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

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My favorite supplies(contain affiliate links and I make a small commission when you purchase something):
Paint Puck - bit.ly/3ktdbcl
PAPER
140 lb Cold Press Arches Watercolor Paper - bit.ly/38CA8r8
Fluid Cold Press Watercolor Paper - (Cheaper Option for paper) - bit.ly/39wUVwN
PAINT
M Graham Napthol Red - bit.ly/3OPm667
Winsor & Newton Colors... - Burnt Sienna - Cobalt Blue - Ultramarine Blue - Winsor Violet - Green Gold - bit.ly/3LvzJFb
Daniel Smith Colors: -DS Lamp Black - DS Holbein Aureolin - Daniel Smith Permanent Green Light - bit.ly/3y3FqGF
Wisp brush set - amzn.to/2MMbw4A
Silver black velvet brushes - I bought the set of three with the 3/4 oval.
bit.ly/3F00wHi
Asian Sumi Hake Brush Set - bit.ly/3OMIWv3
Scrubber Brushes- bit.ly/3rXGt7h
Princeton Velvetouch Size 4 Long Round - bit.ly/3s1BWRl
Winsor & Newton Masking Fluid - bit.ly/3vWq8Rk
Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen in Black bit.ly/3vtHrKw
White Gel Pen- bit.ly/3s4lfol
I've also been using Holbein Soft Tape from Holbein. I have found if I leave this tape on my paper too long, it leave sticky residue. Otherwise, I LOVE it! bit.ly/3OMGJ2J
Elmer's Foam Board -. bit.ly/3F9v0qv
Pallette - bit.ly/3F0DGzk
Dot or Splat Spray Bottles -Stampendous has one at bit.ly/3MFyWlj but I haven't tried that one yet. www.artacademy... You have to scroll down and look for 'dot bottles'
everettswaterc... also has dot spray bottles. I think I like these a LITTLE better than the Tom Lynch ones.
Makeup Organizer I use to store art supplies - amzn.to/3cnam9D
Storage Bench for Art Supplies - amzn.to/32IJCdU
Gel Floor Mat amzn.to/3wyIF5X
5 inch Squeegee - amzn.to/2RjVzEE
Credit Card sized squeegee - amzn.to/3uvV88w
Samsung Galaxy - I use a Galaxy to film most of my videos! amzn.to/2IBXL5Y
SanDisk Storage for all my footage! amzn.to/3tZUYpe
Epson Surecolor P900 Printer - amzn.to/2UoSvFs
Epson Velvet Paper - (paper I use for prints) amzn.to/2K3eNKV
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Instagram at rachelsstudiodotcom

[@perriswallace7323]

LOVE your bloopers!! Cute as can be!!

[@meridadiane]

All the hacks were perfect 💯

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Thanks so much!

[@JB-ul9vh]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@barbiemathis1605]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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

[@barbiemathis1605]

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

[@carolynbillington9018]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Thank you 💗

[@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.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@moonshineblue3468]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Thank you so much!

[@denisevuono3422]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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

[@teresajordao6634]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

I'm so glad!

[@zoehall136]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Glad you liked it!!

[@suecook5416]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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

[@dupeit007]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@zarrminayvlogs6752]

Thank you for sharing

[@starrv34]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

My pleasure!

[@lilislate5765]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Glad you enjoyed them!

[@micheleleech8128]

Very helpful tips presented in a nice and fun way.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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

[@sharonsands708]

Thank you for sharing these helpful ideas.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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

[@normajaynepeever8614]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Haha, thank you 🥰

[@vikkifossum4959]

Love your ideas & your BLOOPERS♥️

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Thank you so much 💗💗💗

[@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.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

I've got a lot more coming : )

[@happyfarmer979]

Loved the bloopers and the tips ❤

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Glad you like them!

[@barbarastephens2890]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

I appreciate it 💗🎨💗

[@richaelerose1111]

You had me at the bloopers

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Haha I can be pretty ridiculous

[@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.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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

[@BarBaraWhorleyCrawfordESS]

Thank you. Great ideas.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

I'm so glad they were helpful!

[@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!

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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

[@lynnrussell467]

Great helps! Thank you!

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

You're welcome!

[@zhinekelsang6719]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Glad it was helpful!

[@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!

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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.

[@elainebrown8978]

Really fun and useful tips!

[@kryssygee4814]

Genius. Thank you!!!

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

You're welcome!

[@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).

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Haha thanks Judy : )

[@kscaligrafia]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Thank you!

[@radiantatriatmadja9888]

Great ideas. Thanks for sharing.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

You are so welcome!

[@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!

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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

[@noraeicholtz3697]

love the tips and you are great!

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Glad you like them!

[@kellyhalligan1328]

Thanks! You did a great job

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Glad you liked it!

[@marliesmanning8148]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Glad it was helpful!

[@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!

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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

[@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.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Yes, good point!!

[@annewatman677]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

I'm glad to be entertaining ; )

[@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!!!!

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@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!

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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!

[@carolratcliff]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Oh funny, what a good idea!

[@aliciashackley5830]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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

[@sherlynn7211]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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

[@gosialeska7999]

So cool!! Thank you!!

[@jimscanoe]

So excellent-thank you.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Thank you for taking the time to comment!

[@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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Great tip!

[@MaeBelleArt]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Thank you so much Rayna 💗💗💗

[@jsholm58]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Thank you! 😊

[@eileenvalachovic9435]

Love these tips. Thank you.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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.

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

You are so welcome!

[@juliemoore5391]

Loved the tips and personality! Thank you

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Thank you for watching and commenting : )

[@karenhoward303]

You are a funny lady, so entertaining!

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

🤗

[@virginiabaer1110]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Thank you 💗

[@s.miller4625]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@yankeedoodledandeefirecrac7518]

Excellent idea on octopus brush Thanks!!!

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

You are so welcome!

[@AyaSmith]

Enjoyed all of these!!! 😍

[@AyaSmith]

And the bloopers 😂💘

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

I'm so glad you enjoyed them!

[@commenter5555]

Great ideas.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Thank you!

[@BackroadsArtStudio]

Great hacks!!!

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Thank you!

[@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 🌈

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

ooooh I want to try your rainbow trick : )

[@debramoss2267]

@@user-bt4uu9gc6h once I got it I got a little overzealous, lol!

[@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.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Haha, I have no shame : )

[@pennybordelon707]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

I try not to be boring : )

[@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.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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

[@janekanter7956]

Perfect cats! You nailed their expressions.💕

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Thank you so much!

[@viviandibrell849]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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

[@NicoleRoy-Artist]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

My pleasure friend!

[@ACRYLICARTWORKS]

Great video ! Love it

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rosemarycarley2948]

thankyou for the tips

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Happy to help!

[@sallyjohnson1566]

great tips!

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Glad you like them!

[@shashiprasad4446]

Awesome 👌

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Thanks 🤗

[@SusanBurnsridesatrike]

Hahahaha! Love these, and you sound like me on those days I just can't talk.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

For me that's every day lol

[@hibernogirl]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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

[@aprilbrown8081]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Haha!

[@JoleneOldham]

Great tips, and I love the bloopers!

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Thanks so much!

[@gbohn5641]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

I'll have more hacks soon : )

[@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.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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!

[@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 ❣️

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

That makes me so happy!

[@KellieChasse]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

It looks like you have a great channel too!

[@billsiviter9272]

Jeyes fluid cleans brushes of anything even dried gloss paint.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

I've never heard of that!

[@StrangeArrangements]

I love watercolor hacks. Danke sehr.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

My pleasure

[@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.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

That's a great tip, thank you!

[@nudgehole_2807]

Very nice🤩👍I enjoyed your video

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Thank you 🤗

[@valeriemckay7064]

My cat did the same thing exactly!! Thanks for the tips

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

My kitty makes a great studio assistant : )

[@arlensanchez207]

You got me with the bloopers

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Haha glad you liked them. There will be more : )

[@lynnefroneman1742]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

That's a great idea!

[@artKarolina]

Definitely going to try make your octopus brush!

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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

[@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!

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Glad you like them!

[@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.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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

[@lynnmahar6915]

@@user-bt4uu9gc6h Uh Huh! LOL!

[@robynwhite5662]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Yay! Thank you!

[@annettefournier9655]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Hope you like it!

[@lindamoffitt1219]

I rub olive oil on the masking fluid stuck on brushes. then dish soap to take off the olive oil. It works.

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

I will definitely try that!

[@cassandrak9753]

Thank you

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

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

[@toninoantxoa]

Graciasssssss SS. 😊😊😊😊😊

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

🥰🥰🥰

[@NamSangs]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Thanks for visiting

[@NamSangs]

@@user-bt4uu9gc6h 👍

[@lisathomas7640]

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

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Thanks for subbing!

[@nishankuribengaliarts5627]

Thanks mam 😊 ❤️ love for India

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

My pleasure 😊

[@shawnas464]

I like the long hair short hair 😁

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

: )

[@noth9617]

I love these. I hope you’re still active so I can join your patreon. 😊

[@user-bt4uu9gc6h]

Yes busier than ever! If you like painting animals in an impressionistic style, you'll enjoy my Patreon. You can see what tutorials I have available at www.rachelsstudio.com/patreonindex to see if my tutorials would be of interest to you.