:
- Tea – very watery, very transparent
- Coffee – a bit more pigment, but still fluid
- Milk – more balanced pigment and water
- Cream – thick and rich, less water
- Butter – the thickest; minimal water and maximum pigment
Each consistency has a role in a painting, and understanding how to move between them is critical. Start with “tea” or “coffee” for light washes and backgrounds, and gradually build up to “cream” and “butter” for shadows, depth, and detail.
💡 Pro tip: Always test your mix on a scrap piece of paper before committing it to your painting.
3. Paper Is Everything (Yes, Really)
If you’re blaming your skills when your paintings don’t turn out, stop and check your paper.
High-quality 100% cotton watercolor paper behaves completely differently from cheap, cellulose-based paper. It holds water better, blends more beautifully, and allows for layering.
When I finally upgraded to Arches Cold Press 140lb paper, everything changed. My technique didn’t suddenly improve—but my results did, simply because the paper was working with me, not against me.
✨ You’re worth using the good paper. Cut it into smaller pieces to practice, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly your skills evolve.
4. There Will Be Ugly Stages—Don’t Give Up
Every watercolor painting goes through an “ugly stage.” It’s part of the process. When you begin with those first light washes, things will look awkward, flat, and underwhelming. You may even question your abilities.
But stay patient. Watercolor is all about building up layers—from light to dark. It takes time for the contrast and dimension to emerge.
🎨 Trust the process. Your strawberry, tree, flower, or portrait might look dull in the beginning, but give it time, layering, and love—and it will blossom.
5. Understand Color Theory (Especially Complementary Colors)
If you’ve ever looked at someone’s watercolor painting and wondered how they get their colors to glow and feel so harmonious, the answer is likely color theory.
One of the most powerful tools in your arsenal is complementary color mixing:
- Mixing magenta + sap green gives you a dusty rose or deep army green.
- Mixing blue + orange creates a rich, natural shadow for blueberries or sky elements.
Instead of adding black or blue for shadows, mix the complement of your base color. This creates a more natural, cohesive look and preserves the life in your painting.
🌈 Learn to mix shadows using complementary colors—not black—and your paintings will thank you.
Final Thoughts
Watercolor is an incredible journey of patience, observation, and experimentation. If I could hand every beginner a starter kit, it wouldn’t be just paints and brushes—it would be these five lessons.
Remember:
- Use water, not white or black.
- Master your consistencies.
- Invest in good paper.
- Push through the ugly stages.
- Learn how colors interact.
You’re not just painting—you’re learning a new language. One brushstroke at a time.
Happy painting!