How to Fix

Watercolor

Mistakes

Allow me to let you in on 7 watercolor mistakes so you can make sure to avoid them!

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LITTLE COFFEE FOX

USING CHEAP PAPER

Paper is the foundation of every single piece of art, and if it is cheap, the entire thing will look cheaper not quite drying yet.

LITTLE COFFEE FOX

You don’t need that artist grade paint. And you definitely don’t need paintbrushes that cost $10 a pop.

BUYING EXPENSIVE MATERIALS RIGHT AWAY

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NOT LETTING LAYERS DRY

Watercolor is a test in patience. And it does test you, no matter how experienced you become. At some point, every watercolor artist has tried to continue painting despite a layer not quite drying yet.

LITTLE COFFEE FOX

You need to be using at least two water jars, not just one. You use one jar to clean off your brush and the other to add clean water to your paint to dilute it  

MUDDYING COLORS

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WORKING SLOWLY

Working too slow can result in streaky strokes, hard lines, and less of a blend than you wanted.

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With timing being so key, it helps tremendously to have your supplies ready and waiting. Nothing gets in the way like having to pause painting and wet a color or dilute a pigment.

NOT PREPARING

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TRYING TO ACHIEVE TOTAL CONTROL

If you try too hard to control it, then you are missing out on the best characteristics of watercolor and making it much more difficult for yourself.

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Get your hands dirty. Just create something, have fun, and keep playing.

LITTLE COFFEE FOX