Beginning Watercolors

So you’ve decided to unleash your inner artist and try your hand at painting. Perhaps you’ve already got a composition in mind, a subject in place, and a studio all to yourself. But before you lay out your first canvas, you have to pick a medium: do you want to paint in oil, acrylic, or watercolor?

For beginners, watercolor painting is usually the best way to start. Watercolors are cheap, accessible, and easy to work with, and they help you develop a steady hand for when you move on to other materials. That’s why your old art classes always used watercolors—even a first grader can be trusted to use them!

Of course, having said that, you can’t create a masterpiece the first time you pick up your paintbrush. Like any other craft, watercolors require a lot of practice. Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re new to watercolor painting.

Choose the best tools. You don’t have to get the most expensive one on the shelf, but don’t sacrifice quality for price either. Browse the forums and see which brands most artists prefer. Some of the things you need are:

• Watercolor paper: This is heavier and more fine-grained than regular paper, so it doesn’t buckle when it’s wet (an effect called “cockling”). The heavier it is, the better the paints flow, but it’s also more expensive. Weights around #140 are good for beginners.

• Paints: “Student quality” watercolors usually come in dry pans and don’t mix very well. Those that come in tubes are easier to work with.

• Brushes: Watercolor brushes are made specifically to hold water, so don’t get any other kind. Your set should include round and flat brushes, a wash brush, and a liner. You can use an old toothbrush for spattering effects and an oil brush for lifting off colors.

Plan. One thing with watercolors is that you can’t paint on a whim, the way you can with oil and acrylic. This is because you’re working in shades as well as colors, which means you have to know beforehand which areas will be dark or light. Before you start painting, make a few thumbnail sketches of your subject. Make sure to plan for contrast. In your final thumbnail sketch, identify the dark and light parts and shade them in first. Test for color and tone on a scrap sheet before applying it to your paper.

Have a focal point. The focal point is the first thing a viewer sees and what leads the eye to the rest of the painting. It’s not necessarily your subject—it can be part of the subject, something that frames it, or even an interesting background detail. Don’t put it in the center unless you’re going for a static mood. Follow the rule of thirds: divide your paper into three parts horizontally and vertically (creating nine blocks), and place your focal point at one of the intersections.

Limit your colors. If you’re like most beginners, you’ll be tempted to fill your palette with ten different colors at once. But watercolor is about shades as much as color. Start with the two most predominant colors, work with light and dark washes, and let your subject control your palette from there. If you need a color that clashes with the rest, balance it out by introducing more of that color elsewhere in the painting.

Balance your textures. A well-detailed subject is impressive, but it shouldn’t be the only texture in your painting. Not only is it time-consuming, it also leaves a lot of room for error and tends to look cluttered. Likewise, don’t limit your self to flat colors. Instead, include some areas of fine detail and some of smooth color. Draw attention to the contrast by using light and dark shades on the areas of relief.

Work with temperatures. When you start working with color, you’ll find that some colors look warm (reds, yellows, oranges) while others are cool (blues, greens, purples). Color temperature can lend a variety of moods to your painting. It’s especially useful when you’re working with black or gray. Never use neutral gray or pitch black—add in some warm or cool color to give it character.