10 Quick Watercolor Tips That Will Help Your Paintings Today

In this week’s video, I am offering you 10 quick tips to tighten your watercolor skills and to take your paintings to the next level.

Sometimes it is the simple little shifts that can open up new possibilities.

You can check all 10 tips on this week’s video, but here are a few to get you started:

Paint a little bit darker than you think you need to. I’ve heard Andy Evansen say that if it looks right when you paint it, then it’s wrong. As your painting dries, it's going to fade, so to compensate, paint slightly darker in your scenes.
Mix more paint than you think you’re going to need. You don’t want to have to mix paint in the middle of a delicate stage in the painting process. Be proactive and mix a little more paint than you think you need.
Don't outline. It’s very tempting to outline things when we're painting because we're used to doing it when we draw. But when we outline with paint, it always looks amateurish and unappealing to the eye.

I know that you can learn a lot about watercolor and so many different places, and it means a lot that you are here learning from me. I really do appreciate it.

Keep practicing, learning, and moving forward in your watercolor journey and I will see you next time!

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[skerrie]

you are 100% right about the cotton paper!! I had never painted on it for years, one day I bought the most expensive paper there was and it was cotton. I loved the way it took water and paint, my painting came out so nice and I had so much more fun! I worked so much less than ever and the results that I got were amazing. I always try and tell people that are new to watercolor to use cotton paper because they are much less likely to become discouraged, and therefore quit.

[cindybonnett]

just discovered you and your videos, awesome. Absolutely love your subject matter...urban scenes. Looking forward to watching more. I am a 74 year young artist wanting to try watercolors. I'm excited, thanks for your inspirational videos.

[hermajestyqueenmarcia]

Hi Matthew.. you are so fresh, smart, sweet exactly like I would want as a son .. your instruction just reminds me of a fresh start to a watercolor scene in a gallery sponsored class I enjoyed years ago. I don't know if I'll ever be able to really watercolor again as I am old and unable to move about on my own. I still think of painting birds or Yosemite or an abstract portrait. Life does not give us enough time to do everything we desire. You have a refreshing, willing and kind attitude in your video, and I'll watch more just because it makes me feel happy, and I'll send them to my young artist friends too. Thank you so much for a bright start to the day. Love to you and yours.. btw your work is lovely. Who wouldn't want to paint as you do! ... Marcia in Modesto!

[ntanasescu]

You are such a good teacher. Really. You are calm, you explain things very clearly, you don't rush. I really enjoy your tutorials. I'm saving to take you watercolor essentials course, even if it takes me forever. Thanks a lot for everything you do.

[bobbiegraham]

Excellent video. Shows that it isn't just one thing! Watercolor is multitasking. Which either makes you crazy or gives you something to strive for. Enjoy the process, enjoy the practice, and realize that you can only control some of it, watercolor does what it wants. Learn what it wants and find ways to bend it to your will😎 You are a watercolor Jedi. Thank you for sharing your work.

[damianboyle]

Another top drawer video, highly informative, it's odd that although I am aware of all these tips I find watching these videos somehow re-educates me to the point where (hopefully) it becomes automatic.
Definitely one to watch again and again.
Thankyou.

[thomasr]

I just watched this, thanks! Appreciate your tips and not talking or rushing through to fast. Looking forward to more of your videos.

[lauralaladarling]

Wow, Matthew! Your paintings are beautiful and awesome. Thank you for sharing your invaluable techniques to create more beautiful and professional artwork. Xxxxx❤❤❤

[jonimarsicano]

Not only do you offer instructions, you inspire us. Thank you, Matt.

[delphinewood]

Exceptional tips. As a beginner, I appreciate hearing the basics over and over. I subscribed to your channel based on this video. Thanks for posting. 🙏🌵

[janhemminger]

I am so happy I found your videos! Love your diverse subject format.

[giorgiomarinoni]

Thank you for the 10 tips. I fully agree with you considering that I'm a watercolor painter since 20 years!!

[patirving]

Hello :) Thank you again for these videos! I have just started an activity that is helping my watercolor journey in so many ways. I am keeping a journal of every painting and specifically capturing what I learned in doing that painting. I try to include the more obvious "disasters" as as well as more subtle things that I wish I had done differently. What an eye opener! It also helps to mitigate the expected pile of "failed" paintings that I now use for "testing colors" Anyway, I thought this might be helpful for your followers as well.

[agold]

Excellent collection of tips. It’s as if you’ve been over my shoulder over the last couple of months! Thanks!

[pendlera]

The best way to learn how much paint to mix up is to do some experiments with your paint, brushes, and paper and actually measure how far a given amount of paint will go on the page. Compare the size of your paint puddles to things you'll remember, like the size of a quarter or the diameter of a lemon, etc. And keep in mind that thicker washes will run out faster, since you can't spread them as far, so you'll have to test different dilutions. Also, some pigments (especially those that granulate or flocculate) perform best if you let them really pool on the page with each stroke, while others (like untextured ones like phthalos) will look fine even if the brush is nearly dry.

[librenonlibre]

Thank you for another greatly helpful video, Matthew! I’m learning so much from you with each one.

[Skymed]

Another Wednesday Morning spent with your knowledge and a cuppa tea :-) Great stuff as always.

[maggiew]

Love tip #2 - vertical lines. It's brilliant.

[yvonnegeelen]

Love your videos. When you say don’t outline things can you explain that more please

[pingpongplayas]

Good tips man! Just started watercolor on Nov 13 of this year I’m enjoying it. I’ve already done 15+ practices