How to Pick an Easy Subject
Easy subjects tend to share a few traits: simple shapes, few colors, and forgiving results if the paint spreads a little. Choosing one idea at a time and focusing on one skill, such as an even wash or a soft blend, is more useful than trying to paint something complicated. If you have not painted before, start with our watercolor basics for beginners or the first painting tutorial.
Abstract Shapes and Color Swatches
These are good warm-ups because there is no wrong result.
- Color swatches: Paint squares or circles in different colors and mix a few of them together.
- Simple circles: Practice a round shape with an even wash, then try dropping in a second color while it is still damp.
- Geometric patterns: Paint shapes with crisp edges on dry paper, leaving thin gaps between them.
- Gradient strips: Start with strong color and add water to make it fade.
Washes and Skies
- Sunset sky: Blend two or three warm colors on damp paper.
- Blue sky with clouds: Paint a blue wash and lift out soft cloud shapes with a tissue or damp brush (see how to paint clouds in watercolor).
- Night sky: Use a dark blue or purple wash, then add small light dots with white gouache or leave small unpainted gaps.
- Rainy day: Soft gray washes with a few vertical streaks.
Simple Plants and Flowers
- Single leaf: Paint one shape, then add a vein with a small brush.
- Eucalyptus branch: A thin line for the stem with a row of simple oval leaves is a classic line-and-wash exercise.
- Loose flowers: Dab round blobs of color, then add a few darker spots near the center for depth.
- Tulips or daisies: Use a few petals with one color and a simple green stem.
Fruit and Everyday Objects
- Lemon or pear: Basic rounded forms with one light wash and a shadow on one side.
- Pebbles or stones: Several rounded gray or brown shapes with a darker shadow beneath each. This helps you practice shading.
- Mug or teacup: A simple outline with a flat wash and a bit of shadow.
- Vegetables: Carrots, radishes and mushrooms have simple shapes and bold color.
Easy Landscapes
- Hills in layers: Paint a row of overlapping hills, making each one darker as it gets closer.
- Simple lighthouse by the sea: Mostly straight shapes with a light sky.
- Beach and waves: A band of sky, a band of water, and a band of sand.
- Silhouette trees: Dark, loose tree shapes against a pale sunset wash.
Seasonal Ideas
- Autumn leaves: Warm yellows, oranges and reds mixed loosely.
- Pumpkins: Rounded shapes with curved lines for ridges.
- Winter pines: Simple triangular trees with a pale sky.
- Spring blossom: Soft pink dabs over a branch line.
Tips to Keep It Easy
- Limit your palette to two or three colors per painting.
- Use small paper, perhaps postcard size, so each attempt is quick.
- Sketch lightly in pencil first (see how to draw for watercolor painting), or skip the sketch for loose subjects.
- Let each layer dry before adding more, as mentioned in our guide to watercolor tricks.
- Keep finished practice pieces together so you can see your progress.
Do You Wet the Paper First?
For soft subjects such as skies and blurred backgrounds, wetting the paper first helps. For crisp subjects such as geometric shapes and fine details, dry paper is usually easier. If you are not sure which terms to use when following a tutorial, our watercolor vocabulary guide explains them.
Where to Go from Here
Pick two or three ideas from this list and repeat them a few times. Repeating a simple subject is a good way to notice what changes, and many painters find it more helpful than constantly switching to new subjects. If you are still deciding whether watercolor suits you, read whether watercolor painting is easy.