WATERCOLOR EYES 👁️ Tips and Techniques

#watercolortechniques #watercolortutorial #paintingeyes
EYES is the first thing that everyone notices in your painting. It's so important to get them right and in this video I will share all my favorite tips and techniques for watercolor eye painting. I've pulled together all sorts of subjects - birds, animals, (even fish!) - from years of tutorials so let's go over each one in real time. 💜 Enjoy!
REAL-TIME (normal speed) versions of many compositions featured in this video, along with extra commentary, black & white outlines, are available on my PATREON feed: / annabucciarelli
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[@jojo_watercolors]

Anna, the fish is GORGEOUS!!! 😍

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Thank you! It’s more than 10 years old - from the time I used to experiment like crazy - also used markers for small details 😊

[@ZahraTorkzadeh-b2h]

❤❤❤

[@SharonNolfi]

I enjoyed the format of this video - showing eyes across a range of subjects. Your work is exquisite! I love the flowing lines and vibrant colors in your compositions.

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Thank you Sharon! ❤️❤️❤️

[@o0mew0o]

There are so many tutorials on human eyes but this video has so many varieties. Editing must have taken forever, even just finding the footage. Thank you

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Thank you so much for your feedback!! ❤️ it does take extra long to edit the videos the way I like to present the information… which is why I sometimes have to skip a week - the KZbin algorithm definitely “punishes” creators who don’t post at regular intervals by lowering impressions but I kind of came to terms with this fact 🤷🏻‍♀️😊

[@juliekraut7218]

I love adding the details of the reflection of the surroundings, like trees, in the eyes too. You usually see them and works best in larger animals like horses. Great video.

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Ooohhh that’s such a great idea! I must admit I’ve never tried it but I’ve admired many paintings like this 👌💜

[@larryhuffine2814]

That self portrait is freaking stunning wow you are so freaking talented

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Oh no! That’s Maggie Siff - she is in all my favourite shows like Mad Men and Billions - I just love her look I think I painted her twice that year 😊😊😊😊

[@DeidreL9]

I absolutely love your work Anna, and I’ve just joined your Patreon. Your work s absolutely glorious! Vibrant, clear, and immaculate. You’ve set the standard for sure. I broke my right shoulder three years ago and I needed to find a different medium to oil, as for a long time l had a tremor and no strength, so l experimented and found my great love in watercolour, and your videos are sooooo helpful. The beauty of your work, the clarity and light! I’m learning, and that includes learning patience and lightness of touch. Thank you so much for everything you give us ❤️

[@wendychampness1901]

Thanks for the phthalo blue GS tip for the under layer on the first bird’s eye❣️🙏

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

💙💙💙💙👍

[@lesley523]

I've never seen work as vibrant and beautifully drawn as yours! Love watching you paint

[@jojo_watercolors]

Great video with great tips as always! Thank you Anna!

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Thank you Jo 💜💜💜 too much time editing again but I had fun pulling out my old work 😊 I think I’ll do human eyes next 👀

[@betsybirge7934]

My go-to color for my darkest darks is Neutral Tint

[@SailingGarden]

What a gift you have shared with us! Your beautiful art is amazing! Thank you! 😍

[@angeliamoore6973]

Thank you! Beautiful

[@tabbi888]

Absolutely beautiful work love your use of colour, phenomenal ❤️

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Thank you so much 😊😊😊💚

[@meridadiane]

Outstanding video ‼️

[@crystalheart9]

Fabulous tips on painting beautiful eyes. Thank you. I keep bouncing back and forth between your youtube videos and your patreon videos. They are all so great!💜

[@ticomotion]

Thank you so much for showing series of eye painting!! This is so helpful. Thank you for taking the time to put this together. ♥️

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Thank you 🙏 Glad you enjoyed this one! 😊💜

[@s.terris9537]

Your teaching is the highest quality - thank you. I am really a beginner. Other teachers have said that Dr. Martin's bleedproof white is something they use for tiny white highlights. How would you compare that product to white gouache in the service of "eyes?"

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Thank you so much for your feedback 💜 I am familiar with Dr. Martins brand - love their Watercolor inks and liquid frisket masking fluid is excellent too. Although I’ve never tried this specific white I would be confident in quality based on my experience with other products from them 😊 otherwise professional white gouache like W&N is a safe choice!

[@s.terris9537]

@@AnnaBucciarelli Thank you so much!

[@maisamilanezmaciel6763]

I love Payne's gray! Or a mixture of Payne's gray and burnt sienna.

[@fiddlermom9629]

This is excellent! I do like how you show real time brush strokes. I've been struggling with brushes lately, so I'll go back and check out which brushes you've reviewed. Thanks!

[@pattiartiste]

I use indigo and burnt umber to make black. I love Daniel Smith watercolor paint. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Great combo! 👌 thank you Patti!

[@rainbowfox1934]

Lovely work! I love the range of colors thinking in warm and cool colors.

[@MintFlavoured]

Beautiful painting and helpful video. Thank you for making this.

[@Anna-jl1rx]

Excellent advice and demonstration thank you! The more layers, or steps, the more fun and the less demanding it seems. Answer to your question: I like to mix my own dark colours, incorporating colours used elsewhere in the picture.

[@jh5174]

Valued tips -thank you!

[@MisTikkalRosy]

Beautiful.

[@barryedgington6812]

Hi Anna, this tutorial was so informative and much appreciated. I’m trying to build up my courage to start painting in watercolour. When I look at your tutorials I get so excited to watch you paint. I really love the beautiful bright colour paint that you use and all the different subjects. Thank you for these great tips and techniques. Helene❤

[@barryedgington6812]

What a great video and so full of important techniques. The eyes are not easy to paint but you sure gave some amazing information. Thank you Anna. ❤Helene

[@k.p.9048]

I use prussian grey for blue eyes and dark brown for brown. Your work is stunning ❤

[@abigailbrookes7721]

I like using Payne’s grey for darker values because like indigo it has a blue undertone.

[@joankiely3614]

Truly beautiful paintings with such precision! Thank you for sharing. Cheers 😊💕❤️🥰😍

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Thank you so much❤️😊

[@luizaugusto143]

You are already very famous ! Congratulations!

[@jmsilvavidaurre]

Wonderful work! Congratulations! Your tips are really useful, thanks for sharing them!

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

My pleasure!

[@artbyjudescott9696]

Beautiful work and tips. So generous of you and I love watching you paint 💗

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Thank you Jude! 😊💕

[@sahilsonawale387]

This is my 2nd video from ur channel... And I love ur work ♡

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Thank you! Enjoy 💗

[@yvonnereistad9031]

Thank you so much for your detailed explanation only I find I am missing certain colors you used which is quite frustrating but I will try to complement my assortment yvonne

[@susankelly4911]

Wow. Anna I so badly needed this. Thank you so much for this tutorial. I used black from the tube but watching this I've opened my mind to mixing more. I need to experiment and have more patience. I want it done and I want it done now. That's my trouble. I just want to get to the end to see the fo dished product when I'm painting and I need to STOP that and enjoy the whole process and joy of actually painting rather than rushing it to get to the end and be faced with a nightmare instead of a beautiful dream. I love your paintings and I can see you put time into all of them and it shows. Thank you for this Anna. Love the portrait of yourself. Fa4ntastic. I know it would take a lot of time if you haven't done it already would you please give us another tutorial on human eyes. Now I can one eye fine. It's to do the two eyes on a face without them looking like they had a serious accident. One eye is always bigger than the other one and it looks like he or she has had a few drinks too many. Maybe my patience or lack of it has something to do with this. There's only so many times you can erase a mistake without the paper being destroyed. And I'm sure there are many like me that get one eye exactly right and then try the other eye and get it so badly wrong and maybe then think they have it right after an hour of erasing and fixing and then try to fix the eye they were happy with and then make a right mess of the whole lot of it. Which is me all over. Have you any tips on how to get both eyes right first time. The same length and width. So that they dont look they're about to head for A&E. I would be so very grateful. Thank you. Keep up the good work. These are gorgeous. Love the colours. Much love and God bless Susan xxxx❤❤❤❤🎨👍🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏🌟

[@fangchick93]

I use my own black mix for pupils when doing eyes. Pg7 and pv19, it's a dark purple neutral black that I love

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Great combination 👌💜

[@fangchick93]

@@AnnaBucciarelli thanks, I liked it so much that I mixed it in a half pan

[@mariliarodrigues7137]

Your artwork is absolutely amazing Anna! Stunning video! Thank you for the awesome tips!

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Thank you so much Marilia! 💜

[@luizaugusto143]

Amazing talent!

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Thank you Luiz 😊💗

[@luizaugusto143]

you are famous!

[@angietaylor5256]

I use paynes gray with a tiny bit of black☺️♥️ your animal eyes are beautiful! This video helped me sooo much! Thank you!

[@diannehanby1855]

Thank you, thank you, thank you 🙏🏼❤️

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@allons-yalice9567]

Wow, you have so much control over your brush and paint and water! If I try to draw, something always goes wrong this way or another.

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Thank you! It just takes a long time but with practice your hands will get steadier 😊

[@sarahberry3819]

Hi Anna, Im catching up on your videos. I love your work, just beautiful. My favourite for eyes is Paynes grey - Daniel Smith but I will try using indigo as well now when using blues. I dont have your skills, im retired and ive found my love of watercolour again since my younger years….re-learning again from scratch so your videos are just wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing your skill and knowledge of watercolour. Love from Australia 🇦🇺

[@yvonnereistad9031]

Thank you so much for your detailed explanation only problem I find I am missing certain colors which I will now have to purchase

[@elflordsjourneys]

Recent subscriber, you are an amazing artist 😊 I like Paynes gray and Indigo.

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Welcome to the channel 💗😊

[@lollylolly8664]

I have loved watching you paint eyes. I am doing a watercolour of a shitzu and the eyes are quite dark , wondered if you had any tips.

[@corespond1274]

Thank you !

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

💜

[@jirikir]

Hallo Anna, i love the vibrancy of your pictures. Is there a tutorial with the fish and the flowers. Really like this one. The last patreon was nice. Greetings from Germany.

[@patsyslezak5532]

Payne's grey

[@nelebaras]

Hi Anna, could you say us which brand and number of brushes are you using in this video? I can't find good ones for detalis.. Thanks in advance for your answer and for sharing your knowledge!

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Hi Sara! Lots of different brushes there in the video, over the years - mostly synthetic in size 00, or 3/0. Some I don’t even know the brand, because they are so old but in general tiny synthetics are the best for this. (Vs natural which are better for larger washes) Lately I am loving this Escoda Chronos size 2, 0 and 0/3 - that’s how I did the latest ibis bird with a big eye and the upcoming parakeet with lilies 😊❤️ in summary, just go for a well established brand, round shape , smaller size for synthetic (up to size #1), May go larger if natural sable (up to #3 works well) 😊hope this helps!

[@nelebaras]

@@AnnaBucciarelli Thank you very much for your quick answer! !!

[@suzannetaylor5503]

hi anna how do you transfer your intricate drawing to w.c. paper

[@patsyslezak5532]

What is the difference between indigo & phones grey?

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Both contain Pbk 6 (black) Indigo has more blue in it (via Indanthrone Blue) It sometimes contains Payne’s gray instead of lamp black :) Payne’s Gray is just a soft Black (PB 29, PBk 9)

[@lesley523]

Hi Anna, Do you have a website you like for reference photos...royalty free is possible? Thanks

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Yes! I love Unsplash.com - that’s where I get most of my photos😊

[@lesley523]

@@AnnaBucciarelli HI! That was quick....thanks, Anna 😊

[@mysticriver9420]

♥️👍

[@georgegreen3672]

AI should not take the place of this.

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Yet it’s slowly happening 😔

[@georgegreen3672]

@@AnnaBucciarelli The details of the AI painting have significant flaws.