There's something ridiculously satisfying about watching watercolor bleed across paper. The way colors mix on their own, how mistakes sometimes turn into happy accidents-watercolor has this forgiving, almost magical quality that makes it perfect for beginners.
But here's the thing: most "how to watercolor" guides throw way too much at you. A million types of brushes, endless color theory lectures, techniques with intimidating names. You finish reading and feel more lost than before.
Which watercolor supplies are actually worth your money? What techniques really work? What can you do and finish before your dinner is even ready?
Let’s dive straight in.
First things first you don't own a studio or even any fancy supplies.
Just grab your paints, find a spot you like, a kitchen table or even a park bench is a good start.
Watercolor is not as hard as you might think. I’ll walk you through everything you need to get started so you can jump in straight away.
Let's get into it!
Essential Watercolor Supplies for Beginners
You do not need an art studio!! Honestly you need max like five things.
Here’s the essentials when you’re learning how to watercolor.
Choosing Your Watercolors
Watercolors come in three grades: kids' stuff (skip it), student-grade (start here), and professional artist-grade (expensive, unnecessary for now).
Pan vs. Tube:
- Pans are dried paint cakes you activate with water. Portable, mess-free, perfect for beginners.
- Tubes are liquid paint you squeeze out. Better for large paintings, but messy for travel.
For learning how to watercolor, go with pans. Cleaner, easier to control, and you won't waste paint.
Student-grade paints give you vibrant colors without the $200 price tag. Something like Tobio's Watercolor Kit loads the pigments in a wooden palette that actually fits in your pocket. Literally everything you need in one tiny package.
You don't need 50 colors. Twelve is plenty. Mixing your own turns out to be more fun anyway.
Brushes:
Traditional watercolor means buying separate brushes, finding a water container, dealing with cleanup. Water brushes change that.
These brushes have water stored right in the handle. Squeeze gently and watch water travel to the bristles. Forget about cups or cleanup. If you're learning watercolor outside your house, these make everything easier.
You want round brushes in a few sizes:
- Small (size 0-2) for details
- Medium (size 6-8) for filling larger areas
- Optional: Large (size 10+) for washes
Paper:
Regular printer paper will disappoint you. It absorbs water too fast and buckles. You need watercolor paper.
Two main types:
- Cold press (textured, good for landscapes and loose painting)
- Hot press (smooth, good for detailed work and illustrations)
Start with cold press. The texture is gentler on beginners and doesn't show every little mistake as obviously.
Paper weight matters. Go for 140 lb (300 gsm) minimum. Lighter paper warps and buckles when you add water.
Tobio's Kit comes with a cotton watercolor notebook. Twenty pages of quality paper that handles water without falling apart. The pages are small, which actually helps when you're learning. Big blank pages feel intimidating. Small ones feel manageable.
Other Tools You'll Need
Almost done with supplies. Last few things:
- Water container: Any cup works. If you're using traditional brushes instead of water brushes, grab two cups. One for cleaning, one for fresh water.
- Cloth or paper towels: Blot extra water from your brush. This controls how much liquid hits the paper.
- Palette with wells: For mixing colors. If you're using Tobio's Kit, the walnut wood palette has built-in wells. If not a cheap plastic palette can work or even a white ceramic plate (not ideal but works)
The beauty of learning how to watercolor with something like Tobio's Kit is everything clips together. No setup, no hunting for supplies. Snap the palette to the notebook, wet your brush, paint. Done.
Basic Watercolor Techniques to Master
Watercolor isn't complicated once you understand water control. How much water you use? That determines everything.
These are the three techniques you’ll really be using time and time again:
Wet-on-Wet Technique
This is the most common technique, it’s for the soft, flowing bends you see in most watercolor paintings. Wet your paper first, then add paint-that’s it. The color spreads and mixes on its own, giving you those dreamy transitions. Want sharper edges? Use less water.
Where it shines: Neat backgrounds, blue skies or if you want the colours to really blend and melt with each other.
Pro tip: Tilt your paper and let gravity pull the paint-it’s like a cheat code.
More water on the paper means more spread. Pull back on water and you'll get tighter edges.
Where to use it: Skies, backgrounds, soft shadows-basically anywhere you want colors flowing into each other.
Common mistakes:
- Using too much water creates puddles (color pools in spots)
- Not enough water means paint won't spread
- Paint over wet areas and you'll get "blooms"-those splotchy marks that look accidental
Tip: Tilt your paper and let gravity do the work, you can pull the paint exactly where you need it, that’s the magic!
Wet-on-Dry Technique
This is all about how YOU control your paint. Paint directly onto dry paper, and you get crisp lines and clean details. No bleeding, no surprises.
Best for: Precise outlines, those smaller and more fine details, or when you want your piece to look really sharp.
If you want darker, you gotta go with more of an opaque color and use a little less water. Test it on some practice paper first, this takes a few seconds but will save you making mistakes later on.
And here’s something cool to remember: Painting with watercolor is completely transparent. That’s what gives it depth. Stack up a few thin washes and your painting will really start to come to life.
Best for: Fine details, outlines, anything requiring precision. Tree branches, building edges, flower stems.
Control the shade:
- More water = lighter, transparent wash
- Less water = darker, more opaque color
Test first: Dab your brush on scrap paper. Takes two seconds to see if your water-to-pigment balance is right.
Layering and Glazing
As I said watercolor is transparent, you have to use this to your advantage, it’s what makes it so magical!
Build depth by stacking thin washes. What's underneath shows through whatever you add on top.
How it works:
- Paint your first layer (usually light)
- Let it dry COMPLETELY (this is critical)
- Paint a second layer over it
- Repeat as needed
Best for: Creating dimension, shadows, rich colors without muddying them.
Key rule: Always let layers dry between applications. Painting on wet layers makes colors blend and muddy. Sometimes that's cool. Usually it's frustrating.
Example: Painting an apple:
- Layer 1: Light red wash over entire apple
- Layer 2: Darker red on the shadow side (let dry first)
- Layer 3: Deep red/brown in the darkest shadow areas
Each new layer brings more dimension while still showing what's below.
Step-by-Step Watercolor Tutorial: Paint a Simple Landscape
Theory's great. Now let's actually paint something.
This tutorial walks you through a simple sunset landscape. Takes maybe 20 minutes start to finish.
Preparing Your Workspace
Before you start learning how to watercolor paint this scene, get set up:
If using Tobio's Kit:
- Clip the palette to the notebook with the magnetic closure
- Lay everything flat on your table
- Wet your brushes
- You're ready in literally 30 seconds
If using separate supplies:
- Tape your paper to a board or flat surface (stops warping)
- Fill two water cups
- Set out your palette and brushes
- Have your cloth ready
Applying the First Wash
We're starting with the sky. The background layer.
Step 1: Wet the top half of your paper Use clean water and a medium brush. Wet the entire sky area, but leave the bottom third dry (that'll be land).
Step 2: Add yellow/orange at the horizon Load your brush with yellow or light orange. Touch it to the wet paper right where the sky meets land. Let it spread.
Step 3: Add pink/red above the yellow Without cleaning your brush completely, pick up some pink or red. Apply it above the yellow while the paper's still wet. The colors will blend on their own.
Step 4: Add purple/blue at the top Same deal. Purple or blue at the very top of the sky. Let everything blend naturally.
Try not to overthink it. Watercolor does half the work if you let it.
Let this layer dry all the way before moving on. A hair dryer speeds things up if waiting isn't your thing.
Adding Details and Finishing Touches
Now for the fun part. Adding the landscape.
Step 5: Paint the land Use the dry paper technique here. Mix a medium brown or green (or use it straight from your palette). Paint a simple rolling hill line where your wet wash ended. Fill in below it completely.
Step 6: Add simple tree silhouettes Grab dark brown, black, maybe deep purple. Small brush, 2 or 3 basic tree shapes along that horizon. Just trunks and basic branches. Nothing detailed.
Keep them simple. Stick figures are fine. This is your first painting.
Step 7: Deepen shadows (optional) Want more drama? Hit the darkest parts of your hills or trees with another layer. Wait till everything's dry, then go darker.
Done. You painted a complete watercolor scene.
Not perfect? Good. Watercolor doesn't care about perfection. You're learning to move with it, not wrestle it into submission.
Want more guided practice? Check out Tobio's Beginner's Workbook.You get pages full of sketches, each one walking you through a technique, step by step.
Common Mistakes in Watercolor and How to Avoid Them
Everyone hits these bumps, so don’t stress. Here’s what I do when I run into the usual trouble:
Mistake 1: Flooding your paper
You’ve got puddles everywhere, colors running wild, and nothing dries. Solution: Dab your brush on a rag before you paint. Go easy when wetting your paper.
Mistake 2: Rushing your layers
Can’t wait for the first wash to dry before adding more? Say hello to muddy colors. Solution: Just wait. Let it dry all the way. If you’re anything like me and can’t stand waiting around, grab a hair dryer and get it done faster.
Mistake 3: Muddy colors
You wanted something bright, but everything looks dull and brownish. Rinse your brush well every time you switch colors. That’s how you start getting better-by noticing these small things and, honestly, just painting as much as you can. It helps to connect with others, too. Try looking at Reddit’s r/Watercolor, browse Instagram hashtags, or join a local art group for feedback and fresh ideas.
Mistake 4: Fussing too much Going back over the same area repeatedly, "fixing" it, and now the paper's pilling. Fix: Step away. Paint it once and leave it alone. Circle back when it's fully dry if you must.
Mistake 5: Playing it safe with darks Everything's pale and washed out because dark values scare you. Fix: Use less water for deeper tones. Test on scrap paper first. Darks create punch-that's what makes paintings pop.
Messing up isn't failing. It's literally how you improve. Keep at it.
Advanced Watercolor Tips for Progressing Artists
Ready to experiment? Try these:
Salt textures: Toss table salt on wet paint. Creates these weird crystalline patterns when it dries. Try it for starry skies or snowfall.
Lifting highlights: Dampen a clean brush and gently scrub dried paint. Blot it up. Creates highlights-think sun on water or light through leaves.
Color mixing: Red, yellow, blue-that's all you actually need. Everything else comes from mixing. Learning this makes you way more confident.
Paper variety: Standard cold press gets boring. Try hot press (way smoother) or rough (heavy texture). Each one paints totally different.
Paint real life: Stop copying photos. Go outside. Paint what's there. Making quick calls about light and color? That's how you actually get better faster.
Find your people: Reddit's r/Watercolor, Instagram hashtags, local art groups. Watch what others make. Get their feedback. Your skills jump when you're around other painters.
Need more structure? Sure, take a course. But real talk-just painting constantly beats sitting in workshops.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What supplies do I need to start watercolor painting?
What supplies do I need to start watercolor painting?
You need five things: paints (student-grade pans are fine), brushes (water brushes are easiest), watercolor paper (140 lb cold press), clean water, and something to blot with. Tobio's Watercolor Kit packs all this in one pocket-sized box. $35.99 and you're painting.
How do I mix watercolor colors?
How do I mix watercolor colors?
Wet your brush. Grab one color from your palette. Drop it in a mixing well. Rinse your brush slightly. Grab another color. Mix both in that well. Test on scrap paper. More water = lighter. More pigment = darker. Quick combos: red + blue = purple, yellow + red = orange, yellow + blue = green.
What's the difference between wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry?
What's the difference between wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry?
Wet paper lets colors bleed together soft. Perfect for skies and backgrounds. Dry paper keeps edges sharp-good for tree branches, outlines, detailed bits. Most paintings need both methods.
Can beginners use watercolor for travel art?
Can beginners use watercolor for travel art?
Oh yeah. Watercolor travels better than almost anything. Small palette, water brushes (no cups needed), tiny sketchbook. Fits in your pocket or day bag. Tobio's Kit was designed for trains, parks, cafés. Zero mess.
How do I fix mistakes in watercolor?
How do I fix mistakes in watercolor?
Still wet? Blot it with cloth or lift it with a damp brush. Already dry? Layer darker colors over it, or scrub gently with a wet brush to lift some pigment. Some "mistakes" end up looking cool. Watercolor's pretty forgiving if you roll with it.
Is Tobio's Watercolor Kit good for beginners?
Is Tobio's Watercolor Kit good for beginners?
Yeah. Made specifically for people just starting out. You get student-grade pigments, water brushes, quality paper, plus a digital guide. Takes like 30 seconds to set up. Comes with a 60-day money-back thing too, so zero risk trying it.
How long does it take to learn watercolor?
How long does it take to learn watercolor?
First day? You'll paint something recognizable. Few weeks? Techniques start feeling natural. Mastering it? Years, probably. That's the fun part though-there's always more to learn. Paint 10-15 pieces and you'll see real progress. Consistency beats talent every time.
What paper is best for watercolor?
What paper is best for watercolor?
Go with cold press watercolor paper, 140 lb (300 gsm) or heavier. It handles water well and gives you that nice, slightly textured surface.
Honestly, the best way to learn is to just start painting. Ten or fifteen pieces in, and you’ll already see yourself improving. Keep at it-consistency matters way more than “natural talent.” And hey, there’s always something new to try. That’s half the fun.
Ready to Start Your Watercolor Journey?
Here's the deal:
You don't need expensive gear or art school to start painting watercolor. Grab basic materials, learn wet technique, dry technique, layering. Be cool with making messy mistakes.
Start simple. Paint that sunset. Try some shapes. Get used to controlling water. The more you paint, the better you get. Sounds boring, completely true.
Watercolor loves experimentation. Let colors do their thing. Welcome accidents. Stop micromanaging and let the medium work.
