How to use watercolor paint

Watercolor is such a gentle teacher. It asks for trust, presence, and a willingness to let go of control. Whether you're brand new to painting or just returning after some time away, using watercolor doesn’t have to be complicated—it can be soft, playful, and full of small delights.

In this post, I’ll guide you through how to use watercolor paint—especially handmade, eco-friendly watercolors like the ones I make—with heart-centered tips for making the process your own.

Wake Up the Paint with Water and Patience

If your watercolor is in pan form, it needs a moment to come alive. Simply add a few drops of clean water to the color you’d like to use. Let it rest for 10–20 seconds. Then swirl your brush gently in circles to loosen the pigment.

This small act of waiting is part of the magic. The paint softens. You soften. Something opens.

Tip: Use a brush with soft bristles that holds water well. Round brushes are a great place to begin.

Explore Techniques with a Beginner’s Heart

There’s no one “right” way to use watercolor. Let the process be intuitive. Some core techniques to try:

• Wet-on-wet: Wet your paper first, then add color. Watch it bloom and blend.
• Wet-on-dry: Paint directly onto dry paper for crisp lines and definition.
• Lifting: Use a damp brush or paper towel to lift pigment for highlights.
• Layering (glazing): Let each layer dry before adding another for depth.

Even repeating these same techniques in different moods or color palettes helps you grow.

Let the Paint Be a Mirror

Handmade watercolors, in particular, have so much personality. They granulate, shift, and surprise. Notice how they behave, and let them guide your hand.

When something doesn’t go “right,” don’t panic. Ask instead: What is the paint trying to do? Then meet it there. Like a dance partner you’re still getting to know.

Watercolor isn’t about control—it’s about relationship.

Want to use watercolor for a calming, creative ritual?
- Try: How Art Helps with Stress and Mindfulness

Curious how to make the paints themselves?
- Read: How Is Watercolor Made?