Quantity Over Perfection: A Watercolour Guide to Quick Paintings
Have you been meaning to paint in watercolour but always find a reason to put it off? Maybe you tell yourself you just don’t have time—but more often than not, that’s just fear talking.
The good news?
You don’t need endless hours to create something worthwhile. Quick paintings can be just as rewarding, and sometimes even more so, than those you spend ages perfecting.
But should we aim for quantity over quality?
The truth is, that’s a trick question—because quality often comes from quantity.
You’ve heard about that study with the pottery students? 🤓
You know, the one in which the first group was told to make just one perfect pot, while the second group was told to make as many pots as possible in the same amount of time. In the end, the students in the second group who made more pots actually produced the best-quality work!
The same principle applies to watercolour painting. The more you paint, the more you improve—so quick paintings can be an excellent idea.
Painting Quickly in Watercolour Doesn't Mean Carelessly
Let’s be clear, though…
Quick painting isn't about rushing or being careless. It’s about being thoughtful and efficient with your approach, decision-making, and brushstrokes. It helps you avoid overthinking, procrastination, and perfectionism—three common roadblocks to creativity.
Why Would You Want to Paint Quickly?
There are so many reasons to embrace quicker paintings! Here are just a few:
It gets you painting instead of procrastinating. Let’s be honest… we paint for fun. And painting is much more fun than procrastinating. When you intentionally set out to paint a quick painting it is much easier for you to stop hesitating and start creating.
It forces you to focus on what really matters. Time can be more of a burden than a luxury. Instead of getting lost in tiny details, you learn to identify the big idea for your painting and get the big important shapes in first.
It removes excuses. We said we painted for fun, didn’t we? So no painting = no fun! With quick paintings there is no more “I don’t have time to paint”—because a fast painting session fits into even the busiest schedule.
It lowers the pressure. Sometimes we are avoiding painting because we feel pressure to get it ‘right’. A self-imposed time constraint naturally leads to lower expectations, which helps you relax and enjoy the process.
It’s super fun! There’s an energy and excitement to painting fast that makes the experience feel playful and fresh. And by the way, the more fun you have, the more you want to paint.
It teaches you things you might not learn otherwise. When you work quickly, you get in more “brush miles,” helping you improve your technique and intuition.
Don't forget: quality comes from quantity! The more you paint, the more skilled and confident you become.
4 Ways to Speed Up Your Watercolour Painting Time
If you’d like to experiment with quicker paintings, here are some simple ways to do it:
1: Choose a Fresh, Loose Approach
Not every painting needs multiple layers or precise details. A direct, expressive style can capture the spirit of your subject beautifully. And not having to wait for those layers to dry is going to speed up your process considerably.
Working in a loose style also encourages spontaneity and helps you embrace imperfections, which can make your paintings feel more alive and dynamic.
Instead of meticulously layering and correcting, you learn to trust your instincts, letting the water and pigment interact naturally on the page.
This approach not only speeds up your painting process but also enhances your confidence and creativity, allowing you to explore new techniques with a sense of freedom.
It’s my favourite way of working, and its the way we like to approach things every month in the Happy Painters Hub.
If this sounds interesting to you, you’ll want to visit this link to find out more!
2: Work Small
Instead of tackling an A3 or A4 sheet, try painting postcard-sized pieces.
Smaller paintings usually take less time and allow for more practice, letting you experiment with different techniques and compositions without the pressure of a big canvas. Working on a smaller scale also helps you stay loose and spontaneous, encouraging you to focus on the overall impression rather than getting caught up in excessive details.
(Also there is often not enough room for them, so you will be less tempted to try and include them!)
A small painting is also far less daunting than a large one. With lower stakes, you not only have more fun but often produce better paintings because you feel less self-conscious or burdened by expectations.
3: Skip the Drawing
Try painting straight onto the page without sketching first.
I know. This can strike terror into the heart of a painter… but please give it a try! You don’t have to show anyone what you paint, after all… and it may be easier than you think.
Every month we have a quick painting project (completed in 30 minutes or less) in the Happy Painters Hub membership. In our Sunflower month, we painted a surprisingly large painting (A3 about 12”x16”), and yes - it really did only take 30 minutes. Because… you guessed it, we skipped the sketch!
Skipping the drawing cuts out a whole section of the painting process and can free you up and make your work more spontaneous. Without the structure of a sketch, you're encouraged to trust your instincts and embrace your bold brushstrokes.
(Our motto in the Happy Painter’s Hub is Bold Hands, Glad Heart 🤗)
It also helps eliminate hesitation—since there’s no pencil guide to follow, you’re more likely to commit to each stroke with confidence. You have no choice but to work with what's working and let go of the rest.
With watercolour, you have a collaborative partner so you might find your painting takes on a life of its own. This is a rather wonderful way to paint, and can feel much more fun and creative than trying to complete a pencil sketch with watercolour paint like its a colouring book.
Plus, skipping the sketch saves time, making this an excellent way to fit in quick painting sessions even on busy days.
4: Set a Timer
Give yourself a set amount of time—10, 20, or 30 minutes—and commit to stopping when the timer goes off. Sometimes all it takes is the awareness of that ticking clock to you focus on the most important elements. This is helpful in preventing the overworking that can diminish some of the fresh joyfulness of a watercolour painting.
The time constraint also encourages decisiveness, making you more mindful of each brushstroke instead of second-guessing or hesitating. Knowing your time is limited can push you to prioritize the big idea of your painting, simplify the composition, and get in the important values, rather than getting lost in unnecessary details.
Plus, setting a timer adds an element of challenge, turning the painting session into a fun, focused creative exercise.
Give It a Try!
If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or perfectionistic with your watercolour practice, quick paintings might be just the thing to get you moving again.
But please don't feel like you have to be an expert to try any of these tips.
Far from it.
Embrace the beginner mindset and give yourself permission to play.
One quick and tiny painting at a time.
Let yourself create without overthinking. You might be surprised at how much you learn—and how much fun you have along the way!
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