Watercolor Struggles: Learn from Your Painting Mistakes

Creating artwork that doesn’t turn out as planned can feel frustrating, even defeating. Can you relate? I know I can. A recent watercolor painting tutorial of mine was the perfect example of things not going smoothly. Maybe it’s because it’s the start of the year, which can often feel slow and awkward—like adjusting to a new situation or meeting someone for the first time. Whatever the reason, I found myself struggling over and over as I worked on this project.

At first, I considered editing out all the mishaps from the tutorial, but then I had a realization: wouldn’t it be more valuable for my students to see how I handled each challenge? Don’t you agree? After all, we all face those awkward, frustrating projects that don’t seem to work out. And let me assure you—it’s not just you! Every artist faces challenges, and every artist needs practice to grow.

As an art teacher, I may seem like I have it all together, but I make mistakes too—lots of them. And like you, I’m always learning. What separates experienced artists from beginners isn’t a lack of mistakes; it’s the willingness to keep going, to learn from those mistakes, and to turn them into opportunities for growth.

If you’ve ever balled up a project in frustration before finishing it, you’re not alone. But let me encourage you to do something different next time. Instead of abandoning the work, push through to the end. See how much you can do to turn it around. You’ll learn more from that process than you would from starting over. Every brushstroke, even on a failed project, adds valuable tools to your metaphorical painter’s toolbox.

Does this sound counterintuitive? In some ways, it is. We all want to create good artwork. But the truth is every artist produces a percentage of failed projects. If you’ve already invested time in a piece, why not take it a step further and see what lessons it has to teach you?

I know it’s painful to work on artwork you don’t like, but try to pause and ask yourself why you feel that way. Just because a piece doesn’t match your vision or doesn’t look like someone else’s work doesn’t mean it lacks value. Sometimes, stepping away for an hour or even a day can help you return with fresh eyes and a new perspective.

Here’s a secret: your art might not be as “bad” as you think. You might even be closer to achieving your creative goals than you realize. What if that were true? Wouldn’t that be the best news ever?

Most creative growth comes down to mindset and attitude. Once you align those, everything else becomes easier. So next time you feel stuck, remember: your struggles are a normal, even necessary, part of the creative process. Embrace them, learn from them, and keep painting.

Want to watch my crazy, awkward watercolor tutorial on video, and what I did about each challenge I faced? Click the button below or the image at the top of this blog post to watch it now!