8 Reasons why you should paint with watercolour

8 Reasons why you should paint with Watercolour!

Wondering if it is a good idea to start picking up watercolour painting? Here are 8 reasons why you should seriously paint with watercolour.

 

1. Watercolour Painting is easy to pick up

Never tried painting with watercolours before? Fret not! This water-based medium is one of the easiest to pick up in a short span of time.

While there are many techniques that you can take your time to explore (for instance, wet-on-wet, dry-on-wet etc.), watercolour is one of the best mediums to learn if you want to achieve quick results and produce beautiful masterpieces in almost no time at all!

2. Watercolour is cheap

If you are experienced in oil or even acrylic painting, you would know that the materials needed to start painting are not exactly the most affordable. Several bottles of paint, a mixing palette, canvases to paint on – purchasing painting materials as a beginner can be very overwhelming.

In contrast, to start watercolour painting, all one really needs is a pan of watercolour pigments (which you can readily buy as a palette), a brush, and some paper. That’s it! Not only do you save yourself a headache when purchasing painting materials, your wallet will thank you too.

Jane Davenport Glitz Sea watercolours, travel brush and her artwork!
Travel journal pages and scrapbook inspiration - ideas for travel journaling, art journaling, and scrapbooking.

3. Watercolour is convenient

As mentioned, few materials are needed to start painting in watercolour. There is no need to pull out individual bottles of paint, or tear open a new canvas every time you feel the urge to paint.

This is especially crucial for those of us prone to procrastination. Now that you have no reason to put off creating art anymore – just pick up your paintbrush and paint away!

travel palette idea

4. Watercolour is mess-free

Being water-soluble, watercolour is a god-send for people who dread cleaning up. A simple swipe of your workspace with a wet cloth and all paint stains will be magically gone! No need for turpentine or scraping paint off the table.

Новости

5. Watercolour dries quick

Imagine this: a friend’s birthday is coming up and you have the idea of gifting them a meaningful painting. If you were to paint in oil, you would have to start at least a month in advance.  As the drying time of the oil paint and the varnish will take that long even after the painting is complete. In contrast, due to the short drying time of watercolours (almost instant), you would be able to complete the painting in a day or two!

6. Watercolour is versatile

Watercolours are vibrant in nature. The colours are saturated and pigmented, allowing you to manipulate it in whichever way suits your painting style best. They can be used to produce very translucent washes to create the illusion of a soft morning glow, or in an opaque gouache-like consistency for deep shadows and harsh lines.

Still-life, landscapes, portraiture or even abstract works – if you can think of it, you can paint it in watercolour!

"Oignons" - Joel Simon, watercolor {step-by-step demonstration of onions still-life food painting} joel-simon.fr

7. Watercolour produces stunning results

People say art is about the artist’s skill set, not the medium they work with. However, many artists find that watercolour has a mind of its own, and allowing colours to blend and settle in the water on paper is both simultaneously exciting and therapeutic. The resultant artwork is always effortlessly carefree and vividly invigorating.

Iris Gaze
Image result for vintage fruits watercolour posters
Watercolour Painting art class – Still Life at Visualartscentre Singapore

8. Watercolour is the best medium for travelling

A watercolour palette is small and portable, making it the perfect medium to carry around in your backpack when you travel.

Travel journals are great for documenting your journeys. Furthermore, hand-painted scenes of the places you have visited are sure to bring back more nostalgia than a mere snapshot.

Desenhos criativos de paisagens na Noruega (8)
Watercolour – Paint, Paper and Brushes
Gallery of artist Chrysovalantou Mavroudis | Chrysovalantou Mavroudis Watercolour Artist - Santa Maria della Salute
Ideas and inspiration for keeping a travel journal, art journaling, and scrapbook.

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Visual Arts Centre

  • Dhoby Ghaut Art Studio

    10 Penang Road,
    #01-02 Dhoby Ghaut Green,
    Singapore 238469

  • MacPherson Art Studio

    140 Paya Lebar Road,
    #03-04 AZ@Paya Lebar Building,
    Singapore 409015

  • 6255 0711

  • info@visualartscentre.sg

  • 62550711

  • 67332155

  • Opening Hours

    Dhoby Ghaut Art Studio
    Monday to Sunday: 11am – 8pm Closed on Public Holidays, except by appointment.

    MacPherson [Office & Storage]
    By appointment only

VISUAL ARTS CENTRE

Visual Arts Centre is an exhibition gallery and art studio at Dhoby Ghaut Green supported by the National Parks Board and the National Arts Council.

Since its initiation on 31 January 2016, the Visual Arts Centre Exhibition Gallery has hosted over two hundred international and local art and design exhibitions, boasting a diverse range of art styles and programmes.

Email:
info@visualartscentre.sg

Phone:
+65 6255 0711
+65 6733 2155

Art Courses 艺术课程

Featured Courses 推荐课程

  • Art Immersion 3 Medium Course 综合媒介绘画课

  • Drawing & Sketching Course 素描课程

  • Acrylic Painting Course 丙烯画课程

  • Watercolour Painting Course 水彩画课程

  • Oil Painting Course 油画课程

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Portfolio Preparation Art Courses

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  • Portfolio Preparation Course (Process) 作品集 (Diploma)

Specialised Art Courses

  • Professional Manga Drawing & Digital Painting Course

  • Professional Interior Design & Freehand Rendering Course

  • Outdoor Urban Landscape Sketching Course

  • Private Art Classes

Kids Art Courses

  • Creative Kids Art Immersion Course 儿童创意绘画课程

Holiday Art Courses & Bootcamps

  • 2025: Holiday Art Course for Kids & Teens 儿童和青年假期课程

  • 2025 Kids (6-9YO) Holiday Art Course 儿童假期课程

  • 2025 Teens (10-18YO) Holiday Art Course 青年假期课程

Workshops & Events
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Team Bonding Programmes

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  • Art Jamming Team Bonding Catalogue

  • Team Bonding

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  • Batik Painting Workshop (Mural / Individual)

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Themed Workshops

  • Kids Birthday Party - Art Jamming

  • Kids T-Shirt Painting Art Party

  • Batik Painting Workshop

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  • Therapeutic Mental Health Workshops

Current Art Workshops

  • Workshops at SAM During SAW 2025

  • Digital Dreams - Transforming Ideas Into Art

  • Nude Life Drawing with Artist Guidance

  • Portrait Life Drawing with Artist Guidance

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  • Chinese Calligraphy & Ink Painting

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Current & Upcoming Exhibitions

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OUR BLOG

Special Art Jamming Themes

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Kids Art Jamming Birthday Party Workshops

  • 艺术生日派对-DIY粘土主题

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Art Competition and Affordable Art Fair Workshops

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  • Workshops & Fair Activities

Venue Hire

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  • A Perfect Art Venue for Hire

  • What to consider when renting a venue for your fashion shows and pop-ups?

Art Course

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  • 艺术疗愈如何让你心理更健康

  • Best Professional Art Courses In Singapore

  • 在新加坡哪里能学专业素描／速写、油画、水彩、丙烯、水墨、艺术作品集准备、儿童美术、儿童青少年书法等专业美术绘画课？

  • 在新加坡哪里学习专业书法课程？学习书法对儿童青少年的好处

  • Art Portfolio Preparation - DSA (Kids)

  • 凭什么，新加坡乌节路寸土寸金的商业宝地竟给国人当画室? 快!带你去看看!

  • Singapore Holiday 2025 - Learn Digital Landscape Painting and Manga Drawing

  • 成人画画课就在视觉艺术中心

  • Applying into Art Schools - How does one build an art portfolio?

Others

  • Best Professional Manga Drawing Drawing Course in Singapore

  • 对南洋画派新加坡第一代艺术先驱作品的印象

  • 定制贵宾晚宴的艺术项目

  • Art Buzz: How to Appreciate Art?

  • 《纪念刘抗诞辰111周年—刘抗书画遗作展》

  • 10 Reasons to Learn Drawing and Sketching

  • Art Therapy Course in Singapore!

  • Overseas Students Art & Cultural Exchange

  • Commissioning Custom made portraits/nude life by professional artists

  • FAQs for Art Portfolio Preparation - DSA, Diploma & Higher Education

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Foundation In Digital Art

Embark on a captivating journey into the vibrant world of digital art! Our Foundation in Digital Art workshop invites budding creatives aged nine and above to unleash their imagination and hone their artistic skills in a dynamic, supportive environment. From mastering basic digital tools to crafting mesmerizing digital masterpieces, children will explore a spectrum of techniques guided by seasoned mentors. Through hands-on activities and interactive sessions, participants will discover the endless possibilities of digital expression while fostering creativity and critical thinking. Join us for an exhilarating adventure where young artists transform ideas into stunning visual realities, igniting a passion for digital art

Colour & Texture Exploration With Acrylic Painting & Collage

Prepare to unleash your inner artist in a kaleidoscope of color and creativity with ‘Colour Blast: Acrylic Painting & Collage Techniques’! Dive into a whirlwind adventure where vibrant hues and mesmerizing textures collide in a symphony of imagination. From mastering the art of seamless color blending to discovering the magic of mixed media collage, this journey is a playground for your artistic soul. With each brushstroke, explore new techniques that breathe life into your canvas, transforming it into a vibrant tapestry of expression. Join us and let your creativity run wild as you embark on this colorful escapade!”

World of Manga [Foundation & Styling]

A manga art workshop for children and teenagers sounds like a fantastic idea! Here’s how you might structure it:
Introduction to Manga: Begin by introducing what manga is, its history, and its influence on popular culture worldwide. Show examples of different manga styles and genres to give participants an overview.
Basic Drawing Techniques: Start with the fundamentals of drawing, such as line work, shapes, and proportions. Provide step-by-step instructions on how to draw basic manga characters, focusing on simple shapes that can be built upon.
Character Design: Move on to character design concepts, including creating unique characters, designing their personalities, and developing backstories. Encourage participants to get creative and think outside the box.
Expression and Emotion: Teach how to convey emotions and expressions through facial expressions, body language, and positioning of characters. This can be a fun and interactive exercise where participants practice drawing various emotions.
Storytelling and Paneling: Explore the basics of storytelling in manga, including paneling techniques, pacing, and layout. Show examples of different panel structures and discuss how they affect the flow of the story.
Inking and Coloring: Introduce participants to inking techniques using pens or markers. You can also cover digital inking for those interested. Then, demonstrate basic coloring techniques using markers, colored pencils, or digital software.
Feedback and Collaboration: Provide opportunities for participants to share their work and receive feedback from their peers and instructors. Encourage collaboration by having them work together on short manga projects or collaborative drawings.
Final Showcase: End the workshop with a showcase of participants’ work. This could be in the form of an exhibition, digital gallery, or printed booklet. Celebrate everyone’s creativity and progress throughout the workshop.
Remember to create a supportive and encouraging environment where participants feel free to express themselves and explore their creativity. And don’t forget to have fun! Manga is all about imagination and passion, so let that spirit shine through in your workshop.

Academy Drawing Traditions

The academy drawing and sketching tradition, rooted in centuries of artistic practice, emphasizes disciplined study of form, proportion, and technique. Originating from Renaissance workshops and formalized by institutions like the Royal Academy, it prioritizes meticulous observation and mastery of fundamental skills. Students progress from basic exercises to complex compositions, learning to depict still life and common objects with precision and expression. This tradition values both classical principles and innovation, encouraging artists to push boundaries while maintaining a deep respect for tradition. Through rigorous training and critique, artists within this tradition cultivate a strong foundation for creative exploration and artistic excellence.

Chinese Ink Painting and Calligraphy

This course on Chinese ink painting and calligraphy introduces young learners to the rich traditions of Chinese art. Through hands-on activities, students explore the basics of brush techniques, ink control, and the delicate art of Chinese script. They learn to appreciate the cultural significance of calligraphy and painting, developing skills in creating elegant strokes and expressive brushwork. The course fosters creativity, patience, and fine motor skills, while also providing insights into Chinese history and aesthetics. By the end, children gain confidence in their artistic abilities and a deeper understanding of Chinese cultural heritage.

Funk with Graffiti

Funk With Graffiti Workshop for children is an engaging and creative program aimed at introducing young artists to the vibrant world of graffiti and funk-inspired street style art. Participants learn the basics of graffiti history, techniques, and safety. Guided by professional graffiti artists, children explore the art of designing their unique tags, emphasizing creativity, expression, and individuality. The workshop includes hands-on activities, from sketching concepts to creating final designs with spray paint on provided surfaces. By the end of the session, children gain confidence in their artistic abilities and an appreciation for graffiti and funk as legitimate forms of street art. Each child completes two original artworks, which they proudly take home, showcasing their newfound skills and personal style.

Batik Tales

In the Batik Introduction Handkerchief Painting workshop, participants will learn the traditional art of batik, a wax-resist dyeing technique originating from Indonesia. The workshop begins with a brief history and overview of batik, highlighting its cultural significance and various techniques. Participants will then observe a demonstration of applying wax with tjanting tools and dyeing the fabric. Following the demonstration, each participant will design and create their own batik handkerchief, applying wax to create patterns and then dyeing their fabric. The workshop concludes with a group discussion, allowing participants to share their creations and reflect on their learning experience.