Watercolor Painting Techniques (6 Easy Steps to Fine Lines)

A really in-depth look at 6 basic watercolor techniques needed to paint fine lines. These are essential in any realistic wildlife, plant or flower painting. I take a close up look at paint consistencies, loading your brush and applying the right pressure to create the correct thickness line. We even look at how this works with watercolor white. This is a paint that I use in most of my paintings to create highlights and life within my subject. When you know the really basic watercolor techniques behind a fine artpainting you will never look back. I hope this in-depth look at the basics gives you the confidence to give realistic paintings a try.
If you enjoyed this video I suggest trying this one next .... Watercolour Painting Tutorial - How to paint a Robin • Watercolour Painting T...
How to paint really fine lines in watercolor
00:00 See how I use fine lines in my realistic paintings
02:00 1. Watercolor paint consistencies and how they affect painting fine lines
06:00 2. How to load your watercolor brush to paint fine lines
07:18 3. Applying the right pressure to your brush to paint fine lines
11:21 4. How the size of your watercolor brush can affect fine lines
15:32 How to paint the fine lines in a bee's wing
17:10 5. Using muscle memory / ghosting to paint fine watercolor whiskers
19:08 Using muscle memory / ghosting to paint leopard whiskers
20:07 Revisiting some watercolor paintings to see the use of fine lines
20:59 Using fine lines to paint butterfly legs
22:29 6. Painting fine lines with watercolor white paint
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[@Angela-zf8sn]

Hello Paul! I've just started to have an interest in learning to watercolor paint 🎨 I recently discovered your channel and subscribed. Paul it's so wonderful of you to share your knowledge and joy with us all. Your time and efforts are very much appreciated by us. Imagine this Paul, two blue birds on a tree stump wild grasses growing up from the bottom of canvas around the stump and HALF a blue sky (from top of canvas down midway) then a big 4 in. gap of white canvas behind the 🐦🐦 birds on the stumps🤣🤣🤣tried to fill in the blue sky but with all the grass blades, stumps and birds in the way it would be too difficult. Oh and I DIDNT add ANY WATER to my paint colors because IT SAYS WATERCOLOR so I thought it was premixed in the tubes🤣🤣🤣🤣 . Paul should I have painted the whole canvas blue then go over that with the actual stump birds grass? (did I mention I'm very new to all this watercolor painting stuff)🤣😅 Thanks Paul! Wow think of all the future paint 🎨 I'll be saving by adding that 💧water😃👍

[@TheDevonArtist]

H Angela, you certainly put a smile on my face with your lovely comment. As you now know, watercolour is a medium which you will 95% ( _guessing_ ) of the time add water too. Plus, watercolour is normally used in the state of tinted water, gradually thickening with every layer, and gradually built up in layers, once of course the first layer is dry. It will normally dry lighter as well, giving you room for altering and increasing the darker tones. As for your birds, stump, grass blades painting, personally I would have used masking fluid for the birds, stump and blades allowing it to dry, then paint the background over the top. Once all is dry after a few hours, remove the masking tape and begin painting. You will need reasonable quality paper for the masking fluid though. You can do it! Paul 🎨

[@Angela-zf8sn]

@@TheDevonArtist Paul, thank you so much for your gracious reply! Watery, creamy, milky, and thick my new motto🤣 Need to get that masking fluid and water dropper asap!😂 Paul I have lots of your videos to catch up on, you so inspire me!!🤗 Paul I've designated you my mentor and teacher in my new watercolor paintings adventure (in case you didn't know)🤣😁 Your wonderful Paul, you explain things so simply it gives me hope😅😂. Can't wait to learn more. All birds deserve a full sky around them 🤣🤣🤣😅🌿🐦🐦🌾😁

[@elizabetheliuk9373]

You explain everything in minutest detail. Thank you. No room for misinterpretation. A great teacher.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you very much. I do tend to wander off-topic sometimes, but I get there in the end. 😁

[@Rudimar69]

Thank you, Paul. For his willingness and an open heart to teach people who cannot afford to attend art schools. A hug of gratitude. May God give you more and more wisdom!

[@TheDevonArtist]

You are very kind, thank you Rudimar 😀

[@luckyhiker3434]

Really great hand control!

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you very much Luckyhiker 😁

[@azalea1404]

The most valuable lecture on this topic I have seen so far. Thanks a lot, Paul! 🙏👍👋💕

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad it was helpful Anna, thank you for watching. 😀

[@sandy5489]

You are fantastic and talented . I love your painting, really love all of them

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you so much Sandy 😀

[@tassie2348]

What a great clip Paul, so much information ❤

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad you enjoyed it Tassie, thank you. 🤗

[@krisrogers1070]

Great video! Thank you!

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad you liked it Kris, thanks for taking a look. 😊

[@jeannettecomer8739]

I’ve always thought using white in watercolor was a no-no. Thank you for showing the permission to use white and the proper application and “when” to use it. Your patience is also appreciated. Painting dogs is something I will look forward to seeing you paint.

[@TheDevonArtist]

You are so welcome Jeanette. Yes, working with watercolour of gouache white is one of those things which is not thought of if you are a traditional watercolourist. I prefer to say 'if it works for you, then it's the right way.' Paul 🎨

[@sherryfurr9115]

Excellent instruction. Thank you.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad it was helpful Sherry. 😊

[@learn2bjoyful13]

Thank you SO much for this very helpful and informative tutorial! You have a great way of explaining. Looking forward to painting with.

[@TheDevonArtist]

This is such a lovely comment, thank you very much. Paul 🎨

[@crystalheart9]

Fabulous video on the basics, this is pure gold.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad you enjoyed it, than kyou very much. Paul :-)

[@ivanrodrigoup9608]

Thank you very much Paul for this Basic Techniques, I feel I can paint better now.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Happy to help Ivan, I'm glad this has helped you with those finer lines. Paul 🎨

[@dianemulholland]

This was exactly what I needed - thank you so much! I've been learning illumination, but it's so hard to understand things like paint consistency when classes are online. You explained it so well.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad it was helpful Diane, keep painting, Paul :-)

[@carlossotoarguello1077]

EXCELENTE PAUL MUCHAS GRACIAS

[@TheDevonArtist]

no hay problema, de nada Carlos, gracias por mirar. Paul :-)

[@suedickson6680]

This is so informative. I've been attending an art class for a while covering a number of media including watercolour but I didn't know the technique for mixing watercolour and the brush to use for fine line painting. I've learned a lot from this tutorial. Thank you so much.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad it was helpful Sue, thank you for watching, Paul :-)

[@jancaulfield3549]

Just brilliant... as usual Paul

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thanks Jan, keep painting. 😁

[@kbusch011]

Always a delight, Paul!

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you very much Kimmiedee, Paul 🎨

[@joansmith5010]

Thankyou, very helpful.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad it was helpful Joan. Paul 🎨

[@nilayg6807]

Amazingly detailed and everything i was looking for, no other tutorial is as good

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad you liked it Nilay! Paul :-)

[@surilon1]

Thank you so much for sharing your skills in a way that is useful for beginners. I just tried a painting on hot pressed paper. It ended up in the trash. Any tips? So glad I found your channel!

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad it was helpful Carol, yes HP paper can be tricky to master with it being a smoother surface. I personally find the ones I've tried, the water sort of initially floats on the surface, then eventually soaks into the paper. To be honest, I've mostly used cold pressed papers, so HP isn't something I have a great deal of experience with. Paul 🎨

[@donnadonohue4998]

So glad I saw this video I have trouble with consistency and fine lines I go too heavy and too dark right off the bat. I like to join your school I like animals what should I do first. Thank you Paul your work is amazing

[@TheDevonArtist]

Evening Donna, thank you so much for your very kind words, you just caught me on the computer. Yes, all you need to do is join as a member on my website (simply choose a level you would like and you then have over 60 video classes to go through. I'm adding three new ones every month as well. Simply choose between Beginner, Intermediate or Advance classes. Any problems you can always email me from my website as well, thank you very much for asking, Paul devonartist.co.uk/memberships/

[@lydiabosley9152]

Hello Paul - Just stumbled across your video, really enjoyed it, and plan to watch some more of yours. Just starting out in watercolor, I'd love to be able to do nice animal portraits and full figures - as a retired zookeeper, that's really my main interest. Thanks for sharing your talents!

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad you enjoyed it Lydia and thank you for following/ watching my videos here on my channel. A retired zookeeper, no wonder why you want to be able to paint wildlife. Have fun! Paul 🎨

[@paulinedrechsel7040]

Paul...thanks again for such an informative tutorial. I watch the tutorials when I’m on my elliptical machine and it makes exercise time a time to look forward to! Would you reveal the brand of the blue 00 brush you use? Always look forward to your videos.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad to help Pauline and what a good way to watch my videos! I do have an affiliate link for my art materials if it helps, this also includes the brushes which I use. Thanks again, Paul 🎨 devonartist.co.uk/materials-i-use-or-recommend-for-realistic-watercolour/

[@scarz1951]

I understand using watery paint for background washes and other large washes. Creamy paint for fine details. When is the milky consistency best used?

[@TheDevonArtist]

I tend to use these for those mid tones, where I don't really wish to go too dark too quickly. So we have the lightest washes and details with a watery mixture, then the mid tones with the milky consistency and finally the creamy versions for the finer, darker details. Paul 🎨

[@scarz1951]

@@TheDevonArtist Oki dokie. That makes sense. If an area isn't dark enough after the first coat of milky paint dries just give it another coat. Thank you very much. I binge watched until my head was nodding. Not good. Gotta slow down so I can absorb all this excellent info. When it comes to painting animals you da man.

[@TheDevonArtist]

@@scarz1951 LOL, just take your time and learn one thing at a time, you will get there, Paul :-)

[@karenfinneganart2480]

Paul am I ruining my brushes by using them to mix my paints with. Should I be using old brushes to mix with?

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi Karen, yes, I usually say within my main tutorial videos to mix only with an old brush. Paul 🎨

[@karenfinneganart2480]

@@TheDevonArtist woops thank you I will listen a little more closely in the future

[@TheDevonArtist]

@@karenfinneganart2480 lol, not a problem at all. 😁

[@sandy5489]

Hi Paul what kind of paper to you use? please let me know

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi Sandy, I do like using Bockingford amongst a couple of others. It's not a cotton paper, more chemical pulp, but it works really well. I have this within my materials list if it helps, Paul 🎨 devonartist.co.uk/materials-i-use-or-recommend-for-realistic-watercolour/

[@sandy5489]

@@TheDevonArtist thank tou very much , you are the best

[@annebailey4976]

Thank you so much for the information on how to load your brush etc. I am a beginner and need all the advise i can get. I have just subscribed to your channel so am looking forward to watching other videos of yours. One question please can you tell me which brushes are best for fine work i have bought several but cannot find one with a good point. ? Thanks Anne

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi Anne, thank you as well for joining my website video tutorials, yes I do have a list for you for the brushes and other products I use. devonartist.co.uk/materials-i-use-or-recommend-for-realistic-watercolour/ Thank you for asking, Paul :-)