From Rough Sketch to Watercolor Reality

"Every space starts as just a few lines — and a little imagination."

How It All Starts

Every time I sit down to create a watercolor interior, it begins with a quick, messy sketch.I'm not worried about getting it perfect yet — I’m just trying to get the ideas out: the vibe, the shapes, the feeling of the space.

Cleaning Things Up

Once I have the rough sketch, it’s time to clean it up. I grab a piece of tracing paper, tape it over the sketch, and start using rulers and perspective lines to fix the angles and proportions.

It’s a balance: keeping the creative energy of the first sketch, but making it feel like a real, livable room.

Here’s a look at my tracing process:

Ready to Paint

After I’m happy with the traced version, I transfer it onto a nice piece of watercolor paper. This way, the structure is already there — and I can just have fun with the painting.

I start by laying down soft watercolor washes, building up color slowly. Then I go back in with colored pencils to add texture, shadows, and a little more "pop." Finally, I use micro black pens to tighten up a few important lines, but I’m careful not to overwork it — I want the watercolor softness to still shine through.

The Finished Piece

Here’s how it all comes together:

Why I Love This Process

There’s something really special about mixing structure and looseness — planning just enough, but still letting the paint do its thing.Every piece feels a little different, and that’s what keeps it exciting for me.