Want to Instantly Improve in Watercolor Painting? ▶︎ Stop doing these 3 things!

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Today I am focusing on three bad habits that are common in watercolor painting. If you can eliminate these three things from your painting process you will see instant improvements!
Take a look!
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[@learntopaintwatercolor]

▶︎Free Video Lesson: 7 Secrets of Fresh, Powerful Painting www.learntopaintwatercolor.com/7secrets

[@sisterwrath1773]

So, painting watercolor it's an strategy game. A hunting for the right colors and shapes. I'm guilty for wanting to see the final product too quickly. Thank you Matt, these are priceless tips!

[@tintincruz8660]

Not really the "right colors and shapes". A watercolor painting can look good even with just a single color. It's all about the values. 80 percent of heavy lifting in paintings are done with values.

[@friedricengravy6646]

Watercolor can b what ever u find exploring the medium.

[@barbaragemin5117]

Point 2and 3 are me all over, especially including everything from the reference. Thanks Matthew. What I’d love to see is a photo reference of yours and how you decide what to include, leave out or modify. Perhaps you’ve already done a similar video. Another one with another photo would be so useful.

[@Sueevans152326]

Great advice. I struggle to avoid copying reference photos, but now, thanks to you, I will focus on the essence, slow down and take a step back. The free video was spot on👍

[@arreltidwell7118]

Such wonderful advice for the newbie in watercolor. One of the hardest struggles for me is to “let the fear go”, so that I can actually begin the painting. For the longest time I would watch KZbin video, after video, and never pick up the brush. I am slowly learning to enjoy the process and not be so hung-up on the fear of not appreciating the final artwork. I am seeing little improvements with each attempt. 😁

[@yeseniaarredondo4016]

As a public school science teacher I love the way you said "Wrong!" and "No!". I've been tortured with dozens of pedagogy seminars on how to correct the students in class without using such words.

[@MS-bw1fj]

Great tips. I always struggle with landscapes of mountains, the series of mountains from foreground to distant and all the tones and different greens! I would love a tutorial on that as it would be so useful for many paintings. Great video! I must stop copying photos so literally! Thanks 🙏

[@dianemcgregor6171]

Two brushes! ready with different colours..and slow down!...and decide what is the essential essence of the scene. Thank you...needed these particular three today!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

You are so welcome!

[@franhodges9959]

I have watched numerous tutorials of yours and you are the best teacher I have seen. You cover everything, explain options, and even show here how things can be achieved and do all of that with a calm voice. I am very grateful having come across your videos and can't thank you enough for sharing your knowledge. Sincerely, Fran

[@melindaavila498]

Great advice! I know I am guilty of thinking I have to go fast (I am 77 yo, and if I don't move fast, the paint and paper dry out). So I will follow your advice: plan, plan, pan, wet paper on both sides, have paint on palette, use two brushes (who knew?)

[@siarlp3691]

Just want to say that I fully agree with these really spot on tips, and also really well explained. I love these videos, keep them coming! I have my first exhibition now in a couple of weeks, and I really have found your videos useful in this journey, many thanks.

[@sharonmorelli6056]

Guilty of number 2…..I always want the finished piece, slow down thank you so much🥰

[@mendyhand3895]

Reference photos get WAY too much attention in the art world. I love photography. So much, that I went to a photography school. But I mainly use references for getting composition right, and for getting my tones right. It’s fun though, to take a really bad photo you’ve taken, and adding in light and shadows…and sometimes a bear! Lol! Your lessons are so great! I’m having to binge watch you again! - Messy Mendy 🖌🙏🏻👩🏻‍🎨

[@النحلهالرايقهانهار]

شكراً كثيراً لك….انت ملهم بحق…اود سؤالك اذا كان هناك عائد مادي من الرسم بالالوان المائيه….أعني هل يمكن بيعها مثل لوحات الاكريلك والزيت ام هي فقط للمتعه؟

[@heatherh3457]

I love the idea of 'interpreting' a scene. You have helped me see the value of taking the essence of what speaks to us from a scene , then presenting it in such a way that maximizes this expression to our audience . At first I found it quite shocking to see how 'enhanced' some artist's works are from the original scene, yet they produce a beautiful vision to bring joy. Joyce Hicks is a master at this. Thank you Mathew . I love your teaching style that really drives home how to approach art, not just watercolour

[@kristinamullen4066]

You are assuming that everyone watching this is painting realistic landscapes.Your tips are great for that, but there are many other genres of paint int.I know I'm impatient and I don't know if its even worth trying to master watercolor.Its extremely frustrating.I will watch more of your videos to try to learn, but I really lack patience so I don't know if it will work.I appreciate your experience and teaching.I never had any watercolor training, it has been hit or miss and learning from mistakes.

[@maryannegunter115]

Started teaching myself how to WC paint, 4 years ago; mostly by watching tutorials such as this. I'm constantly learning new things and my paintings are improving. Thank you for this lesson, hope to see more of you!

[@aprilkurtz1589]

Can these tips be applied to tighter paintings? I do let paints mix on the paper, but only when I'm doing a wash, and for distant objects. I like painting in a more detailed way than most watercolorists I've known.

[@carolineplouffe2327]

Very instructive as always and great advices to follow (or die trying! LOL!). I'm still struggling with the first wash... if I'm too slow, it dries out (even if I'm now watering my paper both sides instead of taping it). On the other side, if I'm doing it once still watery my buildings are fading into the sky or whatever and it looks poorly without definite edges. Seems so easy when I watch you. I guess practive makes perfect!

[@MickeyC321]

Lol “Buy two of them”. Spot on. Thank you.

[@sstolarik]

1. Painting a large section from one big puddle (no mixing of different colors) 2. Painting too fast (rushing to detail) 3. Literally copying your reference photo (make the composition yours, change things)

[@librenonlibre]

Your teaching style is as warm and generous as it is game-changing. Once again, thank you so much for teaching.

[@glendavis1266]

How about a short video on beginners and what brushes to have….the numbers on the brushes and quality. Then discuss the lay down and how often you stop and let the beginnings dry. And continue with drying segments. How much penciling of the scene! Maybe do a segmented painting…..during a several days.

[@amalbaydoun4776]

Please do a video on painting skies

[@forsythia33]

I would love to see some examples painted in real time. All the arts folks do speeded up time lapses, which are necessary and useful, but I'd also like some 'real time' examples.

[@ev3332]

i just love your street scenes- so ordinary yet so extraordinary!

[@sanzoy]

This is super helpful. And somehow listening to you calms my nerves and quiet my anxieties and leads me to think strategically. Thank you.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

So glad to hear that!

[@jamessaretta8278]

Matthew - great video - I am especially guilty of number 2 LOL

[@Bindismom]

Put me down for being guilty on #3! I’m going to really work on giving myself some slack and not getting so detailed.👍👍

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

You got this!

[@jankhambrams]

Wow that third tip really clarifies things and helped boost my confidence. I have a tendency to think I need to be too literal, when really I don't. Heck yeah artistic license!

[@imashishart]

I am learning watercolor and I will make career as independent artist. I would love to hear how you became artist And learn from your story

[@ReinhildeLenaers]

Thank you for the advice. I am new to watercolour and enjoying it so much. With every one of your video's I learn something new every time. I am encouraged to grow as a creator. So thank you again ☺️

[@johnstaples1606]

I struggle with knowing how to paint each wash.. What if the light values are dry when you come to do the mid tones for example? Cheers!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

I have video in the works!

[@dianagimenezdoucet1291]

As a whole I think painting is a game of strategies playing together and being chosen or ruled out. Even in oils, where you can make a jolly mud out of painting. I think drawing is a basic tool that really helps you out of a mess.

[@leighanncreates]

Thank you so much for these tips! You were able to point out some of my biggest issues right now and I can’t wait to work on them.

[@dorothygladsjo3510]

Curious…if I get the darkest dark in first wouldn’t that help judge values?

[@erinmcgrew6093]

I love your explanation of watercolor as painting backwards- I never thought of it that way but it is! You start with your lightest values and layer darker values on top as opposed to other mediums like oil or acrylic where you do the opposite. This is going to change the game for me!

[@dessyedeeclark1144]

I'm about to paint my ducks in a pond, using 4-5 reference photos. I have some close ups that capture the birds flapping wings, preening, or digging bugs from the water. Other refs have bigger scene context or show water better. I want to put all this activity in while not skewing my angle of vision or making goofs in the lighting. One photo captures golden light just before sunset. I want to be consistent. A tutorial on this would be wonderful. Meanwhile I plan to write myself notes on this, how to blend or maintain lighting, which ref photo will be my light direction and time of day. Love your suggestions of writing it down ahead of time.

[@mariamalenta6574]

Another great video! Looking forward to practice them

[@rachelturgeon114]

Thank you so much. I just found your channel. Great advice about how to work through a painting.

[@rosalindball7534]

Omg - just watched this Matthew - I did exactly all these things this morning with a watercolour painting - had to bin it !!!! Thanks so much - your advice is so valuable and you have a nice calming voice and your paintings are beautiful. Ros - UK

[@pedrocarloslaufferneto4189]

bom dia , Matt....perfeitos os conselhos, me identifico bastante neles....

[@janrpascal]

Matt, your tips are priceless. You are bringing up things many videos, books, and instructors ignore. Thank you!

[@dessyedeeclark1144]

I would wholly agree. The one class I took in person felt very rushed, often I was one of the last to finish each day. Others did two practice paintings in the time I had only done one half of one. But in the end, I came home and have finished them at my pace, to my liking.

[@stevesidare2493]

"You've chased your tail right over the edge of a good painting." is what could make sense.

[@czapkofan]

As a complete beginner to watercolors (just did my first painting attempt yesterday), do you have some hints or guide on how to simplify things? This is the one aspect that I seem to be really struggling with: how can I reduce detail? It feels to me that if I skip some element, it will be cheating and not the real painting of what I tried to paint - but even if I get myself to do the decision, I'm then left confused what to fill the space with where the thing was... sometimes it can be just the sky, but not always - if it is a bunch of trees or buildings, they can have quite complex features/lines... and again, e.g. for buildings I'm frustrated with how to reduce their complexity while keeping their character, or how to call it... for sky/trees, it seems to be simpler with watercolor, as the paint naturally forms "organic" patterns of texture, but buildings tend to have lots of sharp features - how to simplify them?...

[@Sherlock2022]

Thanks for the video. As to suggestions for further material, how do you go from ‘chocolate box’ style painting to a grittier, urban or industrial style? Thanks again.

[@tonihyler8506]

Excellent reminders! Thanks so much, Matthew.

[@ClariceAust]

Thank you; such good advice. I'll try to do my best to follow it. I live in Australia & would like to know how to paint clumps of grasses that you get on the plains.

[@christinebravomom5711]

Buy two of my favorite brush? .... why didn't I think of this?!

[@sherrimalone3023]

I’m returning to my watercolor practice after a short break with determination to take off the training wheels. Relying on tutorials exclusively limits my creativity. It’s time to learn to paint from my own references or even my imagination. I have used all 3 suggestions and it’s been a game changer. Thank you so much.

[@yeseniaarredondo4016]

Matthew. Finding time with enough day light is difficult for me, at least for the time being. What would you recommend if I want to paint using artificial light? Thank you.

[@pattisaunders7386]

Your tutorial videos are the BEST .I have learned so much as a new person to watercolor . Thank you. I am in need of more help in mixing colors and wondered if you could make a video on mixing colors.

[@tessellatiaartilery8197]

Brilliant advice, great video. Thank you very much.

[@zoeyhumbert3868]

Your so helpful and so additive to watch and so relaxing , you make me want to paint more 😃 thank you ❤️

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you! So glad to hear that. Happy painting!

[@kirstinmcpherson5280]

Thanks, Matt! I have a question about your second tip. What do you do when you want to add in a darker value into a particular layer to create a soft edge? Your description of the person who starts one wash and then adds darks too quickly and ends up chasing their tail (haha!)--that's me! But how do you avoid this if you need that soft edge? (I'm thinking, for example, of when you want to add a darker shadow side on the greenery of trees and bushes.) Maybe it's okay to do sometimes, but not too much? Or should we work to avoid this altogether? Thanks for your help!

[@chantelmcskimming6633]

I like your question 🙂 I think you are right, there are times when we want that nice soft edge on a darker bit of a shrub or tree so it does seem like a good idea to go for it. But really, I don't know either. Again, good question!

[@mendyhand3895]

@@chantelmcskimming6633 I feel the need to comment. Lol. I use soft pastels, such as Sennelier brand…very soft, and blend in some shadows, or highlights at the end of my watercolor. It fixes a lot of boo boos. I know it’s mixing media’s, but it never hurts , if it accomplishes your final goal. Having the right paper, 100% cotton rag, to me is crucial. It won’t leave hard edges as much as pulp paper. Hope that helps a bit. 👍🙏🏻🖌

[@chantelmcskimming6633]

@@mendyhand3895 nice!! I will keep those pastels nearby 👍 I totally agree -- 100% cotton is awesome! 😁

[@CamiloMazorra]

As always thank you for your helpful videos Matthew. Great and simple explanations.

[@toffylikesgames]

It is SO true that it's hard to slow down, wanting the painting to look like something faster. But it definitely pays off pausing and allowing each step to happen naturally. All the difference in the world!

[@mikel4510]

Your "opt in" page does not tell anyone what they are opting in to. I mean, we all know the information will be used to bombard us with spam, be sold for your benefit, etc., but it would nice for you to be honest and announce that. Trying to get around the site is not easy or straightforward, and it contains too much marketing and very little substance - makes one feel greasy just trying to figure out when money will be demanded. Your videos here are top notch, full of information given without the hype of so many other YT instructional videos. But way too many ads and the follow through is like mixing a green but ending up with mud. More meat, less bone and fat, please.

[@joanneferguson9297]

It’s difficult to slow down painting when every tutorial is painted lightning fast.

[@krobinson1650]

Thank you for your videos. You are of much help and how you teach can be understood and followed easily.

[@randomtinypotatocried]

I don't know why I never thought of having more than one brush when working on one of my watercolors. It would have saved some headaches from the past

[@KimThane]

Just started watching. Looking forward to this video

[@Jacklette]

großartig Matthew. Vielen herzlichen Dank für das tolle Video. Grüße aus München/Germany. Giselle ❤

[@BarBaraWhorleyCrawfordESS]

Thank you for this video. Very helpful

[@purity2706]

Matthew - could you please address an issue I have. I was a scenic painter for years, painting for 60' stages, backdrops and props. My most successful scenes were done very free and stylistically with many colors. I like color, not Payne's Gray and Raw Sienna mixes. My problem? I'm now wheel chair bound, necessarily having to paint "small". I've discovered that it's really hard for me to scale down, but I have to, no choice. Please address scale and how not to overpower the paper with concentrated coloring in too small of a space. I took Evansen's course and really liked a lot of what I learned. But I find many of the techniques rather dull, I'm more of a Schaller or Lawrence fan. Any suggestions you have would be much appreciated 👍🏼!

[@KomalNirwan]

Try referencing a scenic postcard. It will help you scale down the reference or use it as it is.

[@purity2706]

@@KomalNirwan Thanks, but one of the problems is not making the actual image smaller it's painting it with bright washes that do not overpower the composition itself. In scenic stage painting, I had several feet to work color and I mostly used water based paints. Using the brilliant coloring in very small spaces, I find it difficult to manage the washes and introduce additional colorings without making saturated color and meanwhile usually losing the transparent quality. It's the transparency and wistful characteristics of watercolor that I lose on such small surfaces. I appreciate your suggestion. 😊

[@KomalNirwan]

@@purity2706 I get your point. Trying to get the same effect on smaller scale is tiresome. But I would suggest that you have to leave a little behind in terms of getting the exact washes as you get on a large scale. So when you paint with watercolours try painting a smaller thumbnail with watercolours once or twice before even starting the actual painting. It will help you achieve the desired results. As in thumbnails we paint the general outline of our painting, when we do it on a larger scale compared to the thumbnail we get what we need; the details. And learn to not overdo a painting. In watercolours it is the most difficult thing I had to learn and I still quite not so often but make this mistake. This is coming from a person with limited experience. I don't have the experience that you have but may be a different perspective.

[@d.martinez-rodriguez333]

If Matthew doesn't respond to you here, you can email him and most likely get an answer to your question. I'm taking his bronze course currently and he is a very, very nice person. Not at all intimidating and so helpful. Best wishes...

[@purity2706]

@@d.martinez-rodriguez333 Thank you for the heads up!! ❤️

[@elainethompson3845]

Only just found you Matthew in the last few months and so pleased I have. What’s neutral tint please?

[@artlover14345]

♥️👍

[@pintsizestories196]

I had to learn to let my painting dry between steps. Instead of trying to paint a picture in one day, I pick away at it over a few days.

[@janicefortney5162]

Excellent points, Matt. Thank you !

[@SKY-qf8qq]

Thank you for the encouragement. Helps a lot

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

You are so welcome!

[@armdaMan]

Hello there from South Africa Just discovered Your site on IG Thanks a zillion for Showing and Sharing these very important, useful Tips. They are worth their weight in Gold !!! "Tis much appreciated - immensely. Will check out each of Your other Pearls soonest Keep up the good work ATB TC aRM

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Welcome! So glad you are enjoying the content!

[@ConniePullella]

Your videos are incredibly helpful! Two questions, if you have a moment...When you paint all the way to the edge of the page, how much do you lose in matting/framing? Also, if you have a bumpy paper in your finished painting, is there a good way to flatten out the paper to framing?

[@teebee9735]

I mat my paintings myself and I can tell you that there needs to be at least 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch behind the mat to secure the painting to the mat. I try to place my tape just under 1/2 inch, when I'm taping the paper down to my support board, to mark this off for me so that I don't waste time on a detail that's just going to be lost behind the mat. I have two support boards that I use to press my paintings once they are completely dry, that are a few inches bigger around than the biggest size paper I use. I place the painting between the boards and either use small ratcheting clamps from the hardware store around the edges or several heavy books placed on top.

[@ahmedelmansory8672]

Thanks the beautiful presentation of such great fruitful painting tips. Greetings from Egypt

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

You are so welcome!

[@juliadean2473]

Thank you. Very kind and helpful information. I have trouble choosing my blues especially for the sky - eg which ones is it okay to do a yellow wash near nd not risk it greening.

[@kennethfisher7013]

Have you tried Naples yellow?

[@27Pyth]

Such great advice! Thank you!

[@Hillr2249]

I’ve heard another artist say watercolor is easy to correct 😮😮😮

My biggest problem is "hop" what color is in the photo or how to reach it to attach it:-/

[@davidmolloy126]

Thanks very much Matthew for another great and inspiring video. Take care. David.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@christinekeefe3553]

I entered my name and email today and clicked the get now button to get the link for the 7 free lessons but I have not received the link. Nevermind, I see how it works now. There is no link you just start watching. thank you.

[@randomtinypotatocried]

Thanks for the heads up

[@bettyryan4310]

Great advise! Thank you, Matt!

[@heretolevitateme]

If you watch on 1.75 speed, Matthew talks at the speed of a normal person. The content is great, it just needs sped up.

[@NathanaelCBR]

Disagree, it's a great pace

[@TheBeatleman66]

Really feel encouraged to improve my newly acquired hobby BUT, I'm still looking out for that elusive tutorial video on how to be less CLUMSY in general, I'm lol-ing now but it's quite frustrating

[@shannon8315]

Watching your video a 3rd time to "Ravele's Bolero", it works! I just discovered your video's, very structured, and helpful, thanks.

[@ageretube3035]

How blessing to encounter with your videos! Thank you 🙏

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad you like them!

[@ennhoj]

i guess you have felt all these feelings, the stress you feel when everything is too weak or the color is not enough, can ruin the best idea.. the balance between working quickly and carefully is difficult, I myself notice that when I take my time my paintings get better, but then you can also lose what speed can bring, which can also be a key factor in watercolor. ....ambiguous

[@chatita9527]

Wow, I am guilty of these aspects mentioned and pointed out by you ... 🤔 Thank you so much! Many greetings from Berlin Germany 👍🤗🇩🇪

[@k8marlowe]

This has been one of the most constructive videos about watercolor painting I’ve encountered. I’m a new subscriber, and I look forward to catching your other content. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!

[@mogziepayne864]

Great advice Matthew, I so need to practice more and slow down. I’m trying to find my own style and not be a copy cat, but to be freer. This is very helpful thank you 🦋🌺

[@PurringMyrrh]

Just pausing to say, this is the second vid of yours that Ive seen and Im so stoked! Great info! Also paused to say, the way you say "NO" then slightly smiled when talking about not trying to copy the reference photos about did me in. 😄 It was like a stern but loving "No" from a good friend or family member.

[@agold1702]

Just signed up; I really appreciate the help and encouragement.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

So glad to hear that!

[@adelamcgrew7135]

😅great advice. First time I heard of you, but very informative. Thank you, gracias

[@lindamarsh6711]

I am just starting out with water colour. I’ve always used acrylic before. I’ve subscribed because your voice is calming and your advice makes sense. You may now hear from me about any progress but I’ve bought most of my supplies and will forge ahead with small painting first and go from there. I’d like to leave something behind of me for my children, grand children and my three great grandchildren. My ggrandsons are 15 and 13 and my ggrand daughter is 19 days old. I usually paint my wood working like miniature rocking horses and Christmas ornaments that I draw and cut out and paint in acrylic with lots of blending and miniature decorations on them. The kind that require only a few hairs on the brush but my eye sight isn’t the greatest any more so I’m trying the watercolour on WC paper. God bless, here goes nothing! 🇨🇦🙏🏼😜👍🏻

[@musicomane33]

Grazie M. White!!! Sei davvero molto bravo nelle spiegazioni!!!!!

[@catherinegill2488]

Inspiring! Thank you!

[@pauline3379]

Great tips, thank you 😊

[@柯禮安G]

😉

[@lisbethjohannsen6613]

That makes so much sense! Thank you !

[@irenedevalk3282]

Thank you Matthew! So helpful this. And encouraging

[@KpxUrz5745]

I think the most useful tip in painting scenes is to leave cars out of the scene! It is about impossible to create a painting (work of art) as opposed to an illustration if a car is included. This sounds too specific but my point is that it is the artist's job to create a world or a world view, and subjects linked too strongly to commercialism tend to negatively impact the artistic vision.

[@bparsons7337]

I love to paint cars - and bicycles! - and power lines! Why set limits on what qualifies as "art"?

[@KpxUrz5745]

@@bparsons7337 True, it is a personal aversion of mine. But also, I have never seen a painting including cars or power lines in a very good museum, nor do I ever expect to see one. Horsedrawn carriages painted by Degas were beautiful and picturesque. I have seen many paintings of cars, but relegate them all to being illustrations and not fine art paintings. Since deKooning was a very good painter, he could have said that some of his abstract paintings contained imagery of a car, but the viewer would only see wild expressive brush strokes. In other words, the unattractive and commercial actual appearance of the car would be fully disguised. We shall see what comes in future. By the way, my comment was part tongue-in-cheek, and part serious.

[@juliorodrigues6929]

Another outstanding video that highlights critical but often overlooked steps in watercolor. Thank you for sharing. Sadly, I have tried your link a few times but I never receive the email access to your video lesson. I will keep trying.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Julio, I’m sorry you didn’t receive the link! Did you look in your junk folder? If it’s not there please email me at [e-mail] and I’ll make sure you get it.

[@juliorodrigues6929]

@@learntopaintwatercolor thank you.