When I first picked up a watercolor set, I thought it would be easy—dip the brush, add water, and watch the colors flow. Spoiler alert: my early paintings looked more like accidental coffee stains than dreamy watercolor landscapes. 😅 If you’ve ever sat down with a fresh sheet of watercolor paper and ended up frustrated by muddy colors, blotchy textures, or flat, lifeless paintings, trust me—you’re not alone.
I’ve been there. But over time (and lots of trial and error), I figured out some game-changing techniques that completely transformed the way I paint. Today, I want to share nine things I did that really improved my watercolor paintings. Think of this as a casual chat between watercolor friends, where I spill what worked, what didn’t, and how you can avoid the mistakes I made.
Let’s dive in!
1. I Switched to the Right Paper
At first, I used any paper I had lying around. Big mistake. Watercolor is all about the surface—and cheap printer paper can’t handle the water.
Here’s what I learned:
- Cold-pressed watercolor paper (usually 140 lb / 300 gsm) is the sweet spot. It has just enough texture to grab the pigment without being too rough.
- Hot-pressed paper is smoother and great for fine details, but less forgiving.
- Weight matters—lighter papers buckle and warp when you add water.
Once I invested in proper watercolor paper, my colors stopped bleeding out like ink on tissue. If you’ve only been using sketchbook paper, switching is like night and day.
2. I Learned to Control Water
Watercolor is basically a balancing act between pigment and water. Too much water? Your paint floods everywhere. Too little? Your brush scratches across the page.
What helped me was practicing with a single brush and one color:
- I dipped the brush in clean water, then dabbed it on a paper towel to adjust the moisture.
- I made swatches ranging from very watery washes to deep, concentrated pigment.
- I started noticing how water pooled, spread, and dried differently.
This little exercise taught me that watercolor isn’t just about color—it’s about learning the language of water. Once you get that, everything else falls into place.
3. I Stopped Overmixing Colors
Raise your hand if you’ve ever tried mixing three or four colors together, only to end up with a sad, muddy brown. (Yep, guilty!)
What finally clicked for me was this: less is more. Watercolors naturally blend on the paper, so you don’t need to overmix them on your palette. Instead:
- Stick to mixing two colors max at first.
- Let the paint mix directly on the paper by dropping one color next to another.
- Remember that transparent layering (glazing) is better than dumping every color into one puddle.
Suddenly, my paintings looked fresh instead of muddy.
4. I Practiced Layering (a.k.a. Glazing)
This was HUGE for me. In watercolor, you can build depth by painting in layers. But you have to let each layer dry completely before adding the next.
Think of it like this:
- First layer → the foundation wash (light tones).
- Second layer → midtones and shadows.
- Third layer → final details, accents, or contrast.
By layering, I started creating depth in my paintings instead of flat, one-dimensional blobs of color. Patience is key, though—don’t rush the drying process.
5. I Started Using Better Brushes
For the longest time, I thought brushes didn’t matter. I used cheap packs with stiff bristles that shed all over my paintings. Not cute.
Here’s what I switched to:
- Round brushes (sizes 6–10) for most work—they’re versatile and hold a good amount of water.
- Flat brushes for washes and backgrounds.
- Detail brushes (sizes 0–2) for fine lines and accents.
The difference? Night and day. Better brushes hold water evenly and give you way more control. IMO, it’s worth investing in at least one quality round brush to start.
6. I Learned to Love Negative Space
At first, I painted over everything and wondered why my paintings looked messy. Then I realized: watercolor isn’t just about what you paint—it’s about what you don’t paint.
Leaving areas of white paper untouched adds brightness and contrast. For example:
- Skip painting highlights on glass, eyes, or shiny objects.
- Use masking fluid or painter’s tape to preserve sections.
- Think of the white paper as part of your composition.
The moment I started embracing negative space, my paintings looked instantly more professional.
7. I Paid Attention to Light and Shadows
Watercolor shines when you capture light. Instead of painting “things,” I started painting how light hit those things.
Here’s what worked:
- Choose a clear light source (like top left) and stay consistent.
- Add shadows in complementary tones instead of just black (e.g., blue shadows for warm objects).
- Remember that shadows are softer in watercolor—they shouldn’t look like harsh outlines.
My work suddenly had more depth and realism, even when I painted loose, sketchy styles.
8. I Experimented with Techniques
Honestly, this part was the most fun. I gave myself permission to play—and watercolor is perfect for experimenting. Some techniques that leveled up my skills:
- Wet-on-wet → drop paint on a wet surface for dreamy, flowing effects.
- Dry brush → use less water for texture and rough strokes.
- Salt sprinkling → creates cool starburst patterns as the salt absorbs pigment.
- Lifting → blotting out pigment with a tissue or clean brush to add highlights.
- Splattering → flick paint for spontaneous, lively textures.
These little tricks gave my paintings personality and made the process way more exciting.
9. I Practiced (Like, A Lot)
Okay, I know this sounds obvious, but it’s worth saying: practice really is the secret sauce.
At one point, I challenged myself to paint a mini watercolor sketch every day for a month. Not masterpieces—just 10-minute studies of leaves, skies, or random doodles.
What happened?
- My brush control improved.
- I stopped fearing “mistakes” because I painted so often.
- I built confidence and started developing my own style.
The more I painted, the less I overthought. And that’s when watercolor really started to feel fun.
Conclusion
So, there you have it—nine things I did to seriously improve my watercolor paintings. From switching to proper paper and brushes, to learning how to control water and embrace negative space, each step brought me closer to creating paintings I actually felt proud of.
If you’re struggling with watercolor right now, don’t give up. Remember: it’s not about perfection, it’s about enjoying the process. Try one or two of these tips in your next painting and see what happens.
And hey, if your first attempt still looks more like a coffee spill than a sunset? Don’t stress. We’ve all been there. Just keep painting, keep experimenting, and most importantly—have fun with it. After all, watercolor is supposed to feel as fluid and unpredictable as the paint itself.
Now grab that brush, splash some color, and let’s see what magic you can create. 🎨
