Why watercolours give you the best chance of painting success

Have you resolved to improve your painting skills, but then it just HASN’T happened?

Sitting down to paint has become a massive challenge?

If so it’s highly likely you may have fallen victim to that enemy of self improvement – procrastination.

And procrastination thrives where there are barriers in the way.

Got to allocate a whole day to painting? = A barrier

Paint takes ages to clear up? = Barrier

And there are many more.

So in this video I wanted to make the case that watercolours give you the best chance of ACTUALLY painting for a few key reasons.

If you’ve not tried watercolour before, or not given it much of a go, or if you’re just looking for a bit of a kick up the you-know-what, check this video out:

I hope this helps you start making the kind of progress you want to see!

Do let me know in the comments below if the convenience of watercolours has been key to your making progress with your painting, or you think it could be.

And also please share any other barrier reducing tips!

Happy painting,

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28 Comments

  1. Cathee B on July 6, 2017 at 3:14 pm

    Boy did I need this inspiration. Every one of the steps made me think, “that fits me.”

  2. Nellie on July 6, 2017 at 3:50 pm

    I’ve painted in oils and acrylics and the cleanup can be monumental, the mess, odor, cleaning of brushes, throwing away dried up paint….hated that part of it. But watercolors…ahhhh….so relaxing. I can paint for a little while (although I tend to loose track of time when painting….I totally zone out), rinse out my brush and cleanup is done! Then when I go back to paint later, I pick up my brush, add a little water to my paints and pick up where I’ve left off. I love it!! Watercolor is my happy place…..

    • Simonetta on July 17, 2017 at 8:47 am

      I totally agree with you. I love watercolour for your same reasons.

  3. Anne de Vos on July 6, 2017 at 4:40 pm

    Great video – I will certainly share it with friends who have a ‘thing’ about watercolour!
    Many thanks…
    Anne

  4. Diane O on July 6, 2017 at 4:47 pm

    Yes! When I made the transition from acrylics to watercolors this year, I noticed all the benefits you mentioned which has motivated me to put more time into my art rather than procrastinate. I’m still learning, but feel more inspired than ever!

  5. Christine on July 6, 2017 at 4:48 pm

    Anna

    Thank you very much for this video it was really great! My paints have just arrived, I have booked a date for doing my watercolour trial, I have told my friends about you and your site, finally I have watched the video, so nothing holding me back now,

  6. Heather on July 6, 2017 at 4:59 pm

    Hi Anna
    Your course has been a real life saver to me, as a career who has very little time to myself and not being able to take time out to attend a course, I listened to your inspirational videos and you gave me the push I needed to actually put paint to paper, as well as the encouragement you also gave all the information on how and where to access all the equipment, I could have cried, hugged and kissed you.
    I have managed a few of the tutorials even though I may only get 1hour at any given time, a life saver, you are an amazing gifted and talented young woman ! I love it when you say, it may look like an ugly duckling, and encourage us to go on.
    Now relax and enjoy your new season, God Bless you and thank you so much.
    Heather

  7. Bob on July 6, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    Anna, I am basically a watercolour painter from choice so far. Recently I have tried coloured pencils. These are less of a problem on all the four points you raised. In recent years I have graduated primarily to botanical art. I am a committee member of South West Society of Botanical Artists and regularly exhibit in botanical exhibitions. My aim now is to submit for RHS medal status.
    Good luck to you and your husband on your forthcoming family event.

  8. Rose on July 6, 2017 at 6:26 pm

    I am a SAHM for my six children, I struggled to find time to paint for years. The pull to paint was too strong, so I started using watercolors and now I actually finish paintings. It still takes me weeks to complete a painting (I swear every other time I sit down to paint someone has a crisis within five minutes). I have a space dedicated to painting and everything is always set up, although sometimes my 2 yr old thinks he needs to help me paint and has ruined a couple of projects when I wasn’t looking. It all works out in the end. Watercolor is the only medium that is compatible with my life.

    • Simonetta on July 17, 2017 at 8:57 am

      How I understand you! Watercolor is a perfect relax for a very busy mum. But when I’m starting to paint I’m so involved in painting that I become ‘a beast’ when somebody stops me.

  9. Pat Mcelwee on July 6, 2017 at 9:23 pm

    My problem is setting up still life’s to paint. Then drawing. Ug.

  10. Pam on July 6, 2017 at 10:30 pm

    I recently (May) underwent a double masectomy and it really put a funk on my getting back into it…I keep wanting to join your site but dont have the brushes and even though I am a vet for medical I just cant swing the brushes right now. So painting AND paiting with you is on hold…I have hit a wall!

    • Anna Mason on July 7, 2017 at 8:34 am

      Sorry to hear what you’ve been through Pam. Give it time. Sometimes the timing is just not right, but it will be! Hang in there.

      • Jennifer on July 8, 2017 at 9:09 am

        I have been through a similar thing Pam and my painting hit a wall too. It took quite a while but that creative feeling does come back. Once I gave myself permission not to feel pressured about it I began to slowly ease back in. It was nice to have some painting when so many other things about my self image were up in the air. Good luck.

  11. Karen on July 7, 2017 at 12:42 am

    For those who are questioning the convenience of water colors, check out the facebook pages for The Nature Journal Club, Sketch Crawl and Urban Sketching. These groups all paint outdoors in a less formal setting than plein air. Even though these artists begin with sketches, many add watercolor to finish their piece. There are travel watercolor kits, or you can make your own set, or you carry watercolor pencils or sticks and learn the different ways to use them. In addition to being convenient, they are inexpensive. If you want to step up your watercolor paintings, then explore the glazes and mediums..

    If you are not finding the time to paint, then join one of the groups in your area. Again, refer to The Nature Journal Club, Sketch Crawl and Urban Sketching. Most are free or inexpensive, and you meet like-minded people. Painting is an incredible hobby. There’s no end to learning, meeting people, exploring the details of your world, and it’s at your pace so it can be relaxing.

  12. Karen on July 7, 2017 at 1:01 am

    Another way to become motivated is to take one of Anna’s classes. She will help you become comfortable with watercolors, and show you techniques that can be applied in other paintings. To keep your motivation going, join a relaxed watercolor group, and enjoy the world of watercolor painting.

  13. Fernanda on July 7, 2017 at 5:12 am

    Me encantaría poder realizar este curso pero en idioma español. Podría ser posible??Gracias.

  14. Tiger Lily - Goal 2017 - to find time to paint every week if not everyday on July 7, 2017 at 5:41 pm

    So cute and I agree with your premise. I am still combining a little bit in my work but the picture of my Bird Girl #2 that I’ll be posting in my sketchbook soon and which is the preliminary effort for a much larger painting has the skin of the girl, my little step-great granddaughter done with oil after sealing the paper just in those areas with white acrylic. The rest is done in watercolor. (I did have to have 3 little cups with separate brushes for each medium though and my palette saver with the oil in it and a square of wax paper for the acrylic) More than just the ease of watercolor for sure!
    It’s amazing how much light can be achieved with the watercolor! It’s new to me but I am still adjusting to the same intensity of all the subjects in the composition. I will need to learn how to tone some areas down without taking away from the sunlight. It will come with time but for now, I’m allowing myself the freedom of learning and not being too critical. I don’t want anything to sap my joy!
    Thanks for the little video and I’m glad your doggy will have fresh air to breathe all round! So cute.

  15. Janet Clark on July 8, 2017 at 9:08 am

    Just starting out with watercolours
    Took up painting when I retired 2 yrs ago …used acrylics mainly
    I would love to do more with watercolour paints ! I agree the more you use it the better and more confident you feel I still have a long way to go but I have enrolled in a weekly watercolour class hopefully it will get easier …I look forward to following your tips too

  16. Ann on July 10, 2017 at 1:47 am

    Anna, I’m so excited when i get an email from you, and YES! I love the convenience of watercolour painting! After using acrylics for 20 odd years, I love that I can pick up a watercolour brush, spray a little water around and paint a little or a lot (all while I’m supposed to be cooking dinner!) and put the brush down to be picked up again … no cleaning up the paint tray, no having to wash the brushes out as they wash out in the water container on my desk – and knowing I can pick up where I left off at any time with no more preparation – I LOVE IT! It’s the most attractive element to me – the convenience – oh, and the beauty of watercolour itself! (BTW I do know to clean up the brushes etc properly on occasion, before anyone remarks on my sloppiness!) 😉
    Thanks for your inspiration and encouragement, Anna.

    • Anna Mason on July 10, 2017 at 11:59 am

      So pleased watercolours are working for your lifestyle, thanks for sharing Ann!

  17. Jodi on July 10, 2017 at 9:42 pm

    I haven’t had much time using WC to date. I did pencil and color pencil work before my accident. After my accident I have struggle to even know what to do. It isn’t a just practice, it will come back….it about 90% blank slate. So relearning. I have done a bit of CP since my accident, and a bit of water-color pencils. Even just the sharpening of the pencils though created issues for my cervical/neck issues. I loved the feel, just had difficult time. Its interesting to find that with the little WC pencil work that I have done is nearly identical to your process in WC painting. What I have found though with the couple projects from your school, straight up watercolor is so much easier on my physical limitations I still have; gives me the ability to take more time to actually be able to do some painting without having to stop from pain, or not be able to do for weeks because of pain. A year ago my situation was bleak concerning art…with the possibility of never being able to do any again. Thank the good Lord for healing, and for watercolor convenience and ease of use I am inching my way to recovery. And since it all seems so BIG at times, even the simplicity of the small plate palette make it all seem possible! Hurry to watercolors and plate Palettes!!!

  18. Jodi on July 10, 2017 at 9:47 pm

    Although I meant Hurray to watercolors and plate Palettes…. I think Hurry to try watercolors would still be appropriate. Lol.
    thank you Anna for giving the public, and your students encouragements and reminders of importance of painting!!!

  19. Richard on November 16, 2017 at 1:55 pm

    I agree with all of these points. I come from painting with oils for the last few years. While I find these considerably easier to create the results I want ( I paint people) I have destroyed many items of clothing and my studio carpet is a mess. Watercolour is so much cheaper too. Brushes last forever and paper is so cheap in comparison. I just feel like I’m starting over learning how to control watercolour. I read somewhere learning to oil paint is like training a dog..learning to water colour is like training a cat 🙂

  20. Rosalie Roscoe on February 9, 2018 at 9:09 pm

    Thank you for the video and I plan to try painting for 20 minutes each day. I just need to get my act together. I know that painting every day will help me get better. Thanks again!

  21. Diana on October 16, 2019 at 6:05 am

    Very reassuring! Thank uou

  22. Syndy on October 18, 2019 at 5:18 am

    Watercolour rocks for convenience!
    My paints are usually out on a corner of my kitchen bench, and I potter around adding dimension each time I have a spare 5 minutes. It actually helps with that ‘stepping away’ perspective.
    When I need the space, the necessary items all pop into a backpack that was heading to the OpShop – win, win!
    The extra bits and bobs live in a pretty 3 tier Ikea trolley on wheels that tucks away in a corner, my “Painting Studio” and I move it alongside wherever I happen to be working. Works a treat for me. I confess I still have a yearning for that gorgeous, light-drenched garden room that I will one day retire to, preferably beachside.
    For the moment just paint and enjoy it, wherever it is.

  23. Rebecca Lepper on February 23, 2021 at 6:54 pm

    It has been so difficult for me to schedule any kind a block of time to paint. We are getting our house ready to sell, which is stressful in it’s self, and it seems to just swallow up all my time. At 70 years old I’m just wore out by evening and I can’t imagine doing anything else. But I want to! I watch your videos and see everyone else’s finished projects and I literally get tears in my eyes. I guess I have to hope once the house is sold and we get resettled I can finally paint! Sorry for my sob story. I love the way you teach Anna and I just miss being taught. I do try to sketch something, but I miss painting the most!

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