Scenery watercolor painting is one of my favorite ways to capture the beauty of the world. Whether it’s a misty mountain morning, a peaceful ocean view, or a bright, breezy countryside. There’s just something magical about translating nature onto paper with water and pigment (especially when the coffee is hot and the light is just right).

And the best part? You don’t need to search for watercolor classes near you or head to a studio to start learning (more on this here!). You can build your skills right from home, at your own pace, with the right tutorials and a little guidance.

In this roundup, I’ve pulled together some of my go-to step-by-step watercolor tutorials, so you can follow along at your own pace and create your own stunning watercolor landscapes. Whether you’re totally new to watercolor or looking to deepen your scenery watercolor painting skills, these lessons are easy, fun, and filled with practical tips.

Let’s dive into the landscapes!

Start with the Basics

Before you jump into painting that dreamy mountain lake or golden wheat field, it’s important to get the foundation down. Scenery watercolor painting is as much about understanding how to see the landscape as it is about painting it.

In this blog, I walk you through essential techniques for building depth, perspective, and blending color in a way that feels natural. You’ll learn how to create layers that breathe, skies that glow, and water that shimmers (yes, watercolor can do all of that and more!).

Once you’re comfy with those basics, check out 4 Landscape Principles for All Your Landscape Paintings. These core ideas apply to just about any scene. From a quiet lake view to an urban street corner. It’s all about simplifying what you see, understanding value, and creating balance. And trust me, once these principles click, you’ll never look at landscapes the same way again.

Mountains & Lakes

I don’t know about you, but there’s something about painting mountains that makes me feel grounded. They’re strong, timeless, and incredibly fun to paint (especially when you throw in a little watercolor ink or gouache for texture).

In my Lively Mountain Landscape with Gouache and Watercolor Ink tutorial, I show you how to combine mediums for an extra vibrant look. (You can watch it on YouTube to follow along step-by-step.) This one’s super rewarding and full of playful detail.

For something more serene, the Mountain Lake Landscape tutorial is a go-to. You’ll learn how to create tranquil water and soft reflections using simple layering techniques.

Here’s the video tutorial to follow along in real time!

And if you’re just starting out or want something really approachable, try this Simple Watercolor Mountains tutorial. It might look a little tricky at first glance, but I promise it’s beginner-friendly and super satisfying once those shapes come together.

Seasonal Scenery

Seasonal scenes are some of my most popular watercolor tutorials (and for good reason!). They give you the chance to play with mood, color, and lighting in different ways. From cozy fall vibes to chilly winter skies, there’s a ton of inspiration right outside your window.

My Easy Watercolor Winter Landscape is perfect if you’re just getting started with winter watercolor techniques. You’ll practice soft gradients and snow effects that feel magical but are totally beginner-friendly. Check out the full video below to paint along with me!

Looking for something a little more reflective and calming? In Finding PEACE: Winter Watercolor Landscape + Meditation Series, Part of a four-part series exploring themes of Advent, we combine gentle painting with a guided meditation centered on peace. This lesson is designed to slow you down, ease holiday stress, and help you reconnect with the joy of quiet creativity. (Yes, it’s painting therapy in the best way.)

You can take what you learn here and apply it to other seasonal ideas too. Think fall watercolor paintings, pumpkin watercolor painting, or even hand painting Christmas cards. And yes, seasonal watercolor art makes amazing gifts!

Speaking of fall watercolor painting… check out my blog where I share step-by-step tutorials and cozy fall watercolor ideas to spark your creativity!

Ocean & Beach Scenes

Now let’s go coastal! These scenes are perfect for those summer months, or anytime you need a little sunshine on your paper. If you’ve ever wanted to paint waves, sparkling water, or a glowing horizon, these ocean and beach tutorials are calling your name. 

How to Paint an Ocean Landscape breaks down wave structure and how to create depth with color. This one’s great for learning how to “see” water, not just paint it. 

For a looser, more relaxed feel, try the Loose-Style Beach Scene. This tutorial focuses on breezy brushwork and letting the watercolor flow naturally. No tight lines or overthinking here. It’s a great reminder that sometimes the best effects come when you step back and let the medium shine. Follow along on YouTube for a step-by-step walkthrough.

Want a deeper dive into painting oceans, step by step? I’ve created a 4-part YouTube series that walks you through the full process of creating a complete ocean landscape:

• Part 1: Gradient Wash Technique: Learn how to paint a smooth gradient sky that sets the tone for the whole scene.
• Part 2: Painting the Ocean: I’ll show you the easiest way to paint water (seriously, anyone can do this).
• Part 3: Rocks and Details: Add simple ocean rocks and texture to give your painting more depth.
• Part 4: Pulling It All Together: We finish the painting with final details and bring the entire ocean scene to life.

I like to take things slow so you can really absorb each concept. By the end, you’ll have a finished ocean landscape you’ll be proud of (and the confidence to try more!).

Countryside & Architecture

Scenery watercolor painting doesn’t always mean wild nature. Sometimes it’s the charming villages, winding roads, or golden fields that capture your imagination. (And yes, I definitely daydream of painting in Tuscany…)

How to Paint an Italian Countryside with Watercolor is a warm, nostalgic project filled with rolling hills and stone homes. You’ll get to practice layering, shadow placement, and creating that sun-kissed feel. I love how this tutorial combines landscape and architecture, it’s a great challenge for your growing watercolor skills.

If you want to explore different moods and times of day, these next few tutorials are perfect:

• Simple Night Sky & Forest Details: A peaceful project that’s perfect for beginners. I walk you through painting a soft night sky and distant tree silhouettes for a magical nighttime landscape.
• Misty Forest Landscape: In this step-by-step tutorial, I teach you how to layer color and create that gorgeous misty forest effect. It’s a relaxing, moody painting with lots of soft edges.
• Sunset Desert Landscape: Warm tones, big skies, and a simple structure make this one so fun. I break it down to make it totally doable—even if you’ve never painted a desert before.

These tutorials are all about exploring scenery from different parts of the world and different lighting, giving you tons of room to play and find your favorite landscapes to paint.

Got a stack of old paintings you’re not sure what to do with? Check out my blog for 10 creative ways to turn your unfinished (or underwhelming) art into something fresh and fun!

Details to Bring Your Scenery to Life

You’ve got your sky, your land, your water… but now what? Let’s fill in those details that make a scene feel alive.

In this YouTube tutorial on 10 Easy Objects, I walk you through how to paint simple, essential elements like rocks, pine trees, palms, grassy shrubs, wildflowers, distant hills, ocean waves, and more. (You’ll want to bookmark this one!)

These aren’t just fun to paint, they help complete your scenery watercolor painting and add that extra touch of personality. They’re great for practicing on their own too. Try painting a few on scrap paper or in your sketchbook to build your own “object library” (kind of like a visual vocabulary you can pull from anytime you sit down to create).

Your Next Scenery Watercolor Painting Adventure

Whether you’re dreaming of far-off beaches, quiet mountain mornings, or peaceful countryside strolls, scenery watercolor painting is such a beautiful way to capture the feeling of a place. It’s not just about replicating what you see, it’s about expressing what it feels like to be there.

I hope these tutorials spark your curiosity, get you experimenting with new techniques, and give you the confidence to try new subjects. If you’re feeling inspired, grab your watercolor brushes, pick a scene that speaks to you, and start painting.

And if you're just getting started with watercolor and want a solid foundation, be sure to download my free Complete Beginner’s Guide to Watercolor. It’s packed with helpful tips, supplies guidance, and bite-sized lessons to get you going with confidence.

Grab your free copy here!

Want even more step-by-step lessons, easy watercolor paintings, and tips for improving your style? I’ve got a full library of videos waiting for you on my YouTube channel. 

Happy painting, friend.