Anyone that can write can draw and paint. Believe it. I'm a prime example.  At 52 I took some art classes, five years ago. Now I sell my paintings for up to $300 each. Money isn't the only thing that is important but it is one way that we assign value in our society..

 The last time I remember drawing was third grade. My mother kept it. So after the divorce I thought having a hobby would be nice. Taking care of my family was my hobby and my life. There was no room for hobbies.

Now picture this, never before had I held a brush . Sure, I was going to learn paint. Learning was exactly what I did.  The big secret to painting is that you must practice, practice, practice.  Just like when you learned how to write.  It took you years to learn how to write.  It doesn't take years before you learn to paint.  Within a few lessons you'll start feeing good about your some of your efforts.  You'll qualify to be a starving artist.  You will be able to paint somethings but you can't make a living at it.

Learning starts with reading.  I read everything I could get my hands on.  Go to the library don't buy everything like I did. I spent a lot of money unnecesarily.  The local art centers usually have wonderful libraries and classes. Don't buy every brush on the market. The number of brushes, paints or accessories you have don't do anything except say how new you are to painting. 

Art classes are the way to getting a jump start  I  can't recommend enough how beneficial the art classes are.  They save you a lot of time getting to the basics.  If you try and teach yourself to begin with you will find that every author has a different perspective and you don't know which way to go. Plus you can't ask questions. Start with a beginners class for watercolor.  After an advanced class you can start experimenting and developing your own style. I recommend taking a least one advanced class as well.  Advanced classes very with every teacher.  You could take many advanced classes and not learn the same information twice.  Going to classes is very helpful because you have your work evaluated and encouraged, both by the teacher and the other students. 

As far as brushes go sable is the best for watercolor but synthetic is good for beginners and less expensive.  Invest in sable when you are more advanced and want a brush that will last for years. You may try another medium and like it better like oils or pastels.  Brushes have numbers which indicate there size from smallest to largest. The shapes of brushes are round, ultra round, flat, fans, etc. to many to list at this time.  I recommend that you purchase  the basics : round #2, #6, #10, #12, a flat 3/4 " and a 2" flat. This is a good start.  Now practice with the brushes to see how many diffrent strokes you can get out of each brush.  You will be surprised at the number and the variety.  Take care of your brushes and they will serve you well.  Clean them well after each use and let them dry unside down so the water drips out of the brushes and so the tips are protected. 

Choosing your colors or palette for the newbie is simple.  There are three primary colors from which all other colors are made, even black. Using just the three primary colors is called a limited pallette.  White is made by "reserving" or saving the white paper, not painting on the paper you want to be white. Black is made by combining all three primary colors.

There are many choices when it comes to paper. The most frequently one used has a weight of 140 pounds per ream, not sheet, and is cold pressed .  A cold pressed surface is between hot pressed which is smooth and a rough surface.The size of a single sheet is 30" by 22". A halfsheet is 11"by 15". For practice one sheet can make 8 quarter sheets to use.,front and back. The torn edge of the paper is rough, decaled, and is prefered by many artists. Watercolor paper is also available in blocks which have smooth edges. The price works to be about the same between a block and sheets of paper. You will learn how to tear the paper in class.  One sheet for the first class is plenty.  You will need paper for your pictures and practice paper. Only buy on paper on sale.

This was a basic introduction to get ready to paint. I hope you grow to love painting as much as I do. Look for my ebook which will be coming soon.Happy painting! 

This guide is just an introduction to watercolor for the newbie beginner. Happy painting!!