Skip the Lines: A Beginner’s Guide to Suggesting Shapes in Watercolor

Watercolor is exciting, but let’s be honest—when you’re impatient, it can feel like the slowest art form in the world. Many beginners get stuck trying to outline every detail, only to end up frustrated when the paint doesn’t cooperate. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—it’s a common struggle.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need perfect outlines to create stunning watercolors. By learning to suggest shapes instead, you’ll work faster, embrace a looser style, and let the paint do more of the work. It’s a game-changer, especially if you’re short on time or patience.

This approach isn’t just faster—it’s more fun. No rigid lines, no overthinking—just bold, expressive strokes that bring your art to life. Ready to skip the lines and dive into a new way of painting? Let’s get started!

Understanding the Concept of Suggesting Shapes

When we talk about “suggesting shapes” in watercolor, we’re talking about painting in a way that hints at forms rather than rigidly defining them. It’s about capturing the essence of a subject—its light, color, and texture—without getting bogged down in precise details. This approach frees up your creativity and allows the natural flow of watercolor to shine.

Outlining vs. Suggesting Shapes

Outlining: Beginners often feel the need to draw detailed outlines before painting, which can lead to stiff, flat results. Lines tend to lock you into a structure, leaving little room for the spontaneity watercolor is known for.
Suggesting Shapes: Instead of hard lines, you use light washes, gradients, and soft edges to create the illusion of shapes. For instance:
- A flower might be suggested with a wash of pink for the petals and a dab of green for the stem, rather than outlining each petal.
- A distant tree can be a loose blotch of green with darker hints for shadows—no need to draw every branch.

Why This Technique Works So Well in Watercolor

Fluidity: Watercolor is naturally unpredictable. Its flowing quality lends itself perfectly to soft, blended shapes rather than harsh outlines.
Depth and Atmosphere: Suggesting shapes creates a sense of depth and movement. It allows areas of your painting to feel light and airy, which is hard to achieve with rigid outlines.
Simplicity: You can cover large areas quickly with washes, saving time and effort while maintaining a sense of realism.

You Don’t Need Perfect Drawing Skills

Suggesting shapes relies on observation and broad strokes rather than precise lines.
Even if your drawing skills are basic, you can focus on identifying key areas of light, shadow, and color.
Trust the process—watercolor’s natural flow often creates beautiful effects without much effort.

Drawing helps in watercolor – some say that you can’t be a good watercolorist if you don’t work on your drawing skills, but I don’t completely agree. I’ve found that by shifting your mindset from “drawing” to “painting,” you’ll unlock a style that’s more relaxed, expressive, and beginner-friendly. Let the paint guide you—you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve!

Why Beginners Struggle with Outlining (and How to Overcome It)

Outlining feels like a natural starting point for many beginners—it’s familiar and gives you a sense of control. But in watercolor, this approach often leads to frustration. Let’s dive into why outlining can hold you back and how to overcome those challenges with a more relaxed mindset.

The Challenges of Outlining

Overworking Details: Beginners tend to focus too much on fine lines and intricate details, which can make the painting process feel slow and overwhelming.
Rigid Results: Hard outlines can create stiff and unnatural-looking paintings, stripping watercolor of its signature fluidity and charm.
Flat Look: Outlines often make it harder to achieve depth and dimension. Instead of blending into the painting, they stand out and distract from the overall composition.
Frustration: When the paint doesn’t “stay in the lines” (which is common in watercolor), it can feel like the whole piece is ruined, leading to impatience and discouragement.

Why Outlining Feels Intuitive but Holds You Back

Outlining mimics drawing, a skill most beginners are more comfortable with, so it feels like a safe starting point.
It provides a sense of structure and precision—but watercolor thrives on freedom and flow, which outlining suppresses.
Spending too much time on outlines slows down your progress, making it harder to enjoy the process and experiment with the medium’s unique qualities.

How to Shift Your Mindset

Embrace Imperfection: Watercolor isn’t about perfection—it’s about capturing the essence of your subject. Let go of the need to control every detail and allow the paint to create unexpected, beautiful effects.
Focus on the Big Picture: Instead of thinking, “How do I outline this flower?” ask yourself, “What’s the overall shape and color?” This keeps your painting loose and expressive.
Trust the Paint: Watercolor has a way of “painting itself” when you let it flow naturally. Work with its unpredictability rather than fighting against it.
Try New Habits:
- Skip the pencil entirely—go straight to paint for simpler subjects.
- Start with light, loose washes to block in the main shapes, then add details sparingly.
- Use a reference photo or real-life subject to identify key areas of light and shadow, rather than focusing on precise outlines.

By breaking free from the habit of outlining, you’ll discover a more joyful, intuitive way to paint. Remember, the goal isn’t to control watercolor—it’s to collaborate with it.

The Basics of Painting Without Outlines

Painting without outlines might sound intimidating at first, but it’s actually simpler and more forgiving than you’d think. It starts with the right tools, a fresh way of looking at your subject, and a few key techniques to guide your brush.

Tools and Materials for a Fluid Approach

The right materials can make all the difference when skipping outlines:

Soft Brushes: Opt for round or mop brushes with soft bristles to create smooth washes and organic edges. A brush that holds a good amount of water is ideal for this technique.
Quality Pigments: Invest in professional or student-grade watercolors. Vibrant pigments will do more of the work in suggesting shapes, reducing the need for detailed adjustments.
Water Control: Mastering water-to-paint ratio is key. Use more water for soft, blended areas and less for sharper hints of detail. Practice on scrap paper to understand how the paint flows.

How to Identify Shapes in Your Subject

Before you pick up your brush, spend time observing your subject:

Simplify: Look at the overall shapes, not the tiny details. Squinting can help blur the subject, making the main forms stand out. For example, instead of seeing individual petals on a flower, notice its round or oval shape.
Break It Down: Divide the subject into light, medium, and dark tones. Ask yourself: Where are the lightest areas? Where are the deepest shadows? This gives you a roadmap for layering your paint.
Focus on the Essence: You’re not painting a tree—you’re painting the impression of a tree. Let go of perfection and aim to capture the feeling instead.

Step-by-Step Guide to Painting Without Outlines

Start with Light Washes:
- Load your brush with a diluted color and lightly block in the broadest shapes. For example, paint the general shape of a leaf with a soft green wash, leaving edges undefined.
- Use wet-on-wet technique to allow colors to blend naturally, creating a soft and loose foundation.
Build Depth Gradually:
- Once the initial layer is dry, add darker washes to create depth and dimension. Focus on areas where shadows or color shifts naturally occur, like the base of a petal or the underside of a tree canopy.
- Avoid rigid lines—use the tip of your brush to suggest edges or curves.
Hint at Details with Strategic Brushstrokes:
- With a smaller or less-loaded brush, add a few strokes to suggest textures or focal points. For instance, a quick dab of dark brown can hint at the center of a flower without needing to outline it.
- Use dry-brush techniques (less water, more pigment) to create sharper accents, like the edge of a leaf or the bark of a tree.

Pro Tips for a Polished Look

Leave some areas unfinished or less detailed to give your painting a dynamic, airy feel.
Use negative space to shape your subject—paint around the light areas rather than filling everything in.
Resist the urge to fix or overwork. Let the watercolor’s natural flow bring your piece to life.

With these basics, you’ll quickly see how freeing it is to paint without outlines. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become in trusting your brush and the paint to do the work.

Techniques to Practice Suggesting Shapes

The best way to master suggesting shapes is through practice—focused, deliberate exercises that build your confidence and refine your technique. Here are practical methods to get you started and develop your skills.

Beginner-Friendly Exercises

Paint Simple Objects Without Sketching:
Start with easy, familiar shapes like a single flower, a piece of fruit, or a leaf. Skip the pencil entirely and go straight to your brush.
- Use broad strokes to lay down the general shape, like a rounded blob for an apple or an oval for a petal.
- Add a few darker accents or lighter highlights to suggest dimension without outlining the object.
Work from Reference Photos:
Use a reference photo, but don’t try to replicate it exactly. Instead, focus on the major shapes and ignore fine details.
- Squint to simplify the subject into light and dark areas. Paint only what stands out—like the main cluster of leaves on a tree or the bright center of a flower.
- This exercise trains your eye to prioritize the essence of a subject over its specifics.
Practice Wet-on-Wet Techniques:
Load your brush with wet paint and drop it into a damp area on the paper. Let the colors flow and blend naturally, creating soft transitions and undefined edges.
- Paint a soft cloud by layering blue and gray into a wet background.
- Experiment with layering: once the first wash dries, add darker accents to shape the object further.

Tips for Letting Go of Control

Embrace Imperfection: Not every shape needs to be exact. Allow areas to remain loose and undefined—it’s part of what makes watercolor so charming.
Let the Water Lead: Apply water first, then add paint and let it flow. Watch how it spreads and forms organic shapes, often mimicking the natural contours of objects.
Work Quickly: Avoid overthinking your brushstrokes. The faster you work, the more fluid and expressive your painting will be.

Developing Muscle Memory for Fluid Brushstrokes

Practice Strokes Daily: Use a scrap piece of watercolor paper to practice quick, confident strokes. Try different pressures and angles to see how they affect your shapes.
Repeat Shapes Consistently: Choose one subject—like a leaf or a petal—and paint it over and over, varying the size, angle, and color. This repetition builds familiarity and steadiness.
Experiment with Brushes: Use different brush shapes and sizes to understand how they create various effects. For example:
- A round brush is great for smooth curves.
- A flat brush can suggest geometric shapes like windows or buildings.

Bonus Exercise: The 10-Minute Challenge

Set a timer for 10 minutes and paint as many simplified objects as you can. Focus on quick washes and broad strokes rather than details. This helps you let go of perfectionism and trust the process.

These techniques not only help you practice suggesting shapes but also build your overall confidence and comfort with watercolor. With time, your brush will become an extension of your vision, capturing the essence of your subjects effortlessly.

How Suggesting Shapes Creates Expressive and Dynamic Art

There’s a unique beauty in loose, impressionistic watercolors that goes beyond technical skill. By suggesting shapes rather than defining them, you create paintings that feel alive, emotional, and open to interpretation. This approach not only helps you as an artist but also invites your viewers to connect with your work in personal and unexpected ways.

The Emotional Impact of Loose Watercolors

Loose, impressionistic styles capture a sense of movement and spontaneity that rigid outlines simply can’t replicate.
- A blurred edge can evoke the softness of a petal.
- A splash of color suggests the glow of sunlight without needing fine details.
This style feels natural and human—it’s imperfect in the best way, reflecting the fluidity of life itself.
Watercolor’s unpredictability allows happy accidents, like unexpected blooms of color or textures, that add depth and charm to your work.

How Suggested Shapes Engage the Viewer’s Imagination

When you don’t fill in every detail, you leave room for the viewer’s mind to complete the image. This creates a sense of collaboration between the artist and the audience.
- For instance, a loose cluster of green with a hint of brown can suggest a tree without needing to show every branch and leaf.
- A few well-placed strokes might imply a figure in motion, letting the viewer feel the energy without seeing every feature.
This open-ended quality draws people in, making your painting more engaging and memorable.

Be Inspired By Professional Watercolor Art Using This Approach

Many successful watercolor artists use this technique to great effect:
- Landscapes often feature soft washes for skies and distant mountains, with only a few sharp accents for trees or buildings.
- Floral paintings thrive on suggested shapes—blends of pink, yellow, and green imply vibrant gardens without ever showing a single precise petal.
- Portraits can be created with just a few broad strokes to define shadows and highlights, evoking emotion without overwhelming detail.
Look for artists who master this balance, and study their use of light, color, and minimal brushwork. These examples are invaluable for inspiration and guidance.

Why This Style is Perfect for Beginners

Quicker Results: Suggesting shapes means you’re focusing on the big picture, which speeds up the painting process. You’re not bogged down by intricate outlines or endless adjustments.
More Fun: By letting go of perfectionism, you’ll enjoy painting more and feel less pressure to “get it right.” Every brushstroke becomes an experiment rather than a test.
Confidence-Building: When you realize you don’t need to paint every detail for your work to look beautiful, you’ll gain confidence in your artistic abilities.

Suggesting shapes is more than a technique—it’s a mindset. It teaches you to let go, trust the process, and focus on capturing the spirit of your subject. Whether you’re painting a misty landscape or a delicate flower, this approach opens the door to expressive, dynamic art that’s as enjoyable to create as it is to admire.

Tips for Staying Patient While Learning

Learning watercolor can test your patience, especially when you’re eager for quick results. Impatience is a common hurdle, but it doesn’t have to derail your progress. With the right strategies and mindset, you can enjoy the learning process and see steady improvement.

Embrace Progress Over Perfection

Remember, every painting—good or bad—is a step forward. Focus on what you’ve learned rather than aiming for a flawless result.
Keep a journal or portfolio of your work to track your growth over time. Seeing how far you’ve come is a powerful motivator to keep going.

Set Small, Achievable Goals

Instead of aiming to paint a masterpiece in one session, break your practice into manageable tasks:
- Focus on mastering a single technique, like wet-on-wet washes or layering.
- Dedicate a session to practicing one subject, like leaves, clouds, or simple flowers.
Small wins build confidence and keep you motivated.

Celebrate Happy Accidents and Unexpected Results

Watercolor is unpredictable by nature, which often leads to surprising and beautiful effects. Instead of seeing these as mistakes, treat them as opportunities.
- A stray bloom of color might enhance the mood of your painting.
- A soft, unintended edge could suggest depth or movement.
Remind yourself that even experienced artists embrace these moments as part of the charm of watercolor.

Shift Your Mindset: It’s About the Journey

Watercolor isn’t just about the finished product—it’s about the process of painting itself. Enjoy the meditative flow of the brush and the way the colors mix and move.
Accept that frustration is part of learning. Each challenge you overcome makes you a stronger artist.

Let go of the need for control and perfection—your art doesn’t need to look “perfect” to be meaningful. With every painting, you’re not just improving your skills; you’re also building a unique style that’s entirely your own. Let the lines go, trust the process, and watch your art come alive!

Unlocking the Freedom of Watercolor

Learning to suggest shapes instead of outlining them is a game-changer for anyone starting with watercolor. You’ve explored how this technique brings fluidity to your work, why outlining can hold you back, and how to build confidence with practical exercises. It’s all about shifting your mindset, trusting the paint, and focusing on the big picture.

Remember, skipping the lines isn’t something you perfect overnight—it’s a skill that grows with practice. Every stroke you make and every experiment you try helps you get closer to that expressive, dynamic style you’re aiming for.

Now it’s time to take action! Try out the exercises, experiment with wet-on-wet techniques, or dive into painting a subject without sketching first. Share your work and progress, or drop your questions and experiences in the comments—I’d love to hear how your journey is unfolding.

The sooner you skip the lines, the sooner you’ll unlock the magic of watercolor. So grab your brush, trust the process, and let your creativity flow!