Getting Started with Watercolor Painting
Watercolor paintings are soft, beautiful and truly unique. Unlike many other styles of painting which are strict or rigid, using watercolors allows you to let the paint flow and layer to create beautiful, luminous paintings.
Painting with watercolors is not as easy as you might think, however, it is a very fun and rewarding artistic medium and can be great for anyone to start regardless of their age or experience level. Here are some tips on getting started with watercolor painting.
One of the best things about painting with watercolors is that it does not cost a lot of money to get set up. To get started you will need some good quality watercolor brushes in an assortment of shapes and sizes, some high quality water color paper, good quality watercolor paints, water and an area to work.
Watercolors usually go best when painted laying flat rather than up on an easel because if they are angled the water and paint can run.
As you start painting with watercolors there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. First, one of the biggest mistakes that people make when using watercolors is trying to control the paint. Instead, you need to learn how the water works with the paper and then use that knowledge to anticipate how best to use the paints on the paper to create the effect that you want, allowing them to do the work for you.
You should also experiment with layering the paint colors to create unique effects and depth in your paintings. With watercolor you should allow the layers of paint to dry before adding another unless you want the colors to blend together.
When you are first learning to paint with watercolors you should spend a good deal of time practicing mixing colors, painting lines, allowing the paint to float out into water to create soft effects, and trying to achieve a variety of other effects.
Don’t worry too much about making great paintings when you are just getting started. Instead learn to use the watercolors to their fullest capacity and then you can start incorporating the things you have learned into your paintings.
Most importantly, allow yourself to be a beginner. Many people get stressed out about starting to paint and expect to make incredible paintings right out of the gate. When that doesn’t happen they get frustrated and just give up, thinking they were not meant to be a painter.
In fact, though, just like anything worth doing in life, learning to paint takes time and effort and you are going to have some flops before you have a great painting.
The important thing is to learn from your failed paintings and keep at it until you reach the level you want. Painting should be fun - not difficult or stressful! Let go of your inner perfectionist and just enjoy yourself. Before you know it you will be creating beautiful watercolor paintings that you will be proud to display.
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