5 Easy Tips to Find More Time for Watercolor Painting

✅ Quick Overview

• 🎨 Discover 5 realistic ways to carve out more time for watercolor painting

• 🔄 Use simple strategies like organizing supplies, bookmarking tutorials, and curating inspiration

• 💡 Build momentum by setting up a painting caddy and creating a “Watercolor Inspo” photo folder

• 🔑 Learn how the library and social media can become time-saving creative tools

• 👩‍🎨 Designed for busy beginners — start painting more often without overhauling your schedule

Introduction

Do you wish you had more time for watercolor painting? (I know I do!)

Whether you're just starting out or returning to your creative practice, carving out time for art can feel nearly impossible. That’s why I’m sharing five easy, proven ways to make more time for watercolor — even with a packed schedule.

These are simple, commonsense strategies — but when I actually committed to them, I more than doubled my weekly painting time. You can, too.

5 Easy Suggestions to Find More Time for Painting!

1. Take Photos of Everyday Inspiration

Screenshot of my iPhone Photos folder for Inspirational Ideas for art projects 

One of the easiest time-savers for watercolor artists? Train your eye to spot creative inspiration in daily life — and snap a photo when you see it. Save it to a dedicated “Watercolor Inspo” folder on your phone.

You don’t need an epic landscape or a studio setup — maybe it’s the way the light hits your morning coffee, or the pattern on your bedspread. These mini moments can turn into your next painting.

👉 The first time I realized I was thinking like an artist, I was driving and saw a beautiful cloudscape ahead. I pulled over, took a photo, and later painted it. That moment made me feel like a real artist for the first time.

💡 Quick Tip: Create a “Watercolor Inspiration” album in your Photos app so your reference material is always easy to find.

2. Save Digital Watercolor Resources

Found a tutorial you love? A color palette that inspires you? Screenshot it or bookmark the page — just make sure you organize everything in one place.

You can create folders like:

• “Beginner Tutorials”

• “Color Palettes”

• “Watercolor Techniques”

• “To Try Projects”

This keeps your creative momentum flowing when you sit down to paint.

💡 Tip: Bookmark your favorite watercolor blogs (like this one!) so you always have easy access to ideas and tutorials.

3. Subscribe to Artists and Tutorials You Love

Each time you complete a watercolor tutorial you enjoy, subscribe to the artist’s YouTube or Instagram.

This step curates your creative feed and makes it easier to find quality content — no more hunting down that one artist you liked last month.

👉 It took me a while to admit to myself that I was “really into this” — but once I did, subscribing saved me time! Tutorials from my favorite artists started showing up in my inbox like magic :)

💡 Quick Tip:  Set aside 5–10 minutes once a week to clear out or organize saved posts and tutorials.

4. Use the Library to Augment Your Art Book Collection

Image of the Watercolor Art books currently on the shelf at my local library

Watercolor books are goldmines for learning techniques and exploring different styles. But you don’t need to break the bank to build your collection.

• Start with the library: Most watercolor books are shelved under Call #751.422.

• Use the library catalog to request specific titles.

• Prefer to own? Check thrift stores, used book sites, or ask for gift cards as presents!

👉 Before I buy any art book, I borrow it from the library first. I tag the pages I love — and sometimes realize I don't need to own the book after all. Other times, I tag so many pages that I know it's a must-have for my own shelf and add it to my "art books to buy" running list.

💡 Quick Tip:  Photograph your favorite pages or tag them with sticky notes to revisit later.

5. Keep Your Watercolor Supplies Ready to Go

Photo of my art books and supplies  on my tall bookshelf 

Reducing setup time is one of the best ways to increase your painting time. Keep all your materials — paints, brushes, water jars, paper — in one organized spot.

That way, when a spare 30 minutes opens up, you can dive right in instead of spending time gathering supplies.

👉 I personally follow Amy Maricle’s art supply organization method — it’s simple, calming, and makes it so much easier to start.

💡 Quick Tip: Create a portable painting box or caddy you can move around the house. It doesn’t have to be fancy!

🎁 To dive deeper into this topic, I highly recommend reading Amy Maricle’s guide to organizing art supplies.

Why These Tips Matter for Watercolor Beginners

Since I started painting in 2020, I’ve learned one important truth: making time for art doesn’t happen by accident — it happens by design.

These five tips helped me move from “wish I could paint” to “I painted three times this week.”

With your inspiration organized and your tools ready, those tiny windows of free time become full, joyful creative sessions.

Recap: 5 Quick Tips for More Watercolor Painting Time

1. Take photos of inspiring things in daily life

2. Screenshot or bookmark digital watercolor resources

3. Subscribe and follow your favorite artists and tutorials

4. Use your local library to preview art books affordably

5. Organize your supplies for quick and spontaneous painting sessions

🎁 Bonus: Painting Is Good for Your Health, Too

Creative practices like watercolor painting don’t just boost your mood — they actually benefit your brain and body.

Fact: Making art for just 45 minutes can reduce stress hormones by up to 25%, according to the book Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross.

So even if you’re short on time, remember: painting isn’t just a hobby — it’s also restorative self-care.

🔗 Recommended for You

• Watercolor Painting for Beginners: Why It's Worth the Journey
• 7 Surprising Benefits of Using a Sketchbook for Watercolor Beginners
• Watercolor Terms for Beginners: Simple Glossary of Techniques

🔁 Want to Keep This Going?

As an artist who’s been on this creative journey since 2020, I know how overwhelming it can be to start painting. That’s why I’m here to make things simpler for you, offering straightforward tips, tricks, and prompts to help you grow :)

The key is to begin with small, simple steps. Here are 3 free resources I created to support you:

1. 📕 Get the free Watercolor Lite: Beginner's Watercolor Glossary  –  A simple, clear guide to all those terms that used to confuse me when I started. 
2. 💧 Download the free Watercolor Lite: Confidence Kit for Absolute Beginners  –  A relaxed guide to help you prep your brush, wake up your paints, and try your very first brushstrokes.
3. 🖍️ Get the free Watercolor Lite: Try-It-Out Guide for True Beginners  –  A playful PDF full of beginner-friendly mini projects designed for experimentation (and joy!).

Download one, two, or all three to get going at your own pace. No stress. No pressure. Just your brush, your curiosity, and a fun painting adventure!