20 Watercolor Painting Ideas for Beginners

Watercolor painting is a wonderful way to express your creativity and have fun. Watercolors are easy to use, versatile, and affordable. You can create beautiful artworks with just a few basic supplies and some imagination.

But sometimes, it can be hard to come up with ideas for what to paint. You may feel overwhelmed by the endless possibilities, or stuck in a rut of painting the same things over and over. That’s why we have compiled this list of 20 watercolor painting ideas for beginners. These are simple, fun, and inspiring projects that you can try at home, or even give as gifts to your friends and family.

Whether you want to paint landscapes, animals, flowers, abstracts, or anything else, you will find something here that suits your style and skill level. So grab your brushes, paints, and paper, and let’s get started!

1. Sunset Sky

One of the easiest and most beautiful things to paint with watercolors is a sunset sky. You can use any colors you like, from warm oranges and yellows to cool blues and purples. The key is to blend the colors smoothly and create a gradient effect. You can also add some clouds, stars, or silhouettes to make it more interesting.

To paint a sunset sky, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A large flat brush
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel

Here are the steps to follow:

• Wet your paper with clean water using the large flat brush. This will help the colors blend better.
• Start with the lightest color, such as yellow, and paint a horizontal band across the top of the paper. Leave some white space for the sun.
• Add the next color, such as orange, and paint another band below the yellow one. Blend the colors together where they meet.
• Repeat with the other colors, such as red, pink, purple, and blue, until you reach the bottom of the paper. Make sure to blend the colors well and avoid creating harsh lines.
• Use the small round brush to add some details, such as clouds, stars, or silhouettes. You can use white paint for the clouds and stars, and black paint for the silhouettes. You can also use a toothbrush to splatter some white paint for a starry effect.
• Let the painting dry completely before removing it from the paper.

2. Galaxy

Another stunning watercolor painting idea for beginners is a galaxy. You can create a realistic or a whimsical galaxy with just a few colors and some salt. Salt is a great technique to create a textured and sparkly effect on your watercolor paintings. It works by absorbing the water and leaving behind a crystalline pattern.

To paint a galaxy, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A large flat brush
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel
• Table salt

Here are the steps to follow:

• Wet your paper with clean water using the large flat brush. This will help the colors blend better.
• Start with the darkest color, such as black, and paint the entire paper. You can leave some white spaces for the stars if you want.
• Add the other colors, such as blue, purple, pink, and white, and paint them randomly over the black. You can use the wet-on-wet technique, which means adding wet paint to wet paper, to create a soft and blurry effect. You can also use the wet-on-dry technique, which means adding wet paint to dry paper, to create a sharper and more defined effect. Experiment with both techniques and see what you like.
• While the paint is still wet, sprinkle some salt over the paper. You can use more or less salt depending on how much texture you want. The salt will create a starry and sparkly effect on your galaxy.
• Let the painting dry completely before removing the salt. You can use a brush or a paper towel to gently brush off the salt.

3. Cactus

If you love plants, you will love painting a cactus with watercolors. Cacti are cute, colorful, and easy to paint. You can paint a single cactus or a group of them in different shapes and sizes. You can also add some flowers, pots, or backgrounds to make it more fun.

To paint a cactus, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel
• A pencil and an eraser

Here are the steps to follow:

• Sketch the outline of your cactus with a pencil. You can use any shape you like, such as round, oval, or elongated. You can also add some arms or branches to make it more interesting.
• Erase any unwanted lines and make sure your sketch is light and faint.
• Use the small round brush and watercolor paints to fill in your cactus. You can use any color you like, such as green, blue, or pink. You can also add some shading and highlights to make it more realistic. To create shading, use a darker color on the areas that are away from the light source. To create highlights, use a lighter color on the areas that are closer to the light source.
• Add some details to your cactus, such as spines, flowers, or patterns. You can use a thin brush or a fine-tipped pen to draw the spines. You can use any color you like for the flowers, such as yellow, red, or purple. You can also use dots, stripes, or swirls to create patterns on your cactus.
• Paint the pot and the background if you want. You can use any color and shape you like for the pot, such as brown, orange, or gray. You can also use any color and style you like for the background, such as solid, gradient, or splatter.

4. Pineapple

A pineapple is a fun and fruity watercolor painting idea for beginners. You can paint a realistic or a stylized pineapple with just a few colors and some masking tape. Masking tape is a useful tool to create sharp and clean edges on your watercolor paintings. It works by covering the areas that you don’t want to paint and peeling it off after the paint is dry.

To paint a pineapple, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel
• A pencil and an eraser
• Masking tape

Here are the steps to follow:

• Sketch the outline of your pineapple with a pencil. You can use any shape you like, such as oval, round, or triangular. You can also add some curves or angles to make it more interesting.
• Erase any unwanted lines and make sure your sketch is light and faint.
• Cut some pieces of masking tape and stick them over your pineapple. You can use any pattern you like, such as diagonal, horizontal, or vertical. You can also use different widths and lengths of tape to create more variety. Make sure the tape is smooth and flat on the paper and covers the edges of your pineapple.
• Use the small round brush and watercolor paints to fill in the gaps between the tape. You can use any color you like, such as yellow, orange, or green. You can also add some shading and highlights to make it more realistic. To create shading, use a darker color on the areas that are away from the light source. To create highlights, use a lighter color on the areas that are closer to the light source.
• Let the paint dry completely before removing the tape. You can use a paper towel to gently rub off any residue from the tape.
• Paint the crown of your pineapple with green watercolor paint. You can use any shape and size you like for the leaves, such as long, short, or curly. You can also add some details, such as veins or spots, to make it more realistic.

5. Butterfly

A butterfly is a beautiful and colorful watercolor painting idea for beginners. You can paint a realistic or a whimsical butterfly with just a few colors and some water. Water is a great technique to create a soft and blurry effect on your watercolor paintings. It works by adding more water to the paint or the paper to create a lighter and more transparent color.

To paint a butterfly, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel
• A pencil and an eraser

Here are the steps to follow:

• Sketch the outline of your butterfly with a pencil. You can use any shape and size you like, such as round, oval, or triangular. You can also add some curves or angles to make it more interesting.
• Erase any unwanted lines and make sure your sketch is light and faint.
• Use the small round brush and watercolor paints to fill in your butterfly. You can use any color you like, such as blue, purple, or pink. You can also add some shading and highlights to make it more realistic. To create shading, use a darker color on the areas that are away from the light source. To create highlights, use a lighter color on the areas that are closer to the light source.
• Add some details to your butterfly, such as spots, stripes, or swirls. You can use any color you like, such as white

• White, black, or gold. You can use a thin brush or a fine-tipped pen to draw the details. You can also use water to create a soft and blurry effect on some parts of your butterfly.
• Paint the background if you want. You can use any color and style you like for the background, such as solid, gradient, or splatter.

6. Watermelon

A watermelon is a juicy and refreshing watercolor painting idea for beginners. You can paint a realistic or a stylized watermelon with just a few colors and some masking fluid. Masking fluid is a liquid that resists watercolor paint and preserves the white of the paper. It works by applying it to the areas that you don’t want to paint and peeling it off after the paint is dry.

To paint a watermelon, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel
• A pencil and an eraser
• Masking fluid and an old brush

Here are the steps to follow:

• Sketch the outline of your watermelon with a pencil. You can use any shape you like, such as round, oval, or triangular. You can also add some curves or angles to make it more interesting.
• Erase any unwanted lines and make sure your sketch is light and faint.
• Use the old brush and masking fluid to cover the seeds and the white part of your watermelon. You can use any pattern you like, such as dots, dashes, or circles. Make sure the masking fluid is smooth and flat on the paper and covers the edges of your watermelon.
• Let the masking fluid dry completely before painting.
• Use the small round brush and watercolor paints to fill in your watermelon. You can use any color you like, such as green, red, or pink. You can also add some shading and highlights to make it more realistic. To create shading, use a darker color on the areas that are away from the light source. To create highlights, use a lighter color on the areas that are closer to the light source.
• Let the paint dry completely before removing the masking fluid. You can use a paper towel or your finger to gently rub off the masking fluid.

7. Rainbow

A rainbow is a bright and cheerful watercolor painting idea for beginners. You can paint a realistic or a whimsical rainbow with just a few colors and some water. Water is a great technique to create a smooth and gradient effect on your watercolor paintings. It works by adding more water to the paint or the paper to create a lighter and more transparent color.

To paint a rainbow, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A large flat brush
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel

Here are the steps to follow:

• Wet your paper with clean water using the large flat brush. This will help the colors blend better.
• Start with the first color of your rainbow, such as red, and paint a curved band across the paper. You can use any shape you like, such as semi-circle, arc, or spiral. You can also adjust the size and position of your rainbow according to your preference.
• Add the next color of your rainbow, such as orange, and paint another band below the red one. Blend the colors together where they meet.
• Repeat with the other colors of your rainbow, such as yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, until you complete your rainbow. Make sure to blend the colors well and avoid creating harsh lines.
• Use the small round brush to add some details, such as clouds, sun, or birds. You can use white paint for the clouds, yellow paint for the sun, and black paint for the birds. You can also use a toothbrush to splatter some white paint for a rainy effect.
• Let the painting dry completely before removing it from the paper.

8. Coffee

A coffee is a warm and cozy watercolor painting idea for beginners. You can paint a realistic or a stylized coffee with just a few colors and some water. Water is a great technique to create a soft and blurry effect on your watercolor paintings. It works by adding more water to the paint or the paper to create a lighter and more transparent color.

To paint a coffee, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel
• A pencil and an eraser

Here are the steps to follow:

• Sketch the outline of your coffee with a pencil. You can use any shape you like, such as round, oval, or square. You can also add some details, such as a handle, a saucer, or a spoon.
• Erase any unwanted lines and make sure your sketch is light and faint.
• Use the small round brush and watercolor paints to fill in your coffee. You can use any color you like, such as brown, beige, or white. You can also add some shading and highlights to make it more realistic. To create shading, use a darker color on the areas that are away from the light source. To create highlights, use a lighter color on the areas that are closer to the light source.
• Add some details to your coffee, such as steam, foam, or swirls. You can use any color you like, such as white, gray, or black. You can also use water to create a soft and blurry effect on some parts of your coffee.
• Paint the background if you want. You can use any color and style you like for the background, such as solid, gradient, or splatter.

9. Flower

A flower is a lovely and delicate watercolor painting idea for beginners. You can paint a realistic or a whimsical flower with just a few colors and some water. Water is a great technique to create a soft and blurry effect on your watercolor paintings. It works by adding more water to the paint or the paper to create a lighter and more transparent color.

To paint a flower, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel
• A pencil and an eraser

Here are the steps to follow:

• Sketch the outline of your flower with a pencil. You can use any shape and size you like, such as round, oval, or star. You can also add some details, such as petals, stamen, or stem.
• Erase any unwanted lines and make sure your sketch is light and faint.
• Use the small round brush and watercolor paints to fill in your flower. You can use any color you like, such as red, pink, or purple. You can also add some shading and highlights to make it more realistic. To create shading, use a darker color on the areas that are away from the light source. To create highlights, use a lighter color on the areas that are closer to the light source.
• Add some details to your flower, such as spots, stripes, or swirls. You can use any color you like, such as white, black, or gold. You can also use water to create a soft and blurry effect on some parts of your flower.
• Paint the background if you want. You can use any color and style you like for the background, such as solid, gradient, or splatter.

10. Mountain

A mountain is a majestic and scenic watercolor painting idea for beginners. You can paint a realistic or a stylized mountain with just a few colors and some water. Water is a great technique to create a smooth and gradient effect on your watercolor paintings. It works by adding more water to the paint or the paper to create a lighter and more transparent color.

To paint a mountain, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A large flat brush
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel
• A pencil and an eraser

Here are the steps to follow:

• Sketch the outline of your mountain with a pencil. You can use any shape and size you like, such as triangular, curved, or jagged. You can also add some details, such as peaks, valleys, or ridges.
• Erase any unwanted lines and make sure your sketch is light and faint.
• Use the large flat brush and watercolor paints to fill in your mountain. You can use any color you like, such as gray, brown, or green. You can also add some shading and highlights to make it more realistic. To create shading, use a darker color on the areas that are away from the light source. To create highlights, use a lighter color on the areas that are closer to the light source.
• Use the small round brush to add some details, such as snow, trees, or rocks. You can use any color you like, such as white, green, or black. You can also use water to create a soft and blurry effect on some parts of your mountain.
• Paint the sky and the ground if you want. You can use any color and style you like for the sky and the ground, such as solid, gradient, or splatter.

11. Bird

A bird is a cute and lively watercolor painting idea for beginners. You can paint a realistic or a whimsical bird with just a few colors and some water. Water is a great technique to create a soft and blurry effect on your watercolor paintings. It works by adding more water to the paint or the paper to create a lighter and more transparent color.

To paint a bird, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel
• A pencil and an eraser

Here are the steps to follow:

• Sketch the outline of your bird with a pencil. You can use any shape and size you like, such as oval, round, or triangular. You can also add some details, such as wings, tail, or beak.
• Erase any unwanted lines and make sure your sketch is light and faint.
• Use the small round brush and watercolor paints to fill in your bird. You can use any color you like, such as blue, yellow, or red. You can also add some shading and highlights to make it more realistic. To create shading, use a darker color on the areas that are away from the light source. To create highlights, use a lighter color on the areas that are closer to the light source.
• Add some details to your bird, such as eyes, feathers, or spots. You can use any color you like, such as black, white, or gold. You can also use water to create a soft and blurry effect on some parts of your bird.
• Paint the background if you want. You can use any color and style you like for the background, such as solid, gradient, or splatter.

12. Tree

A tree is a natural and elegant watercolor painting idea for beginners. You can paint a realistic or a stylized tree with just a few colors and some water. Water is a great technique to create a smooth and gradient effect on your watercolor paintings. It works by adding more water to the paint or the paper to create a lighter and more transparent color.

To paint a tree, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A large flat brush
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel
• A pencil and an eraser

Here are the steps to follow:

• Sketch the outline of your tree with a pencil. You can use any shape and size you like, such as straight, curved, or branched. You can also add some details, such as leaves, flowers, or fruits.
• Erase any unwanted lines and make sure your sketch is light and faint.
• Use the large flat brush and watercolor paints to fill in your tree. You can use any color you like, such as brown, green, or orange. You can also add some shading and highlights to make it more realistic. To create shading, use a darker color on the areas that are away from the light source. To create highlights, use a lighter color on the areas that are closer to the light source.
• Use the small round brush to add some details, such as veins, spots, or patterns. You can use any color you like, such as white, black, or gold. You can also use water to create a soft and blurry effect on some parts of your tree.
• Paint the background if you want. You can use any color and style you like for the background, such as solid, gradient, or splatter.

13. Heart

A heart is a sweet and romantic watercolor painting idea for beginners. You can paint a realistic or a whimsical heart with just a few colors and some water. Water is a great technique to create a soft and blurry effect on your watercolor paintings. It works by adding more water to the paint or the paper to create a lighter and more transparent color.

To paint a heart, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel
• A pencil and an eraser

Here are the steps to follow:

• Sketch the outline of your heart with a pencil. You can use any shape and size you like, such as round, oval, or pointed. You can also add some details, such as curves, angles, or lines.
• Erase any unwanted lines and make sure your sketch is light and faint.
• Use the small round brush and watercolor paints to fill in your heart. You can use any color you like, such as red, pink, or purple. You can also add some shading and highlights to make it more realistic. To create shading, use a darker color on the areas that are away from the light source. To create highlights, use a lighter color on the areas that are closer to the light source.
• Add some details to your heart, such as spots, stripes, or swirls. You can use any color you like, such as white, black, or gold. You can also use water to create a soft and blurry effect on some parts of your heart.
• Paint the background if you want. You can use any color and style you like for the background, such as solid, gradient, or splatter.

14. Balloon

A balloon is a fun and festive watercolor painting idea for beginners. You can paint a realistic or a whimsical balloon with just a few colors and some water. Water is a great technique to create a smooth and gradient effect on your watercolor paintings. It works by adding more water to the paint or the paper to create a lighter and more transparent color.

To paint a balloon, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel
• A pencil and an eraser

Here are the steps to follow:

• Sketch the outline of your balloon with a pencil. You can use any shape and size you like, such as round, oval, or square. You can also add some details, such as a string, a knot, or a bow.
• Erase any unwanted lines and make sure your sketch is light and faint.
• Use the small round brush and watercolor paints to fill in your balloon. You can use any color you like, such as blue, green, or yellow. You can also add some shading and highlights to make it more realistic. To create shading, use a darker color on the areas that are away from the light source. To create highlights, use a lighter color on the areas that are closer to the light source.
• Add some details to your balloon, such as spots, stripes, or swirls. You can use any color you like, such as white, black, or gold. You can also use water to create a soft and blurry effect on some parts of your balloon.
• Paint the background if you want. You can use any color and style you like for the background, such as solid, gradient, or splatter.

15. Moon

A moon is a mysterious and magical watercolor painting idea for beginners. You can paint a realistic or a whimsical moon with just a few colors and some water. Water is a great technique to create a smooth and gradient effect on your watercolor paintings. It works by adding more water to the paint or the paper to create a lighter and more transparent color.

To paint a moon, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A large flat brush
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel
• A pencil and an eraser

Here are the steps to follow:

• Sketch the outline of your moon with a pencil. You can use any shape and size you like, such as round, oval, or crescent. You can also add some details, such as craters, shadows, or stars.
• Erase any unwanted lines and make sure your sketch is light and faint.
• Use the large flat brush and watercolor paints to fill in your moon. You can use any color you like, such as white, gray, or yellow. You can also add some shading and highlights to make it more realistic. To create shading, use a darker color on the areas that are away from the light source. To create highlights, use a lighter color on the areas that are closer to the light source.
• Use the small round brush to add some details, such as spots, stripes, or swirls. You can use any color you like, such as white, black, or gold. You can also use water to create a soft and blurry effect on some parts of your moon.
• Paint the sky and the ground if you want. You can use any color and style you like for the sky and the ground, such as solid, gradient, or splatter.

16. Fish

A fish is a colorful and aquatic watercolor painting idea for beginners. You can paint a realistic or a whimsical fish with just a few colors and some water. Water is a great technique to create a soft and blurry effect on your watercolor paintings. It works by adding more water to the paint or the paper to create a lighter and more transparent color.

To paint a fish, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel
• A pencil and an eraser

Here are the steps to follow:

• Sketch the outline of your fish with a pencil. You can use any shape and size you like, such as oval, round, or triangular. You can also add some details, such as fins, scales, or eyes.

• Erase any unwanted lines and make sure your sketch is light and faint.
• Use the small round brush and watercolor paints to fill in your fish. You can use any color you like, such as orange, blue, or green. You can also add some shading and highlights to make it more realistic. To create shading, use a darker color on the areas that are away from the light source. To create highlights, use a lighter color on the areas that are closer to the light source.
• Add some details to your fish, such as spots, stripes, or swirls. You can use any color you like, such as white, black, or gold. You can also use water to create a soft and blurry effect on some parts of your fish.
• Paint the water and the background if you want. You can use any color and style you like for the water and the background, such as solid, gradient, or splatter.

17. Cupcake

A cupcake is a yummy and adorable watercolor painting idea for beginners. You can paint a realistic or a whimsical cupcake with just a few colors and some water. Water is a great technique to create a smooth and gradient effect on your watercolor paintings. It works by adding more water to the paint or the paper to create a lighter and more transparent color.

To paint a cupcake, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel
• A pencil and an eraser

Here are the steps to follow:

• Sketch the outline of your cupcake with a pencil. You can use any shape and size you like, such as round, oval, or square. You can also add some details, such as a wrapper, a frosting, or a cherry.
• Erase any unwanted lines and make sure your sketch is light and faint.
• Use the small round brush and watercolor paints to fill in your cupcake. You can use any color you like, such as brown, pink, or white. You can also add some shading and highlights to make it more realistic. To create shading, use a darker color on the areas that are away from the light source. To create highlights, use a lighter color on the areas that are closer to the light source.
• Add some details to your cupcake, such as sprinkles, dots, or swirls. You can use any color you like, such as white, black, or gold. You can also use water to create a soft and blurry effect on some parts of your cupcake.
• Paint the background if you want. You can use any color and style you like for the background, such as solid, gradient, or splatter.

18. Leaf

A leaf is a simple and elegant watercolor painting idea for beginners. You can paint a realistic or a stylized leaf with just a few colors and some water. Water is a great technique to create a smooth and gradient effect on your watercolor paintings. It works by adding more water to the paint or the paper to create a lighter and more transparent color.

To paint a leaf, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel
• A pencil and an eraser

Here are the steps to follow:

• Sketch the outline of your leaf with a pencil. You can use any shape and size you like, such as oval, round, or pointed. You can also add some details, such as veins, edges, or holes.
• Erase any unwanted lines and make sure your sketch is light and faint.
• Use the small round brush and watercolor paints to fill in your leaf. You can use any color you like, such as green, yellow, or red. You can also add some shading and highlights to make it more realistic. To create shading, use a darker color on the areas that are away from the light source. To create highlights, use a lighter color on the areas that are closer to the light source.
• Add some details to your leaf, such as spots, stripes, or swirls. You can use any color you like, such as white, black, or gold. You can also use water to create a soft and blurry effect on some parts of your leaf.
• Paint the background if you want. You can use any color and style you like for the background, such as solid, gradient, or splatter.

19. Star

A star is a sparkling and celestial watercolor painting idea for beginners. You can paint a realistic or a whimsical star with just a few colors and some salt. Salt is a great technique to create a textured and sparkly effect on your watercolor paintings. It works by absorbing the water and leaving behind a crystalline pattern.

To paint a star, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel
• A pencil and an eraser
• Table salt

Here are the steps to follow:

• Sketch the outline of your star with a pencil. You can use any shape and size you like, such as round, oval, or pointed. You can also add some details, such as rays, trails, or flares.
• Erase any unwanted lines and make sure your sketch is light and faint.
• Use the small round brush and watercolor paints to fill in your star. You can use any color you like, such as yellow, white, or gold. You can also add some shading and highlights to make it more realistic. To create shading, use a darker color on the areas that are away from the light source. To create highlights, use a lighter color on the areas that are closer to the light source.
• While the paint is still wet, sprinkle some salt over the paper. You can use more or less salt depending on how much texture you want. The salt will create a starry and sparkly effect on your star.
• Let the painting dry completely before removing the salt. You can use a brush or a paper towel to gently brush off the salt.
• Paint the background if you want. You can use any color and style you like for the background, such as solid, gradient, or splatter.

20. Cat

A cat is a furry and adorable watercolor painting idea for beginners. You can paint a realistic or a whimsical cat with just a few colors and some water. Water is a great technique to create a soft and blurry effect on your watercolor paintings. It works by adding more water to the paint or the paper to create a lighter and more transparent color.

To paint a cat, you will need:

• A sheet of watercolor paper
• A small round brush
• Watercolor paints in your choice of colors
• A jar of water
• A paper towel
• A pencil and an eraser

Here are the steps to follow:

• Sketch the outline of your cat with a pencil. You can use any shape and size you like, such as oval, round, or triangular. You can also add some details, such as ears, eyes, or nose.
• Erase any unwanted lines and make sure your sketch is light and faint.
• Use the small round brush and watercolor paints to fill in your cat. You can use any color you like, such as black, white, or orange. You can also add some shading and highlights to make it more realistic. To create shading, use a darker color on the areas that are away from the light source. To create highlights, use a lighter color on the areas that are closer to the light source.
• Add some details to your cat, such as whiskers, fur, or spots. You can use any color you like, such as white, black, or gold. You can also use water to create a soft and blurry effect on some parts of your cat.
• Paint the background if you want. You can use any color and style you like for the background, such as solid, gradient, or splatter.