Watercolour Paper Types

Paper Type Texture Weight (gsm/lb) Best For Notes
Hot Pressed Smooth 190–300 gsm / 90–140 lb Detail work, illustration Ink-friendly, shows brushstrokes
Cold Pressed Slightly textured 300 gsm / 140 lb General watercolour use Most versatile type
Rough Heavily textured 300+ gsm / 140–300 lb Abstract, texture-focused Strong texture for effects
Student Grade Varies 190–300 gsm Practice, beginner work May buckle more with heavy washes

Paint Types

Paint Form Format Transparency Portability Notes
Pan Paints Dried cake in tray Transparent Very high Great for beginners/travel
Tube Paints Paste in squeeze tubes Varies Medium Rich pigment, more mixing freedom
Liquid Watercolour Fluid in bottles Transparent Low Intense, good for backgrounds
Watercolour Pencils Pencil form Varies Very high Good for details and layering

Essential Watercolour Tools

Tool Description Use
Brushes Various shapes/sizes Applying and blending paint
Palette Mixing colours Used for custom shades
Water Jars Clean/dirty separation Rinse brushes
Masking Tape Secures paper, creates borders Prevents warping
Paper Towels/Sponge Blotting and texturing Control water and paint flow
Masking Fluid Reserves white space Peel off after drying
Board/Clip Holds paper flat Especially useful with wet paper

Brush Types & Uses

Brush Type Shape Best For Sizes Available
Round Tapered point Detail, lines, small areas 000–16+
Flat Square edge Washes, bold strokes ½”–2”
Mop Thick and rounded Large wet washes, backgrounds 0–10
Rigger Long, thin Fine lines, tree branches 0–4
Fan Fanned bristles Texture (foliage, clouds) Small–Large
Angle Slanted tip Precision edges, flowers ¼”–1”

Watercolour Techniques

Technique Description Skill Level Best Used For
Wet-on-Wet Paint on wet paper Beginner+ Soft blends, skies, backgrounds
Wet-on-Dry Paint on dry paper Beginner Sharp details, layers
Dry Brush Paint with minimal water Intermediate Texture, fur, grass
Lifting Remove pigment using tissue or brush Beginner Highlights, corrections
Glazing Transparent layer over dry paint Intermediate+ Depth, colour variation
Splatter Flick paint onto surface Beginner Texture, stars, rain
Salt Sprinkle salt on wet paint Beginner Crystal texture, abstract effects
Gradient Wash Fade from dark to light Beginner Skies, water

Colour Mixing & Theory

Colour Scheme Effect Example Colours Tip
Monochromatic Elegant, clean Blue + tints/shades Add value with black/white
Analogous Harmonious, natural Blue-Green-Yellow Great for landscapes
Complementary Bold contrast Red-Green, Blue-Orange Use sparingly for drama
Triadic Vibrant balance Red-Yellow-Blue Keep saturation equal
Warm/Cool Emotional contrast Red vs. Blue Combine for balance

Project Ideas by Skill Level

Level Project Idea Techniques Used Time Estimate
Beginner Sunset Gradient Wash Wet-on-wet, lifting 30–60 min
Beginner Watercolour Flowers Wet-on-dry, layering 1–2 hours
Intermediate Forest Landscape Wet-on-wet, dry brush 2–4 hours
Intermediate City Skyline at Night Glazing, masking fluid 2–4 hours
Advanced Portrait Glazing, dry brush, detail 5–10+ hours
Advanced Animal Fur Texture Dry brush, layering 5–8 hours

Common Mistakes & Fixes

Issue Cause Solution
Paper Buckling Low weight or no tape Use 300gsm+ and tape down edges
Muddy Colours Over-mixing or layering Limit palette, let layers dry fully
Streaky Washes Uneven application Use bigger brush, keep wet edge
Cauliflower Blooms Water backflow Avoid adding water to drying area
Overworking Too many corrections Paint lightly, lift and let dry

Finishing & Preservation

Method Purpose Tools Needed Notes
Flattening Paper Smooth out warped paper Iron, board, towel Press between books or iron back
Spray Fixative Protect from smudging Fixative spray Use archival-quality only
Framing Display finished work Mat, frame, glass Keep from direct sunlight
Scanning Digital archiving Scanner or phone app Scan before framing
Signing Mark your work Pencil or archival pen Bottom corner or on the back

Watercolour Supplies Checklist

Item Must-Have? Notes
Watercolour Paint ✔ Choose student or artist grade
Watercolour Paper ✔ Cold-pressed 300gsm recommended
Brushes ✔ Start with round, flat, detail
Palette ✔ Mixing surface (plastic or ceramic)
Water Containers ✔ Use two (clean and dirty)
Paper Towels ✔ For blotting and lifting
Masking Tape Optional For borders and flat surface
Masking Fluid Optional Protect whites while painting
Salt/Sponge Optional For texture effects
Reference Photos Optional For practice and inspiration

Selling Watercolour Artwork

Product Type Market Price Range Tips
Original Paintings Art fairs, Etsy $25–$500+ Price by size, detail, paper type
Prints Online, local stores $10–$50 Use high-quality scans and paper
Greeting Cards Gift shops, bundles $5–$25 Print or hand-paint in small batch
Bookmarks Local shops, bundles $2–$10 Great use for scrap practice paper
Commissioned Art Direct orders, events $50–$300+ Offer portraits, pets, homes, etc.

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