Discover the Sparkle of Pearlescent Watercolour Paint: Creative Ideas for Your Next Art Project

Pearl Pearlescent shimmer paints

One of the key features of pearlescent watercolour painting is the way that a painter can achieve certain light effects and arrays using nothing but pigments, paper, and water. And, since the very start of watercolour painting, painters have been focused in particular about its ability to depict the glint of light against or through items of varying opacity.

Pearlescent or iridescence as a style of watercolour takes a combination of skill, practice, and the right resources, with each being a component to create believable and artistic depictions of gloss and light refraction. But with the right resources and materials, it can be a very doable addition to your watercolour paintings, both realistic and impressionistic.

hydrangea flower drawing illustration
You may start with a faint sketch, depending on your confidence and style
how to paint hydrangea flowers simple in watercolour
The ‘wet-on-wet’ approach looks beautiful with the pearl shimmer watercolour paints, where you put drops of water on paper then touch it with watercolour paints and allow the colour to flow and blend in its own direction.

​A good starting place for painting with pearlescent watercolour is to make sure you have the right paints and paper, since even perfect technique will be hindered by working on inadequate materials.

There are a few brands of watercolour that has a wide sampling of shimmering or iridescent effects. For some, the shimmer that they exhibit is unique and noticeable, with a bright, eye-catching glimmer, but not excessive. Others will achieve a shimmering effect by introducing glitter or other methods, which may make the watercolour paint look excessive and unnatural when introduced to, say, a painting of flower petals.

Shimmer and iridescence are best achieved when used delicately, with an interplay of regular colours so that the shine is an effect on the painting, rather than overwhelming all other details.

While some people choose to use lustre dust, or applications of glitter on top of the paint while it is dry, it is because of this delicate process that I suggest starting out with iridescent paint to begin with before attempting to experiment with adding non-paint effects to a painting.

Pearl Pearlescent shimmer paints

While the results can be just as stunning, and sometimes even more so in the hands of a master, it can be difficult to control, as each medium of art demands practice and research. At this point, you may already have practice with watercolour paint, but relatively little or none with additional materials, so it may be best to learn the skills of adding gloss first with paint before beginning to experiment. With high quality paper and well-conditioned brushes, shimmering watercolour paints would be a breeze to start working with.

​So now that you have the colours, how should you start introducing the paint? Something to consider with shimmering or iridescent effects in how they are in real life is that they tend to glow more where they refract light, so they should follow the same rules as shading.

Hummingbird watercolor painting

Of course, it is always valid to take artistic liberties, and, in fact, representing how reality feels rather than how reality is has always been a respected form of artistic expression.

In general, with watercolour paints, you want to use darker shades to represent the inner layers, and brighter colours to represent the areas most exposed to light. However, because shimmer tends to be most noticeable in areas with larger surface area, due to the ways that light refraction works, you might want to use shimmer at the thicker portions of an object, and less so towards the outer edges.

So, for example, if you were painting the petals of a flower, you’d paint a darker outline in the inner part of the petal, going into a lighter shade with a shimmer at the brightest part, and then gradually taper off the shimmering as you approach the outer outline of the petal. This will register to the eye as a more natural kind of shine, even as you take artistic liberties with the actual art so that it, in and of itself, might not be entirely realistic.

​Another aspect of shimmer pearlescent watercolour painting that can be appreciated in its subtlety is the use of shine or light retraction to imply texture. The use of shimmering paint can imply the very faint lustre of dragonfly wings, or the velvety glimmer of the fine layer over some leaves. It can be used to represent light glinting off of cresting waves, or the shimmer of glint scales, even the rainbow-on-white colour of mother of pearl.

The application of glimmer paint, when layered and used delicately, adds not only light and warmth to a painting but also a sense of living depth, where none was before, lending further dimensions and implying the way that light breaks over an object. With this in mind, you can look at the outside world and notice just how many things have natural iridescence or gloss, not just limited to shiny or sparkly items, but just as often found in fibres, types of plants, or beads of water.

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can start adding glimmer watercolour not only when you want to achieve a glittery effect, but to many types of painting as a way of adding depth and texture.​

Dragonfly painting created in pearl shimmer watercolour paints…

how to paint a watercolour dragonfly
dragonfly drawing illustration painting

​So, as we’ve gone over, some of the ways to get into watercolour painting involve doing some research into the kinds of palettes that are right for you and making sure that you have the right materials to work on. Once that’s achieved, you can look at the natural world and start attempting to replicate it using the same shading technique used in basic watercolour, with some alterations and a more gentle, sparse hand, incorporating non-glimmer paints with shimmer effects to create a more naturally-appearing painting.

And finally, once you feel comfortable with applying these paints, you can start exploring the breadth and span of expression available to you with light refraction, not only to achieve glittery effects, but for all kinds of ends.

Protecting Your Watercolour Paintings: Do They Fade When Exposed to Sunlight?

do watercolour paintings fade

​Yes, sunlight can and will cause the pigments in watercolour paintings to fade over time.

But it is not only sunlight that can cause this. Fluorescent light bulbs have the same concentration of UV as is found in a natural sunlight (this is the reason why most art museums avoid using them), and exposing watercolour paintings to prolonged light of either kind can and will cause the colours of the painting to tarnish over time, becoming dull and washed out.

The beautiful fragility of watercolour paints extends not only to the process of painting, but also to the preservation of watercolours long-term. Being painted primarily on paper, or even on silks in some cases, completed watercolour paintings are, unfortunately, at great risk of coming to harm through neglect, accident, or even through simply not knowing the many outside forces that can diminish their lifespan.

Smoke damage, for example, can permanently affect a watercolour painting, as well as drastic changes in the environment it is being kept in, such as too much light, or the wrong kind of light. With this all being as it is, the prospect of trying to maintain a watercolour painting without it getting damaged may seem daunting, but with the right information and the correct actions being taken, there is no reason why your watercolour paintings’ integrity should suffer in any way throughout the ages to come.

How To Stop Watercolour Paintings From Fading

​Starting off with the most important takeaway point: more important than any frame, watercolour paintings fair best when kept behind glass. This can be using a wooden frame, or simply by carefully sandwiching the paper between two planes of glass, but a glass front will protect the watercolour painting from most of its most present dangers.

For one, any exposure to water or access moisture will cause the pigment to reconstitute, effectively becoming free-flowing pain again. This can have any multitude of effects, from warping the paper surface to causing fuzziness in the details of the painting, to even causing the paint to run if the damage is advanced far enough. A good glass front will protect the watercolour painting from any exposure to unneeded moisture, as well as being a second layer of protection from other elements, including smoke, or rapid atmospheric changes.

Before hanging up your watercolour painting, I recommend taking a long tour of the place you’d like to keep it, and to consider the sources of light that will be directed at it. While nobody wants to exhibit their painting in full darkness, you’d like to prevent it having a window pointed at it for the longest, most sunlight-filled hours of the day, and to make sure that any lights that the painting is exposed to have non-UV light bulbs, in order to prevent a similar effect. 

​Something else to consider when arranging for your watercolour painting to be hung up in a way that preserves the painting for years to come is the frame itself, in addition to the location and light sources that the painting is exposed to. As with all painting, watercolours stand much to benefit from archival framing techniques, which employ materials that do not interact with any of the materials that the painting is made up from. The pins, wooden frame, and mat board should all be made from nonreactive sources that do not affect the paper of the painting, especially over a long period of time, and can be taken apart and replaced with time without at all risking the integrity of either pigment or paper.

For example, the mat backing of the frame should only ever be made using cotton or linen, preferably those that do not contain any acid in their preparation, as it can damage the paper. Similarly you’ll want to avoid adhesion at all costs, since most glues are non-archival, and, especially when it comes the fragile materials of a watercolour painting, cannot be removed without causing damage to the painting, which could be necessary in the future, should the frame start to break down or become damaged in any way. Using archival framing of high quality is a simple measure that saves a lot of work in the long run.

​As previously stated, one of the best ways to prevent sunlight from rapidly fading your watercolour paintings, which can happen over a matter of a few months if left exposed and unprotected, is to keep it behind a pane of glass. However, not all panes of glass are the same, and some forms of glass serve much greater protection than others.

For example, a regular glass frame shields your watercolour painting from a little over 50% of harmful UV rays, which is still a great deal. But more modern techniques, investing in other forms of glass, like conservation glass, glass with a layer of protective arcylic, and museum glass, can reflect as much as 99% of UV, and make it so you can present your painting in full light with minimal fading.

When it comes to selecting which of the options is right for you, the pricing is a major component, as well as the different ways that the glass filters or reflects light and the effect that it has on your painting. Conservation glass has a layer that reflects glass outwards, which protects your painting effectively, but is also has a slightly opaque, greenish tone, which obfuscates the original colours of your painting. More expensive museum glass functions by filtering the light through many small layers of glass, meaning that less than 1% of the UV reaches down to the painting below, and it has the additional effect of illuminating your painting, because the natural light is allowed to filter through to the surface below, with the harmful UV rays unable to effect the paper of the pigments.

Ultimately, however the choice is yours, and with the right techniques and equipment, you should be able to exhibit your watercolour paintings for many years to come without compromising the longevity of the painting itself. After all, art is meant to be appreciated.


14 Watercolour Painting Techniques For Beginners

Hummingbird watercolor painting

Watercolour painting is one of the most popular art forms. It’s fun, it’s inexpensive, and it allows for a wide range of creative techniques. Just about any artist can embark on a watercolour art journey including new artists and experienced artists alike.

However, if you’ve never tried watercolour painting (or are looking to spruce things up) you’re in the right spot. This guide will walk you through how to embark on your watercolour painting journey and includes several magical techniques to take your painting to the next level.

1. Purchase & Use the Right Tools

First and foremost, you’ve got to use the right watercolour painting tools as a new or experienced artist, in order to be able to best manipulate this painting style for you. Luckily, watercolour tools and paints are inexpensive. A quick trip to your local craft store should cover the shortlist of materials that you’ll need below:

  • Watercolour Paints: Purchase a quality set of watercolour paints with a good variety of colours so that you can mix your palette. You may also opt to buy individual paint pots but many beginners find the sets to be the easiest way to start (and the easiest type of material to store).
  • Watercolour Brushes: Consider a basic watercolour brush or a couple of different sizes as a new artist. Opt for a quality brush that you’ll be able to get some mileage out of when using the proper care techniques. You will also want to choose a brush that has a comfortable weight and feel in your hand to make you the most comfortable as a new artist.
  • Watercolour Paper: Along with paint and a brush, the right paper is a major key to creating beautiful, layered, magical watercolour paintings. You don’t need the fanciest watercolour paper – but, you do need specialized paper material to ensure that your paint adheres and blends well over the surface. Watercolour paper is also better at soaking up excess water and dries flatter than other types of craft paper.

2. Create a Colour Reference Chart

Time to orient yourself with your new watercolour paints and find the variations that feel magical to you. Set up a piece of watercolour paper and begin mixing small swatches in square shapes over the paper. Keep track of how you’ve mixed each colour so that you can recreate each colour in the future. Your colour reference chart is the best way to get a feel for how your colours blend and work together. Find colour palettes that match your aesthetic as an artist and that speak to you!

rose gold colour palette
Watercolour colour palette

3. Intimidated by Colour? Try Monotone Layering!

You can create a dreamy watercolour painting by simply using one or two colours that speak to you. Work on your layering technique by watering down the pigment and building it up on your paper over time. Allow drying time between layers depending on the effect that you’re going for. Layering in a monotone fashion can create a magical effect that is impactful and often hard to fail at.

4. Keep it Simple By Layering Abstract Shapes

Experiment further with your layering technique by choosing 3-4 colours that work well together. Begin with the first colour and create several shapes on your watercolour paper that are all similar (bean shape, circle shape, small squares, etc.). Allow the first layer to almost completely dry before taking your second colour and layering the same shape on top in random spots. Continue that process until you’ve filled your canvas or are satisfied with how your simple shape layering piece has turned out.

Watercolour effects

5. Mix Dry Brush & Wet Brush Techniques

It’s called watercolour, but it should be noted that there is a wide range of wetness that artists paint at. For a soft and blended look, artists will use a wet brush technique. For a harsher, louder painting you can try a dryer brush. Using both techniques on a single painting will take it to the next level and may help add to the magic of your art! Experiment with combinations of wet and dry brush strokes.

how to paint roses in watercolour simple

See also: How To Paint Loose Watercolour Flowers

6. Use Masking Tape for Geometric Lines

If you’re looking for a clean line border on the edge of your painting, use masking tape. You can also use the masking tape technique at any stage of your painting to create a geometric look. Layer masking tape onto your paper after a flat wash background to preserve your original colour. Paint over top of the masking tape to create strong lines that will contrast with the beautiful blended watercolour aesthetic. Pretty magical sounding.

7. Sprinkle some Salt to Boost the Magic

Yes, inexpensive table salt is a fantastic tool when experimenting with watercolour techniques. After spreading a heavy wash of colour on your page, spread some salt generously across the page. Let your painting dry overnight before returning to finalize your art piece. Once you’ve wiped away the excess grains of salt from your dried paper, you’ll note a magical effect! The salt creates a sandy and grainy texture across your page. It also creates a “cracked” effect in the colour. Salt is a cool way to experiment beyond your typical paint and brush watercolour painting setup!

How to paint watercolour flowers

8. Use a Splatter Effect to Increase Dimension

Watercolour paints are versatile beyond beautiful washes and gradient colours. Try a splatter effect from close range or a distance to add dimension and magic to your paintings. This is a really fun way to let off some extra energy (and can be great in the right setting with kids too). Give this technique a try the next time that you need to shake off the nerves or jitters ahead of painting fluidly. Surprise yourself by finding an old piece that you thought was finished, wash it lightly with water, and splatter it with a new colour! You may be surprised by the results.

Watercolour painting

9. Lift Damp Paint with Saran Wrap for a Dimensional Effect

There are a few ways to lift damp paint from a page. Most involve plastic (sometimes balled up paper). Saran wrap is a great and inexpensive tool to add dimension to your watercolour painting. Like the salt method, begin with a pigmented wash that’s fairly damp. Place a sheet of saran wrap on top of the painting and crease or crinkle it on top of the painting. Set your watercolour painting aside to dry and watch how the colour pools beneath the plastic for a magical textured effect.

10. Create a Magical Tie-Dye Effect with Rubbing Alcohol

Watercolour and rubbing alcohol are like oil and water. After painting a wash of colour, try dropping alcohol onto the wet surface and watch the mesmerising effect it creates. If you’re looking for a stunning way to add texture, dimension, and magic – rubbing alcohol is the way to go!

11. Try Crayons for Wax Resist Effect

Almost everyone has tried this technique when learning to paint in childhood. Using a crayon (coloured or white) you can create a watercolour resist technique by simply drawing on your paper ahead of painting. You can build some fairly neat textures by using this technique and layering a few paint colours on top.

12. Create Contrast with a Sharpie or Black Ink

Create a stained glass effect by using a black ink marker or Sharpie on your dried watercolour. The contrast between the magical colours and the harsh black lines are incredibly unique looking. This can be a fun way to create mixed media projects as well. 

Using a similar technique, new artists who have a great imagination and a hand for doodling can opt to randomly paint with one or two watercolours on a canvas. Blob colour throughout and make it swirl with obvious shapes. Allow the piece to dry and return the next day with your black marker. Look at the watercolour wash and see if there are any shapes or images that jump out. Just like looking at clouds in the sky – can you create any beautiful images based on the coloured blobs on your paper? This can also be a really fun activity for kids because of their creative imaginations.

13. Use a Stencil or Pressed Texture

Do you have items around the house that may create a unique texture when painted and pressed on a wet watercolour canvas? Check out leaves or fabric as potential pressed textures for watercolour painting. Wash your canvas in colour and then layer on watercolour paint with a stencil or an item that provides an interesting texture when pressed to the canvas. This one can also be really fun if you’re learning to paint as it can provide direction with a blank canvas.

14. Try Iridescent, Pearlescent Shimmer & Metallic Watercolour Paints

Hummingbird watercolor painting

See also:

Remember that Art is Magically Imperfect!

If you’re finding that the perfectionist in you seems to be holding back your creative ability – try some of these techniques to break down your walls. If you have kids or family members in your life that need a creative outlet, ask them to spend an afternoon with you trying some of these watercolour techniques. Spend time learning to paint with watercolours together.

Remember that art is never about being perfect. It’s about doing your best and following your creative impulses. The greatest artists focused only on their unique magical aesthetic – never on what society told them was beautiful. Make your watercolour painting and techniques your own.


    Painting Watercolour Flowers? 6 Tips Before Starting

    Watercolour painting flowers

    Painting flowers in watercolour is a great choice. Few painting mediums capture the delicate beauty of flower petals in bloom, their inherent translucent nature and natural flow, the way watercolour does. If you are just starting out with watercolour flower painting, here are six things you should know before starting!


    1. Your Painting Style

    There are so many unique styles of watercolour flowers that vary in detail, ranging from ‘loose’ to ‘tight’. Here are some flowers we have painted, and by observing them, you may be able to learn more about your unique style and which one belongs to you…

    How to paint watercolour roses
    Level of Detail: Medium
    Time: 1hr+

    This is a medium-level detail watercolour rose, having been painted over the length of slightly over one hour. With one hour of work, you can achieve this style, which leans more towards the “tight” method, with more adherence to the linework and a mottled variation of colour. Within the petals of the flower, there are several shades of pink, to indicate light and pigment, and, with the time dedicated to it, it is possible to depict the stem and buds around the flower with great detail.

    How to paint watercolour flowers
    Level of Detail: Medium
    Time: 1hr+

    ​This second flower is a different take on the similar level of detail and time dedicated to it, at medium details and one hour of work. Unlike the previous flower, this dusky, brownish flower is a “looser” type of watercolour methodology, with the colours very loosely defining the border of the petals, and with much more abstract and free adherence to minimal line art. The colour has been blended on the paper, rather than on a separate pallette.

    ​These next three flowers illustrate the amount of detail that can be rendered over different lengths of time – the first is a mix of loose and tight elements, with detailed borders and interplay of light, but also more flow and playfulness. The second, however, is a low-detail flower, only having been painted over the course of five minutes. While still lovely, it depends highly on the line art beneath the paint to inform the structure of the flower, as most of the watercolour itself gives the idea of petals, rather than depicting them perfectly.

    How to paint watercolour flowers
    Level of Detail: Medium
    Time: 2hrs+
    How to paint watercolour flowers
    Level of Detail: Low
    Time: 2mins+
    How to paint watercolour roses
    Level of Detail: High
    Time: 8hrs+

    Thirdly, this flower is a high level, eight hour project. With so much time and effort, it can truly come into its own with line art as well as blended and artistic colours.

    Watercolour painting simple easy
    Level of Detail: Medium
    Time: 2hrs+
    How to paint watercolour flowers easy simple
    Level of Detail: Low
    Time: 5mins+
    How to paint watercolour flowers
    Level of Detail: Medium
    Time: 1hr+

    ​These final four examples of flowers all depict various ways and styles for depicting similar flowers: the first, a medium detail flower, shows great variation in colour while building on the sketch layer; the second, a low level detail flower, uses the minimal lines to achieve a playful style; the third and fourth, a combination of line work and loose paint, show the many ways watercolour can depict vibrant colours.

    2. Getting the Right Equipment

    When painting in watercolour, regardless of your medium, one of the best first steps that you can take is to make sure that you have the correct equipment and painting habits that work for your lifestyle.

    For example, you might spend a fair amount of time selecting brushes and paper, and practicing with those until you are comfortable with them, or you might want to spend a long time experimenting with how much water you mix into your pigments to get the desired texture and flow.

    Watercolour painting brushes
    Watercolour painting brushes

    3. Choose a Colour Palette

    When it comes to selecting a colour pallet, this depends broadly on your flower of choice, but it is wise to have at least all primary colours, and a white and black.

    You may mix and create new shades, either on a pallet, or directly on the paper if you feel adventurous, but it is helpful to decide on the type of flower that you’d like to paint in advance.

    Very few flowers are colours that do not have red, blue, or yellow in some variety, and so the primary shades come in handy most of all, but a large part of the personality and grace of watercolour comes through most clearly by having different shades representing different plays of light and shadow on the subject of your painting.

    So, if, for example, you would like to paint a blue flower, such as a wild delphinium, you may want to have at least one shade of very dark blue or purple on hand, in order to capture a sense of depth and light in your artwork. Similarly, red flowers will have inner shades of orange or even yellow, and outer darker shades of maroon or violet.

    Some colour mixes you can make with the basic palette: Yellow + Black = Leaf Green; Yellow + Red = Orange; Red + Pink = White; Red + Blue = Purple 
    Watercolour painting

    Consider also, investing some time looking at flower references online, or even going out and taking pictures of living flowers around your community. A large part of painting in watercolour demands being able to draw the subject first, so you should cultivate an understanding of the general structure and design of the flowers you’re interested in.

    4. Practise Sketching

    Most flowers can be divided into three basic structures, those being the petals, the stem, and the centre of the flower, where the pistil lies.

    Your preliminary sketch of the flower should have all of these parts, with the stem attached to the flower’s centre, and the petals of the flower overlapping to some extent, though that depends on the flower in particular.

    Watercolour is a very loose and free-flowing medium, meaning that it lends better to a sense of a flower, more of an illustration of how flowers feel or appear to look than how they actually are.

    One aspect to consider when sketching is that you want to give yourself enough room to actually fill in, so the sketch doesn’t need to be especially detailed, only giving the bare bones and idea of the flower which can then be expanded on through illustration.

    5. Use of Water

    When it comes to mixing with water, the more water you use, the looser the paint will be, to the point where one interesting method you might want to try is to drip water onto the page in particular segments and then introduce watercolour to the standing water droplets, creating interesting patterns and interplay of colours.

    Experimenting your methods on a loose piece of paper before beginning to paint the flower properly may be a good idea. As for more control, the opposite is also true – the thicker the paint you apply, with fewer water and more pigment, the more control you retain over the flow of the paint. This method in particular can be very useful for painting hard lines, like those within the pistil or stem.

    How to paint with watercolour

    6. Enhance The Watercolour Effects

    Unorthodox methods of painting with watercolour may get you the best results, especially when it comes to creating the natural patterns and structures within the body of the plant.

    For example, you may try to draw the veins with a dry stick, or a small twig, which can help create more organic patterns.

    Similarly, you may create more texture on the paint by carefully adding salt to certain portions of the paper after painting on it, and brushing it off once the paint has dried. The salt granules absorb the water in the watercolour, leaving behind patterns and spots within the painting once taken off that may be interesting, especially within the pistil of the flower.

    Watercolour effects

    Another fun thing to experiment with is to move and articulate the wet paint on the paper even after it has been placed, carefully drawing it away from its original placement to mix shades on the page, drawing out darker colours from the outside in and lighter colours from the inside out to create more realistic variation.

    With so much of your flower complete, you can now focus on the stem and leaves of the flower. While it can be easy to skip over the examination of the stem, it adds a certain layer of beauty to make sure your flower appears cohesive from root to leaf. Some plants grow from bushes with woody stems, while others grow on delicate vines with fine hairs. Continue to experiment and practise, and soon you’ll have a watercolour flower painting method that cannot be matched.


      Watercolour Painting for Beginners (11 Steps to Building Your Confidence)

      watercolour hummingbird painting tutorial

      For centuries, watercolour painting has been a popular art form and often records florals, still life, landscapes and other scenes. The beauty of watercolour paintings lies in the translucent nature of the paint, which can create an ethereal effect. It is one of the most relaxing and creative activities that you can do. It allows you to explore your creativity without limitations, making it an excellent hobby for anyone who enjoys painting or drawing. However, many beginners are intimidated by watercolours because they think it requires technical skills. But skill can only be discovered through initiation and developed with practice.

      This article will discuss 11 steps you can take to get into watercolour painting, highlighting some of the basics you need to know, and how to easily get started.

      1. Appreciate The Beauty Of Watercolour

      The first step to getting into watercolour painting is to appreciate the beauty of this medium. Watercolour painting is recognised for its exquisite and delicate qualities because it is all about thin washes of transparent colours. Artists often use a limited palette of colours to create beautiful and harmonious paintings. The experienced artist can achieve many different shades and hues by using just a few colours.

      Moreover, watercolour paintings are mostly made on paper, and the off-white of the painting surface gives the watercolour art translucency and vibrancy. The light reflecting off the paper presents the paintings with an unmatched luminosity in other mediums.

      By taking the time to appreciate the beauty of watercolour paintings, you can begin to understand why artists have used this medium for centuries.

      2. Look At Other Watercolour Paintings

      Take some time to look at paintings done in watercolour by other artists and appreciate how the paint flows and blends together. Try to find artworks with an ethereal or dream-like quality, as these are often a good representation of what can be achieved with watercolours. You can learn a lot by seeing how other watercolour painters have tackled different subjects and scenes.

      Not only should we look at paintings from our own country or region, but it is also beneficial to see work from all over the world. This will give us a more well-rounded understanding of watercolour painting and its use in different ways.

      Many art museums have collections of watercolour paintings, and these are also great places to start when looking at the work of other artists. Online galleries and art websites are also good sources. They often have high-quality images that allow you to see the details of the painting more clearly.

      To further explore the world of watercolour arts, check out online communities for painters, such as Etsy. There, you will be able to see thousands of beautiful watercolour paintings and get ideas for your work. By looking at other paintings, you can get a sense of the different techniques used and learn about some of the challenges that artists face when working with this medium. You can also understand what type of paintings work well, as some compositions are more suited to this medium than others.

      3. Read Up Beginner’s Guides

      The next step is to read up on various beginner’s guides to watercolour painting. This will give you an understanding of the basics, such as mixing colours and what type of brush to use for different strokes. Once you understand the basic concepts, it will be easier to experiment and create your pieces.

      For those who want an easy and quick guide that will show them how to use watercolour paint, books and articles are also dedicated specifically for this purpose. These resources can be very useful if you do not have any experience working with paints or other materials. Don’t forget about using free resources, too. Websites are often overflowing with articles on watercolour painting that may be useful to those who want reliable advice or direction when it comes to learning the basics.

      4. Understand The Basics of Watercolour Painting

      To start painting in watercolour, it is important to understand the basics of this medium. Watercolours are transparent and mixed together on paper, so it is important to plan your painting well. You need to ponder about what colours you want to use and where they should be applied.

      Watercolour paint can dry quickly, so it is best to work from lightest to darkest for the colours not to get muddy. It is also important to understand how watercolours mix and apply this knowledge when planning your painting before putting the brush on paper. This will ensure that you have a successful painting. Another important aspect is the thickness and texture added to your art by applying different moisture levels with your brush. You can achieve this effect in many ways – from wetting just part of the paper or spattering over an area already painted.

      5. Think About Your Subject

      When starting a painting, you should always take some time to think about the subject matter. By thinking about your subject matter ahead of time, you can develop ideas for how to approach the painting and what techniques might be best suited to your subject. This will make the entire painting process easier and more rewarding because you are working with an idea rather than simply figuring out what to paint once you have started on a blank canvas.

      For example, if you want to do a watercolour painting of fruit in still life fashion, it might be best to select a few different types of fruit and spend time painting them in detail. You can focus on the fruit’s shapes, colours, and textures. On the other hand, if you want to do a landscape painting, it is best to select a scene you are familiar with. This way, you can spend more time on the composition and details of the painting rather than worrying about how to create a realistic landscape.

      6. Purchase Materials For Beginners

      6a. Watercolour Set

      Once you have decided on your subject and gathered some ideas to approach the painting, it is time to start gathering supplies. A basic, all-round watercolour set will be sufficient. This will come with different colours of paint and brushes that are specifically designed for this medium. 

      You can also choose to buy a beginner’s kit based on the type of paints included in it. Most kits have several different types of reds, blues and yellows, which can be a good place for beginners to start. You should not feel limited by the paints that come in your watercolour set. You may choose to add different types of paint over time as you become more comfortable working with this medium and better understand what colours are best suited for certain projects.

      6b. Brushes

      Watercolour brushes come in various shapes and sizes, which can be useful if you want to do detailed work or broader brush strokes. Beyond the standard watercolour set, other items can help make your painting experience more comfortable and enjoyable – such as paper towels for cleaning excess paint off your brush, a palette for mixing paint, and a spray bottle for wetting the painting surface.

      These items can be found at local art or craft stores or online through specialty retailers. It is best to shop around and see what works best for you. There is no “right” way to do things when it comes to art, so find what works best for you and develop on it.

      6c. Paper

      In addition to the watercolour set, brush, and other items, you should also purchase several sheets of different types and sizes of paper. This will allow you to experiment with various techniques and work on a larger scale when necessary. However, many beginners only use one type of paper because they find it easier and more comfortable.

      You should also purchase watercolour paper that is thick and has a good weight, so as to prevent bleeding through the back of your painting.

      7. Start With A Basic Painting Project

      With all the preparations out of the way, you can now start your painting project. 

      You can try many different paintings, but it is usually best to start with a relatively simple piece. This way, you do not become overwhelmed by too much detail or struggle with technical issues such as painting shadows and highlights in watercolour.

      One of the simplest paintings that you can try is a basic landscape or seascape. For this type of painting, you will need to select a scene that you are familiar with and gather reference photos if necessary. It is also helpful to faintly sketch out your composition before starting the actual painting.

      Once your composition is sketched out, you can start painting with the background or most distant scene first (e.g. the sky). This can give you a base to work with and help keep your colours consistent. You can then move on to the land or sea and add additional details such as trees, rocks, or boats.

      It is important to remember that watercolour paintings are not always perfect. In fact, the mistakes and areas of uncertainty often make them unique. This can be an important skill to have as you become more experienced with watercolour painting because this medium does not always work out how you expect or want it to.

      8. Continue Painting

      Once you have completed your first painting, it is time to start working on your next one. 

      This can be a different scene or a continuation of the first painting. You can also experiment with new techniques and styles that you have learned from watching other artists or reading about their work. The sky is the limit, so there are no limits on what type of painting you can do. You can also practice your drawing skills because this will give you a better understanding of how watercolour works and help you create more accurate paintings in the future.

      9. Learn Watercolour Painting Tips

      Now that we have talked about some of the basics of watercolour painting, let’s go over a few more tips to help you on your journey to developing your skills further!

      One of the most important things to remember is that it is all about experimenting. Because this medium can be unpredictable, you will need to embrace this by trying different techniques and seeing how they work out for your art. For example, if you want to add more depth with colour, try using a wet brush to lift some of the colours from your painting surface. In addition, if you are having trouble with a particular area of your painting, wait for it to dry and then paint over that spot. This will give you a clean slate that has been primed by watercolour paint already.

      Watercolour is an incredibly versatile medium, so don’t be afraid to try different things and see what works for you.

      10. Learn Watercolour Techniques Over Time

      As you become more and more confident, you can start practicing various techniques that will help give life to your project. Some of the most common techniques include Wet on Wet and Dry Brush. However, beginners should be aware of other types such as Washes and Glazes. If possible, practice these techniques before trying them on a real project so that you can get the hang of them and feel more comfortable with your brushes.

      Wet on Wet Technique

      The Wet on Wet technique is a popular technique because it is relatively simple and gives a painter a lot of control over their work. This technique involves painting on top of already wet paint, which allows for seamless transitions between colours and helps maintain the freshness of the paint.

      You will need to wet your paper with a brush before adding the paint to use this technique. You can then start painting with various colours and watch as they blend to create a beautiful artwork. It is essential to work quickly because the paint will dry relatively fast when using this technique.

      Dry Brush Technique 

      The Dry Brush technique is the opposite of the Wet on Wet Technique. Instead, it involves painting with a brush with very little paint. This will allow you to create more detailed artwork and highlights in your painting while maintaining the overall colours.

      To use this technique, you will need to load your brush with paint and then dab off the excess until it is mostly dry. You can then start painting in the desired areas, adding more paint as needed. This technique is often used for paintings with many details, such as roses and other flowers.

      Washes

      The Wash technique is another popular option for watercolour paintings because it gives a painter flexibility and control. This technique involves adding a large amount of paint to your brush and then using broad strokes to cover the entire area. You can then go back in and add details with the Dry Brush or the Wet on Wet technique. This technique is perfect for paintings with many colours and can create beautiful landscapes, flowers, and other scenes.

      Glazes

      The Glaze technique is similar to the wash technique. However, it involves adding less paint to your brush and using it more subtly. This will help you add highlights and depth to your painting without overpowering the colours.

      To use this technique, you will need to mix a small amount of paint with water until it is thin enough to be used as a glaze. You can then start applying it in the desired areas, building up the layers for more impact. Glazes are often used to create landscapes and portraits.

      11. Practice Every Day

      No matter which techniques match your style, it is important to practice regularly to improve your skills. This can be done by painting simple objects such as flowers or leaves in real life or from reference photos. The more you practice, the better you will become and the more confident you will feel when it comes time to start painting something original.

      Final Words

      Watercolour painting can be fun and a great way to express yourself artistically. By learning the different techniques and practicing every day, you can create beautiful paintings that bring joy to others. If you are just starting, keep practicing the interesting techniques, and don’t be afraid to experiment. You can always start a new sheet if something goes wrong or add more watercolour paints until it looks right.

      The sky is the limit for watercolour painting, so have fun and let your creativity flow. Get your paints and brushes and get started on this exciting journey into the world of watercolour painting!


        Inspiration From The Natural World To Begin Painting With Watercolours 

        how to paint a watercolour dragonfly

        Watercolour is a wonderful paint to work with and has a natural edge that embodies the outdoors. It is a concentrated paint that is mixed with water to create a medium that leads to translucent, delicate tones.

        It is usually made of a main colour pigment, a binding ingredient to stick it together and a few additives to stablise the paint.

        There are more natural watercolour paints as well as synthetic versions to choose from, and they both behave similarly on the page, so it is dependent on your personal preference. It is a vastly different medium to acrylic or oil paint, as the colour pigment is held within the water until it is placed on the paper, where it will dry very quickly. This means artistic decisions need to be made confidently and with haste, as mistakes cannot be easily hidden. 

        Saying that, watercolour is a wonderful place to begin a painting journey, or continue with your artistry. But there may be some learning curves along the way due to the delicate nature of the paint. 

        Watercolours are, however, incredibly easy to transport, simple to work with, do not have a strong smell like oil-based paint and at the end of your session, the paint comes off the brushes with ease. 

        What do I need to get started? 

        To begin, you will need good quality paper, around 300gsm, or canvas that is sturdy enough to withstand the elements and be transported.

        Watercolour paints are very convenient to travel with, as they are concentrated so usually come in a small box with a variety of different colours.

        It is always a good idea to bring spare paper, or a sketchbook, as well as something to keep you warm and comfortable. 

        Inspiration from the Natural World 

        The best advice to get inspiration from nature is to go outdoors! If you are looking to gain some inspiration from the natural world, then there is no better place to start than by immersing yourself in nature. 

        By planning a painting excursion that will take you outside, it will allow you to look directly at what you are trying to paint, which will certainly help with the artistic process. It also allows you to have a deeper connection with the natural landscape, as you can use your other senses to feel everything around you, which will add an extra layer to your art.

        If you are unable to get out into nature, then having a large, good quality picture of the landscape you wish to paint is the next best thing. 

        Trees

        Now, you should begin to focus on what objects in nature you feel connected to and this will greatly depend on the environment you are in. Large trees tend to evoke a sense of wonder and act as a perfect muse for painting. They have many different details and elements to focus on that all come together to form a magnificent natural structure that might have been growing for hundreds of years. Trees are also home to many other creatures, which may make an appearance in your painting. 

        painting trees
        Photo by Anton Atanasov


        Flowers

        Looking a little closer to the ground, flowers are very inspiring as they are colourful, embody vitality and are certainly beautiful to look at.

        There are so many varieties of flowers all in different colours, which means you can experiment with which you like to paint, and which suits your style best. 

        Flowers have very different connotations which may also help with inspiring your work; for example, roses are associated with love, daffodils with new beginnings and lilies with the loss of a loved one. Watercolours are excellent for painting trees and plants as they reflect the delicateness of these natural systems.

        See also

        selective focus photography of orange petaled flower
        Photo by Susanne Jutzeler


        Rivers, Lakes & Oceans

        Naturally, the water is another great outlet for providing inspiration when painting with watercolours. The clear, flowing texture of the paint on the paper perfectly encapsulates the natural state of rivers, lakes and the ocean. There is a lot of depth of colour within water, which can highlight different shades of blue, green and grey depending on the time of day or weather, providing you with many opportunities to feel inspired. 

        photo of common kingfisher flying above river
        Photo by Monique Laats

        There is a lot to practice and learn when painting bodies of water, as it is a difficult texture to master, but watercolour is one of the best paints to use for this task.  

        Mountains & Hills

        Landscapes such as mountains, rolling hills, and even unique wetlands are another location to look for inspiration. The vastness of this natural landscape will allow you to look outside of yourself and feel at one with the freeing feelings associated with nature. 

        Watercolours are good at building delicate textures by creating highlights and shadows, which is perfect forrecreating these rich landscapes. 

        landscape photography of mountain


        Painting Methods & Techniques

        A way to feel more connected with your painting, is to work with your natural medium and use it within your art. 

        If you are by a body of water, an option is to soak the paper in the lake or ocean to allow the paint to run and give your art a natural edge. 

        There is another technique where you add salt into the paints to add texture, or even collect the water, add it to a spray bottle with the watercolour paint and spray this onto your canvas to create a splattering effect.

        Similarly, you could press petals or leaves into your painting before it dries or use them as stamps to add a natural flair to your work, inspiring you to create new and exciting art pieces.

        creative art

        Final Words

        Remember to try different locations for varied experiences, or alternatively, visit the same area at different times of the year. The forest might provide you with inspiration as the sun peeks through the trees during the spring, while bright, clear winter days at the beach might lead to a new breakthrough with your art.

        Additionally, do not be afraid to take your painting to a more abstract level by using senses other than your eyes.

        Most importantly, remember to respect the natural world you are in by leaving no trace, and keeping these beautiful areas pristine and protected.