How to Design a Watercolor Painting from Any Photo

🌵Get your FREE cactus drawing and photos: jackiehernandez.studio/resour...
You don’t need a perfect photo to paint from. Instead, learn how to design a watercolor painting from any photo, even bad photos shot on your phone. In this video, I’ll show you the easy five step process I follow to plan my paintings from a photo reference. By the end of this process you’ll be ready to paint with a line drawing, a value study, and a color palette.
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RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO
• Notanizer App for iOS or Android (I misspoke, this one is $1.99): search “Notanizer”
• Value Study App for iOS (this app has a free version): valuestudy.app
• Procreate App for iPad: procreate.com
Cactus Color Palette:
• Phthalo Green BS: amzn.to/3EajjjZ
• New Gamboge: amzn.to/3k6J3Hb
• Quinacridone Violet: amzn.to/3lCp03Y
• Phthalo Blue GS: amzn.to/3InhcLh
• Hansa Yellow Light: amzn.to/3E7DFu8
All my favorite art supplies: jackiehernandez.studio/resources
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CONNECT WITH ME
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🎁Free Masking Fluid Guide: jackiehernandez.studio/freeguide
Disclaimer: This description contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
#watercolorforbeginners #watercolortips #watercolortutorial

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!!

[@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.

[@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.

[@AmandaInEly]

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

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You're very welcome!

[@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.

[@valentinad2162]

All great advice, thanks a lot! ☺️💜

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You’re welcome!

[@Galbereth]

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

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

I’m glad. You’re welcome.

[@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 😊

[@carrollwilson5169]

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

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thank you!

[@bubbadupes]

Thank you for the clear explanation and excellent tips,

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You’re welcome!

[@acristalart]

Really useful tip. Thank you so much! 🙌

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You're so welcome!

[@OneRedDragonfly]

Great tips! Thanks for sharing this useful information.

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Glad it was useful!

[@LyseikoArt]

Thank you , this is an amazing painting

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thank you so much 😊

[@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.

[@diannedupuis2960]

Fantastic video! Thank you!

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thank you. I’m glad you liked it!

[@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 😊

[@dogloverjb6873]

very helpful instruction ... well done

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@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!

[@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!

[@amandaluker9268]

So useful thank you

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You’re 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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@robertgonzalez373]

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

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thank you!

[@janiceaistrop4807]

Thank you, so much!!!

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You're welcome!

[@idk277]

Awesome!

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thanks!

[@tianascoffield4178]

Wow, this is so helpful!

[@tianascoffield4178]

And I really appreciate the drawing outlines! Thanks!

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

I'm so glad!

[@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.

[@namastan5580]

Thank you ❤

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You're welcome 😊

[@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.

[@barbararivera2380]

Thank you

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

You're welcome

[@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.

[@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).

[@tessawelch1610]

Would love to see how you paint this.

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

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

[@teff2178]

😊

[@murmulefy]

❤

[@ArtandDiamondsWithEskies]

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

[@JackieHernandezWatercolor]

Thank you!