How to use watercolor: still life tutorial | IN THE STUDIO

Learn how to make a watercolor painting like Georgia O'Keeffe, Paul Cézanne, and other artists in this new episode of our tutorial series IN THE STUDIO. Artist Jia Sung teaches two different techniques: "wet on wet" for more improvisational work and a drier approach for still life painting and observational work. See how she uses tube and pan paints, different types of brushes, and looks at works in MoMA's collection for inspiration.
Works referenced:
Georgia O'Keeffe. "Evening Star No. III." 1917
Georgia O'Keeffe. "Train at Night in the Desert." 1916
Romare Bearden. "Untitled (Brenda)." 1984
Paul Cézanne. "Mont Sainte-Victoire." 1902-06
Marlene Dumas. "Chlorosis (Love sick)." 1994
0:00: Introduction
0:54: Tube paints
01:12: "Wet on wet" technique
01:49: Georgia O'Keeffe's watercolor
04:32: Pan paints
05:59: Still life with drier approach
07:49: Types of brushes
9:38: Cézanne watercolor
11:19: Incorporating "wet on wet"
11:53: Fine line work
12:25: Georgia O'Keeffe's watercolor
13:51: Finishing
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The comments and opinions expressed in this video are those of the speaker alone, and do not represent the views of The Museum of Modern Art, its personnel, or any artist.
#watercolor #watercolortutorial #watercolorpainting #howtowatercolor #paintingtutorial #stilllife #art #museumofmodernart #moma #museum #modernart

[@margaretsalasidis7529]

What an excellent communicator this lady is and her lesson is so informative

[@KateColors]

She's got a gentle way of showing the fun and excitement in watercolor painting. Relating the art to the practice is especially helpful in reinforcing an individual's further exploration. Just nice. Thank you. ❤

[@ACM327]

My dad was a painter- as a child he could only afford those cheap water color kids palettes but he used them like oil paint / acrylic (thick and not transparent or watery) his entire career- he painted very detailed New Yorker covers you’d never guess were watercolor paint. Just shows you how incredibly malleable watercolor is for so many different kinds of artists. Wonderful video.

[@mymanyminds00]

This is the best intro to watercolor I've found. She is a wonderful teacher and her approach is so pure.

[@elkisa6223]

I really like how approachable she makes it seem like no pressure but with Art nuggets of how to look at certain elements of art she enjoys …. Makes me happy

[@nikiniki7176]

Loved it. I'm now craving some watercolor painting

[@versterker1981]

Absolutely stunning, what a marvelous tracher!

[@kookaburra24]

So interesting to take a tour through different artists’ approaches to water colour, during a demonstration. Articulate and interesting combination.

[@francoisederocher]

Beautiful introduction to the magical medium of watercolor. Let it run, bloom, drip, explode and surprise you every time.

[@kristievanderzee8754]

The really cheap Canson paper she uses can get some nice textures, but you may need to use a better paper if you want certain effects, more layers, or smooth washes. She talks about pilling on the Canson that you can avoid by using Arches (Cold Press is good for beginners) if you can afford it. For watercolor, the paper makes all the difference, if you invest in anything, let it be paper. Fun to watch her process. 😊

[@misouk12]

맞는말씀

[@georgiejulius556]

Agree, And the paints too! quality pigments can last longer and always vibrant

[@caroljuniper5100]

I’ve been using Carson paper for a while now and to be fair I’ve never had any pilling issues.

[@ilahjarvis]

I was thinking the same thing as I watched this. I could immediately tell she was using inexpensive wood pulp paper by the way the paint behaved, even before she identified the brand. I play with cheap paper too, but I'm often haunted by how much better my picture would look if I went with 100% cotton Arches. Wood pulp paper doesn't take paint well, so the colors are paler, and the paper dries more quickly so can be difficult to do wet into wet techniques if you don't paint very quickly. After decades of experience I find that I get better results with a good student grade paint like Van Gogh and spend more on Arches cold press paper than use a professional paint like Winsor and Newton and a cheap paper like Canson XL.

[@midnightcat6116]

Ok Karens

[@kbender3626]

I'd love to see more work in her small journal.

[@selmag5819]

I love this video, the art, the way the artist is explaining her decisions. If she was interviewed, I think it's genius that the questions have been cut. The editing makes it sound like we are following the artists train of thought. Wonderful. And you know: I didn't like watercolors before I watched this...Thank you all!

[@shelleyaw123]

Thank you Ms Sung. I’m have a really bad case of artistic exhaustion. Your comments on how going back to flowers as a way to cleanse your brain offered me some hope of getting past this phase in my journey. I’m not a great artist but art is important to me. My ability to create has become my sense of self. Thank you. I’m going to the florist today to try and find something that inspires me.

[@christophermahon1851]

I've always loved O'Keeffe's watercolors. Thanks for reminding us how freely they can be used; or, more detailed, depending on mood or subject. Your mythological studies are excellent, y the way.

[@slipton6493]

Excellent introduction to watercolor! Thank you!

[@paulettelane6428]

Your comments about each stroke of the brush revealed the thought process before applying paint; plus your relaxed approach to the painting. Such good information for a beginner. Thank you very much.

[@annclyde]

Enjoyed this so much..I tend not to use watercolor but as she explained it I see the value of freedom in the medium..love this series

[@handznet]

Finally, after 6 years In thr Studio is back! Please do not stop this time!

[@acd7346]

This completely changed my perspective on watercolor... Thank you!!

[@frogman1]

woww i just loved listening to her talk about the pieces that inspired her... i kinda love the way she approaches art

[@PalaszewskiFamily]

I would have enjoyed more close-ups of her brush while she painted. What an excellent, and inspiring teacher. ❤️ More videos please.

[@tarotbysemaj2424]

Brilliant demo, though it's MOMA so there's that! Jia Sung is a delightful instructor, her cogent delivery makes for a gentle and informative educational journey.

[@boterkaaseneieren]

Thank you, great video. Watercolor is a difficult but beautiful medium. Love the work of Dumas

[@diegoinjapan]

Very inspiring in its simplicity. Thanks

[@shepherdessofskymeadow]

I loved this! As I was watching it I also realized, I think I saw one of Jia's shows back in 2019! At an art gallery in Bushwick whose name I am now forgetting, but the show I definitely remember. I was mesmerized by the loose, dreamy quality and mythological imagery then and still am. Love your style, thank you for sharing!

[@katinkaaskehave5465]

a good watercolor piece can hit me like the most vulnerable enchanting poem

[@alesssurprise93]

this is sooo lovely thank you Jia Sung! the commentary with other works as examples were lovely

[@CBbehereNOW]

Absolutely wonderful. Well done. Thank you

[@CoconutwCoco]

love her way of teaching plz bring her back

[@selfdiscoverysupport]

I came to know her work through her recent tarot deck, The Tricksters Journey. It's such a beautiful collection of 78 little paintings and an interesting concept explained in the guidebook.

[@59Drauz]

❤Thank you for a lovely tutorial. I love your Tao paintings so much!

[@SyarSAlia]

I clicked on this video because I've always liked the In the Studio series and was excited to see a new face. Imagine my surprise when Jia Sung starts talking about their tarot project and I realise that I've literally just bought that very deck, and it was on the table next to my bed! Loved this video and their clear and calm manner of sharing their approaches

[@thestarspark2288]

Fantastic video! Great educational resource I'll use with my students.

[@rwight3611]

She had such great information. Loved this video.

[@annamabellaedgley]

This is very interesting to watch. I like the references to other artists and the flowers turned out very beautifully. Thank you!

[@heuristiclearning]

She really pulled me in to the art form I try to refrain from, loved this tutorial having thoughts to just try and have fun with it

[@Pattymelt415]

bravo! MORE watercolor videos please!! 🙏❤

[@AmaSharapova]

So inspiring. Thank you so much!

[@CrispySkates]

Lovely❤ I love how the story is delivered

[@gettingthingsdone]

Wonderful! I immediately picked up my colors.

[@fbpliegorrivero8869]

Excelente, fantástico! ❤

[@Epigrafe-od6dc]

Beautiful... LOVE IT ❤❤❤💋

[@artehuicholdf]

Amazing!!! ❤

[@sara2010M]

Thank you MoMA

[@eb6319]

Great video, very well presented

[@GetterGo]

Yeah Jia!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@bucketofbarnacles]

Lovely. Thank you.

[@AnnapolisGirly]

Ahhh, thank you for making this so approachable. I spend too much time thinking I need to plan and then I don’t start.

[@rosemaryredlin6936]

Great video. Thank you

[@LDJNEGRON]

Great video🫶🏽 I would love to do a video like this for you guys. My specialty is airbrushing. I’m sure people would enjoy it.

[@sciulliec]

Lovely video!

[@bdwatson814]

I'm inspired ..thank you

[@taylormurray9417]

I have been doing watercolors for about a year now and this video helped me make the first one I feel like I'm really proud of! Like I finally know how to respect the medium. Would love to know the paint brands you're using in this vid!

[@williammilton7428]

Very well edited vid too!

[@doga3641]

I like everything about this video, I just want to start water painting.

[@spencerbentley_creates]

I wish i could take a painting class by this lady.

[@timstangohr7859]

The best thing about watercolor is watching the layers build

[@charlzpapovitch952]

I wish she didn’t mention what kind of paper she’s using so that the negative comments about how you must use expensive paper would not be necessary

[@user-ms1zf5ql6q]

Колега левша.. Таки милые, но непривычные рисунки. Здоровья крепкого Вам!

[@kjmav10135]

She uses square brushes? I have pretty much only used them for washes. I’ll have to try a whole painting with them!

[@ryanbailey9207]

Hello do you have any artwork available for sale?

[@deborahjackson4295]

I gotta try it myself

[@olgaminina]

💙💙💙

[@jwalzer]

Any idea as to what type of brushes she’s using? Thx

[@emmanuelcamachoestuamigo]

4:45 me voló la cabeza

[@MrHamburgerHelper]

Actually butcher trays are slightly convex so water pools around the edges - hate ‘em for mixing

[@jufrinaldiartbkt4042]

Jufri Naldi Art bkt waching first time

[@Toni-hp3ji]

I was wandering if you can also use a (primed?) canvas with watercolors instead of paper? What did O'Keeffe paint on?

[@startreker8591]

I did my first watercolor Christmas card in 4 or fifth grade ( in the Felipinas Islas)because we’re poor then in the sixties ( my father was a natural artist y a letterer( using the finest sable brush to six inch kind y does 2 dimensional finish on them)cartoonist etc y a watch repair dude y he does paint like portraits y the like y a voice cultured one); I learn stuffs about art basically y still do y read about artist’s stories fr Europe; I learned digital paintings y it’s like water color thing well the way I treat it though …transfer the results into paper medium y framed them; My son who is a media artist grad fr UCSD told me that I could have transferred them onto fabrics digitally 🎉…

[@CozyCabbit]

I really wish that people would realize (if not just take a moment to understand) that high quality supplies aren't always in someone's budget. 100% cotton isn't going to be in everyone's financial league. Not everyone is striving to be a professional to utilize expensive paper. Someone using Canson as a way to play with watercolor isn't a terrible thing. And she's already stated that she /plays/ with that paper.

[@user-dq4yy6jk3s]

مساء الورد وعطره 🌹❤ اختك معاكم ❤ ‏‪0:15‬‏

[@ryanbailey9207]

Hello do you have any artwork available for sale?

[@hairyfrank]

Very nice video. Her pleasure is infectious. (I do wish people would lose upspeak, tho)

[@jonathantan2347]

all the western watercolours are labelled but neglected to include the Chinese works that are referenced?

[@kendallwalter4877]

P R O M O S M 🌹

[@teachmechinese]

So much criticism. Jeez... If you're such a great artist then go get famous and release your own interview. Roll eyes

[@JJONNYREPP]

How to use watercolor: still life tutorial | IN THE STUDIO 1748pm 26.6.23 i once knew a guy who enjoyed watercolours...

[@paintingclasses4317]

Not using a good brush or quality paper. Arches is the best paper and the paper needs stretching to avoid buckling. There are many things an experiment watercolourist knows.

[@kanako8froom4livingwithpij57]

なんかこの人の顔よくフランスで見る感じがする。。。

[@matthiasbargholz5126]

Was für ein Kitsch!

[@ft_ph]

Your audio is distracting. It’s like there’s a background noise like a drop of water on a pail everytime the artist speaks. It’s annoying and distracting when I’m focusing on what she’s saying! 🥴😣😣😣

[@marklee1960]

Very helpful, but the "up-speak" is unbearable.

[@annapanasiuk3643]

The brushes she uses are not really for watercolor, maybe that's why the result is not impressive the least to say...

[@jenl2530]

This video is for hobbyists. That’s fine, but I found the “ arty speak “ annoying and the info lacking. When one can afford it, use better materials. That means tube paints, which have much greater range, texture, and color choices than pans. Get a basic set of tubes and add to it as you go. Definitely use better paper that does not “pill.” Pilling can be due to overworking, but also cheap paper that cannot withstand the water. The is is any heavier watercolor paper you prefer, single sheet, taped down evenly with removable tape to a board. It will hold up much better for anything more than very casual work. Good brushes. Natural, if you can afford it and have no objections to animal fur. (Am ambiguous on this point myself). Look into using a “resist” for white areas. Get a small natural sponge. A disservice not to explain these choices.

[@denisestover2416]

I can't believe she uses such poor quality watercolor paper. Does she not understand the what and why of quality supplies - especially quality of watercolor paper or a lack thereof....‽‽‽

[@maximme]

goodness gracious. These are the mistakes of a watercolour beginner. Canson is NOT for watercolour use.

[@vegandolls]

that painting 'Brenda ' might be the most unimpressive thing I've ever seen. smh