Easy Watercolour Painting Ideas For Beginners / Step By Step Tutorial

Step-by-Step Watercolor Painting Tutorial for Beginners

Materials Needed:

• Watercolor paper (300gsm hot pressed)
• Washi tape
• Watercolor paints (ultramarine, moon glow, paynes gray, burnt umber, french ochre, quinacridone gold, raw sienna, phthalo blue, prussian blue)
• Brushes (size 10, size 8, flat one inch brush)
• Plastic card
• Salt
• Watercolor pencil
• Sandpaper
• Brusho
• White gouache
• Stanley knife

Step 1: Prepare Your Watercolor Paper

1. Tape down your watercolor paper using washi tape to create three separate sections for painting.
2. Wet the paper with a brush and water to create a damp surface for painting.
3. Utilize an old watercolor painting as a backdrop to create a grayish-blue base.

Step 2: Painting the Sky and Distant Land

1. Mix ultramarine and moon glow to create a sky color. Apply the paint wet into wet on the damp paper, allowing the colors to blend naturally.
2. Use a mix of paynes gray and ultramarine to paint the distant land, rocks, and mountains.
3. Experiment with adding clouds and textures using damp into damp technique.
4. Introduce colors like french ochre, quinacridone gold, or raw sienna to create variation in the landscape.

Step 3: Adding Details and Textures

1. Use a plastic card loaded with burnt umber and ultramarine to create dark brown textures for rocks and mountains.
2. Experiment with Brusho, salt, or watercolor pencil to create additional textures and interest in the painting.
3. Add spatters of turquoise paint for a dynamic effect.

Step 4: Enhancing the Painting

1. Introduce darker colors like black and pink to create depth and interest in the painting.
2. Use a stanley knife to scratch off dried paint for added texture and sparkle.
3. Consider using white gouache sparingly for highlights and details.

Step 5: Final Touches and Finishing

1. Soften any harsh lines or details with a clean damp brush.
2. Remove the washi tape carefully to reveal your three separate paintings.
3. Admire your unique watercolor creations and experiment with different techniques inspired by the tutorial.

By following these steps and techniques, you can create your own beautiful watercolor paintings with a semi-abstract style. Feel free to explore different colors, textures, and effects to make each painting uniquely yours. Enjoy the process and happy painting!