13 Watercolor Painting Hacks for Beginners - Secret Pro Tips You've Never Seen!

[@barbiemathisart]

I'm loving the idea of thin lines and whiskers with Calligraphy nibs!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't I've found lol!

[@barbiemathisart]

Oh well, there's always gouache if the nibs fail you here and there. :)

[@dupeit007]

Omg thank you! I'm so so glad that people like you exist!

[@rachelparkervarner]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@denisevuono3422]

Awesome tips! I absolutely love your bloopers. Thanks for sharing your time and knowledge.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed my ridiculousness

[@kathilehnhard6762]

I love your teaching style! You are very succinct in explaining your hacks. And your hacks are so helpful. At the end of your tutorial I enjoyed your fun sense of humor.

[@rachelparkervarner]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@perriswallace7323]

LOVE your bloopers!! Cute as can be!!

[@dancer4560]

nice video- just starting my art journey again after life got in the way. I will say I wish someone had told me about a ruling pen to apply masking fluid. It is the best thing I have discovered . I love it- easy to use and clean.

[@rachelparkervarner]

It's a good little tool to have! Thank you for the visit and comment!

[@starrv34]

Great tips and I love the bloopers. Thank for the great ideas!

[@rachelparkervarner]

My pleasure!

[@vikkifossum4959]

Love your ideas & your BLOOPERS♥️

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you so much 💗💗💗

[@teresajordao6634]

Thank you for sharing yor Hacks and tricks in watercolor! I learn a lot from you.💗😘😘

[@rachelparkervarner]

I'm so glad!

[@sharonsands708]

Thank you for sharing these helpful ideas.

[@rachelparkervarner]

It's always a pleasure and I always learn so much from my viewers too!

[@carolratcliff]

Lots of terrific hacks!! Your octopus brush made some fantastic bird feet trackings!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Oh funny, what a good idea!

[@judybreedlove5348]

Love your hacks....great job. I used to subscribe to Art Tutor about 5 years ago....one of the artists made different shaped brushes with masking, like your Octopus Brush, for different marks. You are the only one I've seen do it since then. great idea......love your silly bloopers....especially the kitty walking on water routine....great pantomine (sp).

[@rachelparkervarner]

Haha thanks Judy : )

[@suecook5416]

Thank you for sharing your tips. I love your cat paintings and that octopus brush was great. Love your bloopers too, very funny.

[@rachelparkervarner]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it and thank you for taking the time to comment!

[@annewatman677]

What a wonderful personality! The hacks are great, but I think I enjoy your delivery as much as anything! 😘

[@rachelparkervarner]

I'm glad to be entertaining ; )

[@rmuller366]

Great hacks Rachel! I’m so happy you mentioned the poster tack. I have some mini paintings I don’t want to frame but wanted to add to some blank walls. Perfect solution. Thank you for sharing. Blessings to you!

[@rachelparkervarner]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it and found something useful!

[@sparkleme1237]

I adore you. Thank you for making me feel ok to be ME. I do the same kooky things as what you did at the end of the video. Not to mention that your video as a whole was perfect and helpful... Awesome!!!!

[@rachelparkervarner]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@barbarastephens2890]

I really enjoy your tutorials! Great personality and very welcoming! Now, if I could just capture your gift and talent!🥴

[@rachelparkervarner]

I appreciate it 💗🎨💗

[@carolynbillington9018]

Love these so much----chin tucks and Ws my top favorite Prayers for my favorite famous PT

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you 💗

[@normajaynepeever8614]

Thoroughly enjoyed. You're bonkers....in a lovely way though 👍😜🎨 xx

[@rachelparkervarner]

Haha, thank you 🥰

[@marybirder5663]

Most of these hacks are new to me, so thank you. The "whisk" brush you showed is also called a rake brush and it works great for creating grasses. I bought an inexpensive, synthetic brush and used cuticle scissors to make my own rake brush. Your masking fluid hacks will come in handy, I love using it, but it can be messy. I'm going to subscribe b/c I have a feeling I'm going to learn and have some fun, as well. Too often watercolor is taken so seriously, but we forget to enjoy the process. Sadly, I fall into that category!

[@rachelparkervarner]

I'm glad I helped you remember to just have fun : ) When I look for those brushes I search for whisp brushes. I searched rake and sure enough the same thing came up!

[@lynnrussell467]

Great helps! Thank you!

[@rachelparkervarner]

You're welcome!

[@micheleleech8128]

Very helpful tips presented in a nice and fun way.

[@rachelparkervarner]

I'm glad you think so! You'd probably enjoy my newest video and my other hacks videos too then : )

[@zoehall136]

I enjoyed your tips !! Anther Sherpa lol loved it zoe

[@rachelparkervarner]

Glad you liked it!!

[@lilislate5765]

I love #12 and 13..and your bloopers.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Glad you enjoyed them!

[@moonshineblue3468]

Love the bloops. Made me laugh so hard. Video on hacks is very useful!!!👍

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you so much!

[@BarBaraWhorleyCrawfordESS]

Thank you. Great ideas.

[@rachelparkervarner]

I'm so glad they were helpful!

[@zarrminayvlogs6752]

Thank you for sharing

[@meridadiane]

All the hacks were perfect 💯

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thanks so much!

[@zhinekelsang6719]

These tips are amazing! Thank you for sharing. It will change the way I paint.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Glad it was helpful!

[@yankeedoodledandeefirecrac7518]

Excellent idea on octopus brush Thanks!!!

[@rachelparkervarner]

You are so welcome!

[@mariakellner5429]

I also use color shapers they have a silicone tip the masking fluid just peels off,great tips use non staining color to add to masking tfs

[@rachelparkervarner]

Great tip!

[@debramoss2267]

Hi, I am so glad to find you, I have never seen so many new hacks, absolutely brilliant. I have done the bokeh for a while, one of my favourite artists does his suns by putting a small coin (5p here) in a tissue and using that, perfect every time! I find the multi pack make-up sponges, especially the sharp wedges are great, too. If you pull a sharp one through a dark, wet sky, when it dries it gives a white background for the perfect rainbow 🌈

[@rachelparkervarner]

ooooh I want to try your rainbow trick : )

[@debramoss2267]

@@rachelparkervarner once I got it I got a little overzealous, lol!

[@marliesmanning8148]

Such great ideas!!! I will definitely make an octopus brush. Thank you for sharing!!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Glad it was helpful!

[@terryroggensee4103]

Octopus brush Wow going to make one soon. Great idea for grass which is often a pain. Under my weird things to buy at Dollar store! Thanks for your creativity.

[@rachelparkervarner]

I used it to paint bark in a recent tutorial and it came out so well. It is great for grass and long fur too!

[@Matagot90]

I love watercolor hacks. Danke sehr.

[@rachelparkervarner]

My pleasure

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

I really love the various hacks, especially the goo gone one. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@rachelparkervarner]

You are so welcome!

[@gosialeska7999]

So cool!! Thank you!!

[@SilverSeaOT7]

Your channel came up on my feed. I am now a subscriber! I seriously thought it would be the same “hacks” I had already heard of before. Boy was I wrong. So many creative ideas!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you so much for subscribing. I read A LOT of watercolor forums, always looking for new ideas, so most of the things I put in my Hacks videos should be pretty fresh content. That's the idea any way : ) I'm slowly working on my next hack video. I test out each one and make sure they are legit enough to talk about.

[@DavZell]

Re: adding paint to your masking fluid, make sure you use a color that lifts well. I accidentally used a very staining color once and it did leave a pastel version of the paint color behind that did not lift.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Yes, good point!!

[@pamcadd8658]

This is the first time I’ve seen you, Rachel, but wow what a lot of good tips! Love your kitties. I’ll be coming back for more teaching.

[@rachelparkervarner]

I've got a lot more coming : )

[@virginiabaer1110]

Love love your hacks!! First time I’ve found your videos, I’ll definitely be watching you again. Thank you👏💓

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you 💗

[@aliciashackley5830]

Lol Rachel. That was just full of great tips. Thx so much lovely girl. 🥰🤣😂

[@rachelparkervarner]

It's a pleasure to see your comment, I appreciate you!

[@radiantatriatmadja9888]

Great ideas. Thanks for sharing.

[@rachelparkervarner]

You are so welcome!

[@kscaligrafia]

great idea with the calligraphy pen and masking fluid..!! Thanks

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you!

[@liaclark2393]

great ideas thank you ,any suggestions on watercolour papers , which is the best ... even so I am a beginner, thanks

[@rachelparkervarner]

Arches Cold Press 140 lb is what I usually use

[@kellyhalligan1328]

Thanks! You did a great job

[@rachelparkervarner]

Glad you liked it!

[@pennybordelon707]

I love your hacks And you seem like a wonderful fun person to hang out with have a great day.

[@rachelparkervarner]

I try not to be boring : )

[@jimscanoe]

So excellent-thank you.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you for taking the time to comment!

[@lanibrockwell9757]

Thank you Rachel! I had my amazon app open so I could add items to my cart as you shared them. I can't wait to apply your hacks!

[@rachelparkervarner]

My pleasure - let me know how they work for you! I had more but I tested them out and they didn't work as intended lol

[@viviandibrell849]

Great tips! Also you can paint masking fluid onto partly wet paper to get a less hard edge. Outtakes 😂!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Hmmmm really???? I"ve GOT to try that!!!

[@eileenvalachovic9435]

Love these tips. Thank you.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you for leaving a comment.

[@eileenvalachovic9435]

Know it helps you with KZbin. Appreciate the time content providers put into their channels. Comments are a way of giving back.

[@elainebrown8978]

Really fun and useful tips!

[@sandralauterbach7581]

Does the masking fluid come off easy from the dip pen? how do you clean the dip pen? It looks like a great idea!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Yes, once it dries you can just peel it off.

[@s.miller4625]

My first time too but wow. Great tips! Thanks!

[@rachelparkervarner]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@sherlynn7211]

so fun those outtakes,, heehee,, awesome tips! love love LOVE the masking tip for whiskers using a quill pen,, yesss!!! :)

[@rachelparkervarner]

I know! It's one of my favorite discoveries of 2021!!!

[@jsholm58]

Nice job! Nice hacks! Love your cat paintings! I see you are new, so I wish you the best of luck!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you! 😊

[@happyfarmer979]

Loved the bloopers and the tips ❤

[@rachelparkervarner]

Glad you like them!

[@hibernogirl]

Thank you for sharing, I love 'hacks' and happy to found a couple of new ones.... off to try out making octopus brush!

[@rachelparkervarner]

You'll have to let me know what you think!

[@kryssygee4814]

Genius. Thank you!!!

[@rachelparkervarner]

You're welcome!

[@kimhoffmann8460]

Hi Rachael! Do you have a hack for painting wavy or curly fur without having to paint each clump? Looking for an easier way to paint say a Welsh Terrier or a Doodle??? Yikes!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Oh, those are such a challenge. I recently did a poodle and did a lot of negative paintings, circles around the curls basically

[@JB-ul9vh]

Great TIPS !!!!!! But loved the bloopers.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Colleen1978]

All great hacks but my fav is the one that masks a brush to make a grass painting brush. I have a problem making things too perfect and not random enough. This will be perfect!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Yes, the never ending quest to avoid that stiff look!

[@emmaconnibeer2680]

Hi thank you awesome hacks! 👌 where can I get the little bokeh stamps you use?

[@marybirder5663]

Check The Art Sherpa website or her YT channel. I have a set of these round, stamp sponges made by Martha Steward that I found at Michael's a few years back.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Yes, if you google Art Sherpa bokeh several art sites will come up

[@annettefournier9655]

Ooooo. Going to make an octopus brush! I have a wisp. It's 👍

[@rachelparkervarner]

Hope you like it!

[@AyaSmith]

Enjoyed all of these!!! 😍

[@AyaSmith]

And the bloopers 😂💘

[@rachelparkervarner]

I'm so glad you enjoyed them!

[@commenter5555]

Great ideas.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you!

[@juliemoore5391]

Loved the tips and personality! Thank you

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you for watching and commenting : )

[@ctownsend4600]

Do you remove the masking fluid from the octopus brushes you make after it dries?

[@rachelparkervarner]

No once it dries you can't get it back out.

[@noraeicholtz3697]

love the tips and you are great!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Glad you like them!

[@sherryroberts7716]

Thank you, Rachel! You are cute and goofy, I like it! One question for you, I cannot seem to find the bokeh sponges. I have searched far and wide and only see regular acrylic sponges on wooden rods. They may not be stiff enough to achieve the affects that you get. Can you give me a hint!!?? LOL Thanks!

[@rachelparkervarner]

The Art Sherpa has them on jerrysartarama and they are called a pounce set tinyurl.com/yx5xrn7e

[@lynnmahar6915]

Great inspiration. (I don't even paint in watercolor). You are so endearing with your bloopers at the end and I like your sassy bob.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you so much! I try not to be boring. I'm naturally a very quiet person lol.

[@lynnmahar6915]

@@rachelparkervarner Uh Huh! LOL!

[@stanrubin9409]

I use Winsor & Newton iridescent medium as a base for glitter/gold powder paint. Once it dries, it is rewet-able just like watercolor paints.

[@rachelparkervarner]

That's a great tip, thank you!

[@artKarolina]

Definitely going to try make your octopus brush!

[@rachelparkervarner]

I really liked it for painting tree limbs! I show that in the video I just published today actually!

[@lynnefroneman1742]

I've used the circle sponge for grapes and it was amazing tool for grapes

[@rachelparkervarner]

That's a great idea!

[@Heather-xz3eo]

Oh my gosh, you're awesome (and your tips) and made me both smile & laugh. ... which hasn't happened much lately. .... many thanks ❣️

[@rachelparkervarner]

That makes me so happy!

[@rosemarycarley2948]

thankyou for the tips

[@rachelparkervarner]

Happy to help!

[@NicoleRoy-Artist]

Loved all of these, Rachel....thanks Dahlin' XOXO

[@rachelparkervarner]

My pleasure friend!

[@cassandrak9753]

Thank you

[@rachelparkervarner]

My pleasure and thank you so much for leaving a comment!

[@adelinenicholas922]

I have a cheapo set of Prang watercolor. I've learned that you have to wet it down. Any other hints? You're very smart.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Hi Adeline - I take it from your comment you have never painted watercolor before? You activate them by wetting them with water. More water for lighter colors, less water for darker colors, and the white of your paper for the whites in your painting : ) Is that the information you were looking for? You might enjoy my watercolor basics playlist at kzbin.info/aero/PLk8QfRJaMFF2GmPlBBVxrvF6b4FFAqCy4

[@adelinenicholas922]

@@rachelparkervarner yes. Thanks. I used to use watercolor as a child.

[@tannagarboski448]

Love the bloopers!!!!🤣🤣🤣. Sammie, over at Unicorn Dust Designs, adds them to her videos...LOVE EM!! Thanks for putting a smile on my face!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Glad you like them!

[@aprilbrown8081]

Now I have a use for the entire case of glitter I own!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Haha!

[@cookingdownsouthwithcarol8909]

Thank you for all of the great hacks! There are 3 or 4 different micropore 3m tapes. Is it surgical, or medical? Is it paper tape?

[@rachelparkervarner]

It's surgical tape but it's not my favorite tape now. Now my favorite is Holbein soft tape off of dickblick.com

[@MaeBelleArt]

I really love your art! I watch all the way see you till the next .

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you so much Rayna 💗💗💗

[@NamSangs]

It’s so important tutorial. ThNks for sharing~👏👍😊

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thanks for visiting

[@NamSangs]

@@rachelparkervarner 👍

[@lisathomas7640]

Just found you and just subscribed, love your techniques, thankyou for sharing.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thanks for subbing!

[@spiritwithusjulianpalumbo4501]

I loved those bloopers!! You are a little crazy! Thanks for the laughs! This video will be in my art playlist to refer to often.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Haha, I have no shame : )

[@janekanter7956]

Perfect cats! You nailed their expressions.💕

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you so much!

[@jancaulfield3549]

Whisp brush called a rake in UK

[@rachelparkervarner]

Yes. Thank you!

[@gbohn5641]

Wow, thanks for all the hacks. Subscribed, so looking forward to more of your info.

[@rachelparkervarner]

I'll have more hacks soon : )

[@KellieChasse]

Wow as an artist and instructor for years, you offered so many fun and interesting tips Rachel

[@rachelparkervarner]

It looks like you have a great channel too!

[@robynwhite5662]

I LOVE THIS! You might be my new Patreon! 😊

[@rachelparkervarner]

Yay! Thank you!

[@sallyjohnson1566]

great tips!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Glad you like them!

[@LeanadeVilliers]

Hi Rachel, first time I found your channel. I absolutely love all your hints and tips = brilliant and thank you so much, it is indeed greatly appreciated. You have most certainly jumped to the top of my watchlist especially when I saw your bloopers. I love the humour you are adding, reminds me of myself in so many ways.

[@rachelparkervarner]

I'm so glad you're enjoying my videos : )

[@nishankuribengaliarts5627]

Thanks mam 😊 ❤️ love for India

[@rachelparkervarner]

My pleasure 😊

[@adelepartington4703]

Can you please tell me where you can get the Sherpa Sponge?

[@rachelparkervarner]

Jerry's Artarama has them - they are called Pouncers - if you google art sherpa pouncers you may find a cheaper deal!

[@shashiprasad4446]

Awesome 👌

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thanks 🤗

[@TheKass40]

Rachel where can I find the Art Serpa boheh sponge? They do not advertise it on their website. Argh.

[@rachelparkervarner]

There are lots of options of a similar thing on Amazon - amzn.to/43bwQCM and here's another one - if you search for pouncer you'll find yet more options tinyurl.com/5n7hmh7u

[@BackroadsArtStudio]

Great hacks!!!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you!

[@JoleneOldham]

Great tips, and I love the bloopers!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thanks so much!

[@ACRYLICARTWORKS]

Great video ! Love it

[@rachelparkervarner]

Glad you enjoyed it!