Step-by-Step Guide: Painting a Watercolor Still Life

Before we dive into painting loose watercolor still life, here's something that might surprise you - did you know I used to commercial fish back in the day? Picture this: me the back deck of a 100ft scallop boat with a bunch of rough deckhands, being the only guy with a full set of teeth, shucking scallops at 2am in the middle of nowhere. Man, how things have changed... from handling rough seas to handling watercolor washes!

But here's the thing - those nights on that rocking boat actually taught me everything I know about painting loose, intuitive watercolors. When you're working in conditions where you can't control anything, you learn to work WITH what's happening instead of fighting it.

Recommended Watercolor Materials

• Holbein Professional Watercolor Paints – 8 Essential Hues
  Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Lemon Yellow, Ultramarine Blue, Cerulean Blue, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Light, Neutral Tint, Burnt Sienna
• Fabriano Artistico Watercolor Paper – 140lb Cold Press
  Buy full sheets and cut into quarter sheets for best value
• Silver Jumbo Wash Brush
  Great coverage, excellent quality for the price
• Princeton Neptune Point Rounds (No. 12 & 6)
  Reliable and affordable detail & wash brushes
• Princeton Neptune Dagger (1/2")
  Versatile size for lines, edges, and detail work
• Masterson Aqua Pro Palette
  Durable, with deep wells for generous mixing space
• Gator Board
  Lightweight, long-lasting painting support board
• Holbein White Gouache
  Optional for highlights and fine details
• Miscellaneous: plastic water containers, paper towels, masking tape

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.