Watercolour DRILLS - How To Properly Load And Hold Your Paint Brush

[@mommybobo]

There's nothing like actually teaching someone to paint to show you what people need to be taught!!! I've learned so much by trying to teach my 4 year old granddaughter to paint. She actually listens to my advise too!!!

[@robc9706]

This is one of the best instructional videos I’ve ever seen on this subject ... new painters will save a lot of time and aggravation by watching.

[@alicianarm]

Agreed!!

[@Razhali]

It's what made me subscribe. I'm very eager to watch more of her videos now and I'm glad I gave this one a chance. I was watching another watercolor video and then accidentally clicked this one when tapping my screen and decided to finish it instead of going back to my other video and I'm glad I did. It wasn't just educational and interactive but it was enjoyable and fun.

[@ShrideviKamath]

I agree!!!

[@Taka_Takata]

The "How to load the brush" part is extremely precious for this second-time beginner. The first time I started watercolor, such info on KZbin and the internet in general was quite rare. I also couldn't find affordable quality classes or seasoned painters to talk to, so I gave up. I was thinking how great it would be to have the same "How to load the brush" for wet-on-wet, then I saw the list of your "drills", and there is one, along with so many important subjects one needs to make progress. Thanks a lot! ☯🖌💝

[@danisehauser6539]

Big thanks to your niece for providing the beginner perspective!

[@suemauer5965]

Thank you! I think this is the first video I have ever seen that shows how to load the brush - one of my greatest points of indecision!

[@stonecandle]

Finally someone who touches on the real basics. I left a watery mess on my first attempt. Clueless. Was thinking this is just not for me. I will try your lessons. Thank you.

[@MadhuB14-All]

I'm an educator myself, Emma and you are a real natural. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

[@threelittlebirdsart9353]

Thanks for sharing this. I've taken multiple art classes in college and not a single professor has shown us how to do these things. They pretty much just throw you to the wolves! A lot of trial and error. This is quite helpful!

[@liisad.5100]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for making a video teaching these very basic basics. Most art channels don't explain these basic basics. And that makes it so so difficult. I've been searching for tutorials explaining how in the world to do it and can't say how thankful I am for your series on these basic and the length in which you explain and demonstrate these things!

[@dashavolnovaofficial]

I can't thank you enough! After 2 frustrating days of playing with watercolors, I have found your videos and watched a couple of them. The one where you explain how too much water and cheap paper creates problems was an eye-opener. Then I watched this video and created a page of all the types of strokes you showed with a red paint only. What a relief!!! I finally feel in control of my color distribution on the page. Even the tip with the "puddles" was a treasure in and of itself. Before seeing how you do it I struggled with picking up enough pigment from my pallettes. Thank you so much! I feel that now I am going to start progressing towards the abstract painting that have been my vision to create. You demonstrate and explain things so clearly! A super valuable instruction! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[@akelley.73]

Paper good paint and good brushes all makes a difference. I was so frustrated with my attempts when using cheap paper and cheap paints.

[@yvonnebramham2883]

I'm just starting out. I've watched lots of videos and had lots of false starts but this video has been so, so helpful. You are the first person who has explained about needing a puddle actually in the paint. Thank you so much. I will be watching all your videos now and finally feel I have found someone who will help me get somewhere with enjoyment instead of frustration. Thank you!

[@Razhali]

Yah, I feel like most artists falsely teach their viewers on purpose cause they don't want competition. 😅

[@akelley.73]

Yes! Exactly how I feel! Thanks for the basics!

[@CatherineSori]

Do you have a wonderful ability to break steps down and make them clear to beginners like me. I was doing watercolor seven years ago on my own and doing OK until I took three lessons and got so discouraged that I quit and only just recently picked it back up. This tutorial was exactly what I needed! I wonder if you could do a video or maybe you already have, of exactly your hand position when you do different strokes, especially the horizontal hold. I couldn’t really see how you were holding it. I’m going to keep going with all your beginner tutorials! Thanks so much.

[@christiecookmusic]

Ok. I’m one that likes to just go for it and ‘let’s just paint’! But I can’t tell you how many times I felt rigid while painting and I wasn’t having fun!And that is the point right? To have fun! I knew deep down I was really lacking something. And it’s this! These beginner videos!!! Ha ha. Thank you Emma. I’m so excited to learn the basics! Wish I would have started here! lol. Soft edges. Oh my goodness. I did not know how to do that! Now I do. :). Yay!!😊thank you. You are a wonderful teacher and artist. We are blessed!

[@anastacian9564]

I rarely, if ever, comment on KZbin videos, but I'm going to now because I can't hold back. This is one of the best watercolor videos out there. I struggle SO much with this medium, and have never seen a fantastic beginner video like this. Thank you, thank you for this. I'll be binge watching this weekend!! 😊😊

[@gopipavi9653]

Hi Emma, could you please do a video on edges...lost and found ,soft and hard etc..and how to use it to our advantage?

[@renemorales3238]

Yes. Upvote. Concur. Agree. 😁

[@yazosoyo]

This has been the best video for beginners I’ve come across. I am on Skillshare and NO ONE talks about how to wet the paint, how to transfer the paint into the palette and how to wet the brushes!!! Thank you for this! I have a cheapO palette with pans as a starter, but I’m already looking into a White Nights or W&N palette…

[@LBou2010]

Bonsoir Emma Jane! J’ai débuté l’aquarelle il y a environ 3 mois. La pratique de l’exercice de cette vidéo m’a grandement fait progresser concernant le contrôle de l’eau. Vos explications sont claires. Alors, maintenant je peux analyser les résultats de mes gestes. Merci beaucoup et svp continuer vos vidéos. Vous faites une excellente pédagogue !

[@juliewilburn2942]

I learned so much from this - I am just a beginner and have been struggling with the amount of water - things no one tells you 😂 much appreciated!!! I love your videos!!!

[@hannahthufvesson]

Lovely video! ☺️ I would like to add that brushes with softer bristles, like squirrel hair or synthetic squirrel hair (which seems to be a bit "snappier" than the real hair), do not bounce back the way you mention, and that is in no way an indicator of them being of lower quality. It is just the way that hair behaves. They tend to hold more water, and sometimes pigment, which can be useful. So if you are struggling with that and are using a plain synthetic, maybe look for something that will hold more water to begin with. Also, some very good brushes release water and pigment very evenly. So, in the "chain of leaves" you made, with both thin and thick lines, with a brush like that you would not see "puddles" of pigment (or water) in the same way. My personal favourites are the Tintoretto Pocket/travel brushes, in their mop series. I think it's the line 1337. Hope this might help someone! 😊

[@EmmaLefebvre]

Didn’t know that! Thank you!

[@hannahthufvesson]

@@EmmaLefebvre ☺️ It's so fun to share knowledge. I have spent so many hours on KZbin just absorbing things. Learning is awesome. Thank you for your videos!

[@komiss]

Thank you, Emma. With you I practice two things: watercolor and english. Sometimes it's better to back to basics

[@hokeypokeydoodledandy]

No, thank YOU for these basic instructions....SO necessary! I painted for years (long ago) in oils and had just started dabbling in watercolors when my sister, that I was very close to, died. I quit painting and just recently decided to start in w'colors again. I was getting so frustrated watching other videos and trying to duplicate what they did....then I found your drills and WOW, I don't feel like giving up. I think I actually might learn.

[@WMeier-kd8hz]

Just started to ´paint ´ for the first time since childhood. Activate the color ! That sentence made me subscribe ! Thank you 😊

[@bdcorgimom]

Your instructions are very clear and so helpful to a beginner like myself - thank you. I will keep this in mind while painting.

[@armynomad2003]

I'm new at watercolor painting and I have been watching your videos. I'm going to go through all of these drills so you can teach me correctly. I love your paintings So from Canada to Ohio here we go !!

[@Taka_Takata]

Thank you so much AGAIN! I'm now a fan! This whole "drill" series is the perfect introduction to watercolor for ANY beginner, whatever they plan to paint later. You share all the essentials with such a cheerful demeanor and casual tone that it drives out the common stress beginners feel, letting them focus on the basics. Your steady hand and just so brush loading and gestures are very visible, which makes them obvious qualities to emulate, motivating the learner.

[@jpearson535]

Thanks. This is exactly what I needed to learn. You're a great teacher!

[@charleyf.3758]

Like the spray bottle but I've switched to an eye dropper and distilled water in the bottle. Works super for me.

[@angelarenae4188]

My hubby put alkaline water in my dipping cups and it did weird things. Made the paint dry odd. It was kinda marbled. I didn’t think about trying distilled. :) I am gonna try that tonight. I also love the eye dropper idea.

[@carolatchley3797]

I've been painting for watercolor for several years, at least. Thanks so much for teaching these basics that I never knew!

[@teresaechavarriasilvestre3417]

Traducir esta página a español castellano

[@teresaechavarriasilvestre3417]

Muchas gracias.

[@carol-gn6oh]

Thank you! I have been really struggling with the basics. So many tutorials take for granted a student knows the basics and it gets really frustrating.

[@barbaraallen633]

Emma, I was an art major 50+ years ago and I want you to know that I learned more from this video than I did in 3 years of school. Thank you so much for starting at the beginning. I never knew I had to activate my paint. I am looking forward to trying all the drills and being able to turn out some acceptable work. You are a fabulous teacher. Thank you.

[@AlienBunnyRabbit]

I'm entering my second year of watercolor painting, and I will be doing this this week. I wish I learned as a kid, but learning as an adult is almost more fun!

[@tr9066]

You are a wonderful teacher, Emma! Thanks for the great quality and content of your tutorials. They’re so very helpful.

[@roselynbaruch3697]

Thank you ❣️ love your tutorials!

[@DaisyTea1]

She really IS! 💕

[@christinamurray2231]

I just started watercolors. I’m so glad I found you. I’ve been teaching myself through trial and error. Mostly error lol. I’m learning a lot. Thank you!

[@ChantelleArts]

I hadn’t given much thought to the hold of paintbrush, but you’ve made some really good points here! I definitely need to remind myself to move my arm and not my wrist, sometimes it’s difficult to break out of habits

[@lindajohnson8090]

Thank you, Emma! I smiled through the whole video. Your instruction was so very clear and well-organized, with helpful demos. It was exactly what I needed! Thank you for that well-thought out lesson! Youve motivated me to put brush to paper and practice and learn from the different techniques, all the while taking in the beauty created anytime you put down watercolor.

[@SKY-qf8qq]

Your the best teacher. Thanks so much

[@rmuller366]

Look at all that love they’re giving you in the comments Emma. I’m not a beginner and many of these things I’ve practiced, but I’ve been having the hardest time getting that soft blend. It’s got to be because I’m holding the brush at the wrong angle so I’ll give your tip a go. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge. Blessings to you!

[@alicianarm]

I’ve been doing watercolor since October 2021. Your tutorials are the best! Thank you!

[@cherylacuna3457]

I have learned so much more from you Emma than any other watercolor artist or instructor. You explain everything so well. Thanks so much for sharing your gifts of teaching and watercolor. I am so happy I found your channel.

[@ColorfullyOptimistic]

I'm so glad I went back through your videos and found this. I'm still trying to master watercolors and sometimes I feel I flop at water control

[@Alondra0721]

Thank you so much!! This is the first video that has helped me understand how to use watercolors!!

[@sayalimahante5139]

Watched this video over n over.. every single time i find this usefull.. all of your drill videos actually

[@alisonmartin6101]

Wow! I wish I had discovered you earlier. I have a terrible time with watercolours, but now I feel some hope entering my challenged brain. Thank you. 🇨🇦😊

[@tracyebrandt3235]

Thanks Emma, very helpful tips! I realized not too long ago, that because I am right handed, I was always practicing my strokes and techniques from right to left. Now, I practice right -left, vertical, diagonal, left-right, etc. My right sided strokes will always be dominant, but I have definitely seen improvement and have learned more control by doing so. Just one of my helpful tips.

[@karendirmish2696]

I love your drills, and this one especially! You always give me permission to practice/play! I will do this more often to loosen my grip and let the flow happen! Thanks and Happy New Year, Karen Dirmisg

[@louisekrupski5361]

I've just started painting with watercolours and could not get any pigment - this has helped me so much thank you.

[@joellenaten6992]

Newbie here! You make it look so easy and I was feeling a little discouraged, but I can see improvement after doing these practice drills! This video was very helpful.Thank you so much!

[@ellieferguson104]

Hi Emma, I am a new subscriber. I've been looking for a basic video, on exactly what you are showing here, so I am thrilled to have found you.

[@carlabakelaar8912]

You are a natural born teacher 💚🤗

[@soupdragon3377]

Love understanding the horizontal hold, many thanks for sharing your skills.

[@tashasamkough7307]

This video is so helpful to understand the fundamentals of watercolor, plus technique. Thank you so much!

[@lakupiku]

Thank you Emma , you're an amazing teacher. Loved your effective method of instruction.

[@mrsretired]

Great video. Boy did I need this even though I’ve been playing with watercolors. Explains so much. Thank you ❤❤❤

[@susieday1127]

Thank you Emma. This is really helpful. I have struggled with getting a rich color despite using Prof. Grade W&N paints and decent(ish) paper. Now I know why.

[@cherylj.harris4967]

You have just adressed the biggest nemesis of the beginer's water color least understood basic technique. Thank you! Been w.c. painting for just over a year and never knew this. Have heard lots about water control but was never instructed to these very basic ways of control.

[@jennygrip1118]

Finally I understand. You are a such great teacher!

[@kirstenrussell2574]

Emma, I love your teaching style. You are so patient. I am having a problem making the petal drill on the loose floral tutorial. Can you provide information on how to create the rounded end rather than the pointed edge like a leaf? Thank you.

[@meganshrum1928]

This is exactly what I've been looking for since trying to teach myself to paint this year. Thank you!

[@jo-annepikebrintrup1500]

I just found this video - it is great for a beginner like me!!! Thank you, Emma.

[@joycekowbelharvey4816]

Emma this video had helped me so much! This so informative and you explain the processes so clearly as you do in all of your videos. Love them all. I really have lots of fun practicing along with you. Again thanks so very much🤗🤗

[@azarmostafavi3404]

Thank you!! I've watched SO MANY videos the last few days, but this has helped me tremendously.

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

This is definitely a wonderful informational video for beginners. I wish I had found this one when I started back in 2019. A great refresher video for me too. Thanks for sharing this 💕🥰

[@ak9owner]

I just got a watercolor tin for Christmas. Thanks for this video. It is very helpful

[@leannepattullo7187]

Awesome , awesome and useful instruction - thanks so much Emma

[@KP-nx8lo]

Rather then hold of the brush your talking about the position of the brush, this was very informative thank you

[@sdesai20]

This is a very helpful video and helps me understand why I was experiencing some of the things you have described in this video.

[@phyllisrondeau4886]

I am stunned.been watercoloring.a long time.this is fabulous. You are.a sweet genius to me.very helpful.thanks.

[@Shilo2020]

This is excellent. I struggle with how much paint to use. Practicing this chart will sort that out! Thank you!

[@alyciaevans7295]

You have made watercolor so easy to learn, tysm for these videos!

[@sierracarscadden6049]

Just started teaching my mom and niece watercolor basics and this is so perfect to show them! Thanks a million!!

[@kimkkillen]

This is the video I've been searching KZbin for and needed! My husband gifted me for Mother's Day the Winsor Newton Cotman pocket box watercolors, the Princeton Neptune brush set, and a pad of Canson, 140 lb.,cold press, watercolor paper. I need a playlist of your brand new/baby/beginner level videos. You mentioned "drill" videos which I assume is for practice and hopefully for beginners like me that know NOTHING! LOL! Any help or suggestions are much appreciated. Thank you for your channel! Best Wishes to you!

[@EmmaLefebvre]

Hi Kim, If you look under my playlists on my channel, I have one entitled Beginner Watercolour Lessons. Thats a great place to start!

[@LCLand]

Is this your first set of supplies? If so I want to pipe in that I use my Neptune’s for specific things. I like them a lot. But they don’t have the control I need for most of what I paint. I prefer snap or aqua elite for most things. Just splurged on a Rafael for glazing. Perfection. Like many I have 50 brushes. And I use most of them pretty regularly depending on what I’m painting. Many say they use 3 ish brushes most of the time. Not me. I have learned what will usually be best for what I’m doing. So don’t be afraid to try out a few before deciding what type you are. I bought a variety of brands in size 6 before deciding if I wanted more sizes. And I did. I have about 6 or more sizes in about 10 different brands or lines. Lots of Princeton lines. Hard to go wrong with any of those Craftomo is so far my least favorite although I do see why Emma loves them. But they are very stiff and don’t hold as much water as I like. Opposite of Neptune which hold a lot and the bristles are more flimsy than my faves But in my opinion they have their uses 🙂

[@LCLand]

I have a bunch of little bottles with droppers that held my dogs various tonics and remedies. I clean them out and fill with clear water. Add a few drops to each pan I’m using after one all over spray. Works really well to create paint puddles! I have a dirty one that I use to dip into used water jars when I don’t need clean water. So handy

[@mariatony40]

I use the horizontal hold, loaded with dry paint ( in different values) to create texture on leaves or sand! Thanks for this tutorial, Emma!

[@lesliekelly7860]

Thank you, I’m new to watercolor and this helped immensely.

[@kmg0125]

Your instructions are so helpful and I love how you demonstrate everything. Thank you. 💜

[@jeanneduncan3522]

Thanks a million Emma. I’ve learnt so much. That horizontal info was so amazing. 🙏🏻😍

[@lyndajoyce6243]

I love this, thank you for teaching us newbies!

[@cherigreen4471]

This is a great lesson! You are a wonderful teacher! Thank you so much.🥰

[@phillabarkhorn2110]

This is incredibly helpful! Thank you for being such an inspiration!

[@theresagerlach6217]

Thanks so much for sharing your skills. I see I have a lot of practice to do! So enjoy your videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@dearbrave4183]

This was such a wonderful and complete exercise to do for this journey ❤️ I enjoyed practicing along🌻 My only problem was getting the horizontal hold right, my painting was unmoved by the efforts to melt it beautifully lol I hope I will figure it out, eventually. Also I would love to know with which fingers we hold the brush as we drag it horizontally. I'm suspecting mine isn't flat enough which could explain the poor outcome. Thank you so much for taking the time to do and share this❤️🙏🏼

[@heidi6308]

Hi Emma, I'm just starting out, love your tutorials, best I've found so far. Thank you!!

[@gregarious-z7o]

Sometimes we need to know the very basic. Great video!

[@56sleepy]

Thank you so much! As a total noob enjoying watercolor play, this was most helpful 👏

[@michelewhite1150]

I really luv how you give such a great explanation and show us in detail. Thank you so much ☺️

[@juheidiheithaguilar9898]

Hi Emma...thank you for teaching us. You inspire me

[@ivaniajimenez8334]

You are a wonderful mentor/ teacher 💛

[@nikkihoughton9954]

Ah ha!!! That makes so much sense now. Thank you 😊 xx

[@kimberlyfranck9397]

Just did this exercise with my new brushes- thank you for the video! I think it has already helped speed up my learning curve as I'm starting completely new. :)

[@dianesmith9898]

Sooo helpful! Thank you very much! I will watch all the tutorials in the links in this video!

[@carolphilbrooks-clark937]

Thanks for this, Emma. I’ve been struggling with softening paint edges so I have a much better idea of what I should be doing. Practice time!

[@gidgetb3679]

I have enjoyed every watercolor drill video that you have produced. They are so very helpful. I'm especially thrilled with this one as you are using the "cheaper" paper that I can afford. NOW, your strokes look like mine do! Thank you Ems! :)

[@imrozgill9711]

wow !!!❤❤ thank u god for shoing me this gem of a lesson

[@renemorales3238]

That horizontal hold bit was my lightbulb moment. I've been trying to create that effect for awhile now but always ended up overworking the blend because it never occurred to me to hold the brush horizontally. Thanks, Emma. Tiny request, if you have time, would you be willing to put your Drills video into a single playlist and then add this video to it? It's sometimes hard to tell which video cane out first on KZbin. Sending ❤️ and ☮️

[@EmmaLefebvre]

Just made a separate playlist for all of my drills videos! Hope that helps!

[@renemorales3238]

@@EmmaLefebvre and that's why you're awesome. Thanks! ❤️

[@3circles]

🥰🥰

[@karonsky1]

Awe Emma!! Another great video for beginners, you’re so good at teaching🇨🇦❤️

[@beanbeanster7219]

Thanks so much for all your fab tips. I'm a complete noob at watercolour and this was so helpful. I'm going to practise what you taught me today.

[@dianethoroughman9541]

Thank you for showing us these much needed tips!

[@dineshchadha2032]

Thanks for showing correct method of holding brush.

[@cherylforrester8639]

Awesome!! Thank you. Such a basic and crucial informational video for total beginners like me. I’m new to painting anything

[@peggyboe4228]

Emma, thank you so much for this great tutorial. I have struggled with water:paint ratios for a long time and have watched tons of videos. I think yours is the first one that actually explained how to manage this when using pan paints instead of fresh from the tube laid out right in the mixing space. I’ve been watching you for a couple of years now, and it has been so much fun watching your skills grow. I love your style, so well done without sketching! Your baby must be a toddler by now; would love to see you paint with him sometime, just for fun (check out a Bobby Parish video sometime, with his little girl Rose - so cute)!