STOP Overworking Your Watercolor (10 EASY Tips!)

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Do you struggle with overworking your paintings and did this video help? If you enjoyed this try How To Erase Watercolor Mistakes from Paper (100%) next: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKPboXRja8d5gsk

[@tradingpostfarms]

Adjusting value and overlapping is where a lot of my overworking happens. It's crazy. I've been painting with watercolor every single day for about 4 years, and yet I still have so much to learn before I'll be where I want to be.

[@sarahspencer9360]

Hahahahaha!!! Your commentary on the unboxing thing. Hahahaha

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

😁

[@sylviamcpherson4290]

Congratulations on receiving your KZbin award Michele! It's well deserved. You've one of the best watercolour painting instruction websites I've had the good fortune to come across. And you have such a nice way about you. Many times I've enjoyed a good laugh from your commentary. I've learned sooo much from you since your early on-line days during Covid! I believe that you put 110% into everything you do and it shows. Thank you for generously sharing your vast knowledge and expertise with us. Yet another great video for "fussers" like me.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks Sylvia!

[@ac1646]

I agree 😊 and you've put the compliments so nicely 🤩

[@nancyjohnson7193]

Please, I would love a tutorial for the background as well as the flower. I am trying to build my skill with delicate backgrounds and haven't quite found a tutorial that "clicks" for me yet. Thank you so much for all the thought you put into your videos.🌸

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Noted

[@aliciashackley5830]

This is a great video Michele. And yes please do a video on the background and flower too please. Very useful as always. Congratulations again for your plaque. Much continued success Michele. 🥰💕🐶💕🥰

[@amysomething3370]

I'm a big fan of using thumbnail sketches before and during the process, and it also helps me with decision making and when I'm doubting color selection or something else Also, I'm too lazy to cut out a square, so I use a hole punch all the time, and it is so convenient. But isolating and looking at particular color areas is honestly a game changer for me

[@50andCountingcom]

I love your channel! I would like to see a tutorial on the flower and the background, please! I need help with both. Thank you for your wonderful instruction!

[@meggraham7564]

yayyy, you are the first art teacher I have found in the beginners' category who has mentioned stepping away and standing the painting up. I discovered this accidentally and oh my gosh what a difference perspective makes. 😃

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

It does!

[@jocelyneprovost295]

I am so so guilty of that!!! Can't stop overworking my pieces. Thank you for your help!

[@smz5302]

Wow - GREAT tips...that seem CENTRAL to creating effective watercolor paintings. Hearing your self-talk about how you plan colors is extremely helpful! Could you do more of that with some different reference photos? Also, adjusting tonal value at the end...going to keep that in mind, for sure. Thank you!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Yes no problem, I have more planning videos and also more tutorials coming soon :-)

[@lagodgirl]

I’m a newbie and seem to either overwork or give up and hate it before it’s complete - but I laughed when you said to just leave it overnight and look with fresh eyes, as my best work so far, almost ended up in the garbage as I told my husband it was terrible as I left it that night Lo and behold the next morning, when I looked at it, I thought “wow! I love this!”

[@WhittleDude]

Again you have reminded me of my 3 greatest adversary. Me, myself and I . Sometimes I get hyper-focused which most often is not good. Its better to step away for a moment or even a day or two. If I don't, I get frustrated and never finish the project. I have paintings I'm doing for a charity auction next month. Working on time sensitive paintings and woodcarvings can lead to bing mistakes and unfinished projects. Thank you for reminding me its okay to take a break and do something other than art. To be honest, I find more inspiration and creative ideas when I doing something completely unrelated to my artwork. 🙃

[@IreneMaxwell]

I think you are great at explaining things and excellent teaching. I am a new beginner and already I have a few paintings using your advice on the pictures I have done. Thank you. ❤

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Wonderful!

[@Angela-jy8um]

I love the idea of a cut out box on white paper to help see value and color. Fantastic idea! Thanks!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad you like it!

[@lizbamford1037]

Oh yes please. Do offer tutorials on small items and backgrounds. Thank you for your great tips.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Will do!!

[@panther5031]

Yes please, a background tutorial to this Magnolia would be lovely. Thank you 💜🌹

[@myrawillis6829]

A tutorial on the background and flower would be wonderful. I love the choice of reference photo.

[@chloemaxwell2628]

I’m looking forward to the magnolia tutorial. They’re one of my favourite flowers.

[@annettefournier9655]

Thanks Michele. I mix up puddles of the colors I'm going to use , swatch and let dry. That way I'm not tempted to go into all the pans. I work with full pans mostly unless I'm painting small card sized. I tend to be a brute to my brushes with half pans because I like the biggest brush I can get away with and half pans smoosh them. Yes please the flower and background. 🥰

[@katladragen7435]

Keep the sword! You are so badass!! Love it, and I am so grateful for your videos! You inspire me to dive deeper into watercolor painting! I love it, but need skills, and I feel that you can teach me! Thank you!! Lots of hugs from Norway, Katla Dragon

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Awesome! 🙂

[@rosiemasonpaints]

I'd love a background tutorial as well as the flower, you already have some great background tutorials but it is something I'm trying to work on this year as I find it a challenge to get a result I'm happy with!

[@nancydavidson4899]

All of those tips are extremely valuable and I loved the section on how you choose your colours. A definite yes from me for the tutorials, flower, leaves and background! Love that sword ❤ it looks like it’s been beautifully crafted. You were the first you tube water colour artist I found on you tube and after a year of watching your tutorials I’ve learnt so much, so a very big thank you 🙏

[@suspage]

Great video. Some tips I don't remember you giving before touch on the very things I have trouble with. It never occurred to me that I don't need to do the whole underdrawing before I start painting. Also, I didn't know that pencil marks will erase more easily from paint than from raw paper. I've had a huge problem getting pencil marks off, and these two tips alone will help me greatly. The amount of in-depth info and techniques that your channel offers is something I rarely see on others.Thanks again, you're the best!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks for watching!

[@sandyhough3901]

Yes,please, to backgrounds. I tend to leave them off my botanicals because lack confidence, don't want to ruin them.

[@janebridge1325]

Packed full of fantastic tips! Thank you so much, Michele, you’re a star!

[@johnbrengle1443]

Tip #5, using a cut-out on a white piece of paper is brilliant! Thank you, Michele!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are so welcome!

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

This was a wonderful video of how to not overwork your paintings. I definitely still struggle with the tonal contrast sometimes. Mostly when I overworked a painting it has been with drawing everything first before painting or literally just working or scrubbing until the paper tears. Thanks for sharing this video with us. Congratulations again for your KZbin award & I love 💕 the sword. Great job with the the sword work at the beginning of the video. Hope you’re enjoying a wonderful weekend with great weather!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks Colleen, swords are more reliable than the British weather!

[@Valerie-ut2dk]

Beginner's beginner here and all your tips are so useful. I'm stepping back right now to sketch my next little practice project on sketch paper first to ensure I have an initial plan before I pick up a brush. Your recommendation on how to look at the colours is really helpful! I really look forward to seeing the video on painting that magnolia flower bud. Seeing a video on the background would be great too. As for the sword, I admired it sitting on that shelf behind you for a while now. Sorry to hear that it will be moved but understand why. Your comments on unboxing were very amusing (and true). Thanks for all that you share.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I think I will keep the sword where it is, people seem to like it!

[@lisabeal6283]

I think overworking is subjective. If the artist loves their work, that’s all that matters.

[@kathystaudenmayer2277]

This is definitely one of the most useful videos for me that you have done!! Thank you! I am guilty of many of these overworking mistakes You have explained it so well (especially the gum arabic) , now I need to internalize it. 😊

[@lovdolls]

Loved all those great tips especially choosing the colors for a painting. I personally could use the background tutorial as well as the flower.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@karlapierce3685]

I am trying to build my skill. I do not have any formal training.I would love a tutorial for the background as well as the flower. I overwork trying to bring both elements together.Thanks so much for sharing your gifts.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Noted!

[@bcwestrom]

yes, do the background video too at the same time

[@Garnelenlady]

A background tutorial would be great!

[@mountainsno]

Thank you. I WOULD LOVE short area specific videos. I'm ready. Ive been trying lots of mediums and now I'm back with watercolour, it was really helpful when you went through the colour options for the flower. I use individual pans so I'm selecting the pallet and swatching. I feel it will be part of my process now. Awesome Michelle

[@benjaqsonworkshop9974]

These tips are exactly what I needed to know about as I discover so many problems. I'm three weeks into painting and catching up on your tutorials which are just brilliant - thank you!.

[@maureentanner8164]

Thank you for Another great video, Think the square cut in white board is a great tip. I would love you to do a video on background.

[@michaelcody3829]

Hi Michele, thank you so much for all your great painting tips, I really like your videos. So pleasant and informative to watch. Greetings from a very amateur (artist)in Australia 🇦🇺.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you so much!

[@annieh6021]

Yes please, to background tutorial and flower tutorial 😊

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Got it!

[@jasong3109]

always fun to watch

[@beverlydevriesburrows3097]

I'd love to learn more about backgrounds.

[@toxic515]

How'd you know this was my biggest issue today? I'm a month into the medium (I just did a little 6x9 inch using the plastic wrap and salt) and realized today that I was totally overworking this piece. *edit I did the abstract because I was frustrated with the prior painting! * I am still trying to loosen up some, as I've been doing photo-real pencil and pastel. It's not working (yet) as a beginner watercolorist! :) I appreciate what you're teaching.. and I have a zillion of your episodes to catch up on. Sooner or later, I'll get more consistent.

[@sonjaloots841]

Thanks so much Michele. These tips really help! Sonja, Namibia.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad they're helpful Sonja :)

[@kpogs8059]

Congratulations !!! ⚔️ 🎉 your videos are so helpful! Thank you.

[@mariem5990]

Congratulations on the plaque. Thanks for another really great video

[@katenuttall2280]

Yes please background fix ups

[@ljschlag271]

Thank you. I have more trouble with backgrounds, and would like to see a few tutorials about that.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

No problem, I do have some background tutorials on here too, if you have a little search :-)

[@patwessels2322]

Excellent discussion of a seldom talked about subject. Your videos are always practical, to the point and logically presented. My first go to place for help and information. Looking forward to next week's tutorial!

[@mayloo2137]

In a recent watercolor painting, I drew what I considered enough detail. My problem was I decided to 'wing it' on the bushes in the background. Big mistake. Now I plan to rework the painting by adding more lines to show the borders between various areas of green. PS I learned painting from an art instructor who discouraged us from using black to darken colors. I always look for an alternative like umber or brown, even red or blue at times.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Your instructor was right :-) Color opposites or just heavy pigment can also be used.

[@joykruczay]

Thanks for another great informational video. Your diction, photography and overall presentation are outstanding. These longer videos are so very helpful. I can still hear Tony Couch (while teaching a workshop) stating, "Paint it as dark as you want the first time!". The part about choosing colors was excellent as we tend to accumulate paint. Many videos on KZbin have artists rating pre-filled palettes with a multitude of colors, and the temptation to use too many is ever present. Another KZbinr recently responded ( to my comments) that she feels that artists do better with limitations. And, while risking a sexist comment, it has been my observation that the female artists seem to favor "haul" videos" and large amounts of supplies. (It must be a genetic shopping gene!) This is why I value videos such as these, as I do not want to become a "collector" of supplies. Although it has been said that quantity has a quality all its own! And really, all I need is just a FEW MORE colors . . . .

[@danielleb.7055]

Thank you for these tips. As always you have great info to share! Have a great day

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you! You too!

[@shadowguard3578]

Great tips, thank you! I really enjoy painting small. It’s a great confidence booster.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

It really is!

[@shadowguard3578]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber 🤩

[@Miastrong930]

Great video video for beginners and experience painter alike. Sometimes it is helpful to go back to basiscs.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sunettesmith4621]

Both, pretty please! Thank you for the tips.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Since you asked nicely 🙂

[@TiuTauTilhi]

Useful tips. I, too, would like to see the background tutorial. 👍Perhaps with a few different looking and/or different colour scheme backgrounds as examples. Also looking forward to the flower tutorial. Peculiarly enough, I seem to struggle with the green stems a lot, after getting nice flower heads or petals. I get the stems aligned just fine (not a drawing issue) but colouring them is a hickup. May just need more practice.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Noted!

[@sharonbaker8851]

1. Great video! I screenshotted the list of tips so I can refer back to it often. I was so happy to see tip #1 because I had been wondering about this. I would make a great sketch with areas of color change or darker tonal value dotted in, and then after my initial wash, I couldn't see any of it! My biggest challenge is still with, as tip #5 says, getting your values right the 1st time. So I am working on swatching more for comparisons. 2. Yes, plz make a video about backgrounds!! 3. Congrats on the plaque! You sure deserve it! And loved hearing about your sword and seeing a few of the "moves"!! 👍👍

[@doreenhedtke4139]

Background yes please!

[@sybilleulinski1827]

That was very helpful, thank you Michele!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sue9435]

Thankyou for this tutorial Michelle, it will be so helpful!!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@renimielitz2258]

Thank you for your Tipps! Great advices! I would like Videos you mentioned ,leafs,blossoms,backgrounds. Greetings from Germany!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Hello Reni, my ancestors are German :-)

[@TheArghnono]

Excellent video. I love that your advice is immediately applicable to any ongoing painting project. #10 is such an eye-opener. Thank you!

[@arlynroycraft561]

Thanks, just what I need!

[@stephanieh930]

Drawing detail as you go (only if needed) is a great tip! I was wondering how much to draw yesterday on a card I'm making - less drawing would have been great because my 'Sketch & Wash' pencil drawing didn't erase well and definitely didn't wash away as I applied watercolor paint. Fortunately I did watch the rest of this video before 'fixing' it with another layer of paint ;)

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@martinanelsonartandpsychol6478]

Thank you. So useful! Yes, also back round would be great!😊

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Ok thanks!

[@melodybriggs188]

Great tips, thank you Michele. Yes, a tutorial on both please and thanks.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You got it!

[@caitlindiehl4310]

That was very helpful. Definitely do a background tutorial, and a single object step-by-step.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Noted!

[@loishancock9996]

What good advise. How enjoyable.

[@KimberlyLetsGo]

Artist mentioned is Sandrine Maugy.

[@lizhamilton1492]

Thank you for your in depth discussion. Your videos are so worth watching and re-watching.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad you like them!

[@janetalbot6529]

P.s. would love flower and background 😀

[@mrsmcisaac]

Very interesting and I’d appreciate a tutorial on the background as well as the flier please. Looking forward to it ❤

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Noted!

[@patriciasheridan7]

Michelle’s Great Stuff!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks!

[@FatMatters]

Excellent!

[@marianmunchkin8203]

Very useful tips. Thank you.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are welcome!

[@anasel-mahdi7908]

excellent teaching of essential watercolor tips. Thanks

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

My pleasure 😊

[@janetalbot6529]

Hi Michele, do you think you could do some tips on finding inspiration and creating a composition from them. Also working out what skills you need to execute the composition. I find myself struggling with this process at all stages lol

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Absolutely!!

[@markwheeler6163]

thank you

[@kayaj3802]

My half pans have magnets on the bottom, so I can pull them individually. I just have to do it more consistently. 🥴 Thank you for the white paper color comparison. That will help me for sure. Great tips overall 👍

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Happy to help!

[@JessicaSmith-gd1fu]

Flower and background tutorials both please.

[@nattyw495]

Enjoyed video found it interesting and informative and helpful will be able to use these techniques for my creative art work..mikelle art mom👩‍🎨🎨✍🇨🇦🇺🇸💛

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Wonderful!

[@janicemallaley435]

Love the background!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks for watching Janice!

[@rosemorales3135]

What beautiful eyes. 😍

[@thomassutrina8296]

My grand daughter as a junior in High School in the US has a sword which she got after getting her first black belt. It got bent a little. Suggest how to straighten in. It is both very dull and soft metal. An actual weapon would have a flexible back body and high tensile steel edge. Can get this is one metal these days. In the old days two metals are forged together to achieve this. So you can tell a butter knife is sharper and stronger then the training sword.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Training swords are thin and damage easily. They are meant to 'snap' and make a noise during demonstrations, not sure they can be fixed particularly.

[@cheributchart8617]

I'd love if you could show me how to do a background video

[@georgesummers6627]

I would really like a back ground lesson i recently ruined a painting stupidly trying to paint the background after I finished the picture

[@otterwench]

Background tutorial would be amazing. I also wonder how botanical techniques can translate to doing city scapes.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

All techniques have multiple uses 😊

[@connied8507]

Love the 🗡️

[@janetalbot6529]

Hey Michele, could I ask the name of the botanical book you showed at the beginning? Loved this tutorial 😀

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Sandrine Maugy Colours of Nature, it's a great book 🙂

[@helgam.dragosits2197]

there are some really interesting points you explained. thanks 🌸 For me it's a good idea to let the sword at your stage. the youtube "pokal" isn't beautyfull. the sword is a wooden art.

[@sherryscoloringandpaintingcorn]

i freq use stencils to get me started

[@KimberlyLetsGo]

Your humor is hilarious. Along with the cats, especially the Ragdoll, please so more. :) Now, excuse me while I go assault some defenseless watercolor paper with a menacing paint brush.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

haha

[@socialcreature8518]

Michele could you kindly make a tutorial on shown subject, 🎨 with the foreground & background ⭕ emphasing the essential of color balancing, texture, impact of dark & light hues & values, composing with accurate propotion and blending of colours, *ufff* too much to learn.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I am planning some videos featuring actual paintings I am working on, to show the order I apply things, how I plan the colours, and fix mistakes, that sort of thing?

[@socialcreature8518]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber Well that will be great to start with, I understand my wishlist was too long but you are such a wonderful instructor that I got carried away,🤭

[@desertdotabq]

Take breaks so you can see your project with fresh eyes -- check! Let your paint DRY before you try to adjust -- sigh -- check! Limited color palette -- check. Did you get an award from KZbin?!! We knew you when... ! Do LOVE the swords btw. :)

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

All youtubers can claim a plaque at 100k subscribers, the next one is for a million, that may take some time/eternity. I have a more beautiful sword but I don't want to trigger some kind of content violation for having weapons on screen!

[@valeriegehling4358]

I don’t like to erase but drawing I find important, this morning I started flower ( practice ) with watercolour sketching with the colours I later painted, is this a correct method, or would you suggest I stay with lead pencils? Thanks, alsowith all the tips. I made the cardwith square in & didn’t use it yesterday on my rubbish rose, your use of colour matching in this video is one I should have used, thanks!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Ah you can do either. I prefer graphite but if watercolor pencils work for you that's great!

[@valeriegehling4358]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber Thank you for info, it kinda worked. Well it looked ok so I may try it again.

[@beverlydevriesburrows3097]

The wooden sword is beautiful right where it is.

[@SheilaAdrian-f7p]

I can’t find the video description is it perhaps referred to in another way?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

It's the writing below the video, click more. It does depend on the device you are on though, if you watch on tv it can be hard to find. If you are looking for something specific just email me or pop into my facebook group :-)

[@janetwencer3246]

Did you do the magnolia blossom?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I think I did, have a look in the step by step playlist :-)

[@janetturner3497]

I wonder why your ex wasn't enthralled about the sword 😁😁 !! loved this tutorial once again. Thanks. I was experimenting at my last art class using watercolour pencils, had some good results blending with them, better than I have done previously, trying to think of all your tips you gave.!!!!! Thanks again.

[@UrraSergio]

Hello. I can't find the book link nor the actual name of the author. Thanks. Edit: Sandrine Maugy?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Sorry I have hundreds of videos and don't recall what I was referring too, that said I have very few books and Sandrine's book is one of my favorite, so probably, yes!