How Is Watercolor Applied?

There’s something almost sacred about the moment you sit down to paint. The water is ready. The brush is in your hand. Your colors are waking up. You breathe in—and begin.

Watercolor is simple in its ingredients: just pigment, water, and paper. But the ways to apply it are endless. And the beauty of watercolor isn’t just in how it looks—it’s in how it feels.

This is for those of you who want to fall in love with the process again, or for the first time. Let’s explore how to apply watercolor with presence, softness, and play.

Wake Up the Color

Before anything else, watercolor needs to be activated. Since most watercolors (especially handmade ones) are dry in pans, start by adding a drop or two of clean water to the color you want to use. Let it soak for a few seconds. Then swirl your brush in gentle circles until the pigment begins to lift.

This small ritual matters. You’re not rushing. You’re waking something up—color that’s been resting, now ready to dance.

Pick the Right Paper and Brush—for You

The way watercolor behaves depends on your surface and tools. Here’s a soft guide:

• Cold-pressed paper has a texture that catches pigment and creates natural movement
• Hot-pressed paper is smooth and perfect for detailed or clean work
• Soft, round brushes hold water well and allow for flow and control
• There’s no perfect setup—only what feels right in your hands. The more you paint, the more you’ll understand how you like your materials to respond.

Tip: Handmade paints often have gorgeous granulation. Swatching them on scrap paper first can reveal beautiful surprises.

Techniques That Open Creative Doors

There are endless ways to apply watercolor, but here are four of my favorites—each one opens a different door:

• Wet-on-wet: Add clean water to your paper, then drop in pigment. Watch it spread like a thought becoming a feeling.
• Wet-on-dry: Paint directly onto dry paper for crisp edges and more control.
• Glazing: Layer translucent colors, allowing each to dry fully before the next. It’s like building emotion in soft waves.
• Dry brush: Use very little water to create texture or a weathered, organic look.
• Don’t be afraid to play. Watercolor teaches us that even “mistakes” can turn into beauty.

Let It Be a Conversation

Watercolor is not a medium of control. It’s a medium of relationship. The way the pigment flows, dries, and shifts—it all reflects something about you and the moment you’re in.

Sometimes you lead. Sometimes you follow. But always, you’re creating together.

Wondering how these paints are made by hand?
- Start here: How Is Watercolor Made?

Looking for the heart behind watercolor’s magic?
- Read: What Makes Watercolor Unique?