About Washes & Wells
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.
Washes & Wells is an independent resource focused on watercolor painting for beginners. We publish practical, carefully researched guides for readers who want clear answers without the fluff — whether you are just getting started or looking to sharpen what you already know.
What we do
Every article is written and edited to be genuinely useful: accurate, easy to follow, and grounded in real-world experience. We cover topics across Getting Started, Materials & Tools, Color & Mixing, Washes & Techniques, Light, Value & Composition, Subjects & Projects and update our guides as best practices evolve. We are not affiliated with any of the brands, products, or organizations we may reference; mentions are for the reader's benefit, not an endorsement.
Who writes Washes & Wells
Washes & Wells is written by Camille Duret. Camille paints watercolor at a small desk easel and writes about pigments, paper, and the happy accidents that teach the most.
How we stay free
Washes & Wells is supported by advertising. We display ads (including ads served by third parties such as Google AdSense) so that our content can remain free to read. Advertising never dictates our editorial recommendations. See our Privacy Policy for details on how ads and analytics work on this site.
Editorial standards & disclaimer
Washes & Wells is an independent watercolor resource. Our guides are researched and written in-house; we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Winsor & Newton, Daniel Smith, Schmincke, Sennelier, M. Graham, Holbein, Arches, Canson, Saunders Waterford, Princeton, Escoda, or any other paint, brush, paper, or art-supply brand we mention. Watercolor behaves differently with every pigment, paper texture, and the amount of water in your own brush, so treat our ratios and recommendations as starting points and adjust to what works for you. Information here is general educational guidance for hobbyists, not professional instruction.
Our content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Always use your own judgment and consult a qualified professional where appropriate.
Get in touch
Questions, corrections, or feedback are always welcome. Reach us at runbookify@gmail.com or visit our contact page.