Ever started a watercolour class and found it began with loads of boring drills and practice exercises and took FOREVER to get to the fun of creating an actual painting?

Perhaps it’s time to fast track your watercolour adventure by NOT doing this.

Because yes, there is another way to learn, I believe.

I think it is possible to jump into the fun of painting and learn by doing without having to start with a bunch of boring🥱 drills and practice exercises.

My alternative approach lets you jump into the fun of painting and learn by doing.

And maybe more importantly, I wanted to share a very good reason why avoiding these preparatory drills might actually get you painting faster.

Prefer a video rather than reading?

Here you go.

(If not, and you’d rather read, scroll down below the video to do so🤗)

By the way, if you are just getting started with watercolour and have questions about what supplies you need I have a free guide for you.

Just click the button below and you will be able to get a free 2 page document listing out just the essentials PLUS a free bonus video class answering all the questions you might have about watercolour supplies.

Now, do watercolour drills and practice exercises have zero value?

Of course not.

They do build skills like  brush control and paint consistency, but they come with risks that outweigh the benefits to my mind. 

Perhaps there are some that enjoy painting endless rows of lines just to learn brush control but, if you are anything like me, it is dead boring and can end up putting you off painting. 

If you start out requiring the ability to make a row of perfectly controlled marks before you begin a real painting, you are really feeding that inner perfectionist - and she can be a hungry monster!

This approach develops an expectation that there is a right way to paint and leaves you worrying that you are getting it wrong, and can’t be a proper painter until you get it right.

Painting should be about fun - there is no right or wrong!

Also, I think this sort of thing can get you stuck in preparatory mode where you feel increasingly fearful of starting an actual painting.

Time spent on “practice” is time for that inner critic to start arcing up about what an imposter you are and how you have left it too late and have too much to learn and will never be good at painting.  

None of those things are true by the way so let’s not give that inner critic any air time and just get painting!

Let’s not get stuck in the preparatory phase, waiting for the fun to start.

It is possible to build your watercolour skills while you enjoy creating actual finished paintings. 

I have a range of online watercolour classes available and I would  obviously love to help you along in your watercolour journey.

But whether you choose to paint with me or not, I hope this little message helps you give yourself permission to move out of preparatory mode, consider yourself an artist (regardless of your perceived skills and experience) and get on with the fun of creating a real painting right now.

If you are a watercolour beginner, or have tried watercolour in the past and felt frustrated by it, you might want to explore my introductory watercolour class. It is called Better Beginnings in Watercolour and it is built on exactly these ideas.

Click the button below to learn more (and snag a little discount on this watercolour class today, if you are lucky).

Are you on your own painting journey?

One of these might be useful…

Keep on reading…