5 Easy Watercolor Projects to Get You Started Today

Watercolor painting is one of the most relaxing and creative ways to unwind. With just a few basic supplies, anyone can dive into this colorful world and explore endless possibilities, from soft washes to vibrant layers.

Unlike other art forms that require elaborate tools or skills, watercolor is wonderfully accessible—even if you’re just starting out. Its forgiving nature lets you experiment freely, creating beautiful effects with simple brushstrokes and a bit of water.

In this post, you’ll find five easy watercolor projects perfect for beginners. These fun and straightforward ideas will help you get comfortable with the medium and spark your creativity, so you can jump right in today!

Materials You’ll Need for this 5 Watercolor Projects

Getting started with watercolor painting doesn’t require a big investment. Just a few basic supplies will set you up for all kinds of fun projects, and the best part? You can find everything easily, even on a budget. Here’s what you’ll need to begin:

Essential Supplies

  • Watercolor Paints:
    Choose a beginner set with a few primary or split-primary colors. These can be in pans (solid form) or tubes (liquid form) depending on your preference, but both work well for simple projects. I like Cotman’s.
  • Brushes:
    Start with a couple of versatile round brushes in sizes like Princeton’s Aqua Elite #6 and Velvetouch #10. These are great for both fine details and broader strokes, giving you plenty of flexibility.
  • Watercolor Paper:
    Watercolor paper is thicker and holds water better than regular paper, so you’ll avoid buckling. Look for 140 lb (300 gsm) paper, which is an affordable and beginner-friendly option. If you are just beginning or practicing, Canson XL is a great option!
  • Water Container:
    Any cup or small jar will do! You’ll need fresh water to rinse your brush between colors, so having two containers can be helpful—one for rinsing and one for clean water.
  • Palette:
    You can use a plastic palette or even a ceramic plate for mixing colors. Anything that allows you to blend and see the colors clearly works perfectly.

Optional Extras for Added Creativity

  • Masking Tape:
    Tape around the edges of your paper for clean borders or use it to mask areas you want to keep white. It’s a simple way to add polish to your projects.
  • Salt:
    Sprinkle a bit of salt on wet paint to create textured, crystal-like patterns. It’s a fun technique to experiment with, especially in landscapes or abstract pieces.
  • Sponges:
    Great for adding soft textures, especially for backgrounds. A kitchen sponge cut into smaller pieces works just fine.

With these basics, you’ll have everything you need to dive into watercolor, explore techniques, and let your creativity flow!

Project 1 – Simple Watercolor Washes

A basic color wash is one of the easiest and most effective ways to get a feel for watercolor. This technique is all about laying down a single color and learning how it moves across the paper. It’s also a great way to understand how much water to use, giving you control over transparency and blending.

Steps

  1. Pick Your Colors:
    Choose one or two colors you’d like to work with. If you’re just starting out, try using a single color to see how it reacts to different amounts of water.
  2. Start with a Wet Brush:
    Dip your brush in water, then load it with paint. Start by making a stroke across the top of your paper. This is your most saturated color line.
  3. Create a Gradient:
    Dip your brush back in water without adding more paint, then make another stroke just below the first one, letting the colors bleed together. Continue adding water and repeating strokes to gradually lighten the color and create a fading effect.

Tips for Success

  • Experiment with Water Levels:
    Try starting with a drier brush for a more intense color, then gradually add more water to lighten it. This helps you see how water affects color strength and flow.
  • Practice Layering:
    Once your first wash dries, you can add another wash on top to build up depth or mix colors. It’s a simple way to start creating dimension and seeing how layers interact.

With these basics, you’re ready to play around with watercolor washes! It’s a quick and satisfying exercise that will set the foundation for more complex projects.

Project 2 – Abstract Dots and Shapes

This project is all about embracing color, shape, and pattern without worrying about precision or drawing skills. Abstract dots and shapes allow you to explore color mixing and layering in a playful way—perfect for beginners who want to loosen up and have fun.

Steps

  1. Choose Your Shapes:
    Decide on a few basic shapes like circles, triangles, or simple ovals. You don’t need to be precise; imperfect shapes add to the charm!
  2. Start Painting Shapes Across the Page:
    Using a wet brush and your chosen colors, start painting random shapes across the page. Vary the size, position, and colors to keep things interesting. Leave some white space between shapes to give them room to stand out.
  3. Layer Different Colors:
    Once the first layer is dry, paint new shapes or dots over the top in a different color. Try layering colors to create new shades where they overlap. This will help you see how colors blend and interact.

Tips for Success

With this project, you can explore your creativity freely, seeing how colors work together in a fun, stress-free way. This playful exercise is perfect for breaking away from perfectionism and enjoying the beauty of watercolor.

Project 3 – Simple Florals

Creating simple florals is a lovely way to experience the fluidity of watercolor. With just a few loose brushstrokes, you can capture the essence of flowers, leaves, and branches—no intricate details needed. This project encourages a relaxed, impressionistic style, ideal for beginners.

Steps

  1. Begin with Light Washes:
    Start by lightly sketching out petal shapes with a watered-down color. Daisies, wildflowers, or simple leaf shapes are great options. For petals, use soft pinks, yellows, or blues, and for leaves, start with a diluted green.
  2. Build Up Color for Depth:
    Once your initial wash dries, add another layer to create depth in certain areas, like the base of petals or the tips of leaves. This adds a subtle dimension and makes the florals look more dynamic.
  3. Use Quick, Loose Brushstrokes:
    For a natural look, keep your strokes loose and avoid overworking the details. Simple dabs or short strokes for petals, leaves, and stems capture an organic, impressionistic feel.

Tips for Success

  • Experiment with Greens and Natural Tones:
    Try mixing greens with touches of blue, yellow, or brown to create a variety of natural shades for leaves and stems. This will give your florals a more realistic and lively look.
  • Embrace Imperfection:
    Florals don’t need to be perfectly symmetrical or detailed. The charm of watercolor florals often lies in their imperfect, free-form shapes, so focus on capturing the overall impression rather than precise lines.

With this project, you’ll learn how to layer colors and control brushstrokes to create lovely floral shapes. It’s a great way to bring nature to life on paper, even if you’re just getting started with watercolor!

Project 4 – Watercolor Galaxy

Creating a mini galaxy with watercolor is a magical way to experiment with layering and blending dark colors. Using shades of blue, purple, and black, you can bring a bit of the cosmos to your paper. This project allows you to explore depth, texture, and creative splatters—all essential techniques in watercolor.

Steps

  1. Start with Layered Background Colors:
    Begin by wetting your paper, then use a mix of dark blue, purple, and black to paint in circular motions across the page. Keep some areas lighter to serve as “cosmic clouds” where stars will stand out. Let the colors blend naturally for a smooth, flowing effect.
  2. Build Up Layers for Depth:
    After your initial layer dries, go back over certain areas with more blue, purple, or black to create a sense of depth. Focus on the edges or specific spots to add intensity, while leaving other areas lighter.
  3. Add Stars with White Paint or Ink:
    Once your galaxy is fully dry, dip a small brush in white paint or ink and tap it gently to create tiny star-like dots. For larger stars, you can paint a few directly onto the page. You can also use a toothbrush to gently flick white paint for a natural starry effect.

Tips for Success

  • Embrace Layering for a Realistic Look:
    Building layers is key to a galaxy effect. Let each layer dry fully before adding the next for rich, distinct color variations that give a feeling of space and depth.
  • Try Splatters for Extra Texture:
    Once you have your stars, consider adding a few more subtle splatters of blue or purple around the edges to enhance the “cosmic dust” effect. This adds texture and a sense of movement to your galaxy.

Painting a galaxy is a fun way to experiment with color blending and layering while creating a stunning scene. Enjoy the process, and don’t be afraid to add as many stars and splatters as you like!

Project 5 – Landscapes with Minimal Details

Simple landscapes are a wonderful way to practice watercolor techniques while creating serene scenes. With just a few basic shapes and soft washes, you can paint mountain ranges, sunset skies, or rolling fields. This project emphasizes simplicity and uses minimal details to capture the essence of a landscape.

Steps

  1. Begin with a Light Background Wash:
    Start by laying down a light wash for the sky or background. For a sunset, try blending soft pinks, yellows, and light blues; for a daytime scene, a simple blue wash works well. Keep your strokes gentle and let the colors blend naturally.
  2. Add Silhouettes and Simple Shapes:
    Once the background is dry, add minimal details in the foreground, like mountains, tree silhouettes, or distant hills. Use darker tones to make these elements stand out. Simple, rounded shapes work well for distant mountains, while quick, jagged strokes can suggest trees.
  3. Experiment with Wet-on-Wet and Wet-on-Dry Techniques:
    To create depth and texture, apply the wet-on-wet technique (adding paint to a wet surface) for softer edges in clouds or distant hills. For more defined silhouettes like trees or mountain peaks, use the wet-on-dry technique (adding paint to a dry surface) for crisp, clear lines.

Tips for Success

  • Vary Textures for a Realistic Feel:
    Use both wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry to achieve a balance of soft and sharp textures. Wet-on-wet works well for misty or distant elements, while wet-on-dry is great for bold details in the foreground.
  • Keep It Simple:
    Focus on basic shapes and minimal details. The beauty of these landscapes lies in their simplicity—just a few brushstrokes can evoke a sense of place.

This landscape project is ideal for practicing foundational watercolor skills while creating calming scenes. Enjoy experimenting with washes and silhouettes to capture the beauty of nature with just a few simple details.

Your Watercolor Journey Begins Here

Exploring these five simple watercolor projects offers a fantastic way to dip your brush into the world of painting. From gentle washes to bold galaxy effects, each project helps you build confidence with different techniques while creating something beautiful. Plus, watercolor is all about the process, so enjoy the relaxing flow and the surprises that come with each stroke.

As you work through these projects, remember to have fun and let your creativity shine! Don’t be shy about sharing your artwork and experimenting with colors and textures—you never know what unique effects you might discover.

Ready to dive deeper? Try out new techniques, mix up different projects, or challenge yourself with a new idea. Your watercolor journey is just beginning, and there’s a whole world of inspiration waiting!