If you're like most people - you find it really hard to visualise what to paint. So, how are you going to decide what to paint?
We have a simple solution for you: find your watercolour inspiration.
If you aren't yet on Instagram, then get on that! If you are an (avid) Instagrammer, then you may have already done this: pick some artists and follow them. Here's why we like this approach:
- Find great ideas on what to draw and paint.
- Copy, copy, copy. Yes, that's right - it's a useful way to develop skill as you practice.
- Learn from others: so many artists these days post tutorials for their pieces!
- Observe a variety of styles and techniques: open your mind to the possibilities of how you're going to develop your own style!
The key here? Be inspired, learn from others, and remember: practice is PROGRESS <3
To get you started, we've curated a list of 10 artists for you to follow on Instagram:
We love Kirsten because of the way she shows her process as she paints - she has this incredible way of coming up with the most beautiful patterns that fit together in the most intricate ways. Her approach of showing her stage-by-stage progress helps you see how she comes up with her beautiful pieces.
Philip, the artist behind @boelterdesignco has some great tutorials on how to paints florals, and cacti! He doesn't work with just watercolour - he does a lot of acryllic, gouache and wall art, but his tutorial videos are so useful to get an idea of how to even get started.
Check out this great tutorial on how to draw this cute cactus! He breaks it down and makes it look simple!
3. @carolynj
Carolyn Gavin has another interesting style that you can learn from! She shows us that that there is beauty in imperfection, and composition. Her technique incorporates a lot of "wet on wet" painting with watercolour and inks - and she allows the paint to flow with some amount of control.Check her style out for yourself through one of her many timelapse videos1
4. @jenrussellsmithillustration
Jen draws houses. From her profile, she draws houses that are new, old, current, or missed. In particular, her way of painting bricks are so lifelike - it's always a lovely sight to see each painting she comes up with.
5. @jensweeney4
Jen paints florals and mixes this in with calligraphy. She's got her own style of delicate florals - and also a smattering of timelapses to show her process of creating her florals.
6. @allikdesign
Alli is known for her modern floral drawings. Though this isn't a watercolour account, she has a great book called 'Modern Florals' which breaks down her steps to draw florals. We've tried it, and loved it! Drawing is also a useful part of watercolour painting, as it helps beginners to get a grasp on their style, and guide where their paints will flow. Check out some of her great drawings!
7. @drawings_for_my_grandchildren
Grandpa Chan has such an interesting story. He's 76 years old, and does one drawing a day for his grandchildren. He learnt how to use Instagram so that he can keep in touch with his grandchildren! If that wasn't already the cutest thing...his wife, Grandma Chan, writes the stories for him.
Anne-Laure has a whole load of tutorials, demos and YouTube videos you can watch! She is a great example of an artist who paints outside the lines. In watercolour painting, many say that "less is more", and that you can paint less because you just need to show your brain enough to decipher what you're seeing.
Julie is a watercolour artist - she paints a combination of florals, animals, landscapes, mountains - and all her paintings look beautiful. Her paintings are simple, gorgeous, and use vibrant colours.
10. @jennarainey
Jenna is another great example of an artist who shares her talent with the world. She also has a fantastic book called 'Everyday Watercolor' - designed to help you pick up watercolour skills over 30 days. Her Instagram feed is a mixture of florals, swatches, her company updates and illustrations she does.
There you have it - 10 incredible artists who can give you inspiration!
Excited and ready to get started on your watercolour journey? We've got a special tutorial for you!
Learn how to paint a simple rose, and look like a pro in a matter of minutes. This step-by-step guide will get you feeling confident to try new things in no time!
