How to Begin Learning Watercolor: A Beginner’s Guide to Learning Resources, Supplies, Palettes, and Popular Brands

Watercolor painting is a beautiful and versatile art form that can be both relaxing and rewarding. Whether you’re a complete beginner or someone looking to refine your skills, starting with the right supplies and techniques is essential. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of learning watercolor, the most essential supplies, beginner-friendly palettes, and the most popular brands to help you get started on your artistic journey.

How to Begin Learning Watercolor

1. Start with the Basics
   Before diving into complex techniques, familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of watercolor painting. Learn about color theory, brush strokes, and how water interacts with pigment. Practice simple exercises like gradients, washes, and blending to build confidence.

2. Follow Tutorials and Online Classes
   There are countless free and paid resources available online. Platforms like YouTube, Skillshare, and Udemy offer beginner-friendly tutorials. Look for step-by-step guides that teach basic techniques such as wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, and layering. For online learning, you can start with some youtube channels and videos we like:

   
   Allison Lyon Art - The Very FIRST Watercolor Lesson for Beginners | Watercolor Painting for Beginners - Lesson 1

   Jenna Rainey - The Complete Beginner's Guide to Watercolor

   Apart from youtube, there are all you can learn style craft website that includes many great watercolor course for learner of all levels

   craftsy.com - an us based company, all courses are professional shoot and the content are in high quality, subsciption model and buy a single course for lifetime access

   skillshare.com - there are throusands of courses created by instructors all over the, the course quality depends on each instructor but there is a good review system that reflect the quality of the course, the monthly subscription fee include all access to course from IT to craft to lanaguge learning

   etsy.com - do you know there are video courses available to be brought with etsy? Some professional artist created interesting content and share valuable techniques and sell there course through the etsy site, however, do take a close look at how the course is delievered, would it be an lifetime access and would it just be some youtube links, there is always risk that you may lost access to the video is no longer maintained.

3. Practice Regularly
   Consistency is key when learning watercolor. Set aside time each week to practice. Start with small projects like painting flowers, leaves, or simple landscapes to build your skills gradually.

4. Experiment and Have Fun
   Watercolor is a forgiving medium that encourages experimentation. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—they’re part of the learning process. Play with colors, textures, and techniques to discover your unique style.

Essential Watercolor Supplies for Beginners

To get started with watercolor painting, you’ll need a few basic supplies. Here’s a list of the most essential items:

1. Watercolor Paints
   Beginner-friendly watercolor paints come in two forms: tubes and pans. Tubes are great for mixing large amounts of paint, while pans are portable and easy to use. Please see the below section on our recommended watercolor brands and color palettes you may want to start with.

2. Brushes
   Invest in a few good-quality brushes. A round brush (size 6 or 8) is versatile and perfect for beginners. You may also want a flat brush for washes and a detail brush for fine lines. While Winsor and Newton Cotman is our picks, you may also wan to explore using chinese calligraphy brush watercolor painting as it is very vertisatile with a variety of tips and sizes, this is because water based calligraphy painting is the most predominant art form, paint brush is the everyday object for writing and painting since ancient time, many professional watercolor artists use chinese painting brush for their art, you would not be disappointed.

3. Watercolor Paper
   Not all paper is created equal. Watercolor paper is specifically designed to handle the moisture of the medium. Look for paper labeled “cold-pressed” with a weight of 140 lb (300 gsm) or higher. We suggest trying out Fabriano and Arches cold pressed watercolor pad, althrough you can start with cheaper options, but we suggest saving on other suppliers rather than the paper.

4. Palette
   A palette is essential for mixing colors. You can use a traditional plastic or ceramic palette or even a white plate in a pinch. Many watercolor set already include the palette, if you want to have a professional one that serves you a long time, you can consider a ceramics one by MEEDEN which is loved by many

5. Water Containers
   Have two jars of water handy—one for rinsing your brushes and one for clean water.

6. Paper Towels or Sponge
   These are useful for blotting excess water and paint from your brushes.

Beginner-Friendly Watercolor Palettes

When starting out, it’s best to choose a palette with a limited selection of colors. This will help you focus on learning color mixing without feeling overwhelmed. Here are a few beginner-friendly options:

1. Primary Colors Palette
   Start with the three primary colors: red, blue, and yellow. These can be mixed to create a wide range of secondary and tertiary colors.

2. Warm and Cool Tones Palette
   Include warm and cool versions of each primary color (e.g., warm red and cool red) to expand your mixing possibilities.

3. Pre-Mixed Palettes
   Many brands offer pre-mixed palettes designed for beginners. These often include a range of essential colors and are a great way to get started quickly.

Popular Watercolor Brands for Beginners

Choosing the right brand can make a big difference in your painting experience. Here are some of the most popular and beginner-friendly watercolor brands:

1. Winsor & Newton Cotman
   Known for their affordability and quality, Winsor & Newton’s Cotman line is perfect for beginners. The paints are student-grade but still offer excellent pigmentation.

2. Van Gogh
   Van Gogh watercolors are another great option for beginners. They’re vibrant, easy to blend, and reasonably priced.

3. Sakura Koi
   Sakura’s Koi watercolor sets are compact, portable, and come with everything you need to get started, including a built-in palette and brush.

4. Daniel Smith
   While slightly more expensive, Daniel Smith offers high-quality paints with a wide range of colors. Their introductory sets are a great investment for serious beginners.

5. Prang
   Prang watercolors are affordable and widely available, making them a popular choice for students and beginners.

Tips for Choosing Your First Watercolor Set

• Start Small: You don’t need a huge set of colors to begin. A set of 12 colors is more than enough for a beginner.

• Quality Over Quantity: Invest in good-quality paints and paper, even if it means starting with fewer supplies.

• Read Reviews: Look for reviews and recommendations from other artists to find the best products for your budget.

Final Thoughts

Learning watercolor painting is a journey that requires patience, practice, and the right tools. By starting with the essential supplies, experimenting with beginner-friendly palettes, and choosing quality brands, you’ll set yourself up for success. Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the process and let your creativity flow.

If you’re looking for more tips, tutorials, or product recommendations, be sure to explore our blog for all things craft-making and affiliate marketing. Happy painting!

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