Hello everyone!
This year, I’ve decided to create a series of watercolor tutorials designed especially for beginners. It just so happens that this beautiful season of autumn has arrived, and as soon as I think of fall, dozens of painting ideas instantly come to mind. I truly hope I can paint them all within the limited time I have.
These tutorials focus on simple shapes and easy layering, yet we’ll still bring them to life with rich colors and textures. Also, these watercolor illustrations are perfect for making cute little cards to share with your family and friends. I hope you’ll enjoy them! 🍁
Painting Tools
Watercolors: For this beginner step-by-step watercolor tutorial series, I use Schmincke Horadam 24 Half-Pan Set. You can choose any brand and find similar colors.
Watercolor Paper: Arches Cold-Pressed Watercolor Paper 300gsm
Brushes: Escoda Perla #8 / Escoda Versatil #10
Masking Fluid: Schimincke
1. Maple Leaves
Let’s start with the symbol of autumn — maple leaf.
This is a wonderful way to practice wet-on-wet blending, letting reds, oranges, and yellows merge naturally on paper.
→ Maple Leaf
2. Pumpkin
Round pumpkins with their ribbed surfaces are perfect for exploring wet-on-dry shading and color transitions.
They look beautiful when combined with green stems and little autumn leaves.
→ Pumpkin
3. Mushrooms in the Forest
Tiny mushrooms hiding in the grass are always so fun to paint.
We can try layering brown and green, and lifting some paint to create the texture of grass.
→ Mushroom
4. Oak Leaves and Acorns
The wavy edges of oak leaves and the textured caps of acorns are such charming and recognizable details. This is a great way to practice color blending and subtle layering while keeping a natural, earthy tone.
→ Oak leaves and acorns
5. Gingko Leaves
I love how simple and elegant ginkgo leaves are, with that cool fan shape and beautiful golden color. They’re honestly perfect for anyone starting out!
→ Ginkgo Leaf
Each of these watercolor projects captures a different side of autumn — from the delicate textures of fallen leaves to the cozy charm of forest mushrooms. Try one each weekend, or mix them together to create your own autumn collection!
You can also find my painting videos at the end of each post. Don’t forget to save the image so you can practice again anytime! 🍁
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