Thanks! I think I better invest in some better paperMy biggest tip is buy good paper - 100% cotton and 140lb+ and tape on all sides (or buy a watercolor paper block). The quality of the watercolors isn't as important as the paper, but better quality watercolors contain more pigment so you don't have to apply as many layers to get dark colors. Like @Chicken poppy, I also start light and apply darker thin layers on top to achieve depth.
! I am currently trying to work on an acrylic painting (on a large piece of paper) of my opal legbar, Astrid! This is my first time painting with acrylic in years, and my first time trying to paint realistically 