Don't Drown in Mistakes: An Easy Guide to Avoiding and Fixing Common Watercolor Painting Mistakes!

Are you tired of making the same mistakes over and over again in your watercolor paintings? In this guide, I'll take you through some common watercolor painting mistakes and show you how to avoid them or fix them. So grab your brushes and let's go!

Sometimes adding more layers and more details can do more harm than good

Mistake 1: Overworking Your Painting

One of the most common mistakes in watercolor painting is overworking your painting. If you keep brushing the same area, it can cause the paint to lift and leave a streaky mess. To avoid this mistake, try to work quickly and confidently. Don't keep going back to the same area once it's dry. If you do find yourself overworking an area, simply lift the paint off with a damp brush or paper towel.

Mistake 2: Not Using Enough Water

Another common mistake is not using enough water. Watercolor painting is all about the water, and if you don't use enough, your colors will appear dull and lifeless. Make sure to apply a layer of water before you add your colors, and use plenty of water when blending and mixing your colors.

Mistake 3: Using the Wrong Paper

The type of paper you use can greatly affect your watercolor painting. If you use paper that's too thin or doesn't absorb water well, it can cause your colors to bleed and blend together. Make sure to use a high-quality, watercolor-specific paper that's thick and able to absorb water without bleeding.

Mistake 4: Not Testing Your Colors

Before you start your painting, it's important to test your colors. This can help you avoid mistakes like using the wrong color or using a color that's too dark or light. Make a color chart or test swatches on a separate piece of paper before you start your painting.

Mistake 5: Rushing the Drying Process

Finally, rushing the drying process can cause smudging and bleeding in your painting. Make sure to let each layer of paint dry completely before adding another layer. You can use a hairdryer on the cool setting to speed up the drying. Before you continue to paint, touch the paper lightly with the back of your hand and when it‘s no longer cool to the touch, the paint has dried completely.

I hope these tips have helped you to improve your art practice. Sometimes all it takes is eliminate a few little mistakes and your art moves to a whole other level!