A beginner-friendly guide to painting with joy, confidence and a little “oh là là”
Have you ever looked at a beautiful watercolour painting and thought:
“I wish I could do that… but I’m not creative enough.”
Or maybe:
- “I can’t draw.”
- “I don’t know where to start.”
- “Art stores are overwhelming.”
- “What if I mess it up?”
If this sounds familiar, bienvenue — you are exactly where you need to be.
At Et Voilà Studios, I’ve taught thousands of students of all ages, from complete beginners to people rediscovering creativity after years away from painting.
And here’s the truth:
You do not need to be “naturally talented” to enjoy watercolour.
You simply need:
- the right guidance,
- the right mindset,
- and permission to play.
No pressure. No perfection. Just flow.
Why Watercolour Feels So Intimidating
Watercolour has a reputation for being difficult.
People see artists creating dreamy washes, soft flowers and flowing colours and think:
“There’s no way I could do that.”
But the real issue isn’t watercolour itself.
It’s that most beginners:
- buy too many supplies,
- watch tutorials that move too quickly,
- compare themselves to experienced artists,
- and believe they must know how to draw before they can paint.
That’s enough to make anyone feel overwhelmed before even touching a brush.
The good news?
You can absolutely start simple.
In fact, simple is where the magic begins.
The Biggest Beginner Mistake: Buying Too Much Stuff
One of the first things beginners do is buy:
- 24 colours,
- 17 brushes,
- 5 types of paper,
- masking fluid,
- palettes,
- jars,
- accessories…
…and suddenly painting feels more stressful than relaxing.
At Et Voilà Studios, I believe:
Less thinking. More painting.
You only need a few essentials to begin:
- a small curated colour palette,
- one good brush,
- quality paper,
- water,
- and a simple design to follow.
That’s it.
Honestly, limitations can actually help creativity bloom.
“But I Can’t Draw…”
This is probably the sentence I hear the most during workshops.
And this is exactly why I created templates for my students.
Because learning watercolour and learning drawing at the same time can feel overwhelming.
Templates help remove the fear of:
- proportions,
- perspective,
- “getting it wrong,”
- and staring at a blank page.
Instead of stressing about drawing, you can focus on:
- brush movement,
- colour mixing,
- water control,
- and enjoying the creative process.
Over time, confidence grows naturally.
And yes… many students eventually start drawing on their own.
But first?
We paint.
The Secret Ingredient in Watercolour: “The Juice”
At Et Voilà Studios, I often call watercolour paint:
“The juice.”
Because watercolour is really about the relationship between:
- water,
- pigment,
- movement,
- and timing.
Too much water?
Your colours may become weak or uncontrollable.
Not enough water?
Your painting can feel dry and heavy.
Learning watercolour is learning how to create the right “juice.”
And once students understand this, everything changes.
Understanding “Tea to Butter” Consistency
One of the easiest ways to understand watercolour is through consistency.
Imagine your paint mixture like this:
Tea
Very watery and transparent.
Perfect for:
- light washes,
- soft skies,
- gentle backgrounds.
Coffee
Stronger colour but still fluid.
Great for:
- layering,
- leaves,
- petals,
- general painting.
Milk / Cream
Richer pigment with more coverage.
Useful for:
- shadows,
- details,
- stronger contrast.
Butter
Very thick pigment with minimal water.
Perfect for:
- final accents,
- deep shadows,
- expressive texture.
This simple exercise alone helps beginners understand watercolour much faster than complicated theory.
Why Simple Exercises Matter More Than Big Masterpieces
Many beginners want to create a “perfect artwork” immediately.
But painting works like learning music, cooking or dancing.
You improve through repetition.
Small exercises matter:
- brush strokes,
- gradients,
- circles,
- colour mixing,
- wet-on-wet practice,
- simple shapes.
These tiny moments build confidence.
And confidence creates freedom.
At Et Voilà, we focus on making the process enjoyable first.
Because when painting feels good, you’ll actually want to continue.
The Power of a 15-Minute Painting Practice
You do not need hours to become creative.
Even 10–15 minutes can completely shift your mood and improve your skills over time.
A short creative session can help you:
- slow down,
- disconnect from stress,
- reconnect with yourself,
- and feel a sense of accomplishment.
Some of my students paint:
- before work,
- after dinner,
- during their child’s nap time,
- with a cup of tea,
- or while listening to music.
Painting doesn’t need to become another “task.”
It can simply become your little creative pause.
My Recommended Beginner Watercolour Setup
If you’re just starting, keep it simple.
Here’s what I recommend:
- A small curated palette
- One versatile brush
- Quality watercolour paper
- A simple design or template
- A guided tutorial
This is exactly why I created the Et Voilà Bon Voyage Kit.
The kit was designed to remove the overwhelm and help beginners start painting with confidence — whether at home, in a café, while travelling or during a quiet weekend moment.
Inside, you’ll find:
- curated colours,
- beginner-friendly tools,
- templates,
- and tutorials designed to help you actually enjoy painting.
Because art should feel approachable, not intimidating.
Start Small. Start Messy. Just Start.
Your first artwork does not need to be perfect.
Your brush strokes might wobble.
Your colours may bloom unexpectedly.
You may use too much water.
And honestly?
That’s part of the beauty of watercolour.
The goal isn’t perfection.
The goal is connection.
Connection to colour.
Connection to creativity.
Connection to yourself.
So if you’ve been waiting for permission to begin…
This is it.
Ready to Start Your Watercolour Journey?
Here are a few ways to begin with Et Voilà Studios:
Explore the beginner-friendly kits
Join a workshop in Sydney
Discover tutorials and creative inspiration
Read More Watercolour Tips & Tutorials
Follow along on Instagram
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need drawing skills to start watercolour?
Not at all. Templates and guided exercises can help you focus on painting first and build confidence gradually.
What are the best watercolour supplies for beginners?
A small curated palette, one good brush and quality paper are more than enough to begin.
How long does it take to learn watercolour?
Like any creative skill, improvement comes with practice. Even short regular painting sessions can make a big difference.
Why does my watercolour look muddy?
Usually this happens from over-mixing colours or using too much water. Understanding paint consistency (“tea to butter”) helps enormously.
Is watercolour relaxing?
Absolutely. Many people use painting as a mindful activity to slow down, disconnect from stress and reconnect with creativity.
Wishing you a colourful creative journey ahead,
Pascale
Artist & Founder
Et Voilà Studios
Every time you create, you become an artist.
Want to dive deeper?
Read next:
- Why Watercolour Is Perfect for Relaxation & Mindfulness
- Understanding Watercolour “Juice” (Tea to Butter Consistency)
- 7 Beginner Watercolour Mistakes to Avoid
- The Best Beginner Watercolour Supplies (Without Overspending)