taking the fear out of watercolour

Author: Hazel Soan
Format: Hardcover
Publication date: 16 June 2026
192 pages

In Taking the Fear Out of Watercolour, Hazel Soan teaches you to paint with confidence, releasing you from the fear and trepidation that so often accompanies this challenging medium.

At first glance watercolour painting appears to be quite easy, meaning that beginners start off with very high hopes that are quickly dashed as they realise that it is much trickier than it looks. With wet pigment moving on paper, watercolour is often unpredictable, and it is easy to feel like you are out of control.

In this in-depth guide Hazel Soan takes an alternative approach, teaching you how to work with the watercolour medium and not against it. Special emphasis is placed on the medium’s needs as she demonstrates an importance of understanding the properties of the pigments, the fabric of the paper and the purpose and versatility of each and every brushstroke. Full of thoughtful troubleshooting tips and advice, Hazel explains how and when to have control, when to cajole and coax, and more importantly, when to let go.

Packed with finished paintings, step-by-step demonstrations and works in progress, this handy book takes you through all the common problems that arise in watercolour painting, allowing beginners and improvers alike to increase their skill levels and produce beautiful results.