3 Simple Watercolour Exercises to Beat Artist's Block

[@GaylePage1]

Dear Lou I had reached the point of real frustration with my watercolour. Nothing looked anywhere like those all the KZbin tutorials. I tried everything from simple flowers to portraits. (Landscapes bore me). Then I saw this lesson and it looked really do-able. And it was!! For the first time I am really pleased with my paintings and can't wait to try more of your lessons. I learnt so much more from these simple "exercises" AND - most importantly - it was so satisfying to produce the gorgeous little artworks by the end. It was like learning the piano and getting to play an actual tune after learning all the dreary old chords. So thank you very much for your classes - they have made me hopeful and motivated again. Cheers Gayle (New Zealand)

[@LouDavis]

Hi Gayle, Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. It's wonderful to know that you're feeling motivated to paint and that you liked the paintings you produced, i really hope you'll get a lot of pleasure from your watercolour!

[@charliefoxtrot6017]

Paper can make or break a painting. I started with cellulose papers as they were affordable and I didn’t know how important 100% cotton was.

[@plinkthecat8543]

I have absolutely no artistic talent, but I am going to try this today. Applying watercolor paint to paper is the MOST relaxing and calming activity. And it's addicting!

[@JF-kv1gm]

This "spoke" to me today. I am starting a new sketchbook and don't want to make a disaster straight away on the first page! Thanks, Lou!

[@massimehrkhah607]

your way of demonstrating is very natural and intuitive please keep up the nice and slow work!

[@LouDavis]

Thanks so much, really glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@eugenelayton5231]

I am new to painting and am beginning in watercolor. Exercises 2 and 3 are exactly how I used to doodle when I was younger. I will definitely be trying all 3 of these exercises. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@LouDavis]

Happy painting!

[@ritadoyle9202]

What fun! I’m so happy to find this. Thank you.

[@LouDavis]

You're welcome!

[@virginiabusch139]

Stunning. Giving this a try this week. I love all your work. So happy to have found you. I am recently retired. Have never painted anything in my life. I am so enjoying learning. Thanks for your inspiration.

[@LouDavis]

Wonderful! Thank you, I really hope you enjoy painting :)

[@nibeditamahapatra2996]

Same here. I too want to try.

[@Sunny-rh1yp]

Thank you for painting slowly. Love the ideas! Please keep posting.

[@questioneverything3632]

I’m so glad I found your video! I just bought a Gansai Tambi Watercolor set (I’m a watercolor newbie) and was getting so frustrated! With this exercise You’ve taught me to start out slowly and get the feel of the brush strokes, not try to tackle an elaborate landscape painting like I was doing. LoL Thank you! 😊

[@haleykovach2730]

As a beginner and perfectionist / rigid non-artist lol This taught me so much and was surprisingly hard to allow the unknown to happen but it ended up beautiful!! It’s one of my kids favorite paintings and I learned so much about the beauty of mixing on paper. thank you

[@LouDavis]

Thank you, so glad you gave it a go, it is hard letting go of control over what the paints will do!

[@bridgetoconnor7229]

Hi Lou. I did the flower petal exercise using jewel tones and it was really enjoyable. Thank you!

[@j9hnck]

The answer to your question is YES. All the time. Ok maybe not all of the time but many times I want to paint and I’m not up to using much brain power that a landscape or still life takes. I want to have fun and feel free. These examples you’ve provided are absolutely perfect and they are stunning! Thank you*Thank you so very much for sharing your awesome ideas with us.

[@Weissguys6]

So happy KZbin suggested this video. Exactly what I needed. Been feeling stuck and frustrated!

[@LouDavis]

Sorry you’ve been feeling stuck but I hope you feel energised and excited to create again soon!

[@kerribriese770]

Thank you from an Aussie beginner. These exercises helped me get a feel for the brushes and colours … and was so relaxing! 😊

[@hollysnow5290]

These are beautiful. I love color and these made me happy!

[@AnastasiaManifests]

This is so helpful to me as I return to watercolors. A great way to "break the ice" and get past the irrational fear of the blank page. Thank you!

[@LouDavis]

Thank you, Glad it was helpful!

[@conniemesce4093]

Love the exercises and a must try. Thank you!❤

[@madmax7201]

So simple.... But the result is just satisfying and beatiful.

[@LouDavis]

Thank you!

[@katehirst6046]

I'm really grateful for these 3 creative ideas. I'm no artist but l love paint and these projects will help with brush control, colour mixing and complementing, as well as prompting other ideas and bring wonderfully mindful. ❤

[@azianabdaziz9968]

Thank you for sharing your video. This is brilliant for a beginner like me who finds drawing / painting landscapes can be pretty challenging. I have just did the 'teardrop' painting although not as pretty as yours, but I find it satisfying.

[@juliebabb3365]

more beautiful patterns!

[@staceyecklanddesigns7399]

I'm new to watercolor and I just loved these three exercises! You delivery is well thought out with good pacing and easy to follow. Thank you!

[@mariabjors7187]

Beautiful and very inspiring! I have just started with water coloring, and this is exactly what I need.

[@LouDavis]

Thank you, I hope you enjoy your painting!

[@helenhilderbrandt6508]

Thank you for your well paced and informative directions and insights. So much help for me!

[@Thoughtspresso]

These are fantastic exercises. I'm quite excited to try them out. Very helpful! Thank you very much!!

[@Patricia-x9l2m]

I really appreciate how you teach. Your ideas are full of phantasy and I will give them a try. Thanks for sharing.

[@donna6516]

Wonderful fun -- and very motivating. LOVE your color palette! Housework is going to wait until AFTER I try these exercises. Thank you, Lou!

[@LouDavis]

Thanks, hope you enjoy them!

[@prepthyme]

I just started painting again and love these exercises.

[@polgara28]

The perfect low-pressure project for today. Happy painting!

[@TT-fn1xb]

This is such a brilliant tutorial. Thank you for breathing new life into my watercolour toolbox.

[@Babyjohn8170]

Just discovered your channel today. Truely enjoyed this video and looking forward to watching more. You have a new subscriber.😊👍

[@LouDavis]

Welcome! So glad you liked it!

[@kathynavarro-sochel755]

Great ideas! Thank you. Love the color variations yet how they are all part of the same palette.

[@LouDavis]

You’re welcome!

[@HeatherValentineMsFoodie]

These are so my colors!!! I could live in these colors forever. Thank you so very much new fan new subscriber! 💕💕💕💕💕🥰

[@LouDavis]

You're welcome - glad you found me!!

[@denisesoles7180]

I love this! Can’t wait to try it!

[@Kathleenew]

Just lovely, so relaxing, and what great paintings. Thank you for sharing your process!

[@LouDavis]

You're welcome :)

[@StephanieReid]

Wow this looks like fun- going to try this later. Thank you 😊

[@LouDavis]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@virginiabusch139]

Another comment. Just found the water color essentials series! So excited!

[@LouDavis]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@sizzles48]

Thank you. I really want to try this now. Not only is it good practice but your results are gorgeous.

[@LouDavis]

Thank you so much, hope you enjoy it!

[@alineroberts]

Lou...I am sooooo happy I saw your video today. The exercises were stunning and beautiful. I will try my hand at this to see if it might also help me in controlling where my brush goes. Thank you.

[@LouDavis]

Thanks, glad you liked them - happy painting!

[@977400Dana]

I love all of these! I can’t wait to try them and help get my self away from the fear of putting brush to paper although my head is crowded with things I want to paint. They remind me of my pencil doodles which will make me more comfortable! Thank you!! 👍

[@LouDavis]

Really hope you enjoy giving them a go!

[@janeosborne165]

Great ideas for when I'm stuck. Thanks!

[@LouDavis]

You are so welcome!

[@nataliekruger]

Loved watching this! I have hit a really bad artist block this year. Been drawing but not painting. Going to try painted patterns like yours to see if it will help me. Thank you for sharing this. They are beautiful as a set.

[@LouDavis]

I'm so glad you liked the video, I hope you find some renewed creative inspiration!

[@gamgams.kitchen]

I love these! Thank you! I’m going to try it! I’m new here and just want to say that I love your videos!

[@LouDavis]

Welcome!! Thanks so much - happy painting!

[@urbangypsy69]

I love brush exercises and this is lovely.

[@LouDavis]

Thank you!

[@keariewashburn4680]

This video is a much needed game changer for me. Thank you!😊

[@LouDavis]

So glad you enjoyed it :)

[@ArtsyLila]

Love this! I'm teaching myself watercolor in preparation to teach others. I needed simple ideas because I have a tendency to try for realism. So frustrating when learning a skill, to want to do more than you are capable of. These exercises are great for training the hand and the eye. I also love the look of using latex to cover your white, but you aren't. That last one will definitely make it to my curriculum.

[@LouDavis]

Glad you like them, I've got lots more ideas on the channel you might find helpful too - people tell me simple exercises are the most useful when getting started with watercolour so I try and think up lots of variations!

[@relaxingmusic_sonocalm]

Thank you for this beautiful and very useful video 🌸

[@hashsand]

Just what I need, such a gift to find this set of exercises, can't wait to try them tomorrow onwards. Thank you from India

[@LouDavis]

You're so welcome!

[@Shilo2020]

I really need this right now.

[@marvelx8173]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! This really reminds me of drawing mandalas and it is so meditative. I love how it is an exercise in color theory as well and it’s just fun to create!! Thanks

[@LouDavis]

You're welcome, glad you like it, I love drawing mandalas for that reason too!

[@caroletraynor8763]

I haven't felt like painting in the last ten years due to ill health. But I love the style of painting you did, so I feel encouraged by it. Beautiful painting, by the way 😊❤

[@LouDavis]

Thank you, it's very sad when ill health gets in the way of creativity - I hope you'll find more encouragement and feel able to paint again soon.

[@oussamabenmebarek4804]

That's beautiful and inspiring, that's relaxing to watch the three model are creative and dynamic , it's out of the boxe (shape)

[@LouDavis]

Thank you very much!

[@juliec.]

Wow… love them all. 👍👍. Will definitely give it a go:)

[@manonpiche8652]

Thank you so much, i will practice these nice exercice. I am new to watercolor and I love it

[@geraldinerodriguez6290]

Simply gorgeous and satisfying.

[@LouDavis]

Thank you!

[@jlnriddick]

These are so beautiful! I'm so happy to have come across this video! Now I have something that will help my skills while also providing some lovely results. Thank you so much for sharing your talent!

[@LouDavis]

You are so welcome!

[@Arlene.288]

I love this enjoyed you so much, beautiful a d so informative. I will be back thank you!

[@LouDavis]

Thank you!

[@hannahk5005]

Such enjoyable exercises! I enjoy art in general but am newer to watercoloring (excepting a couple high school projects way back). I was recently asked to teach a weekly watercolor class to 6-9 year olds and have been learning as I go. I just tried all of these exercises today with tube paints, and used four colors instead of five just because. It was simple and helped me practice color mixing, brush control, and value. I’m going to have my kiddos try a version of the middle one. Thank you for your content, Lou!

[@LouDavis]

So glad you enjoyed them, I hope your students will have fun with them too.

[@sharonbarr2113]

Love it. Will be trying this today to help me with color mixing and blending. Thank you.

[@LouDavis]

You're welcome!

[@lynnejoachim2267]

I really like your sense of design and color. Lovely examples and exercises that keep the creative juices flowing.T?hank you!!

[@Zenon-fg4dw]

Very imaginative, definitely not as easy as you seem to make it but great exercise for a watercolor newbie like me. I’ll give it a go. Thank you.

[@pattymintz9427]

I agree that it looks easier than it really is for someone like me but I think is one can stick with trying, at least, there is bound to be improvement eventually❤. 😊

[@barbaramurphy4453]

Just found your channel. Loved ❤ this class!!

[@LouDavis]

Hi Welcome! So glad you liked it :)

[@janelloyd7601]

❤❤❤ gorgeous results. Inspiring videos. So glad I found you.

[@LouDavis]

Thank you so much!

[@cannerobertson1]

Beautiful fun with color mixing and shapes. Excited the try these 💖

[@LouDavis]

Thanks so much 😊

[@SMCCRADY2]

Love these ideas, have to give them a try!

[@ullazitabinder2091]

what a wonderful process, awesome when getting started and getting back into watercoloring. As a card maker I find that the 2 first would be nice for backgrounds with a focal point ♥

[@LouDavis]

Thank you so much!

[@lc4365]

Gorgeous! I can't wait to try this - thank you for the inspiration :)

[@LouDavis]

You are so welcome!

[@ilonkaalex938]

Beautiful!! I am in this block artist mood for a while.. ☺ Thank you for the ideas Lou! Have a wonderful day 🌹

[@LouDavis]

Thank you! You too!

[@pennyvae]

I love this so much! You are so talented and watching you is very inspiring, thank you!

[@LouDavis]

Thank you!

[@lindas.martin2806]

Great ideas for quick and creative projects for newbies and more experienced painters! Thanks!

[@LouDavis]

You’re really welcome :)

[@lindas.martin2806]

@@LouDavis sooo, I teach watercolors, just to those 12+ and adults. I would like to use these projects on my lessons, of course crediting you. I am also thinking of starting a playlist with videos of watercolor artists that I admire, so more people can benefit from your expertise, and sharing your video on my Facebook page as a watercolor artist with short, creative projects. Would that be ok with you?

[@LouDavis]

Sure! Always happy for people to share where credit is given :)

[@VeganChickInOz]

Instant subscribe. Beautiful and soothing ❤️❤️

[@LouDavis]

Thank you - glad you liked it!

[@mariafuentes6083]

Love this exercise!

[@Doggymomma52]

Love these ideas. Thank you ❤

[@camh3424]

I'm so glad I found your channel. Your explanations are so clear, your voice so soothing and projects are not only feasible for people like me but also very pretty and keep me motivated. Thank you so much

[@KMercure]

These are so lovely and meditative! This is my first time here, so I just subscribed. Thank you!

[@LouDavis]

Thank you! Welcome!

[@netty062]

I loved watching this!

[@ishka28]

Love these.

[@LouDavis]

Thanks!

[@iuliialinkevich5511]

I am in love with your art!

[@LouDavis]

Thank you!

[@barbarasmith73]

Just found your channel today, thanks for your video. Will try this today :)

[@LouDavis]

Thank you, hope you enjoy it!

[@janecox7410]

So inspiring - thank you so much ❤❤

[@deedee2455]

This is fun. 😄 I've done it all

[@maverickspirit208]

New Subscriber here. Your exercise in the middle is probably the best warm up exercise I've ever tried. It sure shows you what your brush and paper are capable of and what they are not. I first tried with a W&N Series 7 #6 which was a fail and I switched to a Silver Black Velvet #8 and it was a dream! It sure put my hand control in doing long continuous strokes to the test as well. Thank you for sharing your tips!

[@LouDavis]

Thank you, I’m very pleased it was helpful!

[@HulaMami10]

Thank you so much! I wanted something abstract, flowers and trees really aren’t my thing

[@LouDavis]

You are so welcome!

[@mridulascreatives]

Beautiful✨❤ all

[@alena.m.zombie]

Love this! Will have to try it out 🤩🎨

[@LouDavis]

Have fun!

[@elenamorozova8771]

Очень красивое сочетание цветов! Гармонично🧡♥️💛

[@LouDavis]

Спасибо

[@samanthaphillips5102]

Hi Lou! Just found your channel and enjoyed the video very much. Thank you. This is a great way to break the blank page, and end results is beautiful. I subscribed. TFS Happy Creating! Samantha

[@LouDavis]

Thank you so much! So glad you found the channel!

[@gila1959]

Wonderful exercise Lou.

[@Sunflower-yg7lq]

Love it❤

[@paratrooper73]

Thanks for the videos. I just wanted to say that in the description and on your webpage, every Winsor word is written in WinDsor. That's something else😄

[@LouDavis]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@christinesharland8478]

Love wavy lines Lo something very calming about them... Must be from living near the sea as a young girl. Ps. What tape get used for bourders please as the paper needs to remain unripped...

[@LouDavis]

Thanks! I think in this one I used some patterned washi tape but I don’t nevessarily recommend it - too expensive in the long term. I use cheap masking tape now but stick each piece to my table before adding it to the paper to reduce the stickiness.

[@cwswinnie]

Great ideas!

[@Pourhappinessacrylics]

Thanks! Just discovered your channel and love your work!

[@LouDavis]

Wow! Thank you so much for this, so glad you like it!

[@mariasusanafernandez7483]

I like it very much

[@digitalrelax-pr6bs]

Magnifique 🎉 🌈👏 🎈 Précieux 💎travail Merci 🩷🙏

[@marielouisedavidson4834]

Wonderful! So much fun! Thank you!

[@LouDavis]

You're welcome!

[@iadenicole931]

Excellent ideas and very motivating.

[@paulahardesty4449]

Just found you. Thank you ! I needed this.

[@LouDavis]

You are so welcome

[@mywifetheartist]

Lou such cool designs. ❤❤

[@LouDavis]

Thanks :)

[@sweethomes674]

Beautiful 🎨