When it comes to painting or drawing in any medium, I don't think that the biggest problem when someone starts is their "lack of talent" or "lack experience", but rather the biggest obstacle is lack of faith within yourself. Far too many people who aren't experienced in the art world, and even people who are more experienced, look at a piece of art and say that they could never create such a piece, or that they don't even dare try to use a medium they aren't used to. The only person saying that you can't is you. I'm not saying that this is how everyone feels by any means, but there are many people who give up before giving themselves a chance.
I remember when I first started using watercolor, it wasn't until high school that I actually tried it at all, beyond just watercoloring as a kid, because I thought "I could never". My friend was and still is, awesome at watercolor, which I deeply admired and wished I could do. I remember trying to brush off trying it out with her because I knew that I would make something that I wasn't particularly proud of. At her insistence, I eventually gave in and tried it and found that it was something that I really enjoyed- far more than the acrylic paints I was currently using. From then on, she helped me with tips and tricks, and I started to use it more and more.
I found that watercolor was simultaneously forgiving and unforgiving. There were many mistakes that you could fix, but it was so easy to make mistakes as water is fickle by nature, not doing exactly what you want, and moving color wherever it pleases. Watercolor isn't an easy medium to master, however, it is one that is easily enjoyed and experimented with. There are many different techniques you can use with watercolor such as wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, salt, drybrush, etc. If you give yourself a little bit of time and patience, you can make so many things that you enjoy.
Below I have attached a video from YouTube of a simple watercolor sunset video. I highly suggest watching it and trying it for yourself if you're looking for something simple, new, and enjoyable. Below is also an image of a quick sunset I did, and a simplified list of materials. Pretty much all of the materials can be found online, at art supplies stores, or at craft stores.
Materials
Paper: There is definitely good and bad watercolor paper. Brands that I recommend include Strathmore, Arches, Masters Touch, and Canson. Usually, if the paper says 140 lbs on the cover or series 400 at the top, it should be a pretty good paper. A good paper makes a huge difference with watercolor as it can greatly affect how difficult it is to paint with, or how much it warps.
Brushes: Like paper, there are good and bad brushes- though there is quite a bit more leeway for brushes than paper. Brands that I suggest for beginners are Masters Touch and Taklon. Usually, brushes will say on their packaging, or on the brush themselves, that they are for watercolor or mixed media, which should all be fine. Brushes take a bit more experimenting but don't worry too much about these.
Paint: Along with paper, paint makes a huge difference in how easy it is to use and the quality, and is probably the most expensive part of watercolor when you first start out. This may require a bit of research beforehand as people have different preferences for texture, pigmentation, colors, etc. If you're just starting out, don't stress about expensive paints, but also don't get the little paint thing you used in elementary school. Brands are a bit harder to recommend for this, but my best recommendation would be to go onto amazon and read the reviews for different brands and paint. Don't be afraid of tubed, wet paints either, they are actually often easier to work with.
Helpful Items: The following items may not be necessary, but they will probably help you while you are painting.
A small spray bottle helps to moisten paint beforehand, making the paint easier to use.
A water cup is pretty necessary, but I wouldn't suggest using a nice cup that you really like.
Tape can help you keep the paper in place, give clean edges, and give you a starting point. You can use all sorts of tape like painter's tape, art tape, masking tape, washi tape, etc. My personal favorites are art tape and washi tape as they are as sticky or thick. Just be careful to wait to take the tape off until your paint is completely dry, and pull it off at an angle to prevent tearing.
Paper towels, a rag, napkins, etc., are extremely helpful in regulating how much water or pigment you have on your brush and makes cleaning up much easier.
Remember, be gentle with yourself! It doesn't have to be perfect or look an exact way. Paint for yourself, enjoy yourself, and do what you want. Have fun!
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