Painting With Watercolours For Beginners

Let's look at the equipment you'll need to get started. It's important we use the right stuff so our paintings come out just as they should. For example, if you skip on the paper and use normal printing paper you'll be left with soaking paper that might tear. Not a great way to start!

Below I've listed what you'll need:

* Pencils - HB or 2B

* Something circular like a mug or tape for the outline

* Watercolour palette (tubes will work also)

* Watercolour paper

* Old rag

* Clean water

* Round-headed brush

* Fine Liner Pen - Or a biro if you don't have one.

Stage1. Make life easy for yourself and spend some time on the outline. We'll use the masking tape to help structure a nice, easy circle; from there, you can get the edges. Remember the patterns on the balloon need to be the biggest in the centre, and smaller as you move around.

Once this is done, the rest of the work is easy and you can mindfully zone out knowing your painting is proportionate.

Stage 2. Alternate your panels in the painting so you make sure the colours don't bleed into one another. Here you will learn how to create texture with your paint and clean water. Allow time to dry from the first layer of panels to the second so the colours don't blend in with each other. Feel free to choose whatever colours you want!

Stage 3. Continue the great work and the method from the first panels. Just make sure the layers dry in between so the colours don't mix with each other. Remember you can use any colours you want here!

Stage 4. Whilst the panels dry, paint in the other features in the same method. Add plenty of water and paint and soak it up in the middle. You can choose an ochre/ brown colour to represent the wicker or choose a colour of your choice!

Stage 5. Once your balloon is dry, you will learn how to add another layer with gradients and a wash to show that the balloon is curved. This trick is really cool but make sure your painting is absolutely dry first! When you touch it it shouldn't be cold, it should be the same temperature as your paper. Try not to over-brush either or your under layer might start to come loose and mix in. Be gentle with the strokes.

Stage 6. For this finally stage, you'll need your fine liner and a very dry painting. This is where we define the outline and make the painting really pop! You can of course leave this, but I think it looks really good with a defined edge. If you agree, then enjoy the final part of the painting. Make sure to go slow so you don't end up slipping.