7 Common Mistakes Beginners Make Using Watercolor

Learn the most common watercolor mistakes beginners make and how to avoid them with simple, encouraging tips.

Watercolor has a reputation for being tricky—but often, it's just a matter of technique and practice . Here are some gentle corrections to help you grow.

1. Using Too Much Water

Too much water can flood your paper and dilute your colors. Practice balancing water and pigment. A good practice for this is painting “color swatches” - little sample shapes with all kinds of colors from your paint set.

2. Overworking the Page

Let your brush rest. Overpainting can cause muddiness and tear the paper.  Patience is a key factor in watercoloring.  Try working on multiple pieces at a time to allow them to rest between layering.

3. Skipping the Swatch

Always test colors on a little scrap of paper before applying them to your working piece. Even familiar hues can surprise you.  You might need more (or less) water - a test mark will help with this.

4. Ignoring Paper Quality

Thin paper curls and tears. Invest in paper made for watercolor or at least for light washes if you are making quick sketches—it makes all the difference.

5. Rushing the Dry Time

Be patient. Waiting for layers to dry allows your colors to shine.

6. Avoiding Mistakes

Mistakes are part of the process. Embrace them as moments of learning and possibility.

7. Forgetting to Play

Don’t let perfectionism steal your joy. Watercolor is a dance—let it be joyful.

Brush up on basics with 10 Watercolor Exercises for Beginners

Every artist was once a beginner. These gentle reminders can keep your watercolor journey grounded and joyful.

Join me for an artful watercolor retreat where we learn together—mistakes, magic, and all.