Painting Mistakes You Should Stop Making

Everyone starts a painting with excitement, but a few easy-to‑miss steps can ruin the whole piece. Below are the most common slip‑ups and what you can do right away to fix them. Follow these tips and watch your work get cleaner, brighter, and more professional.

Mistake #1: Skipping Surface Prep

Most artists rush straight to the paint and forget to clean or prime the canvas. Dust, old glue, or uneven texture will make the paint look patchy. Take a few minutes to wipe the surface with a dry cloth, then apply a thin layer of gesso. Let it dry and sand lightly if it feels rough. This simple step creates a smooth base that holds color better.

Mistake #2: Using the Wrong Brush Size

Getting a brush too big or too small for the area you’re working on forces you to go over the same spot many times. That can leave visible brush marks or over‑mix colors. Keep a range of brushes handy—one large flat for background washes, a medium round for mid‑tones, and a fine tip for details. Switch brushes as you move across the canvas.

When you notice streaks, stop and add a little water (for acrylic or watercolor) or medium (for oil). This re‑activates the paint and helps the brush glide smoother.

Mistake #3: Ignoring Color Theory

Many beginners pick colors they like without checking how they interact. Bad combinations make a painting look muddy or flat. Use the color wheel to find complementary or analogous colors. Test a small swatch on a scrap piece before committing to the whole area.

Remember that a little of the opposite hue can make a color pop. For example, a touch of orange next to blue adds vibrancy without overwhelming the scene.

Mistake #4: Overworking the Paint

It’s tempting to keep blending until everything looks perfect, but too much handling thins the paint and creates a hazy look. Decide early where the shadows, mid‑tones, and highlights will be, then lay them down in a few confident strokes. If a spot looks muddy, let it dry and add a fresh layer on top.

This “layer‑up” method keeps colors rich and the painting dynamic.

Mistake #5: Forgetting to Step Back

Staring at a piece from up close makes you miss big problems like uneven value or awkward composition. Every 15‑20 minutes, put the canvas down and view it from a few feet away. You’ll see where the eye gets stuck and can adjust before it’s too late.

If a section still feels off, try covering it with a neutral color for a minute. That reset can highlight what really needs fixing.

By watching out for these common painting mistakes, you’ll save time, money on supplies, and a lot of frustration. Keep these tips in mind next time you set up an easel, and you’ll see faster improvement in your work.

11 May, 2025

Why is Watercoloring So Hard? Honest Truths and Handy Fixes

by Alaric Westcombe | May, 11 2025 | | 0 Comments

Watercolor painting looks simple, but most people struggle with it right from the start. The paint runs wild, the paper wrinkles, and colors don't always blend the way you expect. This article unpacks why watercoloring can be so tough and what makes it trickier than other media. You'll find concrete tips to help you relax and actually enjoy the process, plus a few facts about how pros handle common mistakes. Time to put those fears about watercolor to rest.