Discover common

problems and how

to avoid them

BY LOUISE DE MASI
 5 Common mistakes
Are you new to watercolour painting or are you feeling
frustrated with your progress? Don't worry, you're not alone.
Many watercolourists make common mistakes that can
hinder their learning and enjoyment of this beautiful
medium.

In this free guide, I’ll share with you 5 mistakes that most
watercolour painters make and I’ll provide some tips on how
to avoid them. Let’s start creating watercolour paintings
that you can be proud of.
 The type of paper you use
makes all the difference
The first mistake that watercolour artists make is painting on the wrong
paper. When it comes to watercolour painting, the type of paper you
choose can make all the difference in the outcome of your artwork. The
paper is the foundation of your painting, and it affects how the paint is
absorbed, how it flows, and how it looks in the end. Of all of the supplies
you use when you paint in watercolour, your paper is the most
important.

Many watercolour artists make the mistake of

choosing less expensive wood pulp paper instead
of 100% cotton paper. While wood pulp paper
may be cheaper, it is not designed to handle
water and pigment like cotton paper.

Wood pulp paper can make it difficult to control the paint and create
the desired effect. It can also cause the paint to bleed and feather,
making it difficult to create crisp edges and details.

In contrast, 100% cotton paper is designed specifically for watercolour

painting. It is more absorbent than wood pulp paper, which allows the
paint to flow more smoothly and evenly. It also allows the paint to sit on
the surface of the paper, rather than soaking in too fast. This makes it
easier to control the paint and create the desired effect.

So, while saving money by choosing less expensive paper may be

tempting, investing in high-quality 100% cotton watercolour paper is
well worth the cost. It will not only make your paintings look better, but
it will also make the painting process more enjoyable and rewarding.

From my experience painting with acrylics, I knew that the quality of

the canvas could greatly affect the final result. So when I switched to
watercolours, I recognised the importance of selecting high-quality
paper.

After some research...

I discovered that Arches was the most
widely used watercolour paper and
decided to give it a try. Since then, I have
stuck with Arches and have found it to
be a reliable and excellent choice for my
watercolour paintings. It’s expensive but
if you are using wood pulp paper you are
wasting your money.

Some less expensive papers I have painted on are Saunders Waterford

and Fabriano Artistico. Both papers are good quality.
 Not planning
A second mistake that watercolour artists
make is not doing enough planning before
they start painting. Many watercolour artists
make the mistake of diving in without a
clear plan, which can lead to frustration and
disappointment with the final result.

One of the most important steps in

planning your watercolour painting is to
decide on your composition. This involves
considering the placement of your subject,
the balance of positive and negative space,
and the overall design of the painting. A
good composition will help guide the
viewer's eye through the painting and
create a sense of harmony and balance.

Consider colours...
Another important step in planning is to consider the
colours you will use in your painting. Watercolour
paints can be blended and layered to create a wide
range of hues and shades, but it's important to
choose colours that work well together and create
the desired mood and atmosphere. Consider the
temperature, intensity, and value of each colour and
how they will interact with one another on the paper.
I like to use a limited palette as often as I can. I take the time before I
begin each painting to narrow my palette down to just a few colours. I
try to mix everything I need from 3 or 4 colours.

Before you begin, it's essential to determine the order in which you'll
apply the paint, the techniques you'll use to create texture and depth,
and which areas of the painting you'll focus on first. It's also crucial to
consider the white of the paper, as it often serves as the lightest area of
a watercolour painting. By planning ahead and being mindful of
preserving those areas, you can achieve a more dynamic finished
product.

By having a clear plan in place, you can avoid mistakes and ensure that
your painting turns out the way you envision it. If you are a beginner, I
recommend following along with some tutorials so that you can begin
to understand the painting processes of a professional painter.

Taking the time to plan before you

start painting can make a significant
difference in the quality of your
watercolour artwork.
By considering your composition,
colours, and painting process, you can
create a well-thought-out painting that
showcases your skills and creativity.
 The size of the
brush matters
Many watercolour artists make the mistake
of using brushes that are too small for their
paintings. While small brushes can be
useful for adding details and fine lines, they
can be limiting when it comes to creating
larger areas of washes and texture.

Using larger brushes can help you create more dynamic and expressive
brushstrokes, as well as more efficiently cover larger areas of the
painting. Larger brushes also tend to hold more water and pigment,
allowing for more fluid and consistent brushwork. When you work in
watercolour you often need to paint quickly and small brushes don’t
allow you to do that on larger areas. Generally, you need to relate the
size of the brush to the size of the area you are painting.
 I mainly use round brushes but I like them to
have a very fine point because they allow me to
add delicate details and get into nooks and
crannies easily. Some round brushes have more
of a blunt point and they are better suited for
broad strokes, large washes and filling in areas
with colour.

When selecting brushes for watercolour painting, it's important to

consider the size and shape of the brush. Flat brushes are ideal for
creating large washes and broad strokes, while round brushes can be
used for more detailed work and fine lines. Synthetic brushes are
generally more affordable and durable than natural hair brushes, but
can still offer excellent performance and versatility.

Experimenting with different brush sizes and shapes can help you
develop your own unique style and techniques in watercolour painting.
Don't be afraid to try new tools and methods, and always keep in mind
the importance of using the right brush for the task at hand.
 Not letting layers dry
between washes
Another common mistake that many watercolour painters make is not
allowing enough time for layers to dry before applying another layer.
Watercolour is a transparent medium, meaning that the layers
underneath will show through the layers on top. If the layers aren't
allowed to dry completely, the colours can mix together and become
muddy, and the paper can become overworked and damaged.

To avoid this issue, it's important to be patient and allow each layer to
dry completely before adding another layer on top. This can take
anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the
thickness of the layer, the humidity, and the paper used.
I can’t paint without a hair dryer beside me. I don’t have the patience for
the paint to dry. I wait until a wash is almost dry and then I use my hair
dryer to dry it completely. The hair dryer takes a few minutes so don’t
rush it. You must wait until the paint is almost dry though before you
use the hair dryer because you risk blowing the paint over the paper
and you also risk damaging the drying wash.

Use lighter colours in the first few layers,

and build up to darker and more intense
colours as you progress. This can help
prevent the colours from becoming
muddy, and also create more depth and
richness in the final painting.
 Muddy colours
A fifth mistake that people make when painting in watercolour is that
when they start mixing and layering colours, they lose that beautiful
freshness that watercolour paintings are renowned for. One way to
minimise this is to always use clean water.

I like to use small paint buckets when I paint in

watercolour. They hold just over 3 litres of water.
I use two buckets, one is for washing my brush
out between mixing colours and the other is for
cleaning my brush as I paint. I change the water
often while I’m painting to keep the colours I’m
using pure.
 Another way to minimise creating
muddy mixes is to limit the number
of colours you use in your painting.
If you mix too many pigments
together you risk creating dull
colours. Opaque colours also have a
tendency to make your mixes dull
so use them sparingly.

Understanding the pigment composition of each colour is also crucial

in avoiding muddy mixes. Every colour has a specific pigment code, and
some colours are made up of more than one pigment code.

As a general rule, it's best to use no more than three pigments in a

watercolour mix and to avoid colours that contain more than one
pigment. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your
watercolour paintings have a vibrant and fresh appearance.
If you found this guide helpful, then why don’t you join me
to learn the beautiful art of watercolour painting in my
online watercolour classes? Whether you're a beginner or
an experienced artist, my watercolour tutorials on Patreon
and Skillshare can help you develop your skills and create
stunning watercolour paintings.
CLICK HERE to find out more.

We inspire and empower people to

learn, create, and appreciate the
beauty of watercolour art.
Through our commitment to mental
health, and creativity, we aim to
enrich the lives of our customers and
contribute to a more compassionate
and beautiful world.

www.louisedemasi.com