How to Design a Watercolor Painting from Any Photo

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thanks for watching!🌵Get your FREE cactus drawing and reference photos: jackiehernandez.studio/resource-library

[@velvetbees]

Thank you Jackie. I subscribed today and watched a few of your videos. I like the way you teach. Everything is organized and well thought out. Again, thank you.

[@aesea57804]

Jackie, this is SO good! You’ve explained your process clearly and simply, in steps that can be easily applied. Showing each step in this example of how you do your process makes it so clear. So often artists just get straight to “follow me as I paint” and leave out 2/3 or more of the real painting process-fiddling with composition, deciding on values, trying out color mixes. THAT part is what enables a student to start painting their own work. Thank you thank you.

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thank you. That is exactly what I was aiming for…to share the part of the process that so often isn’t shown. My biggest hurdle as a beginner was learning to design my own paintings, so I hope this helps anyone who wants to start making their own designs.

[@pattiartiste]

Thanks So much Jackie! You're very kind and generous ☺

[@ddrakeutube496]

You’re inspiring me to try try try (I’m a beginner). The value study was an eye opener. I could “see” the shading so much better with the app. Thanks.

[@beechball82]

Loved this, thank you! I do those tricks, too, and it's like, "Phew! I'm not the only one doing these kinda things, I must be on the right path!" ❤ 🎉

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Yes! You’re not alone.

[@artica_katherine]

Im over here doing a marathon of your videos because I just found you ! Love everything, very different information, please keep it coming, and thank you for sharing

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Love it! Don’t worry, I’m working on more videos. Your encouragement fuels me 😊

[@FreshEclecticism]

Wow…how have I never seen these techniques explained before? Simply fantastic, so super-helpful. Can’t wait to paint this cactus! Thank you thank you thank you!

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You’re welcome! Have fun painting 🌵

[@polgara28]

I wanted to thank you for supplying the photos and line drawings for your tutorials. -Also for the very understandable way you explain things! 🌻

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Your welcome!!

[@karenbunyan6939]

Thank you for this tutorial Jackie. You have inspired me to take another look at my photographs for inspiration. This is a very clear tutorial on your process, which is very helpful. And as a mother of two, I totally get the whole embarrassing mom thing 😂

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You should definitely look through your photos. I put the ones I want to paint in a special album. Also, I forgot to include this tip in the video, but you can duplicate photos on your phone and try cropping them in different ways to see what you like best.

[@dianeyhb]

This was fantastic and really empowers me to paint from my own photos, which has felt daunting up until now. Thank you for your clear teaching!

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

I’m so happy to hear that. Thank you for watching!

[@susanwilman182]

I’m a new subscriber and I’m so glad I found you. I’ve been painting for years but I felt uninspired lately. Your videos are so good, a pleasure to watch & now I feel I want to paint again. Thankyou

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

That makes my heart happy. I’m so glad you feel motivated again ❤️ Thanks for subscribing.

[@JohnBullPlinth]

Absolute gold - thank you! 🙏🏻

[@davidmolloy126]

Another great inspiring video Jackie, and thanks very much for the masking fluid guide and the cactus reference photo and drawing. xxx

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed this video.

[@kamihayes5147]

Jackie, I just discovered you and I’m so, so grateful. You are so REAL and you speak to the honest frustrations artists experience. It’s so refreshing.

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

That’s so nice of you to say. Welcome!

[@rdfjfgjyfdhfghy67456]

How magical that your cactus baby bloomed as you came to a realisation! And thank you for sharing about the Notaniser app. I have difficulty grouping values in my art, this sounds like the perfect tool for me❤

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You’re welcome. I hope the app is helpful. My cactus is growing another stem now 🌵

[@SK-mt2pm]

Thank you sooo much! Sensational ideas and tricks I've been struggling with these problems. Thanks for sharing🎉

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You're welcome. I hope this was helpful.

[@beverlyhelm5287]

I love how prickly pear cactus have thorns than are in perfect rows. Thanks for the tips. I have tried to sketch/paint cactus before but wasn’t happy with how they turned out.

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

I hope this was helpful and you give it a try.

[@chrislora8895]

SO VERY HELPFUL! I love the idea of creating a value study by using the actual photo instead of drawing it in pencil or pen. And thank you for explaining your creative process.

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Glad it was helpful! When I have time I love painting a value study (usually at smaller size), but the photo value study is such a good reference while painting.

[@Melanie44Michael]

This is such a fabulous video! Thank you! I haven't seen anyone use technology this way to compliment the painting process itself. Brilliant! You are a good teacher, too!

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I think a little upfront planning makes the painting process more enjoyable.

[@marilynanderson7792]

Very informative and well explained, thank you for sharing your knowledge and talents.

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thanks for watching ❤️

[@MaudeyMakes]

Omg, I became all emotional about your cactus baby! That’s awesome 👏

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

😊 Thank you. It’s growing another stem now.

[@fionahannon_art]

What a great video! I will be looking through my photos differently, after watching this! Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and talent! 🙏🙏

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thank you and welcome!

[@aliciashackley5830]

Thank you for this super helpful video. Thx so much. 🥰

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You are so welcome!

[@saraht4973]

A terrific lesson on not only how to paint from your own photos but each part of the lesson from value studies to limiting color and mixing color. EXCELLENT

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thank you!

[@pattymynczywor]

Excellent video! Thanks for such a clear explanation of your process. Very inspiring and helpful.

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@wendycombs2949]

thank you so much for the trick of adjusting photos values it has helped me to see the picture in a better light/ dark for better results! you are so generous with your hints!

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

I’m so glad you found that helpful!

[@KurtKriese]

Great demos and guidance! Thank you.

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You're very welcome!

[@TaraSueSalusso]

Such a great description. So much wonderful detail. I would love to see how you do your tracing. I look forward to seeing more of your videos.

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

So glad you enjoyed it. I’ll share more behind-the-scenes videos like this in the future 😊

[@acristalart]

Really useful tip. Thank you so much! 🙌

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You're so welcome!

[@chrispolette8443]

I just a found your tutorials, and am so thankful! You are an excellent and very talented teacher!

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thank you 😊 Glad you found my channel.

[@youngazamh]

Wow! EXCELLENT again!! Thank you for those video with very clear instructions ❤ When you started the video by saying you didn’t record your cactus work, I admit I was disappointed … momentarily. This is an absolutely when presented step by step guide that I absolutely have needed and have been missing. Gorgeous work!!

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

I’m glad this was an okay substitute! I actually painted the cactus when it was dark and stormy and I couldn’t film. I hope this behind-the-scenes look at what I do before I paint was helpful.

[@Takatukata]

Thank you so much!!! Would have loved to see you paint the cacti.

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You’re welcome. I’ll do my best to film the next cactus I paint 😊

[@brentjohnson3032]

Your explanations of the processes are very well done! Way too many tutorials leave questions, you're explanations are clearly and fully understandable. I look forward to watching more of your videos.

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thank you. I put a lot of planning into these videos and I’m glad you like it.

[@AmandaInEly]

That is a clear and very useful tutorial. Thank you!

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You're very welcome!

[@carrollwilson5169]

Enjoyed this video, really great information well presented. Thank you

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thank you!

[@janissharkey7174]

Icy a great and helpful video. Thanks!

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@LyseikoArt]

Thank you , this is an amazing painting

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thank you so much 😊

[@dogloverjb6873]

very helpful instruction ... well done

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@celirondoni7717]

Wow, your explanations are so clear 😍 almost as bright as your paintings (they are remarkable). Thanks a lot for this in-depth explanation ❤

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

😊 You’re so kind. Thank you.

[@malathayalan6834]

Very good teaching

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thank you

[@JC-il4or]

Excellent vid, thank you! I found those wonderful cactus several years ago but wasn't as lucky as you. Mine were in the center divide of a 4 lane road. Got my photos and am sure passers-by thought I was nuts😂

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

😂 We see these cacti in some weird places too. Glad you still got photos. I wanted to share my pics because I know some people don’t live in the right climate for these.

[@theaobrien3316]

So informative, thank you! I am a beginner at watercolors and I do have great photos I'd like to paint!

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

That’s great! I hope this process helps.

[@maryanneastman5701]

I learned so much from this video. I am going to try your technique! I have many flower photos waiting to be painted. thanks!

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Yay! This works great for flowers.

[@mywifetheartist]

Great information.

[@bubbadupes]

Thank you for the clear explanation and excellent tips,

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You’re welcome!

[@valentinad2162]

All great advice, thanks a lot! ☺️💜

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You’re welcome!

[@OneRedDragonfly]

Great tips! Thanks for sharing this useful information.

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Glad it was useful!

[@robertgonzalez373]

This is an extraordinary teaching video. I will definitely reviewing more of your work and educational materials. Thank you

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thank you!

[@amandaluker9268]

So useful thank you

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You’re welcome 😊

[@Galbereth]

That was in incredibly useful! Thank you very much. 🍰🌻

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

I’m glad. You’re welcome.

[@namastan5580]

Thank you ❤

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You're welcome 😊

[@droy589]

Your explanation is perfect and easy too. Will it be possible for you to make a video in which your are showing how your are using these pointers to pain the same image? Especially the painting process.

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

I’m glad you found this video helpful. I did not film the painting process for this piece but hope to share similar painting tutorials in the future.

[@droy589]

@@JackieHernandezWatercolor thank you so much for considering my request.

[@diannedupuis2960]

Fantastic video! Thank you!

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thank you. I’m glad you liked it!

[@barbararivera2380]

Thank you

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You're welcome

[@CupcakeCottage]

Great video. I’m wondering why you don’t just turn the photo to black and white in photos or in procreate.

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Great question. Unlike a black and white photo, a value study simplifies the number of values in the photo. Using an app makes it easy to adjust the amount of each value. One way to use a value study is to equate each value with a layer of the watercolor painting (first layer is lightest value, last layer is darkest value).

[@tianascoffield4178]

Wow, this is so helpful!

[@tianascoffield4178]

And I really appreciate the drawing outlines! Thanks!

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

I'm so glad!

[@janiceaistrop4807]

Thank you, so much!!!

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You're welcome!

[@tessawelch1610]

Would love to see how you paint this.

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

I wish I could film and edit every painting for video!

[@idk277]

Awesome!

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thanks!

[@teff2178]

😊

[@ArtandDiamondsWithEskies]

Wonderful information and a lovely painting. Just an FYI, the plural for cactus is cacti.

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thank you!

[@murmulefy]

❤

[@debbieosborne744]

I don't like tracing I just feel learning to draw free hand is the art work. Otherwise tracing and colouring we learned in kindergarten.

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

That’s good for you. For me, the watercolor painting is the art, the drawing is just a guideline to start with. You can’t even see the drawing in my finished work. So, no it’s not “kindergarten” to use tracing.

[@darrelltiencken9421]

Norman Rockwell used a projector along with many other artists.