25 Tips on How To Paint Expressive and Exciting Watercolours | Learn the Loose Style for Landscapes

How do we make our watercolour paintings more exciting and interesting? How do we invite more energy into our work? Watch this video to find out what I have discovered and learned on my journey of creating watercolour landscapes in a loose, expressive, semi-abstract style - I am sharing twenty-five tips on painting more freely and confidently.
Materials used:
PAPER:
Baohong Master's Choice 300 gsm 100% Cotton Cold Press paper 26 cm x 18 cm ( 10 in x 7 in)
PAINTS:
Raw Sienna Light (Daniel Smith)
Aussie Red Gold (Daniel Smith)
Naples Yellow (Daniel Smith)
Quinacridone Sienna (Daniel Smith)
Burnt Umber (Daniel Smith)
Potter's Pink (Schmincke Horadam)
Olive Green (Daniel Smith)
Perylene Green (Daniel Smith)
Sodalite Genuine (Daniel Smith)
Lavender (Daniel Smith)
BRUSHES:
NEEF Thomas W Schaller Mop Sizes 2; 3/0
DaVinci Casaneo Flat Series 5898 Size 12
Black Silver by Dynasty Rigger Size 4
Roymac taklon Rigger Size 2
Princeton Select Script Lines
Panart Global Round 1102 size 0
NEEF Master's Point 2018 size 3/0
OTHER MATERIALS:
Ceramic mixing palette (www.etsy.com/au/shop/thehaven...)
MEEDEN 33 Well Palette
Tissues
Hand towel or dishwashing sponge (to dab the brush on to remove excess water)
Spray Water Bottle
**My website: anastasiamily.com/
**My Instagram: @AnastasiaMilyArt
MUSIC by RelaxingTime from Pixabay.com

[@josesantiagodevicentemarti4031]

VERY INTERESTING...THANKS A LOT...Anastasia...👏👏👏👏👏🎶📽️🖋️📖🖌️🎨

[@AnastasiaMily]

Glad you find it interesting! Thank you so much for watching

[@megmoore8108]

Thank you Anastasia! This is a most valuable tutorial. Your insights and experiences teach so much. I love watching you paint

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching and for your kind words! So glad to hear you find these little tips useful on your watercolour journey 😊 Happy painting!!

[@terrymalone8693]

Words to live by! Thank you!

[@AnastasiaMily]

Glad this resonated! Thank you for watching!

[@susanbeaumont9478]

This may be the best watercolour video I've seen yet. Such gentle wisdom, beautifully demonstrated in this ethereal, rich landscape. So uplifting, too, inviting us on this "scenic journey" of watercolour. Thank you, Anastasia!

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching and for your beautiful comment - your words mean a lot 😊

[@Banniesartistry]

You know what makes me so happy? Reading all your tips while I look at your paintings in a book🌺

[@AnastasiaMily]

It is a dream of mine to create a book on watercolour ✨ Thank you for watching 😊

[@antiochfoxlake7]

I love your intuitive paintings. So may artists with so many techniques. The trick is finding out what moves us. Thank you

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you so much 🙏🏻 You are so right, we need to follow what we are passionate about to find our own voice.

[@catepearce2138]

Thank you, really good to be given positive encouragement. You make it seem achievable too. Have a great day.

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching! So wonderful to know you find my words encouraging. Have fun with your watercolours ✨

[@normanmerrill1241]

Spot on. brilliant simple directions and encouragement…thanks

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching and for your kind comment! Glad you found this video helpful… Happy painting!

[@christinemiller753]

Very ethereal. Thank you for sharing. You are an inspiration.

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching and for your kind words 😊

[@griffinharvey3910]

Thank you so much for such a wonderful informative and encouraging video! Your work is beautiful.

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching and for such a lovely comment 😊

[@raebeze82]

Lovely! Thank you so much for these tips, and for the painting footage

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching! Glad you enjoyed this video 😊

[@joannekeller8716]

Thanks , I admire your freedom in your painting and color harmony!

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching and for your kind words 😊

[@Elizabeth58886]

This video was so helpful and relaxing. Thank you so much!

[@AnastasiaMily]

So wonderful to know that 😊 Thank you for watching!

[@lucytupper69]

Thank you for sharing! 🤍 Love the way you work!

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching and for your kind words 😊

[@dianerobidoux6314]

Love this ❤

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you 😊

[@ms_chigger]

Your work is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@butterpoweredbike6135]

I need to return to watching your videos on my lunch break because they are so calming. You have such talent to be able to create content that is informative, soothing, and entertaining. I love watching your paintings unfold!

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for such lovely feedback 😊 I really appreciate your words. Wishing you peaceful lunch breaks, and happy painting!

[@jacquipexton]

I so want to be loose with watercolour this really helped me. Thank you.

[@AnastasiaMily]

So happy to know you find these tips helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@joycesnodgrass7068]

Anastasia, thank you for the rips👍💯😊

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching 😊

[@emilysheely761]

I look forward to all of your videos….thank you for sharing your talent. ❤🎨👩🏻‍🎨

[@AnastasiaMily]

So happy to know that 😊 Thank you for watching!

[@terrymalone8693]

What wonderful advice!! Thank you very much!!

[@AnastasiaMily]

Glad you have found this useful 😊 Thank you for watching!

[@ChantelleArts]

amazing tips, great work ❤❤❤

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thanks so much!

[@KMercure]

Wonderful advice and guidance Anastasia. Thank you!

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching 😊

[@marilomarfil7446]

Thank you Anastasia! Always love your paintings❤✨

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you so much 😊 ❤️

[@markdonovan1540]

These 25 tips are like gold dust falling from heaven to add shine and sparkle to one's artistic journey through watercolour. My goal for 2024 is to paint in a more abstract style. I remember watching a video by Ian Roberts on his channel about mastering composition, it was a video about the spectrum from representational painting to non-representational painting. It showed how we can often find ourselves painting anywhere within that spectrum depending on what we enjoy the most. I am still experimenting with my artistic side, something I only really started to do 4 years ago. I started trying to follow along with KZbin tutorials, very basic ones at first, but then I found that I enjoyed far more to paint freely from imagination or taking the idea from a tutorial but not following it step-by-step. So far, I've only really done this with landscapes of many different types: coastal, skies, rivers, forests, mountains, fields etc. I find that I rarely paint buildings or figures in landscapes, although sometimes I might add one of two. For me, the rawness of the natural landscape appeals to me more when applying the brush to the paper and seeing how the paint mixes. This is one of the reasons that I've found your semi-abstract style so inspiring and uplifting.

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching and for your beautiful and thoughtful comment! I know exactly what you mean - the incredible freedom of creating from imagination, from the heart, is magic. I do believe that painting what we are passionate about brings so much more meaning and energy into our work. For me, nothing else compares to standing on top of a hill after a long hike, looking out to an stunning view, far away from everything, where there are no sounds except for an occasional call of a bird soaring high. Watercolours feel as wild and free as those vistas created by Mother Nature. I rarely include buildings or people in my landscapes too, and if I paint buildings they are pretty much limited to lighthouses only - my favourite types of buildings... The journey towards abstraction is a beautiful one. It is one of my long-term goals too. I don't think I've seen that video by Ian Roberts so I'll be looking for it. Sterling Edwards is another artist who moved from representational watercolour to a very abstract style, and it is fascinating to see. Wishing you a creative 2024!

[@tanyaperrin8844]

I love your paintings!

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you so much!

[@turnerschmidt]

I love all of your work ... Thank you for sharing your beautiful artwork and inspiring techniques with us.

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@josinawashington6744]

Love the tranquility. So well presented❤ Just subbed

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for being here 😊 Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Annapaintswithwater]

Great video and beautiful painting. Thank you for explaining more about your process.

[@AnastasiaMily]

Glad you find this useful! Thank you for watching 😊

[@phathiker]

Love your videos and painting inspiration Anastasia. Thank you for your work to make this content.

[@AnastasiaMily]

This means a lot - thank you for such a kind comment, and for watching my videos!

[@suel4269]

Thankyou for the tips! Perfect timing . My painting from today is flat. I know what I need to do .

[@AnastasiaMily]

Wonderful to know these tips are coming in useful 😊 Thank you for watching!

[@angelaschon6623]

❤❤❤

[@AnastasiaMily]

✨🙏🏻✨

[@kristiesciacca]

Great tips! Very inspirational ❤

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you so much!

[@ticalinda64]

So inspiring ...I love your art work. God bless you ❤

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you so much!

[@mandyrobinson9620]

Wonderful!!!! 😊😊😊

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you so much 😊

[@maryannperkins6000]

Great thoughts Thank you

[@AnastasiaMily]

Glad this video has resonated with you! Thank you for watching ✨

[@lanabaker4327]

That is amazing! Thanks!

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@MsTataBu]

Thank you!❤

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching!

[@larrysalaets7088]

Excellent tips, and I will try my best to bring them into my workflow. Thank you!

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching, and I am glad you find those tips useful 😊 Have fun!

[@kimrigney6607]

Thank you!

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching!

[@annevickers3307]

Such good advice.

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you 😊

[@lesleyholmes6724]

Great advice ❤

[@AnastasiaMily]

Glad it has resonated with you 😊 Thank you for watching!

[@kellyhalligan1328]

Great tips, thanks

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching!

[@marlenaamalfitano2727]

Thank you.

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching!

[@barbaralarrainseidel9812]

Amazing ❤

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you 😊

[@rodstewart7035]

Such a wonderful expressive open hearted painting! The script of tips is excellent, as I can pause the video as I wish, and further contemplate your advice and suggestions. And it reinforces what is happening with the developing painting. Sometimes the spoken word eats up more attention than a written word. The ethereal meandering music is a perfect complement to your style. Even though there is some spontaneity, there is also a measure of balanced evaluation. A delicate balance for sure. Thoroughly enjoyed your thoughtful video!

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for such a beautiful comment - it means a lot to me, and I appreciate your kind words so much. Feedback like yours makes sharing my thoughts on the creative process and my love for watercolour so very rewarding. Thank you for watching!

[@humi002]

Amazing❤❤❤

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you so much!

[@MsMerlin333]

💜🖌😊

[@AnastasiaMily]

✨🙏🏻✨

[@geraldinenagle1756]

Amazing

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you so much!

[@rmuller366]

Thanks so much for all these great tips Anastasia! I agree with you on #24. I never have successfully created a painting from a photo so I don’t use them either. I love to look at them, but photography is art unto itself to be enjoyed as expressed. I’ve taken some nice shots, but never painted them. Beautiful piece and I don’t think you overworked the grass at all. But we all have our preferences. Blessings to you!

[@AnastasiaMily]

Yes, totally agree with you on this one. I am also a photographer (did it professionally for years and still pick up an occasional photography job) so these two art forms are very different for me. I feel that I have my camera to capture the realistic colours and shapes and the places and the moments in time, but with my painting I am free to choose any colour for my scene, and I aim to paint from my imagination and in a more semi-abstract manner. It is very freeing. Thank you so much for watching and for sharing your thoughts!

[@michelef.1236]

Thank you, Anastasia. I tried out the dry-in-wet credit card painting many have posted, and found it one way to experience loose paint activation wet-in-wet, briefly. But after the first horizon or midline is created via card or other thin surface, it's not so easy for me at least to finish. Your approach of immediately relating the upper and lower areas here makes more sense to me as free, loose and treated as a whole from start to finish. The peaceful music helps as well.

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching and for sharing your thoughts - I am fascinated by other artists' creative process and what works for them. I, too, have tried the approach you mentioned and, as much as I love the results other artists achieve with it, mine looked off... And I agree that once the first wash is laid it is often hard to finish the scene. But once we find what works for us it feels like flying... I am glad you enjoyed the music in my video too!

[@michelef.1236]

Aso enjoy how instead of "voicing over" you use written comments, sort of like a Powerpoint or slide show--so the whole experience is visual, less distracting for both the artist and the audience. @@AnastasiaMily 🖌

[@AnastasiaMily]

@@michelef.1236 Thank you so much for this - you have no idea how much it means as I often receive comments that people prefer voiceover videos to this format. There are multiple reasons why I don't do voiceovers at this stage, and I wouldn't be able to release videos weekly if I did do the voiceovers. So I really appreciate your words. Thank you again, and I hope you have a lovely day.

[@susanbeaumont9478]

@@AnastasiaMily I love this format too!

[@AnastasiaMily]

@@susanbeaumont9478oh this makes me so happy! Thank you, I really appreciate it 😊

[@nlk2010]

Tes vidéos sont superbes et sûrement riches en informations mais dommage pour les personnes qui ont de la difficulté à lire et regarder en même temps la vidéo comme moi

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching! Maybe pausing the video would help with reading?

[@maguybrilli4101]

Dommage que les textes sur la vidéo ne soient pas traduits en français 😏

[@AnastasiaMily]

Please accept my apologies for that

[@maguybrilli4101]

@@AnastasiaMily j aime quand même vos vidéos et je déduis beaucoup 😘🙋🏼‍♀️

[@AnastasiaMily]

Thank you for watching, and I appreciate your kind words 😊