Watercolour painting is often considered one of the most expressive and spontaneous art mediums, capable of creating everything from delicate, translucent washes to bold, vibrant statements. If you've ever been captivated by the flowing, luminous quality of watercolour paintings but felt intimidated by the medium's reputation for being "unforgiving," this guide is for you.
The truth is, while watercolours do require a different approach than other painting mediums, they're incredibly rewarding for beginners willing to embrace their unique characteristics. Let's explore the fundamental techniques that will set you up for success in your watercolour journey.
Understanding Watercolour Basics
Before diving into techniques, it's crucial to understand what makes watercolours unique. Unlike oil or acrylic paints, watercolours are transparent and rely on the white of the paper to create light areas. The paint is activated by water, allowing for beautiful colour mixing and flowing effects that are difficult to achieve with other mediums.
Essential Materials for Beginners
Starting with quality materials will make your learning process much more enjoyable:
- Watercolour paints: Begin with a basic set of 12-24 colours from a reputable brand like Winsor & Newton or Schmincke
- Watercolour paper: Use 100% cotton paper, minimum 140gsm (300lb), cold-pressed finish
- Brushes: Start with three round brushes - sizes 6, 12, and 20
- Water containers: Two jars - one for clean water, one for rinsing brushes
- Paper towels or natural sponge: For controlling water and creating textures
- Masking tape: To secure paper and create clean edges
The Four Fundamental Watercolour Techniques
1. Wet-on-Wet Technique
The wet-on-wet technique involves applying wet paint to wet paper or wet paint. This creates beautiful, soft edges and allows colours to blend naturally into each other, producing organic, flowing effects perfect for skies, backgrounds, and atmospheric elements.
How to Master Wet-on-Wet:
- Prepare your surface: Using a clean, damp brush, wet the area where you want to apply colour
- Load your brush: Mix your paint to a creamy consistency - not too watery, not too thick
- Apply the colour: Touch the loaded brush to the wet area and watch the paint spread
- Control the flow: Add more water to encourage spreading, or use a dry brush to limit the flow
- Work quickly: You have a limited window before the paper begins to dry
Best used for: Cloudy skies, water reflections, flower petals, atmospheric backgrounds, and creating soft, dreamy effects.
2. Wet-on-Dry Technique
This technique involves applying wet paint to completely dry paper, creating crisp, defined edges and allowing for precise control. It's the foundation for detailed work and sharp contrasts in your paintings.
Mastering Wet-on-Dry:
- Ensure dry surface: Make sure your paper is completely dry before applying paint
- Mix your colour: Prepare the desired colour and consistency
- Apply confidently: Use steady, deliberate brushstrokes
- Maintain wet edges: If creating large areas, work quickly to avoid hard lines within the wash
Best used for: Detailed work, architectural elements, foreground objects, adding final details, and creating sharp contrasts.
"The beauty of watercolour lies in the dance between control and letting go. Embrace both the planned and the unexpected - they're equally important in creating compelling artwork." - James Thompson, Watercolour Specialist
3. Dry Brush Technique
The dry brush technique uses minimal water with paint, creating textured, rough strokes that don't flow or blend. This technique is excellent for adding texture and detail to your paintings.
Executing Dry Brush Technique:
- Load your brush sparingly: Use very little water when mixing your paint
- Remove excess moisture: Lightly dab the brush on a paper towel
- Apply with light pressure: Let the texture of the paper show through
- Build gradually: Layer multiple dry brush strokes for deeper effects
Best used for: Tree bark texture, rock surfaces, fabric textures, weathered surfaces, and adding final textural details.
4. Gradated Wash (Colour Gradient)
A gradated wash transitions from one colour to another or from dark to light, creating smooth colour progressions essential for many watercolour effects.
Creating Perfect Gradated Washes:
- Prepare your colours: Mix more paint than you think you'll need
- Work on tilted surface: Angle your paper slightly to help paint flow
- Start with darker colour: Apply the darkest tone at one end
- Add clean water: Gradually introduce more water as you work across
- Maintain consistency: Keep your brush loaded and work quickly
Best used for: Sunset skies, water surfaces, shadows, background elements, and creating atmospheric depth.
Essential Colour Mixing for Beginners
Understanding Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Colours
Watercolour mixing follows the same colour theory as other mediums, but the transparent nature of the paint creates unique opportunities:
- Primary colours: Red, blue, and yellow - cannot be created by mixing other colours
- Secondary colours: Orange (red + yellow), green (blue + yellow), purple (red + blue)
- Tertiary colours: Created by mixing primary and secondary colours
Watercolour-Specific Mixing Tips
- Mix on paper: Let colours blend naturally on the paper surface for organic effects
- Layer transparently: Build colour intensity through multiple transparent layers
- Understand colour temperature: Warm colours advance, cool colours recede
- Use complementary colours: Opposites on the colour wheel create vibrant contrasts and neutral greys when mixed
Water Control: The Key to Watercolour Success
Perhaps more than any other aspect, controlling water is what separates successful watercolourists from frustrated beginners. Understanding how much water to use and when is crucial for achieving your intended effects.
The Water-to-Paint Ratios
- Very wet (90% water): For initial washes and atmospheric effects
- Medium wet (70% water): For general colour application and blending
- Slightly wet (50% water): For more controlled application and defined shapes
- Minimal water (20% water): For detailed work and dry brush techniques
Reading Your Paper's Moisture Level
Learning to judge the moisture level of your paper is crucial:
- Soaking wet: Paper has a visible sheen, colours will flow freely
- Damp: No visible sheen but still moist, colours will spread moderately
- Almost dry: Slightly cool to touch, colours will spread minimally
- Completely dry: Paper returns to room temperature, colours stay put
Common Beginner Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
1. Using Too Much Water
Problem: Paint becomes uncontrollable and muddy
Solution: Start with less water than you think you need. You can always add more, but you can't take it away.
2. Working Too Slowly
Problem: Paint dries with hard, unwanted edges
Solution: Work quickly and confidently, especially with wet-on-wet techniques.
3. Overworking the Paint
Problem: Colours become muddy and lose their luminosity
Solution: Plan your approach, work in layers, and know when to stop.
4. Fear of Dark Values
Problem: Paintings lack contrast and appear washed out
Solution: Build up to dark values gradually and don't be afraid to use strong contrasts.
Your First Watercolour Exercise: Simple Landscape
Let's put these techniques together in a simple landscape that incorporates all the fundamental skills:
Step-by-Step First Painting:
- Sketch lightly: Draw a simple horizon line and basic shapes with a light pencil
- Sky with wet-on-wet: Wet the sky area and apply a light blue wash, letting it flow naturally
- Distant mountains: While the sky is still slightly damp, add a soft purple-grey for distant mountains
- Middle ground with wet-on-dry: Once dry, add defined shapes like trees or buildings
- Foreground details: Use dry brush technique to add texture and final details
- Final touches: Add any necessary dark accents or highlights
Building Your Skills: Practice Exercises
Daily Practice Suggestions:
- Colour wheels: Practice mixing primaries to create secondaries and tertiary colours
- Water control exercises: Paint simple shapes with varying water amounts
- Texture studies: Use dry brush technique to capture different surface textures
- Value studies: Paint the same subject in different value ranges
- Quick sketches: Spend 15-20 minutes on small, simple subjects
Caring for Your Watercolour Materials
Brush Care:
- Rinse thoroughly after each painting session
- Reshape brush tips while damp
- Store brushes tip-up or flat, never tip-down
- Use brush soap monthly for deep cleaning
Paint and Paper Storage:
- Keep paints sealed when not in use
- Store paper flat in a dry environment
- Protect finished paintings from direct sunlight
- Use archival materials for works you want to preserve
Conclusion: Embracing the Watercolour Journey
Watercolour painting is a medium that rewards both patience and spontaneity. The techniques we've covered - wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, dry brush, and gradated washes - form the foundation for all watercolour work, from simple studies to complex masterpieces.
Remember that mastery comes through practice, and every "mistake" is a learning opportunity. The unpredictable nature of watercolours that initially seems challenging becomes one of the medium's greatest strengths as you learn to work with its fluid characteristics rather than against them.
Start with simple subjects, focus on one technique at a time, and gradually build complexity. Most importantly, enjoy the process. Watercolours have a unique ability to surprise and delight both the artist and the viewer with their luminous, flowing beauty.
At Varizutonsu Drawing Academy, our watercolour courses provide structured guidance through these fundamental techniques and beyond. Join us to accelerate your learning and discover the full potential of this beautiful medium.