My Top 10 Watercolor Tips!

[@jengoodwyn2715]

I don't have a light box, but a good transfer hack is to use the flashlight app one your phone and then I put it under a clear Pyrex dish. It works really well!!!

[@everartokelli]

Great tip, thanks!

[@matsamnicfam]

Awesome idea!

[@mchjsosde]

Genius

[@weiqiuyou9402]

There was once I drew my rough draft on my iPad and turned the brightness to max and traced it onto watercolor paper

[@peggydid]

Or a small string of lights under a glass baking dish. I haven't tried it, but the window does get tiring after awhile! I plan to *need* this technique in one form or another soon!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Nicely done Denise as usual! It's always great to have a staple of these beginner videos on channel even though I agree, there are truckloads of them out there. Viewers want our take on even the most common content. Thanks so much for the shout out too.! Very kind. I had to L-O-L when you talked about too much detail and a "surplus of information." 😂 I don't know why it just struck me funny. I don't think thats uniquely you in particular, just something all KZbin creators understand especially when they get to the editing stage. WHAT? Whadya mean you don't want to watch two hours of a carefully crafted (albeit wordy) discussion? 🤣 Sigh... (why did I ever think I would have trouble filling 10-20 minutes).

[@InLiquidColor]

So true. The section I had on water cups was 3x longer, but I was like... Denise, no one cares 😂 thanks as always Steve!

[@Durchii]

Aww, Denise, it's all right. If it makes you feel better, my girlfriend and I are such green beans to this medium that we'd happily watch a three hour feature film on water cups! 😁 Steve, don't you have an inanimate skull to write poetry for? 'tis the season! 🤔😂

[@KoBizme]

Awesome. I bought watercolors a few days ago. Found her page from mind of watercolors comments. KZbin is such a strange world. Looks like I’ll be finding you two on skill share 😜

[@stevemurray6543]

Great video. No fluff or sales pitches, justwhat you need to know delivered in your recognized style. Thank you. Very much appreciated. Always looked forward to. Hope you are settled in your new home.

[@beejensen]

Thanks for the tip about painting what you like and then do it over and over again. That really helps especially when I feel like I need to master everything watercolor all of a sudden. Hello!

[@spoonierv1543]

Tracing paper is my New Favorite Thing so I’ll comment on that... Carbon transfer paper makes a fairly dark mark so one can also shade the back of the tracing paper with pencil and then press on the lines that were traced to transfer the pencil. Can also just use the tracing paper to get the corners of the shapes for the perspective size and then draw the rest directly on the watercolor paper by hand. Or a combo- more tracing lines for the dark areas of the painting and drawing lines by hand in the light areas where the transfer might be too dark.

[@Renilou2]

Even though I am not a beginner, I always love hearing what you have to say. I have heard so many times by different watercolorists that you cannot erase graphite after watercolor dries on it. But I do not have that problem. I learned you can use a pencil and erase after watercolor dries from Susan Harrison-Tustain. The only areas it will not remove as easily is if its under most yellow pigments or you are using the wrong hardness of graphite. For some reason yellow pigments will seal the graphite in, especially if the graphite in the pencil is soft. One of the worst pencils that does will not erase out is your common 2B. It seem the softer the graphite the harder it will be to remove no matter how gently you apply it. An F or harder pencil size lightly applied comes off easily in a Straedtler Mars Lumograph brand. I use Staedtler Mars soft Erasers. Thanks for sharing. You are awesome!

[@InLiquidColor]

Interesting - thank you for sharing!

[@jiangli3520]

I wish i had the time to put into my watercoloring, since I'm a student i really have to manage my time. I've been painting for years, using watercolor now as my main medium for 1.5 years, but my progress is so slow... Nice and helpful video! Would've sure been useful when i got started!!

[@revichan9313]

It's so good to link a face to your voice 💕

[@beckywebster90]

Great re-cap of the basics! It doesn't matter how many times I hear this stuff, it always helps me as a beginner at watercolor. I'm a pastel and colored pencil artist at heart (basically animal portraits but also landscapes) and getting through the learning curve between the mediums has been ...well..interesting (lol). I'm with you, Steve Mitchell and Louise DeMasi on Patreon. You all have such different styles so I am not sure why I am attracted to this varied group, but it is my winning combo. For anyone reading...I HIGHLY RECOMMEND SKILLSHARE (she speaks the truth). Excellent resource! I took the Water Control Tutorial and made it through the Rhino. Now doing Fur, Feathers and Scales. Thanks for all the guidance on color spotlight as well! One last note, 100% cotton watercolor paper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mjpete27]

I was taught in school to always stretch my paper and our instructor used stretcher bars of wood to avoid the tape pulling up fiasco! I use Blocks for freehand or abstracted works. I now only stretch my paper if I am doing heavy washes or BIG SKY pictures. Such a wonderful video and listed resources are simply fantastic! Way to go Denise! I am so glad your Skillshare experience is going so well! You are a top teacher no matter the platform! Thank You. NEW Edit: I wanted to come back and see what a beginner might need to know since it has been more than a couple of years since I did a beginners class! and as I was missing your videos I figured I would kill 2 birds with a single stone/er viewing!

[@InLiquidColor]

Thanks Michael! Stretching is one of those skills I always mean to learn but just haven't yet! Luckily I work small :)

[@deejcarter2003]

Watching you paint is almost mesmerizing, and so serene. Thanks for the wonderful tips.

[@InLiquidColor]

Aw thanks Dionne! I hope you are well!

[@deejcarter2003]

In Liquid Color I’m good, just trying to watch less and create more. Social media can be a black hole🤣

[@MandaPanda254]

Wow Denise how you have grown and developed! This really shows how practice, perseverance, and following you passion pays off. It's beautiful! I am so in love with this piece 😍 The colour scheme, the granulation, the detail, amazing 👌👌

[@Lauraisabelgonzalezart]

Thank You.... THANK YOU for 15:08 .... I am so happy you said that because while I'm not a huge watercolor enthusiast, I do enjoy watercolor lettering and the occasional beach scene+sunset blend. The fact that I feel guilty for not trying "all the latest and greatest" brush pens/brush markers made me feel like I wasn't in the "in crowd".... Thank You for re-grounding me...

[@KarensTinyCarCamper]

I haven't watched this yet, but at first glance I like the before one better! I will comment again after I watch the video tonight.

[@evetteurbino]

Very nicely done. Your videos are never "too much". I actually wait a while before watching your videos so I can purposely binge watch, lol. So today is my binge watching day. Thanks so much.

[@appleknocker56]

Once saw ppl saying had to first put your cotton paper in water (10 minutes 😳) then try & stretch it on to a stretcher board! Now most back of paper (100% cotton) and tape it fast to a 12 x 12 inch piece of thin plexiglass & it works! Ty for these videos & see use to much water (need to use paper towel) to dry it a bit first!

[@fufufuaru]

i had to watch twice because halfway through I just stared and studied how you painted 😅 i love the colors you used and it’s a very beautiful painting. thank you for sharing

[@InLiquidColor]

Hello friends! In today’s video, I finally tackle "My Top 10 Watercolor Tips for Beginners(ish)!" It sure took me long enough, huh? This video is intended as a resource guide rather than a list of things to do or buy. For those of you who are new to the channel, I have lots of other videos here on KZbin, as well as on Skillshare and Patreon, that can help you learn more about specific topics that you’re interested in. As promised, you can find a list of those resources in the video description above. Thanks so much for watching, and welcome to any new viewers! Don't forget to get your free Skillshare Premium trial for two months using this link! skl.sh/inliquidcolor7

[@watercolorsinbloom]

This is a must see for beginer'ish people! I had to learn several of these the hard way the past 3 months I have been painting which has caused me frustration and wasted money! Some of your tips confirm what I have been thinking I need to change. Although I did watch so many of the less detailed videos before, I wish this one was out when I was binge watching them. I LOVE tip #3 as I have not figured out how to choose my colors in an effective way for painting. Thank you Denise :)

[@virginia-marieparker6325]

YOU WILL NEVER KNOW JUST HOW MUCH HELP AND INFORMATION YOUVE GIVEN ME IN MY WATERCOLOR JOURNEY, Beacause, I myself, can scarcely find words. The scope of knowledge is immeasurably useful and you do a great service to all of us. 💐❤️

[@emilyirlart]

Thank you for once again sharing your wealth of knowledge with us! Really appreciate how much effort you put into these videos and it really shows.

[@Mtz2604]

This video is great for the goals in watercolor technique I want to achieve. Thanks a lot

[@lilysims2422]

This is stunning, as a scorpion women im drawn to the ocean and water in general and love horses... This was the perfect mix of both...

[@susinok]

I love Skillshare. I constantly take more classes on it. This is my second time around with a yearly subscription. The Hippocampus is gorgeous! Love it.

[@tedallan9336]

As a new comer (to this channel) I am blown away by how helpful this is. I am getting the courage to try again. This. Is. Magical. --- sooo good. I will subscribe - not something I do much of.

[@InLiquidColor]

I'm so glad it was helpful Ted! I hope you're off creating your own lovely artwork!

[@peggydid]

I love this painting and watching you paint Denise! I also appreciate that "surplus of information!" Hugs!

[@KRCanetti]

It's good to see your tips too. One can never learn and know too much. It was so nice that you were showing several aspects of your teaching through your painting. For beginners this makes it much more understandable.

[@stephanieheiler2327]

What I've learned through my watercolor journay so far, the paper matters. Spending the most of my budget into a good quality paper makes all the difference. Just trying to do simple exercises is "boring". I've have to "learn" what works and what doesn't in actuall paintings. I also learned the better my sketch the better my painting. Another thing I also figured out (for me) I always use the brush I'm feeling most comfortable with, even if it's a smaller brush on a larger painting. I've color and mixing swatches from all my paints and when I get new paints and/or supplies I always do some tests to figure out how they work. Knowing how to work one sort of paint doesn't mean another paint works the same way. And, that's maybe my most important experience, I never think my painting has to be a masterpiece. It was a long and sometimes frustrating experience but it was worth the time. I can watch at my paintings and see them as a part of my journay. Experimenting and trial and error is what works best for me. And sometimes you need to step away and look at the painting later or at another day with fresh eyes. In the evening you think your painting should go to the bin and on the next day ... wow doesn't look that bad ...😊😉🙃

[@HumdrumCurio]

This was a lovely rewatch. It would be interesting to see another repaint of an old favorite and hear more tips of “what I wish someone told me I was first starting” 😁

[@InLiquidColor]

I may or may not have recorded another repaint last summer... and haven't been able to edit it since then - ugh! Soon I hope!

[@sablemoreno5095]

I like to think I'm intermediary with watercolor, but it's always enjoyable to hear the basics while working as reminders

[@andreag5517]

This video was so enjoyable to watch. Loved the painting process, colours and subject.

[@Michelle-ux4et]

Thank you for saying to paint what you really feel passionate about. I like painting human portraits but sometimes I feel like I’m suppose to be doing different thing instead of sticking to the category that makes me the happiest. I feel better knowing I don’t need to feel guilty when I feel like painting a portrait, even though I do it a lot.

[@KittehNow]

I LOVE your work

[@CarolynsArtAdventures]

I enjoyed watching this, and seeing how you manipulate the water and pigments. I love the hippocampus!

[@puma.]

Hi Denise! I’m so glad I found your channel, you are my favorite Skillshare teacher and I’ll surely be binging your videos here too! Best wishes from Brazil

[@InLiquidColor]

Thanks so much Lais!

[@weeiii.93]

I really enjoyed the part where you painted the tail!

[@chantelmcskimming6633]

Thank you!! 😀👍

[@ellengoodloe9786]

Good to see you back. Hope you've 'survived' your move and settled in. Love your new studio. Great video

[@hmichael228]

Beautiful dragon painting... Exquisite...

[@randicommand2453]

Perfect way of presenting what you promised! Although I am not a beginner(ish), I still enjoyed your tips, and they served as reminders for me!

[@isabellalucia7820]

Drawing tip from Jane Blundell: Use appropriately coloured watercolour pencils (lightly) to draw - they’ll blend into your paint and leave you with no lines.

[@MixedMediaCraftsbyDiane]

Thank you for spending the time to offer tips for watercoloring. It is much appreciated! I love your beautiful painting!!

[@noellecurtisart]

This video reminded me that I need to seriously check out your Skillshare classes! It’s always helpful to brush up technique and think of things a little differently than I’m used to. This is a great beginner (ish) watercolor video, you really summed it up well.

[@InLiquidColor]

Aw thank you Noelle! I hope you enjoy them, too!

[@noellecurtisart]

In Liquid Color I’m watching one right now, and yes, am am enjoying it!

[@srednaart]

Great video! Very helpful :) I've made a couple watercolor paintings by now. I find it easier when sketching, to do it in pencil, then do tracing paper over the top with a waterproof marker so my paint doesn't mix with the sketch.

[@danellemalan]

Great video, thanks! I will be sharing this with my beginner students! :)

[@InLiquidColor]

Aw thank you so much!

[@jmoss55ish]

I am on my second year with an annual subscription and I love, Love, LOVE Skillshare! I watch all of your classes😀

[@gabss2618]

Hi Dennise, long ago i purchased a compact water color palette that I have picked up once a while to make some paintings for friends on their birthdays and such. I never really had the courage to actually challenge myself to really learn it .. i suspect it might be the fear of not being as good as I’d like but I found your channel while looking for supplies really just for fun and I love the way you paint animals and the way your kit also takes the environment into consideration! I found out some cotton paper gets coated in gelatin and was so heartbroken thinking this would be something id have to let go. I heard its best to invest in good paper so I got some thats only 25% cotton to start, since I have developed a requirement for all things i use to be free of animal byproducts (and the more eco friendly the better!) i took the plunge and purchased your watercolor palette because it feels like the only palette right for someone like me. I haven’t received it yet but i hope i do soon so i can play with the colors and finally take the next step painting the creatures I love. What i mean to say with this all is thank you for making your palette with vegan and earth friendly colors it takes the hassle and stress out of starting out for some one like I who doesn’t mind splurging a little now for something i can feel good using for lots of time to come. I got the paint tube version so i can just use a little at a time while im still learning. I plan to take some of your classes too so see you soon once it all arrives! I’ll to watch your pigment spotlight videos now haha

[@simpleartideas]

So much of delicate works... lovely art and quite inspiring. Have a great day ❤

[@raggedyroad]

Loved watching you paint this beauty. Thank you!

[@nancypalmer6729]

Thanks for another great video, Denise! I love the ethereal look you captured with this painting.

[@wizkidsvideos]

Thanks for this video. Extremely helpful for us newbies. Plus love the colors you used. ❤️❤️❤️

[@KarenElaine]

Hi Denise, I really enjoyed this video and although I am not a beginner, your videos are inspiring for all levels of experience. I have a light pad and I never thought of using it for drawing on my watercolor paper. Thank you!

[@vonkrum]

Great advice and absolutely beautiful painting.

[@TammyLML]

Thank you so much for the wonderful video! I'm an acrylic artist completely new to watercolors, and this was quite helpful. Looking forward to exploring your channel!

[@miaomiaochan]

Thanks for this informative video! I showed my artist friend some videos on your channel, and he really appreciated your passion for wildlife conservation, which jibes perfectly with his own interests. As an aside, I got a big container of Talenti hazelnut gelato for my mom months ago, which she finished only a few weeks ago. I cleaned it out, intending on using it as a water reservoir, but I left it at her house...

[@InLiquidColor]

Aw thanks so much for sharing it with your friend! And yay for gelato and water cups haha. Hopefully you can pick it up soon :)

[@kilemon]

Merci beaucoup 💝

[@deepu55536]

Thank you for your time.....

[@cherigreen4471]

OMG, I love your work and love the mythical animals you create and oh those fabulous color combinations! I want to live in your world! Off topic..By the way I love your hair!

[@kavyakiran8848]

Amazing

[@MrsTiffanyGrey]

I finally have some time to catch up! Do you remember your funniest blunder as a beginner? Does it seem a lifetime ago? I bought LOTS of colors from LOTS of student grade and below quality paints because I wanted ALL the colors. It stunted my growth as an artist and I don't mix colors very well now. Wahhhh! Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge with us!

[@ellasuominen9017]

This video helped and inspired me, so thanks for that! (also, your art is amazing!)

[@ctgraphy]

New here, love the color transitions - And thanks for sharing your progress! It's really fun to see things like that.

[@mrandnrmrandnr3296]

great tips, long time watcher first time comment. I was watching another channel talk about galleries, were you interviewed on that? Would you recommend the Van Gogh paints over Mei Lang for a beginner?

[@ananya9135]

What’s the shade of teal used here? So beautiful ♥️

[@stephw1363]

I was hoping to join patreon but you and some other artists i like keep talking about skillshare....just wondrring what the differences would be and if i can find content of yours on there too?

[@heathersmith4354]

i am having an issue with masking tape that i use for both acrylic and watercolors after i painted and removed tape onced dried, i have notice that my paint has bled through under the tape. i used masking tape and blue painters tape and still bleeds through. what am i doing wrong or is it the wrong tape i am using????

[@mkpersson]

Are you using schmincke Horadam in pans?

[@InLiquidColor]

Yep! But the formula is the same either way.

[@jodibrailey8110]

Great video, thank you Denise. I am wondering if anyone can help me...I cannot find the Schmincke Watercolor in Phthalo Turquoise as mentioned in your description. Does anyone know or am I looking for something wrong? Thank you:)

[@InLiquidColor]

Thanks Jodie! Schmincke calls it Helio Turquoise.

[@retrochristmaschic]

Thank you so much for this video. It is so informative. Would it be possible to ask the exact brush (brand and size) you are using around 7:40? I am thinking it is Silver Black Velvet 3000 series but not sure of size? I love how it comes to a perfect point...I am new to watercolor - only started this past summer so I really appreciate you posting this video!

[@InLiquidColor]

Glad you liked it! Supplies are always in the description. I almost always use Silver Black Velvet brushes, and this one looks like a size 8.

[@mjpete27]

I know the silver series are nice brushes, if you are looking for something else, you might look into Mimik watercolor brushes, mimik brushes can be found on jerrysartarama for great prices and animal friendly too! I never wanted Kosinski brushes because of the prices and cruelty to animals is so much a part of the controversy of their use.

[@retrochristmaschic]

@@mjpete27 Thank you so much for the suggestion. I will check them out.

[@retrochristmaschic]

@@InLiquidColor Thank you so much for the quick reply! :)

[@godzandheros]

@@mjpete27 Unfortunately natural hair brushes are so much better at holding water and laying down pigment evenly and smoothly compared to synthetic replications. I feel like starting with natural hair brushes would be beneficial for beginners as they make controlling the paint easier.

[@anabella1184]

Yep now I’m 100% sure the problem is me being broken to buy nice paper 🙃

[@cricketcricket9749]

I like the before better.

[@cindyhorton6980]

In your opinion, do you think the Silver Black Velvet round brushes are okay for beginners to use? I know they have been described as softer. I don't know if they are too soft for one just starting out.

[@spoonierv1543]

Cindy Horton I just got Silver Black Velvet brushes after starting out with Jerry’s in-house brand (I want to say CareMark but that’s not it... whatever it is) Qualita brushes. The main difference I have noticed is things like what Denise calls “softening off”, places where you need to really control the water so you don’t just have water or no water but a gradient, is SOOOO much easier with the Silver Black Velvet. I thought I didn’t have the skill to do it, but I think it was my brushes.

[@cindyhorton6980]

@@spoonierv1543 Thank you so much!❤️ May I ask what sizes you use?

[@spoonierv1543]

Cindy Horton Well I should start by being clear that I’m a beginner too and I have no particular reason for these sizes, but I have 2,4,8 and 12. I usually paint 5x8 and largest 9x12 inch paintings, which I think matters to the size of brushes... And I’ve found that there are still places for the stiffer Qualita brushes, but about 90% of the time I use my Silver Black Velvet brushes.

[@cindyhorton6980]

@@spoonierv1543 Thanks again for your input! I really appreciate it and it helps me make a more informed decision. Being a beginner I sure need it!! ❤️❤️

[@jwilliams5273]

I'm getting the impression from all these art videos that to actually produce a decent piece of art, you kind of have to either be quiet wealthy or have a KZbin channel where companies send them free supplies to try. I live in Australia so alot of really good supplies aren't available here and what is here, is way more expensive than other countries. At this time, where alot of people have lost their jobs or hours cut, art supplies are not an option. Creativity is suppressed or reduced to a piece of copy paper and a pencil. I can not afford even half decent supplies. Do you have any suggestions for people like me who want to buy the best I can afford, but can't actually afford anything half good. I care for my husband full time and art was something I thought would be good for me. I feel like it is for a better pay class than mine. I want to go beyond the basic pen and pencil but EVERYONE says "Bye the best art supplies you can afford" What if I can't afford even that? As I said in the beginning, Art seems to becoming more and more for the privileged.

[@meanmurine]

At first I got by on prang school paints, free/discounted paper, cheap sketchbooks and paint samples off online art stores and a handful of cheap brushes. I saved the better paper samples for more detailed work and the sketchbooks and crap paper did well for coloured sketches, simple things and whatnot. Crayola-esque coloured pencils can also be nice, for coloured lines and details and things. For practice sketches and things I wouldn't paint, printer paper was used to avoid wasting anything I could paint on. This is late, but I hope it helps you.

[@cathyxox3999]

What would you say the definition of a thumbnail is this is like an example?

[@InLiquidColor]

I'm not sure I understand the question Cathy. Happy to answer if you can help me out a bit!