My (Basic) Watercolor Process (STEP BY STEP)

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Materials Used
====================
General's Kneaded Eraser
2B Pencil
Old Holland Watercolors
Moleskine Watercolor Sketchbook
Princeton, BLICK, and Black Velvet Watercolor Brushes
Finetec Pearlescent Watercolors (Gold) (These were actually not used in this video, though I HIGHLY recommend them! The only reason I didn't use them was because they didn't have the exact shade I wanted to use)
Paul Reuben's Glitter Watercolors (Another one I HIGHLY recommend)
Zebra Brush Pen (Soft)
Micron Pens
Winsor and Newton Gouache (White)
Dr. PH Martin's Bleed Proof White
Music
====================
All the music featured in this video was downloaded from the KZbin Audio Library
My Sound Effects: freesound.org/...
(Some of the sound effects featured are modified to fit the animation)

[@halle1869]

Emily: **makes dirty joke** Oh how I've missed this..

[@trinitystarling7484]

What time was this?

[@SkullSmasher-qq6bu]

@@trinitystarling7484 around 7:19 I think

[@swiftiebee13]

i don’t even know what that means, but ‘in the bedroom’ gives me half the info

[@DanniSizzle]

I did a double-take lol

[@issym1520]

Legit never been this early to anything. Everyone who sees this have a good day tho xx

[@EricaJoyArts]

Same to you!😁

[@tojislefttoe7505]

I'm so early!! I'm earlier than you

[@mariaclaramariano1894]

Emily: a very simple piece... Also Emily: draws a freaking masterpiece.

[@nicoledice6288]

Maria Clara Mariano her art is so magic 😍

[@jeanraworth6120]

All of my channels are going through something and then art mom comes back and everything is okay

[@aislinnkerr5618]

me: :( Emily: W E L L I L I K E F L O W E R S Me: :)

[@eleanormcarthur9072]

When she said that it cracked me up 😂

[@kendrapayne7598]

Yes! And I like flowers too ☺

[@theunconventionalparty8920]

Emily:Keep your dry strokes one the page and out of the bedroom Me:AMEN

[@paigelauren2574]

My TV: “Hello everyone, my name is Emily” Me, running into my living room: “aaaAaAAaAAAAAAAH”

[@wonderland4515]

Me: *isnt a watercolour artist* Also me: *watches this video anyways bc I love Emily’s videos and her artwork*

[@morestuff5693]

Me when an Emily Artful video comes out: “ I must wAtcH tHe LEGENDARY CONTENT!” Thank you for making my day Emily x 💞 Update: OMG 50 likes in 4h! Thank guys, love y’all xx 💗

[@bryndacat5141]

Emily: comes out with a vid: Nobody: My friends: Meeee: mUcH wATcH nOW!!

[@staceyramos8192]

The way i read that as "comes out with a kid"

[@drawbootiful8665]

Must*

[@squiddybae906]

@@drawbootiful8665 nOooO00oO that's how you spell must idiot XD jkjkjkjkjkjk you ain't an idiot ;v;

[@mjpete27]

I am just so excited to hear a KZbin artist extolling the virtue of 100% cotton paper! So often I hear the paper does not matter and I just cringe! So many good points to work on for beginners, so very kind of you to post this well considered video. I can recommend to beginners, thank you.

[@ASJER22212]

It's not "being bad at darts" it's surprise acupuncture

[@detectivesnickers6176]

Lol

[@afsheensyed8250]

Everyone: ah the thumbnail looks really nice Me, being bi: AHHHHH THE BIII FLAGGGG

[@faithparrish4990]

Samee

[@suvalid]

Same

[@bear6943]

69 likes >:)

[@svet-td1pb]

Same girlie 💖💜💙

[@forest5862]

I thought I was the only one who noticed 😂

[@nissadance]

With all the Shaaa….ll not be named mess that brought me to your channel, one really hopes that people appreciated our art and not just your story. Woman, your art is beautiful. Really, really beautiful!!

[@EmotionalSupportChaosDemon]

I just love how you do flowers. I'm no good at painting (At least for now, but I'm more of someone who draws) so it's really pretty to look at.

[@feathersong5838]

You make a great point at 13:15. While I'm working with my colored pencils, I always stop after I finish a small section and look at it through my phone camera. Sometimes when you're sitting at an angel to the peice, you don't realise a mistake until you look at it directly through a screen. I found it super helpful.

[@idc__art]

The Universe smiled on me today. I found some nice watercolor paper a hobby lobby for 3 dollars I come home and Emily has uploaded. Today is a good day.

[@ht23325]

Yay!

[@josmith5976]

There is not one video on this channel that disappointed me. Good tips, and always really enjoyable to watch. Thank you Emily, the job you do here is awsome!

[@artwithlaur]

Recently I've noticed a huge improvement in my art. More in sketches rather than anything. My portraits are looking so much better and taking way less time and I'm being more creative with what I draw and not getting upset when I fuck up anymore. That's really good for me since back in school I was the worst at art and I'd have to stay for art detentions because I'd not bring something in for my project because I was a huge perfectionist and if I hated what I drew I would pretend I did nothing. Now I have a sketchbook I draw in almost every night lately. I'm trying to improve at watercolors and I'm accepting I'm not that good with them yet but I'm more just enjoying the creative side of me returning without being upset. So to anyone who gets mad at their art and tears it up and is ashamed of it don't be. It takes time. But with time no matter how bad you will learn from every mistake you've made. And when you stop looking at your art with a sad face and instead just enjoy the process and feel content with the outcome it really is a good feeling and worth waiting for

[@citrusfriend532]

The little animations were so adorable! I smiled every time the came on screen 😂

[@menace7339]

This video actually really did help me out as im kinda new to water color.

[@melisa6609]

i was legitimately painting with watercolour pencils when i saw this so helpful!!

[@kaiyo4447]

You inspire me so much. Since watercolor is my medium of choice, I watch your vids religiously to better my style. I hope you are doing well💕

[@kitkatdrawws]

Your colour choosing and colour palettes are everything!!! I'd consider myself a detailed watercolour artist, and even though I know how to use the media well, techniques etc. colour theory an picking palettes for my paintings is still a small struggle. Thank you for this video 💖

[@CoralSMoon]

Thanks for the lesson! I have a better grasp on how watercolours work, now! Gonna go experiment with mine now!💕

[@pouletstudios8921]

Yeessss , we love a good Emily artful video when your snowed in ☺️

[@spinsterpunk]

Yaaaaaaay we love a process talk!

[@chrismarie4681]

Emily, I just want to say I have just discovered your channel, and you lit a fire in me to start creating again. I gave up on my art hobbies from origami to painting to sewing for a decade now, due to scrambling to survive financially and battling depression. Going through college I was asked by a math professor what my hobbies were and she said art was a waste of time making trash. Her comment really made me lose self esteem in my enjoyment of art. You have a way of bringing encouragement and know how to teach in a loving brilliant way. THANK YOU!!!

[@InvokeArtSense]

Yes, I agree researching and getting influence from your favorite artists help create our personal process. Thank you for a great tutorial. 💕

[@brizy8864]

I'm gonna be honest right now. I have started watching you for quite some time now and you have thaught me so much and helped me to improve my art and I really want to say thank you so much

[@jenniferjudd2426]

*TAKE A MOMENT TO LOVE THIS PIECE*

[@wd5739]

13:07 Whaaaaaat? I *_neeeed_* to try that, thank you! I'm constantly having to take a break while painting because of something looking off but not knowing exactly what so i have to put it down and come back to it ATLEAST a couple HOURS later to be able to look at it at more than just 1 way. So thank you again YOU ARE AWESOME!!😀

[@aquaberyl4444]

all morning I have been internally sobbing because my creative juices have ran dry- but then ye posted, and now i feel extremely motivated to color ;w;

[@shannonwolff2599]

I use a drafting table for that reason too. Actually they are making a comeback big time now. When I bought mine it was about 14 years ago and they were getting very hard to find. One sleepless night I found mine on the staples website and ordered it as they only had 2 varieties anymore. Quick tip for those using them, I keep my colored pencils for example in an acrylic makeup organizer with several sections and attach it to the table with blue tac. I find the cheap blue tac from the dollar store works best and it holds it to the table even at a fairly high angle!!! The holders I have are about 3" wide and 10" long, but you can use any plastic container or even empty soup cans if you want. I like the makeup holders as they are divided and I divide them further as needed with paper towel rolls etc. and can separate them into colors. I also have an old soup can that I painted and stick to the table for pencils/markers I am using on the current project so I don't have to find them again (I am an art supply hoarder... ummm collector, so I have an insane amount of pencils/markers/pens etc). Damn amazon and ebay make it too easy to impulse buy at 3am....

[@theperson.1505]

Keep on doing what you’re doing and you always inspire me and everyone -thanks ^_^

[@AnimeSpinCycle1392]

From my beginning of my art journey back in 2006 to 2020 an eraser has been my best friend when sketching, no matter if I go through and color the piece or just leave it in pencil.

[@Falconxr8]

Ever since I started watching your videos, you've been a massive inspiration for my watercolour art! I love this step by step as it's so well done and it really breaks everything down in an easy process. I'm super excited to see a more detailed piece to see how you break that down! Keep up the amazing work ❤️😍

[@brittany3232]

I always love your voice overs and the random tangents you go on and comments you make lol

[@King-bl8oe]

Finally I good video for learning water colours! I've been struggling to learn them for so long~ Thanks Emily, your videos keep me motivated and inspired

[@sneaks6635]

Solid, down to earth advice. Love that you are always 'real'. Love the snakes and the composition of the floral background. When viewed as a finished piece, the white gauche running along the spine adds a very nice wet, slick look to your image and the paint you lifted was the perfect touch to add more dimension. Nicely done, Emily, nicely done!

[@orca1361]

When I type learn to paint and you was the first video I saw in the recommended, so gave it a shot. Ever since then you have become my favorite!

[@emmilouwebster8421]

Thank you so much for this video, Emily...absolutely awesome, as always...hope you all have a wonderful weekend...👍😁💜x

[@victoriaconto8231]

when you scrubbed those spots out at the very end this whole piece just suddenly seemed right! Im just rewatching some of these old videos and I forgot how satisfying that truly was!

[@phiabro5902]

I love how often Emily changes her intros

[@jylinahubbard9939]

Says to watch your favorite artist and learn their techniques from them Me: well I'm trying to do that right now 😅😅

[@baileyhatcher4121]

Emily: "the general shape of the flowers" the flowers: _perfection_

[@lorenrenee1]

I love your monologue, the painting is great but your monologue is healing.

[@meaganhenley3460]

This was so soothing to watch! love the snake dragons!xx

[@gachacorn3640]

omg i haven't watercolored for so long i've only been sketching quick sketches bc i really didn't have time bc of school but this post just reminded me and watching you always makes me want to watercolor sO NOW I WANNA DO IT RN

[@FriendlyCommenter]

Art mom has blessed us with her wisdom once again

[@phil24111]

the quality of this video is AMAZING 👌 the animations are super cool!

[@c.f4765]

You are amazing at giving advice! I beat myself up a lot of the times about my art at the end of the process and these tips really helped me. Thanky for making this video!! Much love

[@emilevi]

But can we talk about how amazing the intro is? The music, the little animation, everything

[@annalastname4763]

Welcome back! Hope you, hubby, and da babes are doing better!

[@moonberry8114]

Omg yes! I have been thinking about this watercolor piece I’ve been wanting to do and this was so helpful thank you!

[@delusion8611]

I used to watch your videos for art, but now I watch them for the advice. I work with oil paint, and not watercolor, but I loved this video cause I have a lot of school projects and your some of your advices actually work for general "creating", no matter the subject. I love this.

[@lamersonnikki]

I missed youuuuuu 💙 Not trying to be creepy I love your content 💙

[@gabbyl3856]

Watching you paint with the metallic gold paint was mesmerizing!

[@ARTYCOATY]

Great illustration. it's beautiful. I respect you. 😊👍✨✨

[@summmerly]

I’m like literally not kidding when I say you are my FAVORITE KZbin artist

[@selenemanzo8474]

All the "rambling" of yours seemed really helpful not gonna lie. Thanks I really needed a video like this ❤

[@francislim5684]

Most important thing in watercolor you must enjoy every moment of the process, I think.

[@spookyspirits4462]

I haven't even watched this yet but I know it'll be really helpful, so thank you!! Edit: This is a really beautiful piece btw, I love the scales you did at the very end :)

[@dianalynn6899]

Emily, you are an excellent art teacher. Fantastic tutorial. I learned a few tips from you. Thank You.

[@kellyann740]

this is gorgeous! i remember seeing this one on instagram and absolutely loving it i'm so glad there's not only a video but you used this as a chance to show us a simpler way of how you use watercolors, i've never really used watercolors before mostly bc i didn't know how or where to start so this really motivates me to want to give it a go!

[@jade-mariejones9453]

😍 - my face when I get a notification that Emily has uploaded a video!!!!

[@wallen308]

Thank you! This was hugely helpful and I'm slowly but surely welcoming my mistakes and reworking them. It's opened up a whole new dimension. (Down the rabbit hole I go with glee)

[@katieholsinger645]

So glad you're back. Hope you and Babes are feeling better. ❤

[@mceleste4188]

I'm so thankful I found ur channel!! I'm also a former addict and hearing ur stories really makes me feel less alone in my lil art journey

[@arigatoespacialsuperadmiti7316]

Today is probably a bit late to comment, and you are not probably reading this, but you are one of the artists that inspire me to create, and probably you know that when you are not satisfied with what you are doing you just want to left it behind and continue with other thing, but you help me to continue, learn and finally see what i created and get really surprised. Thank you so much.

[@seikogrey]

i always love it when you upload -- you're my inspiration to do watercolor (!!!) this was really helpful too as a beginner with this medium.

[@judiarevalo8580]

I've been working with watercolors for a couple of months and my last one turned out so much better because of... Layers!!! I still have to learn how to guide myself just with a light pencil sketch tho 🙈

[@stuffnotmuch329]

Wow, this was really helpful! Your artwork is amazing :)

[@siouxsie.sioux.]

I do fairly well in watercolor and I still learn a lot/refresh my mind everytime I rewatch this video. I'd love to see a more in depth video on your watercolor process. Don't hide your blending, layering, and value secrets.

[@blue_hues4949]

Thank you emily for being the big sister that I never had ...I love you❤

[@TheSoulsomeLife]

My favorite watercolor artist!! Killer art and the best advice!

[@loralulu5119]

New to watercolor and your videos are so helpful and keep my attention! Thank you!!!

[@TheMamaPowell]

First: Thank you for this demonstration! I have water colored off and on for years after my grandmother taught me. I agree with your assessment of checking out different methodology. Your methodology is so fluid and makes so much sense Second: Peanuts and Coke :) took me straight back to road trips in my childhood!

[@greenpomaceous2376]

I have learned so much about watercolor from your channel and you've inspired me to take my own watercolor journey.

[@artby_kianalis582]

Thank you so so much for these tips! I already have all the art supplies for watercolors and I already know the basics but this really helps, also thank you Emily for making me realize that erasing and making mistakes in my drawing and fixing it is the way to learn. This is really hard to accept especially when you try to be perfect like all of your favorite artists but it never turns out because you have your own process and that’s ok. This is something you need to actually understand which is really hard but I think that learning to accept that will make my drawing process more calm and less stressful. Thank you again Emily, you are one of my biggest inspirations and you will always be, you are like my mentor. Your videos are always amazing and give me so much happiness and light. I love you with all my heart💓💓💓

[@dimoudraws3483]

I’m so glad you’ve posted. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Everything I’ve been learning about watercolor, I’ve learned from you, but I’m struggling with my paints mixing into each other. Even when I wait to let it dry, I think I accidentally reactivate the dry bits. Does Ems, or anyone else have any advice? 💕

[@Niggipoo]

Emily, your animation skills are improving! The animations add a lot to your videos and make them more fun and entertaining.

[@beinggreen24]

I have never clicked on something so fast.

[@juniorcrimson8694]

Dude, i was first

[@beinggreen24]

@@juniorcrimson8694 good for you hun.

[@juniorcrimson8694]

OMG im so sorry i never knew you were a girl

[@aeroangel3321]

I was legit so excited when I saw the new video this morning! Emilyyyy is baaack agaaaainn!!!! YAAAAY!

[@stellbz2347]

This was very helpful, i loved watching your process😍✨

[@__mcat]

this is one of your vids i found a few years ago that encouraged me to begin painting with watercolor! thank you emily 💛

[@jorjeyyyy222]

This actually inspired me to create a finished painting, been really burned out from school works, thnx for this👌❤️

[@Cardiax]

I'm always so happy to get a notification from you. You inspire me so much, Emily.

[@ccbf1091]

This is really cool!! Usually I'm only really interested in the finished results when it comes to art youtubers, but with your work, it's the entire journey that amazes me

[@yousuck9516]

THE QUEEN HAS POSTED AGAIN. AND ON MY BIRTHDAY. IM BLESSED.

[@cmw7791]

I hope you and your family are doing well! It's so good to see a video from you again 😊

[@nicoledice6288]

I love watching you paint flowers 💜

[@Gogorox100]

Thanks emily! Thats insanely helpull, im waiting for more of this and a good story of yours :)

[@GamerPax]

Hi Emily! I love your videos and wanted to Thank You! My grandmother is a widely known watercolor artist and I have always struggled to follow in her footsteps with using this medium. Failure with watercolors has broken my heart more times than I care to count. It wasn't until I found your channel, and your advice, that things really started to click and I was able to try again. Even though I can no longer paint with my grandmother (due to her age and living in a different state), I will be able to keep this part of her closer to my heart beyond just admiring her artwork. Thank you so much for running this channel, and sharing your gift. 🖤 - Pax PS - I adore your artwork! 🖤 #GothLife

[@mariasworld2582]

Ahhhh I love you so much! We started watercolor in my art class this week and I needed this video! This week (and you) have taught me to love watercolor. You're amazing!

[@emeraldqueen1994]

Love your nails in this video Emily! And here’s my saying: “There’s no right or wrong way to make art... there’s only a right or wrong way for your style and skill level...”

[@victoriasantiago1972]

Always happy to see that you've uploaded and to get tips from such a skilled artist ❤ hope you're doing well and life is treating you good

[@YourFriendlyInsuranceAdjuster]

I really liked the animations, especially the 'i like flowers' one lol

[@nichetales97]

I just found your channel today by chance, and I have been binging through your videos today. They have really inspired me to pick up watercolors again, and look into color shifting and glitter/metallic watercolors!

[@alenanava9944]

I was binge watching all your videos to check out your process. It’s like you read my mind!