Watercolor Painting RULES (and how to BREAK them)

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Let me know what watercolor rules you follow, or do you make up your own, or throw the rule book out?! Try this video next: 10 Tricky COLORS and how to use them! (Watercolor Mixing Tutorial) kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3ypdn5oq8p6i6M

[@ddmckinney1954]

Make up my own

[@susanbaker3078]

I've been watching various KZbinrs, mostly watercolor artists, but other media, too. I have an art education background from long ago, largely unused, but the love of color and materials is still there. I'm interested in what many artists have to say about materials, techniques, tips, as well as watching their demonstrations. Then I kind of play around with it all. Eventually, I can see both progress and what isn't going well. Then, what teachers, like you, have been stressing finally makes more sense. When I see the usefulness and importance of a concept or technique, the light goes on, and I want to practice that concept. Not sure if this answers your question, Michele. But thanks for sharing your interesting self, your insights, and beautiful artwork!! Best wishes from So. California! 🪻💕☮️

[@dixieoswald1234]

😊

[@susanbuckley1964]

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist" Picasso. Great video. thanks Michele.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Yes! Thank you!

[@jerrincurless5249]

I like watching your videos over and over to catch things I missed and to remind me of what I may have forgotten. Thank you for these videos!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad you like them!

[@jannettebeatsonberger2516]

I'm watercolor artist from 2018. I've learned basic rules and encouraged to break the rules. I love watercolor.

[@sherryfurr9115]

You nailed it about the expensive paper being intimidating, lol. Thankfully early on I discovered Baohong paper, that more and more artists are using. It is not expensive and I have found it to equal Arches. I love it.

[@rebeccahesser8057]

Agree 100% Baohong is absolutely one of my favorite papers the academy line but also the artist grade. You can find it in a block, imperial sheets and sketchbooks. FANTASTIC

[@patriciahubbard5832]

Me, too, about the paper. I always said I was "saving it for good" (something my grandmother said about everything LOL) Anyway, my daughter now tells me, "it's time for the good!"

[@lizadivine3785]

What does that paper cost please?

[@darbydupree4056]

Michelle, your paintings are amazing. Just beautiful!!!

[@shapesart2701]

In fact I made a good painting once using cheap paper and paints. Today it looks at me from the wall to say "it's all possible" but soon after I decided to buy good paper and good paints just to eliminate possible errors caused by low quality supplies. This helped me to find out where I was actualy in this jurney. Thanks for this video.

[@lizadivine3785]

The geisha was lovely

[@lccsd2392]

thank you Michele for your teaching skill and generosity.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are so welcome!

[@eileencollins3126]

Great video! I love breaking rules in my artwork, no matter what medium I am using!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Same here!

[@connied8507]

I've given myself a year to see how fun watercolor is. All of my practice is on cheap paper. This lets me go through paper with no guilt, and surprisingly it's forcing me to become more "painterly". My paints are a mix. It's teaching me that some expensive paints last way longer and are worth it. Your strokes have to be right the first time with card stock.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Sounds a great way to work!

[@susanbaker3078]

It's so funny, your observations on using cardstock and other cheap papers. I recently found I have an abundance of cardstock (cream colored) and was thinking about donating it because, of course, you can't use it for watercolors. But, I began playing with a few sheets for swatching, thumbnail paintings, and general experimenting. Whatever brush marks you put down is pretty much it, but that can be useful. A couple of months ago, I acquired a small journal of handmade paper from Thailand. I couldn't resist buying it when I saw it at a local secondhand store. It turned out that the paper is so fragile it's only good for regular pencil drawing without any erasing. I gave myself permission to chuck it, but it's been a great challenge for putting down marks and making them work! And I like most of my drawings. Thanks for another reminder, and Michelle, too, to play with a wide range of creative materials. I don't feel free enough to use my better wc papers and still enjoy the process. Hopefully, that will change in time. Happy painting, whatever you're using!!!

[@learnartwithme3766]

Try to find arteza’s 100% cotton a4 watercolour pads instead of cheap paper for watercolour or get there are cheap cotton (small) pads

[@connied8507]

@@learnartwithme3766 Thanks , I'll check that out 😊

[@connied8507]

@@learnartwithme3766 thanks, I'll check it out

[@peggydid]

I love the painting of the bird! And your humor! Hugs! Peggy

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you so much!

[@lauranewton1566]

Oh, my gosh, Michelle! This is JUST what I needed to see! I often get an idea for a painting but don’t know where to start. You explained everything. I will post my next painting and call it Michelle!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Yay!

[@judylangmuir3600]

Brilliant! You're a great teacher...very clear and concise! Thank you! 🤗

[@tanyamalan6234]

Thank you Michele! I LOVE your ring!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Oh thank you!

[@ktilleyhappiness]

Hi Michelle, I am new to painting. I am so in love with watercolor. I have no idea how many tutorials I’ve watched because I am finishing up embroidering Christmas presents. I just want to say that you are amazing and the very best in my opinion. You are an excellent teacher! And your art is phenomenal! I am on a roll and going through all your videos. I’m sure then I will be a professional! Well closer to anyway.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you so much!

[@donnatdeal]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I've heard all of these rules, and I tend to observe them all .... usually.

[@patriciahubbard5832]

Thank you so much for your very, very helpful videos. When I began watercolor, I did not know (and didn't care to know) the technical aspects of it. I just did my thing - loose atmospheric florals on good quality cotton paper using good professional grade paints. It wasn't until some of my paintings were accepted into a gallery that I began to get more interested in learning the technical side of watercolor. So I thank you for talking about those topics in some of your videos. You are an excellent teacher.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks Patricia! It's great that you got into a gallery :-)

[@stephanieh930]

The 'light to dark' and no need to layer (unless it's for shadow purposes) is very helpful. I've always wondered why I see that 'rule' all of the time. Excellent reminder that I shouldn't feel guilty about buying a 'green' color :) I remember that from your "Phthalo and Viridian Green" video linked above, which I will now re-watch to re-fresh my memory ;)

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful Stephanie!

[@aliciashackley5830]

Excellent video Michele. My first good quality set of paints was Windsor & Newton cotman set because that’s what I could afford. I loved it because what I started with was awful. Lol. I still have that palette but have replenished with artist quality paints. Thx as always for another quality and educational video. 🥰

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks Alicia, Cotman are actually my least favourite of the student brands!

[@aliciashackley5830]

Lol, then you can just imagine how bad the quality of paints I started with. 🤭🥰

[@susanavenir]

Truly WONDERFUL video, Michele, THANK YOU!!!!! And... reference numbers, eh? I think you just solved a problem for me with just two words.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@debbiecrochiere2182]

Hi Michelle, Another brilliant video. I thank you very much and as always you nails are absolutely beautiful. I love the blue patterns 🥰

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you so much!

[@bluethnerfluegel]

Great video. Thank you. Would it be possible for you to make a video covering basic painting hacks. For example, when I am mixing colors from my pan paints and my brush is full of pigment, how do I get new, clean water on my brush without immediately dirtying my clean water jar?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I have done some like these in the past, but yes, good idea!

[@dixieoswald1234]

Thanks so much for your videos. This is most interesting ie rules😅ones to break

[@marnsimpson8718]

ty

[@valasafantastic1055]

I mix black to make gothy ‘dusk’ colours including pbk 11 for granulation, I use mixed media with watercolour especially gouache, I use white and pastel tones intentionally, I use make up brushes all the time as watercolor brushes, I use the ‘wrong’ paper and force it to work. I also don’t care about warping much at all (unless it’s a gift, to frame on my wall or for sale as a commission). I disagree with the standard colour wheel and use the yumbry wheel more and other theories. I often use custom made mixes and base/mother colours as well as multi pigment mixes. I mix watercolour with gouache. I use white gouache and gouache for intentional highlights. I sketch in various coloured pencils and watercolour over top. I use two brushes simotanoulsly switching between a blend and main lay down brush. I don’t abide by watercolour purism. And I never stretch paper (the one you will dislike). I will tape and pre wet paper sometimes (or wet the reverse and flatten after with heavy books). Yes I watched your watercolour paper stretching video… I don’t have the paper tape, it’s hard to find and very expensive where I live in Canada (unless I just can’t find it) and can’t abide by wasting the edges of the paper. And it’s a lot of effort before I can get into painting.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I use make up brushes too sometimes. All that matters is you get the results you like!

[@annenglish2935]

Yes! Use whatever makes your art sing!

[@scoiataeli]

Influencers preaching nonsense should watch this! I have to confess I use wood pulp paper almost exclusively, as it just shows effects better than cotton paper and I do not need to put hundreds of layers down. I have also discovered a very nice practice paper which is also very nicely priced 😍

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you!

[@sonjaloots841]

This video helps a lot because I can be too rigid about rules! Thank you M!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You're so welcome!

[@Beautiful-Gestures]

Thank you so much for this video, it's taught me a lot. Your paintings are amazing as are your nails. 😀

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you so much 😀

[@celiacannon8345]

Seems to me it depends with the wet into wet, whether you want soft and muted or a bold look. Great advice Michelle🥰

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Indeed it does!

[@lizhamilton1492]

So helpful Thank you.

[@arlynroycraft561]

Thank you again for the hints😊

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Any time!

[@geoffmitchell6515]

Thank you Michele

[@anasel-mahdi7908]

well explained watercolor NOT TO rules.Thanks

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

My pleasure!

[@marytesta3003]

Excellent video. It really made me stop and think. Thank you very much for giving me a different perspective.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

My pleasure!

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful informational video with us! I really appreciate your explanation of the term Wet into Wet & Wet onto Wet! As an American I actually agree with you that the terms are as you state in this video. One of the many reasons why I prefer your way of teaching art. It is also one of the reasons why my skills have improved so much these past couple of years. ❤🎨😉

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

And I am very glad to hear that :-)

[@LydiaCuff]

I started working with gouache recently after working with watercolor for a few years and I keep having to remind myself to use white paint to lighten the colors while keeping them opaque 😅

[@SheriWinston]

Thanks! As always I learned useful stuff from your videos

[@mariotscott-kiwi]

Love your channel. Found your tutorials very helpful as I am a complete novice to watercolouring. You have given me confidence to begin the watercolour journey😊

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

That's great news!

[@zlee11]

Really a great video, Michelle. Thank you.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@edwinscheibner7941]

Thank you.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

No problem!

[@agold1702]

Great tips! Thanks!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

No problem!

[@annenglish2935]

Thank 😊 you, Michelle! Very clear and understand the concepts! I also appreciate your beautiful art! I loved all of them! When I first started painting, my beginner set had 50 colors... then onto Winsor Newton Cotman and 24 colors... finally, WN Professional set of 24 ... I never saw a need to mix colors! Plus, I love greens and blue-greens with PG7 in them. Just a beginner, but one of the first things I heard about watercolor was - There Are No Rules in Watercoloring! Ha! Thought that was funny, but I felt like they were talking more about using mixed media with watercolor... Anyway, you are a wonderful teacher! Maybe a painting tutorial is soon in the works!?! Have a great weekend! With love from a California Gramma ❤️

[@annenglish2935]

I missed your Magnolia painting last month! Will watch! Thanks 😊!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Yes more tutorials to come, a mini landscapes one is planned for next week!

[@janetturner3497]

Loved this video. Always enjoyable. Learn new things again.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@leonorlatour9250]

Thank you Michele. The 'broken' rule I had discovered by myself is that dark colors don't need to be layered to be dark, and I was always puzzling about that layering that seemed pointless to me. And I was always wondering 'Am I gouaching my watercolors?' But it didn't look like that. Thank you for explaining this one. The 2nd one that took me a rather long time to get was to partially wet paper but I learned that from experience and common sense. Still so many things to learn.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

We all have things to learn :-)

[@Sunny-rh1yp]

You rock! Are your lessons pre-recorded?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you! I have courses available on my website :)

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

I always mostly start first layer..wet on wet thats because i want time to wok upon...maybe i need practice wet on dry more as most watercolorists do.

[@NanaRoisin]

Great advice!

[@Effaly_]

Thank you so much for the video! ❤

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

No problem 😊

[@ArtistRebeccaLS]

Force your partner to divorce you 🤣🤣🤣🤣 You do get a better result from professional paints after coming off of student grade you do see the difference - I’m really enjoying the Holbein artist gouache cmyk 3 colour mixing it’s fascinating seeing different colours being made easily without mud 🙏 around £22 at Jackson art supplies for 5 tubes of 15mls. Little is going a long way. Yeah when I first started painting I was always told that black and white are not classed as colours and that it’s cheating to use white as highlights…. Though I’ve noticed using black does dull a painting - I enjoy your content - thank you for creating it 😊 how is your cat today?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

My cat is sleeping peacefully after keeping me awake half the night!!

[@ArtistRebeccaLS]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@yesimk.7708]

Hello Michele, thx for another helpful video 🙏 Another rule that can be broken can be working on a leaning surface. I tend to do so because it is told me as a rule but I have seen once (maybe it was you or another artist, i cannot remember) working on a flat surface is also ok or sometimes better.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Yes, whatever suits you best!

[@gabbypepperandcocoaosulliv6393]

😂 I’m close to remortgaging my house, kicked out by my partner and selling my car for buying quality art stuff 😂 Quality paper does make alot of difference though even with student grade paint and brushes. I learned so much from your videos. Thank you!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are welcome, stay safe (!)

[@nancydavidson4899]

I’ve tried few different papers, mostly because I didn’t really understand the difference at first and I must say I do prefer 100% Cotton. However, a friend who’s a very detailed botanical artist gave me some Bockingford. I chose to do a wet on wet landscape with it. Wrong choice 😂 I live in Australia. It was in the middle of summer, very hot and dry and I’m quite a slow painter. I painted faster than I’ve ever painted before to get the washes on before the paper dried (which seemed to me like the speed of light)!! Lesson learned 😊 Apart from that, it was a really nice paper to work on and I’d definitely use it for other subjects that don’t require a lot of big wet on wet areas or lifting….or maybe just to practice seeing how fast I can paint 😂😂😂

[@dianemcgregor6171]

I have discovered that the Bock8ngford paper we get in New Zealand is made with cotton. It is not the same as the Bockingford made in the Mill in the U.K which is made from wood pulp. I'm not sure where the one we get here is made though.

[@nancydavidson4899]

@@dianemcgregor6171 that’s so interesting!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Interesting. In the UK Bockingford is wood, Sauders Waterford is cotton, both made by St Cuthbert's Mill.

[@nancydavidson4899]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber Yes, mine was definitely the UK version. My friend is English and she orders it online. I’ll look into the NZ version.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Watch Louise De Masi watercolour on yt, very slow painter...like me. But it will take time to master that wet on wet technique

[@ArtistRebeccaLS]

Oooow just wanted to add I understand wet into wet technique - I have not heard of (the usa version)

[@PM-rl6vb]

Love your lessons Michelle - i was not able to find any way to purchase St. Petersburg Watercolours from White Knight - it seems amazon does not carry them nor does SAA - I did not find them listed at Jackson's UK either. What am I missing?

[@marytesta3003]

I might be 100% wrong, but they are made in Russia and might not be available to ship right now? I noticed a couple US art supplies had them on clearance awhile back. But it's only a guess.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Amazon has the pan set, I can't add links here but the listing title is White Nights Watercolour Night Artists Watercolour Set 36 Whole Pans. SAA appears to have some in the clearance section. The SAA website search is abysmal (allegedly) so it may be better to search for what you want and add the letters SAA into google.

[@joycestevens376]

Just WOW on your paintings.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks Joyce!

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Michelle, have you seen Louise De Masi watercolour artist on youtube? She is mostly doing wet on wet with brilliant results. Do you think wet on wet is more difficult to control and master than wet on dry? Please see her video..very interesting. I like her technique , mainly because there is no speed painting....like usual 99.99% watercolour artists. she does very slowly and relaxed. whats your opinion on the rush in watercolour? I left many times watercolour for only this reason, until i found her on you tube

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Yes Louise's channel is great! I like to spend a lot of time planning, but paint areas quickly :)

[@criss9607]

Did you find any info whether White Nights / St Petersburg is vegan or not? They are super common around here, but I could find no info...

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I haven't found anything yet

[@suel4269]

Sad that people get angry over stupid things and have to post it in the comments.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Indeed, you wonder how they cope in every day life!

[@nattyw495]

I pften wonder this myself i mean it takes more energy to have hate in your soul and i cant understand how thise with alot of vitriol dont have ulcers...

[@Twitch.lovelystar_x]

Videos like this is what I use to forget about any anger I had during the day 😂

[@frankmazzant2868]

I enjoy your videos. I have a question. I hope it doesn’t sound creepy. Your eyes appear to be green to me in your videos. Are they green or just a quality of the video feed. Just curious thanks.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Yes, my eyes are green, and so is my car. I like green!

[@brightonrosie]

I got slaughtered in the comments for asking how to make a good black as many people told me “nothing is really black”…… I was painting a black painted door !!! 😅😅😅

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Well some things are indeed black. Zebra's come to mind...

[@natlisan]

I'm guilty of the 100% cotton paper rule. I do only use 100% cotton paper because it works well with my process! I tend to use a ton of water as well as lifting/scrubbing, which would never work on a pulp paper. So that's one rule I've always stuck to! as for the other rules, rules are made to be broken for the most part!!!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I do use cotton paper now too, although not for quick YT demos.

[@natlisan]

I know cotton papers can be very pricey! but there are a few affordable 100% cotton paper options available from Baohong, Fluid and Fabriano.

[@lizhamilton1492]

Also Vegan here. I am so happy you mention the non vegan colors to stay away from.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

There aren't many nowadays, luckily they no longer make Indian yellow from cow urine!!

[@rosemorales3135]

💚🩶💙💜👏👏👏

[@nicoleperron3315]

There's watercolor paints made from animal bones? Is there alot of colors made this way? I've learnt something new. I knew some were made with toxic stuff and some can cause cancer, i think its the cadmium ones but don't quote me I'd have to verify that. I just known not to chew on my paintbrushes.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

The problems with cadmiums are more about the production and disposal than the use, yes don't eat them, most things cause cancer if you eat or breath enough of them :-) It's only really PBk9 (bone/ivory black) that's currently not animal free (and a few of the binders used by certain manufacturers).

[@tavenchristensen3157]

I think most people who overreact have deep set emotional problems which causes them to lash out at almost anything. - I don’t let them bother me anymore. 🙂 THANKYOU for the tips. 🫶

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are most welcome :-)

[@leslie-annepepin8927]

Excellent video! Thank you!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

My pleasure!