Art Supplies

Annie Mason
- Oct 23, 2022
- 1 min read

8 Easy Watercolor Techniques for The Beginner

You've always wanted to paint with watercolor, right? Well, this group of techniques will add some zest right off the bat.

1. Alcohol

Oil and water don't mix. Rubbing alcohol has such a dramatic effect on the wet watercolor paint, repelling it and leaving a perfect, lighter circle wherever we drop it. It’s mesmerizing!

2. Salt

The area where the salt touches the paper will be lighter in color. The salt will push the watercolor pigment away, and thus the light spot will be surrounded by a darker shade.

3. Tissue

Dab, dab, dab with a tissue

to "lift" the paint off the paper.

4. Sandpaper

A rough square of sandpaper scratches the areas

to produce a broken, edgy pattern.

5. Resist

Wax crayons will resist watercolor. (Best to use lighter colors).

6. Masking Fluid

Masking Fluid blocks watercolor.

7. Plastic Wrap

Have some kitchen wrap (Reynolds wrap) handy for some interesting patterns.

8. Splatter

A brush loaded with watercolor paint and another empty brush produces a splattered background.

Watch this 11:00-minute video to see all of the techniques used for making interesting textures and effects in your watercolor painting.

Face Paint Crayons for Kids, Blue Squid 36 Jumbo

Annie Mason
- Mar 29, 2022
- 2 min read

Gift your crafter | artist MOM

My mom loved crafts. She was a professional cake decorator by trade but also loved floral crafts, knitting, crochet, wreath making, and anything she saw that looked FUN to make. Our basement area shelves were stacked full of boxes of yarn, candle wax, needles, and ribbon; you get the picture.

I know, I know...it's hard to buy for someone else's wish list, especially if they have tools that they love. That's when a few questions to the artist/crafter in your life might be helpful. The products below are some of my favorites and I think universal in the art field.

*As an Amazon Associate,

I earn a small commission from links to products with no extra cost to you, the buyer. Most of the items are similar to those that I use or that I am familiar with as quality suggestions. Thank you.

Active Algae Lightweight Moisturizer

Pin it, Please!

National Geographic Kids Print Magazine

Annie Mason
- Feb 28, 2022
- 2 min read

Simply spring, flowers sing.

If you love spring flowers these painting tutorials might get you started with trying some of your own.

Magnolia pen & ink, and watercolor by Annie Mason

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission when you purchase from the links in this blog. I only post products that I have used with satisfaction or know people who have recommended them to me. The funds from this partnership help me maintain this website and I hope it gives my visitors some confidence in the products that I promote here.

1. Simple Flowers

Materials: (links are my favorites)

Simple flowers. It doesn't have to be that hard. MY MOST POPULAR Idea Pin on Pinterest:

click here ⬇️

A Watercolor Lesson Even YOU Can Do

This IDEA PIN currently has 1,011 Saves, has 13,678 clicks, and has 525, 620 Impressions

What does that tell you? It tells me that people like easy, and "I can do this" art.

Simple Flowers samples

2. Zinnia

Work in simple shapes. Find a real zinnia, or a zinnia photo (check copyright) and have it handy to use while you are painting. This flower is basically a big circle, a stem, and big leaves. Remember, it doesn't need to be "perfect". Have fun.

Zinnia flower by Annie Mason Winsor & Newton travel kit

3. Poppies

More detailed than the zinnia, but in this case, I start with a light pencil drawing, then trace over the lines with a black ink pen. You need to let the ink fully dry before you start the watercolor paint. Add the bright reds and greens, and it's like adult coloring books

Poppies by Annie Mason. Pen, ink, and watercolor

4. Stencil flowers

You can always use stencil shapes for flowers. I used a template of petal shapes in this video.

Supplies: Pencil, Watercolor paints, brush, stencils.

Stencil flowers (0:24 sec)

Why...it's a butterfly. Stencil watercolor by Annie Mason Pen and ink, watercolor.

5. Go Abstract

A flower is a flower. The shapes change, colors change. Parts stay the same.

“Nature is a teacher whose wisdom we can learn, and without which any human life is vain and incomplete". ~ William Wordsworth

Once you recognize this...pick up your paintbrush, sing, and dance:

Abstract Flower (0:38 sec)

6. Translucent Flowers

This last sample lets you see how wonderful watercolor's translucent quality can be. It will take a little more practice and the most important factor is to let the watercolor DRY COMPLETELY before adding another layer. The end result is a visual delight.

Waiting between layers is the key. (0:36 sec)

Experiment...have fun.

transluscent flowers by Annie Mason

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