Watercolor Basics ~ How Much Water To Use :)

Today we're covering one of the very first stumbling blocks we as watercolor artists face; how much water to actually use. It might sound easy but getting a perfect mix ratio every time requires a combo of knowledge and practice. Join me as I take you through this basic building block of the medium.
Got questions? Leave them in the comment section below, I'm happy to help!
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[@pebble2pearl]

I'm trying to learn watercolor and I find it very challenging. This is the best explanation I've seen about water management! Thank you!

[@mandohoney]

I love how you go at a speed that keeps my attention focused at all times...really helps! Your paintings and teachings are just right for me to learn from. Thank you.

[@reneelanier3475]

I actually love the blooms. I love the wild nature of watercolor!

[@maryannkavanagh4525]

Your tutorials are absolutely the best. You're a good teacher. You have a good understanding of what the new water color artist really needs to know. Thank you.

[@0aprilsixth0]

I am teaching myself watercolour via KZbin and this was so crazy handy, thanks so much! This was the best tutorial video I've seen :) new sub for sure!!!!

[@adele6592]

Thankyou for this video. I've just started painting and find I have no idea about water. Now I do. Keep making videos for real beginners please! I know we all appreciate the time and direction you give us.

[@Createfulart]

I love the different effects you can get with how much water you use. It makes it so there are many possibilities.

[@prabhapanth6762]

Thank you for this lesson. I was making all the mistakes that you've shown here, and my paintings never came out well. I love water colours, but was discouraged, as I was not getting the right effects. Thanks a lot, I've realised the mistakes I've been making in water colour painting, and now got an idea about how to correct them.

[@poetickles]

SO USEFUL! I realised I have been using too much water, hence the blooming in my works. Thank you for this video :))

[@susansacco7419]

Thanks so much for helping me with the basics! You're such a sweet woman and a great teacher. I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can from your tutorials. You are a generous spirit and lovely artist. Thanks again.

[@GodzHarleyGirlStudio]

Kid stuff is the thing ya NEED to learn, I totally agree!! Love your tutorial! I just happened to find ya and I think I've happened upon a great artist/teacher!! Looking forward to learning more! Hugz, Tree

[@brendacollinsdeeks7268]

Thanks for going right back to the basics for me. Since I'm completely self-taught it's funny where the gaps are in my watercolour knowledge. For some reason I can't see the other comments so I may be repeating a request that someone else has already mentioned but ...could you also do a tutorial on how much colour to pick up on the brush? I seem to get the water about right but end up with all one saturation level of the pigment once I put brush to paper. may be what you mean by 'transparency' although I suspect that refers to layering, so I'll find that second video you mentioned as well. TFS!

[@kristal2255]

Wow, am I happy to learn here! I've been practicing with all good quality materials for nearly a month and have been getting discouraged. This video nails my bad habits; I'm now thinking there's still hope🤗

[@hibibibi_02]

I really liked this video! I also never knew how to paint the waterfall effect, and now I know that dry-brushing can be used!

[@beverleyphillips7499]

W/C blooms have always been a struggle for me--thanks so much for the explanation and remedy! Great video!

[@jaynebrabham7486]

I've just found you on KZbin & I'm loving the way you seem able to explain things so that I hear myself saying in my head "Ahhhhh yeah, that's how it's done.....it all makes perfect sense now!!" Thanks for some really great beginners tutorials, they have helped me immensely as a complete novice, I will be watching ALL of you videos probably several times over in the near future 👍👌👍👌👍 xXx 🌼

[@shelleyrubenstein9420]

Extremely helpful! You answered a lot of questions and I can’t wait to practice now.

[@khatzeye]

Thank you. This was helpful as I'm really stuck on wet on wet. As you demoed sometimes it's too wet or too dry but hopefully, I can find a balance now.

[@jamesdunlop8704]

I am a complete beginner and found your video most helpful in how to mix the paints

[@barbariens4547]

thanks for encouraging us that we will get better, sometimes we forget! Seriously it seems overwhelming and yet easy, as with all i guess just practise, practise, practise

[@sylviadelozier4553]

I'm new to water colors so this is very helpful for me. Thank you

[@AnhLe-dx6fh]

Thank you for these awesome videos. I probably watched dozen of it in one sitting ^_^ I took class for beginners before but gave up on it. But now I really feel like trying watercolor back again. starting tomorrow

[@margoreilly9881]

Thank you so much. I am new to WC, so this was very informative for me....easy to understand.....will be sure to follow your videos😀

[@silentmouseroni9346]

This is so helpful. I had been self teaching my self how to draw by looking ay different art and youtube. I wanted to try watercolor and this will really help me when I start in 2 days when I get my book

[@AlexCastillo-sv8qk]

Thank you! This video was extremely helpful.

[@debbiecowles712]

This is a great video for beginners like me. Thank you!

[@paulinepaterson3177]

Hi, thanks so much for this very helpful video. Your radishes painting is amazing! I would love a video of how you painted this. Thanks!

[@sucandamrc]

I'm self learning so your tips are really valuable. Thank you for your sharing :D

[@CynthiaBardwell]

I'm a beginner in water coloring....and this was very helpful. Thanks.

[@c8Lorraine1]

Thank you, I learned quite a bit. I’m a new subscriber now !

[@joanmasters3420]

Thanks! I’m very new to this. I learned that I’m using the wrong brushes, using acrylic ones I had from a class. I have some on order so will have the right ones soon.

[@piscesknowing]

This was great! As a beginner this video has lots of tips besides water amount. Thank you!

[@yvonnewhitehouse]

Your videos are brilliant. Thank you.

[@dhirajshetty483]

Excellent basics ! Thank you

[@dawidkuziemka8174]

Hi I started painting with watercolors about 2 months ago, and I was suprised how well it comes out (I think it may have something to do with your videos :D) But now I don't paint very often because I don't have any ideas or inspirations on what I can paint. Maybe you can make a video on how to make original paintings and how to inspire yourself? I would be very grateful :) Also, these raddishes are so adorable!

[@walker449d]

Love your instructions!

[@martaglowacka]

This video is extremely helpful! Thanks a lot :-)

[@mattandrews6735]

Thanks, it was nice to learn from. picked up some great tips:)

[@fereshteh8628]

your videos are veryyy helpful...Thanx a million😍

[@heartchitect1960]

Thank you, this helps!

[@hermuchness9618]

This was so informative. Thanks so much

[@michaelaalcordo1614]

This is so helpful! Thank you!!

[@vidyawitch]

Thank u so much. This was so helpful. Good day! :)

[@janetatkinson1015]

Really helpful to me, an absolute beginner.

[@celiad14]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@annecook9885]

Great explanation!

[@kimskitchen123]

Great info. Very helpful. Ty

[@vidhi1701]

Very helpful tutorial for beginners like me. Thank you. Also make other watercolour beginners exercise videos and painting idea videos which can help.

[@thepandaconverse]

Lol I just bought an old Crayola watercolor set...the pigmentation is great but I definitely need to learn a lot!

[@carolvasenko3438]

very helpful. Thanks!

[@catherinebrader2225]

Thanks very much. I'm just starting and am working on improving my washes. I notice that some people wet the area with clear water first, then use a wet brush to apply the colour. Do you have any comment on this? I also saw someone do 3 layers of wash to make the colour darker. Wouldn't that 'overwork' the wash? Also, should it dry between the layers?

[@ainemackel8587]

Great tips as I am a beginner thanks

[@michelleregis6181]

Thans for your infomative video, i had to subscribe.i have to find out beginning techniques more.

[@twiggimmapiggus6695]

How I know I'll be coming back to learn from your videos: As I was watching and following along with my own supplies, I squeegeed RIGHT as you began explaining about that pitfall. Phew! So glad for that humbling moment in my watercolor education! Thank you for taking the time to teach! ^_^

[@veronicamolina6351]

Loved the video, thank you! Can you tell me where you bought the squirrel hair brush? I recently started painting watercolor and am taking some classes but in the the brushes I got are all synthetic so I bought a couple from Windsor and Newton and just bought a #10 from DaVinci (I have not used it yet) but I like how much water yours held in the video! I feel like mine are all always "thirsty". Have a wonderful day! 😉

[@TheWittyGrittyPaperCo]

Hi there! I'm so very sorry for the delay in my response! Sometimes comments get lost in the shuffle and I didn't see yours until just now! The squirrel hair brush I used in the video was actually a synthetic squirrel hair brush, and is made by Princeton Neptune. It's my favorite line of watercolor brushes. I get most of mine from my local fine art store, but here is a link to where you can find the full range online: www.dickblick.com/products/princeton-neptune-synthetic-squirrel-brushes/ Hope this helps and thank you so much for watching! Have a lovely day! :) Best, Meredith

[@geraldinecrowley9172]

Many thanks for great video

[@Shazzal80]

Thanks so much. Exactly what I was looking for in trying to control the water.

[@ningning8962]

Thank you!

[@tont44]

Meredith, where did you buy your bracelets that I saw in another beginners tutorial? There were 4-5 on your right wrist and they were peach in color. I forgot which video it was and forgot to ask. Eek. Sorry. Hope you'll remember since I can't. LOVED them! Thank you! Fanna Turano Denver, CO

[@georged8787]

Thanks great information

[@jeannetteproctorknapp7416]

Thank you

[@bananamanbabaysugar9783]

backruns: could it be avoided by tilting ?

[@BigPiePublishing]

This might be a silly question but do you use bottled water or tap water? I've wondered if chlorination can interfere with the archival quality of the paint. I could be overthinking it.

[@julielinden1199]

You mention NOT to wipe the brush on the side of the well in the palette. What is the correct technique to 'squeegee' colour from the brush? Love your videos. Also your offer of Skillshare for 99c for a month for 3 months, is this still available and is it available to non-US subscribers? I am in Australia.

[@TheWittyGrittyPaperCo]

Hi there! Sorry for the delay in my response! Personally I like to let my brush drip a second over my rinse water and then just squeegee that one baby drip on the side of the palette. So, as long as you're not squeegeeing off all of your brush's moisture, you should be good to go. :) And as for Skillshare, the offer is totally still available, here is a direct link: skl.sh/witty-gritty And I'm pretty sure it's valid for non-U.S subscribers; the currency difference may change the amount you have to pay slightly but other than that you should be fine. :) Hope this helps and thank you so much for watching! Have a lovely day! :) Best, Meredith

[@neail5466]

thank-you for detailed information but how would i get rid of paper bending using excess water?

[@bananamanbabaysugar9783]

Akash Banerjee what do you mean by paper bending? is it when paper curl up? if so, it may be due to too much water, just let it dry. Taping it to something hard before painting is ideal too. there's also something called paper stretching, soaking the paper then taping it (i think? just search lol) And the paper itself is a factor 90 lbs is not recommended for a full blown painting, atleast 140 lbs is recommended

[@neail5466]

bananaman babay sugar then i will try changing my paper for better results, thank you.

[@heartchitect1960]

One question, why do artist take a brush with paint ant put it back into the water? wouldn't that wash (waste) off some of the paint? I have some syringes to use to add water to my mixing area. Sometimes I use a spray bottle.

[@TheWittyGrittyPaperCo]

Hi there! Sorry for the delay in my response! Yes, dunking your brush back into your water with paint still on it definitely wastes some of the pigment, but because watercolor brushes are engineered to hold onto moisture for dear life, it would be virtually impossible to get all of the paint out of your brush to save before cleaning it. Simply put, to wash your brush of paint, you will inevitable waste tiny amounts of it in your rinse water. This is just sort of something you have to get used to as you get more comfortable with the medium. You can absolutely add water to your mixing area in ways other than with your brush (like the syringes & spray bottle you mentioned) but once you dip your brush into the mixed color to paint with, the brush will be loaded with pigment and you'll still have to dip it in your water to clean it off. :) Hope this helps a bit, and thank you so much for watching! Best, Meredith

[@heartchitect1960]

Yes, I also asked Mind of Watercolor, and he stated about the same. He said the more I paint, the more I'll learn how to deal with the medium. Thanks for responding. :-)

[@shivangirathi6799]

which watercolor paper more suitable? I am confused. I want a watercolor sketch pad but there are lots of brands to choose from.

[@TheWittyGrittyPaperCo]

Hi there! So sorry for the delay in my response! I would recommend using watercolor paper that is 140lb and has a cold-press finish; most watercolor sketchbooks have this inside. As far as actual brands go, my personal favorites for student grade are Canson & Strathmore. For artist grade, I love Arches & Fabriano. Hope this helps and thank you so much for watching! Have a lovely day! Best, Meredith

[@1homemademom]

GOD THAT WAS MY PROBLEM HOW MUCH WATER TO USE HELP LOL :)

[@hemlock6737]

what grade is crayola?

[@vendejamos7595]

Are there any alternatives to watercolor pads? ;-;

[@tont44]

Hi Mary! I think it's okay if I answer your question, but I'm not a teacher. I began painting watercolor & used student grade paper, block/pads (Made by Cannon, always a blue cover) exclusively back then. Then, Arches & Strathmore wc pads/blocks. They worked great, but...then I took an online class with Birgit O'Connor, & she touts using 22" x 30" watercolor sheets. They come in 140# (about $6 a sheet, but you tear down to smaller sizes), & 300# (for the wettest paintings you're painting--$16 a sheet). The good new is that you can use both sides to paint on, so there's no waste. I must admit that the sheets give me the very best performance rather than blocks, & the reason is the sheets hold the water/wetness on your paper much longer than blocks/pads. I also love using blocks & pads for other projects, as I know how it's going to perform and I need that technique. 300# & 140# blocks/pads are no more economical than tearing down the sheets. (you "fold" the sheet over several times into a crease, then gently "chop" the seam until you can carefully tear it yourself). Blocks & pads suck up the water you apply lickity-split, so it's hard to gauge. But I've painted some of my finest paintings on blocks & pads. Hope this helps. Good luck! Fanna Turano Denver, CO

[@antonskun]

God damn! This only tutorial can not only replace the whole painting lessons in school, but exceed them. Why the heck this considered too hard to pour on childs in school compared to the math and phisycs they do?! May be I was just unlucky to not have teachers I wish to have... I'm just doing first steps to discover what was one hand away, but feeling like there were secrets, like, you know, sorta forbidden to know for kids... Always was dissapointed with undercontrol of what happens between me, colors, brush and paper that such an advice could turn my life in the other direction. I'm really happy and grateful that at least now I've an opportunity to take a kind advice and step in this magic world with more understading. Thanks a lot!

[@sandrinegadoury2873]

For beginers which is better pans or tubes?

[@Jovilynch]

Sandrine Gadoury your preference but tubes have more paint, so if you need to use a lot of paint, then use tubes.

[@livelikemarie2318]

My dumb self just realize di have been doing it wrong. I put the paint in a pan, mix water into the paint and keep adding it because the water to paint ratio doesnt look correct. When in reality you should get the brush wet, grab some paint and use it on a seperate surface.... I feel slow 💀💀

[@etherelement]

Lol happy medium.. No punns ey

[@midnightplum1760]

Thank you