Why Watercolour Dries Lighter

There’s a saying among watercolour painters: “If it looks right when it’s wet, it’s wrong.”

It’s a little dramatic, but it makes a good point. Watercolour often looks darker and more intense while wet. As it dries, the colour loses some of that intensity.

As a general guide, the change can be around 20–30%, although it varies between pigments and depends on how much water and pigment you use.

One way I deal with this is to make sure those areas are strong enough in the first wash, rather than assuming I’ll be able to correct everything later.

Watercolour How toLouise De Masi21 October 2026Technical Guides, Techniques, Daily Practice, Artistic growthComment

How to Paint Cast Shadows in Watercolour

I've used the same idea in other paintings. In one painting of eucalyptus leaves, for example, I used pale grey in the background shadows, but added violet and yellow where I could see those colours reflected. On the leaves themselves I used darker greens and blue. With daffodils, I used greens and even some orange reflected from the flowers.

So when you're looking at a shadow, don't just ask:

"What colour is the shadow?"

Also ask:

"What colours can I see in the shadow?"

That little shift in observation can make a big difference.

Watercolour How toLouise De Masi19 October 2026Technical Guides, Artistic growth, TechniquesComment

Why Your Watercolour Painting Looks Flat

One of the most important things to get right in a watercolour painting is the tonal value, in other words, how light or dark something is.

This is actually more important than getting the colour exactly right.

A painting can have lovely colours, but if all the areas are similar in value, it can be difficult to see the form and depth. Everything starts to sit on the same visual level.

Watercolour How toLouise De Masi6 October 2026Technical Guides, Techniques, Artistic growthComment

How to Know When to Stop Painting and Avoid Overworked Watercolours

A few years ago, I looked back at some of my older paintings and found one of a tulip that I had overworked.

It was a useful painting to look at because I could see exactly what I had been doing wrong.

I'd used too many colours and too many layers. I'd tried to record almost everything I could see in my reference photo. I'd worked and reworked areas until the paint had lost its transparency and luminosity.

Watercolour How toLouise De Masi14 September 2026Technical Guides, Beginner Tips, Artistic growth, TechniquesComment

Composition in Watercolour Painting

What makes a focal point work isn’t detail on its own. It’s the contrast around it that allows the important element to stand out.

High contrast areas naturally attract the viewer’s attention. Strong light against dark, hard edges beside soft edges, and clear shapes set against quieter background areas all help establish a visual hierarchy. Without this contrast, even carefully painted detail can disappear into the rest of the painting.

Watercolour How toLouise De Masi4 February 2026Artistic growth, Technical Guides Comments

Daily Watercolour Practice Ideas

For many watercolour painters, the idea of practising every day brings up pressure rather than motivation. There is the fear of wasting paper. The fear of doing it wrong. The fear that every session needs to end with a finished painting.

But daily art practice is not about proving anything.

It is about showing up in a way that feels manageable, safe, and repeatable.

Motivational, Watercolour How toLouise De Masi27 January 2026Daily Practice, Benefits, Artistic growth, TechniquesComment

Motivation for Artists

As a professional artist, I don’t always have the luxury of waiting until motivation returns. I still need to create new work, even on days when I’m not in the mood. When that’s the case, I often start with a study rather than a finished painting, and I do it without cameras on. Taking away the pressure to perform allows me to experiment, make mistakes, and explore ideas more freely.

Sometimes that study leads naturally into the final painting. Other times I’ll try again, or scrap it entirely and begin something new. Letting go of the need for every piece to succeed is often what makes it possible to keep painting at all.

How to Create a Watercolour Mixing Chart

There’s an almost magical shift that happens when you see how two pigments combine. A transparent yellow suddenly turns into olive when it meets a touch of French Ultramarine; a pretty violet emerges from a whisper of Ruby Red and French Ultramarine. When you understand those relationships, you no longer guess - you choose your colours with confidence.

Does Brush Size Matter in Watercolour?

There’s something so rewarding about watching my students grow as painters. Each painting tells its own story of curiosity, courage, and those little discoveries that quietly change the way we paint forever.

Recently, while looking through some of my students’ paintings, I noticed something interesting. A few of them were struggling with uneven washes and edges that looked a little soft or overworked. As I studied their work, it dawned on me that many of them were simply using brushes that were far too big for the level of control they needed.

Art Supplies, Watercolour How toLouise De Masi28 October 2025Technical Guides, Beginner Tips, Artistic growth, SuppliesComment

Using Procreate to Help You on Your Watercolour Journey

One of the biggest advantages of using Procreate for planning is that it saves paper and materials. You can test countless colour combinations and compositions without committing them to paper until you’re sure.

For example, I created a digital illustration of a happy little girl, which I plan to recreate on a larger scale using watercolours. The app can help me decide on colours and compositions before I even touch my paper.

What Makes a Good Reference Photo for Watercolour Painting?

A strong painting needs a focal point - something that draws the viewer’s eye and gives the composition a sense of purpose. So when you’re choosing a photo, ask yourself: What is the star of the show?

It might be the eye of an animal, the curve of a petal, or the way the light hits a glass bottle, that fills you with inspiration. But there has to be something that grabs you. If a photo is too evenly detailed across the whole image, it can be difficult to know what to focus on in your painting.

Personally, I often find myself drawn to reference photos that have a bit of drama - a close-up angle, an expressive pose, or a little sparkle of light that adds interest. Once I’ve identified that focal point, I build the rest of the surrounding composition, supporting it rather than competing with it.

Following a Step-by-Step Watercolour Tutorial as a Student

I’ve learned the hard way that Louise’s first layers always look way darker in the video than they actually are. Determined to remember this, I mix a watery paint.

I’ve also learned that if your paper is too wet and your paint is too watery, the pigment will migrate to the edges, leaving behind an unwanted harsh line. So, keeping all this in mind, I put paint on the paper—only to immediately want to quit.

How to Find Your Painting Style

When you watch my tutorials, I want you to think of them as a jumping-off point. Don’t feel like you need to replicate every step exactly. Instead, start experimenting by making small changes. For instance, you could swap out the colours I use and choose a palette that resonates with you.

If I’m painting a bird, maybe you’ll add your own background - a loose wash of colour or some foliage to give it your unique flair. Another idea is to combine techniques or elements from different tutorials to create something entirely your own.

The Importance of Using a High-Quality Watercolour Journal

I love using watercolour sketchbooks for small studies. They’re perfect for experimenting with colours and working out compositions before committing to a larger painting. These quick studies not only help me refine my ideas but also build my confidence, knowing I’ve tested my approach beforehand. A journal becomes a safe space to explore and make mistakes without pressure.

Master Watercolour Painting with my Online Tutorials

In my videos, I take you behind the scenes of my painting process. You’ll see how I carefully select a subject photo - whether it’s a delicate flower, a majestic animal, or a simple object that tells a story. I explain how to choose colours that bring harmony and life to your paintings, sharing tips on colour mixing that will build your confidence with every palette you create.

I provide a clean and accurate line drawing with each tutorial, ensuring a strong foundation for the painting. No detail is too small, and nothing is hidden. I want you to see and understand every step, from the initial inspiration to the final brushstroke. I share a full video, that lets you recreate the tutorial, while learning all the elements needed to bring your artistic vision to life. Not only that, but I believe in sharing my knowledge openly so that you can learn and grow as an artist.

Motivational, Getting StartedLouise De Masi4 December 2024Artistic growth, Daily PracticeComment

How to Improve Your Art Skills

I love painting birds, and it's a lot of fun for me, but it wasn't working at the beginning. Even though I worked off reference photos, I needed a better understanding of what I wanted to achieve. The first painting did not turn out as planned, prompting me to start over, not once but multiple times. I had to develop new ideas and spend time practicing creating a beautiful artwork.

Motivational, Watercolour TechniquesLouise De Masi13 May 2024Artistic growth, TechniquesComment

Staining and Non-Staining Watercolours

Understanding why some pigments stain while others do not can feel a bit like unlocking a secret garden - once inside, everything seems vivid and clear. The behaviour of watercolour pigments, whether they are likely to stain or not, is deeply rooted in the characteristics of the pigments used in their creation. This variance can dramatically affect both the technique and final appearance of a watercolour piece.

11 Ways To Overcome Art Block (That Actually Work)

For ten years, acrylic painting was a source of immense joy and became a core part of my identity. Then, unexpectedly, my passion for it disappeared, leaving me disoriented and somewhat incomplete. This loss was so profound that I set aside my brushes for several years, opting instead to attend university and train as a school teacher. Despite this new path, the deep-seated yearning for artistic expression remained, casting a shadow of sadness over me.

MotivationalLouise De Masi29 April 2024Artistic growth, Daily Practice Comments

Watercolour Tips

Watercolour tips and techniques to help you improve your painting skills.