How to Paint Watercolor Leaves with One Brush

Hi Friends.
Painting watercolor shouldn't be about rules but about finding JOY and using your precious free time to elevate your life. I'm here to push fears aside, avoid complicated tools and inspire free spirited, mood shifting watercolor experiences in short bursts of time.
1. Loose with pencil
2. Bold brushstrokes
3. Sketching with watercolor
I hope you'll paint along with me and ask all the questions you want in comments! Post your creations using the hashtags #artforjoysake and #forgetrulesforgetrightrememberjoy
Happy Painting!
XO, Kristy Rice
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LAST VIDEO:
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MATERIALS USED:
Royal & Langnickel Majestic Dagger 1/4:
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Watercolor Palette:
Holbein
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BOOKS:
The Art for Joy's Sake Journal - amzn.to/2BIyLGG
Painterly Days, Floral - amzn.to/2uePgUG
Painterly Days, Woodland - amzn.to/2tKRMP7
Painterly Days, Pattern - amzn.to/2vFTyTc
Kristy’s Summer Cutting Garden - amzn.to/2tKlbcm
Kristy’s Spring Cutting Garden - amzn.to/2gNtlzq
Kristy’s Fall Cutting Garden - amzn.to/2gNnrhE
Kristy’s Winter Cutting Garden - amzn.to/2uMHrHz
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A Flickering Start, Lights Motion

[@art_i_hunt]

*The way you are using that brush is amazing. Your explanation is remarkable!*

[@KristyRice]

art_i_hunt Ah wonderful, glad you are enjoying my ramblings!!

[@4tjinta]

TOTALLY agree!!!

[@keariewashburn4680]

💗😊😃I love your videos!

[@KristyRice]

I'm so glad!

[@GoNams]

Thank you for making a youtube channel. You make a difference in my life. Thank you 💓

[@KristyRice]

Wow, thank you

[@taratooley]

Okay. You are an absolute delight. It has been so much fun learning from you and watching how you have grown into an amazing world changer over the years. Your I guess I would call it "Stage presence" is just astounding over 5 years. I'm so proud of you!! I'm new to watercoloring. Started on the 4th of July. Of 2023. I've wdatched so many hours of your great training. You definitely bring me joy Christy Rice!!! I'll link some photos of my art in another comment of where I've come in a few short months.

[@KristyRice]

Oh thank you so much :) appreciate your kind words!

[@irenegarcia5429]

I don't think I've had as much fun or felt more FREE with painting watercolor until I watched your first two beginner videos! Your style of teaching is amazing. Thank you for sharing your knowledge here on KZbin! By the way, I just purchased the ceramic water container! I have been trying to find something that functions better, because I've just been using jars of water and it was driving me crazy. Can't wait to get it!

[@keariewashburn4680]

I love contrast too. It really enhances the whole composition in watercolor to me. Pops out main image.

[@KristyRice]

I agree!!!

[@MariaMartinez-jb3zn]

Obviously before your collection of brushes…background for my day, listening to you…incorporating what my style will be..🙏🏽🙋🏻‍♀️👍🏽

[@KristyRice]

Love that!

[@annsowers4591]

Kristy, you said something that clicked with me. I am majorly double jointed which is a pain in a lot of areas. Just about everyone will tell you to hold your brush further up, and that just doesn't work for me. I am amazed with the difference I have with control. Lesson learned, not all rules apply to every individual. I sat down and painted my prettiest leaves to date. I have never been heavy handed with water which you have shown to be a good thing. Thank you so much. Now I feel confident to paint in my Summer Cutting Garden book.

[@KristyRice]

Awesome! Thank you so much!

[@mariebrayshaw5113]

Fantastic..you are wonderful painter

[@annhinson5670]

What a beautiful bouquet of leaves. I love all the colors you used. I have this set mind that you have to paint all leaves green. This completely changes my mind. You showed me that it's ok to think out of the box. Thank you Kristy!

[@KristyRice]

Sooo many ways to make green come alive!!

[@janetm8902]

I could watch you move the brush & paint all day long!

[@gimenasolcimadevilla5859]

Love this!!! So inspiring. Thank you!

[@sharonsands708]

I saw an artist (paintinghyun) painting beautiful flowers with a quite large dagger brush and I fell in love. I now have 2 sizes and really love these brushes.

[@KristyRice]

Ahhh nice!!

[@melodine707]

You nailed the colors on that eucalyptus. Ive got those in my yard and will try it. ❤

[@sarahwoods4540]

Thanks Kristy. I followed along again today with lots of pausing and rewinding. I enjoyed putting the different techniques into practice that I learned yesterday and trying to recreate colours similar to yours. I think I'll watch the next beginner video tonight after making dinner.

[@KristyRice]

Wahoo!!

[@gnostie]

Ah good, this brush I can get in the UK. Great, problem solved!!!

[@KristyRice]

Perfect! I was researching to see if it was available overseas!

[@Bindismom]

The eucalyptus leaves are AMAZING!!!👍👍💖

[@KristyRice]

Thanks!

[@pamvance7378]

I love painting leaves. This gives me more ideas and techniques. 💗💗

[@KristyRice]

Wonderful!!

[@santawilliams9029]

Learning a lot from you I like your colors

[@KristyRice]

Thank you!

[@silverfox7778]

Your style of teaching is awesome and your personality brings joy to my heart. Thank you.

[@KristyRice]

So kind of you to say, thank you!

[@sylviaklassen2138]

I love painting !

[@suzanbostic7648]

I love your technique and am going to attempt this painting. Although it will take many attempts, I am going to preserve. First I need to work on getting to know my brush. Thank you for sharing this, it's beautiful.

[@softlanding138]

Amazing just creating as you go along!

[@sallyweston3143]

I love watching your videos

[@roselucht4583]

Just ordered two of those dagger brushes

[@Redspottedbug]

My Gawd , you are so talented, girl

[@judyswanson1508]

Beautiful

[@KristyRice]

Thanks!

[@softlanding138]

It's beautiful, Kristy!

[@arabesquejacob8176]

Just found your channel, and as a beginner that worries about the rules , I love your outlook on painting! Thank you 🙏

[@KristyRice]

Yay! So glad you’re here!!!

[@FrancesPlante-q9t]

thanks very much.... i learned a lot and will practice your wonderful techniques.....

[@dianekey4780]

Beautiful variety in your leaves. You’ve given so many ways to create!

[@KristyRice]

Thanks :)

[@crystalheart9]

The design you created just randomly is really pretty!

[@KristyRice]

Thank you :)

[@donnaeturner]

I love your stuff!

[@KristyRice]

😘😘😘

[@rainbowfox1934]

I liked how well you showed that this brush can create leaves, lines, spots, blots, etc. And a nice painting to demonstrate it.

[@KristyRice]

Elizabeth Brandon thanks so much!!

[@Shakilee02]

The calmness!!!!

[@patriciafowler9413]

Love this!

[@ButterFly-cw7sj]

Wow!!!! this is amazing!!!1 Thank you so much! I love it!!!

[@KristyRice]

Awww thanks!!

[@patlatour2465]

Awesome leaves 😍

[@KristyRice]

Thank you!!

[@karenjoyce6025]

Your watercolor videos are absolutely inspiring!!! Thank you so much ❤️🧡💛💚💙

[@KristyRice]

You’re very welcome!

[@victoriajane2468]

This is stunning! The colors! 😮

[@portiaplumeria956]

I love the dusty shades of your colours! Brava Kristy!

[@KristyRice]

Portia Plumeria thank you thank you!!!

[@estelanivera1959]

Thank you! Your lesson encouraged me to continue learning and hopeful to be good at something I love doing

[@KristyRice]

Wonderful!

[@mslynn245]

I am so glad I found you and your free spirit. I started watercolor in 2021, and I was sure I got it. Not! So I find myself coming back to the basics to re-learn what I missed the first time around., Your brush work is amazing and I watched as closely as possible, but my composition doesn't look quite like yours, but maybe because I was using a 1/2" dagger brush. So now, nothing will do but I have to have a 1/4" dagger. While I wait for its arrival, I'll practice leaves with maybe an angled shader. Thanks for your tutorials. I'm in the audience watching!

[@PetiteYanot]

Kristy, you re gorgeous. Thank you for so clear explanations!

[@KristyRice]

So glad you found them helpful!!!

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

Kristy’s put in her ten thousand hours. You can paint like Kristy too once you’ve put in YOUR ten thousand hours! Her painting seems effortless, like a dance between brush, color, and paper. I guarantee it took doing the work, putting in the practice to choreography her beautiful dance.

[@jeantiesma7708]

10 thousand hours? Hmmm wasn't aware of that. Might take me longer, maybe not

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

@@jeantiesma7708 The saying from Malcom Gladwell goes " you can become an expert or master performer in any given field if you put in 10K hours of practice."

[@jeantiesma7708]

I understand, knowing myself it may take 10 thousand years lol

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

@@jeantiesma7708 meeeeee tooooo

[@KristyRice]

I have been painting for a VERY LONG time, started very young. What a lovely description.

[@firechick561]

So glad you did this! I just bought a small dagger brush to paint tall grass (going from bottem of page up). Thiis is more ways to use it Ive never seen. Thanks!

[@KristyRice]

Such a useful brush!!

[@MMGARC]

I happened to come to your video page merely by accident. Then when looking at the side panel, your's really caught my eye because I love watercolor. I'm a newbie at it and thought I'd jump in to see what you're up to!! WELL.....am I glad I did. I loved it, Kristy. In fact, I watched it twice! You truly make it look so easy - so I'm going to give it a go and see what I can do. I'll be watching more of you and your painting - thanks for catching my eye!!

[@KristyRice]

Well wishing you the best as you give this a try!

[@simonesolas2672]

Kristy you are the first artist that I follow who suggests the dagger style brush .I saw the beautiful way you use yours and went out to buy a few today and as I suspected I found it so much easier as a beginner to have control in this fuild medium of watercolor. Thankyou for sharing your talent and knowledge your work is beautiful. All the best from an Australian fan .🐨💕💕💕🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

[@KristyRice]

Simone solas I’m so happy you tried the dagger brush!! Glad you are enjoying!!

[@jeantiesma7708]

Just began watercolor a different study in a painting technique. I love the loose look, more abstract luv color

[@KristyRice]

Awesome

[@brendawinner1971]

I love your easy style. I also love that you didn’t put names to the colors, that discourages us beginners who have simple pallets. I had wondered why water colorist didn’t use the dagger brush because it looks like it is a lot more versatile than a round brush. I am going to order the brush.I am a new subscriber and cant. wait to see what you have in store for me to discover and inspire me. Thank you so much!

[@KristyRice]

Thank you for the kind words and thank you for watching!! I love the dagger so much I’ve now manufactured my own to be even more perfect. In my humble opinion❤️❤️

[@loveandlife4222]

I especially love the colors of these muted greens of the eucalyptus. Then when you charged in the dark rose to create the grays it was also gorgeous! Bringing in the peach was such a good choice and this is beautiful. 🌿🍃 Thank you! I just received your brushes in the mail and am very much anticipating using them! Maybe later today! 👏👏

[@KristyRice]

Oh I love reading your words! I don’t know how I missed this comment originally. Thank you! Hope you are enjoying the brushes!!

[@stillkicking2445]

Beautiful!! I would say it’s perfectly fine to turn your paper if you want to continue working when your painting is wet Therefore, you can avoid smearing.😊

[@KristyRice]

Yes! Thank you!

[@Addleysmom]

It’s so wonderful to see a tutorial using a brush other than a round. Even as a newbie I have found different shapes of brushes have made it easier for me to paint once I find out about how to use them. This looks like it’ll be so helpful and the explanations throughout are equally amazing. Thank you!

[@susante6330]

Can you please tell me what brush Kristy is using? Thank you.

[@KristyRice]

Royal & Langnickel Majestic Dagger 1/4

[@KristyRice]

Thank you

[@guillerminaayrolo2929]

great advice! beautiful art

[@KristyRice]

Thank you so much!

[@kristinegoetsch8009]

This was a wonderful lesson filled with so many tips. Your leaves are beautiful! I have been away from painting after a year of cancer treatment and am ready to start painting again. My skills and technique are rusty so this is a perfect exercise for me. Thanks for sharing your talent.

[@KristyRice]

Kristine Goetsch thrilled to hear you are getting back to painting! Let me know how I can be of any help!! Feel free to email with any questions you might have!

[@NPaintingStudio]

Such a good video. thank for sharing .

[@KristyRice]

Thank you for watching!

[@quetzalliandario9808]

Beautiful leaves, greats colors!!!!thanks for sharing your talent!!!

[@KristyRice]

Quetzalli Andario thanks for watching!!

[@edm.3484]

Hello from Latvia ! It is 3 am in our country but Im still binge watching you lessons.Love your advice not to be too much envolved, but just to enjoy process.

[@KristyRice]

Thanks for being here!

[@malinamorin4296]

I love that you asked this question! 19:37 What things could you do in your painting that would bring out or make your style more obvious? Thank you so much for your video. It is the first of yours that I have watched and have gotten so much from it.

[@KristyRice]

Malina Morin Thank you for sharing this with me. It means the world.

[@malinamorin4296]

@@KristyRice LoveYou. PS my middle name is JOY!

[@sheadorris]

Love rewatching this! Can’t wait to try it. I just got my brush in from your site😃❤️

[@KristyRice]

sarah and shea I can’t wait for you to try this brush!!! Please let me know what you think of it!!

[@mariapazacchiardo]

I am so greatfull, thank You so much for your joy and art! I can't find the link to the contrast detailing video you mentioned. Could you please share here, Kristy?

[@KristyRice]

Of course! And thanks! Here ya go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX-bYX93bZynq5o

[@mariapazacchiardo]

@@KristyRice thank you so much! Loved it! 💖🤗💖

[@donnabirney817]

Hi Kristy My first time seeing your style !Love it thanks so much for teaching us....

[@KristyRice]

Thank you for watching!

[@QuickWorksBeauty]

Just tried this technique. So much easier than struggling with a ton of brushes. Thanks for this video!

[@KristyRice]

Right???? So fun!

[@lynda7254]

Wonderful! Thank you ! Great demonstration and explanation. Again Thank you, very helpful and much appreciated!

[@KristyRice]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joanporter916]

I'm so glad you have done a few extra things I had hoped. First, your new Watercoler books with some different styles and demos.like this one to help build skills I'm saving all your vedios. Thanks .

[@KristyRice]

Joan Porter thank you!!!

[@jennymullins593]

so beautiful

[@KristyRice]

Thanks so so much!

[@erikangabonzima1627]

Wow so beautiful. I enjoy painting leaves all the time... So simple and beautiful. And by the way I have a cute little boy too. :) Greetings, Erika

[@KristyRice]

Boys are the best!!!

[@mojasmine8841]

I like very much !

[@KristyRice]

So glad you’re here!!

[@lindajarriel354]

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing so much information. You're a natural teacher! I'll be studying and learning from your videos.

[@KristyRice]

Aww thanks so much!!! Glad I can do this!

[@delightartbycari3659]

So positive and encouraging!

[@portiaplumeria956]

Brava, Kristy! I love how you create new shades of colours! Especially the dusty ones!

[@KristyRice]

Portia Plumeria Thanks a million!!

[@MummyBrown]

This brush flippin' rules! I bought this a couple of years ago and it and the "cat's tongue" shaped oval brush are two that I use the most. I've always been surprised that more people aren't loving this dagger brush more.

[@KristyRice]

Belinda Vega glad you love!

[@anniefaint6373]

This was lovely to watch,,,,. Xxxx 💕💕

[@KristyRice]

Thanks for being here!

[@jenbo2547]

You are adorable and so is your little man. So much talent too! I love this!!!

[@KristyRice]

Jen Bo Ha well thanks!!!! He is pretty amazing🤩

[@tanyaharris7514]

Thank You for this demo, I'm a beginner and have just sent for a dagger brush..can't wait for it to arrive now so that I can practise your techniques.. 💕

[@KristyRice]

tanya harris Hope you are loving your brush!!!

[@Eitleoidhme]

Maidenhair fern actually does have some red brown color on the underside of the leaf. It is the spore the plant releases to reproduce. Most ferns reproduce this way though I haven't seen this on the bird nest fern.

[@KristyRice]

Apologies for the late reply but thank you!

[@rosine2]

Très beau,très délicat, j'aime beaucoup ce que vous faites.. merci.

[@KristyRice]

Thank you!

[@christierella]

I subscribed, can't wait to binge watch your videos. I enjoy your style!

[@KristyRice]

Christie Trout thank you so much for being here!!

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

Thanks. Nice to see your techniques and hear your explanations. I enjoy watercolour but don't do nearly enough. It should be a habit. In class I use acrylics.

[@KristyRice]

Happy painting!

[@alisonknight5371]

You are inspiring. I love that you want people to keep painting. No failure. Keep going. I need to hear that. ❤️

[@KristyRice]

Well thank you!!! That is what I’m here for!! Yaaasss! Keep painting, even when it’s junk, and ugly and you are mad at yourself. Just keep keep keep it going. We need to spin the word failure, it isn’t a bad thing, it’s fuel!!!

[@MMGARC]

Hello Kristy. I am a newbie trying to get the hang of watercolor and having a hard time with leaves in making them look real. Someone recommended you and said you were great with watercolor. Well, I watched your video tonight and listened to your outstanding directions.This was one of the best video's I've seen and plan on continuing to learn from you. You're wonderful, Kristy. But there's just one thing.....I'm left handed. I really did do better with practicing tonight, it just seems like when I go left when everybody else goes right. I was wondering if you had any suggestions. Thank you, Kristi.

[@KristyRice]

Maeve Garcia thank you so much! Goodness I’ve honestly never thought about painting issues for left handers. Shame on me!! I am able to paint with my left hand, albeit slowly so I might suggest trying some leaves with your right to see how it feels. Knowing that feeling may help you better understand how to best adapt this technique for you!

[@kerbear829]

Where do I find supply list? I dont see a "description". This is my absolutely favorite video I have watched. Thanks!

[@123craftygal]

Hello, thanks for this tutorial. I have recently added a dagger brush to my collection and have N t played with it much. This has given me the kick in the pants I’ve needed. The leaf exercise is a good one, but I’m also looking for tree tutorials; no matter how I try-maybe too hard-mine look awful. Especially fir trees. I want to paint my own holiday cards so I need help! Thanks. You have a new subscriber now😉🎨🎨

[@KristyRice]

CATHERINE REEVES wonderful! Hope you are loving the brush! Trees are a challenge for me as well but thank you for subscribing!!

[@yankbeingaussie4414]

I think your wonderful I'm a beginner so I appreciate you explaining and sharing you knowledge ignore the negative feedback sooo childish!!! I'm in queensland Australia thank you x

[@KristyRice]

@@yankbeingaussie4414 Thank you for the very kind words!

[@annbecouarn6958]

Hi Kristy..I have woodland and love the toadstools ..love it all really x

[@KristyRice]

Ann Becouarn thank you!!!

[@annbecouarn6958]

Kristy Rice ..will look forward to your new book x

[@Gigiridgway]

Feels good watching you

[@KristyRice]

M.giselli H. Best compliment ever!!

[@63Calypso]

This is sooo adorable 💜

[@KristyRice]

Li Fiba 😘

[@MedaHalmaciu]

You always make me want to paint .

[@KristyRice]

Meda Halmaciu 😘😘👍🏻

[@susankievman642]

Glad I found this video. I bought a dagger brush some months ago to use for acrylic painting, but I have never used it because I didnt know what to do with it. Now that I am mainly interested in watercolor, I love this video for giving me ideas what to do with that brush. Thank you

[@KristyRice]

Susan Kievman Awesome! Did you check it the mark making exercise video I mention in the description? You’ll be all set after watching that one!

[@Rockymtnbloom]

Love your colors! What a great way to practice and explore color. Some artists refer to the method of touching on color to disperse it as charging. I did buy the brush and love it, thanks.

[@KristyRice]

Yay! Glad you love the brush!

[@marymary5494]

Gosh you are so easy to listen to, thank you 😊

[@KristyRice]

Aww thank you!!!!

[@judystrano8344]

Thank you! I am going to watch this several times because it is so helpful

[@KristyRice]

Judy Strano oh yay!!

[@susanwilson9448]

I just found a brush like this that was a gift , in my stash thanks for a lesson on how to use it!

[@KristyRice]

Awesome!

[@annekeeley-taylor1561]

I can't thank you enough for your teaching & sharing watercolor technique! I've been watercolor paint a couple of years now, totally self taught & love, love, love your mantra, #artforjoysake.

[@KristyRice]

Thank you for being here!

[@suel4269]

So beautiful!

[@KristyRice]

Sue Liberto thank you!

[@nerralynboldt1871]

I really appreciate how you clearly explained us how the brush is going to be used. I'm glad I found this tutorial. Keep up the good work! 😊

[@KristyRice]

Thank you!

[@iloveyourtattoos]

Awesome! I have a dagger brush that I never used (for acrylic) but I think I'm going to try it with watercolours now! Thanks!

[@KristyRice]

alie k try it and let me know what you think!!! Post your art using true #artforjoysake hashtag and I’ll see it!!

[@annbecouarn6958]

Fantastic ..I love your books

[@KristyRice]

Ann Becouarn Awww thanks!!! Which page is your fave? My newest is coming out soon!

[@kellyvanschyndel5312]

Well explained..love the color palette..cheers from the Netherlands..

[@KristyRice]

Kelly VanSchyndel Ah I’m glad it made sense! Sometimes I film these and wonder if anyone will understand me!!

[@bonniemanning2768]

Maidenhead is something else again. Good save.

[@bittypennybudgets]

You are so beautiful in fancy and real mode. Thank you so much for making this video and every other one on your channel. Are you coming out with more books anytime soon? I so much love that you don’t encourage us to get hyper focused on “tools or paints”. I love so much that you just teach technique and the heart of painting. Thank you so much for another morsel of watercolor wisdom.

[@KristyRice]

T Clayton Ha, well thank you!!! Yes, my newest book, The Art for Joy’s Sake Journal is coming Spring 2019! Your comment made me tear up a bit tonight, thank you!

[@liahlc9607]

Whuaaa beauty

[@KristyRice]

liah lc thank you!!