Watercolor Painting (STOP doing these 5 things!)

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Let me know in the comments which of these you are guilty of! A wet into wet technique gives great backgrounds: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z33MiZmGZrWIi9k

[@MelanCholy2001]

LOL, this was great. I've been too careful probably, and I got my feelings hurt a bit when someone loved one of my (laboured, detailed, like with a magnifying glass) paintings and asked if I could "add some splattering". I smiled and said H no (because I'd preserved the freaking white of the paper just so!) and they said it was so people could tell it was "watercolor". 😦 This thing I'd planned, let dry between layers, waited a week for a specific paint (because the one I'd swatched didn't granulated as I'd hoped so I put the thing up until the appropriate paint got here), and they wanted me to throw some rando splotches on it? It's all transparent! It might not even be "good", but I quite liked it. I didn't act offended; I just said no and actually didn't let that one go because I was scared they'd take my painting and go buy some crayola paints and "splatter away". I'm quite sure I'm going to varnish or wax everything I let go/sell. Why on earth would anyone want to splatter a finished painting if it's not appropriate?! Yes, I definitely think it's a "fad" that's time to fade (unless it's appropriate). 👍

[@schragdenker5425]

@@MelanCholy2001 Too sad I can't give you 5 thumbs for this comment!

[@MelanCholy2001]

@ 0:46 "it's just the internet I'm not even a real person" 😂 (I haven't gotten past that point yet... laughing hard!)

[@evelyne7071]

Robotics have definitely advanced......HaHaHa

[@christinecloutier4015]

Guilty of wanting to paint loose right off the bat! I have been fighting with too much water for a long time. I am into more detailed paintings now to learn how to control the amount of water I need to use. Still not happy that I am not where I want to be but at least, now I am listening:-) I am glad I found your channel. Thank you for all you wonderful advise.

[@Carol0831]

Thank goodness! I thought I was the only person who disliked splattering on EVERY painting! As you said it has it's place and it can be useful but not on everything. I was getting discouraged trying to find a KZbin channel for watercolor that I found useful then I stumbled upon your channel! I am learning so much! Like I had no idea that loose painting was a skill learned after many years! It looks so simple. I thought there must be something wrong with me because I wasn't any good at it. Thank you for such a wonderful teacher!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks Carol, you are very welcome!

[@OneTrueWord1988]

Thank you so much for what you said about the horrifying fad of splattering! I can't tell you how many videos I've watched of really excellent artists who create a lovely painting, and then, in a giddy voice, say "Let's give it a little splatter to finish it off!" And I cringe as they cover their beautiful painting with copious splatters! I am happy to report that I have never splattered, not even once; nor do I ever intend to do so. 😊

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one!

[@pirjoraila4605]

I love your direct approach to addressing things. The advice is precise and not afraid to make some people uncomfortable. I am glad I found masking fluid years into painting and it too takes planning to succeed. There are some other things that bother me watching painting tutorials. To begin, some people have very peculiar style of holding brushes and also pencils. Not sure if it is just a need to express personality or what but many times it does not look like a very steady way. Another thing is that some people use really small brushes even when painting quite large areas. It makes my skin crawl to watch someone try to do a flat wash with a mini spotter and later do a "clean water wash" to smooth paint over. I think it is counterproductive for anyone not experienced to copy that way of painting. Scrubbing the surface many times over requires excellent paper that many students do not have and really hard to get good results on any surface. Actually at the moment I am trying to decide whether to paint a background or not.Some edges and forms are not defined with no background, but painting one is tricky.

[@marnikisor7094]

After 15 years I am doing some loose painting and it’s hard but fun. The big thing that I have realized is that it takes a lot of planning. You need to decide about and mix all your colors before you begin so that you have whatever you will need ready. Thanks for all your help and advice.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Planning, exactly!

[@paintingtheskykingdom9005]

Thank you for making me realize that one does not start out being able to paint loosely! I knew the famous artist that became abstract artist always first trained classically, but I didn't think of it the same for loose painting. Now I know why it is so hard, although I am able to use a loose technique here and there now. I think it is the most beautiful type of watercolor when done well. But now I know it is a goal.

[@safala]

I started with loose painting. After a lot of videos, books and disappointments, I decided to roughly sketch in the elements I want in my paintings and focus on the tones rather than the shape before I put color on and I am super glad to say that I ruin my paintings a lot less now. 10/10 would recommend starting out with sketches if you’re a beginner.

[@wallen308]

Thank you!! I recently painted something I was very happy with and showed it to a watercolour beginners group on Facebook. I got so many comments saying it "needed splatters" but when I asked why, the only answer I received was that it "finishes" the painting. I still didn't understand why though and people thought I was just being pedantic. I am very glad to say I did NOT ruin my painting with splatters even though I was beginning to be swayed. Your explanation makes so much sense and I may well refer anyone else that asks the question I had to this video. You are so easy to follow and understand and I'm very grateful for this free and valuable content. 💕

[@rosiecole4950]

Oh Michele ! I had a really stressful day at work today and have just sat down to watch this. I simply adore your forthright sense of humour I was actually laughing out loud. I confess to using too many colours when try to mix colours , I use masking fluid on most of my painting but I use a size 0 brush to apply it as it is for small detail only I have never tried loose painting but maybe one day I will use less details , I have splattered sometimes to create falling snow and sometimes to make brickwork look older and once to cover up some unintentional paint dripping in a background that couldn’t be lifted. I have never tried to add a background after painting. You have got to be joking I find it hard enough to paint the sky behind my house illustrations !! Michele that is my confession and I will now chuckle to myself snd make a nice cup of tea ! Thank you for making me laugh

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

No problem, enjoy your cuppa!

[@SKY-qf8qq]

Love your frank honesty. It’s actually really helpful

[@deblaurenson2971]

Love that you get your points across with humour. Great comments, thanks

[@MedaHalmaciu]

You are a great teacher and thank you for giving me permission to be a tight painter, at least dor now.

[@deannatonn8570]

For me learning the basics has been major helpful advice! I was so frustrated with myself with many loose painting tutorials only for me to be highly disappointed with the results. I now am thoroughly enjoying the leaning process and am reminded not to feel the pressure to become a loose painter if that isn't what I am supposed to be. Lol think this is the second time watching this one but soooo helpful as always !

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I'm so glad!

[@charlesng7942]

Thank you Michele! Especially for points 4 and 5: I enjoy the loose watercolour paintings by masters but recently I decided that I am not up to it yet, and your words are comforting to me. And on splatters..., well, let's just say I learned it the hard way.

[@Stacy_SJA]

LOVE the background tip! That’s exactly what I’ve been doing and getting so frustrated with myself after! 😁

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@beebee4095]

YAY !!! Thank you Michele ! No more Splattering! I want to run away when I see people spoiling their paintings splattering just because a tutor did it to their work, I now can not abide splatter. Plea

[@chrislora8255]

Guilty of loose painting! While I knew abstract is an advanced painting style, I didn’t realize loose was also advanced. Looks so easy, but…Will stop for now as I am only an “advanced beginner” 🙂. Also, your advice on backgrounds is spot on. Thank you, once again!

[@trishmirabile4905]

I love the dropping the cake on the floor analogy👍💕

[@julierose5225]

I love your youtube videos...you are fabulous!! Laughed so much in this video!!! Thank you!!!!

[@darlenerickert6793]

Thanks Michele, I needed to be reminded about every point you just made. I felt like I was progressing in my painting then decided to try painting without drawing first. I see now that I no longer need to question why my paintings of late are failures. I am also a splatteraholoic and I'm going to file that technique away for awhile too. Thanks again!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Splattering is fine, for a reason, just not for fashion :-)

[@ineseedwards9489]

About back grounds or making other decisions as to how to progress in a painting , I find it useful to print out the piece in colour just on A4 paper and use colour pencils to draw or colour your ideas of what to do - then when happy apply the idea to the actual painting -

[@carolann8250]

"...why not just bake a cake and drop it on the floor?..." I love it!

[@navyboymommygramma]

That got me too, hilarious!! 😂

[@nacimaa5638]

I just conjured up that mental image and couldn't stop laughing.

[@Alltheworldneedsajolt]

My favourite bit too 😂😂😂

[@anadarch7663]

Thank you for this particular video, Michele. I am a severe newbie😉. I appreciate any videos you present as I see them all valuable as a new beginner. Best wishes. 😀

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are so welcome!

[@BrazenSpirituality]

Thanks Michelle! 🎨🖼️🥰

[@Alltheworldneedsajolt]

Thank you for this. It’s very reassuring as a beginner.

[@chrishill9153]

Well said ......and it needed to be said! You're a teacher and people should respect your experience. Keep up the good work.

[@vickigower8125]

I believe I am relatively innocent of most of these things, except perhaps the loose painting part. I do experiment with that from time to time. Sometimes I get really lucky and have a beautiful result, othertimes perhaps not so much. Thanks for your honesty Michele!

[@kikifr6026]

I am new to watercolor, so whatever tips and cautionary advice you give are so appreciated. I am so happy that you talked about backgrounds - I really need to practice, practice and then practice again!

[@scottpm75]

As a beginner now trying to learn watercolour painting properly. Despite having the odd dab at the stuff over the years. I've already seen most of those points as things I should avoid. For starters. I'm so glad to see a lot of watercolour paintings with subject and white background. I recently did a small picture on A5 sized paper of a Kingfisher bird I observed at Sydney's Taronga Zoo. I did all the blue/black of the feathers. And the branch it was perched on. But then I decided I should do some kind of background consisting of the part of the tree. But intending on doing it in some kind of unfocused background. Also, to save me from trying to detail the leaves and so forth. Things got messy from there. Selecting colours. I have been trying to use the colour wheel. I have started to do my colour swatches. Which I can already see is a big-time saver in colour mixing and is a better way at deciding what colour pallet to use. If done properly. I was looking at doing one of those sheets with the 50/50 mix of each colour I have. Some people do the faded version of each of the colour mixes as well. Instead, I'm now looking at doing colour mix strips. Ones I can easily swap around to see how different colours go together, before deciding what to choose. For example. A row of greens based on Cerulean blue. In my case. Mixed with Lemon yellow, Cadmium Yellow pale and Yellow Ochre. I would do the same with greens based on the different yellows, but this time mixed with the different blues I have. Masking fluid? Didn't take long for that to pop into the picture for watercolour tools. I did have the feeling it's something that's more trouble than it's worth. Going overboard with the paint splattering? Sounds like a nice way to ruin a reassembly good painting. Looks at Intense Phthalo Blue in one's set. The one where you just slightly touch the paint with the paint brush and it's dripping in it. Add a tiny amount to another colour and it turns it bright blue. Thought of using that for paint splattering. Shakes head.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Keep at it!

[@michaelklein5242]

Very helpful advice--thanks, Michele!

[@robertweinblatt2018]

GUILTY AS CHARGED! I work within a limited palette but my palette I choose from is endless

[@977400Dana]

As usual, I took notes from your video. While I am not a beginner, I am basically self taught so there are definitely big gaps in my knowledge and I learn from everyone of your videos. One thing I have finally come to accept is that I will never be a loose painter. It just isn’t in my nature. But the big takeaway for me in so many of your videos is how important it is to really plan your painting on so many levels. And I’m guilty of just plunging in without a plan once I’ve completed the drawing because the painting is the fun part. So thank you for teaching me how very important the planning process is!!!

[@mieczyslawapascoe7234]

These are very useful tips. I am guilty of the sin of longing for other people's beautiful effects instead of aiming to find my own style. Your videos are helping me on my way. Thank you so much, Michelle. 💙

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

We all do it. Sometimes you just have to shake it off and go with the flow!

[@Spinsagoodyarn]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I am a beginner watercolor painter and have been trying to paint loose even though I am not a "loose" person at all! Very detailed in everything I try! I have felt like I was doing something wrong by not being able to paint loosely, so I feel like I have been given permission to just paint like I want to. I also have wondered about the splatter everything style. Now, I don't have to do that either. Again thank you for your opinions! They make me feel like I can try again and figure out my own style.

[@alicechampagne7091]

Amen re:abstract! My very first introduction to watercolor was with a wonderful artist whose style was abstract. Then my second instructor never was able to break down his talent into manageable “baby steps” and he did not teach us technique- he would throw paint on the background and let it blend together. So, after many years of starts and stops, I finally realized my style was more botanical in nature as I am more methodical in everything I do. The real change in my art came when I took a drawing class with a fellow member of our guild who taught fundamentals of drawing and value contrast. have finally confirmed what I have always thought! Until I found my style around 10 years ago, I would rarely complete a painting. Thanks for all your wonderful insights!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are very welcome!

[@2010ymg]

Your advice on practicing backgrounds separately is priceless. Too bad I didn’t hear it before. All your advices are quite helpful and I’ll keep them in mind. Thank you very much!

[@prettyblimp]

thanks Michele, I am learning all the time. w/c painting is so soothing just to watch on yt, let alone doing it! cheers!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@LindaDaly-c4f]

Very good advise. Thank you for your insights to painting watercolour painting it has openedy eyes.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JVSwailesBoudicca]

So pleased to have found you. Have been painting with watercoloUr for many years but I need taking out of my comfort zone/a fresh approach. To watch and listen to you gives me both and new ideas to try. Thanking you very much & I look forward (trying !) to watch many of your other vids if I have a few spare moments .

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Wonderful!

[@sherylpiche9878]

You give great advice. Thanks for all you do!

[@mary-joromero8821]

Thank you for the fantastic tips!

[@arielle2745]

I’ve been painting for decades, but I always find out something useful or interesting from your videos. Thank you for making them.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks for watching!

[@kathyking7812]

I’m having tea right now! I have only splattered once! I learned

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Ah... Splattering with purpose I think is the answer :-)

[@Stevie5409]

Michele you do make me smile, I really don’t try to splatter but unfortunately when I have finished my painting and I look at it, it just looks like one big splatter, perhaps it’s from the tears when my paintings are not going how I want it.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Artist's tears, could be a selling point?

[@annhinson5670]

I'm very guilty of doing these no nos. You are so right when you say, that you need to learn control of the paint and the tools.

[@bmikula1861]

Michele , I agree with you about splattering. It ruins good pieces. And it is over done . I so admire you for having the courage to speak your mind . i admire your courage and skill to become an Art Teacher and business woman, and martial artist and womens advocate , and single Mother , and environmental advocate , and animal rights advocate . I could go on . i think you are beautiful and everything i wish to be.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks for your very kind words!

[@Ruthie888]

People are always going to comment, but some people are contrary trolls because it's their natures. Ignore mean comments. You're doing great.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Bless you Ruth :-)

[@gidgetb3679]

Thank you, Michele! I'm new to watercolor, fell in love with it. I watched vid after vid last year on beginning to technique. Most, not all, of the time I would end up cringing as I watched helplessly as the painter splattered paint drops all over a simply beautiful painting. I get it, it's novel, it's unique and may be it's fun, but all of the time? Thanks so much for this video and your tips. I'm guilty of thinking abstract was the way to go for me as I can no longer see well enough to sketch or draw like I used to do. I will stop that! :)

[@jeankellner4314]

Thank you! I started with watercolors last November, so not at it very long. The local watercolor class is at the small art gallery in our little town. I had been so frustrating because the teacher loves loose painting and seemed to only teach that . . . I have tried to say that I can't do it loose because I need to have a reference to start from. So, that is why I came to KZbin and found you and a few other good artists teaching watercolor. Now I feel better instead of like an idiot. LOL.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

No one should ever make you feel like an idiot!

[@irmareitz701]

Thanks for the lesson. My pet hate is splattering! I’m fessing up because I want to paint loosely and thought I was useless because I couldn’t do what I wanted to do. Sooooo I am really encouraged to know it’s a process that comes with experience!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad you found it useful!

[@ewacollier4760]

Michele, of course you’re not a human, you’re my fairy godmother who helps me improve my painting attempts. It was so good to hear you’re comments about masking fluid, something I loathe and have never managed to get on with and now just refuse to use it. I also agree with you on the splattering, I’ve watched many tutorials and most of time I have wondered why? The other technique which seems to be in vogue is spritzing, also over used in my own opinion. As for painting loosely, well that’s my aspiration, my goal if you like but I’m a long way off at the moment but occasionally I give it a go, I found your reasoning very helpful. Thank you as always, you did make me laugh out loud 😂😍

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I like being a fairy godmother!

[@4ohgollycats]

No one ever mentioned this but it makes sense!

[@bjgoels]

Totally agree with spattering. I also feel the same way about watercolor drips on a painting. Both were interesting when I first saw them, but the techniques became so over used that they lost their appeal...and some of them just didn't make sense.

[@bethnolastname]

I love your common-sense advice!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you!

[@frankmitchell3594]

If I use masking fluid I only use for very small details and I apply it with a plastic tooth pick. They are small and flexible and work almost like a pen nib

[@kpogs8059]

Michele I love your humour! 🤣🤣🤣Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@SearchingforBliss908]

Loose painting advice priceless!!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts

[@lauradyer4157]

Love you point of view! Thanks Michelle

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks for watching!

[@orcamum]

Really valuable advice! The splatter fad has driven me crazy too... I loved your advice on loose painting.... for some reason there's this misconception that loose painters just chuck paint on their paper...and then many people try to do it and they end up in a mess only to wonder what went wrong....

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Exactly!

[@firstsun5208]

I so agree about the splatterings! It is trite like rainbows and has been over done!

[@denismoran670]

Great, Michelle - a propos 'real person' - my 6yr old gdaughter to dad - ' Dad, how does it feel being a boy, is it like being a normal person?'!!!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

That's hilarious. Feminist in the making :-)

[@OneTrueWord1988]

Denis Moran: I've often wondered that same thing!! 😂🤣👍😄

[@gujje4u]

Thank you❣️

[@robbedontuesday]

Michele, I love your videos for so many reasons: 1.- You are realistic. Many people believe that Art is "spontaneous"... LOL... Spoiler Alert: Art is much like some kind of science. 2.- You are strict. People think that Art is total freedom, while total freedom is achieve by superceeding maximum restrains. 3.- You are funny. I love your jokes, it gives the audience the notion that Art is not necessarily "solemn". 4.- I really, really, really enjoy your amazing English accent (II am from Argentina, we speak Spanish), which is like a super give-away for me.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Everyone loves an accent that isn't their own. Spanish sounds super cool to me!

[@jennifer_mertens]

Exactly, well said! I totally agree with you, but usually don't say anything as I fear people's over reaction/hurt feelings. I definitely was guilty of thinking "loose painting" would be "easy/perfect" for me as a beginner. Not so, I quickly learned that without a firm basic knowledge of how watercolors worked, I was doomed to muddy blobs and cauliflower blooms everywhere. It nearly stopped me from continuing my watercolor journey. Luckily, I realized I needed to understand the medium a lot more before totally giving up. Every point you made was valid and examples are widespread throughout FB groups and Instagram. I swear if I see another rainbow splattered ostrich/cow/chicken/dog portrait...well, you understand🤣.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I do!

[@lauraheller2366]

I’m so grateful to have found your videos. You are so clear and intelligent. It seems like you are always giving me a gem of a lesson I didn’t know that I really needed. THANK YOU

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are so welcome

[@nattyw495]

Informative and easy to understand 👩‍🎨🎨😷

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@schragdenker5425]

Thank you very much for this video and bringing back important basics! To be honest: I'm glad that I'm not guilty of one of these, even though I'd still call myself a watercolour beginner. My only explain to that is that I've been a (pure) digital graphic designer for years (was sure for a long time that I absolutely got no talent for any analogue drawing or painting) and I hate doing things to my work that don't make sense to me. Splattering is one of these techniques, mostly used for raping paintings all over - brrrrrrrr..... 😖 Concerning loose painting: It's all about planning! Once I read a very intelligent sentence (on my opinion): For every minute you paint, spend 10 minutes on planning. And I think it's true.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed the video!

[@anneedmunds9025]

I also groan at splatters. They are so often not necessary and over do a good painting.

[@margaretlindsay4129]

Great info. As usual explained simply and to the point. Priceless.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Much appreciated!

[@elizabethdelarosa9343]

I think your advice makes great sense! I’ll have to remember the cup of tea advice, thanks!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Always default to tea.

[@ronniecremers2354]

I had no idea one could use gum Arabic in this way. Thanks so much!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Any time!

[@dbald8]

I think people sometimes use the splashes when they are afraid to do backgrounds. I have used the splashes to just add something to the blank areas. I will follow your hint for just practicing backgrounds on a separate sheet.

[@nanshey]

I love splattering :D

[@susanbeckett9347]

Great advice.

[@rajivk.sharda]

Brilliant, as always 👍

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you!

[@julialord9110]

Michele ... that made me laugh out loud ... so true ... I’ve probably (and still do) done them all lol - painting loose , you are so right about it looking easy and it isn’t and I now know why I can’t get to grips with it as I’m trying to follow other people’s styles instead of developing my own ...(I’d of made a good forger !). so a great big shout out to you for that .👏👏👏👏👏...

[@TmarkN]

I hate Masking Fluid! You are definitely right about that. I've ruined a few painting by adding a background, although I have gotten better at it lately. Loose painting?? I'm not sure about that. I like to experiment with all techniques, although I do much better with drawing something first. About using too many colors, I don't have a problem with that. I tend to use the same colors or at least similar colors all the time. Your video is good, but I'm not sure it's going to be helpful to people because people are going to do what they want to do but hopefully learn along the way.

[@9159bsbs]

😂 My gracious! I really do appreciate your laying it on the line approach. Yes, I’m guilty of messing up a painting or two with splatters thinking I can do that but I’ve also seen pros messing up perfectly fine paintings while is gasp and say no! to their videos (IMO of course). Indeed, splattering is not for the faint of heart. I find my happiest moments come from a controlled style painting. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are so welcome!

[@lauracroyle2389]

Excellent advice, thank you for posting, and making me laugh in the process!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

My pleasure!

[@PHLewis1956ye1q9]

This was great advice, Michele. Your comments about splattering had me laughing as I had just experimented with it in the past week using an old toothbrush and it created such a mess. How in the world can a toothbrush throw out small spatters of paint in what seemed like every imaginable direction and yet only a small quantity went toward my intended target even though I was in point-blank range?! Oh well, I guess it's a lesson learned and now I can just use the old toothbrush for the odd scrubbing up job. I really do appreciate the tips and techniques you share with us. Thank you. :)

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

There's a trick to the toothbrush. Point it downwards. Draw your thumb or a flat blade knife backwards, the splatter will go forwards and down. Cover anywhere you don't want it with newspaper, preferably with a torn edge so you don't get a sharp line. Now promise me you will use it for texture techniques, not to ruin nicely painted work :-)

[@PHLewis1956ye1q9]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber Oh, I did use my thumb and I had the brush pointed down and I had taken some pieces of torn paper towel to mask off the rest of the painting, but I still found specks all around my work area, on me, on my computer screen and so on. If/when I try it again I'll try using a metal blade or similar...and move the laptop out of the danger zone. (Good thing it was watercolor paint so it was easy enough to de-speckle the area; I shudder to think what it would have been like if it had been oil paint or acrylic. Yikes!)

[@tbm7187]

The loose painting techniques does look deceptively easy! Oh yeah I tried it...fail! Lol! Beginner mistake. So glad I have watched most of your vids to save myself from throwing that cake on the floor! Thanks Michele!

[@brianriker7242]

Oh, Michele, I think I love you. You made me chuckle when I really needed it after an awful week! As a piano teacher and a watercolorist I so identified with this video! 😂

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

There's a lot of commonality in areas of the arts I think. It's weird because no one goes to their first driving lesson and expects to drive a F1 race.

[@nancyfix5555]

Funny you should mention the “splattering”…I have noticed so many beautiful WC painting tutorials (esp for beginners) that suggest this technique…and I wondered “why”…glad you explained…it’s just an “in” thing to do….LOL

[@patriciacrumrine5890]

Now that I've seen this vlog, I realize why I had little response to a question about storing masking fluid!. I assure you I have been learning watercolor for several years and this was the first time I used masking fluid. I used it to make teeny stars on a night sky that had a full moon and a kitty looking through a telescope in the foreground. It's for a baby room, the young man will be named Kepler like the astronomer, so I needed a few bright stars. My question was about storing the masking fluid for the next time I might use it again, expecting that to be far in the future. The bottle came with a cap that fit tightly and a cap with a needle-like applicator and if I replaced the tight cap, the needle contraption would seize up with dried masking fluid. So in the end I left the needle on and I suppose that the next time I decide I need a little masking fluid, I will find the cap, needle applicator, and indeed bottle all dried up.

[@diane2941]

Oh, Michele! You are a hoot! Your next video should be on when not to wear red lipstick and other fashion advise. I thought I was going to get a passing grade here (I watch yours and other videos and only do what I'm told) but the loose painting got me. They aren't easy but I feel like there's more wiggle room. 😁 Thanks for this good information.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Oh thank you!

[@hatthawattha]

Hi Michele! I struggle with certain kind of loose painting and my problems are more like I don't understand how and what results in the certain style. Whether it's always the certain paper or certain brushes etc. So since I had tons of questions on the loose painting part. Nobody has been able to answer them so far. Would you consider making a video with commenting paintings of Lim Cheng Hoe (1912-1979). Since he's not around anymore it should be doable. If you are able to see in the paintings how it's been done and if you could maybe explain it or repaint it to show the process and while painting, explain what you are doing and why? I understand the basics of loose florals etc but those dreamy, hazy paintings not so much. Thanks for the great tips!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks for the suggestion, I will certainly look at it!

[@triathleteuk]

tell it gurl !!

[@BDAVIS382]

I’m free painting listening to this. I am a pencil colorist but dabble in painting.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Thanks Michelle...this video exactly came out right time..I'm a beginner......I was trying dark cloudy cityscape and loose painting! It wAs disaster. Could you do a video subjects not to choose in watercolours?please

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

That's a great idea, thank you. I am not sure there are any off limits subjects but certainly some are more of a challenge than others!

[@rachelconnor2327]

Great video, thanks Michele. :) I have used a tiny bit of masking fluid for botanical details, but it’s so tricky to work that I’m trying to find ways to avoid it unless I’m absolutely sure. Luckily my conscience is clear otherwise!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Excellent!

[@Deedster56]

Michele, this was such a GREAT video! I am not guilty of anything yet because I am still busy doing practice strokes, learning brush techniques, etc. But I was just thinking yesterday how tired I am, it seems lately every time I watch a YT video someone is doing LOOSE style painting LOL I am seriously considering taking your ‘paid’ course as I love your style of teaching Love from Canada ❤️🇨🇦

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks Didi, nothing wrong with loose painting, but I just think it's not the best place to start!

[@nataliestanchevski4628]

Omg lol, I started (and subsequently stopped) watercolour painting 25 years ago. The idea of splattering the hard work of hours or days with random droplets for no reason is really puzzling to me! But then again I've never been cool enough to be trendy. 😁

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Me neither!

[@lizadivine3785]

Hi Michelle are things still going better for England? Thanks for all of your wonderful vids! This one was particularly good with the funny wry analogies!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Pretty good, although they threaten to lock areas down again due to Indian variant of Covid.

[@highlandhen]

Backgrounds! Well, I have not painted anything yet without planning a background in advance but I still have trouble determining whether I should do the background before or after the subject. Yes, I'm an avid viewer of all your videos here on YT and will take your watercolour course soon - I hope that course will help me a lot with planning backgrounds for subjects such as botanical and other "close up" views. Thanks so much for this and all your content. You crack me up so many times in the process, which makes everything fun and enjoyable and memorable too. I'm a first generation Scot-American, which helps I think. Put that brush down and go have a nice cuppa - rotfl!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

There's no rule about when to do a background. What I would say is you want to avoid painting up to the edge of strong purples or reds, they have a tendency to run!

[@nattyw495]

Yeah I've been doing this for past yr, learning all basic of wc from terminology and supplies and now I'm on to sketching forms ,altho tonal and shading is a bit intimidating because I have to practice shapes..lol... wc I've learn is building on the basics of sketching and shapes to tones and learning colors...its alot of inf6but when I feel a bit of my brain is going to melt I just start doodling eventually I'm going to become my best but I appreciate learning like this alot of my friends have been wc for yrs they say I'm trying to hard but how can I paint if I dont know basic of wc...then they stop .....I think it's hard for them cause they understand these concepts, but I want to go about this right and be my best...thank you for your knowledge.....😷👩‍🎨🎨

[@barbaradonofrio5072]

This is great video ! Love you!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you so much!!

[@samcee2805]

Great advice!! thanks

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

No problem!

[@suzisandpiper]

Really good advice, thank you ....and really made me chuckle too. 😆