If you're new to watercolor or simply looking for a few easy projects to practice, these 9 watercolor projects for beginners are a great starting point. You don’t need any special materials or prior experience – just a bit of curiosity and a willingness to try. From there, I’ll guide you through each project, focusing on key techniques that will help you grow your skills along the way. Sound good?

Before we jump in, I want to let you in on a little secret: you don't always need to follow complete start-to-finish tutorials to improve. Sometimes, the best way to improve is by focusing on specific techniques. As you dive into these beginner-friendly and simple watercolor projects, remember that I've got tons of resources here on the blog to help you along your journey. 

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram for more, too! That's where I share more of my daily musings, behind-the-scenes peeks at my creative process, and even more watercolor inspiration. 

Choosing Watercolor Supplies 

First things first, let's gather your supplies! Now, I know it can be tempting to go all out and buy every fancy brush and paint set you see (been there, done that!), but trust me, you don't need to break the bank to get started. 

Here's a quick list of essentials:

• Watercolor paper (artist or student level)
• A set of watercolor paints 
• A few brushes in different sizes (find my guide to watercolor brushes here)
• A palette for mixing colors
• Water container (an old mug works great!)
• Paper towels or a cloth for blotting

If you want to check out my personal favorites, you can find them all here. But remember, the most important thing with simple watercolor projects is to just start creating, even if you're working with basic supplies!

The BEST Watercolor Practice to Improve Quickly

When it comes to improving your watercolor painting quickly, I usually recommend practicing four key techniques. I have a whole video on this here, and in it, I walk you through:

1. Color gradients 
2. Wet-on-wet technique 
3. Wet-on-dry technique 
4. Layering and texture 

By practicing these fundamentals, you'll be amazed at how quickly your skills improve. Once you've got these down, you'll have a solid foundation for creating all sorts of beautiful watercolor art!

9 Favorite Tutorials for Beginners

Alright, I know you're eager to get started. Below are 9 of my absolute favorite watercolor projects for beginners. Each one focuses on different techniques and subjects, so you can pick and choose based on what interests you most:

1. Watercolor Sailboat: This quick and easy project is perfect for practicing basic shapes and loose watercolor techniques. Plus, who doesn't love a serene ocean scene?
2. Watercolor Mushrooms: In this tutorial, not only will you create some adorable mushrooms, but you'll also get a crash course in color theory (my favorite!)
3. Easy Watercolor Trees: In this tutorial, we'll paint 10 different tree styles. It's perfect for adding to landscapes or creating standalone pieces. Warning: you might become obsessed with painting trees after this (ask me how I know…).
4. Watercolor Whale: As I mentioned above, I believe in practicing the fundamentals at first. In this tutorial, you will practice both wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry techniques while creating a majestic humpback whale! 
5. Watercolor Cats: Calling all cat lovers! This tutorial teaches you to paint four adorable cats in a loose, playful style.
6. Watercolor Dogs: Similar to the cat tutorial, but for the dog enthusiasts out there. This tutorial you will learn to capture four different breeds with simple techniques. 
7. Beach Scene: In this tutorial you will learn to create a vibrant, flowy beach landscape while practicing color blending and using a reference photo for inspiration! 
8. Mountain Lake Landscape: I’m basically the Bob Ross of watercolor. In this video, you can learn to paint serene mountain scenes and reflections on water. This one is great for practicing perspective and creating depth in your paintings.
9. Shibori-Inspired Watercolor: Lastly, with this project, you’ll explore the beautiful patterns of Shibori tie-dyeing techniques.

Each of these simple watercolor projects is designed to be beginner-friendly while still teaching you valuable techniques. And the best part? You'll end up with a beautiful piece of art to hang on your wall or gift to a friend!

Don't Forget to Play!

While these simple watercolor projects are great starting points, I also want to encourage you to experiment and play with your watercolors. Try creating an abstract piece by:

• Using different brush strokes (big, small, swirly – go wild!)
• Experimenting with color mixing
• Playing with water-to-paint ratios 

Remember, there's no “right” or “wrong” in art – it's all about expression and exploration. Some of my favorite pieces have come from just messing around and seeing what happens!

Getting Better at Watercolor Painting

As you work through these simple watercolor projects, you'll naturally start to improve your watercolor skills. Before you know it, you'll be creating beautiful pieces that you love (with confidence)!

If you find yourself falling in love with watercolor (and I have a feeling you might!), make sure to grab my Complete Guide to Watercolor Painting. It's a FREE e-book that covers everything from basic techniques to more advanced concepts, helping you build a strong foundation in watercolor artistry. 

Remember: Enjoy the Process!

As we wrap up, I want to remind you of something super important (that sounds simple, but is easy to forget): enjoy the process! It's easy to get caught up in trying to create “perfect” paintings, but remember, even the most experienced artists are always learning and growing. I’m making “mistakes”  all the time.

If you want to take your love of art even further, I’d love to invite you to join me and over 1,000 students in The Art Within course, where you'll master the essentials, develop your unique style, and create the artwork you truly love. A little bit of a humble brag but I’ve been told time and time again that it’s better than any art school. Enroll now to get instant access. I’d love to see you inside!