How to paint water with watercolor - tips and demo

Painting water with watercolor sounds natural, but it can be such a headache. Today I want to share with you some tips on painting water with watercolor.
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Download the reference photo:
www.dropbox.com/s/o3wrjkupnd8...
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All the materials I use can be found here:
cafewatercolor.com/materials
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Timestamps
0:00 - intro
1:03 - 1- Water is a surface
1:34 - 2- What type of water
2:00 - 3- Make your own decision
3:07 - Study from real life
10:03 - Small demo
20:35 - Ocean demo
25:44 - Complete painting demo
26:30 - First Wash
30:10 - Second Wash
32:02 - Second Wash - reflection
35:22 - Rocky shore
40:20 - conclusion

[@patriciarudolph2178]

You have the brain of an engineer. Able to breakdown your thought processes but the ability of a true teacher in that you can articulate what you are thinking. Plus the real heart of an artist who can see the parts but realizes the most important part is the whole. Thank you so much for sharing your insights. And thankyou so much to your family for supporting your desire to teach. Blessings from the midwest.

[@aniagoczynska]

You said exactly what I was thinking about. The lessons are just great. Greetings from Poland ^^

[@myrriahosborne]

It's amazing how many times I've seen water without actually "seeing" water. Thank you for this great lesson, Eric.

[@espezhang7940]

I started to be interested in watercolor about three weeks ago, and I've been browsing all over internet for introductions and tutorials. So far Eric is absolutely the best teacher I've seen. I feel so fortunate to come across this channel. Thank you Eric!

[@Cafewatercolor]

Espe Zhang aww thanks ☺️

[@rosebelliveau4483]

@@Cafewatercolor ,

[@simbobcrafts4843]

Yes he is really good. Another good one is Charles Evans

[@liu_hou_yu]

Practice pencil drawing and sketching first!

[@adamsaoud7191]

indeed that was awesome lesson

[@user-sb3wh3dd4v]

THANK YOU for these clear explanations! Art teachers tell us to "paint what you see." But that is much easier when you understand what you see. Then you must understand the medium to reproduce what you understand and see.

[@dianewoods6747]

I am new to this media. I usually work in charcoal. I am really enjoying learn these techniques. You are a amazing teacher. Thank you much. Fresno,CA

[@ShaHaynes]

Im so grateful im getting a real education on water color painting from you. From understanding d subject to understanding d process of color and lights interplaying in d paper. Thank u Eric . U are absoutely awesome teacher . Pls keep on doing ur craft . Ur helping many people here . Godbless u and ur family

[@Drumaier]

Softer edges in the bg ripples, sharper in the fg.....how this is not something i really payed attention before? Doesn't matter...since Eric is here for enlightening us all! 👍👍👍

[@user-gp2vv8jm6d]

Actually finding water colour painting videos are really difficult because using watercolour for painting are very rare and this is really helpful. So please do not stop and do more other videos for students like us,

[@jonlizsam]

The watercolor mottos, “just a few” and “keep it simple” definitely apply to painting water! Thank you for a very enjoyable video!

[@andylee510]

I appreciate how you zoom in to areas of your painting...that's very helpful!

[@samp4050]

And no loud irritating nonsensical background music drowning out your calming voice. Thank you Eric. 😊

[@Annsz135]

Wow! Thank you soooo much, Eric! This is the most explicit tutorial I’ve ever seen for painting water in water color. Also I like the way that you structure types of waters into three simple models. I never thought that a artist can analyze nature with a rational mind.

[@MUS1CFANTASIA]

Thank You Very Much Sir. I am an architecture student and I'm struggling with using watercolor that is why I'm looking for tutorials and I found your videos. It's very helpful.

[@syednusrataziz3380]

I m an old amateur water colour artist. Have learnt a lot from your lecture and demo. Thank you very much. Stay blessed.

[@natlisan]

Such a beautiful piece Eric! I think this might be my favorite piece of yours yet!!!

[@RobertHopkinsArt]

Great work, Eric! Andy will be proud to see this painting and how you painted it.

[@argus1500]

Thank you, Eric! This is a very thoughtful and clear tutorial.

[@ietes]

This is just gorgeous. Thanks for filming this tutorial and demo and I hope to be able to apply this to my current painting! Have a great day (:

[@neljansen8275]

This was wonderful, thank you! Sooooo much great information, and inspiring to watch the final demo.

[@arunapendse6296]

I loved this demo. You explained lucidly and so well! Thank you so much!

[@alinashmanova3879]

Thank you so much Eric for the great tutorial!

[@paulmorinart]

Thank you Eric! Love this!

[@elizabethmadara6817]

You are an awesome teacher! Thank you!!! I gained so much from watching you and hearing your explanations.

[@phyllisappleby6259]

Wow! You amaze me again! I've been painting water for years and now with your wonderful tips, I feel I will finally get the results I desire. You always have fresh, new tips that you explain extremely well. I continue to share your videos with friends. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with us. I'm a huge fan.

[@krithikaakkaraju2974]

Such a fabulous tutorial! Thank you for being so generous with your teaching!

[@ernes103]

Fantastic! As usual, sooo helpful... thanks so much! Love the colours and effects you managed on the demo, brilliant!

[@marahtarawneh5762]

Amazing tutorial. Never thought I'd understand water like this! Thank you!

[@Patrick-zs9zp]

Awesome, adorable, I really enjoyed your demo! Looking forward to see and hear more of you. Patrick (from Germany)

[@barbaragemin5117]

Thank you once more Eric. You have the lightest of touches in your approach to this medium.

[@mikemurray9202]

Great help Eric thank you for sharing your experience

[@rebeccaburton4122]

You are really an amazing teacher, Eric! And all your concepts are consistent, so the teaching is repeated for us! It’s great. I’m so happy I discovered you!

[@MyrriahJane]

This is the most helpful lesson I've seen on painting water. I never really thought about how water is a surface so thank you for pointing that out.

[@alexandrahubner6736]

Thank you so much for this high quality demo video. So professional and helpful!

[@AlichinaThePinkLady]

Your videos are so well constructed! I love the way you analyze reality to translate it into watercolor, it makes things so much clearer. I gained some understanding at how to paint water from this one, so thank you!

[@cristinasalesluis3075]

Great video lessons you post Eric!! This one was no exception- Just awesome!!! Thank you !

[@barbaralee915]

Just beautiful. Thank you!

[@belindahall5220]

Thank you so much Eric! Loved it!

[@daydellamartineza8570]

In love with your work!

[@Zenon-fg4dw]

Beautiful! You make it look so simple.

[@Pamsartplace]

Love watching and listening to you!

[@davidgreene3809]

Beautiful painting and great lesson. thanks so much for taking the time to do this.

[@sherlynn7211]

Just love your wonderful videos.. thank you for these!

[@neilmichaeldeasis3433]

i learned so much from your tutorials as well i was really entertained with every stroke you make. thank you so much for sharing your skill.

[@shirleyhuet2959]

Thanks so much Eric. Lots of really useful information and tips. Was a pleasure to watch you at work.

[@deniselanglois8544]

Eric, this was very informative and beautifully done. Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@cyendsj]

Great demo and painting! Congrats Eric and thanks for sharing

[@zhydanovajulia]

I adore and afraid of the watercolor at the same time. But you give me confidence that I can actually start painting, thank you!

[@alishar9109]

Thanks for the very clear instructions. You ROCK!!!

[@soniazawacki5459]

I love watching you paint, and I appreciate your tips and helpful hints. Thank you for sharing your gift with us... I'm a beginner and love watching your paintings evolve!

[@adilsoncosta33]

Incredible lesson Eric, thank you for share with us your knowledge. Your lesson about painting water is something impressive... I have no words, I've learned so much with your lessons. Now I will practice...

[@tammylanglois2602]

As always, your tutorial is excellent!

[@rexwater1]

Excellent teacher! My favorite on KZbin. Thank you Eric!!

[@tephlim5552]

Thank you for this video. I learned a lot. Keep up the good work!

[@kellydoran6003]

Thank you Eric. You are a great teacher!

[@robmcshane6907]

Once again you hit the button (I'm busy with a still lake piece with sharp reflections) and help me improve my painting enormously. Such well planned and executed videos Eric. Thank you so much 😃.You're the best around KZbin

[@leocongiu]

Thank you Eric, you have a wonderful way of imparting knowledge, very much appreciated.

[@theresajones6088]

That was so clear and easy to understand, you are a good tutor, very much appreciated.....love your paintings too....

[@anilvinayakan1701]

It is so nice that how you broke it down how water behaves in different scenes. Demonstration is excellent. Thanks Eric. You helped me to learn to see things better.

[@nextspring9916]

One of the best painting lessons! Love the explanations using pictures; demo is also fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

[@astridattwell4985]

Thank you Eric. That was very helpful!

[@denisecassel3392]

thank you Eric I find your demonstrations are so comprehensive and very helpful. thank you so much Eric

[@autumnashes92]

I love how you give actual informafion instead of just painting it. Thanks so much! Helped me a lot.

[@tapasghoshdastidar7334]

Eric, I have watched few watercolor demonstrations of yours. Your way of analyzing is very clear, step wise,logical. Enough to attract some body in this medium. I love to watch.

[@CamiloMazorra]

Thanks for the lessons. They have helped me a lot. Great work

[@Milan13254]

Thank you so much for sharing and explaining! I found your demos very useful and inspiring! I will watch it over and over again! 🙏🏻

[@lindacarey6703]

What a great teacher and painter you are! Thank you so much.

[@purity2706]

What a terrific watercolor lesson!! I've been so intimidated about using watercolor to paint water, I usually revert to my tried and true acrylic process. Now I can tackle it with more confidence. Thank you for sharing what you are learning, you are a terrific teacher!!

[@artofgould1945]

I agree, watercolour is much more intimidating than acrylic to paint water. The fear of losing those highlights is very real!

[@natalykenny2069]

Absolutely amazing tutorial! You are a great teacher, Eric! Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us! Beautiful painting!😍❤🙏

[@bethw7]

Excellent breakdown of water types and observing texture and colors - thank you!

[@Michelle-zw3bb]

Thank you Eric. This has been an incredibly helpful video to me. I just recently started painting with watercolor. The picture of the boat on the lake is beautiful!

[@KravMagaChennaiTamilNadu]

The demo was brilliant! Thank You!

[@riddhivyas1200]

Amazing explanation. Great painting! Thanks Eric!!

[@angelacataluddi9293]

Very grateful for your contribution s and content. Thank you!

[@elizabethbarnes3969]

Thank you for a beautiful painting and demo.

[@coopergurl90]

such a fantastic video. Thank you. I have been avoiding practicing water in watercolor but now I have some tools to start practicing, thanks to you!

[@Engelhafen]

Thank you for great sound in your videos and all your skill sharing. I hope you are having a safe and healthy summer.

[@natalyaporokhova7144]

Thank you for your explanations and tips. I appreciate it.

[@terrycardinal7911]

I just returned firm the coast of Maine and have so many beautiful photos. I also live on a large pond so learning to paint water is something I’ve been working on. This was a great lesson. Thank you.

[@JS-in5mq]

Marvelous teacher! Now I have to get busy and try to apply what I have learned. Thank you Eric!

[@marybrowne3095]

I look forward each week to your well-planned, well-delivered instruction. Thank you!

[@ShinyColors]

Wonderful share 😊 I loved your videos 😊

[@spacemonkey805]

Your tutorials are some of the best I've seen in how you break it down, it's so helpful. Thank you for your effort

[@lorilaux6330]

I learned so much!!! Thanks Eric.

[@Pansyleia]

I've been on and off painting and painting classes all my life, trying most common techniques, reaching all kinds of frustation and getting to a point where I didn't even like painting... until two years ago when I gave watercolors a real try, and fell IN LOVE. Thing is... this must be the best art teacher I've found so far... This is a true master class. Looking forward to some free time to put more of your videos on practice. Thank you @Café Watercolor - Eric Yi Lin

[@janicetio1219]

Loved the painting, great colour choice.

[@nikkiswenson54]

Loved your painting, and the very helpful tutorials on painting water!

[@julieholst7141]

Your demonstrations in water color is amazing !

[@PureXLR8tion]

Love your tutorial with all the explanations you gave us.

[@carincoaching]

Eric's lessons are wonderful. No long life stories before each lesson. When you open up the tutorial you get exactly what you asked for. Brilliant teacher thanks.

[@judymikes3494]

Beautiful! Thank you for explaining why you are making the decisions you make,

[@kerry4987]

You are such a good teacher! Thank you!

[@larkspin]

Thank you for sharing your techniques. They really make sense to my brain!

[@desleykakoulidisgallaway3382]

You’re a brilliant artist Eric , stunning work and excellent informative teaching 🙏🏻

[@patriciaward8189]

Excellent lesson. Thank you!

[@doubleknaveryVII]

This is my favourite one yet. Bravo.

[@Sunny74-]

You are soo talented! Such a calming voice. Hope to try your tips soon 🖌🖼

[@aslaan71]

Very informative indeed! Thank you Eric.

[@pamelabozzi239]

This is probably the best explanation of painting water I have ever seen. Thank you for the detailed information.

[@maineknightlife8408]

I never watch demo videos this long but I loved this one!!! Everything you said/showed us was so valuable and well constructed. Not all over the place or overly chatty like some other videos. Thank you for this and I loved the touches of the soft music and the ocean sounds while painting the demo pic near the end!!

[@barbarawilliams7012]

Forgot to say - thank you for all the information you give us, especially the reference photo and precise video times. You make it so easy for us to actually DO rather than just watching, so important, especially now when it would be so easy to fall into mindless inactivity.

[@johnnywhite1681]

Wonderful examples and explanations. Thank you.