Important Things to Know About Custom Watercolor Art

If you’re reading this, my guess is that you’re thinking about purchasing some custom watercolor art. But there are some important things to have in mind when making this decision, and that’s what I’m here to share with you today. Watercolor is one of the most popular art mediums in ecommerce, and it’s especially popular as a custom art medium. Read on to find my tips for picking the best watercolor artist who will suit your needs. 

Levels of Detail in Watercolor Art Vary Widely

When looking for watercolor artists, it’s important to figure out what level of detail you’re looking for, because there is a wide range on the watercolor art market. Watercolor is a versatile medium, looking just as good with a minimalist aesthetic as it would with hyper-realistic detail. So, figure out what you want, and then figure out your budget. The level of detail an artist uses will affect their prices. 

On that note, it’s very important to make sure you find an artist that shows consistency in this area to make sure your custom painting turns out how you expect it to. Even excellent artists try different styles without letting their customer base know, so if you choose a specific artist based on a photo of some of their paintings, for example, then check the rest of their portfolio to be sure they offer the same style and detail across the board. 

Mistakes are Harder to Erase

Watercolor art is not like oil or acrylic, because you cannot simply paint over your mistakes – when it’s on the paper, it’s on the paper to stay (to a certain extent). So, what does this mean for you, as the customer? You’re not the one painting the custom piece, after all. 

Well, it means when the artist sends you a proof of the painting, it’s going to be difficult to impossible for them to make any changes you may want. If you’re adamant about the changes, then the artist may ask for a repainting fee that you weren’t prepared for – or they may flat-out refuse to redo the artwork, and offer a refund instead. 

So how can you make sure this situation doesn’t happen? Well, my recommendation would be to try to find watercolor artists that offer proofs of the artwork at multiple stages – especially the sketch stage. That way, if you have any adjustments you’d like them to make, they still can – before you end up having to pay a surprise fee for needing the artist to redo the artwork completely. 

Custom Watercolor Artwork is Much Cheaper

So far, this list of things to know about custom watercolor art and artists has been negative and full of warnings – so now I’d like to offer you a positive! Watercolor artwork – even a custom piece – is significantly cheaper than oil or acrylic. This is because the materials, watercolor paint and paper, are much cheaper than oil or acrylic paint and canvases, AND because watercolor paintings take significantly less time. If the piece is 9x12” or smaller, I’d be surprised if it took longer than 3 weeks. 

The fact that it’s cheaper and faster to make is a perk for you, the customer, just as much as it’s a perk for the artist. If you’re on a tighter budget, or need a semi-last minute gift, custom watercolor portraits and art make an excellent solution. 

Be Careful on Etsy

I touched on this in another blog post, but the topic fits here too, because it is definitely important to keep in mind for custom watercolor art. 

Many sellers on Etsy paint handmade watercolor paintings. Many sellers create handmade digital paintings in a watercolor-esque style. BUT, many Etsy sellers use AI and create prints without telling the customer. The reason I find this especially important to note when it comes to watercolor art in particular, is because a custom watercolor painting is the easiest to fake. Watercolor paint does not build up layers and texture the way other paints do. This means that sellers can easily take your photo, feed it through AI, print the AI image on textured paper, and call it a painting. This is not only lying, but is also an insult to you as the customer – because you could’ve done the same thing yourself, for free. 

However, please let me make something clear – Etsy is a great platform to search for custom watercolor art, and any art. There are some truly talented people there, and they all have lovely, unique styles. I’m gonna say it again: Etsy is not a bad place to shop (I even plan on opening my own Etsy shop soon). It’s just increasingly saturated with scams, and I would encourage you to be careful. 

So, Who is Watercolor Art For? 

After reading this blog post, you might be wondering, “Is the person I want to give this painting to actually going to like it?” 

Luckily, like it was mentioned earlier, watercolor art is pretty neutral ground in terms of personal taste. However, we normally want our friends and family to absolutely love their gift, not feel ‘so-so.’ Here’s my personal take: if the person is:

1. Sentimental, has a special birthday coming up, or just moved into a new home, then they’ll likely really appreciate the style of watercolor, and the art itself. 
2. Very down-to-Earth, practical, or just doesn’t seem to have much decor hanging in their home, then chances are you’re better off with a different gift – not just a different art medium, but a new gift entirely.
   

To Recap: 

• The level of detail watercolor artists use varies widely, so make sure you know what you want
• Mistakes are much harder for the artist to get rid of than with other types of paint, so make sure you pay close attention to the artist’s proofing policies
• Watercolor art is much cheaper and faster than any other painting, making it ideal for small budgets and last-minute gifting
• Be cautious when shopping on Etsy to avoid AI scams
• Make sure whoever you plan on gifting the painting to will actually enjoy it!

I hope this blog post helped to give you a really clear idea of what it is you’re looking for in your custom watercolor piece and artist. If you have any questions about my personal painting process, or would like to discuss a custom commission, feel free to reach out to me here. I can’t wait to meet you :). 

Until next time, 

Lydia