Every watercolor artist has been there.
You spend hours on a painting, step back to admire it… and something just feels off. Maybe the colors didn’t blend how you wanted, or that one leaf looks a little wonky, or the whole piece just doesn’t match the image you had in your head.
It can be really disheartening, especially when you’ve put a lot of time and effort into a piece.
But guess what? Every artist (no matter how experienced) has paintings they don’t love. It’s all part of the creative process. So if you’ve ever felt disappointed by how a watercolor piece turned out, you’re not alone. 💛
Here are some gentle, practical tips to help you move forward when you’re unhappy with your watercolor painting.
1. Look for things you do like about your painting
Before you dive into all the things that went wrong, pause and find at least one thing that did go right. Maybe the colors on one petal blended beautifully. Maybe your brush control improved, or your composition feels balanced.
Celebrate those moments!
When you start by giving yourself grace and encouragement, it’s easier to see the “mistakes” as learning moments rather than personal failures.
Remember, when we change our goal from perfection to simply learning something new from each painting, we get better faster and enjoy the process more, too.
2. Review your work as you would someone else’s
We rarely talk to ourselves the way we’d talk to a friend. So try this: imagine you’re sitting across from another artist showing you their painting. What would you say?
You’d probably point out the lovely colors, the soft blends, or the areas that show progress. You might offer gentle suggestions, but your tone would be supportive, not harsh.
You deserve that same kindness.
Here's an example I saw recently in my private watercolor community, The Garden Studio. One of our members recently shared a few of her finished paintings and wrote about all the things she wished had gone differently. And while it’s wonderful to reflect and learn like this, it also opens us up to being really hard on ourselves. She was feeling a little discouraged after reflecting on all the "mistakes" she saw in her paintings.
But here's the interesting thing. When she posted those paintings in our group, other members chimed in to say how beautiful they were! They shared how much they loved the colors and how they couldn't see the mistakes she mentioned.
It’s funny, isn’t it? How we can instantly see the beauty in someone else’s work, but struggle to see it in our own?
Try to give your own artwork the same thoughtful feedback and encouragement you’d offer someone else.
3. Tuck it away and look again later
Sometimes, all you need is a little space. Put your painting aside for a few days (or even a few weeks) and come back with fresh eyes. You might be surprised to find that it’s better than you remembered!
This is also a great tip if you think your painting is “done” but you’re not quite sure. A little distance can give you a new perspective on color, balance, and composition.
4. Your art isn’t a reflection of your worth
A painting that didn’t turn out how you hoped doesn’t mean you’re not creative, talented, or capable.
Every artist (yes, every single one) creates paintings that don’t work out. It’s how we learn, experiment, and grow. If we never made mistakes, we ’d never improve.
Your worth as an artist (and as a person) has nothing to do with how “perfect” your last painting was.
5. Redefine what success looks like
Maybe success isn’t a flawless painting. Maybe it’s as simple as showing up and sitting down to paint. Trying a new technique. Finishing a piece you almost gave up on. Simply pushing paint around on paper.
That’s progress, and it absolutely counts.
Art is a journey, not a checklist. Every painting, even the ones you don’t like, moves you forward. When you redefine what success in art means to you, it's so much easier to feel positive about your painting sessions, no matter the outcome.
6. End on something joyful
If a painting leaves you feeling frustrated, switch gears and do something lighthearted.
Paint a few color swatches, loose flowers, or abstract brushstrokes. Push paint around the paper without worrying about the outcome. Or paint something you know you love and have painted successfully in the past.
Remind yourself why you love watercolor in the first place.
Bringing back that sense of joy and curiosity will help reset your mindset and inspire your next piece.
Here are a couple short, free tutorials to help you if you want to dive back into painting with a low-stress, beginner-friendly project!
I hope these tips help. Remember, you’re doing something brave every time you sit down to paint. And while not every painting will end up being your favorite, every single painting session moves you forward.
You should feel proud that you're showing up, learning, and creating something beautiful that didn't exist before!
Happy painting,
Alex
P.S. Want to get all my best watercolor tips in a free ebook? Download my Essential Watercolor Guide for Beginners below!
