This DIY Watercolor Wall Art Is Perfect For Beginners

Apply Water to Canvas

Use a foam brush to soak your blank canvas with water. For large canvases, work in sections because it helps ensure that the water doesn’t dry before you reach the bottom.  

Apply Watercolor Paint

Start by placing a few drops of watercolor paint onto your canvas, then add water gradually until the color spreads nicely. You can use liquid watercolors from a dropper bottle or watercolor tubes—or a mix of both. We used Reeves tube watercolors for peachy tones and Dr. Ph. Martin’s Synchromatic Transparent Water Color for blue-gray hues. Add a second color and use your foam brush to blend the edges with the first color.  

Editor’s Tip: If you’ve added too much water or paint to one area, you can use a paper towel to lightly blot up the excess.

Create Swirls with Watercolor Techniques

To create swirls on your canvas, use these techniques: gently tilt the canvas to blend colors, or press down where you want ink to pool and create impressions. You can also blow the ink around by squeezing an empty condiment bottle at an angle. Continue adding colors and water until you’re happy with the texture and saturation. Apply these watercolor techniques as you work across the canvas in sections. 

Editor’s Tip: To achieve organic swirls and prevent your colors from turning muddy, don’t manipulate the paint too much beyond the techniques shown.

Let Dry and Frame (Optional)

Leave your artwork to dry overnight on a flat surface. Though watercolors dry quickly and your canvas might feel dry after a few hours, it’s best to wait. For a polished display, consider framing your canvas using painted wood lattice strips. Cut the strips to fit each side of the canvas and attach them with a brad nailer for a professional finish.