Washes & Wells

Start with a single wash

Anyone can learn to paint.

A calm, beginner-first guide to watercolor for anyone who loves the way the paint moves but isn't sure where to begin. We start with the parts that actually trip people up at first: how much water to load on the brush, why your colors dry lighter than they looked, and how to lay a smooth wash without streaks or hard edges. From there we build the real foundations — choosing a few good paints instead of a giant set, the difference cold-press paper makes, mixing clean greens and natural greys from a small palette, and learning to save the white of the paper for your brightest lights. Then comes the part everyone shows up for: soft wet-in-wet skies, loose florals, quiet landscapes, and simple still lifes, each one broken into steps you can follow at the kitchen table. No art degree required and no expensive kit needed: just clear, friendly guidance from your first nervous wash to paintings you're happy to tape to the fridge.

Getting StartedMaterials & ToolsColor & MixingWashes & TechniquesLight, Value & CompositionSubjects & Projects

Watercolor Paper Weight Converter

Convert watercolor paper weight between imperial pounds and gsm, with the standard 90/140/200/300 lb trade weights and their labeled gsm equivalents.

140 lb ≈ 300 gsm

This is one of the labeled trade weights manufacturers print on the ream.

lb (imperial, 22×30")gsm
90 lb190 gsm
140 lb300 gsm
200 lb425 gsm
300 lb640 gsm

Mat & Frame Size Calculator

Work out the frame size to buy and the mat opening to cut or order for a finished watercolor painting, from image size and mat border width.

All free tools →

Fresh off the easel

50 guides
Color & Mixing

Why Your Watercolor Mixes Turn to Mud and How to Stop It

Learn why watercolor mixes go muddy and get practical fixes for cleaner, brighter color straight from your palette.

July 4, 2026
Subjects & Projects

How to Paint a Simple Watercolor Sky and Clouds

Learn how to paint a watercolor sky with soft clouds using wet-on-wet washes. A beginner step-by-step tutorial with real pigment names and tips.

July 3, 2026
Washes & Techniques

How to Use Salt, Splatter, and Other Easy Watercolor Effects

Learn the watercolor salt technique, splatter, and other texture effects that add life to your paintings without complicated skills.

July 3, 2026
Materials & Tools

Round vs Flat Brushes: Which Watercolor Brush Does What

Learn the practical differences between round and flat watercolor brushes, when to use each shape, and how to build a simple starter set.

July 3, 2026
Light, Value & Composition

How to Plan a Watercolor Painting So You Don't Overwork It

Learn how to plan a watercolor painting before you pick up the brush so you stop overworking it and know exactly when to put it down.

July 2, 2026
Subjects & Projects

An Easy Watercolor Still Life for Beginners

Learn how to paint a watercolor still life using fruit and simple objects. Step-by-step guidance for beginners, no art degree required.

July 1, 2026
Getting Started

Getting Over the Fear of the Blank White Page

Afraid to start your watercolor painting? Here's how to move past blank page anxiety and perfectionism so you can actually put paint on paper.

July 1, 2026
Light, Value & Composition

Watercolor Values: How to Paint Light to Dark

Master watercolor values with this beginner guide to light-to-dark painting, tonal value scales, and why value matters more than color.

July 1, 2026
Materials & Tools

Why Watercolor Paper Buckles and How to Stretch or Tape It

Learn why watercolor paper warps when wet and the two simplest fixes: stretching or taping your paper before you paint.

June 30, 2026
Washes & Techniques

How to Paint a Flat Wash in Watercolor, Step by Step

Learn how to paint a flat wash in watercolor with this beginner-friendly step-by-step guide to even color, the right mix, and a tilted board.

June 29, 2026
Washes & Techniques

The Dry Brush Watercolor Technique for Texture

Learn dry brush watercolor technique to paint realistic grass, wood, fur, and rough water with a simple brush load adjustment.

June 29, 2026
Subjects & Projects

How to Paint Simple Watercolor Mountains

Learn how to paint watercolor mountains with simple shapes, layered washes, and soft edges. A beginner-friendly step-by-step mountain landscape tutorial.

June 28, 2026
Getting Started

How to Practice Watercolor When You Only Have 15 Minutes

Short on time? These focused watercolor practice exercises fit into a 15-minute window and build real skills fast.

June 28, 2026
Light, Value & Composition

How to Paint Believable Shadows in Watercolor

Learn how to paint believable shadows in watercolor using color, value, and edge control, practical tips for beginners.

June 27, 2026
Color & Mixing

How to Mix Skin Tones in Watercolor for Beginners

Learn how to mix realistic watercolor skin tones for any complexion using a simple limited palette. Practical mixing guidance for beginner portrait painters.

June 26, 2026
Color & Mixing

The Beginner's Watercolor Color Wheel, Made Simple

Learn the watercolor color wheel from scratch: primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, plus mixing tips every beginner needs to know.

June 26, 2026
Color & Mixing

Transparent, Staining, and Granulating Paints Explained

Learn how transparency, staining power, and granulation affect your watercolors and which pigment properties matter most for beginners.

June 26, 2026
Light, Value & Composition

How to Use Masking Fluid to Protect Your Whites

Learn how to use masking fluid (frisket) to save crisp white areas in watercolor, from application to removal, with tips for beginners.

June 25, 2026
Subjects & Projects

How to Paint a Simple Watercolor Mug or Cup

Paint a ceramic mug in watercolor: see the cylinder form, place light and shadow, reserve highlights, and add a cast shadow in one short session.

June 24, 2026
Subjects & Projects

How to Paint Water and Reflections in Watercolor

Learn how to paint water and reflections in watercolor with practical techniques for lakes, rivers, and still water, no experience needed.

June 24, 2026
Materials & Tools

Watercolor Paint for Beginners: Tubes vs Pans Explained

Confused about watercolor tubes vs pans? Here's what actually matters for beginners so you can pick the right format and start painting.

June 24, 2026
Washes & Techniques

How to Lift Watercolor for Highlights and Fixes

Learn lifting watercolor techniques to recover highlights, soften edges, and fix mistakes using brushes, sponges, and tape.

June 23, 2026
Materials & Tools

Do You Need a Watercolor Palette? Setting One Up and Keeping It Clean

Learn how to set up a watercolor palette for beginners: which type to choose, how to arrange your colors, and how to keep it clean between sessions.

June 22, 2026
Getting Started

Watercolor for Absolute Beginners: How to Start in One Afternoon

Learn watercolor for beginners with this hands-on afternoon guide: what to buy, how to mix, and your first three exercises.

June 22, 2026
Light, Value & Composition

Simple Composition Rules for Better Watercolor Paintings

Learn practical watercolor composition rules for beginners: rule of thirds, focal points, and simple layout decisions that make paintings click.

June 21, 2026
Washes & Techniques

Watercolor Glazing: Building Color in Thin Layers

Learn watercolor glazing step by step: how to layer transparent washes to build depth, richness, and glow without muddying your colors.

June 21, 2026
Color & Mixing

Mixing Realistic Greys and Neutrals in Watercolor

Learn how to mix grey watercolor without black. Discover complementary-colour neutrals, granulating pigments, and a simple warm/cool grey system.

June 20, 2026
Subjects & Projects

A Beginner's First Watercolor Landscape, Step by Step

Paint your first watercolor landscape with this beginner-friendly step-by-step guide covering sky, land, and simple details.

June 19, 2026
Materials & Tools

How to Carry Watercolor Supplies for Painting Outdoors

A practical gear guide for beginners: the minimum kit you need to paint outdoors, what to leave home, and how to handle wind, sun, and fast-drying paint.

June 19, 2026
Getting Started

7 Common Beginner Watercolor Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Struggling with muddy colors, streaky washes, or paint that dries wrong? Here are 7 beginner watercolor mistakes and exactly how to fix each one.

June 18, 2026
Getting Started

How to Set Up a Simple Watercolor Workspace at Home

Learn how to create a practical watercolor workspace setup at home with the right surface, lighting, and supplies within easy reach.

June 17, 2026
Materials & Tools

The Best Budget Watercolor Starter Kit and What to Skip

Build a solid watercolor starter kit without overspending. Learn which budget supplies actually work and what cheap options to avoid.

June 17, 2026
Subjects & Projects

How to Paint Watercolor Leaves and Greenery

Learn how to paint watercolor leaves and greenery with simple brushwork, real pigment tips, and a beginner paint-along project step by step.

June 16, 2026
Light, Value & Composition

Soft vs Hard Edges in Watercolor and When to Use Each

Learn how soft and hard edges watercolor work together to create depth and focus in your paintings, with beginner-friendly techniques and examples.

June 15, 2026
Color & Mixing

How to Mix Natural Greens in Watercolor Without Mud

Learn how to mix green watercolor that looks fresh and natural, not muddy, using blue and yellow combos any beginner can master.

June 14, 2026
Washes & Techniques

Wet-on-Dry Watercolor: Crisp Edges and Clean Shapes

Learn the wet on dry watercolor technique to paint crisp edges and clean shapes, with step-by-step guidance for absolute beginners.

June 14, 2026
Materials & Tools

Student vs Artist Grade Watercolor: What's Worth It for Beginners

Choosing between student vs artist grade watercolor? Here's what actually differs, and which one is worth buying when you're just starting out.

June 13, 2026
Subjects & Projects

Loose Watercolor Flowers: An Easy First Project

Learn to paint loose watercolor flowers in simple steps. A beginner-friendly project with real tips on color, brushwork, and staying relaxed.

June 12, 2026
Getting Started

Why Your Watercolors Dry Lighter and How to Plan for It

Watercolor dries lighter than it looks wet. Here's why it happens and how beginners can plan for the shift from the first brushstroke.

June 12, 2026
Light, Value & Composition

How to Do a Quick Value Study Before You Paint

A value study watercolor sketch takes five minutes and saves your painting. Here's exactly how to do one before you pick up a brush.

June 11, 2026
Color & Mixing

Warm and Cool Primaries: The Mixing Idea That Changes Everything

Learn how warm and cool primary colors work in watercolor, why color bias matters, and how two-of-each-primary mixing unlocks clean, vibrant mixes.

June 10, 2026
Washes & Techniques

Wet-on-Wet Watercolor: Soft Blends for Beginners

Learn wet on wet watercolor with this beginner-friendly step-by-step guide to creating dreamy soft blends, skies, and feathered edges.

June 10, 2026
Materials & Tools

Watercolor Paper Explained: Cold Press, Hot Press, and Rough

Watercolor paper explained: learn the real differences between cold press, hot press, and rough so you buy the right surface first time.

June 9, 2026
Getting Started

How Much Water to Use in Watercolor: The Beginner's Biggest Question

Learn exactly how much water to use in watercolor with the milk, tea, and coffee consistency method for beginners.

June 8, 2026
Subjects & Projects

How to Paint a Watercolor Sunset for Beginners

Learn how to paint a watercolor sunset step by step. This beginner guide covers colors, wet-on-wet sky technique, and a simple paint-along project.

June 7, 2026
Light, Value & Composition

How to Save the White of the Paper in Watercolor

Saving whites in watercolor is easier than it looks. Learn four proven methods to preserve white of the paper for glowing highlights.

June 7, 2026
Washes & Techniques

How to Paint a Smooth Graded Wash

Learn how to paint a graded wash in watercolor with this step-by-step guide for beginners. Get smooth gradients every time.

June 6, 2026
Color & Mixing

How to Build a Limited Watercolor Palette and Why It Helps

Learn how a limited watercolor palette of 6-8 colors builds color-mixing skill faster than a big box ever could.

June 5, 2026
Materials & Tools

How to Choose Your First Watercolor Brushes

Find the best watercolor brushes for beginners: which shapes and sizes to start with, what to skip, and how to test before you buy.

June 5, 2026
Getting Started

The 5 Things You Actually Need for Your First Watercolor Painting

Confused about watercolor supplies for beginners? This guide cuts the list to 5 essentials so you can start painting today without the overwhelm.

June 4, 2026

Browse by topic

Getting StartedThe gentlest on-ramp into watercolor: setting up a small, tidy workspace, the three things every first painting needs, how much water actually belongs on the brush, why your colors dry lighter than they look, and friendly encouragement for anyone who is nervous about ruining the page.Materials & ToolsBuy the right things and skip the rest: a few good tube or pan colors instead of a giant set, what makes cold-press paper forgiving, round versus flat brushes, why a clean water jar and a paper towel matter, and a starter kit that costs less and does more.Color & MixingMix clean, natural color instead of mud: a simple color wheel, warm and cool versions of each primary, building a small limited palette, mixing believable greens and soft greys, and understanding transparent, staining, and granulating pigments.Washes & TechniquesThe core moves every painting is built from: a flat and a graded wash, wet-on-wet for soft blends, wet-on-dry for crisp shapes, glazing in thin layers, lifting color back out, dry brush texture, and gentle splatter — plus how to read when the paper is ready.Light, Value & CompositionMake a painting feel like real light: planning light to dark, saving the white of the paper for your brightest spots, building a simple value study, controlling soft and hard edges, and arranging a scene with a clear focal point and comfortable balance.Subjects & ProjectsPut the skills to work on approachable subjects: soft skies and sunsets, loose florals and leaves, a simple landscape, calm water, and a small still life — each one broken into relaxed, repeatable steps you can finish at the kitchen table.