How to Paint with Watercolors: 15 FAQs Answered

Learn to master watercolor techniques with top advice from artist Sarah Stokes, whether you’re a beginner or advanced

A self-taught watercolor artist based in the UK, Sarah Stokes (@sarah_stokes) paints enchanting artwork inspired by wildlife and the natural world. For her, watercolors offer an opportunity to capture expressive and colorful scenes that tell a story.

Sarah finds the creative process meditative—but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t questions, challenges, and room for new learnings along the way.

Here she answers some of the common questions often asked by both beginners and experienced painters, from inspiration to process to selling your work.

Tips to kick-start your inspiration and creative process

1. How do I find inspiration to start painting?

Every day I find inspiration to paint through looking at the natural world. We live in the countryside and my studios are based in the Wyre Forest area of Worcestershire, so every day I get to see farms and woodlands and the plants and animals that inhabit them. Getting to see birds, farm animals and other wildlife such as pheasants and ducks is a major source of inspiration.

2. When I'm stuck or experiencing a creative block, how can I reignite my creativity?

I often look at Instagram, YouTube, and books to see how other artists have tackled a similar issue. So for instance, if I am looking at ways of developing textures in a landscape, I will look through books by past watercolor masters like Philip Jamison as well as contemporary artists such as Anne Blockley.