Before You Begin
This tutorial uses a simple subject, such as a single leaf, a pear or a lemon. A basic shape makes it easier to focus on the process rather than the drawing. If drawing itself holds you back, see why drawing feels so hard. If you want background first, read our overview of watercolor painting basics for beginners.
Step 1: Set Up Your Supplies
Gather watercolor paper, a medium round brush, a small round brush, a few paints, a palette, two jars of water and a paper towel. Tape the paper’s edges to a board with masking or painter’s tape. This helps reduce buckling and leaves a clean border when you remove the tape later.
Step 2: Make a Light Pencil Sketch
Draw your subject lightly with a soft pencil (our guide to which pencils are best for drawing explains the grades). Heavy graphite lines can show through transparent paint and are hard to erase once painted over. Keep the drawing simple: an outline and perhaps a few guidelines for where the light falls.
Step 3: Mix Your Colors on the Palette
Mix more paint than you think you will need for the large areas, because running out mid-wash is a common problem. Test the color on a scrap of the same paper. Watercolor usually dries lighter than it looks when wet, so it helps to check. For more on mixes, see mixing colors in watercolor.
Step 4: Apply the First Light Wash
Begin with the lightest color over the main shape. You can wet the area first for a soft look, or paint on dry paper for sharper edges. Leave small areas of bare paper where the brightest highlights will be. Tilt the board slightly if you want the paint to pool gently at the bottom, then avoid fiddling with it as it dries.
Step 5: Let It Dry, Then Add Mid-Tones
Wait until the paper no longer feels cool or damp. Then add a second layer in the areas of medium value, such as the side of the fruit away from the light. This layering of transparent washes is often called glazing. For this and other terms, see the watercolor vocabulary guide.
Step 6: Add Darks and Details
Use less water and more pigment for the darkest areas, such as the shadow underneath the subject and any small details. Use the smaller brush. Keep details sparing; a few well-placed darks often add more depth than many small marks.
Step 7: Dry, Remove the Tape, and Review
Let the painting dry completely. Then peel the tape away slowly, pulling at a low angle away from the painting. Step back and look at what worked and what you would change. Keeping a short note on each painting helps you improve over time. See how to improve your painting for more habits.
Mistakes to Watch For
- Overworking the first wash. Place the color and leave it.
- Skipping drying time. Layers over damp paint can blur or turn muddy.
- Starting with the darkest color. It is hard to lighten later.
- Using too many colors. Two or three are often plenty for a first piece.
Quick Answers
Do you wet the paper before watercoloring? Sometimes. Wet paper gives soft blends, and dry paper gives crisp edges. Try both on scraps.
What is the golden rule of watercolor? A commonly cited guideline is to work from light to dark and keep the paper’s white for highlights.
For more subjects after this one, try the easy watercolor painting ideas, or look at techniques that improve your results.