Watercolor Brushstrokes Guide - get the most out of your brushes

The brush is the only thing between you and the paper. While the result of your painting mainly depends on you and your artistic core, good brush strokes make your painting fun to look at. It also gives your painting the character that’s uniquely yours.
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[@Cafewatercolor]

A note from the video. Someone asked me why do I dip my brushes on a towel before I take it to the palette. I will do a separate video on it. The point is to get the excess moisture out. When you clean your brushes in the water bucket, it soaks up a lot of waters. If you go straight for paint, the water on the brush will dilute it too much especially if you are getting your pre-mixed colors. By going over on the towel, it will take out some of the water on the brush so it will be easier to maintain the intensity of your mixture.

[@chuckblanchard689]

I love your work with water colours and water.....thank you

[@shafeeko7398]

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[@RumoHasIt]

I can't believe such a great video like this is just available for free. Thank you for being so generous with your skill and time!!

[@sherrylee6719]

Eric, I can't imagine anyone hating your videos, but there are some unhappy people in this world. I really appreciate you sharing your talent. I especially appreciate the generous artists like you who are posting extra videos during this troubled time. It definitely gives me a time to get my mind off of things. Thank you for everything. Stay safe and well.

[@JP-dv7rf]

Very well said.

[@nancynewlin]

I found your channel again and I see from your demonstrations and painting why my paintings have become boring, and what I need to change to make them more lively and soft.

[@softlanding138]

Thank you! I really appreciate your incredible mastery of English. Very easily understood and I know you are extremely disaplined! Your work is fabulous!

[@kiki-bt3qr]

Hi, I’m Lola Lin’s friend, she is my coach. She recommended me to watch your video a few weeks ago. After watching it, I was very touched. Thank you for bringing beauty to the world.

[@bjgoels]

Thank you for the brush stroke lesson. Too many instructors seem to ignore this very important technique. We are usually shown what supplies to get but not always taught how to use them. This seems especially true of brushes.

[@elenaa4301]

I love the format of your teaching videos sooo much I love how you get to the point and point out things that after hearing them make me feel the "of course" moment like i never though about it even though it is so obvious! And then you show the Theorie in practice. I love it. Thank you so much. I learn a lot from you!

[@tessellatiaartilery8197]

Wow, even in the first few minutes, the way you explain these different possibilities make this tutorial the best video ever on watercolor brushstrokes. You area remarkable teacher as well as a skilled artist. Thank you for sharing your insights so generously in this clear and friendly video.

[@tziporaneemanfeder1813]

You are simply a wonderful teacher ! Thank you.

[@dianebast9714]

Eric this helps me so much. I need these initial building blocks. Your dialog is wonderful. Thank you again!

[@florelbacastro5391]

Hi Eric. You are an amazing teacher and artist. Thanks very much for your tutorials. I have learned a lot.I have been painting in oil for many years but beginner in watercolor which is totally different. Thanks for your generosity sharing your knowledge.

[@Opel314]

Thank you so much for this. You have been so generous with your sharing of knowledge and experience here...

[@teresam644]

So glad your channel popped up. Love your painting and presentation style. Very simplified and informative. Love the background sounds too, rather than annoying music. Thank you for sharing your technics.

[@getsomecolourinyourlifedav2478]

Maybe I shouldn't have music on my vids??

[@mreinstein48]

One of the most useful tip I've ever heard and watched! Thank you!!

[@AlisaSauer]

"Double the hate, it hurts me more." Oh my, that is so hilarious! Nice video, thanks!

[@lccsd2392]

I thought Eric said, "it earns me more." Would that it were true! 🤣🐱‍🏍💲

[@rosannelowy]

Unthinkable, to not like Eric’s video instructions

[@geoklengkwan2807]

Thank you Eric. Learnt so much from just one video. Will try to be mindful of my brushstrokes.

[@Griddy66]

First class video to share the real useful basics for any beginner. Mastering the paint, brushes & paper is so basic but vital to producing a good painting & so often taken for granted or skipped over by many teachers. Thanks you really helped me.

[@Merryknees1]

Thank you for a very useful tutorial. I need to take particular note of not dabbing and overworking.

[@TheMkdon]

Hi Eric, I started work on your course and it is great. I love these videos for additional hints and directions. I was a teacher (4th grade) for 33 years and I can say that your teaching style is calming and boosts the confidence of a beginner like myself. Thank you for your patience and respect for your students.

[@franwalls5803]

I am really glad I found you site. Your videos are helping me grow in my use of the paint and how to apply it to the paper. Thanks !!!

[@ahmedelmansory8672]

That's a great lesson Eric, and a beautiful tutorial too. Thank you, with love from Egypt

[@drvenkateshsrenalclinic6156]

Eric you are an awesome teacher!

[@BarbrajoanOriginals]

Eric I watched the livestream of this and when it got to 1:30 a.m. (Tallahassee, Florida)) I had to stop. I’m glad you did this as I was able to watch the finished painting. Thank you 🙏 for all your hard work. It’s appreciated.

[@Stop_Elitists_Wars]

Great Video & sharing of knowledge.

[@ahmedelmansory8672]

Great demo, one of your best works.Thanks with all love from Egypt

[@bonnieli6897]

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to see the beauty of nature and to treasure our environment. The story on father playing outdoor with kids is romantic.

[@judyonody7748]

As always, you have created another beautiful and very helpful video! The stories you create make your paintings come alive and I love how you are now using Andy’s habit of creating the value study first. I am making this a part of my practice now too! Thank you Eric! You are an inspiration!

[@joybean6955]

Thanks for teaching us. I love how you added those figures. Such tiny details made a huge difference in the ambience. Also the way you glaze the light part with warmer color is very inspiring.

[@ivart817]

I've been painting for 10 years, but only started watercolors a couple of months ago. It's a whole different world! Your videos have become extremely helpful for expanding my approach to watercolor painting. Thank you!

[@pamelagrimm6602]

Love this video on brush stokes!! Thank you for especially for speed and # of stoke explanation!

[@gadavis500]

I have been watching your videos for over a year. They have always been great, but after getting sidetracked for a few months and coming back.... you have really improved the quality of your videos, and still offer great suggestions.... Keep up the good work.

[@SB-qs9zu]

Wow! I am very impressed with the way you articulate/explain techniques and your experiences. Explicit and precise, hitting the nail right on its head. Thanks so much for sharing. I'm learning a lot from your videos.

[@walker2837]

Just found this. Thank you for breaking down the elements of brush control. I've seen numerous demos and teachers talk about the importance of brush control but deconstructing "control" into wetness, pressure, etc. is very helpful.

[@Linda-kh6rl]

You or very good at explaining your art work.I have learned a lot watching you explaining how you or doing you art work ❤

[@Chud37]

honestly that was hilarious at the end there

[@bo131]

Amazing!!! I love the brushstrokes in the first part, which can help me a lottt in the future. Also I followed the later part to do the painting. Eric 's instruction is amazing when you talked about you feeling. Like "I feel a little plain, so I add more warm color". I totally did as you taught. Turns out to be A great real painting! I appreciate it. Hope we can comment with pic then I can show the result with you.

[@dianebast9714]

Thank you Eric. I really liked your video and final picture.

[@beckyfitts8223]

Thank you for continuing to upload during the quarantine! I love your videos!

[@cherylj.harris4967]

Thank you so much for this information presented so easily understood. You brought to light so much for me. ❤

[@flatswhisperer]

Great job Eric. Your teaching videos are extremely helpful. Please keep doing what your doing. Much appreciated. Thanks.

[@debrarozin9940]

Another fantastic demo! Thanks so much!

[@vaishology922]

Thank you so much sir for being so generous with your knowledge

[@willeminabyl552]

Very helpful! Thank you Eric!😊

[@michaelmartin6040]

One of the best watercolour tutorials I have seen particularly for landscapes.

[@barbbochenek5631]

Just found you this week, enjoying your lessons immensely

[@getsomecolourinyourlifedav2478]

Yes it's a new channel for me too

[@lindathaxton1994]

You are a good teacher - thank you for sharing your knowledge & artistic insight - I couldn’t continue learning w/o people like you

[@estherblanquet187]

Thank you so much for your great teaching, and for donating to the corona virus Relief Fund.We need more people like you in the world.

[@aliceandsnoopy]

Thank you very much. I am a beginner and I learn a lot from your videos. Love your videos, very clear explanation.

[@peterj.d.8737]

Eric, very nice work. I like the looseness of your composition, doesn't have that photograph look. I'm fond of the "mop" brush, big and little, and flats...but very much like the "fan" brush. It gives me nice palm fromes, weeds, etc.....lots of little lines, and very fast...as you recommend.

[@bardotte5757]

Have learnt a lot about how to use my brushes correctly, thank you, I now know where I was going wrong. 🎨

[@6ahorses791]

I am loving your new style!! I have followed Andy E. for a longtime and so glad to see you demonstrating it! You’re doing a great job at finding the big shapes. Thankyou so much!! Also loved loved the warm glaze you did at the end!

[@yamunalingaraj1011]

Dear Eric Sir..🙏🏼.....ur style of water painting is clear & superb❤️🌹.....loved this painting...very glad to know that u r selling this painting ..👏🏽.& evenmore glad to know u r donating 100% fund to Covid victims👍🏼 ...God bless u sir...I wud love to try this painting ..only then I wud be able to raise up any suggestions from u..😊🙏🏼👍🏼

[@johnkamerling6156]

Eric, most informative. I will keep a mental note as a do with all your teaching skills that you provide for me. Thankyou again Eric for your time and wisdom..

[@Xz.m921]

So So good. You are a great teacher 🙏

[@ivyfasko9699]

Eric, thanks for another great video! Watching you paint really helps me understand the brushstrokes a lot better.

[@vermiliongamboge155]

So, so helpful, not only for the brushstrokes, but the idea of painting the value study. I usually draw them, but I'll try painting them now. That way, I can practice the brushstrokes, as well, before committing to the actual painting. Thank you for this.

[@donnabradshaw608]

As someone who is a novice painter, I am learning quite a lot from your videos. Your teaching is very clear. I really appreciate your instructions. Thank you, Eric. I will be here watching, until I have seen all of your videos, and then, I'll start them again. (taking breaks in between, though, for my own paintings).

[@saravasura1076]

Very helpful. Helped me understand the importance of my brush strokes! I’m going to practice them right away.

[@roxannesiuagan5295]

Hi, Eric! I think you're a great teacher. You're honest and kind. I've been watching your videos for weeks now and I'm really impressed. Such amazing contents you have here. Concise and very interesting. Your contents really motivate me learn painting again. Gotta beat some quarantine blues with some hues. Thanks a lot! Bless you!

[@minakshi005]

Just half way through this video, i subscribed..👍

[@jacquelinehewelt7143]

❤ Let your brush dance on the paper!

[@melindaavila498]

This is so helpful! I am a beginner, and have been so frustrated. Your tips about the brushstrokes, washes, light and shadow will help me.

[@rikardogibola1312]

Very useful, thank you Eric. I'm going to watch a couple more times.

[@oliferous]

Extremely useful! Thank you Eric! Stay safe and healthy and keep up the awesome videos😋

[@MegaPlucas]

Thank you, Eric.

[@jenniferrugh189]

Amazing. I could watch you paint all day! Thank you!

[@johnbrengle1443]

Excellent tutorial! Very helpful. Thanks, Eric!

[@ShahanoorMamun]

You can explain very well ....👍👍

[@charlesmckinney]

Thank you Eric. Extremely helpful. Very motivating. ANSWERED more than a few questions for me. Much oblidged.

[@jimschneider7097]

I love your teaching

[@treybeedee6177]

I appreciate you and your work very much Eric. I have only been watercoloring for about a month and watch as much as I can so as to learn of course. The first one of your videos was on cauliflower edges and how to avoid them. You were painting a picture from Pearl Harbor. Than one video alone taught me so much about wet on wet etc. I enjoy all your videos and your easy on the ears.🙂 . I know my future works will get better as I learn more and more from you. PS Last night I needed to create a greeting card , I had used some metallic paint in a couple of small areas and when I picked up to look at my work in the tilted position I was able to see so many areas that were distorted to me when lying flat. I want to learn to paint with my work at a tilt like you do. How high is your pallet up in the top? Also I notice that you use a large bucket to hold your water. I like this because I finally figured out that during the process of your work much of the pigments settle to the bottom leaving clean water on top. Is that a correct evaluation?😃 I used to paint a lot of sceneries with churches , waterfalls, rivers and bridges in acrylic paints on large flat rocks that I found in Oregon, Ca. Drawing is my weakness. I can paint much better than I draw. I need to learn how to sketch out my paintings first, do you have a suggestion for a book that will help me improve those skills . Blessings to you and thank you so much again for your wisdom !

[@celiasantosmedeiros1283]

Your vídeos are always very helpful! Thanks Éric.

[@fatoomgierdien2181]

Thank YOU for an Excellent and Effective Video.

[@raggedyroad]

Great demo Eric, thank you!

[@janicetio1219]

Very helpful. Great tutorial.

[@karenmorris11]

Awesome demo

[@DisshaArt]

Very beautiful painting and very useful information that you gave about brushstrokes. I too have been learning painting in watercolor for the last one year with the help of the suggestions given by great artists like you. Certainly this important information given by you will increase my knowledge further. Heartfelt gratitude for this.

[@Cafewatercolor]

So glad it’s helpful, thank you ☺️

[@l.thompson5780]

Ordered the special desk Light you discussed recently and it is fantastic!! Thanks for your research.

[@user-tf4ym9ei6c]

Thanks, Eric! It's just brilliant!!!👍👍👍🎨🖌️🖼️

[@deannatonn8570]

Thank you for these amazing tips that as a beginner would not have thought of...especially the dabbing!! Going to use this as a great practice time for sure. Thank you!

[@jeanniehargis4034]

Great tutorial and lovely picture! Thank you!

[@adriantucker5532]

Love your videos! I'm an oil painter but just got into watercolor. Of all the teachers, your lesson is the only one that got me actual compliments from the people who saw my painting lol. You break it down so well and your videos are lovely and calming. Hope you gain lots more subs you deserve it! Much love from: Dallas,Texas

[@lessatwi1]

Possibly the best clip on strokes on YT. Thnx.

[@OceanaFlorida]

Wow. Excellent teacher, excellent instruction, excellent demo. Thank you.

[@danilodonato8401]

Thank you Eric, very useful as always!

[@ayeshayasir9054]

Your videos really help me to improve my watercolours,thanks alot!

[@robertusrobert3760]

Thank you for sharing your technic, it’s really usefull. I even bought the desk lamp as you advised, i really like it!

[@lindaw9329]

Thank you for your teaching. I am brand new to watercolor. Your videos help me not feel overwhelmed and just enjoy practicing. They are also very relaxing which is a gift right now. Thank you for donating your proceeds to coronavirus relief.

[@anartfuljourneywithroberty3784]

Really enjoyed watching you at work, great painting 👍🏻. Stay safe everyone.

[@getsomecolourinyourlifedav2478]

Stay safe too 👍

[@kathleennekomoto6490]

Wonderful how a blank sheet can become a beautiful art work. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. BTW your voice is also very calming. Like magic,,,,,,calming voice/speech putting together something beautiful.

[@daisymartinez6341]

Hi Eric. Thank you for your videos! I learned a lot from your video about learning to see values of green in nature. Ever since, i am apllying the principle to my watercolors and i am enjoying the results.

[@sanjayjoshi2665]

Thank you so much for providing stunning videos

[@monami7092]

I enjoy watching your videos; they are very organized and easy to follow. This one was very helpful

[@slepycitron]

Good advice, calmly delivered. Thank you.

[@daleshawn1910]

Thank you for your videos. I appreciate them immensely.

[@kaygeenair]

Nice explanation, and very useful.

[@65sunnyday]

Nice on-point tutorial.

[@madhujanardhanan1034]

Thank you for your precious painting lessons. Best regards

[@peacefultahitti379]

Thank you so much, Eric it is so helpful!! 💟