The 7 Most Common Watercolor Mistakes
Are you struggling to achieve the perfect watercolor painting? You might be making some common mistakes that are holding you back! In this post, I'll go over 7 common mistakes made by watercolor artists and how to avoid them.
Not using the right paper
Using the wrong type of paper can make or break your watercolor painting. It's important to choose a paper that's specifically designed for watercolors, such as cold-pressed or hot-pressed cotton paper. Avoid using regular printer paper or sketchbook paper, as they don't absorb water properly and can cause your colors to bleed and blur.
Using too much water
Water is an essential part of watercolor painting, but too much of it can ruin your painting. Using too much water can cause your colors to blend together and create an undesired effect. Use a limited amount of water, especially when you're starting out. The surface of your paper is supposed to be glossy without any puddles showing.
Not using the right brush
Using the wrong brush can make it difficult to achieve the desired effect. Choose a brush that's specifically designed for watercolors, either made of natural or synthetic fibres. Watercolour brushes are made to hold lots of water and pigment in their belly and still come to a fine tip. Using them will help you control the amount of water and paint you use.
Not letting layers dry
Adding a new layer of color before the previous layer has dried can cause your colors to blend together, lift off the paper where you don’t want it and create a muddy effect. If you are painting wet-in-wet and part of your paper is already too dry, let it dry completely and then simply rewet it.
Not planning ahead
It's important to have a plan before you start painting. Decide on your composition, colors, and technique before you start. This will help you avoid compositional mistakes and create a more cohesive painting.
Overworking the painting
It can be tempting to keep adding more detail and color to your painting, but overworking it can cause it to look messy and unappealing. You’re also risking to ruin the surface of your paper, which would likely ruin the whole painting. Know when to stop and step back from your painting.
Using too much paint
Using too much paint can cause your colors to become too dark and overpowering. Remeber that in watercolours you can never go lighter, but you can always go darker. So use a light touch and layer your colors gradually.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you'll be well on your way to creating beautiful watercolor paintings. Remember to use the right paper and brushes, limit the amount of water you use, let layers dry, plan ahead, know when to stop, and use a light touch. Happy painting! And don't forget to share your watercolor paintings with me on Instagram!
