Easy Watercolor Painting Ideas for Beginners
New to watercolor? These watercolor painting ideas for beginners include simple tutorials, beginner supplies, and printable templates to help you start with confidence.
Remember back to that year when world events caused us all to stick close to home??;) I don’t know what made me think of this, but before everything was shut down, I decided that it was important for my mental health to have something fun to look forward to each day.
I chose watercolor painting at my dining room table as my ” fun thing”.
When we got word that the following day would be the “shutdown” day and we needed to stay home, my husband and I went to our downtown grocery store to pick up some staples (Thankfully, we had toilet paper already!;)). After we had them loaded into our car, I asked him to make one more stop.
I ran into Walmart and bought a pad of watercolor paper and a children’s set of watercolor paints.
It became my “do something fun” thing for weeks.
Every day, I made a goal to sit down at the dining room table and paint something. It was theraputic.
Watercolor painting is simple and relaxing – and I figured that the more I practiced, the better I’d get, right?
I still have that stack of paintings – each with a date penciled in at the bottom, ending with the year 2020.
So if you, too, would like to begin learning watercolor painting – no matter what year it is, I wanted to pass on to you some of the great resources I found for beginners that are still great now!
Supplies you’ll need for Watercolor Painting:
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.
One of the things I love about watercolor painting is that it doesn’t require a boatload of supplies! You’ll just need these basic things:
- Watercolor paper (Don’t use just copy paper. It will wrinkle really bad!) – Strathmore Cold Press Paper
- Watercolor paints – Beginner set (This is what I started with), Sukura. I eventually upgraded to this gorgeous professional watercolor paint set and it’s divine! The colors are spectacular!
- Brushes- I’ve been using a size 6 | size 1 | This is a great set of assorted sizes. *Update: If you’re ready to invest in watercolor art, I highly recommend this gorgeous set of brushes – and they come in a pretty case!
- Jar of water – Or this collapsible paint pot is very handy if you live in a small space – or want to paint when you travel!
- Paper towel
- Watercolor sketch templates (see more about that below) – Or here are some beautiful watercolor cards that are ready to paint. I’m loving them as a beginner!
Watercolour Painting Ideas for Beginners: Basic Tutorials to help you get started
One of the best things about learning watercolor is how many helpful (and free!) tutorials are available online. Whether you’re brand new or just brushing up on the basics, these beginner-friendly tutorials will walk you through simple techniques, step-by-step projects, and tips to build your confidence. I’ve gathered a few that I found especially encouraging and easy to follow when I was starting out!
5 EASY Watercolour Flowers - Perfect For Beginners! (it's easier than you think)
I recently discovered Emma Jane Lefebvre on Instagram, and just love watching her beautiful watercolor tutorials. She has a very active YouTube channel with all kinds of free training perfect for beginners. You're going to love having her teach you the basics of watercolor painting!
Watercolor for Kids
Yes, I know this says "Watercolor for Kids", but I absolutely loved Emily's lesson plus free watercolor sketch coloring pages. I'm painting one a day!
Easy Abstract Watercolor Painting For Beginners
I was joking with a friend on Instagram that if her watercolor turned into "blobs", it would just be abstract art!:) Here is an actual abstract art painting that looks super fun and do-able for a beginner like me.
10-Minute Winter Woodland Watercolor Tutorial
This tutorial claims to be a 10 minute one. Hmm...it might take me longer than 10 minutes for one of these beauties! However, I do find that one of the things about watercolor painting is that I shouldn't overthink the details. Setting a timer for 10 minutes sounds like a fun challenge.
Easy Watercolor Rose 3 Ways! (Best Techniques for Beginners)
Oh, how I love roses! This great tutorial walks beginners through the proper techniques to paint roses 3 different ways. These easy watercolor flowers are all absolutely beautiful.
Spring Trees Watercolor Painting with… Crumpled Paper!
Seriously? These trees were painted with crumpled paper! (Sign me up for this lesson...)
Easy Watercolor Flower Tutorial
Learn the steps of painting 3 different easy watercolor flowers, leaves, and berries here.
Beginner Watercolor Hydrangea Tutorial!
I enjoy tutorials that come with a video lessons. Learn to paint a hydrangea while playing and pausing a video. Enjoy painting watercolor flowers with the teacher!
You Do Hue: How to Mix Watercolor Paints to Get Just The Shade You Want
I'm discovering quickly that part of the secret to beautiful watercolor paintings is mixing custom colors. Learn the steps to color mixing for watercolor painting with this lesson.
How to Paint a Watercolor Peony Flower for Beginners
This beautiful pink peony watercolor painting tutorial has it all - a printable template, instructions, and a video! Peonies were one of the first easy watercolor flowers I tried.
Watercolor Painting Ideas for Beginners: Use Printable Watercolor Coloring Pages for Adults
As a beginner in watercolor painting, I found myself looking specifically for easy watercolor paintings to copy. I discovered some easy watercolour painting ideas in the form of free printable watercolor templates with line drawings of easy things to paint with watercolors.
Why You Will Love Watercolor Templates
When you’re just getting started with watercolor painting, it can feel intimidating to sketch out your own designs. That’s why printable watercolor templates are such a helpful tool! Here’s why they’re great for beginners:
- No drawing skills needed – Just focus on painting, not sketching.
- Get started faster – Skip the blank page and dive right into the fun part.
- Build confidence – Enjoy small wins with each finished painting.
- Practice technique – Focus on brushwork, color blending, and water control without worrying about proportions or composition.
- Endless inspiration – Templates offer fresh ideas when you’re not sure what to paint.
How to Use Watercolor Templates
Using printable watercolor templates is simple and a great way to ease into painting. Here’s how to do it:
- Print the template – Use regular copy paper for printing your chosen design.
- Position it under your watercolor paper – Hold both up to a window or use a lightbox so the design shines through.
- Lightly trace the design – Use a pencil to outline the template onto your watercolor paper.
- Start painting! – Grab your brushes and enjoy bringing the design to life with color.
Using templates gave me the freedom to learn the basics while still creating something beautiful—and that encouragement helped me stick with it! Here is a list of some cute watercolor templates you might want to try, too!
DIY Watercolor Dahlia + Printable
Isn't this a beauty? I think this printable watercolor flower design would make a gorgeous coloring page for markers as well as watercolor painting.
Free printable watercolor coloring page | Jones Design Company
Well, hello, little cute birdie! This simple template looks like an awesome one for a beginner to try.
Free Watercolor Adult Coloring Book Printable Sheets - Woodland Forest Animals Part 1 (Fox, Bear, Squirrel, Badger)
I found this jackpot for amazing free printable templates for watercolor painting! There are so many pages of cute woodland animals...
Feathers And Flowers Antler Coloring Book Art Free Adult Coloring Book Watercolor Printable
I discovered that this site has a lovely collection of free printable watercolor coloring pages. They're all beautiful! Easy watercolor flowers on antlers? How cute is that?
Free Printable Adult Coloring Pages - Hymns & Scripture
Art pages for coloring can be used for watercolor if they're simple enough. I think these would work well.
How to Paint Watercolor Succulents the Easy Way
Perhaps not exactly a beginner project, but these succulents sure turned out pretty!
Watercolor Cactus + Quote Artwork Tutorial – The Postman's Knock
"Bloom where you are planted". Oh, I love this flower cactus watercolor tutorial and template!
Free Printable Watercoloring Popsicle Cards
Printable Popsicle cards anyone? Wouldn't these be fun to paint and have on hand for Summer gift giving?
Watercolor Painting Ideas for Beginners: Ready to use watercolor coloring books for adults
In my research, I also discovered some beautiful ready to use watercolor books. They look amazing for beginners – no printing or tracing necessary! Click on the link to see details and purchase on Amazon.
Thank you! I used to paint with oils but I stopped because I developed an allergy to turpentine. I’ve missed it and painting by watercolor might be just the thing for me to revisit my inner artist!
I completely forgot how much I enjoyed painting by watercolor as a kid and a teen! Definitely need to try getting back into it as a form of stress relief! Thank you for the reminder and the tips! Your paintings are beautiful!
I’m always so intimated to try painting by watercolor for some reason, but these ideas have me excited to give it a go! Thanks so much for sharing all of the fun ideas and tips!
I’ve been wanting to try some painting by watercolor and you’ve given me so many fun ideas! I’m a total beginner so I was worried it might be too hard, but you have shown me there is plenty I’ll be able to do.
Thank you for this post!! My daughter is an amazing artist and I am NOT… like really not. But we’ve pulled out watercolors as something to do together. Mostly she laughs at me. And I laugh at me. But it is the most fun. I need the easiest painting by watercolor projects I can find!