Paint A Water Color Landscape!

What can I use if I don't have watercolor paper, a palette, or masking tape?

Use heavy mixed-media or 140 lb (300 gsm) paper taped to a flat board, a white ceramic plate or plastic lid as a palette, and painter's tape or any low-tack tape instead of masking tape.

The colors look muddy or won't blend—what should I try?

Rinse your brush in the cup between colors, wet the sky area with a clean brush and clear water before applying the blue wash, and let painted areas dry completely before adding the stronger midground and foreground layers to avoid muddiness.

How can I adapt this project for different age groups?

For younger children pre-draw the horizon and hills and let them use a large brush to wet the sky and paint the blue wash, while older kids can follow every step including using the small brush for tree trunks and waiting for layers to dry to add detail.

How can we extend or personalize the watercolor landscape?

Sprinkle coarse salt onto the wet blue wash for texture, try masking fluid to preserve highlights on midground hills, or mix in pinks for a sunset before signing your name with a small brush and sharing on DIY.org.