Learn to Paint: Free Step-by-Step Watercolor & Oil Tutorials (Beginner and Beyond)
Welcome to Art by Carol May - a free, step-by-step painting site where you can learn watercolor and oil painting from the ground up and create artwork, you’re proud of.
I’m Carol May, an award-winning artist, and I’ll help you build real skills (like composition, values, focal point, and color) and then apply them in complete painting projects with clear steps, photos, and materials lists.
Brand new? Start with the Beginner’s Guide. Already painting? Browse the tutorials and choose your next project.
You can paint wonderful art!
You can paint wonderful art!Want to know who you’re learning from? Meet Carol May below.
Choose Your Starting Point
Not sure where to begin? Choose the path that fits you right now - you can always come back later and explore the other one too.
Whether you are brand-new and ready to learn, or looking for a full project - there is something for everyone.
Let’s turn your creative potential into paintings you’ll be proud of.
Start Here (Beginners)
If you’re brand new and not sure what to buy, or what to paint first, start here. You’ll get a simple supply list, help choosing a medium, and a clear first project to begin with.
Choose a Tutorial
If you want a complete project, start here. Choose a watercolor or oil tutorial (birds, animals, flowers, butterflies, landscapes, or ocean scenes) and paint at your own pace.
The Fundamentals Create Good Art
Strong paintings come from a few simple fundamentals. If you understand these “Big Three,” you’ll get better results in every tutorial you paint - whether you’re using watercolor or oils.
Learn the basics here, then pick a tutorial below and put them into practice right away.
The Basics of Good Art
Paint with the "Big Three".When you’re learning, it helps to focus on just a few things first.
On How to Paint Good Art, I use one of my paintings to show how color, composition, and values work.
You can download a simple Big Three checklist to review your own paintings as you work.
The Basics of Good Art
When you’re learning, it helps to focus on just a few things first.
On How to Paint Good Art, I use one of my paintings to show how color, composition, and values work.
You can download a simple Big Three checklist to review your own paintings as you work.
Paint with the "Big Three".Want to strengthen one skill at a time? Start with one of these core painting fundamentals.
In the beginning, get a quick understanding of the fundamentals; composition, values, and color.
Then learn faster by putting them into practice right away in a step-by-step tutorial (you’ll see these basics explained as you paint).
Learn Painting: Oil & Watercolor Tutorials
Ready to paint? These step-by-step oil and watercolor tutorials help you practice composition, values, and color while you complete a full project.
You’ll find guidance on supplies, plus start-to-finish lessons with photos, materials lists, clear steps, and practical tips, so you can choose a subject you like and paint along at your own pace.
Browse all step-by-step painting tutorials in oil and watercolor.
Popular Tutorials
These reader favorites are a great way to practice while creating something beautiful. Choose a subject you enjoy and follow the lesson step by step.
Butterfly Tutorial: Paint a realistic watercolor butterfly while practicing clean shapes, strong values, and bright color contrasts, great if you enjoy detail and vivid color.
Wave Tutorial: Paint a transparent ocean wave while practicing layering, edges, and value changes that create movement, great for those who want a dramatic oil painting.
Dog Tutorial: Paint a happy dog with oil using a simple, limited palette while practicing big value shapes and easy blending, great for first-time oil painters.
Hummingbird Tutorial: Paint a Ruby-throated hummingbird in watercolor while practicing controlled washes and small details, a beginner-friendly project.
Ready to pick up the brush? Choose your medium and follow along.
Oil Painting Tutorials
Learn blending, layering, and strong values with these step-by-step oil painting projects. Many are also suitable for acrylic painters.
Paint Watercolor Step-by-Step
Enjoy the beauty of transparent color while learning watercolor techniques step by step. These tutorials are beginner-friendly and easy to follow.
Want to see what these fundamentals and tutorials can lead to? Here’s a little about me and my work, so you know who’s guiding you as you learn.
Learn with Award-Winning Artist Carol May
Hi, I’m Carol May - painting has been my passion for 40+ years, and I’m here to help you grow as an artist with clear, step-by-step lessons.
"Country Barns"
I created Art by Carol May to share the joy of painting with free, guided tutorials. My goal is to help you build confidence and create stronger, more satisfying paintings.
The painting above, “Country Barns,” has won two Best of Show awards.
Painting Inspiration from the Studio
Looking for ideas for your next painting or just in the mood to browse finished artwork?
Explore my watercolor and oil paintings to spark inspiration, study subjects you love, and see what’s possible as your skills grow.
Nature is my favorite subject.
Nature is my favorite subject.Interested in owning a piece? You can browse my fine art prints (and see what originals are available) here.
Frequently Asked Questions
A blank canvas is waiting to come alive with your stories and creativity. A world of possibilities comes with each stroke of color.
Should I Start with Oil, Alkyd, Watercolor, or Acrylic Paint?
Should I Start with Oil, Alkyd, Watercolor, or Acrylic Paint?
Oil is the classic, historical paint. It gives the artist time to blend and work the paint before it dries.
Alkyd is the modern oil paint that dries much faster with the same beauty and richness as oils.
Watercolor is often used for light, intricate works. Once their techniques are learned they make wonderful paintings.
Acrylic paint is fast drying and popular with beginning artists.
Can I Start Painting on a Budget?
Can I Start Painting on a Budget?
Certainly, we don't have to spend a bundle to get into painting. Basically, we need paint, a couple of brushes and something to paint on.
What Should I Paint?
What Should I Paint?
Paint what you see in your environment. It's easier to paint things you are familiar with, things you know.
Painting is an avenue of self-expression. That's the joy of painting!
How Long Does It Take to Get Good at Painting?
How Long Does It Take to Get Good at Painting?
It all depends on how much time you put in on painting. The more you paint, the better you get.
A long painting session once a month is not profitable as short, frequent painting sessions. How painting daily speeds progress.
What Is the Most Common Beginner Mistake?
What Is the Most Common Beginner Mistake?
It's easy for any artist - not just beginners to get so caught up in painting beautiful colors - that we ignore values (the light and darkness of colors).
Values are the backbone of good artwork. Learn values in painting.
Immerse Yourself in the Joys of Painting!
Stepping into painting is an enriching journey - full of creativity, discovery, and joy. When you’re ready, choose a subject you love and follow a step-by-step lesson from start to finish.
Ready to paint? Browse the tutorials.
Just getting started? The Beginners Guide will help.
Enjoy!
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