Watercolor is such a unique, fun way to paint. We all painted with watercolors as children. Now try it as an adult.

Choose Quality Brushes

Choose brushes that have quality bristles. You do not need to spend a lot of money. Choose one or two brushes of high quality instead of a large pack of brushes that lack quality. Experiment with different types. I enjoy painting with bamboo brushes.

Purchase Watercolor Paper

Normal art paper will bleed when you apply watercolor to it. Choose a quality watercolor pad designed specifically for watercolor. I recommend something similar to the Strathmore 400 Series. They are high quality and reasonably priced.

Quality Watercolor Paints

Don’t be tempted into buying the same watercolor paints you used as a child. There are quality watercolor paints where all the colors are on a single pallet. If you do choose a pallet look for “semi moist”. I own the Yaka Semi Moist Pan Set and the quality is great for the price. These are not the only type of watercolor paints.

You can also buy watercolors in individual tubes. You purchase separate palettes and use those to mix the paint. No matter which type you choose you will have to choose what to paint.

Pick Simple Subjects to Paint

When starting out, stick to simple subjects. These include landscapes and florals. Don’t push yourself to create complicated, detailed artwork. Develop your skills with simple subjects and expand from there.

How to Start (semi moist pan set)

Wet the brush and dip it in the color of your choice. This will create a darker hue (lightness vs. darkness) of your desired color. Each time you add water to your brush the hue will become lighter. Contrasts created by the light and dark will give depth to your painting.

If you give watercolor a try I want to hear from you.

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