Watercolor Struggles: 10 Things I Wish I Knew SOONER!

Want to learn watercolors with me? Join me inside my watercolor course for beginners & let me personally help you get started: makoccino.com/roadmap
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Hey guys! In today's video I will talk about some of the watercolor painting struggles that I had and 10 things I wish I knew sooner! After painting with watercolors for a few years now, I learned a few dos and don'ts when it comes to painting with watercolors that I decided to share some of the common struggles and mistakes I had in the past! I really hope these watercolor tips and tricks will help you!
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♡ How to Avoid Muddy Colors when Painting - Color Mixing Secrets Demystified for Beginners • How to Avoid Muddy Col...
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♡ What Is The Best Watercolor Paper? Improve Your Watercolor Painting • What Is The Best Water...
♡ CHEAP vs EXPENSIVE Art Supplies - Does The Price Really Matter? Testing Watercolor Paint & Paper! • CHEAP vs EXPENSIVE Art...
♡ DOs & DON'Ts: Watercolor Struggles / Mistakes & How to Avoid them for Beginners! • DOs & DON'Ts: Watercol...
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[@Makoccino]

Want to learn watercolors with me? Join me inside my watercolor course for beginners & let me personally help you get started: makoccino.com/roadmap

[@franziska9260]

What changed everything for me: NOT drinking coffee while painting. Tip: paint water does NOT taste very good.

[@backlightsnew]

Uh, that actually happened to me once!

[@antimaterie9034]

Did this as a child. Still got the taste in my mouth :x

[@renatahelm2961]

@@antimaterie9034 mine was a dash of yellow on my tea hahahah

[@kenziewilson1245]

It’s also not fun to spill on the carpet

[@nadiathatsit4308]

@@kenziewilson1245 Believe me, I know.

[@richpotter]

Boils down to: 1) don't be cheap 2) don't be impatient Great suggestions. Now I have to get a porcelain palette. :)

[@johncspine2787]

Late now, but, super fine steel wool..give it a scrub..instantly stops beading up!

[@karasenpai2088]

your reality is better than my expectation lol

[@copicgirl8057]

I also had that when drawing some years ago, but over the years I got better and sometimes my finished picture looks better than the expectation. Except for water color stuff, that just sucks :D

[@FFCOOKING]

Army

[@shamaim9352]

😂

[@Bro_what53]

Lol

[@user-yl3kx9fv6b]

You have taught me so much about watercolor! You are the reason why I started watercolor!

[@Makoccino]

Awww ❤

[@sayankabiswas5577]

Same here🤗

[@user-yl3kx9fv6b]

Lucy Heartfillia check out the new episode

[@rainnny8689]

Same here

[@user-sr6dr7nn1f]

Yaaay, drarry

[@plateoffrogs4709]

-Ogres are like watercolour paintings. - Difficult to acheive? - No! - ... Wet? - NO! Watercolour paintings have LAYERS! OGRES HAVE LAYERS!

[@stellaro1775]

Lairs? Very cute comment!! Sometimes I taake my art so seriously. THANKS for the humorxx

[@stellaro1775]

Take! Oops. This is what hapoens when I correct someones spelling...

[@beccag2758]

ReinLic pretty sure it's Shrek🙃

[@alicia390]

@@beccag2758 woopsies😂 now i remember My brain like to mix and match hsjahsa

[@rameen.f22]

So do onions 😂

[@Evenyan]

I'm so happy you mentioned the struggle with plastic palettes. I hate using my palette from my watercolour set because as you said you cannot really mix the colours. I recommed every newcomer to go get a porcelain plate or palette.

[@twylacastaneda7117]

I use an old, glass sauce pan lid. It even already has a handle and being see thru realy helps with mixing. And its light.

[@Caio-sw7hh]

i use a nut snack thing, made out of glass, its perfect

[@MrsBarnabas]

The trick about using a plastic palette is to use on that has sloping wells. The paint sits at the bottom of the slope - no problem! As a plein air landscape artist, porcelaine palettes are really not practical (heavy, when added to kit for a full day's painting in the open and potentially breakable, which is dangerous, as one can't clear every last piece), and eventually, found the right sort of plastic palette - the one that slopes!

[@Evenyan]

@@MrsBarnabas in that case yes, a plastic one is much more practical. I didn't consider this 2 years ago but thank you for sharing your point of view ^^

[@hanoianboy9562]

u know, just use your toothbrush and scrape the hell out of it, or use some thing sharp and/or abrasive.

[@chimpurinkohimiru8920]

A tip that I learnt from an Instagram artist: if you're just starting out on watercolors, for God's sake, DO NOT immediately use natural hair brushes. Starts with synthetic brushes first so that you won't ruin the bristles of your natural hair brushes and only when you are ready or feeling that you want to upgrade, then feel free to upgrade to natural hair brushes. Natural hair brushes are not only expensive, but are very difficult to take care properly (especially whenever you're just starting on watercolors). Hopefully this helps ^_^

[@Makoccino]

Yes! I started off with synthetic brushes because there are so many to choose from and they are a lot cheaper! Only after a few years I slowly incorporated more natural bristle brushes as I was already familiar with things!

[@necocolein3332]

@@Makoccino how to take care natural brushes properly?

[@iknowyouknowiknow]

Thank you for pointing this out. It makes sense to start out slow & get into the groove & observe what brushes/paint/paper to use & how to use them.

[@wenwilloughby8197]

And natural hair brushes are made from sable, mink, squirrel and foxes etc. who live a short horrific life in a cage until they're killed and peeled. So synthetic is good.

[@katyafransheskahernandezsi6519]

Disagree. They have a completely different feel and learning curve, and you need to ruin a few before you get the hang of them (both synthetic and natural), and there is no real reason why you should limit yourself as a beginner. There are cheaper natural hair brushes, as there are very expensive synthetic brushes. You don't need a Windsor & Newton kolinsky brush as a beginner. Pelikan and Lukas both make inexpensive natural hair brushes. Plus, it's not that hard to find information on how to take care of a natural hair brush.

[@rochellerache3604]

I use watercolors a lot. I always learn something a long the way

[@Makoccino]

Hey guys! Happy Saturday! Today I will share things I wish I knew about watercolors sooner! I really hope you find it useful! If you can add anything to the list, feel free to do that in the comment sections so we can help each other out!

[@Digitalhunny]

Thank you for the video. Some I knew... some I had no idea'er. 🤗from this🍁gal

[@dianeo]

Thank you. I recently started using two jars of water and it helped a lot.

[@cano3391]

Reality is better

[@nao-xf9ud]

#makoccino I love your videos! I wish I could meet you! I think you are great artist and great teacher too! I love you and I hope to see more of your videos in future, they're really helpful!💖💥💫🌟

[@Sunflower-rs8nv]

#Makotificationsquad 😊

[@pratibhamishra5108]

You are the best art teacher in the whole world.😊😊😍 Because this is something which nobody tells you

[@Makoccino]

Awww

[@pratibhamishra5108]

@@Makoccino You've replied to my comment thrice🙈🙈🙈

[@AlaneLane]

That is sweet of you to say.

[@Ilove_drpepper]

I'm the type of person who goes to the craft store or look online and is like "Ooh I'm gonna do this now!" and one of these days I chose watercolor and so this really helped because I had no idea what I was doing until I found your channel!

[@Makoccino]

Awww

[@gabbyalma8523]

PunnyMegan I am also one of those people lol

[@AlaneLane]

Lol 🤣 been there done that.

[@OnlyInThisLight]

Love this video. This is all abso the stuff you seem to never get taught, either because in some cases the person you are learning from knows this stuff by instinct, or in youtubes case, because it's happening off screen. Drying times, how often the brush is re-dipped, mixing, and paper towels for blotting and multiple jars of water are often not shown. PAPER TOWELS blew my mind.

[@hudamajeed35]

I was not at all a watercolor user. I started to watch your videos now this is my most favorite medium to work with Thank you so much mako ❤❤❤❤

[@Makoccino]

Awww ❤

[@lunaclove1889]

Hey , I learned these things in first tries , what can I say I am a curious one now I have been painting for 1 year and one tip I have is that you can use a sponge in water so this way you won't spill the water while working and it helps with cleaning the brush but the downside can be that it is hard to clean but sponges are cheap you can just throw it out and get a new one

[@Makoccino]

►► Your watercolor paintings don't turn out as you hoped? Don't worry, download your free guide that'll set you up for success here: bit.ly/WatercolorSuppliesGuide

[@petermacharia6718]

Oh my God yor such a life saver

[@magicalkiki1238]

is Prang watercolors palette good for beginners ?

[@tortols1548]

Thanks

[@shellydraws]

4:54 and I was dead. Mako did it just with a stroke and we people who are learning art fron kindergarten struggle 1000000000 times. Well that's called talent! ❤❤❤❤ And these techniques are so brilliant. I think this video was really really helpful!

[@bushrarehman]

Spot on! You got all the important stuff covered that takes years to learn. Lovingly put together.

[@lubnakhanarts]

Thank you so much @makoccino. I love your content and learning alot from you. ♥️

[@seemagarg5960]

Yeah...I remember struggling a hell lot with making purple...most of the time it would turn out brown...then one day I started experimenting with all shades of blue and red I had...I was finally able to make the perfect purple and now I have it noted in my "Important Color combinations" list :)

[@barathyalakurajah7758]

I love each and every video of yours. Art is lovable

[@chikukitty]

Thank you for these great tips! Some of them I haven't seen ANYWHERE. The warm/cool toned primaries blew my mind!

[@jayashreesantra8283]

The situations are actually true.......thanks mako for sharing.......i love ur videos.........

[@crazymomcraftsalot6351]

I think you just answered every single question I have been trying to get answers to for the last 2 years!!!! THANK YOU! This was SO well done and VERY much appreciated for this newer newbie!!!

[@snowsteps5853]

Thank you so much for this video. You explained every struggle I had with my watercolors. You helped me a lot!

[@Helpthisisacryforhelp]

These videos always help me! Thank you for passing your wisdom!❤️

[@mumtajsaleem4913]

I am really happy to see some more watercolor videos from makoccino...😊😊😊😊...really excited .....

[@LunarWind99]

Something i learnt with watercolour is that when there is extra paint on the page it can dry and form a shadow. This is okay if you want that but if not it is good to use something like a paper towel or a dry brush to absorb the excess paint. :)

[@louisesommerfeld54]

Great lesson - very quick coverage of so much very important information! Thank you!

[@everettwhite9874]

I’m into drawing (no formal training at all) and I don’t paint using watercolor but the tips you’ve mentioned in your video encourages me to try something new. Thanks so much. It’s something about you voice that caught my attention that made me watch the entire video and subscribe. Nuf said. I’ll look for to any other tips you offer and see what happens. Best wishes pretty lady. 👍🏽❤️

[@ridiculouscuteness3]

This answered a lot of the questions that I've had starting out with watercolors. ☺️

[@LeLuvicks]

As always, great content! Wonderful tips, even for more experienced painters. Keep it up!

[@adilmubashirchaudhry4115]

I've learned soo much watching your videos. In fact one of my first paintings was from your tutorial. Thanks for sharing these tips and helping us newbies out!

[@cassandrabriggs9133]

This is so helpful! Another game-changer that I've noticed in your videos is that sometimes you seem to use a water-dropper to make a bigger puddle of paint in the mixing palette, rather than wasting pigment by repeatedly dipping the brush back into clean water. I've never seen that before, and it's such a great idea.

[@jeanthorne8337]

Thank you for sharing your skills and experience. Very helpful as I am just beginning my journey

[@ASMRCatSounds]

This is really great! I’m new to watercolours and been watching a lot of “tips for watercolour painting” lately and I think most of theses were new to me!! Yay! Thanks!

[@PieceOfMindWorld]

Among the most helpful video about watercolours I have ever seen! Chapeau!

[@timeenuf4200]

So many things I didn't know as a beginner. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Helps the growth process go smoother.

[@fatmafakhroo2128]

This is so helpful actually. I felt I learned a lot from this video. Thank you for sharing this with us💞

[@emreishearer613]

I use watercolor paint, as well as watercolor pencils! They’re both really fun to use! I love this video! I can’t believe I just now found your channel! I would’ve been watching your videos for a long time, but now that I found your channel, I’ll watch your videos. I’m an artist too! I’m 18 years old, but I’m never too old to keep learning!

[@joashmathewjibu2408]

you are soo helpful i love your videos!!! you also inspired me to do a lot of paintings and frame all of them at my house THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING....

[@5minuterelaxation126]

Helpful and humbling tips. Thank you for sharing with us!

[@appusunil3830]

Thanks a Lot! I found it really helpful!

[@nehamalik09]

Love love love this video! learnt so much.. thanks for sharing.

[@shrezeel5642]

You are one of my inspiration to start watercolour and this made my painting skills improve

[@UmraeArt]

Great tips and even more love for Ruben Ireland on your wall

[@jasonedwards3123]

I needed this because I just recently tried to get more into watercolor!! :)) thanks so much makoccino!! ❤️

[@alizaaliza5621]

Thank you so much for this! 🥰 I’m not really an artistic person but watching your videos inspired me to start water color painting ❤️

[@jannaricafort7795]

Again, thank you for making it easier to learn watercolor painting.

[@wondermom1585]

You just answered so many questions. Thank you.

[@tatyanadarius4017]

Wow! Thank you ! I’m beginner and this info is a treasure!👍😁

[@sanskritisukkal5230]

You are a really calm and good teacher💓

[@Garland67]

Excellent video. Well made and edited, great imagery. Thanks for the tips!

[@wired.raskolnikov]

I wanna start out with watercoloring and this video is very helpful. Thank you sm!

[@Zsparky]

Great video! Addressed several frustrations I was facing thinking it was me or just how it was.

[@sandrapudoff]

I already knew all ten things! I am so proud of the work I've done in just 6 months of watercolor study. Thanks to great teachers like yourself, and daily practice I can now do more than a stick figure! Keep up the good work, you are changing people's lives and making dreams come true! s li

[@Cassia_L]

I've been using watercolors for a year, still learnt a few things thanks to you^^ I have a tip for the water jar you use to clean your brushes. I cut a silicone sponge (the cheap one off of wish, with lots of tiny bristles) to fit the bottom of the jar. It's gentle (I use synthetic ones though, not sure about using it on natural hair). I use the same method for my makeup brushes, and they haven't lost any hair. And it's silicone so it's easily cleaned, dishwasher safe too.

[@Rachelcampbellll]

This is an amazing amount of work, thank you so much!!!!

[@KendelJoyDarragh]

Another outstanding video with really valuable content. Thank you for putting these together.

[@zohashaikh3730]

Thank You so much for this. I always wonders what was wrong with my colours. It's all here. Thank you so much. You saved a lot of time and money.

[@onyeewong9485]

Thanks so much! Your tips are really helpful!

[@md.sazzadfaruk4148]

Excited for Tomorrow 🤗🤗🤗

[@BookNomming]

Thank you!!! I love your watercolor videos! I learn so much from them and I wish you were my art teacher when I was at school!

[@c.gramby2974]

These are great tips! You touched on some things I've never thought of before.

[@AlaneLane]

This was perfect. Thank you. Good info and insight.

[@annettejannotta5672]

This was so helpful--thank you!

[@emine5299]

I am planning to buy some watercolors and brushes but i had no idea about them before and this was so helpfull thank you

[@vjplants]

Awesome video...love it, thanks for all the insights of watercolor. And I agree I am constantly learning new things..🤗

[@larrybrennan1463]

A good book on color mixing is "Blue and Yellow Don't Make Green" by Michael Wilcox.

[@nsavar5864]

YES! this is an excellent resource. Thanks for mentioning it. If you are cautious, see if you can check it out of your public library (I did and found it so good I will someday purchase it).

[@ok-eu5pw]

Honestly my art teacher is a lier because I just asked her how to merge colours while using watercolour and she said watercolours don’t merge together so u are wasting my time but looking her SHE MAKES MY ART FUTURE POSSIBLE AND EVEN TEACHES ME AND ALL OF US ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@Makoccino]

What does she mean by not merging together??

[@ok-eu5pw]

She meant by one colour will not combine with other but here u have

[@celagail]

Hm. Maybe she didn’t understand the term “merge colors”? She could have been referring to the solubility, where as the pigments can separate a little when mixing paints on a palette (the same goes for certain paints with multiple pigments already in them). Therefore, colors don’t “merge” in that sense, but rather mix/disperse. However, they can “merge” on paper when using the wet in wet technique. Not all people who teach can communicate well/clearly. But important traits a teacher should have are believing in one’s students and creating an environment that encourages growth.

[@ok-eu5pw]

celagail I was just asking how to create a night scene using water colour so she said me it impossible to do that it’s better u use crayons 🖍 and then merge it with tissue paper

[@KGarvey125]

@@ok-eu5pw WHAT???!! Where did she get her art degree?

[@hyukfly1]

This is a great resource for anyone interested in watercolors!!

[@conmeows]

thank you for these tips! i learned so much

[@amnaasif8514]

Thanks for the precious information ♥️

[@devdalal6500]

Its very nice, its our struggles too... Thanx u always give nice solutions and techniques...u r a my favourite artist..... I love ur art....😊 u inspire me... I improved my art a lot due to u..... A big big thanx in 2019...😊😊😊😊😊

[@augustsnowfall5189]

Wonderful! Can’t wait to show my daughter! She’s loving water colour atm!

[@sasikala68]

That was a lot and good to know information for self taught people like me ,thank you so much

[@alf8711]

Your my inspiration and my role model You are the one who inspired me to draw multiple scenery

[@firefactorx]

Thank you for making these instructional/educational videos that you post. I have learned so much from your videos and I've only been watching for a few months now. Especially as I'm new to watercolors (I always used acrylic paint), your product reviews and tests teach me new techniques and what I should look for in products for what I want to achieve with my art. Have a great weekend!

[@Makoccino]

So happy I can help!

[@gk7975]

Thanks my test is on Monday . You saved me.

[@thebisyest]

Oh, my god... I wish to master watercolors like you!

[@melodiasinger]

Muchas gracias por compartir tu experiencia y conocimiento, adoro tus videos, ayer me suscribí y estuve hasta las 4 de la mañana viendo, gracias infinitas 💖💖😍😍 Y MUCHAS GRACIAS A QUIEN LO TRADUJO 💖💖👏🏻👏🏻

[@mayvortjarnberg6778]

Thank you for this!!! Most helpful for me. 🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️

[@syedamalaikaaamir767]

Thanks for making this video. It is really helpful

[@severinedrawings]

Great videos so much explanations and tips, I'll try everything

[@shsshshhs1974]

Your video is so helpful 💖

[@Gr95dc]

You're a godsend 😍 I found your channel because I was looking for tips to start with watercolor and I stayed because your videos are amazing, always wellmade with great advices and tips. I'm really excited to get my own watercolors and start applying what I've learned with you ❤️

[@Makoccino]

Awww thank you so much! So happy you are enjoying my videos!

[@GuyinaCoffeeCup]

Thanks a lot. I'm planning to do water coloring as my new hobby.

[@Spitfireseven]

This was a really excellent video. It is what you call a gamechanger.

[@BolaGuys]

Thank you so much, amazing demonstration and techniques just what I've been looking for, for my current project 🙏🏻

[@sarakh3928]

I couldn't take my eyes off the artworks behind you (the black and white lady) and the sunflower. They are amazing ! Ver healthy looking plant as well :)

[@nicoler7700]

This was very helpful. I didn't know a lot of this, especially that there are translucent and opaque colors and granulated pigment, I always thought they were bad quality paint or something. THANK YOU

[@vinamistry5263]

I just got my first water colour pallet and paper today! im so nervous but so excited! Thanks for these videos they really help

[@hauprich13]

I’m so grateful for these videos - thank you! I’m taking a watercolor class (virtually, unfortunately), but I think I get more out of these videos! :)

[@Sadin15]

Wonderfully helpful video as usual. Thank you so much!!!

[@xxyy2597]

Thank you!!! I was going to buy a plastic palette, but thanks to you, I changed my mind!

[@lalvarezromano]

Thanks, Mako! Finally I've understood the cauliflower effect!!!😁

[@Makoccino]

yay!!

[@nappulais]

I just started watching these videos of painting tips. Thank you they are so helpful!! :) Also your haircolor suits you perfectly!

[@aandasartzone]

thankyou so much for these tips they helped e a lot

[@ArtbyAmber]

Super helpful video! I definitely learned some new things which will hopefully help me to improve my watercolor works 😊

[@ameliagrein5070]

Can’t wait to watch this when I have time!