Did you know that I have a vault of free watercolor coloring pages for you to download and print? You can sign up to get access to them here.
If you already grabbed the coloring pages but haven’t used them yet, let me show you how to trace them onto watercolor paper so you can skip the sketching and dive right into painting. ✨
The best part? You don’t need fancy equipment to get started—just a little light and some simple tricks.
3 Easy Ways to Transfer Your Designs
1. Tape It to a Sunny Window ☀️
The most old-school method, and honestly still one of the best. Just tape your coloring page to a bright window, layer watercolor paper on top, and trace the lines. The sunlight makes the design clear and easy to follow.
2. Use a Lightbox 💡
If you have a lightbox (or even a tablet with a bright white screen), place your design underneath and your watercolor paper on top. This method is especially helpful if you like tracing at night or in less-than-sunny rooms.
3. DIY Carbon Paper ✏️
Flip your coloring page over and shade the back of the lines with pencil. Then, place it right-side up on watercolor paper and trace over the design with a pen. The pencil transfers onto the watercolor paper—just like carbon paper but with way less smudging!
You Don’t Have to Stick to Watercolor 🎨
These pages aren’t just for watercolor. My 11-year-old son recently colored a hammerhead shark page using his favorite alcohol markers, and it turned out amazing! You can also experiment with colored pencils, crayons, or even gel pens.
The point is to have fun—whether you’re painting, coloring, or experimenting with new materials.
Why Tracing Helps
Sketching can feel intimidating, especially for beginners. Tracing lets you skip the blank-page pressure and jump right into the fun part: painting! It’s also a great way to practice brushstrokes, layering, and color blending without worrying about proportions.
So grab a design from my Freebie Vault, choose one of these tracing methods, and start creating today. 🌊🌸