How To Paint A Wet-in-Wet Watercolor Sunset For Beginners
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Welcome, watercolor lovers! Whether you're just starting your artistic journey or simply enjoy the relaxing flow of paint across the page, you're in the right place. Today, we're diving into one of the most magical and beginner-friendly techniques in the watercolor world: the wet-in-wet watercolor method.
In this peaceful and playful tutorial, you'll learn how to paint a stunning wet-in-wet watercolor sunset—a dreamy, softly blended sky full of glowing light and gentle clouds. This is a great project for beginners or anyone who wants to loosen up their painting style and let watercolor do what it does best: flow, blend, and surprise you.
You can follow along with the full step-by-step video linked at the bottom of this post, hosted on our YouTube channel, Let’s Paint Watercolors.
What Is Wet-in-Wet Watercolor?
Let’s start with the basics. Wet-in-wet watercolor refers to the technique of applying paint to wet paper (or wet paint already on the paper). When you use this method, your colors flow into one another naturally, creating seamless blends, soft edges, and beautiful diffusions that are perfect for painting skies, clouds, oceans, and abstract pieces.
It’s a little unpredictable. It can be a little wild. But it’s also incredibly forgiving—and once you embrace the flow, it’s a joy to work with. This is exactly why wet-in-wet watercolor is a favorite for beginners and pros alike.
Supplies You’ll Need (No Need to Get Fancy)
To paint your very own wet-in-wet watercolor sunset, you don’t need anything complicated. Just gather these supplies:
🖌️ Paper
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Cold-press watercolor paper is ideal (140 lb is good, 300 lb is better for heavy washes).
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I use Arches 100% cotton paper—reliable, sturdy, and great for wet techniques.
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If you're using 140 lb paper, be sure to tape it down to prevent warping.
🎨 Paints
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Use watercolors in sunset hues: reds, oranges, purples, blues.
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My go-to brand is Winsor & Newton, known for their rich, blendable pigments.
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You can find links to all my favorite materials in the [Beginner’s Guide] section on the site.
🖌 Brushes
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A large round brush for washes—your “sky brush.”
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A few smaller brushes (like size 12 and 6) for refining and lifting.
💧 Water & Accessories
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Two jars of clean water: one for rinsing, one for applying clean water.
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Paper towel or cloth: for blotting and softening areas if needed.
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Optional: masking tape for clean edges and stability.
Step-by-Step: Painting a Wet-in-Wet Watercolor Sunset
Ready to start? This technique is all about softness, subtlety, and letting the paint speak. Here’s how to paint your first wet-in-wet watercolor sunset:
Step 1: Wet That Paper Down (To the Horizon)
With your large brush and clean water, gently wet the top half of your paper. Don’t let it pool—just a nice, even shimmer. Think of it as giving your paper a spa day. This is the key step in creating a successful wet-in-wet watercolor effect.
Step 2: Drop in the Light
Begin with a soft yellow or warm orange near the horizon. This is your fading sun—low, warm, and gentle. The wet paper will help the pigment spread naturally and prevent harsh edges.
Step 3: Add the Warmth
Now ease into your reds and oranges, blending upward from the yellow. Add touches of purple and magenta as you go higher into the sky. Don’t be afraid to let colors mix on the paper. That’s what wet-in-wet watercolor is all about—letting those transitions happen organically.
Step 4: Deepen the Drama
At the top of the sky, introduce a bit of indigo or soft blue. This helps create contrast and suggests the approaching night. Let the darker tones melt into the warmth below for that perfect glowing-sky feel.
Step 5: Let the Water Do the Work
Tilt your paper slightly to encourage natural blending. This is where the magic of wet-in-wet watercolor happens. Let gravity be your assistant. It may not always be tidy, but it’s almost always beautiful.
Step 6: Soften the Edges
With a clean, damp brush, you can soften or lift any hard edges that formed unexpectedly. You can also use a paper towel to lift pigment and create soft, fluffy cloud shapes—like happy little accidents floating by.
Step 7: Walk Away
Seriously. Let it dry on its own. Don’t fuss. Don’t touch it. Trust the process. This is part of the beauty and patience of working with wet-in-wet watercolor—sometimes the best thing you can do is step back.
Helpful Tips for Wet-in-Wet Watercolor Success
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Keep your water clean: Dirty water will dull your colors and affect your blends.
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Tilt, don’t scrub: Use gravity to move pigment—scrubbing can ruin your paper.
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Practice control by letting go: It sounds contradictory, but you’ll find balance with time.
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Don’t panic over blooms or runs: These “imperfections” often become your painting’s most interesting features.
Your Sunset, Your Story
And there you have it—a glowing, peaceful wet-in-wet watercolor sunset, created with nothing more than pigment, water, and a little bit of creative courage.
Maybe your clouds got a little too enthusiastic. Maybe your yellow faded into a pink that looks more volcanic than serene. That’s okay. That’s the charm of wet-in-wet watercolor. It teaches you to go with the flow—literally.
Every painting is a story, and this one is yours.
View the full step-by-step tutorial below on our YouTube Channel "Lets Paint Watercolors"