Hi friend, I’m Kirby, watercolor artist and founder of Chatty Lobster Studio. I’m probably the only person in Texas who has spilled both sweet tea and quinacridone rose on the same painting. (Spoiler: the tea actually added texture.)
If you’re brand new to watercolor, you’ve probably asked questions like:
Don’t worry, I’ve been there. I’ll walk you through the absolute beginner basics — washes, water control, brush pressure — plus the do’s and don’ts, and all those “Google at midnight” watercolor questions.
And I promise to keep it quirky, encouraging, and judgment free, because around here we celebrate messy first tries as much as polished final pieces.
Practice these washes until you’re comfortable with them!
Too much water = puddles.
Too little = scratchy streaks.
The sweet spot? A brush that’s damp, not dripping. If your paper looks like it’s auditioning for a role as a swimming pool liner, blot your brush.
Think of it like a dance:
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Answer: Sometimes!
Try both. Your favorite depends on whether you’re more “float with the tide” or “I need sharp control.”
Watercolor is backwards planning:
If you do it the other way around, your poor squirrel might drown in your “oops” sky wash.
This one sparks debate hotter than pineapple on pizza.
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Just two:
Start small with warm and cool primaries:
Or try the Grabie 50-Color Travel Set https://amzn.to/45Wqj1b
if you want a budget-friendly, all-in-one palette.
The most important thing? Let it dry.
If you rush, your painting will bloom in all the wrong ways.
You don’t need 47 brushes. Start with:
YES. Please try to avoid printer paper!
Watercolor isn’t about perfection — it’s about play. Around here, we celebrate messy splatters just as much as polished final pieces.
So grab a brush, dip it in paint, and let’s make some puddles of magic together. Check out my Beginner Watercolor Starter Kit
to grab the exact supplies I use at my desk.
Brushes
Paints
Paper
Affiliate Note: These are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it helps keep my brushes rinsed and my sweet tea glass full. Thank you for supporting Chatty Lobster Studio!