Print this "Learn to Watercolor" project and grab a brush. You are 5 steps away from a fantastic watercolor painting!

The Little Engine That Could | "Learn to Watercolor" Project Preview and Print Preview and print this free printable watercolor lesson by clicking on the orange button above the image.

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Instructions
This watercoloring lesson is one that is likely to appeal to the funny side of your brain. Following a step-by-step approach, you'll learn basic watercolor painting techniques as you paint your character. When you're finished with this project, sit back and giggle!

Step 1
Start by sketching the train and track. Once you have everything looking just right, trace the lines with a black fine point marker. If you would like to get right to painting, you can simply print this page onto watercolor paper.

Step 2
Paint the engine, coal car and cowcatcher green. Work quickly with a damp brush. You don't want the paint to dry before you are finished, because it will look streaky and overworked.

Step 3
When the green watercolor paint is dry, you can paint the yellow on the engine and the coal car. (You might want to use your mom's hair dryer to move things along.)

Step 4
Fill your brush with black this time, and paint the smoke stack, wheels, etc. Your brush strokes, as always, should be quick and spontaneous.

Step 5
Your train is almost finished. All you need to do is create a wash for the grass on the hill. Paint a few strokes of clear water over the train tracks, and then add a few quick brush strokes of green watercolor paint.

Congratulations!

If your watercolor painting didn't turn out as well as you hoped, try painting it again. Every talent takes time to master. If you apply yourself, you will be great!