Some of the most important work in watercolor painting never becomes a finished piece.
It happens quietly in a sketchbook - in the form of color study pages.
This practice has been a core part of my watercolor journey since 2017, during my studies at the Society of Botanical Artists in London. It was there that I first learned the importance of slowing down before painting, observing more deeply, mixing more intentionally, and using sketchbook pages not just for practice, but for understanding color itself.
Today, color study pages remain one of the most powerful tools in my watercolor practice.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly what they are, why they matter, and how to use them to improve your watercolor painting skills.
What Are Color Study Pages in Watercolor?
Color study pages (also called watercolor study pages or pigment studies) are structured sketchbook exercises where you explore watercolor pigment behavior and color mixing before or alongside finished paintings.
They usually include:
- Pigment swatches
- Color mixing experiments
- Loose observational sketches
- Small written notes
They are not finished artworks.
Instead, they are learning pages for watercolor artists, a space where you test, observe, and understand your materials.
Think of them as a visual laboratory for watercolor painting, or a quiet conversation between you and your paints.
Why Color Study Pages Are Essential for Watercolor Artists
Improve Your Color Mixing and Learn to See Color More Accurately
When you slow down and study color intentionally, something shifts. You stop “assuming” what you see and start actually observing it.
A green leaf is no longer just green. It becomes layers of cool shadows, warm reflections, and subtle variations you may have missed before.
This kind of observation slowly transforms how you paint.
Understand Your Watercolor Materials Deeply
One of the biggest challenges in watercolor painting is understanding how pigments interact. Watercolor is a medium of unpredictability. Pigments behave differently depending on water, paper, and even timing.
Color study pages give you space to understand:
- How pigments mix
- How transparent or opaque they are
- How they shift when layered
Over time, you begin to trust your materials more, and that confidence changes everything in your painting process.
Remove Pressure from Creating “Finished” Work
In a world where everything is shared instantly, it’s easy to forget the value of process.
Color study pages bring you back to that process.
There is no expectation here. No need for perfection. Just exploration.
And often, that is where the most interesting discoveries happen.
Build a Quiet Archive of Your Artistic Growth
When I look back at my own study pages, I don’t just see pigments. I see decisions, experiments, and small moments of learning.
They become a visual diary of how your understanding of watercolor evolves over time.
How I Create My Own Color Study Pages
If you want to begin, keep it simple. You do not need anything complicated to start.
I also created a YouTube video where I walk through this process step by step if you’d prefer to see it in action
Before you begin, remember: color study pages are not about doing things perfectly. They are about observing, experimenting, and slowly building a deeper understanding of color.
Step 1: Choose your materials gently
Your color study page can live in a sketchbook dedicated entirely to color studies, or simply on separate loose sheets of watercolor paper.
Use whatever feels most practical and inviting to you.
Hot-pressed, cold-pressed, textured, smooth, budget-friendly, it truly does not matter. What matters is that you begin.
And a small reminder I always return to: use the pigments you already have. There is often far more possibility in your current palette than you realize.
If you’d like to explore the materials I personally enjoy using, you can find them on KristineArt Shop
Step 2: Choose a reference you would like to paint
Pick a subject that interests you, something you feel curious about painting.
It could be:
- a flower
- a leaf
- a fruit
- a botanical detail
- or even just a small section of a larger subject
When you are drawn to your subject, observation becomes much easier and more enjoyable.
Step 3: Keep your subject close and sketch it lightly
Place your reference right beside your sketchbook or paper so you can compare constantly while working.
This is important.
Having the subject nearby allows you to observe carefully, compare your mixes in real time, and make more informed color decisions.
Then create a quick, loose sketch of the subject, or even just part of it.
Keep the drawing simple. This is not about perfect drawing. It is simply a framework for observation.
Step 4: Prepare your pigment studies
Start by lightly drawing simple circles or squares on your page with a pencil. These will become your pigment studies.
Fill them with watercolor pigments you think you might use. Leave space between each shape so you can add notes and observations later.
This helps you see each pigment clearly before mixing and builds early awareness of your palette.
If you enjoy a more structured approach, this system is also built into my Watercolor Mixing Notebook, designed specifically for pigment studies, mixing practice, and guided watercolor learning.
Step 5: Mix your watercolors and test against your subject
Begin mixing colors based on what you observe.
As you create each mix:
- Paint it onto your study page
- Compare it directly to your subject
- Adjust if needed
- Make notes about the pigments used
Pay close attention to:
- Temperature shifts
- Muted vs vibrant tones
- Transparency
- Granulation
- How water changes the mixture
This is where your eye begins to truly understand color.
Step 6: Add notes and observations
This part is often overlooked, but it becomes incredibly valuable over time.
Write down anything you notice:
- Color intensity changes
- Transparency or opacity
- Granulation or texture effects
- How water affects pigment flow
These small observations turn your page into more than a study — they turn it into a reference you can return to again and again.
Step 7: Build your own color swatch library
Whenever you discover a watercolor mix you love, paint it onto a separate strip or swatch card.
Label it with:
- Pigments used
- Brand names (optional)
- Notes about the mixture
Over time, these swatches become your personal watercolor reference library.
When you encounter a new subject and are unsure which pigments to use, you can return to your swatches, find the closest match, and immediately know where to begin.
If you’d like to see how to make watercolor swatches, I’ve shared a simple step-by-step tutorial here:
This is especially helpful for beginners, as it removes much of the guesswork from future paintings If you’d like a structured system for organizing your mixes, I created watercolor swatches designed for this exact purpose.
And over time, as you continue this practice, you will rely on them less, because your understanding becomes intuitive.
Step 8: Create a quick study painting
Finally, use your tested colors to paint a loose study of your subject.
Keep it relaxed.
This is not about creating a finished masterpiece - it is about applying what you have learned through observation and experimentation.
Sometimes these little studies teach more than finished paintings ever could.
And Finally...
The goal of a color study page is never to create a masterpiece.
It is to:
- Explore watercolor pigments
- Build confidence through observation
- And train your eye to see color more clearly
Some pages will feel successful. Some will feel messy. Both are equally valuable.
What matters most is the process - the quiet act of showing up, observing, and learning through doing.
And over time, something shifts: you begin to paint differently, not because you are trying harder, but because you are seeing more clearly.
That is the real transformation of color study pages.
FAQ: Color Study Pages for Watercolor Artists
What are color study pages in watercolor?
They are sketchbook exercises used to study pigment behavior, color mixing, and observation before creating finished paintings.
Do beginners need color study pages?
Yes. They are especially helpful for beginners because they build essential color mixing and observation skills.
What paper should I use?
Any watercolor paper works. Cold-pressed is most common, but sketchbook paper can also be used for practice.
How long should a color study page take?
Anywhere from 10 minutes to one hour. The focus is learning, not time.
Can color study pages replace finished paintings?
No. They support finished paintings and help improve your understanding of watercolor.
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