How to paint water drops in watercolour - 4 different ways to paint realistic droplets

Sometimes a little detail turns a painting from good to WOW! and adding water drops, rain drops or dew drops to your work can be just such a detail. The other thing is that they are a brilliant way of practicing tone and shadow control, which was the subject of last week's tip. They are simple, but so effective! You can paint a realistic droplet in just a few layers.
So in this film, I will show you the anatomy of a water drop, how they are lighter than their surroundings and bend the light. We will then have a practice on white paper, but more importantly go through different ways of painting them on a background. By trying different approaches you will have one up your sleeve for every eventuality. If you plan ahead you might mask your highlights, but if you add one at the end you can lift out and add in highlights with gouache or ink.
If you enjoyed this, please like, subscribe and hit the notification bell. I try to do a film each week. I concentrate on tips and techniques I wish I had known ages ago...
If you missed last week's film on tone, volume and shadow you can find it here: • How to paint tone and ...
Here are the chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:58 Anatomy of a water drop
6:16 How to paint the first layer
8:30 How to paint the second layer
12:30 Adding in the shadow
16:08 Adjusting the highlights
#lizchaderton #watercolour #watercolor

[@jasminajasarevic3391]

Infinite gratitude for sharing your knowledge with the world. We are so blessed to be learning from your gifts and talents. ☺️😇🙏🥰🎉

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome

[@janettepolt2815]

Hi Liz, I'm Janet from Tiverton, RI, USA. thanks for this.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Hi there! I’m glad you liked it

[@shariarnold9649]

I can’t wait to try this! What a cool technique ✨

[@LizChadertonArt]

Have fun!

[@sallyburke4018]

Wow, finally I have found someone who makes it easy to do raindrops 👏👏👏

[@LizChadertonArt]

😄 glad it helped!

[@ashleywright8686]

Thank you so much for this invaluable lesson in water drops. (It’s pronounced “GWASH”) 😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

I know. But I like to keep things accessible ☺️

[@zaydabadilla7722]

Excelente clase. Gracias por compartir tus conocimientos. Saludos cordiales desde Costa Rica.

[@LizChadertonArt]

de nada! Saludos desde Inglaterra

[@valeriegehling4358]

I enjoy your explanations/ tutorials, thanks for teaching/ showing us so many styles of drawing/ painting. Something else to practice! Thanks

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're very welcome!

[@valeriegehling4358]

@@LizChadertonArtHi, copied all 6, with a little success, will try again later. Thanks

[@M0odyBlue]

I love that you demonstrated all the different ways of painting these. Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nitay7311]

Excellent tutorial. The bit where you went through the anatomy of the raindrop was especially helpful. Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jeanfugate-besalke5734]

Finallly someone that can explain how to paint water drops! Thank you for taking your time to teach!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lorianderson7654]

I’ve watched other water droplet tutorials, but wasn’t satisfied with my personal outcomes. You really simplified the process and I’m happier with my results. Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it helped!

[@lyndamitton4496]

Excellent! Thank you so much!

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're very welcome!

[@debbyshehane9955]

Thank you! This really helps!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it helped!

[@oscaramarillo289]

Hola eres una persona preciosa y expresiva. Saludos desde Uruguay. Bendiciones

[@LizChadertonArt]

Gracias! Y Saludos desde UK!

[@chatita9527]

Wow, this is beautiful, thank you for showing us how to do this. I will definitely try this! 😁👍🤗🇩🇪

[@debbiebruce6920]

I learned so much watching this dew drop tutorial. Can’t wait to try this in my paintings.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thanks so kind of you. Glad it was useful

[@ritaharker8792]

Thank you so much for this fantastic item of tuition, you have made it look so doable x

[@LizChadertonArt]

It is! Have a go 😁

[@1msfit]

Liz, I am so grateful for this. I am doing a course and the suggested practices always include something that was not covered in the lesson and about which I know nothing. This time it was water droplets; and since I subscribe to your channel, I knew where to go for instruction! Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Phew! Delighted it can help

[@roslynmckay3492]

You are so easy to listen to. Great to have a very clear and easy to follow tutorial 👍

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you think so!

[@quyanapatton6951]

Ohh man, your amazing, you answer so many questions that I have!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Oh good! Glad it helped

[@coppellpianoshop3812]

Thank you.

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're welcome!

[@shirleygreaves9650]

Fantastic tutorial thank you. So well explained. X❤️

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@thmteach]

Thank you

[@LizChadertonArt]

glad you enjoyed it

[@polgara28]

Excellent lesson! Love this so much! Thanks and a Merry Christmas to you! 🎄

[@LizChadertonArt]

Same to you!

[@kimberleysmith5876]

Very enlightening! Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JC-xx6rr]

So informative, as always. Many thanks.

[@LizChadertonArt]

So nice of you. I enjoy making these!

[@mozanita]

I love how you explain it. I’m going to give this a try.:)

[@LizChadertonArt]

Please do! Hope it goes well

[@CartoonButt]

Thank you very much!!

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're welcome!

[@faridan.k1174]

I aaabbbbssoooollluuttteelllly lllllllllllloooooooooovvveeee your tutorial. So precise so thoughtful and quite well explained and executed .... as a ardent amateaur watercolourist this is very helpful .... thank you .stay blessed. You earn yourself a subscriber

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome! What a lovely message. Hope you enjoy the rest of the channel.

[@faridan.k1174]

@@LizChadertonArt I made a beautiful painting after learning from your tutorial.. I wish I can show you ... is there any way I can show you if you are on Instagram pls share your url so I can show you. Thanks once again dear Liz

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@faridan.k1174 hi Farida, that's great to hear - I'm @lizchaderton on insta and I also have a facebook group if you would like to join? facebook.com/groups/694706731930461 Can't wait to see!

[@ARTTHERAPYbyShelly]

Wow I learned a lot from this! I remember trying to paint a scene with raindrops but failed haha. Thanks for sharing this Dear 😊 keep in touch! Also do arts , hopefully you'd wanna come visit me as well 🤗

[@LizChadertonArt]

so glad you liked it!

[@rebecca2116]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you. What small brush are you using? It has a terrific point to it.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I'm not honestly sure! The name has worn off.

[@debbiemartin9005]

This is EXACTLY what I needed! But I’m so sad that it ended there! 😅 Do you have any other tutorials on how to make the droplets with reflections in them? I’d love to see that, and get the reasons for what you paint. I’m going to subscribe now!! 🥰

[@LizChadertonArt]

Not yet! I could add that to my list. Glad you found it helpful

[@debbiemartin9005]

Yes! Very helpful. 😊 Thank you for adding a more advanced one to your list. I can hardly wait!

[@corinnemarneffe3286]

Well, I do have a question. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?! Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Oh thank you!

[@McLori00]

Thanks for sharing your beautiful talent Liz! The flamingo pic behind you is beautiful! Do you have a tutorial for it?

[@LizChadertonArt]

no I doing, but it is the gouache wash off technique. I have it’s partner piece step by step in my new book Painting Birds in Watercolour. it’s a collection of gannets done in the same style.

[@McLori00]

@@LizChadertonArt thank you so much!! I watched that video and shallgive it a try. And will also check your book out 😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@McLori00 have fun!

[@pupawupagus]

🥰 thank you! i love your teaching style and hope this isn’t weird- your very pleasant teaching voice. lol the review is morphing stuff about me. anyhoo i hate feeling “directed,” and you don’t do that.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Good. I much prefer people embrace techniques that resonate with them and ditch the other stuff!

[@pupawupagus]

@@LizChadertonArt YES!! Long videos are often a pleasure to watch, but not when i just need a little help with a water droplet. i’ll take a peek at your channel and see what else you have for me 🥰🥰

[@LizChadertonArt]

There’s all sorts!@@pupawupagus

[@BarbrajoanOriginals]

Liz I love your teachings and the videos. But that pencil has got to go. 😂

[@LizChadertonArt]

Oh no! What’s wrong with my pencil? Had I chewed it? I’ll have to watch to see!

[@nursen2106]

the picture is a bit irritating, because I only see one drop, that somehow matches the studies on the left. all the other drops look different. some with a very highlighted bottom part, where the shadow would be. I guess, because the light is diffused and the shadow is on the other side of the drops. but when I look at left and right, it confuses me rather

[@LizChadertonArt]

I only ever use a reference photo as inspiration, rather than to copy exactly. I provided this one to show you how to look at the different elements like highlights and shadows and then be able to paint your own to suit whatever subject you are doing.