I completely agree with you about using 100% cotton paper. It really does make a difference. My go-to inexpensive 100% cotton paper is New York Central.

Please make video on tool paper that every thing from very beginning

Great tips and wonderful painting! There are 3 other 100% cotton papers I would recommend. Two are considerable cheaper than Arches and one a little less. The one that is a little less is the Fabriano Artistico. I especially like their bright white paper. Love the grain on it too. Paints do lift easier than on Arches (which may or may not be a good thing depending on what paints you like to use and how many layers you like to paint). The other 2 less expensive but still very nice to paint on are the Hahnemühle and the Baohong. My local art supply store carries sheets of the Baohong Masters Choice. It is perfect for my first try painting (I do two as well) or for smaller studies. Hope this helps :)

He looks all grown up

I agree - still life paintings are so boring to do! Personally, I find them really hard to do in an interesting way, which is also very discouraging when trying to learn something new.

I enjoy watching you paint. Every one of your paintings are beautiful! Do you have any classes for intermediate learning? Thank you for sharing your struggles.

Nice!

How long did it take

Bellísimo ❤❤❤❤

May I ask what you the liquid was that you put in you water?

Yay fish are coming!

Excellent videos, thank you so much. What is the wrist band for, to keep from spreading the paint everywhere?

Beautiful as always. I just love your attention to details. ❤

Mesmerizing, I can watch this over and over again. Beautiful ❤

Beautiful. I use the same watercolor block, it always warps. Help please.

Is there any technique of watercolor which you stray from or have not mastered to your own satisfaction?

So fun. I'm hoping to learn your watercolor beautiful work with some whimsical fictional creatures for a children's book...practicing today. So appreciate your work.

Oh my gosh this is gorgeous! ❤

I hope this will be a Patreon tutorial soon! Lovely!

Perfection ❤

Your work takes my breath away. ❤ I'd love to see you paint on Yupo (polypropylene) paper. I've been able to achieve amazing results using it. You can spray the almost dry paint with alcohol or water for texture and cotton buds to lift and move pigment.

جميل جدا ورائع ❤

I'm sooo going to give this one a go

I'm always mesmerized while watching you paint, Anna 😍

Did you read my mind? 😂 Yesterday I was looking for tutorials on how to paint Nemo’s 😅 Love it!

This is beautiful, it’s wonderful to see how it comes alive! Have you played with birds of paradise flowers before?

Excellent points! I love watching you paint as you continue your narrative. Very inspirational presentation. Thank you❤️

Agreed with 100% cotton paper. It's less frustrating overall, and easier to work with for wet on wet and layering

Wow your work is amazing

I’m a watercolor hobbyist, and can’t agree more than paper is key. I practice on Baohong academy paper, which is more affordable than arches. I also came to know a seller of art supplies who every now and then have returned & used paper blocks to sell at a much lower price. These are the best of value in my opinion.

I love your chipmunk painting what a great job you do on all your paintings.

Insightful tips! Bao Hong brand of 100% cotton paper that is very affordable.

What if you cannot draw? I try sketching, but it looks wrong. I cannot enjoy the painting if the underlying structure is incorrect.

I absolutely agree with Anna's comments about the importance of quality paper. I'm still learning but two leaps forward happened when I a. started using better paper and b. found Anna's channel. I think both these changes have had a huge impact on my understanding of the watercolour process. Anna's discussion of transparency and how she layers has really helped me understand how I can acquire more luminance in my work.

I fully agree with painting what you love, and I think this can be especially true for neurodivergent artists. When I started painting, I had undiagnosed ADHD. Painting anything that wasnt an animal was so demotivating and stressful. I definitely had to get that joy and excitement established before I was open to learning more about technique :)

Thanks, I appreciate your videos. I just ordered the products through your links.

Hard to believe you were ever a beginner 😊

Great detail!

Thank goodness you didn't give up, you produce the most stunning art ✨️ ❤️

I am so happy I found your videos, just love your work. Watching you from Gold River BC Canada

I had the same experience with 100% cotton paper and agree completely. Sometime when you’re doing a painting like this, could you tell us when you’re using synthetic ox gall, please? I can’t get my paints to act like yours, and I suspect the ox gall is the reason. Thank you for all the work you do, you’ve helped me understand watercolor in ways I never have before.

It’s so sad when someone bursts your bubble. I’m so happy that you worked through this and are now showing us how to become exceptional painters too. Love your work.

Your style is the reason why I wanted to learn watercolors! I just bought cottonpaper and man what a difference! 😍

Wonderful tutorial

What a great brush! So precise!

Totally agree about the quality of paper! I’ve taught WC to beginners and it is heartbreaking, like you say, to watch the struggle! It’s just not worth trying to make the cheaper papers work. You can always shop sales on the many art supply websites! Love your videos!

I just discovered you now and am absolutely awestruck by your creations! I will join your Patreon. Thank you!!!

Thank you

Omg, I love those zodiac paintings! Are they available as prints? Or would you ever put out an artbook? Your paintings are so beautiful.

I loved this video and hearing about your watercolor journey❤ I also agree with you 100% about quality paper…it makes ALL the difference in this medium! My favorite papers in order of preference: 1. Saunders Waterford ❤❤❤❤❤ 2. Hahnemühle (The Collection) 3. Arches 4. Fabriano Artistico 5. Baohong Academy (their Artist’s paper is too “toothy” and difficult to work with, but their student-grade Academy paper is lovely to work with and more affordable than other 100% cotton papers). Upgrading to 100% cotton watercolor paper can transform your journey. You can focus on learning techniques and mastery of the medium if you’re not fighting with poor supplies.