Can You Watercolor Paint if You’re a Perfectionist?
I used to think being a perfectionist meant I couldn’t be an artist. Up until recently, I was certain you needed natural talent and an ability to “go with the flow” to create beautiful watercolors. But then at the ripe old age of 39, I started testing out watercolor painting and questioning those assumptions.
You see, I’m a recovering perfectionist. The kind who buys beautiful sketchbooks but never uses them because what if I mess up the first page? The type who traces and retraces a pencil sketch until the paper is practically transparent. Sound familiar?
But here’s what I’ve discovered after years of fighting (and sometimes embracing) my perfectionist tendencies – not only CAN you watercolor as a perfectionist, but that attention to detail might actually make you a better artist. The key is learning to channel that perfectionism into growth rather than letting it hold you back.
How to Watercolor Paint as a Perfectionist
Embrace the Unpredictable
The first breakthrough came when I realized that fighting watercolor’s natural tendency to flow and blend was like trying to control the weather – exhausting and ultimately futile. Instead, I learned to see those unexpected bleeds and blooms as “happy accidents” that add character to a piece. Now when colors mingle in unexpected ways, I get excited rather than frustrated.
Start Small (Really Small)
Rather than facing down a full sheet of expensive watercolor paper, I began with tiny paintings – think postcard size or smaller. There’s something freeing about working in a space where you can complete a piece in 30 minutes. Plus, if it doesn’t turn out exactly as planned, you’ve only “wasted” a small piece of paper.
Make Multiple Versions
This is where that perfectionist attention to detail becomes an asset. Instead of trying to make one perfect painting, I’ll do three or four quick versions of the same subject. Each iteration teaches me something new about color mixing, brush control, or composition. By the third try, I’m usually less precious about the outcome and more focused on the process.
Use a Timer
I know this sounds crazy, but setting a timer for 20 minutes helps prevent those endless cycles of tweaking and re-tweaking that us perfectionists love so much. When the timer goes off, the painting is done – perfect or not.
Keep a “Progress” Journal
Rather than calling it a sketchbook (which sounds so official and pressure-filled), I keep a “progress journal” where I document my watercolor journey. Every painting goes in, whether I love it or hate it. Looking back through those pages reminds me how far I’ve come and helps quiet that inner critic.
Here’s the truth – being a perfectionist doesn’t mean you can’t be an artist. It just means you might need different strategies than the “just go with the flow” advice that’s so common in watercolor tutorials.
Remember, as a perfectionist, you already have some amazing qualities that can make you a fantastic watercolor artist:
- Attention to detail (hello, perfect color mixing!)
- Dedication to improvement
- Ability to focus deeply
- High standards that push you to grow
The key is learning to harness those qualities rather than letting them hold you back.
So yes, you absolutely can watercolor paint if you’re a perfectionist. In fact, some of the most technically skilled watercolor artists I know are perfectionists at heart. They’ve just learned to channel that drive for perfection into continuous improvement rather than self-criticism.
Ready to start? Grab a small piece of paper, set that timer, and give yourself permission to make something imperfectly beautiful. I’ll be right here cheering you on.
Not sure where to start? Start with these:
Whatever you do, don’t the let the fear of messing up stop you. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll improve. So just get out your watercolor supplies and get going!
