Exploring watercolour techniques.

But achieving those effects isn’t easy. Wet-on-wet painting or using wet brushes on wet watercolour paper, can create a distinctly different look than a dry brush used on a dry surface and mastering these effects take patience and practice. Masking tape and masking fluid can help artists control the flow or movement of water, as can the humble paper towel if they add too much water. Traditional watercolours have their limits and can be unpredictable for beginners and professionals alike. This is where digital watercolours come in.

Start to explore digital watercolour painting.

Working in a digital medium, you can achieve the look and aesthetic of traditional watercolours but with more control and precision. “Embrace what digital watercolours can do. They have qualities that are interesting and beautiful,” watercolour artist Benjamin Dewey says. Apps like Adobe Fresco let you achieve a traditional watercolour look without a drop of H₂O.

Examine the opportunities and challenges of digital watercolours.

The flexibility of digital watercolour painting is a boon to professional artists. If you create an illustration for a client in traditional watercolours, it’s difficult and time consuming to edit. “The digital platform is really helpful when it comes to revisions,” explains Dewey.

Formalising your colour palette before you start a digital painting is key, as some beginners oversaturate their art with too many colours. (Understanding colour theory will help you work within a pleasing, complementary colour theme.) With traditional watercolours, you can overmix and overblend colours. With digital painting, neither is an issue. If your digital colours turn muddy, you’re not stuck with them — simply edit the hues.

Creating a natural, artistic brushstroke is also important in digital watercoloring. “You can’t always achieve one definitive brushstroke as easily with digital,” Case says. “You have to work for it — work to create the texture that can be accomplished more quickly with traditional media.” Experiment with layering different brushes and going over a line multiple times with your erasing tool. Like any art form, watercolours and digital painting take time and practice to master, so you have to find the approach that works for you.

Discover more watercolour painting techniques.