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I decided to do a troubleshooting video on Youtube this evening, looking at the top 5 issues that beginners ask me for help with. I thought I'd put it here too because we can all do with a reminder of the basics from time to time.

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5 Watercolour Mistakes Beginners Make And How to Fix Them

5 Watercolour Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Fix Them) Pre order the watercolour art pad and botanical postcards! https://bit.ly/4bF7h2M If you've ever finished a watercolour painting and wondered why it doesn't look quite the way you hoped, you're certainly not alone. The good news is that many of the most common frustrations come down to a handful of simple habits—and they're much easier to fix than you might think. In this tutorial, I'll use a simple pink flower to demonstrate five mistakes I see beginners make all the time, along with practical ways to avoid them. We'll cover: 00:00 -Start 05:30 -Why heavy pencil lines can show through your painting. 09:40 - The importance of starting with lighter washes instead of colours that are too dark. 17:30 - How to improve your water control for softer, more confident results. 21:12 - Choosing the right size brush for the shapes you're painting. 28:53 - Why you shouldn't give up during the "ugly stage" and how every painting can come together with a little patience. These are small changes that can make a huge difference to your confidence and your finished paintings. Whether you're just starting out or you've been painting for a while, I hope these tips help you enjoy the process even more. Happy painting!

Comments

Phyllis

I love love love this tutorial. It’s a lot of what I already know, or should know, but so helpful as a reminder and practice. Sometimes you can’t hear some things too much! It was slow and patient and a great reinforcement of techniques! ❤️🌷

Sophie

I fully agree. These are tips I should also know but I overlook them because sometimes I am not patient enough. This tutorial comparing different techniques is really a great reminder of how small things can make a huge difference. Thank you so much, Harriet.

Jessica

I often have the swamp problem whenever I try to use diluted colors! 😂🫣 I’ve gotten frustrated before as I would try to dab it on paper towel but then too much would come off. I’m going to try using the edge of my pallet from now on. I find these little tricks like this super helpful! I think this is why it can be harder for me to paint out of the books, because I can’t tell what is happening with the brush in terms of when to rinse, dab, how much water etc.. I’m still really struggling to grasp water control.

Lulu Belz

Super video. Clear and concise. Thank you for helping us beginners!

Mar North

This was very helpful.

Kelly Mansulich

Brilliant! Just perfect video. You’re a wonderful teacher Harriett.

Erni Cruz

It would be most helpful to see the glass of water and how it figures into the entire water control process. That is absent.