(You Can Paint Even When Your Brain Is Fried)

Watercolor Resist Techniques for Beginners (No Masking Fluid)
Washi Tape, Wax & Everyday Stuff

Watercolor resist techniques are one of the easiest ways to make watercolor feel fun again — especially when you don’t have the energy to draw, plan, or be “creative on demand.”

What Are Watercolor Resist Techniques? 

Watercolor resist techniques are simple ways to block or “resist” paint using everyday materials like wax, tape, glue etc. The paint flows around the resist, creating patterns, shapes, and surprises.

Think of it like giving your watercolor some boundaries so you don’t have to overthink it.

If you’ve ever taped something down, lit a candle, or stuck a random sticker on paper… congratulations. You already have what you need to try watercolor resist painting.

In this post, I’m sharing beginner-friendly watercolor resist projects that use simple materials and gentle techniques — no masking fluid, no complicated setup, and no pressure to get it right.

These ideas are perfect if:

• your brain feels fried

• you want to paint but don’t know where to start

• you want something relaxing, and  impressive

Here are a few easy watercolor resist technique projects you can try today.

5 Easy Watercolor Resist Technique Projects for Beginners

1. Abstract Watercolor Patterns Using Washi Tape

(No Pressure, No Perfection)

Tape is one of the most forgiving watercolor resist tools out there. You don’t need a plan — just tape, paint, and peel.

This project is all about letting the masking tape create structure for you, so you can focus on color and movement instead of “doing it right.” Perfect for warm-ups, stress painting, or days when decision-making feels hard.

Read the full tutorial: Abstract Watercolor Patterns Using Washi Tape

2. Easy Watercolor Polka Dots with Stickers (No Drawing Needed)

If the idea of drawing makes anxious, this one’s for you.

Stickers act as instant resist shapes — no sketching required. You simply place them, paint over everything, then peel to reveal playful polka dots and  shapes underneath.

It’s simple and very beginner-friendly.

Read the full tutorial: Easy Watercolor Polka Dots with Stickers
(Coming soon)

3. A Beginner-Friendly Washi Tape Christmas Tree

This is a cozy, low-effort watercolor project that uses washi tape to form the shape of a Christmas tree — no drawing skills needed.

It’s perfect for seasonal painting, handmade cards, or quiet creative time when you want something festive without the stress.

Read the full tutorial: Washi Tape Watercolor Christmas Tree

4. Simple Watercolor Candle Birthday Card Using Washi Tape

This project turns washi tape into clean, graphic  shape that feel polished — even if you’re brand new to watercolor.

It’s a great example of how watercolor resist techniques can help you make handmade cards without worrying about symmetry or neat lines.

Read the full tutorial: Watercolor Candle Birthday Card

5. Combining Words + Watercolor Using Wax Resist

Wax resist is one of those techniques that feels instantly magical.

You write words or phrases with a candle, crayon, or oil pastel, then paint over them. The wax pushes the watercolor away, revealing hidden messages underneath.

This project is especially nice for journaling, affirmation art, or slow, reflective painting sessions.

Read the full tutorial: Combining Words + Watercolor Using Wax Resist

A Gentle Nudge Before You Go

If you’ve been waiting to feel inspired before painting, let this be your permission to start.

Watercolor resist techniques give you structure when your brain feels tired — and sometimes that’s exactly what you need to begin.

Pick one project.
Use what you already have.
Paint anyway.

Today I am sharing a handmade greeting card that features a digital sentiment from  the Distressed Rose Digital Stamp Set  from TinyGoldBrush. the sentiment reads "No matter the outcome you got this."

Follow along to see how to make it. 

You can make this handcrafted encouragement card for someone about to go for a new job, a family member who is going through a difficult time or maybe a friend who is struggling with an illness.

This is a timeless as well as versatile card. Just swap out the sentiment and you can create Invitation cards, birthday cards, wedding cards with this same design.

This card also features a handmade background.

You will need the following material for making the card:

Designing the pattern paper background

Step 1 : Mark making

Using a flicking motion, make marks all over the white paper using the red marker. Then repeat the same motion using the black marker, place these black marks in between the red marks filling the paper with red and black marks.

That's it, you have just created your very own pattern paper.

The Sentiment

Step 1: resize the digital stamp sentiment

Resize the "No matter the outcome you got this" sentiment to fit within a 1.75 circle.  I used Microsoft Word to do this. 

If you need help resizing a digital stamp in Microsoft Word see Buddlycrafts' blog post.

 Step 2: Print Out the Sentiment

Print out the "No matter the outcome you got this" sentiment on white card stock.

Tip: If using 8.5" x 11" paper, load up your paper with as many digital stamps as you can before printing. This way you get the most mileage out of your paper. Then, cut and color stamps as you need them.

Step 3: Cut out the sentiment 

Cut out the sentiment using a pair of scissors or a trimmer.

Assembling the Card

Step 1: Make your own folding card

Making the top folding card base:

Cut an 8-1/2″ x 11″ piece of card stock in half the long way to get two pieces of card stock measuring  8-1/2” x 5-1/2” 

score at 4-1/4” and then fold to make your top side card base.

Step 2 : Cut the other elements

Cut black card stock to 5.0" x 3.75"

Cut pattern paper to 4.5 x 3.25

Cut vellum to 6.5 x 1.5 

Fussy cut a 2.25 circle out of black card stock

Fussy cut a 1.75  circle around the sentiment

Step 3: Putting in all together

Center and adhere the pattern layer to the black stock, this reveals a 1/4 inch border all around.

Adhere the vellum to black card stock with the centered pattern paper.

Center and adhere this to the top folding card blank. This should reveal a 1/4 inch border all around.

Glue the fussy cut sentiment to the black fussy cut card stock. Attach this to the vellum. That's it you're done.

Here is another look at the finished card

I hope you enjoyed today’s project and that it has inspired you in some way.  

Pin this for later

Handmade encouragement 

Make This Cute Greeting Card To Show Your Friend Support!

Hey. I see you. Staring at the fancy art supplies you bought during a "this will fix me" phase, now just feeling guilty. I have an easy watercolor painting for you. Perfect for summer when your thoughts are a tangled knot, and your hands need something simple, juicy, and undeniably cheerful to do.

We're painting a watermelon slice. Not a "technically correct" one. An easy beginner-friendly, red, "I-made-this-with-my-own-hands-and-it-didn't-require-a-thesis" summer fruit.

What You'll Need:

•  Any watercolor paper is great, but even thick sketchbook paper will work. This is for you, not a gallery.
• Two round brushes: one kinda fat, one kinda skinny. If you only have one brush, that’s fine. We are not precious here.
• Red, Yellow, Blue paint. From these, we can make every color we need. 
• A plate for a palette.
• Water: A jar for clean water, a jar for dirty water. 
• A Rag or Paper Towel: Your best friend for lifting color, fixing “oops” moments, and dabbing your brush.
• Permission to eff it up. Seriously. The first one is a sacrificial slice for the art gods.

The Step by Step Method

Step 1: The Green Smile.

On your palette, mix a tiny dot of yellow with an even tinier dot of blue. You’ve just made green. Add water until it’s the consistency of light tea.

Now paint a happy, curved line. Like a grin. Don't measure. Just swoosh. It can be lopsided. Let it be lopsided if it wants.

Step 2: The Juicy Bit (The Flesh)

Clean your brush. Grab the red. Add WATER. It should look like watery kool-aid.

Right above your green smile, just outline and fill in a blob that's vaguely triangular  —gently push the pigment around to suggest the shape. Leave a little white space near the green rind. This is the “juicy fade.” Here’s the secret: If the red and green touch and bleed a little at the border, that’s okay. It’s watercolor being watercolor. Observe it like you’d watch clouds merge. No panicking.

Step 3: The Seeds

Let it dry. Go pet your dog, or stare at the wall. Come back.

Now, make black. Mix your red, yellow, and blue together. It will become a deep, earthy black-brown. If it's more brown than black gradually add blue a little at a time.

With your small brush (or the tip of your other one), dot a few little  teardrops or ovals onto the red flesh. Scatter them like you’re sprinkling confetti.  They are not uniform. They are playful.

You Did It. Look at it. It's a watermelon. It's cheerful. It exists in the world because you made it, and you did not overthink it (much). The shaky lines? Full of character. 

The "Okay I Maybe Like This" Extension Activity

Feeling a tiny spark of "hey that wasn't terrible"? Let's ride that wave.

•  Paint another one right next to it. And another.
•  Now you have a little watermelon party. No two are the same. This is art. You are an artist. See?

Maybe you send it to a friend. Mail it to your grandma. Maybe you prop it up where you can see it, a reminder that you can create a small, sweet thing from a quiet moment. 

Conclusion

This wasn’t about painting a watermelon. It was about the green you mixed yourself. It was about making decisions ("more red here") that didn't have lifelong consequences. It was about the physical act of creation as an antidote to overwhelm.

The painting is just a lovely byproduct. The real art was the five minutes your busy brain got to rest, focused on nothing but color and water.

Bottom Line: Your watermelon painting is proof that not everything has to be hard. Some things can just be red, green, and gently, gloriously messy. 

If you feel like your brain is a browser with 187 tabs open, this watercolor resist candle card is for you. This watercolor beginner friendly tutorial isn't about adding another tab called "Become An Artist." It's about finding the keyboard shortcut to close them all for twenty minutes. It’s a physical task with a clear finish line. No deep meaning, just a clean result. 

‎We're making an easy watercolor birthday card. It might end up a little wonky. That's okay. You might peel the tape off and rip the paper in the process, that's okay too. ‎

Here’s the deal: No one is grading this. This isn't a contest. It's a series of simple, physical actions with a cool little reveal at the end. Let's just do the thing.

Grab your materials. And let's go.

What You'll Need:

• Heavyweight watercolor paper or cardstock 
• Low-tack masking tape or painter's tape 
• Watercolor paints & a brush (go for vibrant colors)
• A medium round fine-tipped brush or a flat brush 
• A black brush pen or fine liner
• Ruler, pencil, eraser (optional)
• Water and some rags

The Process, Step-by-Step:

Step 1: The Tape.

Start by placing a strip of masking tape onto your paper to reserve a clean rectangle for your message. This tape is your best friend—it means “don’t paint here,” Press the edges down really well—this is an important step. A well-sealed edge prevents paint bleed.

Step 2: Paint the Vibrant Candles.

Mix a color you like. Any color. Load your brush and paint a tall rectangle. Then paint more tall, vertical rectangles side-by-side across the front of your card to form a row of colorful candles. You can vary the heights and colors for a dynamic, festive look. 

If the wet rectangles touch, they will bleed together. Don't stress if they do. They are just shapes of color. If they look like abstract art, perfect. If they look like lumpy candles, also perfect. Don't let  the rectangles touch if you don't want them to bleed. 

Allow this layer of paint to dry completely.

Step 3: Add the Wicks & Flames 

Once the candle bodies are touch-dry, use your fine-tipped brush.

Paint on a small, teardrop-shaped flame in yellow and orange. 

With a touch of black or dark brown paint, draw a short line coming out of the top center of each candle. That’s your wick. It's okay if it's crooked. You can let a bit of the color bleed into the wet flame for a natural look. Let this dry completely. Walk away. Get coffee.

Step 4: The Big Reveal.

Come back. When the paper is cool and dry to the back of your hand, find a corner of the tape, peel it back at an angle slowly. Watch that crisp white space appear. It looks professional, and you did it with blob-candles and a steady peel. 

This is the satisfying payoff of your initial, simple act of placing the tape.

Step 5: Write the Dang Message.

You can use your ruler and a pencil to make guidelines if you wish.

Use a pen you like. Write your greeting such as “Happy Birthday” in the clean space. Your handwriting makes it personal. 

Done. 

For that extra pro-level finish, consider using a shimmering metallic pen or paint.

Conclusion 

Are there wobbles in the candles? Character. Is the flame weirdly shaped? Artistic interpretation.

‎If your tape ripped the paper a bit, call it ~texture~. If your colors went muddy, it’s a ~moody aesthetic~. The goal was never a flawless product. The goal was to follow a simple set of steps where the only requirement was to move your hands instead of your thoughts.

‎You didn't just think about making something. You made something. You followed a simple set of steps from start to finish, and your brain got a ten-minute vacation where the only problem to solve was "should the next candle be blue or green?"

‎That's the whole point. Not the card. The ten minutes.

‎Now go stick it in an envelope. Your job here is done.

‎You just proved you can start something imperfect and see it through to a finish line. That’s the win.

Feeling the holiday rush? Let's hit pause, and create a relaxing festive art project perfect for the christmas season. This handmade watercolor tape resist tree isn't about creating a masterpiece for a gallery. It's about giving yourself 20 minutes with some washi tape and paint to remind yourself how good it feels to make something with your hands. 

Whether you want to create a peaceful page in your journal, a festive piece to frame, or a heartfelt handmade Christmas card, this simple step by step watercolor tree tutorial is your starting point. It's the perfect beginner watercolor painting project for anyone seeking a moment of calm creativity. Using a watercolor resist technique, we'll create a beautiful washi tape tree design that requires zero drawing skill—just a willingness to play with color and enjoy the process. 

We'll use only need a few supplies, and the results are so pretty you’ll want to use them to make a whole batch of Christmas cards for your friends and family. 

What You’ll Need

Here’s what to gather before you start:

• Watercolor Paper: A piece cut to your preferred size. 5x7" for a frame, or 4.25” x 5.5” for a DIY Christmas card. Or use your watercolor journal (180lb or 300gsm)

• Watercolor paints – try red, green, and gold for a festive combo but choose whatever

• Watercolor Paintbrush : a medium round or flat brush will do 

• Low-Tack Masking Tape , Washi Tape or Painter's Tape.

• Water Container: For rinsing your brushes.

• Paper Towels: For blotting brushes and any excess water.

• Pencil (optional): For lightly sketching before painting.

• A Clean Cotton Cloth or Your Jeans (for the key trick).

• White glue and glitter (optional but fun!)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Tape

The One-Minute Tape Prep

Take your masking tape and firmly stick a strip onto your jeans or t-shirt. Peel it off. This gentle de-tacking is the secret to clean lines and protects your paper. It’s the foundation of a stress-free experience.

Step 2: Create Your Tree Canvas

Tear three strips of the prepped masking tape. Place one as a wide base. Angle the other two from the ends of the base up to a point, forming a triangle. Burnish the edges—press down hard with your fingernail along every border.  The tape will create a mask for your tree, preventing paint from getting onto the areas you want to remain white.

Step 3: Paint the Tree

1. Mix some Juicy paint: Get a good puddle of your favorite color paint on your palette. Add water so it’s fluid, not pasty.
2. Paint Inside the Triangle: Paint over the exposed area inside the tape triangle. Go for an even coverage, or just paint stripes. Let the color be uneven—lighter in some areas and darker in others. Let it dry completely before moving on.

Step 4: Add Glitter (Optional)

If you’re feeling sparkly, now’s your moment!

Once your paint is completely dry, brush a little glue onto the parts of the tree you want to shimmer. Then sprinkle glitter on top — red, green, or gold look amazing.

Tap off the extra glitter and let everything dry for a few minutes.

Step 5: The Reveal & A Note on Imperfection

Once fully dry, slowly peel the tape back on itself to reveal your crisp tree shape.Take your time — this part looks amazing when it’s done right.

A gentle reminder: The goal is joy, not perfection. 

If instead of a crisp tree shape, you find a fuzzy, bleeding mess where paint crept under the edges, welcome to the club. I've painted this three times myself—first with tape that ripped the paper, then with paint seeping everywhere.  

Watercolor is a practice of gentle progress. Forget the perfect-instagram worthy version the first time round. 

Your first attempt is for exploration, the next one gets sharper. Plus, any imperfection simply adds to the unique, handmade charm of your work. 

If the tape starts to pull up the paper, stop and peel from the other direction. 

Step 6: Paint the Tree Trunk

1. Mix Brown Paint: On your palette, create a brown shade by mixing colors as needed.
2. Paint the Trunk: Use your brush to paint a vertical rectangle at the bottom of the triangle. This will be the trunk of your christmas tree. Allow it to dry.

Step 7: Finishing Touches

• The Star: Finish with a simple yellow star on top.
• Add a Greeting: Below the tree, write a holiday greeting such as "Merry Christmas!" or "Happy Holidays!" You can use a fine-liner waterproof pen or a brush pen for this. Experiment with different fonts or styles.
• Here are a few cute tree-themed greetings to try:
• “Hope your Christmas is tree-mendous!”
• “I’m pine-ing for you!”
• “Being your friend is a real tree-t!”

Want to Mix It Up? Try These Easy Variations 

The beauty of this tape resist watercolor technique is how easy it is to create different looks using the same simple steps.

Sunburst Tree

Arrange tape strips in a fan of diagonal lines inside the triangle. 

Once your tape design is ready, start painting the spaces between the tape using your favorite colors.

Let it dry completely before removing the tape.

This creates a beautiful, radiating stripe effect.

To complete your tree, use brown paint for painting a vertical rectangle for the trunk.

Zigzag Tree

Create Your Tree Canvas

• Tear three strips of your prepped tape and form a triangle.
• Place thin tape strips in a lightning-bolt or zigzag pattern inside the triangle.

• Use your brush to paint the exposed segments. Go for it! Let can let the color be uneven—lighter in some spots and darker in others. Let the color flow freely—watercolor is beautiful when it's uneven. While the paint is wet, you can drop in bits of other colors. 

Let it dry completely before removing all tape for a cool, graphic look.

Finish the tree off with a vertical rectangle.

Choose Your Own Adventure

You’ve created a beautiful watercolor washi tape tree, how you use it is up to you:

• Journal It: Paint it in your watercolor sketchbook. Write about your day or your hopes for the season around it.
• Frame It: Place it in a simple frame for instant, charming holiday decor.
• Send It: Transform it into a watercolor christmas card by attaching it to a card blank or folding the paper itself. Add a heartfelt message inside.
• Gift it: Use them as gift tags for presents.

Variations and Suggestions

• Different Tree Styles: Try making a wider or taller tree by adjusting the shape of the washi tape.

• Color Variations: Experiment with different colors.
• Additional Elements: Add gifts under the tree or a snowman beside it for more festive flair.

Wrap-Up

You did it! You took a quiet moment for yourself to create something beautiful. This beginner friendly project proves that  watercolor painting is about the joy of the process, not producing the perfect product. Whether it ends up in your journal, on your wall, or in an envelope as a handmade Christmas card, this piece carries the peace you felt while making it. Keep that feeling going—keep creating.

There’s something irresistibly charming about gingerbread cookies.This fun and simple step by step tutorial will walk you through how to draw your gingerbread man and then painting it with watercolors. It’s a perfect project for holiday cards, gift tags, or just a cozy afternoon of creative fun. Let’s get started !

Materials You’ll Need

• Paper: Watercolor paper (cold press, 140lb is ideal).
  💡 Pro Tip: You can do the initial sketch on cheaper printer paper, then lightly transfer it to your watercolor paper.
• Pencil & Eraser: An HB graphite pencil for sketching and a good eraser for clean lines.
• Watercolors: You’ll need Brown (like Burnt Sienna), Red, Green, Yellow, and a Grey (or mix red and green to create grey).
• Brushes: One small round brush for details (like icing and buttons) and one medium round brush for filling larger areas.
• Water & Palette: Two jars of water (one for cleaning, one for mixing) and a palette for mixing colors.
• Optional: A fine black liner pen for adding subtle texture.

Struggling with supplies? Check out our guide on [Essential Watercolor Supplies for Beginners] for recommendations.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Draw Gingerbread man 

Step 1: Sketch Your Cookie

We’ll draw the classic gingerbread man shape using simple forms. Use light pencil pressure so lines are easy to erase later.

Draw the Head: Start with a circle shape.

Add the Legs: Draw an upside-down "V" shape below the circle, it's okay if the shapes  slightly overlap. This "V" forms the two separate legs.

Create the Arms: Below the circle, draw a wide, right-side-up "V" for the arms. Let this intersect with the top of the leg "V".

Connect the Shapes: Outline around your shapes to connect them into one smooth, continuous gingerbread man silhouette. 

Erase: Gently erase the  "V" and circle guidelines inside the body to leave a clean outline.

Add Icing Details: Lightly sketch in the icing lines on the wrists and ankles. Add simple circles for eyes and buttons, a smiling mouth, and a little bowtie.

Step 2: Transfer & Prepare (Optional but Recommended)

If you sketched on a separate paper (highly recommended), now is the time to lightly transfer the design to your watercolor paper using a lightbox, sunny window, or by tracing over the back with a pencil and re-drawing. This keeps your final painting surface clean and free of heavy eraser marks.

Step 3: Paint the Base Cookie Color

Mix a warm, caramel brown. I started with Burnt Sienna and found it a bit too chocolatey, so I gradually mixed in yellow and plenty of water to get a perfect gingerbread hue. No Burnt Sienna? Mix red and a touch of black to create a warm brown.

Then, using your medium brush, paint the entire gingerbread shape, carefully avoiding the areas for the eyes, smile, buttons, and icing swirls. 

Let this first layer dry completely.

Step 4: Create Dimension 

To make your cookie look thick and three-dimensional, paint a second layer of brown. But first, decide on your light source direction (I chose the right side so my shadows will fall on the left). 

Then with a slightly darker brown mix, paint the left side and bottom edges of the cookie. This immediately adds volume!

Step 5: Adding Drop Shadows 

Use a very diluted grey paint mix to paint a soft shadow on the surface under the cookie's left side. This "drop shadow" makes it look like it’s sitting on the paper.

Step 6: Add Colorful Decorations

Now for the fun details! The white icing shouldn’t stay stark white. Use that same light grey paint to add soft shadows to the bottom and left edges of the icing lines, eyes, mouth, and buttons. This gives them depth.

Next up, color! Paint the buttons in festive red, green, or blue. Remember your light source—leave a tiny spot unpainted on the right side of each button for a highlight. For the bowtie, I mixed a vibrant green and then added a touch of red to create a darker shade for shadows, adding instant form.

Step 7: Final Texture & Touches (Optional)

Once everything is dry, you can use a fine black or brown liner pen to add tiny dots and speckles on the cookie body, mimicking the texture of baked gingerbread. 

Finally, step back and observe. Do any shadows need to be deepened? I added another gentle layer to the brown shadows on the left side to make them pop.

Your Beautiful Gingerbread Man Art is Complete!

Congratulations! You’ve gone from a simple pencil sketch to a charming, dimensional piece of christmas holiday art.

How to Use Your Painting

Your gingerbread man is perfect for:

• Handmade Holiday Cards: Scan it and print it on cardstock.
• Gift Tags: Paint a smaller version or use cut-outs from your scan.
• Festive Artwork: Add a background of simple snowflakes, a candy cane border, or a watercolor wash.

FAQ & Pro Tips

1. I'm not confident in my drawing! The geometric shape method (Step 1) makes it easy. Practice the sketch a few times on scrap paper first.
2. My paint bleeds into the white areas! Ensure your brush has a pointed tip or use a smaller brush for more precise paint application.
3. How do I mix a consistent color? Mix more paint than you think you need in a large well of your palette.
4. My cookie looks flat. The secret is in Step 4! Don’t skip the second brown layer on the edges and the soft grey drop shadows—they are game-changers for dimension.