15 Watercolor Hacks (cheap or free!)

15 Watercolor Hacks (cheap or free!)
Save 30% on any class with coupon code: 15HACKS lindsayweirich...
15 Watercolor Supply Hacks!
1. Free spill proof water buckets: Use Tofu or mushroom packaging as water containers. They are free, won’t tip over and the ridges on the bottom and sides with gently clean pigment from your brush!
2. *Bonus tip: Use single or dual pet food bowls from the dollar store for a truly non spill water bucket for children!
3. Need a place to keep your paint? Recycle an old eyeshadow compact or pill box for a portable palette! (Link) • Upcycled Watercolor Pa...
4. Credit card scraper: Cut up an old credit card or plastic gift card and use it to scrape, scratch or squeegee your paint around when makinging rocks, trees and grasses.
5. Rubber band brush: Bundle a bunch of rubber bands together for a funky brush to paint foliage with!
6. Cut up kitchen sponge: A cut up kitchen sponge and be used to tap on trees or bushes or stamp on bricks and rocks. You can even keep a small piece of sponge in your paint palette to wipe you brush on.
7.also while you are in the kitchen plastic wrap makes a cool texture when left to dry in watercolor and
8. salt in a watercolor wash looks cool too!
9. Toothbrush splatter tool: Why buy a pricey spatter tool when you can get better results from an old toothbrush, just load it up with paint and drag your finger or a craft stick across the bristles. Use wetter paint for bigger spatters and dryer one for tiny specks.
10. Rubbing alcohol makes cool bubble like effects in a wet wash
11.Less Sticky masking tape: Taping down your paper is a good practice to keep it from bucking as you paint. The low tack or artist tape is pricey so buy your tape at the dollar store and stick it to your clothing before your paper. The tip will pick up lint from your clothes so it will be less sticky and won’t rip your precious watercolor paper.
12. DIY Watercolor block: Watercolor blocks are great because you don’t need to tape down your paper but that convenience comes at a price. You can make your own buy cutting your paper to size along with a sheet of cardboard and gluing the edges. I have a tutorial here (link) • DIY Watercolor Paper B...
13. Keep the whites with wax! Use a clear or white crayon, candle or hunk of canning wax to preserve white areas of your painting, just apply it to your dry watercolor paper in areas you want to be white before you begin painting.
14. Masking fluid dish soap trick: Make sure you don’t ruin your brushes when you use masking fluid, first coat your brush with dish soap or bar soap and then apply as usual. *It’s a good idea to mark that brush as a masking fluid only brush too.
15. Keeping your supplies identified: If you travel to class with your supplies you will want to make sure you don’t lose them or go home with someone else. Here are some ideas for marking them: 1. Stick on one of the free return address labels that you get in the mail, 2 use nailpolish on the ends of your brushes 3 find a pretty washi tape and mark all of your tools with that but be sure you go over it with clear tape so it stays.
15 Watercolor Hacks (cheap or free!)
My goal is to provide you with inspiration! Subscribe for frequent watercolor painting and crafting tutorials! Want more inspiration, here are some classes!
Check out my New Watercolor Classes:
lindsayweirich...
Enroll in my Craftsy Mixed Media Class: shrsl.com/ri05
Visit my website: www.lindsaywei...
I often get asked about my favorite supplies. You can find & shop them here: www.amazon.com...
Credits:
Video production and Craft ideas: Lindsay Weirich
Music: Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons...
Sign Up For The Frugal Crafter News! tinyletter.com...
For Sponsorships or Product Reviews email Lindsay at: [e-mail]
SUBSCRIBE! www.youtube.com...
Follow along and have fun!
Thefrugalcrafter Community on Facebook: / thefrugalcrafter Join in the fun!
Visit my blog: thefrugalcrafte...
Follow me on Pinterest: / boards
Twitter: / lindsayweirich
Instagram: / lindsayweirich
Subscribe: www.youtube.com...
*This post may contain affiliate links

[@freeflowarts5546]

Wow... Contrary to the popular belief...art doesn't need to be expensive... Thanks for showing us these tips!

[@cathywhitney8194]

So many great ideas packed into this video, and frugal too☺, but then you are the frugal crafter! Thanks Lindsay!

[@barbarakrejca8807]

OMG You are sooooo FAST. I love it. You get to the point and move on. Great teacher.

[@annettefournier9655]

Love all your tips. Block making is FABULOUS. Now if I could just cut my paper straight it would be perfect. Yes I use a straight edge and exacto knife. Really bad Astigmatisms though. Lol. Ah, nobody's perfect! 💜

[@SimplyWitch]

That is why I love your channel Lindsay. This video was from a year ago and it doesn’t get old! You’re the Arts Encyclopedia from youtube. You should do a book series with your tips and tricks. I would buy them all! Thanks!

[@EsteeDarla]

I always come to her chanel 1st y day don't start unless I see what shes posted it's always to the point and so much information. She is a joy to watch so happy all the time

[@bennu547]

I reuse empty hair mask jars to use to hold my water when I paint. The one I use has really thick walls so they’re really sturdy. I don’t need to worry about them breaking after using them for so long. Plus their lids will prevent water from leaking out. And make sure my cats don’t get into the dirty paint water. Also the lids are really nice too you can use them as palettes if you want to

[@pamthorburnart]

Thanks! The best thing for applying masking fluid are silicone tipped modelling tools-very cheap for a set and the masking fluid just peels off!

[@shannonfinn4316]

I just want to come and hang with you for about 2 weeks. You have so much knowledge and you deliver it so well. Thanks for being so generous. You are awesome.

[@bethcyr6652]

I was wondering what kind of martini you were drinking and admiring how well you can speak quickly and clearly while drinking! I practically feel off my chair when you pulled off a piece of tape from the glass! I loved these tips you shared! All of your videos are a joy to watch!

[@danyelhudon458]

What a precious hacks to have in mind when we are doing watercolour artwork or in our colouring books or with as background with our illustrations we are making! TKY a lot and gave a fantastic week today the 16th May in 23, from Quebec in Canada. I am following you since 2017! You’re my my major reference source of information and inspirational! ❤😊

[@katiemclaneak5182]

Another semi-oldie but goodie! Thank you for the refresher!

[@nadinesawtell3267]

When using plastic wrap straight from the tube colour works best especially if it’s student quality paint

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

Watercolour block hack 👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

[@Lee-Sho]

YOU. ARE. BRILLIANT!!!!!

[@WendyEllenFisher]

Oh, just some awesome idea's. At Easter, we do a white crayon or wax on the eggs and I never thought to do it on paper. AH DUH! LOL!!

[@joycefalgout2498]

THANK YOUR THE TIPS... I JUST STARTED USING COLORS.., AND I LIKE DOING WATERCOLORING.

[@jenrosenberg3276]

I am blown away by the sponge tree foliage!

[@lindaparsons3356]

Me, too.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

it's so easy! give it a try:)

[@maobfh]

There a lot of comments, too many to read through, so if this is redundant I apologize. To mark my resist brushes, I will dip the end of the brush in resist. I do several types of painting and all sorts of "alternate" media and I mark my brushes that can only be used with specific things to avoid ruining a painting \pallet\brush by grabbing something that has been in acetone (or worse, dipping a synthetic brush in something with acetone). The popular resist are a specific beige ish or blue ish tint that I have (so far) recognized it immediately and moved on.

[@cmason2365]

THANK U for all the tips and tricks about watercoloring. I hope all the newbies out there are watching your videos there is sooo much good info you are sharing for FREE❣ Like you I have numerous Hobbies and crafts projects that I've done for years, however I am not an expert like you! I wish I would have had someone to help and guide me a long the way! Thanks for sharing. 💜

[@TheSpinDoctor]

I like Mason jars with embossed writing on them - the debossed inside is great for cleaning your brushes and is very gentle on sable brushes.

[@brianpan6453]

Hey..same here!!

[@Via_Von]

Terrific ideas here Lindsay - thanks! So fun to see a little bit of what’s coming up in our Watercolours Essential class as I recognize some of those “tools” in our supply list! 😍

[@angelahartley3212]

These tips are surely needed for those of us who have trouble drawing a straight line....much less to try our hand at making any type art as stunning as yours!! Would LOVE more of these!!! Tfs!!!

[@monsoongirlnyc]

I love the rubber band thing!

[@thepalettejunkie5963]

That necklace is amazing. 😮

[@thefrugalcrafter]

thanks!

[@gorway7]

Brilliant ideas.... I'm a big fan of bathroom tiles as studio mixing palettes - I have a pair of white 8" Bath tiles mounted to a piece of MDF board with a bit of hardwood beading round the outside as my main mixing palette, they're great... loads of mixing space and they don't bead up. Until I reached that certain age of back problems and arthritis, I was always dumpster diving for art materials and craft supplies, ...all my painting boards and most of my picture frames came from salvaged builders and shopfitters waste.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

great tip!

[@christinaguindon3050]

Peter Sobocki I

[@tracylj5128]

I watched this video last week and went and bought some rubber bands and had to rewatch it to see how you made your rubber band brush! It works great! Thanks for the tip!

[@ruthieclarke9125]

Let me know how you did it if you can. Wish she would have done the DIY to make one. I tried and mine didn't work nearly as well. Thanks

[@lindsayjayne2169]

I definitely thought that was an actual martini..until you pulled tape from it!😅 Awesome video. Now I know what to do with my empty eyeshadow palettes, genius!✨

[@beckyvanepps605]

Lindsey, thank you. You started me on my self taught Watercolor path. I have become a tree of life and ventured into other areas. I am so appreciative. Sincerely, Becky from Denver.

[@sewgatormomm]

I've been using the washi tape for years on all my electronics chargers and plugs. When everyone has the same kind, it's so easy to find mine. These are all great tips! I've used the credit card to make birch trees. It's like magic!

[@chrissymcgirt4667]

I love all that you share and teach us and you are so pleasant to listen to!!

[@peggygarber3232]

That glitter is great

[@bettyswinford5886]

❤️❤️❤️ that necklace......and your videos

[@KerstenSaffordArt]

I love you!!! The best most inspirational art instruction ever. I hope to be as good as you one day with my tutorials.

[@susancrosier5420]

You are so clever. Would these techniques work on distress oxide inks? Love your videos!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

thank you!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

some will, give it a try!

[@ramchandraumrankar4457]

You are so enthusiastic and a great artist!!!!!

[@izzyjones7108]

Lindsay, I have been subbed for years..I love how creative you are(& talented) and how you share your lil tips.. also, I am the same way and really enjoy your videos- thank you & may the Force be with you! (& all artists/crafters)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much!!

[@carolbenson6524]

Great video....samples are shown quickly and clearly...really enjoyed watching.

[@kaggsysbookishramblings]

Thanks so much for these! The toothbrush hack has finally sorted my inability to do splatters!!!!

[@jaspermartin7444]

lol I put two tiny cat food tins inside an aluminum foil pan which originally contained a very small loaf cake, and then was excited to notice that a super tiny half moon shaped thing (which originally contained some kind of salad dressing or something from a restaurant) fit neatly on the edge of the foil pan. So now I've got dirty, less dirty, and clean water pans. LOVE all the other idea, especially the makeup tin, thx and have a great day Lindsay!! 💖💖💖

[@thefrugalcrafter]

great idea!

[@darmarferi]

You are fantastic Lindsay!! Thank you so much!!

[@StylHarmony]

I've always Loved your energy ! Here you look like you are making a commercial for some products ! You are so funny. Thank you Lindsay you're awesome ! 🌷

[@thefrugalcrafter]

haha, thanks!

[@tinasmith9740]

I love all these ideals. Thanks for sharing

[@annecasillas5402]

What a great collection of ideas Lindsay! Love your idea for using wax in your ocean painting. 💙💙💙

[@lindaparsons3356]

I love hearing about your hacks in art and crafts. It is nice to hear from someone's experience how they do things like what you do, Lindsay.

[@cecilialofgren1396]

You make happy!🥰🌷

[@sylviag3576]

Great tips, always smile when watching you.

[@karinedesfosses3678]

Love your haircut!

[@gabrisstitches8038]

Frugal indeed! Great tips, thank you, Lindsay.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Those facial sponges that go very hard when dry are great for cutting up and putting into palettes for cleaning your brushes (esp water bushes) on - the ones you find on soldering iron stands are the BEST for that!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

these cellulose ones are like the kind that come with soldering irons, very absorbent.

[@cherylalikhani5957]

Great tutorial, as always. Would have liked to see the alcohol and salt on the same painting. You can draw squiggles and dots on the bottom and sides of your rinsing dishes using a canister of bathroom & kitchen silicone caulk to make a waterproof scrubbing surface for your brushes.

[@SmillyDonut]

Wow Lindsay. You just give me some cool techniques to try in my sketchbook and expand my watercolour toolkit. Thank you so much. This video is extremely inspiring.

[@ianjackson5834]

some great hacks Lindsay

[@Deankut]

11:35 OMG I love that tape dispenser! So cute like u!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Aww shucks

[@marytesta3003]

Great tips Lindsay!!!!!

[@naomimccowen2720]

Thanks for all the tips. You are amazing!

[@thatswhatshesaid.literally737]

🏠 *HACKS AROUND THE HOUSE* 🎨 *Absolutely **_love_** it!! Will be putting many of these techniques to good use. I believe you have solved my constant dilemma of my trees looking too "cookie cutter" and stiff, so thanks much!!* 👍😀

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You're welcome

[@bloomhavenstudios]

Thanks for the hints! Looking forward to trying the sponges. A handy hint I heard somewhere (don't remember where) is to use a dip pen for applying masking fluid. It works great, and the masking fluid peels right off.

[@janemiettinen5176]

Anita Weiler - Im way too precious with my dip pens (they are for calligraphy, strictly), but I use those silicone brushes/modeling tools meant for polyclay and clay in general. I bought one set of the really small ones twice, so they see a lot of unholy substances.. And nothing sticks to them. Oh, I have one glass dip pen that would work with masking fluid too, I might have to try it now :)

[@luvthisscrap]

These are awesome tips, but my most favorite is DIY watercolor block! thanks Lindsay!

[@nadinesawtell3267]

Keep your old watercolour pads the backs work well if you are making your own pads and they are likely acid free

[@marciayoung8208]

These hints are awesome! Thanks so much for sharing!!

[@judichristopher4604]

Great video Lindsay (as always) ... but you forgot one of your BEST Tricks... Using (torn) masking tape to make a (birch) Tree trunk... Tearing the masking tape down the middle giving it a rough edge... Great trick.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

how did I forget that one LOL!

[@bwynn3296]

Omgosh your cheap or free hacks are so great n helpful. I love everything u offer. I watch you paint n the relaxing experience is wonderful. Love u

[@thefrugalcrafter]

thanks!

[@tiasmom6225]

Great tips Lindsay! You are amazing!!

[@delila351]

I always enjoy and learn from your videos.

[@vivecaduazo2556]

Thanks so much for sharing these tips. I can’t wait to make a rubber band brush and a watercolor block for myself.

[@pjlewisful]

Your tips are so cool...Loved the tape martini!!!

[@fiddlesticksgalore]

I’m thrilled I found you this morning. Your channel is what I’ve been looking for. These are the best tips and perfectly explained and demonstrated. I can hardly wait to check out all your other videos.

[@suestenstream4732]

Love your tape dispenser!!! Tfs!

[@imaginativecreativeyou8890]

Thanks for the watercoloring hacks I just started watercoloring!

[@artsbydebi]

Wonderful ideas!

[@drbulbul]

So many really useful tips! Thanks!

[@renewalof48]

Great ideas.

[@nadinesawtell3267]

Make up wedges works well for a finer textured sponge effect

[@delmar5652]

I like the tips 🙂 you gave in the tutorial 👍👍

[@azzuparis]

The rubber brush idea is great! Thanks for sharing 😀

[@janetmuir6011]

Thank you love i am not a painter but loved your video.

[@connie8356]

Great refresher! I’ve seen some of these tips in other videos but it’s nice to review them before I begin my journey into learning to paint with watercolor.

[@brianpan6453]

Great tips! You're very beautiful. Do you use gouache? I really don't have the concept down on that. Here's another tip for painters. I use prescription bottles, acrylic paint containers, personal size hand or body lotion containers, anything with a small circular base to create circles on my work. Whether it's flat on the bottom or indented in the middle, you can get great and unique circles (especially experimental and abstract). Use more than one paint on each side and see what happens! I will try the sponge technique. I've been using paper towels for foliage and bushes to great effect. THANKS AGAIN!!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I do use gouache, it is thicker and more opaque. I like to use it on toned surfaces for impact. Use it like you would oils or acrylics just make sure you don't let it get too thick or it might crack.

[@robinkinley6851]

Thanks! I love your fun, relaxed approach to art and crafting and all your useful ideas!

[@diniahnightshade1111]

So much love for this video. I'm on a (very) limited budget, and finding tools to make some of the effects I want to try isn't always easy. So many of these I intend to use :) Thank you for putting these ideas together, and putting in the time to test them out hehe :D

[@chrissymcgirt4667]

I love ALL of your tutorials and get so much information from you. I would love to be able paint at least as 1/4 as good as you Lindsay

[@keumjookim8327]

Wonderful hacks, thank you very much!

[@kajsa78kajsa]

Wow, these are all great tips. Thanks!

[@emmasheppard2639]

I use nail dotting tools or a ruling pen to mask my projects. I know you can get the dotting tools from the pound shop in the UK, so I’m sure you’ll be able to find them in the beauty and nail section in your dollar stores xxx

[@evakantor9270]

Thank you for sharing your talents! God bless you!

[@lOwlEyesl]

I knew about most of these hacks but I had never heard of the candle wax hack. I love it! Thanks so much for sharing! Love your videos!

[@craftingforalmosteveryone]

Great tips! I've seen you use all of them but the masking fluid tip, and enjoyed the reminders.....Thanks, as always, for keeping our budgets in mind....Sandy

[@bettywilson4918]

Thanks for sharing , love love your work .

[@vivianeb90]

Wow. Learned something.

[@PepeLePewQTPie]

I love your video! Just a heads up though, running a toothbrush through the dishwasher doesn't actually clean it - bacteria is still caught at the base of the bristles and in the bristle base. I work in dentistry, so this isn't a "hate" comment - just sincere info!! It's probably easiest to buy a fresh toothbrush in a 1 dollar store. And different toothbrush bristles and heads will probably give various splatters.

[@julieanne2648]

All great!! Thanks!! ❤️

[@asheranna]

Excellent ideas. ❤️

[@anitaholmes6824]

Great video Lindsay...TFS Hugs

[@brendasnider7130]

Oh forgot the tape tip is fabulous too. Lol how did you think of that. You are so talented just love watching your videos. You make my day. Not only are you talented Artist you are fun sweet kind beautiful lady thank you for all you do for us. Truly do appreciate it so much. 😃

[@thefrugalcrafter]

haha (I ripped my paper LOL!)

[@FannaTurano]

Thank you Lindsay! I love your tried and true hacks!

[@mattakubodimasen10]

This is one of the most useful watercolor hacks I have ever watched! Most of the ones I have watched were either stuff I already knew or not exactly easy to make. I especially love the tofu box and the toothbrush one! /w/ thank you so much!!

[@cmralph...]

Love your art hacks - just had to tell you I have that same bottle of Windsor & Newton masking Fluid and MINE IS OVER 30 YEARS OLD!!! And it is as fresh as the day I bought it!!

[@24get24give]

LOVE THIS! MORE PLEASE!!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

thanks Lisa!

[@TeresaMArsenault]

Thanks Lindsay. Great tips. I especially like the fuzzy masking tape one. Gorgeous hair and necklace too. :)

[@deeholler1]

Thanks! Great video and fantastic tips!

[@bevp7838]

Some I have seen you do before, some new, but all great ideas! Thank you.