Art Techniques: Starting To Paint With Watercolours

You do not need a big studio to start watercolour painting. Quite the opposite, you can do a small painting while sitting in your favourite chair. You require very little equipment to begin. A few brushes, some tubes of paint, paper, a pot of water, palette and something to rest on and you’re away.

You have none of the smell with watercolours that you get with oils. There’s no messing around with thinning liquids or white spirit to clean your brushes. Simply dipping the brush in water and wiping it with a cloth is enough to clean it. It is the ideal medium to begin painting with.

I keep all my watercolour painting equipment in a box easel. This shuts up when not in use and is placed neatly away, taking little room. When I want to paint, I simply take it out and open the easel. Within minutes, I’m ready to begin.

It’s not expensive to begin watercolour painting. You can get all you need relatively cheaply. It’s also the most portable of the painting mediums. You can easily pack all you need into a small bag and go do some outdoor painting. You can even carry wallet-sized palettes in your pocket to capture scenes from everyday life.

It is also a very quick medium to use. Paintings don’t take long to dry. You can use a small hair dryer to speed the drying process. Compare this with oils which can take days to dry. There’s little mess with watercolours and any spillages can easily be wiped clean. Apart from the practical aspects of starting watercolour painting, there’s also the wonderful artistic effects that can be achieved with this medium.

Watercolours offer the painter a whole range of techniques to experiment with; Slight variations of tone are achieved easily, and can create beautiful effects. You will still have to take some time to learn the techniques. Learning how to do washes, an essential skill of the watercolour artist ,should be your first lesson.

You can easily practice this sat at a table. Once you’ve applied a few washes and studied how adding more water than paint to your brush produces one effect and adding more paint produces another. You will soon begin to appreciate the beauty of this medium. Happy accidents can be very happy with watercolours; and you can achieve beautiful effects when two colours mix on damp paper.

Effects that you can never repeat. If you were thinking of learning to paint then I would strongly recommend you start with watercolours. Perfecting your art is a lifelong process, but learning the basics is quiet simple. You’ll be surprised how quickly you can produce wonderful paintings.

SourcedFrom The artist says: Thanks for reading my contemporary art blog! If you are involved in the art and culture industry in any way, and would like to syndicate content from or to this blog, or if you simply enjoy art and would like to get in touch, please leave a comment! This article has been kindly provided by: articlesbase

Posted by admin   @   6 March 2010
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Mar 6, 2010
7:56 am
#1 robinpedrero :

RT Watercolor Cubist Rhino; 31 Days of Rhinos: http://digg.com/d31Knwg?t. I digg it so much that i dugg it

Mar 6, 2010
7:58 am
#2 leighpod :

If Klimt’s not-really-talented second cousin did supervillains: http://ow.ly/i/E4D (watercolor on Berkeley brand paper)

Mar 6, 2010
9:18 am
#3 lauriesdesigns :

Watercolor Art Prints Cards Bookmarks and more lauriesdesigns http://bit.ly/87Y5LT Lots of cute cards here!

Mar 6, 2010
9:17 pm
#4 byrdinflight :

Working with a watercolor pencil/colored pencil mixed medium for the final stage of this major illustration project. Can’t wait to share!

Mar 7, 2010
9:18 am
#5 IndusLogic :

Playing with Watercolor Brushes and Masks in Pixelmator http://ow.ly/16JUGU

Mar 7, 2010
9:18 pm
#6 CindyWray :

Love her one of my fav actress !!RT http://twitpic.com/17a6io – Rachel McAdams in a Elie Saab pastel watercolor dress

Mar 8, 2010
9:19 am
#7 AbbeyFitzgerald :

RT 25 Examples of Watercolor Art in Web Design http://bit.ly/c6rgBn

Mar 8, 2010
9:18 pm
#8 jennydevildoll :

This new Strathmore watercolor paper tends to curl more. >:(

Mar 9, 2010
9:20 am
#9 admiralradley :

Gulf of Mexico 1974….. Misty watercolor memories……
http://twitpic.com/17jsqe

Mar 9, 2010
9:20 pm
#10 willistyling :

RT 25 Examples of Watercolor Art in Web Design http://bit.ly/dAmgR9

Mar 10, 2010
9:19 am
#11 emieralbawazier :

Maggie Gyllenhaal,Maggie’s watercolor-frock?This colorful look would have been better at a summer wedding.(di dressny da gambar semut gede2)

Mar 10, 2010
9:17 pm
#12 iCraft :

Watercolor Yoga Mat Tote: Measurements are:

28″L by 12″H by 3 1/2″D with double handles … http://tinyurl.com/ydl9jgk iCraft.ca

Mar 11, 2010
9:19 am
#13 howtwo :

[評価待ち] fairbanks watercolor society calendar http://bit.ly/bSwjP1

Mar 11, 2010
9:17 pm
#14 Hollyc93 :

Watercolor, done!

Mar 12, 2010
9:17 am
#15 dcypher_ :

Inspiration: Wonderful Watercolor Websites http://j.mp/9Po3ej

Mar 12, 2010
9:18 pm
#16 marceloj :

Watercolor sent to France, Les Timbrés de L’Art Postal http://migre.me/nU1g ~ Blog update

Mar 13, 2010
9:17 am
#17 piajimenez :

I officially hate watercolor pencils!

Mar 13, 2010
9:17 pm
#18 shopping_web :

TheBalm For Keeps(TM) Watercolor Lip Stains Plum Berry / Brown Sugar http://bit.ly/cLEfez

Mar 14, 2010
9:34 am
#19 missesglass :

I’m still having 2nd thoughts.. Should I start my VC plate again? Watercolor is soo difficult gusto ko magposter :( ((

Mar 14, 2010
10:17 am
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Get it at Zazzle Haute Couture Black and White Watercolor Perfect Decor! http://bit.ly/Jfj2H

Mar 14, 2010
10:18 pm
#21 NVanReece :

http://twitpic.com/18oj8l – watercolor doodle of the day – bike ride?

Mar 15, 2010
10:20 am
#22 CherFineArt :

Just Listed:Terrier Mix pup, Original Watercolor with pen and ink : CherilynnFineArt – ArtFire Painting http://goo.gl/Ekhk

Mar 15, 2010
10:20 pm
#23 NVanReece :

http://twitpic.com/18v9k1 – watercolor doodle of the day : N. Sra De Guadalupe

Mar 16, 2010
10:21 am
#24 Staubiger :

RT Create a Watercolor-Themed Website Design with Photoshop – Psdtuts+ http://bit.ly/6CthRO

Mar 16, 2010
10:20 pm
#25 NVanReece :

http://twitpic.com/1921nv – watercolor doodle of the day: the sun begins to set on winter. Only 4 watercolor doodles left in the series.

Mar 17, 2010
10:18 am
#26 UnderworldMagz :
Mar 17, 2010
10:20 pm
#27 funnywebsites :

Eat Sleep Draw!: self-portrait, watercolor :)

http://littleyeomans.tumblr.com/: self-portrait, watercolor :)

htt… http://bit.ly/9skT8T

Mar 17, 2010
10:20 pm
#28 YGGalleryRow :

The next Sierra Second Saturday workshop will be “Path of Light”, a watercolor/mixed media class on April 10 or 11… http://bit.ly/9jngUL

Mar 18, 2010
10:18 am
#29 musingdesign :

RT Freebie: WG Watercolor Brushes Vol1 http://enva.to/cm0Ni9

Mar 18, 2010
10:20 pm
#30 JaneticsInk :

I’m going to paint a watercolor Animal theme. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m going to do some sketching

Mar 19, 2010
10:21 am
#31 blaz_boy :

RT 40 Artistic and Beautiful Watercolor Paintings http://bit.ly/cvXGGT

Mar 19, 2010
10:20 pm
#32 slfashionnews :

Paint Jinkies with Watercolor:
Jinkies! has new gifts available.  The baby blue Watercolors mini dres… http://bit.ly/cPflyC

Mar 20, 2010
10:18 am
#33 valeriestorey :

This time last week I would have been at watercolor class by now. Class is finished. Will have to paint on my own today.

Mar 20, 2010
10:17 pm
#34 numexicomtngirl :

Watercolor, original of aspen tree for sale on etsy http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39440996

Mar 21, 2010
10:20 am
#35 Ianmurphyartist :

Watercolor Exhibit Scheduled For El Dorado Nature Center: Long Beach, CA – Long Beach, CA ndash A month-long water… http://bit.ly/bHEtoV

Mar 21, 2010
10:20 pm
#36 Reves :

Watercolor of Siegen Altstadt HDR http://flic.kr/p/7MvUBb

Mar 22, 2010
10:22 am
#37 drewyowell :

your watercolor memories only reveal more
of what I’ve come to know
nothing’s set in stone…”

the new album now at drewyowell.com

Mar 22, 2010
10:22 am
#38 Cheries_art :

RT All of my watercolor ATCs/ACEOs at ArtFre are ON ~> http://ow.ly/1pkxs

Mar 22, 2010
10:18 pm
#39 CelebrityOMG :

3 Kids Paint Recipes: Scratch and Sniff Watercolor Paint, Bathtub Finger Paints, Sidewalk Paint http://aclnk.com/ar2805718

Mar 23, 2010
10:22 am
#40 BeadazzleMeClay :

Polymer Clay Watercolor Earrings in my Etsy Jewelry shop http://bit.ly/a8xbb5 great gift idea!

Mar 23, 2010
10:21 pm
#41 CreatorsPalette :

I Agree!!! :-) RT: There must be watercolor paints in heaven !

Mar 24, 2010
10:18 am
#42 MrIdahosVintage :

VINTAGE WATERCOLOR EDITH MARTIN maxi dress by MrIdahosVintage http://bit.ly/aATHbT
beautiful vintage dress..rock and roll..its COOL

Mar 24, 2010
10:20 pm
#43 marcofsky :

Creating a beautiful watercolor.

Mar 25, 2010
10:19 am
#44 jclaramae :

is cramming. 2 watercolor plates. 1 baby thesis. 5 fashion drawings. 1 classroom redesign. http://plurk.com/p/4cd2h4

Mar 25, 2010
10:21 pm
#45 ADRIENNEROGER :

Laura Glenn’s watercolor “Opening” is an abstraction that feels like a breath of fresh air. http://tweetphoto.com/15816611

Mar 26, 2010
10:18 am
#46 InkOutside :

In a waiting room… wanting to use watercolor but have no water. Wait! An idea: http://twitpic.com/1b1dp0

Mar 26, 2010
10:21 pm
#47 nyctreeman :

La Bella Otero – 1960 Watercolor by Samuel Montealegre http://item.ebay.com/330417420942
Listed Latin American artist, bid now bitches :P

Mar 27, 2010
10:21 am
#48 MrIdahosVintage :

VINTAGE WATERCOLOR EDITH MARTIN maxi dress by MrIdahosVintage http://bit.ly/aATHbT
i AM JUST LOVEN THIS GREAT HIPPIE VINTAGE DRESS

Mar 27, 2010
10:21 pm
#49 jellybeans1 :

Blog updated! :o ) http://jellybeansart.blogspot.com/ something from my watercolor sketchbook

Mar 28, 2010
10:21 am
#50 tr4cy :

Watching Snake In The Eagle’s Shadow while I try to settle my tummy and the kids watercolor.

Mar 28, 2010
10:18 pm
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RT Get it at Zazzle Haute Couture Black and White Watercolor Perfect Decor! http://bit.ly/Jfj2H

Mar 29, 2010
10:20 am
#52 michaelmatz :

excited about our new website for watersound beach, watercolor, seagrove beach, rosemary beach, alys beach and the rest of 30A

Mar 29, 2010
10:19 pm
#53 rekueru :

I fail at watercolor. Yeah.

Mar 30, 2010
10:19 am
#54 DeOliveraTwigg :

Check out these 37 WaterCOLOR WoWs! http://bit.ly/cTyd7N

Mar 30, 2010
10:19 pm
#55 nianiatan :

Nice! RT A Showcase of Watercolor in Web Design http://bit.ly/bhHT4e

Mar 31, 2010
10:21 am
#56 teakster :
Mar 31, 2010
10:21 pm
#57 graphical_force :

RT A Showcase of Watercolor in Web Design. http://bit.ly/9uOVzZ

Apr 1, 2010
10:22 am
#58 linhandley :

Been in school too long, in a month I can get back to the fun things in life. Quilting, watercolor and my grandbabies!!

Apr 1, 2010
10:19 pm
#59 ricklondon :

Watercolor Floral Teal Purple Rust Cream – Tile Pen Holders by Designs http://bit.ly/cvozQM

Apr 2, 2010
10:19 am
#60 crazybutts :

ShitZz! Cnt focus on project! I feel like painting…. But my palette n watercolor all gone.. I cnt paint, I jus like to anyhow draw…urge!

Apr 2, 2010
10:21 pm
#61 clancy66 :

early morning to sketch, paint and watercolor. maybe even a workout. then rest the rest of the day.

Apr 3, 2010
10:21 am
#62 elainebiss :

Get it at Zazzle Haute Couture Black and White Watercolor Perfect Decor! http://bit.ly/Jfj2H

Apr 3, 2010
10:21 pm
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Get it at Zazzle Haute Couture Black and White Watercolor Perfect Decor! http://bit.ly/Jfj2H

Apr 4, 2010
10:21 am
#64 lindabutterfly :

Celebrate Spring with this watercolor http://ping.fm/ZWQEq ‘Nature’s first green is gold’

Apr 4, 2010
10:21 pm
#65 elainebiss :

Get it at Zazzle Haute Couture Black and White Watercolor Perfect Decor! http://bit.ly/Jfj2H

Apr 5, 2010
10:21 am
#66 ikhwan88 :

kiteorng tekap tru monitor then kaler watercolor. wafi tlg color utk watercolor.. liesa try guna marker.. korng mcm mane?

Apr 5, 2010
10:20 pm
#67 GamblingSecrets :

PaintwithJohn.com Video horse racing watercolor http://bit.ly/bxmyyF

Apr 6, 2010
10:21 am
#68 Localcorpus :

Art Center will host 61st Watercolor Society exhibit – http://fx.ly/a/78_150755215f

Apr 6, 2010
10:21 pm
#69 walkinthewoods1 :

HALF OFF all of my ATCs/ACEOs at ~> http://ow.ly/1tH5g

Apr 7, 2010
10:19 am
#70 SFO_Collections :

Arius Hopmen Watercolor Numbered (san jose south) $500 http://3taps.com/p/BT273W

Apr 7, 2010
10:21 pm
#71 krtastic :

Lately I’ve been falling in love with watercolor paintings all over again. I think I might start making art again.

Apr 8, 2010
10:21 am
#72 Christwitery :

http://twitpic.com/1e2jvu – Watercolor dreaming / when I look into your eyes / I can see rainbows ///

Apr 8, 2010
10:20 pm
#73 MMAInked :

Back in my tattoo/art groove. Knocked out a sick Japanese piece today, and now working on a watercolor

Apr 9, 2010
10:19 am
#74 sharonfosterart :

Original ACEO Pig Painting: $6.00 An original watercolor painting on watercolor paperACEO size… http://bit.ly/dAiQuu

Apr 9, 2010
10:21 pm
#75 VeraFromFYN :

I used to oil paint & watercolor; I make jewelry, & do graphic design, web design, accessory design…guess I am creative!

Apr 10, 2010
10:19 am
#76 isabellatain :

Eu acabei de comprar um Watercolor Heels no Stardoll. Confira minha Suíte! http://bit.ly/96BY7e

Apr 10, 2010
10:21 pm
#77 Doallas :

RT Another 1992, watercolor by Randall David Tipton. http://bit.ly/baBrJV

Apr 11, 2010
10:21 am
#78 andreevart :

WHITE DAFFODILS*WATERCOLOR US $17.50!!! http://bit.ly/9PG5yg

Apr 11, 2010
10:19 pm
#79 elainebiss :

Get it at Zazzle Haute Couture Black and White Watercolor Perfect Decor! http://bit.ly/Jfj2H

Apr 12, 2010
10:21 am
#80 fatiharslan :

watercolor pencils review http://bit.ly/bfV3lU

Apr 12, 2010
10:20 pm
#81 Evilchild1923 :

All watercolor. No ink or pencil. I think I’m happy with it http://twitpic.com/1f89dn

Apr 13, 2010
10:22 am
#82 arazumono :

高田渡さん watercolor illustration http://twitpic.com/1fbtjk

Apr 13, 2010
10:21 pm
#83 mooney_1901 :

when im falling down will u pick me up again, when im too far gone. dead in the eyes of my friends… Pendulum-watercolor

Apr 14, 2010
10:21 am
#84 warpedandwonder :

Today is a painting day! Maybe my watercolor paints will behave for me today. I can only hope…

Apr 14, 2010
10:22 pm
#85 blackcracker :

airbrushing is dumb fun. like a watercolor video game.

Apr 15, 2010
10:19 am
#86 pipeandscarf :

Photo: cowboy to hades watercolor and acrylic on paper Got to some painting last weekend. Ended up finishing… http://tumblr.com/xbq8no7jg

Apr 15, 2010
10:21 pm
#87 8thLove :

Holly Golightly Breakfast at Tiffanys Audrey Hepburn Haute Couture Retro Watercolor Fashio… http://nxy.in/hfpy0 Elaine B.

Apr 16, 2010
10:22 am
#88 crawfordke :

Second pair of pointe shoes. Watercolor fun. http://twitpic.com/1g0kp5

Apr 16, 2010
10:21 pm
#89 lanche86 :

Watercolor Painting Tutorial With Filter Forge Plugin http://bit.ly/9Jaauj

Apr 17, 2010
10:21 am
#90 alicehuntstudio :

Luralee also does beautiful, clever, humorus watercolor illustrations, MFA Pratt Inst. wants a start in children’s books

Apr 17, 2010
10:21 pm
#91 elainebiss :

Get it at Zazzle Haute Couture Black and White Watercolor Perfect Decor! http://bit.ly/Jfj2H

Apr 18, 2010
10:18 am
#92 dantemarinho :

Free 9HQ Watercolor Brush – clovesboo has added a photo to the pool: Free HQ WatercolorBrush Orgi… http://ow.ly/176lU0

Apr 18, 2010
10:21 pm
#93 mydressingbarn :

~My Dressing Barn~: Coach Hampton Watercolor Top Handle Pouch http://bit.ly/awkeG6

Apr 19, 2010
10:19 am
#94 getyourchance :

New state honor goes to East Washington Academy teacher: Away from her classroom, her interests include watercolor… http://bit.ly/cO9XM5

Apr 19, 2010
10:21 pm
#95 laafa :

A collection of David Colman’s watercolor doodles offered exclusively for the iPhone. You can check out this app at http://ow.ly/1AyfV

Apr 20, 2010
10:22 am
#96 elainebiss :

R1 Frosted Cake Curly Cue Stand Watercolor Sticker http://nxy.in/j9dh7 Girly Stationery

Apr 20, 2010
10:21 pm
#97 thesurfbeaver :

http://tweetphoto.com/16618942 My watercolor / mixed media portrait of Thomas Sloan.

Apr 21, 2010
10:22 am
#98 enriqueulloa :

RT Create a Beautiful Vibrant Watercolor Web Layout – http://desizntech.info/?p=6298

Apr 21, 2010
10:21 pm
#99 randomcritic :

New post: Photoshop Mama’s Not so Quick Watercolor Method Part 3b http://bit.ly/dtJUQC

Apr 22, 2010
10:22 am
#100 krystalmac :

Watercolor in the morning, watercolor at supper time. When watercolor’s fun now, you can do watercolor all the time.

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