The Wisdom of Watercolor

5 Lessons Painting Watercolor Taught Me About Life

Watercolor has a way of revealing things you didn’t even know you needed to learn. When I first picked up a brush, I thought I had it all figured out—I would painstakingly draw out my entire painting, then basically just color it in with an excruciatingly small brush. Sound familiar?

But watercolor, with its fluid nature and gentle unpredictability, showed me that it’s not about control; it’s about collaboration. It nudged me to embrace the unexpected and taught me that the process is just as important as the outcome.

Over time, I realized that watercolor was helping me practice themes I found challenging in life—things like dropping perfectionism, letting go of self-doubt, and learning to be flexible.

After having my first child, these lessons felt even more relevant, and watercolor became a safe space to explore them with curiosity instead of pressure.

Here are points of wisdom watercolor has taught me (thus far).

1. Nothing is too precious

When I try to make a painting perfect, I end up with something stiff, overworked, and lacking life. I’ve learned that holding my work too tightly—hovering over it, second-guessing every brushstroke—only leads to frustration. But when I give myself (and my painting) permission to breathe, to be a little wild and hearty, some magic happens.

Some of my favorite paintings happened when I let go of expectations and just enjoyed the process. The looseness, the unexpected flourishes—those are the parts that feel most alive.

2. Unexpected doesn’t mean it’s a mistake

I rarely sketch my work in pencil first. Partly because I love the spontaneity of diving right in, and partly because, well... I’m impulsive 😬. But that also means there’s always a moment (or two or three) where things don’t go according to plan. The color blooms too much, the line wobbles, or a drip sneaks in where I wasn’t expecting it… I’m also notorious for dropping my brush!

At first, I’d panic—cue the internal monologue of “Great, I’ve ruined it.” But over time, I’ve learned that those surprises aren’t mistakes. They’re opportunities. More often than not, what initially feels like a disaster turns out to be the thing that gives the piece its soul.

It’s a little like life, right? We spend so much time planning, trying to stay in control, and then something unexpected happens. And maybe, just maybe, it’s leading us somewhere better than we imagined.

3. White space matters (a lot)

If you’re anything like me, the sight of a wide-open, unscheduled afternoon on your calendar feels like a tiny miracle. A pause. A breath. A chance to just... be.

Turns out, paintings need that same kind of space. White space in a composition isn’t empty—it’s intentional. It gives the eye a place to rest, a moment to take it all in. Without it, things can feel chaotic and overwhelming.

I try to remember this in my life too. It’s easy to fill every moment, every inch of the page, with something. But the truth is, space—real, intentional space—makes everything better. And yes, I’m still working on that whole “leaving space” thing in my daily life.

4. Watercolor is a practice in co-creation

You can guide it, encourage it, and even nudge it in a certain direction—but at the end of the day, watercolor has its own rhythm. Ultimately we are dancing with water ~ It moves with the paper, with gravity, with the slightest tilt of my hand. I’ve learned that instead of fighting it, the best approach is to work with it.

There’s beauty in letting things take their natural course—in trusting that, with a little guidance, it will all come together in the end.

And honestly, isn’t that a good reminder for life too? You can’t control everything (as much as I’d like to). Sometimes you just have to go with the flow.

5. Layers take time

Watercolor is all about layers—slow, delicate, intentional. You can’t rush them, or you’ll end up with a muddy mess. Each layer needs time to dry before the next one goes on.

This has been a hard one for me, because patience isn’t exactly my strong suit. But I’ve come to appreciate the quiet pause between layers. It’s a reminder that good things—whether it’s art, personal growth, or a dream you’re working toward—take time.

Watercolor has taught me that rushing the process rarely works out, and sometimes the best thing you can do is step away, let things settle, and come back with fresh eyes.

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So there you have it—five lessons watercolor has gently (and sometimes not-so-gently) handed me over the years. Whether you paint or not, I think there’s something universal here.

Maybe your “watercolor” is writing, gardening, cooking, or parenting. Whatever it is, I hope you’re finding your own lessons in the process. And if you ever feel like things are a little too precious, a little too messy, or a little too fast—just remember to leave some space, let things flow, and trust the layers.

I'd love to hear—what creative process has taught you something about life? Hit reply and let me know.