Today, I’m going to walk you through how to create stunning watercolor landscape paintings! Whether you're a complete newbie who's never dipped a brush in water before, or you've been painting for a while and want to take your landscapes to the next level, I've got some awesome tips and tricks that will have you creating dreamy, expansive scenes in no time. Trust me, I’ve been called the Bob Ross of Watercolor more than once. This is going to be fun!
Let’s get started!
4 Principles of Watercolor Landscape Paintings
Okay, before we jump into the nitty-gritty of painting techniques, let's talk about the four key principles that I ALWAYS keep in mind when creating watercolor landscape paintings. While it can be tempting to skip straight to the step-by-step tutorials, trust me when I say that these principles will help you create balanced, eye-catching, and deep paintings. They’re worth learning!
1. Visualize and Sketch
Before you start painting, take a moment to visualize your scene and lightly sketch it out. This step doesn’t need to be perfect – you just want to take a moment to start planning your composition and getting a feel for how things will be laid out. Think of it as a rough guide to help you stay on track as you paint. The key here is to keep things simple and not overthink it.
2. Tone and Values
When painting landscapes especially, it’s important to think about where the light hits and where the shadows fall. Start with your lightest washes and gradually work your way to darker tones. This layering helps build depth and gives your painting a three-dimensional feel. Pay attention to where you want to create highlights and shadows, as this will make your painting stand out with added contrast and depth.
3. Consider Composition
Next, composition plays a big role in how your watercolor landscape will be viewed. Ideally, as artists we want to create a balanced layout that naturally leads the eye through the painting. Think about how the different elements – trees, water, mountains – work together. Whether you use a rule of thirds or just trust your gut, a well-thought-out composition will make your painting more intriguing to the eye.
4. Add the Right Amount of Detail
I’m a big believer that when it comes to detail in watercolor landscapes, less is often more. Instead of getting caught up in trying to capture every tiny element, focus on adding just enough detail to convey the mood and feel of the scene. You don’t need to paint every leaf or blade of grass – let your brushstrokes suggest these elements, and allow the viewer’s imagination to fill in the rest. This way, your painting feels more open and expressive.
Bonus tip: One of my favorite tricks for a balanced layout is using a zig-zag pattern. Try arranging things of different heights and sizes in a zig-zag to guide the viewer's eye through the scene and make it more interesting.
Choose the Right Materials
Now that you've got the principles down, let's talk about the importance of using the right materials. Here’s what you should start with:
- Paper: When it comes to watercolor paper, quality matters. A higher weight of paper will ensure that your paper can handle multiple washes without buckling or warping. I have a complete guide to choosing watercolor paper here.
- Paints: While you don't need to spend a fortune on paints, investing in a good set of watercolors will give you richer, more vibrant colors that are easier to work with. I break down the different types of watercolor paints and what I use here.
- Brushes: Having different brush shapes and sizes is key for creating different effects in your watercolor landscape paintings. Start with a few round brushes in sizes 2, 4, and 6, and a bigger flat brush for washes. Look for brushes that are both soft and springy – this will help you control your brushstrokes better. You can find more about choosing the right watercolor brushes here.
Want to know exactly which supplies I use and love? You can find them all right here.
Learn the Basic Techniques
To create stunning watercolor landscape paintings, you need to learn two main techniques: wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry. These are the building blocks of watercolor painting and will help you create all sorts of effects in your landscapes.
Here’s a quick summary of each:
- Wet-on-wet: This might be obvious but, this means putting wet paint on wet paper. It's great for creating soft, dreamy effects like clouds, mist, or far-away mountains. To do this, wet your paper with clean water first. Then, add your colors and let them mix on the paper. You can tilt your paper to make the colors flow and blend.
- Wet-on-dry: Again, probably obvious, but this means putting wet paint on dry paper. It gives you more control and lets you create sharper edges. It's perfect for adding details, texture, and things in the foreground of your landscapes. You can add layers of color by letting each layer dry before adding the next.
Tutorials to Get You Started
Now that you know the basics, it's time to practice (this is likely what brought you here today, right?).
Here are some of my favorite watercolor landscape tutorials to get you started:
An Easy Watercolor Winter Landscape
In this tutorial, you'll learn how to use salt, white gouache, and negative space to create a peaceful, snowy scene. This is great for beginners who want to try different textures and techniques.
Mountain Lake Landscape
In this one, you’ll learn how to paint reflections, shaded mountains, and fluffy clouds in this step-by-step tutorial. You'll learn how to create depth in your landscapes by using different shades.
Paint an Ocean Landscape
Lastly, in this tutorial, you’ll learn to capture the movement and depth of the ocean with techniques like layering colors and creating texture. This tutorial will teach you how to paint an aerial view of waves, sea foam, and the ocean. If you fall in love and want to draw even more landscapes and ocean creatures, make sure to check out my book Everyday Watercolor Seashores.
Remember, these tutorials are just a starting point – feel free to make them your own and try different colors and layouts! I have a ton of videos on my Youtube channel! techniques to more advanced concepts, helping you build a strong foundation in watercolor artistry.
Remember to Have Fun!
As you start your watercolor landscape painting journey, remember that it should be fun! Don't put too much pressure on yourself to make perfect paintings right away – enjoy learning and trying new things. Don't be afraid to play around with different techniques, color mixes, and layouts. And if things don't turn out how you expected, just remember: every “mistake” is a chance to learn and grow as an artist (trust me we’ve ALL been there!).
Take Your Skills to the Next Level
Remember, every artist starts somewhere, and with practice and patience, you'll see your skills grow with each brushstroke. Don't be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and most importantly, have fun! Having fun is the whole point.
If you are loving watercolor landscape paintings and want to learn more, check out my course, The Art Within. In this course, you'll learn all the basics of watercolor painting, from color mixing to layout, and discover how to develop your own unique style. If you're ready to improve your watercolor skills (or simply just grow as an artist), I'd love to have you join us!
Until next time, don't forget to follow me on Instagram for more watercolor inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes looks at my painting process. I love connecting with other artists and seeing the amazing work you create.
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