Want to Instantly Improve in Watercolor Painting? ▶︎ Stop doing these 3 things!

Today I am focusing on three bad habits that are common in watercolor painting. If you can eliminate these three things from your painting process you will see instant improvements!

Take a look!

[sisterwrath]

So, painting watercolor it's an strategy game. A hunting for the right colors and shapes. I'm guilty for wanting to see the final product too quickly. Thank you Matt, these are priceless tips!

[franhodges]

I have watched numerous tutorials of yours and you are the best teacher I have seen. You cover everything, explain options, and even show here how things can be achieved and do all of that with a calm voice. I am very grateful having come across your videos and can't thank you enough for sharing your knowledge. Sincerely, Fran

[dianemcgregor]

Two brushes! ready with different colours..and slow down!...and decide what is the essential essence of the scene. Thank you...needed these particular three today!

[barbaragemin]

Point 2and 3 are me all over, especially including everything from the reference. Thanks Matthew. What I’d love to see is a photo reference of yours and how you decide what to include, leave out or modify. Perhaps you’ve already done a similar video. Another one with another photo would be so useful.

[arreltidwell]

Such wonderful advice for the newbie in watercolor. One of the hardest struggles for me is to “let the fear go”, so that I can actually begin the painting. For the longest time I would watch YouTube video, after video, and never pick up the brush. I am slowly learning to enjoy the process and not be so hung-up on the fear of not appreciating the final artwork. I am seeing little improvements with each attempt. 😁

[Sueevans]

Great advice. I struggle to avoid copying reference photos, but now, thanks to you, I will focus on the essence, slow down and take a step back. The free video was spot on👍

[ev]

i just love your street scenes- so ordinary yet so extraordinary!

[maryannegunter]

Started teaching myself how to WC paint, 4 years ago; mostly by watching tutorials such as this. I'm constantly learning new things and my paintings are improving. Thank you for this lesson, hope to see more of you!

[librenonlibre]

Your teaching style is as warm and generous as it is game-changing. Once again, thank you so much for teaching.

[janrpascal]

Matt, your tips are priceless. You are bringing up things many videos, books, and instructors ignore. Thank you!

[toffylikesgames]

It is SO true that it's hard to slow down, wanting the painting to look like something faster. But it definitely pays off pausing and allowing each step to happen naturally. All the difference in the world!

[carterb]

Your best paintings are ahead of you. I’m making a sign with this quote to put above my art table. Thank you!

[melindaavila]

Great advice! I know I am guilty of thinking I have to go fast (I am 77 yo, and if I don't move fast, the paint and paper dry out). So I will follow your advice: plan, plan, pan, wet paper on both sides, have paint on palette, use two brushes (who knew?)

[MS-bwfj]

Great tips. I always struggle with landscapes of mountains, the series of mountains from foreground to distant and all the tones and different greens! I would love a tutorial on that as it would be so useful for many paintings. Great video! I must stop copying photos so literally! Thanks 🙏

[heatherh]

I love the idea of 'interpreting' a scene. You have helped me see the value of taking the essence of what speaks to us from a scene, then presenting it in such a way that maximizes this expression to our audience . At first I found it quite shocking to see how 'enhanced' some artist's works are from the original scene, yet they produce a beautiful vision to bring joy. Joyce Hicks is a master at this. Thank you Mathew . I love your teaching style that really drives home how to approach art, not just watercolour

[erinmcgrew]

I love your explanation of watercolor as painting backwards- I never thought of it that way but it is! You start with your lightest values and layer darker values on top as opposed to other mediums like oil or acrylic where you do the opposite. This is going to change the game for me!

[sanzoy]

This is super helpful. And somehow listening to you calms my nerves and quiet my anxieties and leads me to think strategically. Thank you.

[MickeyC]

Lol “Buy two of them”. Spot on. Thank you.

[rosalindball]

Omg - just watched this Matthew - I did exactly all these things this morning with a watercolour painting - had to bin it !!!! Thanks so much - your advice is so valuable and you have a nice calming voice and your paintings are beautiful. Ros - UK

[sherrimalone]

I’m returning to my watercolor practice after a short break with determination to take off the training wheels. Relying on tutorials exclusively limits my creativity. It’s time to learn to paint from my own references or even my imagination. I have used all 3 suggestions and it’s been a game changer. Thank you so much.