Watercolor Basics

watercolor lessons, watercolor classes, watercolor instruction, watercolor art

Love watercolor?  Always wanted to learn, or maybe you want to hone your skills?  Then you're in the right place!

My Watercolor Basics series is designed to get you painting!  From papers to the finished product, I'll take you through every step of the watercolor process, help you select the materials that are right for your art, and show you my best tips and tricks.  A combination of blog posts and videos should accommodate most learning styles, but if there's something that would help you learn better, feel free to write in using the contact form in the sidebar!

You can help support this series by pledging to my Patreon and joining the Artnerd community, or you can tip me via Ko-Fi.  And please, share this hub page with your friends!

Blog Posts:


Introduction
Why Watercolor
Watercolor Terms You Should Know
The Difference Between Watercolor for Illustration, Watercolor for Fine Art
The Great Brush Off
Materials You'll Need to Get Started
All About That Paper
Pick a Palette- Selecting Paints for your Needs
Assembling (Or Cleaning) Your Pan Palette
Selecting a Paper for Your Comics
It's Important to Stretch (Your Watercolor Paper)
Practicing from Studies
Loose Watercolor Studies
Tips for Watercolor Comics
An Introduction to Working in Batch
Working In Batch: Securing Your Paper
Glazing Techniques


Techniques
Top Techniques for Watercolor (written)
My Favorite Watercolor Techniques (video)
Watercolor Basics: Step by Step: Glazes (written)
Easy Blends and Fades (written)
Watercolor Swatching Demonstration (video)
Mapping Your New Palette (video)
How I Select Paints (video)
Basic Flat Wash Tutorial
Graduated Wash (Two Ways) Tutorial
Multi Color Graduated Wash Tutorial (video)
Toning Panels Demonstration (video)
Watercolor Sky Tutorial (video)
Painting a Sunset- Watercolor Tutorial (video)
Winsor and Newton Masking Fluid+ Qor Watercolor Demonstration (video)
Wax Resist Tutorial (video)
One Layer Watercolor (written)
Spray Techniques

Lighting and Contrast Series:
Basic Lighting and Contrast- Painting a Cube
Light and Contrast- Lighting a Sphere
Light and Contrast- Cylinders
Light and Contrast-Room Interior
Light and Contrast- Interior Lighting
Lighting and Contrast- Constuctive Skull Demo
Light and Contrast: Basic Lighting with a Facial Turnaround

Individual Technique Tutorials:
Quick Wet into Wet Watercolor Techniques
Lifting Color Mini Demonstration
The Eyes Have It- Blends and Layering in Watercolor
Glazing Demonstration
Demonstrating Masking Fluid
Negative Painting Demonstration
A Lil Salt: A Wet into Wet Demonstration
Removing Paper from a Watercolor Block


Watercolors in Practice:

Practicing from Studies
Loose Watercolor Studies
One Layer Watercolor
Alternate Sketching Techniques
Painting Brilliant Foliage
Pushing Through the Ugly

Process:
Ink Drop Cafe Promotional Watercolor

Step by Step Tutorials

Planning Your Watercolor Illustration
Penciling
Stretching Tutorial
Washes
Blocking In
Rendering
Adding Shadows
Adding Details

Working in Batch:
How to Tear Large Sheets
Securing Your Paper

Watercolor Comics
Turning Your Sketches and Lineart into Printable Bluelines: Watercolor Basics
Printing Your Bluelines: Watercolor Basics
Penciling Your Pages: Watercolor Basics
Painting Your Comics
Toning Pages and Panels
Painting Pages in Batch
Tips for Watercolor Comics
Blending, Layering, and Glazes for Pages
Painting a Comic Watercolor Tutorial

Reviews: 

Paper Reviews: 
Strathmore Visual Journal (Watercolor Paper)\
Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper
Watercolor Paper Review:  Bee Paper Watercolor Art Journal: Watercolor Basics
Guest Post:  Heidi Black: Watercolor Paper Overview
Paper Review: Canson Montval Artboard: Watercolor Basics
Paper Review:  Cottonwood Arts Laminated Coldpress Sheets: Watercolor Basics
Paper Review: Winsor and Newton Watercolor Paper Review: Watercolor Basics
Paper Review: Bockingford Watercolor Paper: Watercolor Basics
Ecoline Markers and Liquid Watercolors- Review and Tutorial
Union Square Cold Press Watercolor Paper
Canson Moulin du Roy Review

Media Reviews: 

Watercolor Markers: 
Mermaid Markers
Spectrum Aqua

Watercolor Reviews: 

All About Brusho- Watercolor Basics

Material Guides:

Buying Guides: 
Watercolor Gift Guide for Young Artists Ages 9-13
Watercolor Artist Gift Guide: Beginner
Watercolor Markers

Material Information:
Pigments and Paints


YouTube Videos:

Comics:
Watercolor Comic Painting: 7" Kara Chapter 6
Watercolor Painting on the Floor
Painting Pages- Working on A Double Page Comic Spread
Watercolor Painting on the Floor
Watercolor in Progress: Painting 7 Inch Kara
Penciling for Watercolor- Let's Make a Comic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS_Xvujn5ks&t=135s

Panels: 
Introduction to Watercolor- 2014 Mechacon Panel
MTAC 2015 Intro to Watercolor

Tips, Tricks, Techniques: 
Selecting Brushes for Watercoloring Comics
Prepping New Watercolor Brushes for First Use
Cutting Gator Board for Painting
Winsor and Newton Masking Fluid+ Qor Watercolor Demonstration
Wax Resist Tutorial
My Travel Watercolor Kit
Removing Watercolor from a Block
Making A Dot Sheet with Radiant Watercolors
Watercolor Palette Hack
Making a Dot Sheet with Radiant Watercolors
Quick Masking Frisket Demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JeaTeVnMY4&t=33s

Opaque Watercolor Demo Livestream
Watercolor Marker Workshop
My Travel Watercolor Kit
Winsor and Newton Masking Fluid+ Qor Watercolor Demonstration
Wax Resist Tutorial
Brusho Background Mini Tutorial
Crayola Resist Hack
My Favorite Watercolor Techniques
Perfecting a Travel Watercolor Palette
QualityWatercolor PSA
Mixing Skintones with Prang: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TbLI2WeMrw&t=168s
Solution to Stubborn Paint Tubes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kuAiFjLBew&t=22s
Creating a Magnetic Mini Watercolor Palette: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClxpqJw_jaE&t=201s


Challenges:
Can You Paint with Fountain Pen Ink?!
Six Color Challenge- Daniel Smith Essential 6 Mixing Set
Cotman Field Plus Travel Watercolor Palette Field Test
Blast From The Past: Art Challenge


Tutorials: 
Detailed Chibi Kara Tutorial
A Valentine to YouTube
SketchBox July 2016 Challenge
ArtSnacks July 2016 Challenge
Delightful Cosplay Couple Commission Start to Finish
Over the Garden Wall Watercolor Tutorial
Yuri On Ice Watercolor Demonstration Victor and Yuri
Alternative Sketching Methods Watercolor Basics 
Watercolor Commission for Kabocha
Elf Girl Watercolor Tutorial
Axolotl Illustration Tutorial with Zig Clean Color Real Brush
Easy Leaves and Berries: Watercolor Foliage Demo
Rainy Day Girl Watercolor Tutorial
Read to Your Pets Watercolor Tutorial
Limited Color Palette: Skintones
Inkdrop Cafe Anniversary Illustration Longview
Painting A Starry Sky In Watercolor
Painting Seagrass- A Wet Into Wet Painting Tutorial
Setting Up A Watercolor Palette
Let's Paint a Succulent
Splatter Masking Watercolor Tutorial
Watercolor Painting Flower Tutorial
Wonderful Watercolor: Painting an Etegami Postcard
Basic Techniques for Glow Effects in Watercolor
Watercolor on a Fan: Painting Cherry Blossoms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZzyLfKTESo&t=274s
Watercolor on a Fan: Painting Plum Blossoms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=addOdIhQNEo&t=1s
Watercolor on a Fan: Painting Clover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay2GGZ1J04Y&t=742s
BNHA Bakugo and Deku Watercolor Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voxbweKrbkc
Crayola Washable Watercolor Challenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6tAxF_1Sho&t=1s
Rainbow Hair, Don't Care Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sWQuBkhbrI&t=13s
Liquid Watercolors!  Webcomic Anniversary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzk86CAXjpo&t=6238s
World Watercolor Month Timelapse- Starchild: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVl2o9GbliY&t=173s
Prince Soma Watercolor Commission: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am5UHvoLqeQ&t=492s
Breathing Bubbles Timelapse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjIcRr-4oPw
Lineless Watercolor Timelapse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU3Y9Mmq_eI&t=22s


Overviews:
Watercolor Marker Overview
Watercolor and Mixed Media Sketchbook Overview

Reviews and Swatching: 

Ya Betta Swatch Yaself- Swatching Demo- Fluid 100 and Fluid EZ Block
Quality Watercolor PSA

Children's Grade: 


Watercolor Palettes- Student Grade
Artist Loft Watercolor Set Field Test
Daler Rowney Simply Watercolors Unbox and Swatch
Cotman Field Plus Travel Watercolor Palette Field Test
Japanhaul Daiso: Watercolors and Waterbrushes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQoGf1TkRlE&t=59s
Aquafine Mini Travel Set Swatch Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVJc4gBmICc

Watercolor Palettes- Hobbyist and Intermediate
Jane Davenport Set Brights Palette Unbox and Swatch
Sakura Koi Watercolor Field Set Mini Review
Swatching Grumbacher Opaque Watercolors
MozArt Komorebi Unbox and Swatch
Colorful Succulents- MozArt Komorebi Etegami Fieldtest
Japanhaul: Turner Watercolors Unbox and Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isHZn2SN-NU&t=4s
Japanhaul Kusakabe Watercolors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku9b0tA0p7U&t=25s
Art Supply Redemption: SoHo Watercolors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weIvvh01Nv8


Watercolor Palettes- Professional 
Hydrus Watercolors Overview and Swatching
PH Martin's Concentrated Radiant Watercolor
Anthesis Arts Handmade Watercolors Unbox and Swatch
Sennelier Quick Fire Review
Mijello Mission Gold Unbox and Swatch
What's the Buzz? Sennelier Honey Watercolor Field Test
Qor Tube Vs Qor Dried Halfpans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6ZPIEIHfeQ
Testing Dried M Graham Half Pans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFV2Z0CUJLo
Does It Compare: Winsor and Newton Half Pans Vs Tubes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR5zWY-7-kw
St Petersburg White Nights Unbox and Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2e4_jLX4j0&t=39s
St Petersburg White Nights, Yarka St Petersburg, Yarka Student Head to Head to Head Comparison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHKYBbGrhg0
Kusakabe Watercolors 18 Color Set Unbox and Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STA09VE1dPA
Yarka St Petersburg Unbox and Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0IwkROAGZQ&t=28s
Daniel Smith Ultimate Mixing Palette Unbox and Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok-Di_65nj4
Painting with GEMS! Daniel Smith Primatek Unbox and Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG5SGPsBCqw&t=3s


Specialty and Effects
Zig Pearlescent Watercolors Unbox and Swatch
New Finetec Pearlescent Releases: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSi8aQr7p40&t=1054s


Watercolor Markers
Mermaid Markers Unbox and Swatch
Pentel Brushpen Watercolor Field Test
Painting Vibrant Succulents with Arrtx Watercolors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR0i9GfdyUI&t=1s
Revisiting Akashiya Sai Brushpens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRGWqGv8CHU&t=1s

Watercolor Crayons 
Lyra Aquacolor Watercolor Crayons Unbox and Swatch
Marabu Art Crayon

Cheap Watercolors: 
Jerry Q Watercolor Set Unbox and Swatch
Artist Loft Pearlescent Watercolors
Tiger Watercolor Set Swatch Test
Jerry Q Watercolor Set Swatch Test

Papers: 
Fluid Hot Press Watercolor Paper Demonstration
Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper Review

Reviews with Field Tests:

Watercolor Palettes-
Student Grade
Yarka Student Watercolors: Unbox and Swatch
Yarka Student Watercolor Challenge and Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-hfgAw1KPU&t=2s
Jack Richeson 16 Color Palette Field Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwBo-5eiPgY
Prang Watercolors Unbox and Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHU6kcJicn0&t=542s
Prang Student Watercolors Fieldtest and Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr4p8Uc7UMs&t=33s
Artist Loft Watercolors Unbox and Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT4Z9vBIbLE&t=23s
Jerry's 8 Color Watercolor Set Unbox and Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nm6abnrzp8&t=2s

Intermediate and Hobbyist
Prima Marketing-Watercolor Confections: The Classics Unbox and Swatch
Prima Watercolor Confections: The Classics Field Test
Prima Marketing Watercolor Confections Tropicals Unbox and Swatch
Prima Marketing Tropicals Field Test
Jane Davenport Watercolor Set Bright Pallete Unbox and Swatch
MozArt Komorebi Unbox and Swatch
Colorful Succulents- MozArt Komorebi Etegami Fieldtest
MozArt Komorebi Fieldtest and Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0rWYkQm9SE&t=2152s
Product Exploration: Derwent Inktense: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaPyUngkYVw
A Perfect Parfait: Derwent Inktense Blocks Fieldtest 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX16U8qP63o&t=295s
A Perfect Parfait: Derwent Inktense Blocks Fieldtest 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8xF6HPK0gA&t=1424s
Lisa Frank Challenge- Sakura Koi CAC Fieldtest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT5IlB-hTTo&t=1s

Professional 
Six Color Challenge- Daniel Smith Essential 6 Mixing Set
Qor Mini Half Pan Palette Unbox and Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elZPtw34tbk&t=5s
Tea Witch- Qor Mini Palette Field Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnij3o8YLSs&t=1s

Effects
Watercolor from Paper: Peerless Watercolor Unbox and Swatch
Peerless Watercolor Field Test Take 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qM5_Fdv0_o
Peerless Watercolors Revisited: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBP8LygWnlQ

Gansai
Boku Undo e-Sumi Gansai Unbox and Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBOaE4N8N0g&t=334s
A Study in Candlelight- Monochrome Tutorial with Boku Undo e-Sumi Watercolors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqtWhmu2lmM&t=1047s
Japanese Watercolors!  Kissho Gansai Watercolors Unbox and Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2jY-nVALbk
Kuretake Gansai Tambi Unbox and Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTPY3DwxWWE

Chinese Watercolors
Yasutomo Chinese Watercolors Unbox and Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RrqTqdNiDM&t=111s
Marie's Watercolors Chinese Vs Western Watercolors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zu667yFmL0&t=5s

Handmade Watercolors
Jazper Stardust Unboxing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrEoJJglz0A&t=163s

Opaque Watercolor
Gouache or Tempera?  Caran D'Ache Fancolor Unbox and Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvslEwAJLb0&t=1420s

Cheap Watercolors 
Artist Loft Watercolor Set Field Test\
Artist Loft Pearlescent Watercolors- Unbox and Swatch
Bainyo Watercolor Set Unbox and Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq-PcZ0RfGE
Cheap Watercolor from Amazon: Bainyo Fieldtest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUFc4xjkZEY
Art Supplies from Wish! Pebeo Watercolors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0IDAN3m_Zk&t=1s
Art Supplies from Wish! Paul Rubens watercolor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwV1T10yAZ8


Liquid Watercolors 
Ecoline Watercolor Markers and Liquid Watercolor Review
Succulents Step by Step with Ecoline

Papers
Reviews: Strathmore Artist Cards Review
Ranger Watercolor Cardstock Demonstration
Global Arts Handbook Handmade Watercolor Sketchbook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yN2sMPazJs

Markers:
Spectrum Aqua Review
Mermaid Markers Unbox and Swatch
Mermaid Markers Field Test
Pentel Brushpen Watercolor Field Test
Watercolor Marker Workshop with Nattosoup (Winsor and Newton Watercolor Markers)
Pentel Brushpen Watercolor Field Test
Art Supplies from Wish- Watercolor Brushpens- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgwMvomiOQw

Other:
HomeAid Watercolor Palette Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TicYlIVIVZM
Paint Pucks Demonstration and Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8MCQ8p14ZI
2018 Watercolor Gift Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkDwBeNEOxM&t=517s
Mini Palettes Unboxing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDArxpMs7xQ&t=3s

ArtSnacks Watersnacks:

SPRING:
Qor, Winsor and Newton Cellulose Paper, Princeton Brushes

Unboxing
Overview
FieldTest
Second Opinions

SUMMER:
Arches watercolor paper, Kuretake Gansai Tambi, Escoda Prado brush, Kuretake Brush20 waterbrush, Winsor and Newton Watercolor Marker

Unboxing
Overview:
Field Test:

Step by Step Video Tutorials:

Watercolor Playlist
Watercolor Resources Playlist (outside content)
Succulents Step by Step By Ecoline
Awfully Faun'd of You
P1
P2
Elf Girl Watercolor Tutorial
Webcomic Fanart: Ellie of the Stars
Read To Your Pets Watercolor Tutorial

Start to Finish:

Includes sketch and inking

Tutorials:
Swinging From the Branches: Inking My 2017 Christmas Card
Swinging from the Branches: Painting my 2017 Christmas Card
Commission for Kabocha
Over the Garden Wall Watercolor Tutorial
Draw with Me- Winter Satsumas in Zig Clean Color Real Brush
Still Life Demonstration- Improvement Hell
Happy Anniversary! 7 Inch Kara 1 Year Launch Birthday
Moka Pot and Turkish Coffee Pot-Improvement Hell
Let's Paint a Succulent- Watercolor Tutorial



Watercolor Timelapse Videos:

Holiday Greenery Watercolor Timelapse
Watercolor Blue Flower Timelapse
Microfashion Watercolor Timelapse
Adorable Dog Watercolor Commission
Watercolor with Sailor Storia Magic
Rose Red Pigments of My Imagination
Purple Flowers Watercolor Timelapse
Etegami Watercolor Painting Timelapse
Orange Watercolor Flower Timelapse
7 Inch Kara Webcomic Announcement Timelapse
Lime Brusho
Mixed Berry Timelapse
Lush Succulent Watercolor Painting Timelapse
Watercoloring Wild Hydrangea Timelapse
Sweet Gumball Timelapse
Tali Watercolor Timelapse
In the Tall Grass Timelapse
Plein Air Painting Demonstration
Kara Colorburst
Meet the Artist Timelapse
Artist Loft Watercolor Mushrooms Timelapse
Yuri on Ice Watercolor Demonstration
Tali Watercolor Timelapse
Delightful Cosplay Couple Chibi Commission Start to Finish
Adorable Dog Watercolor Commission
Curled Up in a Good Book Timelapse
Stream Announcement and Mermaid Markers Timelapse
How to Make a Paperchild Timelapse

Additional Content:

Gizmo Grandma Completed Illustrations
Watercolor Resource Link List
Alcohol-based, Waterbased, Watercolor- A Quick Overview
Simple v Original Watercolor Commissions
January 2016 Watercolor Studies
Nov-January Misc Color Illustrations

Comments

Popular Posts