Controlling Water / Pigment Ratio in Watercolor

How do you control the amount of water and pigment in your brush when painting with watercolor? This video is to help all you beginners that have asked this question.

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[Acrowe]

I think one of the things that helped me the most is hearing somebody say: keep your brush dryer than the paper when adding details on wet paper. It will keep you from having so many blossoms or cauliflower blooms.

[desertmorningworkshop]

This is THE best demo of managing the water-pigment ratio for watercolor on the net! Terrific.

[onyxxxyno]

I really appreciate this tutorial, too many youtube videos tell you to use more or less water to adjust the intensity, tea, coffee, milk consistency, etc, but don't actually show what's going on with the brush to get that. I learned a lot!

[seahorse]

That was an excellent and very helpful tutorial, thank you! The tip about dabbing out water by the ferrule was a huge help. I kept ending up in this circle of dabbing the brush to dry, losing paint, then picking up more paint only to have the brush too wet again. Simple solution that never occurred to me, so, again, thanks so much.

[sherronrobinson]

Talk about not knowing what I'm doing! I am always rinsing my brush completely (I am a beginner). This has been such a helpful tutorial. Thank you so much for sharing this useful information.

[quilter]

Finally what I've been looking for! Everyone else who teaches this on YouTube has water off camera and I can't see what the hell they're doing. Glad your not competing with all the others with what nail polish your wearing this week. :)

[gaildoughty]

Thanks, Steve. I've looked at (viewed repeatedly) several different watercolor how-to channels, and yours are by far the best. Patient (do it over and over and over), informative, funny, and very clear. Thank you for putting these out.

[tyedye]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I felt really stupid trying to figure out how to make the color more intense. Now I feel smart. 👍

[Sandieness]

This one video has completely changed my life as an artist. You explain things so well, Steve. Now that i understand how water to pigment ratio works (blew my mind), i feel so empowered to create beautiful art... Will keep you posted. 🙂

[capbin]

Like Rebecca says below I have got here by trial and error. This really puts it in context and mopping the ferrule. This lesson is genius for all and I hope lots of beginners see it and it saves them the tough learning process.
You have produced a lot of these explanations that I think other artists take for granted people know and/or understand.

[Roslyngal]

This video was recommended over at wetcanvas as a must-see for beginners, just in case you’re surprised at the sudden traction it’s getting in Jan 2018! Well deserved acclaim, I say!

[judygainer]

I love rewatching your early videos on basics. So very instructive and to the point. ❤

[causetherat]

Thanks. Out of all the people showing water color techniques yours has always been the most helpful for me.

[cylenadee]

Beginner here❗️ I can’t get to local classes and have wanted to learn watercolor painting for years. I’m so glad I found your videos they are wonderful❗️ Your teaching techniques are not only informative, easy to follow, uncomplicated and simple but THEY ARE FUN❗️Oh! And I like the humor too🤪😄
I’m actually getting over my “beginner’s nerves” and quickly gaining confidence❗️
Thank you so much❗️👍🏼

[cacu]

most valuable video i've found as a beginner

[nathaliacalmon]

How many 20 years until I can do these gradients in my sleep? lol I've watched this probably 131 thousand times. All views are mine. Ok, maybe exagerating a little bit, but it is brilliant (this whole series btw) and doing it how you do it, is... really... mesmerizing. Thank you so much again and again.

[aeli]

This video is the best help ever! The water thing is so confusing to start with. I've filled one page and now I'm going to fill more pages with all the colors I have. Practice practice practice. Thanks!

[thepochade]

Blotting at the ferrule ♡ Thanks Steve :)

[ApacheJay]

This is so helpful. I never thought of taking water out near the ferrule.

[rmuller]

Thank you so much MOWC! I can’t tell you how many videos I’ve watched that have skipped over this basic and important information. It’s frustrating to hear “oh, you’ll get the hang of it” over and over without the explanation of just how I’m going to do that. You’ve inspired me to get to my watercolors and do this exercise. It’s been decades since I’ve done watercolor and find it so useful to get back to the very beginning through your videos. Very much appreciated. Blessings to you!