Discovering the hardest “easy” medium

We’ve all painted with watercolors at some point, right? Those little Crayola trays every kid gets because they’re easy to clean up. That was my first experience too. Like a lot of people, I assumed watercolor would be the easiest medium when I got older. Boy was I wrong.

I’ve been trying new art mediums and techniques recently. Of all the mediums I’ve tried, watercolor is by far the trickiest. There are a dozen ways to get a shade or effect you want, but mastering them takes patience. You need just the right paint‑to‑water ratio. You can’t simply layer one color on top of another. How much wash should you use? What even is a wash? These are just a few of the things I’ve learned so far. I’m far from mastering the art but here are a few things I tried.

Early Watercolor Studies

Here was my first attempt. It was a rainy day so I broke out the watercolor set I bought for my wife a couple years ago and followed this tutorial. Golden Sunset. There’s something incredibly relaxing/satisfying about painting on a rainy day.

I painted this piece while recovering from laser eye surgery. Since I couldn’t really go anywhere, I brought some watercolors with me and followed a tutorial. Pond Sunset. It was a good way to stay creative while stuck inside.

For the next painting, I decided to try something on my own. I took what little I’d learned and attempted a watercolor version of my Bonita Bay painting. It was a challenge, but it felt good to step away from tutorials and apply lessons learned.

Why I’m Enjoying Watercolors

Watercolors take some getting used to, but I love playing with them. My favorite thing is how easy they are to clean up — no solvents, no big canvases, no mess. They’re portable, relaxing, and perfect for quick studies or practice sessions.

Like drawing, this is a medium I want to get better at. And since I’m more likely to practice if I make it fun, I may stream some of my watercolor sessions on Twitch. It’s a great way to stay accountable and share the learning process.

Tools I Used

These paintings were done in a Mixed Media sketchbook using a watercolor box set. The set has 10 colors and an assortment of brushes. Everything you need to get started.

I’m looking forward to trying more. Stay tuned to see how I progress. If you enjoy following my art journey, consider joining my email list. I share new paintings, behind the scenes updates, and the occasional studio story. In the mean time, have a look in my gallery or browse the blog.

Until then, don’t be afraid of trying new art mediums or other things.

Happy painting!