Ever wondered why your watercolor paintings look muddy even when you're using vibrant paints? The secret isn't in your brushes or paper—it's in your water setup! Most watercolor artists make the mistake of using just one or two water containers, but professional watercolor painters know there's a game-changing technique that will transform your color mixing forever.

🖼️ Watercolor Paper Basics: What You Need to Know

Choosing watercolor paper can feel overwhelming at first — but don’t worry, it’s easier than it seems. Whether you're just starting out or wanting to upgrade, the right paper makes a big difference in your painting experience. Let’s break it down together!

🌱 Pulp vs. 100% Cotton Paper

• Wood Pulp (Cellulose): More affordable, great for practice. Doesn’t handle water as well, and colors may lift or smear more easily.
• 100% Cotton: Absorbs water beautifully, holds vibrant color, and lasts longer. Costs more, but ideal for serious painting.

📄 Paper Textures: Hot Press, Cold Press, and Rough

• Hot Press: Very smooth surface — great for detailed work and ink lines. Paint may dry faster and sit on top more.
• Cold Press: A gentle texture that works for most painting styles. It’s the most beginner-friendly and versatile option.
• Rough: Highly textured, perfect for expressive styles and granulating pigments.

⚖️ Paper Weight: 140 lb vs. 300 lb

• 140 lb (300 gsm): Most common weight. Can buckle if very wet — taping or stretching helps.
• 300 lb (640 gsm): Thick and sturdy. Doesn’t need stretching and rarely warps. More expensive but super forgiving.

📚 Formats: Sheets, Pads, and Blocks

• Loose Sheets: Great for custom sizes. Need to be taped or stretched.
• Pads: Glued on one edge. Convenient, but the paper might buckle if very wet.
• Blocks: Glued on all four sides. Keeps paper flat while painting — no warping, no stretching. Very beginner-friendly and travel-friendly too!

✅ So, What Should You Choose?

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

• Just starting out? Try a cold press pulp pad for practice.
• Looking for better results? Go for 100% cotton cold press paper.
• Want something easy and sturdy? A cotton block is your best friend.

🛒 Recommended Watercolor Blocks

These are three great cold press watercolor blocks to explore:

• Baohong 100% Cotton Cold Press Watercolor Block (140 lb)#ad
• Arches Cold Press Watercolor Block (140 lb)#ad
• Fabriano Artistico Cold Press Block (140 lb)#ad

🎨 No matter what you choose, watercolor paper makes a huge difference in your painting journey. Test a few, see what you enjoy — and most importantly, keep painting!

Early watercolor practice

🌿 How to Get Over the Fear of the Blank Page 🎨

Ever sat down to paint... and froze?
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to create — I just felt overwhelmed. Nervous. Unsure where or how to start.

That fear is common — not just in art, but with anything new.
It’s the worry of not being good enough, of messing up before we even begin.

💡 But the best way forward? Just start — gently, messily, imperfectly.

1. ✏️ Start Small and Specific

Instead of aiming for something "amazing," try something tiny and doable:

• A single leaf 🌿
• Your teacup ☕
• Or just a doodle ✍️

Tiny subjects help you warm up without pressure. A small win is still a win.

2. 🔧 Create a Cozy Ritual

Make your space somewhere you want to return to.
Light a candle, make a cup of tea, put on calm music.

Even 10 minutes a day adds up — and builds a habit.
That consistency creates momentum.

3. 📚 Use Prompts, Tutorials, or Books

If deciding what to paint is overwhelming, don’t. Borrow an idea.
Use a simple prompt, follow a watercolor tutorial, or flip through a how-to book.

A favorite:
Everyday Watercolor by Jenna Rainey — easy, step-by-step, beginner-friendly.

You don’t need to sketch. Just follow along and enjoy making marks.

4. 🪟 Use Everyday Life as Inspiration

Your home is full of subjects:

• Your spoon 🥜
• The corner of a window 🪟
• A sock or a snack 🍪

Painting ordinary things helps you see the beauty in the everyday —
and sidesteps the pressure of needing a “brilliant idea.”

5. 💧 Prep Your Supplies

Make sure your materials are ready — and always clean your space after a session.
Use one jar for rinsing and another for dipping into clean water.

It keeps your colors fresh and vibrant — a small habit that makes a big difference.

6. 🎨 Let Go of Perfection

Messy art is part of the process.
You're not creating for a gallery — you're creating to grow, explore, and enjoy.

Sketchbooks aren’t meant to be precious.
They're for trying things, experimenting, and yes — making “bad” art.

That’s how progress happens.

7. 🪴 Make Peace with Progress

Your ideas might outpace your skill — and that’s okay.
It means your taste is strong.

Let your hand catch up over time. Break a big goal into a small step:

• Struggle with portraits? Start with just noses. 👃
• Want to paint a landscape? Try one tree 🌳 or cloud ☁️ first.

Keep it simple. Keep it moving.

8. 🤝 Join Creative Communities

Surround yourself with others on the same path. It makes the process less lonely — and more fun.

Look for beginner-friendly watercolor groups on:

• Reddit: r/Watercolor
• Facebook: “Watercolor Beginners,” “Watercolor for Real Beginners”
• Instagram: #beginnerwatercolor #watercolorpractice
• Discord: Watercolor Café, Art Lounge

Seeing others try, struggle, and share helps you stay inspired — even when motivation dips.

9. 🗓️ Try a Challenge or Prompt Series

Search Pinterest or Instagram for a “30-day watercolor challenge” or monthly prompts.
They give you something specific to paint each day — no extra decision-making needed.

10. 🔐 Let Your Sketchbook Be Just for You

You don’t have to share what you make. Sometimes it’s better if you don’t.

Make marks for yourself. Scribble, experiment, explore.
The goal isn’t perfection — it’s showing up.

And you’re doing that already.

🤍 A Final Note

You don’t need a masterpiece. You just need a mark.

Even five minutes of painting counts. Even one color. Even one brushstroke.

You’re not behind. You’re not late. You’re exactly where you need to be — beginning.

✨ Have you ever felt this way? You’re not alone.
Drop a comment if there's something that helps you overcome the fear — we’d love to hear it. 📝

Six months ago, I felt pulled toward something new. Not a new job or goal — but something quiet, gentle, and just for me.

Watercolor became that space. I had little experience, but I wasn’t chasing perfection. I just wanted calm, color, and curiosity.

What started as a personal challenge has become part of how I breathe through my days. Some days I paint. Some days I watch. But the practice itself is soothing.

This painting (below) is from a wonderful tutorial by Debbie Friis-Pettitt — and while I’m still learning, I’m proud of the journey so far.

Have you started something creative lately? Or are you hoping to?

Let’s start a conversation — drop a comment below or message me on @beyondthestormliving on Instagram!

Beyond the Storm Living is a quiet corner of the internet created to bring a sense of peace to those who feel overwhelmed, busy, or simply tired from the pace of everyday life.

Here, you’ll find gentle inspiration through:

• Beginner watercolor art — creative expression without pressure
• Simple home organization — calm spaces for clearer minds
• Thoughtful product recommendations — tools that support a more peaceful lifestyle
• Occasional reflections on slowing down, soft routines, and reconnecting with what really matters

This space is not about perfection — it’s about small steps, cozy comforts, and creating calm from the inside out.

Whether you’re here to find your next favorite home item, try something creative, or just take a deep breath… you’re in the right place.

Welcome beyond the storm. 🌧️☀️.