Watercolour for Beginners

Starting Out with Watercolours: A No-Fuss Guide for Beginners
You know that feeling when you walk into PNA, see those shimmering little pans of watercolour, and think, I would love to try that… but where do I even start?

This guide is for exactly that moment.

You do not need to be an “artist.” You do not need fancy equipment. You do not even need a plan. You just need curiosity and the joy of making something with your own hands.

Watercolour painting is a wonderfully playful and forgiving medium. It is light, portable, spontaneous, and full of happy surprises. The best part? You can start with the basics and let your creativity grow from there.

So, if you are picking up a brush for the first time or returning to an old hobby, here is a friendly, no-fuss guide to get you started.

Step One: Set the Scene

Before you dive into paint, take five minutes to set the tone for your creative time.

• Find a comfy spot with good light. A table by the window is perfect.
• Make a cup of tea or coffee. You are not rushing through a task. You are here to enjoy the moment.
• Put on some music if you like. Something calm, or maybe a playlist you love.

The point is to create a space where you feel relaxed and ready to play.

Step Two: Gather Your Essentials

You do not need a mountain of supplies. Keep it simple.

• A small set of watercolour paints
• A couple of brushes (one medium round brush and one small round brush is a great start)
• Watercolour paper
• Two jars of water
• Paper towel for blotting and lifting
• A palette or ceramic plate for mixing
• A pencil and eraser

You will find everything you need at PNA, and many brands offer beginner kits that take the guesswork out of choosing your first set.

Step Three: Choose Your First Subjects

Here is where the fun begins. Picking something to paint can feel like the hardest part. You do not need to be ambitious. Watercolour is about playing with colour, light and texture.

Here are a few great starting points:

• Simple botanicals. A leaf, a stem of lavender, a daisy. Nature is full of beautiful, forgiving shapes.
• Everyday objects. Your coffee mug, a jar of paintbrushes, a fruit bowl.
• Abstract washes. If you feel intimidated by “painting something,” just paint colour gradients, overlapping circles or flowing organic shapes.
• Mood pieces. Pick a colour palette that reflects your mood and let your brush wander.

The beauty of watercolour is that it teaches you as you go. You will start noticing how colours mix, how water carries pigment, and how paper reacts.

Step Four: Play Before You Paint

Before you start your first “real” painting, give yourself permission to play.

• Make a swatch card of your colours. See how each one looks with more or less water.
• Test wet-on-wet. Paint a wet area on the paper and drop in different colours to see how they spread and blend.
• Try lifting. Paint a shape, then lift parts of the paint with a dry brush or paper towel to create highlights.

These playful exercises help you get comfortable with the medium without any pressure.

Step Five: Paint Your First Piece

Now, take a breath and pick your first subject.

• Sketch lightly in pencil if it helps, or dive straight in with the brush.
• Start light. Watercolour is about building up layers, so begin with soft washes.
• Embrace imperfection. Watercolour is alive. The paint will flow in unexpected ways. Let it happen.
• Step back. Every now and then, pause and look at your work from a distance. It helps you see the bigger picture.

Remember, your first painting is not about creating a masterpiece. It is about discovering how much joy can come from putting paint to paper.

Concept Tips for the Curious

As you start to explore, here are a few ideas to help you build confidence and find inspiration:

• Work in a series. Pick a simple theme like flowers, kitchen objects or clouds, and paint several variations. This builds skill and confidence.
• Keep a sketchbook. Not every piece needs to be a “finished” painting. Use a notebook to experiment and capture ideas.
• Choose colour stories. Limiting yourself to three or four colours for a painting can lead to beautiful, cohesive results.
• Take photos on your walks. Snap interesting leaves, flowers, doorways or skies. Use these as inspiration for your painting sessions.

Get Painting!

Watercolour is a wonderful teacher. It rewards patience but loves spontaneity. It helps you loosen up, slow down and notice beauty in small things.

You do not need to “know how to paint” to get started. You just need to begin.

So, visit your local PNA, pick up some watercolours, and carve out a little space in your week for creativity.

Paint a leaf. Paint a cup. Paint a splash of colour that reflects your mood today.

The first brushstroke is the hardest. After that, you are in the flow.