5 things I wish I knew before I started watercolor

[@allisonc9645]

"I am worth using the good paper." My 2025 mantra for everything in life. THANK YOU!!!

[@katieturza8588]

I came here to say this EXACT same thing.

[@ambds1975]

'You are worth the good paper.' omg thank you I always need to hear that.

[@kristinvanleuven]

I’m so glad ♥️

[@wyananjani]

Omg samee I have this mindset that I'll ruin the paper

[@watchinvideosforyears]

My sibling got me a block of The Good Paper for Christmas. "Use it and I'll get you more for your birthday". I'm gonna use it.

[@kristinvanleuven]

That's a really good sibling you have!

[@alyssafoegelle]

That’s an awesome sibling move!!

[@fionafarren8084]

This is gold standard information for not only beginners but those who struggle with achieving their ideas and shriek with frustration and abandon watercolour. Thank you for the excellent explanation..

[@kristinvanleuven]

Thank you! I think it is such a helpful refresher for everyone

[@divinelymoowah6104]

Definitely agree!

[@gilacohen2345]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you so much! I went through 5 years of art school, and they never showed us how to use watercolor paints, and it's SO different to working with acrylic or oils. Thanks for the tips!!

[@tinkerbell2675]

yeah ...thats me....

[@Ccveitas]

Yes! "Shrieking" has happened : )

[@LoriF25403]

What I wish I knew that buying watercolor supplies becomes an addiction! This is a great video. Paper and color theory are so underrated. Using color theory also proves your beginning point of not adding white or dark too.

[@kristinvanleuven]

Yessss exactly! Some of these points are extensions of each other haha. Forever addicted to buying supplies over here too 😁

[@conniemesce4093]

Great lesson! Thank you!!!❤

[@ellenbosman1034]

Wow! Well articulated, especially complementary colors for shading.

[@welchyv]

Yes, I’m addicted!

[@AK00777]

HOLY COW!! I don't know if I can adequately express how incredibly helpful this is. This will be on repeat and a go-back-to vid forever. THANK YOU SSOOO MUCH! Truly, epiphany moments. I was about to throw out everything watercolor related. I am now so excited to try again. The side by side with the paper blew my mind. I know I can draw and paint (I normally oil paint) so I was totally giving up until you showed the clear difference the paper makes, Wow. And water control DUH! Now, seems so obvious but I really didn't know. Just everything in this vid is so great. Thank you for your generosity sharing this, it's truly appreciated.

[@kristinvanleuven]

I’m so glad it helped! Water control really is a lightbulb moment once it’s explained this way. I’m so glad you’re not going to give up! You’re going to do great ♥️

[@rdaalways2286]

@@kristinvanleuven Is this in one of your books? I’d love to see it shown with the strawberry too! Interesting stuff! Thank you for showing this to us. Beautiful!

[@nesaclark1059]

After several months, there are so many things that I wish someone had told me. I'm old school and didn't know what was available on Amazon. Not that it would have helped. I went to a craft store and just bought what I thought would get me started. KZbin has changed my life! Thank you for being part of the community!

[@kristinvanleuven]

Thank you!

[@wolrdp]

I cannot love this video enough! I'm so glad that you came on my feed, immediate follow! This is the best explanation I have ever seen. I am new to watercolor but have been painting in oil and acrylic for years and this explanation is so clear and concise and easy to remember for years. Step aside college professors, sit down and take notes, this is how your teach your subject 👏👏👏👏 ❤❤❤❤❤

[@kristinvanleuven]

Wow, I’m so glad you’re finding it helpful! Your comments at the end made me smile so big :)

[@grarycat1984]

You made that tree look super easy 😮

[@rmuller366]

I'd give a million star rating for this video. This is one of the most intelligent presentations I've ever heard on watercolor. It took me the longest time to realize the tea to butter concept referred to transparency, not consistency. Why? Because no one said it, and just assumed I'd know. Once I did some targeted swatching, the lightbulb finally went off. Thank you, Kristen, for all this very important information. Amazing, you got all this presented in just 17 minutes. What a miracle. Blessings to you, dear one. 💕 Rita

[@katieturza8588]

9:10 “you are worth it”. As someone who grew up in a family with finance struggles starting at a young age, I have a difficult time spending on “frivolous” things like paper for my hobbies. Hearing you say it’s okay to spend more to improve your craft, absolutely made me smile. Thank you for helping me realize I am worth the cost of the nicer paper even if, “it’s just a hobby”. ❤

[@adoxartist1258]

I've been painting watercolor for decades but this collection of lessons is never redundant. Saved to my watercolor playlist so I can rewatch when I lose track. Thank you!

[@КсенияКолмогорцева-т2ь]

Thank you for this natural therapy - "You are worth using the good paper" 💔 The video is inspiring ❤

[@Donna_73]

I literally just said “Ohhhhh!“out loud watching this. 💡 You’re a wonderful teacher. Thank you for this!

[@VixSy333]

Excellent. Clear, granular,organized, and true, all of it. You go Girl! Time to write your book…

[@CosetteFelix]

I can't tell you how much this helped me! Particularly your direction to use complimentary colours to add shadows! THANK YOU!

[@taliawilliams2401]

That was the biggest revelation for me too. I think I innately knew the others, luckily, from years of watching others, but the natural shadow colour is a game changer

[@artbarn2624]

This was a huge revelation to me, as well. I have been an acrylic painter for many years. Shading and highlighting with watercolor is so different.

[@claresunderland2633]

Your explanation of the tea to butter scale as a matter of transparency is so helpful. I always thought I was looking for viscosity, which is hard to do with a brushload of paint. Now I’ll put a little on a scrap of paper to see how clear it is.

[@kristinvanleuven]

Yes exactly! A lot of teachers teach it through viscosity and that never made sense to me either. At least not until cream-butter but that's the end of the spectrum

[@thevioletcreator]

Point 3 cracked me up. Where I grew up watercolor paper didn't exist for students, it was so expensive that only fine arts students will touch them😵‍💫 We didn't know and painted on white craft paper 😅 Finally as an adult when I bought a cheap but true cotton paper, I almost cried..😭

[@secondconflict570]

omg yessss to the section about the ugly stages. for some reason watercolor really makes it tough, but the patience is worth it.

[@myaominky]

This tutorial is my new gold standard for color theory. Absolutely wonderful. Your steady cadence and clear explanations are just chefs kiss! And no annoying background music. Bravo! ❤

[@elizabethmoorman7434]

Wow you are so articulate So much info that I though I knew what a revelation I thought that I had to buy a light tube of blue paint. And all I had to do is add water. Consistency is the key and pressure on markings all these subtleties. You are adorable a watercolor rescuer horray to you.❤❤❤

[@wendygirling5664]

Wow! ...you have just helped me to understand the reason for using complimentary colours and how to use them x 'The penny has dropped' ...if you know what I mean!...I have just understood (from you teaching) that by adding the complimentary colour, it gives you a darker shade rather then using black and by using more water and less pigment...I don't have to use white x THANKU SO Much for this exercise... I'm living in UK 🇬🇧 😉😊 x x

[@KateintheDesert]

I almost quit watercoloring as I didn’t like how things turned out until I switched papers. Made all the difference. I have started this medium about a year ago, daily about 4 months. I am learning all the time new ways to paint. Love your instructions on this medium. Thanks.

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Kristin, I feel like you have hit a home run with this video! I believe #1 should have been the paper! I simply don’t even buy watercolor paper that is not 100% cotton. Sizing is the other aspect of watercolor paper and it is so personal and this is why different Artists prefer different brands! Arches is the “standard” by which most brands are measured. Yet I have found St. Cuthberts Mill is a grand paper maker too! Fabriano has a shelf in my studio as well. Finding a paper that does what you want or need is the true key to finding Joy in watercolor painting! Yes, your other pointers are spot on as well, thank you for sharing them with us!

[@rinihashim8802]

Wow... i have been painting for over 10 years and i still forget these tips you have highlighted. Thank you so much for pointing out the "Don't fear the ugly stages" because I would have completed double or quadruple the amount of paintings by now.

[@Carolinajude-l2s]

The shadowing section with complementary colors was enlightening. Thank you!

[@pattymillerkidd9234]

Thanks for the reminder that there is an "ugly" stage during the process. I often start to get discouraged at that point and feel my confidence slipping. I will work on keeping in mind to keep going and trust the process!

[@kristinvanleuven]

So glad it helped!

[@theresaktown]

Wow that was the best explanation of complimentary colors ever! Thank you

[@kristinvanleuven]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@LalaDiscoQueen]

I’m closing in on 70 and it’s the first ever art anything I’m attempting since I was a kid! Thank you for the valuable advice

[@kristinvanleuven]

You're going to love it!

[@hollyjauch1340]

This video is pure gold! Such amazing advice! I’ve been doing watercolor for about six months and I didn’t know any of this stuff when I started, but spent the first couple of months fooling around and feeling frustrated and not getting anywhere. This really reinforced the things I learned the hard way and the tip about creating the shadow colors is something I will keep with me always. So grateful. 😊

[@kaylahevans8334]

I just ordered my first watercolor pallet today to help me fight the winter blues. I'm so glad to find this video before starting. Thank you 😊

[@bac2instruville]

Practice practice practice. Paint once a day even if it’s just painting cupcakes . Get that water control!

[@kristinvanleuven]

If I could add one more thing to this video it would be exactly that! Practice practice practice!

[@LisaWehunt]

This was the most helpful video I have seen in the almost 2 years I've been painting! Thank you!

[@kristinvanleuven]

That's so kind of you to say! I'm glad you enjoyed it

[@GriffithsJacqueline]

My first Art Tutor said Watercolour paper should be the best you can afford and don't buy any student grade paint, again, buy professional, it's very much worth it. It's taken years for me to gain my stash of paints, paper & brushes. I didn't paint for years but I've been persuaded to paint again and need to watch lots of great tutorials like yours. It's great, thank you. 💖

[@psyraven76]

Thank you for this! The side-by-side paper comparison blew my mind! I can't believe how differently the paint behaves... 😲

[@SharonFoster852]

Thank you so much for this. I have heard and even watched the tea-to-cream demo a few times, but no one ever explained whether they were talking about consistency, or value, or what. I never heard anyone explain that it was simply about transparency. I also love the shadow demo. This has been very valuable.

[@kristinvanleuven]

Thank you! I appreciate your feedback

[@ilieailieailiea]

you explained this is such a clear and non-condescending way that i truly appreciate! i am pinning this to my watercolor board to reference later! Thank you so much ❤

[@charlottebeseke5596]

You are a very good teacher!

[@SPiRAh]

This has helped me tremendously!! I now have an actual understanding of how the colors work together that I just didn’t get before. Thank you so much for breaking it down & spelling it out in a way that I can comprehend! A lot of people just tell you how to do things but they don’t really get into the details of WHY & that makes all the difference in the world!! You’re a great teacher!!

[@KittehNow]

I have been struggling with watercolor for over 6 years and this video has completely opened my eyes to what I have been doing wrong and how to fix it

[@kristinvanleuven]

I'm so glad!

[@Sweet_serendipity_]

I have watched hours and hours of watercolor videos, and this video is the most clear and thorough one I’ve found! I’m so thankful you made this!!!

[@scrapbookbunny7382]

Everyone starting to paint should watch this it is so informative! I'm going to apply your advice to my very next piece!!

[@sandymanning-b5o]

Thank you Kristin for your clear explanations and the demos make it hall real. They are simple but hugely important elements to water colour painting. Thank you for never getting tired of explaining and teaching us from day one. You are a true blessing 💖

[@kristinvanleuven]

You are so welcome! I feel like you all will get tired of me before I get tired of explaining it haha

[@sandymanning-b5o]

@ no no I certainly won’t ever get tired of what you share. Don’t worry if anyone does they can move on. You are here for those who relish your artistic insight and capabilities for sure Kristin 💖🙏

[@Tentaclestudio1]

Love your Christmas themed nails!🎁💅😍

[@gamecat3694]

You are a very effective teacher. I understand immediately.

[@LeaMorgan]

You have just explained values in a way I have never been able to put together, I don’t know how to say thank you in a way that it expresses just how much this actually means. You are a gifted teacher.

[@kristinvanleuven]

You are so kind! I am so happy to know how much it helped you

[@kimberly5465]

@@kristinvanleuven Agreed, you taught is very well!

[@larrykeefe5328]

Excellent. You point about paper is right on the money, especially when it comes to stuff like the Canson papers. And I like to warn my own students that at some stage every watercolor painting is ugly. On the other hand, I've heard it said a painting is better 90% finished than at120%.

[@kristinvanleuven]

I love that! It's so true, an overworked painting is definitely worse haha

[@ashleym1565]

Thank you!!!!!!! I’m just starting to paint and this is so valuable to me!

[@sarahmeadows5432]

This was such a helpful and comprehensive explanation with easy to follow examples. Thank you! You broke it down so simply that I feel like I can do things now to feel more successful.

[@craftycrandall]

Fantastic video, easy to understand and really practical and useful tips! Thank you so much!

[@lcbp111]

“You are worth using the good paper.” 😭🥺🙏🏼

[@sharondoan1447]

What a wonderful tutorial! You made such a clear and concise example and explanation of each step. Thank you.

[@mgmmf]

I do believe this is the best watercolor video I've ever watched, thank you!

[@kristinvanleuven]

Wow, thank you!

[@rdaalways2286]

I agree too!

[@LeslyeMcCulloch]

I have watched hundreds of beginner videos, but this one has taught me so much. The value study was really amazing. Thank you for your time. ❤❤❤

[@kristinvanleuven]

I'm so glad! Thank you

[@johnnixon8022]

Thank you I am inspired and enlightened. This video is absolute Gold.

[@kristinvanleuven]

Thank you!

[@debs5531]

Thanks for the helpfuln advice about shadowing with complimentary colours!

[@lenellamaxwell6934]

Thank you! I am just starting out in watercolor and this is the most informative video I have run across. And of course, I have become a subbie to your channel. I am looking forward to viewing many of your videos. Thanks again!

[@kristinvanleuven]

I'm so glad you're here!

[@rissachi93]

I recently got back into watercolor and this was really helpful and reminded me of some tips I forgot. Great explanations and visual examples!

[@journalforjoy1726]

Thank you. As a total beginner who really wants to learn how to paint in watercolour, this video made so much sense. So many people I’ve watched say it doesn’t matter about supplies just start with the cheap paper because you don’t want to waste money on the good stuff etc but if you’re a total beginner and the paint doesn’t behave as it should on the cheaper paper then I’d think I just can’t do it and I’m no good at watercolour but maybe instead of it being me, it could be the paper? I suppose if you start out with the good stuff then you’re half way there and if it still goes horribly wrong, then you know it’s you and not your supplies!

[@wildflower1397]

I agree! Thankfully, I started by buying both cheap and expensive paper so I could try both. It took a couple months before I was brave enough to even try the expensive Arches. I instantly saw that the cellulose paper was the waste of money, and now only use it for swatching. You simply can't learn many techniques on cellulose paper, and it's so frustrating when they don't work. Even if you can only afford the smallest pad they make, it's worth getting so you can see and feel the difference.

[@triciarodick2528]

I agree! I've seen many videos saying start with cheaper paper ECT. This video is by far the best I've seen!

[@kristinvanleuven]

So nice of you to say Tricia!

[@kristinvanleuven]

I agree with everything said that the good paper really is a huge game changer. It’s not you, it’s the paper! Everything looks better on good paper

[@heidimoos]

I have a lot of gifted cellulose paper. I don’t mind playing with it because I know the limitations. I tend to pull in posca, pens, colored pencils, and collage when I work with lower quality paper. Sometimes, I just want to mix colors and see what they look like.

[@mushyrooms907]

Great video, thank you! I've been struggling with water colour this has really helped.

[@jasminechabot3211]

Thank you so much! I love the 5th tip! ☺ You little paintings are cute!

[@jjroseknows777]

Such a great lesson. Thank you so much... just what I needed.

[@annavixie]

This is legit the most useful watercolor tips video! Thank you! Really 🤍

[@lonja3337]

thank you this was really helpful for my mindset, my practise and also very interesting

[@swatikholiya1042]

I am so fortunate i came across this video ❤ Thank you so much for sharing

[@nancyb.9759]

If there is one thing that i did today that i am proud of, it is finding you and your channel.

[@suewatts5985]

An extremely helpful video than you so much

[@fionawindle1279]

Thank you so much for sharing. Learned so much on this video.

[@dees3179]

Well done. And for those of you who get inspired by this video and buy good paper….you do have to actually use the stuff. Sizing eventually goes bad over time, even on the best paper and it won’t work as well. Get thee to that easel!

[@DebraofSENC]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I have been on haitus from watercolor painting for longer than 20 years now! Now I am back in the first grade again. I do remember that 140 lb cold pressed watercolor paper in these brands where my fav.: Arches, Winsor and Newton Cotman and Strathmore. They all have a similar tooth, to me anyways. Did not like Canson either. Bought some Fluid 100 to try. My watercolor paints are old, too. Instead of throwing them out, I am working wuth them!

[@kristinvanleuven]

Yes, those are all my favorite papers too. Welcome back to watercolor!

[@dianecooper7502]

Paper, paper, paper. Right on sister. That’s what I tell anyone who’s starting out. 100%rag is the way to go. Several companies make good paper.

[@monicas9603]

Thank you!!!!!!! I've only been painting for 2 years and the shadow explanation is going to help me soooo much!

[@terleah1012]

You are so right about using better quality product's to practice with.

[@user-qu7cc5bl4j]

Amazing! Thank you so much, very helpful

[@Heve288]

I saw yours and i improved and improved thank You ❤❤❤❤

[@kristinvanleuven]

I love to hear that!

[@thanganila809]

Thank u. About the complimentary colour

[@GabrielleMaple1936]

THE PAPER!!! This is everything!

[@Марина333]

Thank you for these brilliant advices!

[@kristinvanleuven]

Glad you like them!

[@annemairemccausland9234]

Brilliant video so we'll explained.

[@nainajani7825]

So nicely explained, thank you

[@lindascott6968]

So interesting and helpful. Thanks

[@danahamilton]

Thank you so much for this video! Excellent!

[@RuthRickerLeBlanc]

Just WOW! thank you for this..I am a show and tell learning kind of person and was shaking my head at the end..saved and definitely following ! Thank you so much !

[@kimberly5465]

Fantastic! I think quality paper and products really are vital.

[@laidman2007]

Thank you. This was very useful.

[@elizabethr4035]

Great video!!Thank you so much!

[@MelbaBowen]

❤thank you so much for this excellent tutorial ❣️❣️

[@Readie_Evie]

This is so helpful. Thank you

[@janetshaffer423]

This is lovely all around as instruction and encouragement!

[@ellyfranken6137]

Ty so much for this. I learned a lot from this.

[@aprillindsay-d1u]

Best watercolor video!!! I teach art to elementary age children, they learn complimentary colors, but now I have the vocabulary and a simple blueberry description to help them understand how to best use them! Thank you!!!

[@kristinvanleuven]

Wow, I’m so happy you’re finding it helpful for your art teaching!

[@tonyastone6866]

Thanks for the examples and great explanations of watercolor. Having a color wheel while painting is something I've never thought of, but now I know how important it is. Many thanks!!

[@kristinvanleuven]

You are very welcome! I hope you enjoy using it in your paintings

[@angelav-tj1yp]

This is a great video.The way you explain it makes it easier to understand,thank you.

[@amymckee5075]

I agree with all of these, especially the pa per!!

[@protox07]

Have a happy new year Kristin Van Leuven

[@monicaries62]

Thank you Kristin! I love the way you explain things. There are a lot of you tube artists that are hard to listen to, but you are not one of them!!

[@kristinvanleuven]

That means so much to me! Im so glad my content is helpful for you 💕

[@briannephillips282]

I could kiss you for this tutorial lol. My dabblings so far have been hideous, and NOW I KNOW WHY!! lol and I feel confident fixing them and becoming a better painter, so thank you!!

[@cyberkittoyt4709]

Thank you for this amazing video. I don't paint watercolor. I draw with markers, the most unforgiving medium, and I found a lot of your tips so useful and encouraging. Yes. I deserve that good paper I've always passed on because it's so much pricier. And I love your advice on using complementary colors to create shadows. I've always known that it's all about the colors, whenever I didn't like my drawing, it was because I picked the wrong colors, but I couldn't quite figure out how to pick them better from the start. I'm so looking forward to using your tips now. Thank you, again.

[@Lea-zf7lm]

May I just say YES! to the good paper? I just "allowed" myself to buy some Arches paper and it does make a difference, even for a beginner. What I like is that it allows for more flexibility with water, somehow it flows better, it's easier to play with the colour. I don't know how else to explain it, but it's very different. I look forward to trying other brands at some point.

[@adelweisz]

dude. this video was solid. i rarely comment but just had to join the chorus of praise. thank you for the concise & clear demonstration! :)

[@kristinvanleuven]

I appreciate it! I'm glad you enjoyed it.