Loose or Detailed Watercolours — What’s Your Style?
Welcome back! This one’s a fun post about something all watercolour artists think about at some point: Am I a loose painter or a detailed one?
Truth is, there’s no right or wrong answer — just what feels like you. Over the years, I’ve tried both and love both. I think because I focus more now on watercolour illustrations, I prefer detailed watercolour, but as you can see from my Instagram I have loved creating loose floral watercolours but then add details over the top as well, so even a combination might be a great option to try.
1. Let’s talk “Loose” watercolours
Loose watercolour is all about flow. Think soft edges, blended washes, and letting the pigment do its thing.
You’re not painting every vein in a leaf — you’re capturing the impression of leaves.
I love this style when I want to relax. I’ll often pop on an audio book, grab a brush, and let the colours create a loose floral bouquet. I imagine how they would look on duvets or make up bags. I love the idea that people could use this simple creation in their everyday lives, to bright their day.
Loose painting is great to just play on the paper and experiment, perfect if you are just starting out, see which strokes you like, which colours you love and more importantly what you don’t like.
If you’re someone who tends to overthink (guilty), loose watercolour is the perfect way to unwind and get out of your head.
2. Detailed watercolours — It’s all in the detail
Now, if you love precision, clean lines, and tiny brushes, detailed painting might be your happy place.
It’s that satisfying focus when you’re completely lost in painting each petal or fur line.
I often find myself in this mode when I’m painting something like whimsical characters. There’s something almost magical about watching the picture slowly come to life. Again, when painting, I love the idea that a simple character or animal, might be used on someones birthday card, party invitation or even printed on a t-shirt.
If you love structure and calm concentration — this might be your zone.
2. Detailed watercolours — It’s all in the detail
Now, if you love precision, clean lines, and tiny brushes, detailed painting might be your happy place.
It’s that satisfying focus when you’re completely lost in painting each petal or fur line.
I often find myself in this mode when I’m painting something like whimsical characters. There’s something almost magical about watching the picture slowly come to life. Again, when painting, I love the idea that a simple character or animal, might be used on someones birthday card, party invitation or even printed on a t-shirt.
If you love structure and calm concentration — this might be your zone.
3. You can also be both
You don’t need to commit, practice both and see what you love more. Sometimes having a watercolour sketch pad is the way to go to try out lots of techniques and styles before committing to a large blank piece of watercolour paper.
Some days you’ll crave the freedom of a loose wash, and other days you’ll want to tuck yourself away and paint something intricate.
Both have their own kind of magic.
In fact, some of my favourite paintings mix the two — soft petals with more detailed outlines and centres, layered over the top. It’s the best of both worlds.
4. Finding your style
If you’re not sure yet, try this:
Paint the same subject twice — once loosely, once with more detail.
You’ll quickly notice what feels natural and what frustrates you.
Your preferred style often shows up in how you feel when you’re painting.
Loose painters often feel joy in spontaneity; detailed painters feel peace in precision.
Loose, detailed, or a happy mix — just paint and have fun with it.
