How to Paint a Flat Wash // Basic Watercolour Techniques

Painting a flat wash is a fundamental technique to learn when painting in watercolour. I take you step by step through the process in this video. #louisedemasi #watercolor
💜Patreon💜
I have full length, voiced over, normal speed, watercolour painting tutorials on Patreon here: / louisedemasi
On this page of my website, you’ll find an index of the classes I have available on Patreon: www.louisedemasi.com/new-index
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✍🏻Sign up to my email newsletter here: www.louisedemasi.com/subscribe
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The materials I used:
Arches Cold pressed watercolour paper (300gsm)
Winsor & Newton artist watercolour paint: Permanent Rose
Brushes: Da Vinci Maestro, series 35, #8, #23
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More Watercolour Tutorials: 💦
Wet on Wet Technique: • Wet in Wet Watercolor ...
3 ways to mix watercolour paint: • How to mix watercolor ...
How I stretch my watercolour paper: • How to Stretch Waterco...
How wet should my watercolour paper be? • How Wet Should my Wate...
Watercolour Blooms: How to avoid them. How to use them: • Watercolour Blooms // ...
My favourite watercolour palette: • Beginner Watercolor Ti...
Negative Painting Technique: • Watercolour Technique ...
Watercolour Edges: • Understanding Watercol...
3 Favourite Watercolour Techniques: • 3 of my Favourite Wate...
How to use Salt with Watercolour: • How to use Salt with W...
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Link to more information about classes here: www.louisedemasi.com/classes
Skillshare Classes:
New: Watercolour Koala: skl.sh/2U8rAyz
Watercolour Galah: skl.sh/2YOSuiQ
Watercolour Chrysanthemum: skl.sh/2IuaxlZ
Watercolour Rose: skl.sh/2mdtvjo
Watercolour Fox: skl.sh/2qp1n0G
Watercolour Succulent: skl.sh/2sYtR10
Watercolour Robin: skl.sh/2ugkDxc
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Paintings and prints are available on my Website: www.louisedemasi.com
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Say hello on social media
Instagram: / louisedemasi
Facebook: / louise.demasi

[@kduf4]

You are without a doubt the best watercolor instructor i've found on youtube!

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thank you very much KJ. 💕

[@ARTYCOATY]

Nice art. I learned very much. Thanks for sharing. I'm happy to see your video. 🎨✨✨✨

[@yvonnewhite2996]

Thank you never new about washes am a beginner have been watching lots of your videos xx

[@miraculouseditsandmore124]

Thank you, my art teacher watched this video and all the other videos that you made she loved it and the hole class watched your video too and we tried it to

[@jaynecollins7867]

Well I finally was able to become a patron. Unfortunately because I am not good at using KZbin I was unable to get the full benefit of the beginner be tutorial. I followed along on the KZbin tutorial but I never was able to connect with the full lesson. This of course is not your fault I’m still enjoying the tutorials but I’ve got to figure out how to get to the full length lesson. And I will. I’m glad to be a member

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Hi Jayne, The full length bee tutorial is on Patreon. There is an index here on my website: www.louisedemasi.com/new-index Scroll down and you'll see all the tutorials. If you click on the bee painting - that will take you to the tutorial on Patreon.

[@SuzanneLegault]

My favorite part is sometimes the bloopers. I just love how you burst your ego bubble and give us an insight into the real you. Now off to do some wash!

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Lol....thank you Suzanne. I'm never comfortable in front of the camera. 💕

[@SuzanneLegault]

@@LouiseDeMasi I'd never know without the bloopers. Thanks for all the hard work you put in to encourage us with your tutorials.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Excellent for beginner like me

[@irmareitz701]

Thank you so much Louise! Such basic advise but something I keep forgetting.

[@jimscanoe]

Excellent instructions and demonstration-thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@ReiKennex]

I cannot tell you how delighted I am to have found you! Dozens of those flat washes videos on KZbin, but yours is the most clear, comprehensive, full of unique tips and explanations. Thank you for showing what not to do either, the mistakes. I already subscribed, watched a few of your other videos and definitely will catch up with your lessons and tutorials! Also, your eye for animals and nature is fascinating, that less detailed style you've been recently exploring is breathtaking. P.S. Like many of your viewers, I loved the bloopers in "quarantine" video. Please add more of those! :)

[@robind.5370]

I agree 100%. Sometimes it’s more about showing us what can go wrong and why. I’ve had those blooms but did not understand why I had them. I know space is limited with the camera but thank you for showing us how you load your brush when you reload - this is so important for beginners to see. Once one becomes an expert on things it’s hard to recall what beginners struggle with. So glad I finally found your videos. I find a lot of the time the bead of water on the paper stays at the end of the stroke and doesn’t come back down to the bottom. I’m thinking maybe my brush is still too dry or maybe I don’t have enough of an angle. More practice and time will tell.

[@constellations9258]

very helpful video..........thank you so much for sharing and demonstrating these tips

[@genovesa2010]

Thank you Louise. All of your videos are very usefull for me. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@najataouad8847]

You are a great artist and a great teacher

[@don9133]

Watching Louise has without any doubt is helping me become a better painter!

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thanks very much Don.

[@sueshanks9447]

Thank you for explaining the different washes. I will be watching the different styles and will practice !

[@golapbhaumik984]

I m really very happy to see your water color technique that u have shown. It is really very helpfull.Pl.make more videos like this.Thank u.❤

[@aliyahbachu691]

Thank you Louise. Very helpful for me as a beginner.

[@sheetalmudaliar]

thank you so,so much for showing this flat wash technique and walk it through.i'm just a beginner.i got inspired after seeing your videos.the way you speak and paint is so relaxing.makes me think i can learn to water color paint too.i'm looking forward to the next step in watercolor painting.i really didn't know where to start.love you. thank you

[@heianwoman]

Thank you. This is so clear and helpful. Page T

[@ahmedfazil3365]

You explained very well.... thanks

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thank you!

[@polianasilva1896]

Thank you so much. I am from Brazil and I love yours tutorial!!! I am practicing alot

[@flychk1229]

Excellent demonstration!

[@maryalgar8779]

Superb video and instructions. I know what I'll do tomorrow now :)

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thank you Mary! Have fun. 💕

[@VanmeterFL]

I love all your blooming videos!

[@Claire-77]

I'm terible at washes, thankyou so much for this.

[@StarsailorStan]

Thank you...now I'm off to practice

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Good luck! Thanks.

[@elainehilliard9508]

Very, very helpful! Thank you.

[@debbiebuttars5598]

I love this helpful and informative video. And I love you for taking the time to share your knowledge with us. You are so clear and concise. And you show examples of what the wet paper should look like as well as what happens as watercolor dries! These things are so hard to understand when you are learning this tricky and beautiful medium. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your high quality videos. 💖

[@sherylp.9570]

Thank you, Louise. This is great information for this scared beginner. I'm going to practice, practice, practice!! Wonderful advice. By the way, I absolutely adore the giraffe painting in the background. It's beautiful! 💕

[@LouiseDeMasi]

My pleasure and thanks very much Sheryl!

[@mikenel9793]

I like use this To understand useing Graphite water soluble

[@mikenel9793]

I use color pencil and Graphite and water Color also Practicing with these things

[@rondarabb6205]

Very useful, Thank you.

[@aseottenfelt5338]

Thank you I really like your painting.

[@jessicalew3357]

Thank you Louise for the great tutorial. I follow you on IG and it’s my first time watching your tutorial on YT. I am picking up water color again after leaving school more than 2 decades. Will restart with flat wash practice.

[@worldofcolors9470]

How useful! Thank you for always keeping us beginners in your thoughts and for sharing with us these valuable tips 😊

[@MarketkaGs]

Thank you so much, Louise, for your begginers' tutorials! 💕 I appreciate you show not only how to work and what material or technique to use, but you explain what happens and why when you show us a mistake, which really helps me to understand the watercolour basics. I love your paintings and watch your videos till the end 😍

[@saimakhalid8156]

Thanks alot.

[@patricialeonard9622]

Looking forward to seeing your landscape paintings. Thank you for this video!

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thank you Patricia.....so am I 🥴! 💕

[@celestekat-hy6101]

Thank you Louise for these precious advises, I keep practice, practice, practice... 🙏🏻 🕊 😇 💕

[@cheryl7476]

Thank you, Louise.

[@yenneyshi3661]

Thank you for the tips. Now I know what I should practice first. :)

[@solar979]

Extremely useful. Thank you.

[@lobinski07]

Ohhh yes please do Same landscapes 🙏🏻

[@lobinski07]

Some

[@u.lucasmotadiniz9654]

Excelente vídeo! 🇧🇷🎖👏🏼

[@suel4269]

Great tip! Thanks for sharing!

[@wbflowersvt]

Thank you for this basic level of instruction! Very helpful.

[@LouiseDeMasi]

My pleasure Alison. Thank you.

[@gayatridevi8459]

Thanks for your information ❤️

[@ElizabethStLouis1]

I love watching your videos, you are such a natural at teaching. I was so excited to find you skill share classes so I could follow along with you. I have just started to use watercolors and I feel I have leaned the best skills from you. You make using watercolors look so effortless but they are a tricky medium.

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thanks very much Elizabeth. That's really good to know. It is a difficult medium to use but it's lots of fun. I'd rather use watercolour than any other medium. 💕

[@mag_2023]

Thank you so much!!!🥰

[@carlaa.1617]

Thank you Louise for this fabulous video. You are such a excellent teacher. I so love watching your videos:)💞

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thank you very much Carla. 💕

[@carolynbuchanan1245]

Thanks Louise - another great tutorial and thank you for the instructional practice ideas - very helpful. Sometimes its the where to start that baffles me. Great to have some quick practice ideas for the 10 mins i sometimes find in the early mornings x

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thanks Carolyn. 💕

[@barbaramain6381]

I’m enjoying your basic tutorials. I started watercolour a year ago, feel I’m growing (slowly) and find your instruction so very useful! Many thanks indeed! Warm wishes, Barbara, Gold Coast

[@LouiseDeMasi]

That's great! Thank you Barbara. 💕

[@lalyc0]

very thanks for your help. I love how you explain

[@LouiseDeMasi]

My pleasure. Thank you Immaculada.

[@lesliejones9047]

Thank you so much for this great information!! Cant wait to practice!

[@krisannecajano9684]

Thank you madam for your generosity to share what you know.... I admire your works you have an extra ordinary talent to make your subject standout among the rest and make them even extra ordinary beautiful....🤓👍

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thanks very much Kris. 💕

[@kathrynwoolcock4943]

Thanks Louise, I have just discovered your videos. I love your teaching style and I’m learning so much every time I watch. I’m so excited and want to paint all the time! 🤗🤗

[@HeiderosesPhotograph]

WONDERFUL TUTORIAL...TFS....:)

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thank you Ann.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Louise , could do a video on how to preserve your watercolour painting

[@rche9131]

Superbe! Merci pour ces explications !

[@ShazAtts]

Thank you Louise for doing these videos, I have only been subscribed for a couple of months now to your channel but feel I have learnt so much more about watercolour techniques you explain very well all aspects, paper, brushes and the way to apply paint is fantastic for the beginner to follow. I just need to get on down and practice practice practice but when you get great quality videos like you do its a bit hypnotic and end up watching a lot longer than planned and then not have time to practice haha …. I will though, but in the meantime a big thumbs up and many thanks from all the way back here in the UK. Love your beautiful paintings of wildlife which is what I aim to do along with flowers etc sometimes too many options to choose and I get overwhelmed and end up just watching videos :) Must try harder ! :) x

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thank you very much for your beautiful message Sharon. Reading this was a lovely way to start my day. 💕

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

I'm learning lots of issues of watercolour

[@corihederich4817]

Thank you for sharing!! This is very helpful! Love your videos ❤️

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thank you Cori! 💕

[@trulylynn9941]

I love the beautiful work that you do Louise. Thank you. I appreciate you and will invest my time any money into joining your classes!

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thank you very much Lynn. I will look forward to it. 💕

[@deepthidunuwille5649]

Thank you for your kind explanation. I need to know how I could do a flat wash on a larger dry paper without it drying out too early, without it being patchy.

[@UriValdez]

Louise Can you paint a cactus with a flower on it? Id love to see that

[@coloringwithd]

Yes! Something to practice. Thank you. I paint in my kitchen with a fluorescent overhead light. Should I get a table light to see where I put my water on my paper for WoW? Is there a problem with having your paper on an angle? I am thinking that an angle will help me see the water? Sorry I'm all over the place, I'm thinking while I'm typing. On having enough paint, I am making a bunch of paint shades and put them in little trays. While this is good, I end up with 10 different palettes on the table or I have dinner plates with single colors on them. Thank you again ♥♥♥

[@meetkaur1000]

Thank u so much louise .You explain water color techniques so well. It shows your passion towards water colors. I really love your videos. Just a question if u feel like please answer it. Otherwise no worries.how to draw on paper before water color painting without harming paper ? Should I trace them to avoid mistakes and paper rubbing or there are any other ways? Thank u.

[@LouiseDeMasi]

My pleasure! Yes that is what I usually do.

[@alessandrasmota]

Do you have a list or suggestion of order to watch your tutorials ( for complete beginners )?

[@artisticfaith-meitalforte4320]

Is there a difference between an outline with a regular pencil and a watercolor pencil?

[@SarahNewburyArt]

Great tutorial as always Louise! I was wondering..Have you ever painted any animals under the sea- like a turtle for example? I ve found it really hard to paint a large area of dark sea evenly and to add layers on top without disturbing the ones underneath.. do you have any tips? 😊

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Thank you Sarah. I would always paint something like that on damp paper. Make sure it thoroughly dries between layers (use a hair dryer to set it). Re wet it for each new layer. Something that might help you I learnt from Susan Harrison Tustain - wet your paper and let it soak in until it's almost dry (but not completely), then re-wet it again and wait until the dampness of the paper is how you want it before you put the paint on. 2 coats of water allows the paint to penetrate deeper into the paper and hopefully that will stop it from lifting with subsequent washes. Try it and see if it helps.

[@SarahNewburyArt]

I’ll give it a try, thank you! Have a nice day 😊

[@linashealthbeautystation974]

Which brush you use in all panting plz tell me brush name

[@lada7539]

🌹🌹🌹

[@alessandrasmota]

[@ChrisJMah]

Ook

[@johnfirth9374]

Wish I'd have watched this video 2 hours ago, wet paper works far better around a shape. You learn by your mistakes :)

[@LouiseDeMasi]

Yes most of us do. I always prefer to work washes onto damp paper. Thanks John. Good luck with it.

[@johnfirth9374]

I tried keeping a bead of water but still wasn't wet enough......dosen't help being in Perth WA 30 degs plus :)

[@MadebyDawn23]

Just Subscribe, love your video keep it I'm new to watercolour and illustrations I have a KZbin channel any advice

[@mikenel9793]

I do mine on drawing Paper and smooth Paper