This most asked question by beginner watercolor artists is, "How do I control watercolor?"

While it is a bit tricky at first, it isn't really complicated.

The secret is knowing how water and paint will behave depends on the amount of moisture on your paper, brush, and in your paint. 

Once you get familiar with the behavior of your paint related to the level of moisture present in your tools (paper, brushes, paint), you'll be able to create any effect you want with watercolor. 

As you paint keep these simple Golden Rules in the back of your mind:

Water is the boss, paint flows where the water is. If water is applied to a surface first, then paint is introduced to the water, the paint will flow wherever there is water. If the paint is applied to a dry surface, it will stay where you put it.

Greater wetness will always flow into lesser wetness. Moisture will always travel to less wet areas. 

These simple rules will help you anticipate where and how the paint will flow because it will always be attracted to the water. 

I've created a short video to demonstrate how water and paint behave and I hope it gives you a better understanding of how to work with watercolor. The best way to really learn how to control watercolor is to practice, practice, practice. 

I also created a downloadable guide to help you can refer back to as you're painting. It also has some suggested exercises. These exercises will help you learn how the paint and water behave. You can get that here: