Watercolour for beginners

Getting started with watercolour paints.

Beginners to watercolour often get frustrated with their initial results. Most often this can be due to the fact that they have not got the correct equipment or they haven't familiarised themselves with their equipment.

With watercolour I would strongly recommend buying the best equipment you can afford. Buying a few good quality items is more economical in the long run than buying a large volume of cheaper items. Start with a pad of watercolour paper no lighter than 140lb, three watercolour students' quality paints in the primary colours (recommended Alizarin red, Cobolt blue and Cadmium yellow) and a synthetic round watercolour brush around size 4 to 6. You could take this list along to your local Art Supply Shop and ask them to help you find what you are looking for.

Additional items you will need are masking tape, kitchen towels, water spray, water jars, palette/plate, pencil & eraser. 

Once you have these items, the best way to learn is to have a go every day. Don't worry about mistakes or wasting your paint & paper, it is all part of the learning process and the quickest way to progress. Keep all your work including your mistakes to look back on later. Date your work and make notes of things that worked well and things to avoid in the future. Experiment with different volumes of water and paint pigment. Try to keep relaxed and have fun, this will show in your work!