Introduction to Water Color Painting

How to begin water color paint is probably the most intimidating part of this beautiful art medium. Learning to paint with water color paint can be a long path, but getting started is very simple and affordable.

To get started painting with water colors you should invest in a student grade set of water color paints. You can get a set of water color paints for about $10 or less at your local arts and crafts store that will get you started. As you progress and get better at how to paint with water color paints, you can invest in more professional tools.

You will also need affordable student grade paint brushes. To find water color paint brushes read the designs at your craft store or art store. They will be labeled with signs on the aisle. Invest in a set.

Water color paper comes in many varieties and brands. Strathmore is a great brand of water color paint for students, beginners, and even professionals. The store brands at Dick Blick and Pearl Paint are also great water color paper for beginners and students.

When learning about water color paper there are a couple steps you can take to educate yourself. Read the label on the paper. Now, open the pad of water color paper and feel it.

You will see there is hot and cold press water color paper. You will find rough and smooth textures. You will also find light weight, heavy weight, and midweight water color paper.

Finally you will need some masking tape. Use the masking tape to tape down all four sides of the water color paper to an art board or work surface.

Water color begins with washes. Thin your water color paints out with a little bit of water and start to brush it on the paper. You start general with little details on the first layer of paint.

Let it dry, the add more color and detail. Many artists will paint on the shadows first, let them dry, and then add the details in another layer.

Let each layer of paint dry when you are learning how to paint with water colors. You want to let each layer dry for a number of reasons.

First, if you keep your water color paper wet to long and keep trying to work on it you can tear or rough up the surface. Work in light layers of color that are allowed to dry completely.