10 Quick and Fun Watercolor Projects Perfect for New Artists

What’s great about watercolor is its versatility. It can be soft and subtle or bold and vibrant, letting you experiment with everything from smooth gradients to playful splatters. Plus, it’s perfect for learning fundamental techniques without overwhelming supplies or complex steps.

Each of the projects here is designed to be quick, fun, and easy to follow. Whether you’re looking to relax, explore your creativity, or build some basic skills, these ideas will get you started—and you’ll only need a few materials to dive in!

Why Watercolor? The Appeal for New Artists

Watercolor is one of the most beginner-friendly art forms, which makes it ideal for new artists looking to explore their creativity without a lot of fuss. With just a few materials, you can dive right in and start experimenting, plus the medium’s forgiving nature encourages trial and error. Let’s look at why watercolor is such a fantastic starting point for beginners.

Easy Setup and Minimal Materials

Less is More: All you need is paper, paint, a brush, and water. Unlike some art forms that require a long list of tools, watercolor is wonderfully straightforward.
Portable and Convenient: Watercolors are compact and easy to pack up, so you can paint anywhere—from your kitchen table to a scenic park.

Essential Materials for These Projects

To get started with these quick and fun watercolor projects, you’ll only need a handful of basic supplies. Here’s a simple list of essentials, plus a few optional items to add some unique effects to your artwork.

Basic Materials

Watercolor Paints: A small set of quality watercolor paints will do the trick. Tubes or pans both work well; just choose colors you love.
Brushes: A few versatile brushes are enough. Start with a medium round brush for general use, a smaller round brush for details, and a flat brush for washes.
Watercolor Paper: Use watercolor-specific paper to help prevent warping and allow for better color absorption. A basic cold-pressed paper in a medium weight (140 lb) is ideal.
Palette: Any small palette or even a ceramic plate will work for mixing colors.
Water Jars: Two jars are helpful—one for rinsing your brush and another for clean water.
Paper Towels: These are handy for blotting your brush or lifting off excess paint.

Optional Materials for Added Effects

Masking Tape: Tape the edges of your paper to create a clean border or use it to mask out areas you want to keep paint-free.
Salt: A sprinkle of salt on wet paint creates interesting textures, especially for projects like galaxy scenes.
Plastic Wrap: Press plastic wrap onto wet paint to create unique textures that mimic rocks, abstract patterns, or foliage.

These essentials and extras will equip you to explore a variety of techniques and effects as you work through each project. Just gather your supplies, and you’re ready to get started!

10 Quick and Fun Watercolor Projects

Project 1: Watercolor Washes and Gradients

Experimenting with gradient washes is a great way to understand how water and pigment interact in watercolor painting. Start by applying a wet layer across the paper, then add your chosen color, letting it fade naturally by blending water into the paint as you move across the page. Gradients are a foundation for skies, backgrounds, and abstract pieces.

Tips: Begin with primary colors like blue or pink and try blending from dark at the top to light at the bottom. Experiment with different levels of water to see how it affects the gradient’s softness.

Project 2: Simple Florals

Loose florals are a classic beginner project because they’re forgiving and offer plenty of room for creative interpretation. Start by painting loose petal shapes for flowers like roses, lavender, or wildflowers. Focus on minimal brushstrokes for a free, expressive look. Letting colors bleed slightly together adds a dreamy effect.

Tips: Use light circular motions for roses and long, thin strokes for lavender. Don’t worry about precise details—embrace the soft, flowing shapes that watercolor naturally creates.

Project 3: Abstract Galaxy

Create a stunning galaxy scene by layering rich dark colors like deep blues, purples, and blacks. Start with a wet page, then add splashes of color and let them mix naturally. Once dry, splatter white paint or use a white gel pen to add stars. This project lets you explore depth and color blending in an abstract way.

Tips: Start with lighter shades like pinks and purples, then gradually layer on darker colors for a sense of depth. To achieve a nebula effect, add small bursts of color here and there, letting them blend on the page.

Project 4: Mini Landscapes

Painting mini landscapes is an excellent introduction to basic composition and perspective. Choose a simple scene, like mountains with a sky and lake, or rolling hills. This project helps you practice layering and adjusting colors to create a sense of distance.

Tips: Begin with a light sky wash, then add the distant hills or mountains in lighter shades. As you paint closer elements, use darker colors to create depth. Reflections on water are easy to capture by mirroring parts of the landscape.

Project 5: Watercolor Fruit

Fruits are simple, rounded shapes that let you practice shading and color layering. Try painting vibrant lemons, strawberries, or oranges with rich, natural tones. Each fruit can help you experiment with adding highlights and depth.

Tips: Start with a base color, then add slightly darker shades on one side for a shaded effect. Use a small, damp brush to lift highlights, giving the fruit a realistic shine.

Project 6: Silhouette Scenes

Silhouettes are striking and simple to create, especially against a gradient sky. Pick a scene with recognizable shapes, like trees, birds, or mountain ranges. Begin with a vibrant, colorful sky background, then layer in the dark silhouettes on top.

Tips: Paint the sky first, blending colors like pink, orange, or blue for a sunset effect. Once it’s dry, paint the silhouette shapes in solid black or dark brown for contrast.

Project 7: Feathers with Wet-on-Wet Technique

Feathers are delicate and perfect for practicing the wet-on-wet technique. Start by painting a simple feather shape with water, then drop in light colors and let them blend naturally. This project is excellent for exploring color transitions and fine details.

Tips: Try using shades of blue, purple, or even metallics for a whimsical look. Add light, thin brushstrokes down the center to mimic feather barbs, letting the colors softly fade out.

Project 8: Dreamy Clouds

Painting clouds is great for practicing lifting and blending techniques. Start with a light blue or pink wash for the sky, then lift areas with a clean, damp brush to form cloud shapes. This project teaches subtlety and control, perfect for creating soft, ethereal effects.

Tips: After lifting out the cloud shapes, add a bit of gray or lavender to the undersides of some clouds for depth. Use a paper towel to gently blot areas for an even softer effect.

Project 9: Abstract Color Play

Abstract painting is all about letting go and seeing where the colors take you. Use a mix of your favorite colors and let them flow across the page, experimenting with different amounts of water and layering. Abstracts allow you to enjoy the process without focusing on an end result.

Tips: Start by applying colors in random patterns and let them blend naturally. Try adding some splatters, or tilt the paper to see how the paint moves. Let your intuition guide you for a truly unique piece.

Project 10: Watercolor Animals

Capture the essence of simple animals, like birds, fish, or cats, using loose, expressive strokes. Start with a basic outline and use loose brushstrokes to fill in the form, focusing on movement and color rather than exact details.

Tips: Begin with a wet base layer in a light color, then add deeper tones for shadow and texture. For fish, try adding flowing fins; for birds, focus on the beak and eyes. Keep it playful and enjoy the freedom of loose watercolor strokes.

Each of these projects offers a chance to try something new, explore different techniques, and have fun without the pressure of perfection. Enjoy the process, and remember that each experiment brings you closer to mastering watercolor!

Tips for Success in Watercolor

Watercolor is all about the journey, not just the result. As you start exploring this medium, remember that practice and patience are key—and embracing imperfections is all part of the process! Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your watercolor journey:

Embrace Mistakes as Part of the Learning Process

Watercolor has a mind of its own, and sometimes it flows or blends in unexpected ways. Rather than seeing this as a flaw, try to enjoy the unique effects that only watercolor can create. Embracing these “happy accidents” can lead to unexpected beauty in your work.

Experiment with Colors and Water Ratios

Watercolor is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to achieve everything from soft pastels to bold, vibrant hues. Play with the amount of water you use—adding more water will lighten and spread the color, while less water keeps colors rich and defined. Experimenting with different amounts of water will help you discover the look you enjoy most.

Try Different Brush Techniques

The way you handle your brush can make a big difference in your painting. Try using the tip of the brush for fine lines, the side for broad strokes, or even dabbing and splattering to create texture. Over time, you’ll develop a unique style by exploring how different strokes work in your art.

Be Patient with Layering and Drying

Watercolor often requires layers to build depth, so be patient and allow each layer to dry before adding more. This can prevent colors from muddling together and help you achieve cleaner, more defined shapes.

Practice Regularly, Even in Small Sessions

Watercolor is a skill that improves with practice. Try setting aside a little time each day or week to experiment—even a 5- or 10-minute session can help you build familiarity and confidence with the medium.

Watercolor painting rewards those who practice, experiment, and enjoy the process of discovery. So grab your brush, stay curious, and have fun exploring your creative side!

Dive In and Let the Colors Flow

Watercolor painting is as much about the experience as it is about the final result. Each of these projects offers a way to build your skills, boost your confidence, and enjoy the satisfying process of creating with water and pigment. Whether you’re learning to blend colors, layer washes, or experiment with textures, each stroke brings you closer to mastering this expressive medium.

So why not give these projects a try? Let yourself explore, experiment, and embrace every happy accident along the way. And once you’ve completed a piece, share it! Show your work to friends, post it online, or start a collection of your own creations. Keep pushing your limits, try new techniques, and, above all, keep painting! There’s a whole world of color waiting for you to discover.