It’s not uncommon for watercolor painting beginners to get stumped when it comes to deciding which subject to paint next. If you’re running out of ideas but you still want to paint, here are seven unique watercolor painting ideas that I’d like to share with you.

Here are…

Unique Watercolor Painting Ideas for Beginners

1. Flowers

Flowers are one of my favorite subjects. I have painted sunflowers, bougainvillea, tulips, daisies, and a lot more. I suggest that you check out my YouTube videos for step-by-step instructions.

2. Windows

Many windows have a story to tell.  I love painting windows, especially when they are surrounded by old stonework, textured colorful walls, have dramatic light and shadows, or have geranium-filled flower boxes. Sometimes, I make it up. Try it. It can be fun!

3. Pets Plus…

Paint someone’s pet as a treasured gift. Sometimes you can catch an animal sleeping and do a quick sketch.  If you have a photo where you can really see the sparkle in their eyes, you can use it as a wonderful reference image. Dogs, cats, sheep, horses, pigs, and roosters are some of my favorites.

4. The Beach

Who doesn’t love the ocean? The beach is where everyone gets to relax. So, the next time you relax by the sea, don’t forget to bring your sketchpad, watercolor, and painting materials with you. You can even just focus on painting the waves…count every 7th wave is similar.

5. Landscapes

Nature offers perfectly random, organic, beautiful shapes that you get to simplify and create your own design from.   I travel the world to discover new landscapes, though often within minutes from my home I have a myriad of options. Sometimes the most inspiring landscapes are the ones you know best.

6. Landmarks

When painting a destination, I look for its most known landmark to identify the location.  For instance, when painting a hilltop town I make sure to draw the most recognizable building, which is usually a church, just right.  When painting in my journal I want to incorporate something within the pages, for instance, mosaics in my Barcelona sketchbook.

7. Just paint from the heart!

Painting from the heart means painting what you are excited about or drawn to. I know someone who likes to paint moss – that’s so not me.  I walk around until I find something that speaks to me, I feel it in my heart.  If I can’t paint it all right then, I go back or photograph it for another day.