Cliffnotes for myself: 1. Don't leave the brush in the water jar (especially not tip down; it damages the brush) 2. Don't contaminate colours (don't mix in a pan, use mixing areas) 3. Change paint water often (or use two+ jars) 4. Don't wash palettes (it wastes paint) 5. Don't leave tubes open (it makes paint drier) 6. Don't use white paint to lighten watercolour (white paint makes watercolours less transparent; traditional watercolouring suggests to use water for dilution and paper itself as white) 7. Don't leave a painting unfinished (better learning experience)
@RubyRedNiki
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@hiddenshadow2105
3 жыл бұрын
@@RubyRedNiki You are welcome
@rosesarered435
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@hiddenshadow2105
2 жыл бұрын
@@rosesarered435 Anytime.
@magikallysbluebonnets
2 жыл бұрын
I only leave it in water as soon as I open a new brush cause it always had wax or something in it, so I leave it in conditioner-water for an hour/thirty minutes
@budd2nd
3 жыл бұрын
My number one worst habit is to devalue what I have done. But I recently realised I’m painting for myself, it doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks of it. It’s my painting done for me, so as long as I like it that’s all that matters. 🥰
@reefprayerresin
3 жыл бұрын
That’s a HUGE realisation! For the last 10 years I’d show a friend of mine my works in progress, and she’d say “I’m not into still life’s”, or “Yeah, that’s ok”….. and often I’d leave the painting there and not come back to it! - I’ve recently realised, although she frequents art galleries, all she sees is what she likes or doesn’t like. Not how it’s made, or the emotion behind it. After all these years, I’ve realised, at age 64, that her opinion doesn’t matter! That some of my paintings, particularly a beautiful pink rose drawing/painting, that I was over the moon about when I showed her, can be picked back up again. I just have to find the original photo. I was brought up with an artist mother, who said I was her best critic, so that’s the world I’m familiar with. Not this other one. This friend of mine can’t paint, so can’t ‘add anything’ to the painting…. But I can pull myself together and pull up my big girl pants, and pick these paintings up again. And maybe even finish that flower painting! I paint hyper-realistically, and that’s just my natural way to paint, and I love it. - Her opinion is her opinion. I’ve also seen other people’s jaw drop when they see my paintings. Our artist egos are very vulnerable, and eggshell soft, and so easily damaged, and careless words from some people, who know nothing of art and ‘art etiquette’ can unintentionally trample the artist’s emotions, creativity, and destroy an artist’s passion and career, if we allow it.
@budd2nd
3 жыл бұрын
@@reefprayerresin Yes, you definitely seem to have a great insight into the artistic ego👍👍
@lisalovelylpa
3 жыл бұрын
The best way to wreck your art or your life is to look for other people’s approval.
@MarinaMichaels
3 жыл бұрын
@@reefprayerresin Some friends can greatly undermine you, and sometimes their sabotaging comments aren't accidental. It's sad and dismaying when you realize that your "friend" is not a friend.
@MichaelRozie
3 жыл бұрын
Creating things for yourself is worse than for others. If you sell it, it is done. When you make something for yourself, and then sell a few things and get better, you will always see the ‘mistakes’ in your earlier work. At least this is how it works for me
@dianeandbrad529
3 жыл бұрын
I totally agree with the last one. Even if it still ends up coming out like a horrible mess, it’s good practice to try to save your paintings - this is a skill that takes time to develop and you’ll start noticing patterns of where things went in the wrong direction. Practice trying to salvage paintings that you thought were destined for the trash - so that when you’re working on a piece you actually like but then suddenly make a mistake, you’ll have some methods for fixing it.
@brittneyhood1887
Жыл бұрын
I agree! I am still relatively new to watercolor, but it’s become kind of a fun challenge to “bring it back” if I think a painting is a disaster. I’ve recently started learning about using multiple layers of dry-on-wet detail work, and it almost always takes what looks like a messy blob back into what I wanted it to look like in the first place.
@halfpiint
Жыл бұрын
For me, sometimes when I'm feeling stuck, it's beneficial for me to walk away for a day or two just to get a fresh perspective, while leaving the painting within my vision! Amazing what you'll see when you return that you didn't see before!
@momomarie
3 жыл бұрын
Speaking of believing in yourself and finishing a painting. I attempted an abstract. It look horrid so I threw it out. That evening I was watching an HGTV decorating show and there was a painting they hung on the wall that looked very much like the one I threw out! LOL That really cracked me up.
@mog-gyveroneill2500
2 жыл бұрын
I try to keep my disasters, just for a while, because sometimes when I go back with fresh eyes, and don't remember the mistakes, it can look so different.
@Amzie-kx1xr
Жыл бұрын
Yes! Paintings that have frustrated me and even made me almost cry--my friends have loved them and offered to buy them. I often gift them to the people I love, that joy is payment enough!
@halfpiint
Жыл бұрын
Did you retrieve it from the trash?
@halfpiint
Жыл бұрын
@@Amzie-kx1xr Next time, instead of gifting the painting, take a deeper look at what they're seeing that you're not seeing and carry on to improve the painting! You'll feel better in the end. It happened to me and I was amazed at how I improved the painting once I felt more confidence in it!
@momomarie
Жыл бұрын
@@halfpiint No, sorry I didn't LOL
@lisagoetsch
3 жыл бұрын
A cardboard box with small holes helps to hold your brushes to dry them or store them bristles down. I’ll admit I cringe when colors get mixed in the pan. Lol My biggest bad habit with watercolor is waiting for my painting to dry between layers. I’m too inpatient and things get muddy and if I had let it dry a bit between layers it would been better.
@melindaavila498
3 жыл бұрын
Yes, I too get impatient.
@valasafantastic1055
3 жыл бұрын
hairdryer usually works great. Speeds up drying a lot. If I'm being particularly impatient I use one.
@jeanneduncan3522
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the idea of a cardboard box.
@nikkimatlock1376
2 жыл бұрын
Same. I can’t wait lol
@paulaorsi5568
3 жыл бұрын
I love watching your videos. Every time lately I see your new videos you look so happy and you just glow 😁 you have helped me love painting even more 😍 you are a true joy with a gift of not only painting but encouraging & teaching others. 😘
@petzl1239
3 жыл бұрын
so true - I totally agree 🥰
@pattikirke
3 жыл бұрын
I have just taken up painting and I am a Sr. In a long term! Just love your video`s!!!
@kdavis1124
3 жыл бұрын
I was cracking up thru this entire video. You have such a lovely sense of humor! Thank you for bringing a smile to me today. ❤️
@pamnason3261
2 жыл бұрын
Oh my gosh, I loved this video. Emma you made me laugh so hard about the white paint! I am just a beginner but number 8 should be don't take your project so seriously! I've done a bunch of tutorials and when I'm done I look at the artist's work and then my work and think, "that's terrible!" Then my friends/family see it and say omg you should sell these! Haha, I NEVER show them the tutorials in which the artist does a phenomenal job. When you're finished don't compare your work to the artist, you are just a beginner and your piece probably looks beautiful on it's own.
@sharonfoy2410
3 жыл бұрын
I like to swirl my brush in water in a figure 8 multiple times - it removes the pigment quickly.
@ashleywright8686
4 ай бұрын
Excellent tip! TY for sharing. I’m guilty of “gently mooshing” my brush at the bottom 😂
@renemorales3238
3 жыл бұрын
Here's the solution I came up with for water. I have an old acrylic makeup organizer that is a single unit with 3 sections. The center section is a bit taller than the other two. It works perfectly for watercolor painting. I'm constantly looking at everyday objects and evaluating whether there's a way that thing can be used for art. Old spoons, contact grip shelf and drawer liner, an empty eyedrops container, swizzle sticks from Starbucks, a cheese knife, an unused cutting board and so much more have found their way into my art supplies. 😆
@melindaavila498
3 жыл бұрын
Excellent!
@kd5nrh
2 жыл бұрын
Also watch your packaging for all sorts of things. Any small cups or tubs like creamer and jelly single servings come in is perfect for a disposable mixing tub for epoxy, paint, glue or whatever. Same for some blister packs.
@AndreaCrisp
2 жыл бұрын
Ditto! You sound like a mixed media person. I love actual real junk journaling for the same reason. Creative Repurposing is fun!
@brittneyhood1887
Жыл бұрын
I love this idea!
@halfpiint
Жыл бұрын
Great idea!
@lightbulb8869
3 жыл бұрын
When I was in high school, I did a large forest painting and mixed my colours in the lid of my pallet. I now have a son about to enter high school and I still haven’t cleaned all those greens and browns out of that lid... I do use other pallets to mix my paint, but I was doing some trees the other day and I used some of the greens that I had mixed over 20 years ago. I didn’t think anything of it, it just never crossed my mind to clean it, but now it feels kinda nostalgic. Thankfully my trees now look 100X better than they did when I first mixed those paints!
@melissab3038
2 жыл бұрын
I must have had the worst high school on the planet because I don’t remember a single day of art. No art classes in college either. I was 55 years old when I took my very first painting class.
@monicablock7415
3 жыл бұрын
You are hilarious girl! I loved this video. By the way, thanks to u I dry my brushes correctly. Don't have a beautiful contraption but a ruler on top of a box with a clothes pin holding the brush works great.(Ruler has holes u push the handle up through, put the cloths pin on and it stays put!)
@christinecarr4593
3 жыл бұрын
I do like to use white gouache once in awhile depending on what it is, Shayda Campbell loves the Munyo paints and mixes a lot of pastels with white and her work is beautiful, now myself I rarely ever mix white with my colors but like you said it was just how I first learned it so it sorta stuck. And lastly #7 oh boy is that the worst habit I have bc I am one of those I want immediate satisfaction from my work and with watercolors as you stated has that awkward stage and I tell myself every time to simply power through to the end and to try and not finish the whole painting in one layer bc then I end up not allowing it to dry properly etc etc so #7 huge one for me. It’s funny you mentioned this bc I just came down to my craft room and told myself before starting another painting that I will finish the pile of ones I started, yikes! Wish me luck, have a blessed week!
@fritopaws
3 жыл бұрын
Additional suggestion on the water jar front - have less water in your jars. I noticed your jars are relatively small, but 2 inches of water in them should be more than enough. It allows you to tap the brush on the bottom without getting water too high up the brush and you'll use less water overall - water charges will need to be made close to the same time but you refill with less. (I'm on well water but use bottled for art so tend to be conservative with it). 😀
@TheRealMythril
3 жыл бұрын
There is also another huge advantage to less water in your cleaning jar/glass/cup. When you knock it over (notice the use of when, not if!) there is less water to clean up, or have to reach your painting and mess it up! Plus, as artists, we have the obligation to take care of the inspiration that most of us use (our planet and it’s inhabitants), so that we can pass it on to the next generation of artists. Water is a limited resource (sometimes I find it hard to believe that too, as I’m from Scotland) and we must treat it with care and respect.
@miriamgreen3973
3 жыл бұрын
We were also NEVER allowed to crunch a paper and discard it. We'd flip it and use the back.:) yes this was funny. Great tips!
@scribblemoose
3 жыл бұрын
Definitely funny, and so authentic! We can never be reminded too often to have confidence and that anything we do is fine so long as we’re conscious of it. Real, not perfect 😊
@sandramorrison4811
2 жыл бұрын
I have a FEW TOO MANY unfinished projects....
@LeanneRaine
3 жыл бұрын
Wow, thank you so much, Emma! I really needed to hear the last one about finishing your paintings. I tried learning to paint seashells the other day and gave up because a few didn't turn out the way I thought it would in my head. I think I'm going to go back now and fix those to see if I can possibly make something better! Awesome video and thank you again for all the fantastic tips! Keep creating
@ColorfullyOptimistic
3 жыл бұрын
I'm def guilty of a lot of these and was laughing the entire time. Excellent video
@unicornclan9010
2 жыл бұрын
I love those ”guess who does that?... ME!” 😂😂😂😂
@amydeleon3387
3 жыл бұрын
TY - yes, informative & funny!! Sounds like you got parenting down - do as I say, not as I do!! (LOL - JK)
@JDetailsLLC
3 жыл бұрын
I usually dab my brush in the side of my water jar to remove pigments instead of the bottom so I don’t squish the brushes. And for removing pigment from another color on the palette, a trick I use is…Wet it then dab with a paper towel.
@ninaorehek7983
3 жыл бұрын
Great advice and I love the humor! Not wanting to waste paper has helped me most of the times to turn around what looked like a failed painting. Never give up!
@amyx231
2 жыл бұрын
I’ve never once washed my watercolor palettes. Only ever a small wipe or two to remove really unfortunate mixes (mostly muddy greys). Who’s washing away their precious pigments!? Gasp!
@tensa7132
3 жыл бұрын
I love how you’re always so down to earth and with a sense of humour in all your videos. It makes painting along so much less pressured. When I started dabbling with gouache I went to your channel for this reason
@amandasunshine2
Жыл бұрын
I use white to make things creamier, like pastel.. even adding white to a pastel can make it creamier, I love making a really creamy yellow and using that for daffodils 😊
@GundemaroSagrajas
2 жыл бұрын
To me, the biggest problem of leaving a paintbrush in the water is that you're literally creating a handle with which you can tip the glass over and create a disaster. Been there, so frustrating. Don't do that.
@Jamiebburnss
3 жыл бұрын
I like that you added in that it’s fine to use white if you want. One of my biggest pet peeves is that the watercolour ‘community’ will quickly jump to slander white paint because it’s become this big no no within the practise. Using white paint in watercolour isn’t wrong at all, it just gives a different effect, adding white removes the typical transparent effect you see with most watercolours and gives your art a more opaque, chalky, maybe almost gouache kind of appearance. White isn’t necessary for watercolours and if that’s not what you want, by all means that’s fine but it can be interesting in its own ways. It’s definitely worth learning/trying both ways and playing with what you like. Remember, there’re no rules in art :)
@kathleen9346
3 жыл бұрын
You are such an inspiration!!! I’m so glad I found you on KZitem. Thank you for sharing your time and talent👍😄
@nicolepeaslee5017
3 жыл бұрын
Something I learned by doing the 100 day project with watercolors is that almost every painting had that awkward phase. But I finished every painting and ended up not liking only one of them!
@BarBaraWhorleyCrawfordESS
3 жыл бұрын
I adore you. Too funny. I’ve watched for over a year now. This is by far my favorite. As you were so freaking real and oh so adorable. I loved it. Thank you. 🤗❤️🖌🖼🤣
@MusingsFromTheDen
3 жыл бұрын
I was guilty of binning work that started to go pear-shaped midway, but I've slowing reigned in my perfectionism in sketchbooks and I'm enjoying the process far more. 😊
@lovewillwinnn
3 жыл бұрын
Often, moisten, glisten, listen,....all words where the T is silent.
@monetcafe
3 жыл бұрын
Hey sweetie, I've been admiring your channel for quite some time. You produce lovely videos with great content and you're adorable. I just thought you may want to have a Patreon page for others to support you. My Patreon page is only $5 a month and it's really helped my income as many KZitem subscribers become patrons of mine. Keep it up sugar. Love your channel. :)
@heather16816
7 ай бұрын
I use an ice cube tray for brush cleaning in-between color changes
@carlycharlesworth1497
3 жыл бұрын
This was a really fun video. I loved the way you added some humour into it. I knew about all the habits that you mentioned, and the only one I am NOT guilty of is leaving my paintbrush in water. Other than that I am guilty of all the others lol. Do you intend to do more fun videos like this? You have a really dry wit which comes across really well in the video. I thought that brush drying pot you showed us was superb. I always leave my brushes laying flat on my desk on kitchen paper after I use them, but that pot looked way better. Also, I store my brushes in a pot handle down, bristles up, is that a good idea? I do it for convenience but if there is a better way, then I'm all ears as they say! Thanks again for the humour. It made my evening brighter.
@debramitchell5208
3 жыл бұрын
I love the part about not leaving a painting unfinished. ❤
@bimmermom
3 жыл бұрын
You’re so cute …. And funny …. Great tips whether we, or you, follow them or not …. I have to say when I started watercolour a year or so ago I always washed off my palette because i thought that was the thing to do … till I started watching you and others and realized I could just re-use the paints in the palette … so thank you for that
@KP-nx8lo
3 жыл бұрын
I keep a pitcher of clean water and a empty bucket. Just dump the dirty water in the bucket and refill from the pitch of clean water so I don’t have to get up multiple times while painting!
@trishdixson3817
4 ай бұрын
Snap! I use an ice cream or yogurt container😂
@captkristipaints
3 жыл бұрын
Girl!!! You are rockin it!! I haven't watched a video from you in quite awhile. I get on these kicks where I will watch one person for a long time, then miss my old teacher and go back, etc. Watching this I am struck by how your confidence has grown and you are just so COOL!! Thanks so much for sharing. Great tips to think about...even for those doing it for years. Refreshers are never a bad thing. THANK YOU :D
@melanistar
3 жыл бұрын
Sometimes I give up halfway and just save it for another time. One of my best paintings started this way. I stopped halfway and put it aside for months. I went back to it later and finished it. You don't have to keep going on a painting the same day you start it. You can put it aside and try again later and it might be one of your best!
@jeanettewatson7614
2 жыл бұрын
I agree with you Melani. When I first started to paint I would carry on painting making the picture worse & worse till all that was left was to use the back for testing blends etc. So I learned to put that picture to one side and do another, looking at my "difficult" painting till I saw a way forward so I'd then use the back of a ruined painting get my picture to where I left it and carried on to see what happened, if it worked ace I'd it didn't quite I'd think a little more and since then I've not made muddy messes & the backs of said mud paintings to check colours ir if things work
@ryansartandthings3887
3 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I quit leaving my brushes in water when I had to duck tape them back together because I don't feel like buying more😅😂
@kathryngehrke3922
2 жыл бұрын
1. Don't have a drink sitting by your paint water, many times I have had a nice big drink of Cobalt bluish water, or cadmium. Not good for you. 2. Don't let your cat help you. It can leave hair on your painting, also, mine stepped in a beautiful fuscha color and gave me a paw print on red cliffs. Not what you need.
@janetdodson3529
Күн бұрын
Thank you for making me 😅
@katherineschiller
3 жыл бұрын
Definitely got a few chuckles because guilty as charged! 👋🏼 Thanks for helping out this newbie to watercolors 🧡
@mycupoftea12
3 жыл бұрын
How about telling us how you organize your workspace, especially that wall unit that holds your pens!
@jennyc5132
3 жыл бұрын
Loved that video Emma it was funny and yes it was informative too..you even made me look up and realise that I had left my brush in the water..dirty water at that🤭🤭🤭 here's a tip from me to you and your many fans/followers..we recently finish a large tray of Ferrero Rocher (yum though my hubby ate more than and they were left over since xmas)..but as I was about to throw the clear tray away with the little gold insert I realised it would make a perfect water colour palette. The chocolate sized indents are great for dozens of colours and you are right when you say "just add water to reconstitute the paint" plus there is a dip in the sides of each hole which perfectly holds a paintbrush and its got a lid too!!! Recycle, reuse, upcycle call it what you will but please try it. Its the 269 gm box...I would love to know if anyone tries it or has already figured it out before me. Have a great day and stay safe...and have fun...🥰🙏
@elise.thebookworm
2 жыл бұрын
I love your attitude Emma!
@RoySATX
3 жыл бұрын
The only palette I clean regularly is the one in my mouth.
@sherrytyson4321
3 жыл бұрын
I get such a kick out of you! That being said, lots of good information here! Thank you!
@SigneofHorses
2 жыл бұрын
Paintbrushes.. yes do not do that Contaminating paints.. I don’t care Fresh water.. it’s a good break and if one doesnt clean your brush between every stroke to avoid contaminating your paint then it won’t need refreshing so much 😜 Clean pallet.. pretty much when I feel like it or I need new colours or they are muddy. Finish a painting... yes that awkward messy stage.. preserve! Enjoyed this video! Thank you
@artbylisaharrington
3 жыл бұрын
Warm and cool water pots was a game changer for me to avoid muddy colors.
@gailbolton4891
3 жыл бұрын
And I would suggest that, over time, you will learn a great deal more from your mistakes than from your successes.
@junehulton9776
Жыл бұрын
Awesome advice.....it's how I learn....by listening.. watching.... knowing that the teacher has done it and learnt from it...😊. Thank you for sharing
@mieczyslawapascoe7234
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much, Emma. The one about giving up on a painting too soon relates to me the most. I do like using white, which is really gouache, in small doses and it's perfectly OK. I also heard the same about black, but it works IF used very sparingly, especially for mixing.
@elaineg60
Жыл бұрын
Although I’m now learning western watercolor; I’ve been learning chinese traditional painting for almost 8yrs now. When I first watched, even professional painters, leaving brushes in water or storing them bristles up..I was shocked! Do that with one of my Chinese brushes, even the newer more expensive ones? You MIGHT get one more use, but hairs will come out the whole time. I even had a Chinese tutor laugh at me because I have not just one, but 3 brush holders, everywhere I might paint. Personally, I just can’t get used to Western brushes. My best friend gave me an expensive set..I just can’t paint with them. Before she decided to learn MY style of painting, she watched me load my brush with 4 colors and paint an (almost) perfectly ombre’d peony, only loading my brush..maybe 3 times for a medium sized flower..then use a detail brush to further define some petals..but she was shocked. In western style she said it would have taken a day to dry between layers, different shades, for the same effect. Needless to say, I’m having a harder time learning western style than she has learning eastern. I have decided to stay with my Chinese brushes and even asked a tutor who lives in Ca and is learning Western style himself; for brush suggestions-he’s started selling some “specialty” brushes for those of us who are fusing the 2 styles. Lol, and my best friend has now traded in her $50 western brush she used to use for almost everything; for 2 large goat hair brushes that she’s having a blast learning how to load more than 1 or 2 colors onto. Getting used to Xuan paper is a whole other story! 😂. But that’s ok, even I have problems sometimes. (There’s no lifting or re-wetting...you put a stroke down or make a mistake; it’s there to stay. As my tutors have said, you just make it a part of your creation 😊). I did my first big successful wash last night WITH my wonderful tutors help (although she says I cheated using double Xuan..hey, it’s still Xuan!) tonight I’m about to put some gold ink bamboo OVER the wash..then add some white paint/ink that I added a TOUCH of a white Pearl paint to, to attempt snow on the bamboo. Fiona’s (tutor) unsure, but curious, as to how the Xuan will handle so much…only one way to find out! Two things about Chinese painting-they are usually done fairly quickly and even larger paintings that do take longer-are much simpler than they appear to be. I’m just an old lady who loves breaking rules and pushing limits…as long as no one is getting hurt. Me and my fellow old hippie bestie are hoping to have a Christmas painting party on Sunday..if her wonderful hubbie will trust her with me for a day. 😉
@InnasArtStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Awkward/ugly stage... real thing... especially in portraits... every single time I get to a point of - well... f’$&d that one up... for sure this time! And it always comes together as something I don’t hate...
@juneservant34
3 жыл бұрын
If your painting is still bad in the end, keep it and make a gouache painting over it. That way you don't waste your good watercolour paper:-)
@Galbereth
Жыл бұрын
Ahh number seven.... Guilty!! Yes I have several of these "what was I thinking?" Paintings!! Maybe I'll look at them again n attempt to continue... Maybe, perhaps I can turn things around afterall.... Thank you Emma, that was indeed informative AND funny! You're Fab! Thanks to you, I'm going to continue with my Tulips painting!! ❤️ Love from Mel in Devon, UK 🍰🌻
@Psychology105
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for being so authentic - I've been painting with different mediums since the beginning of the pandemic and am now trying to face coming up with my own ideas vs only following tutorials. It's scary! You made good points that I think we know about but don't always follow (like the waterrrrrr ones).
@FieldFarmForest
3 жыл бұрын
Lol. I have a wonky bristle brush. I had not painted for a while and came back into my craft room to find a brush sitting in water. Don.. Don... doooon! It happens.
@suzeaa
3 жыл бұрын
I have 3 water wells - first rinse, second rinse, then completely clear water. Also, lavender brush soap, a brush washer, brush conditioner, and a brush rack. I like pricey paints and brushes so I take care of them. You should see my paints, lol. All swatched and identified so I can put paints from different brands in a new palette (with a cover) to work on a painting, then put them back. I also use porcelain mixing palettes and clean them as needed and after finishing each painting. My graphic design background really kicks in when painting, lol. I also use masking and grounds so it pays to stay clean and organized.
@brandymcintosh6687
3 жыл бұрын
Maaaan, your advice is always golden... Just the right amount of strict mixed with "you do you"... I've learned soooo much from you. Thank you for all you do!!
@rosemarycodron2634
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Emma. I Iive in a small coastal town in South Africa and I don't see 100% cotton watercolour paper. I have seen 400gm Canson acrylic paper. Could one use this for watercolour. It does say it can hold a lot of water. What do you think,? I have just bought Fabriani 300gms 140 lbs 7 × 12 inches but only 25% cotton. It's expensive. If I use a creamier watercolour it doesn't disappear. Otherwise adding more water the colour looks washed out. Sorry this is long winded. Would love your comment. I watch your channel and have learnt so much. Thankyou. Rosemary
@loveandlife4222
3 жыл бұрын
If you add white to your watercolor it turns it to an opaque color which looks more like gouache. Watercolor is transparent and to keep it that way keep adding water not white paint. That’s the reason for that rule. I agree with all of these rules except I often times will dip into and contaminate a color - but I never leave it contaminated because that would drive me crazy. As for cleaning off my palette - I do that between paintings only saving the colors I will use in my next painting. I generally use my entire palette and mix various colors of one color while I’m working so I like lots of mixing room. Every painting that I do the colors vary somewhat making a fresh palette necessary. I much prefer my ceramic palettes. I have several so sometimes I just grab a new one so I can reuse and save the paint on my old one. We all have our own ways and it’s hard to change unless your doing something that is really bad - like leaving your brush in water or tapping it on the bottom of the jar. I would never do those things because my brushes are much too precious to me. Those fine tips are delicate and need treated gently. Fun video! Thank you Emma!
@Scottlp2
3 жыл бұрын
Unless you want peach color, or strawberry milkshake color, etc. there is a brand of watercolor that sells some colors with white mixed in tints I think they are called.
@loveandlife4222
3 жыл бұрын
But those colors of watercolor are opaque - not transparent.
@schechter01
2 жыл бұрын
Good advice. These days I do loose monochromatic ink paintings, but watercolor is coming. I know it. The only question is exactly when, but I'll get there. This is off-topic but are you related to the archbishop Marcel LeFebvre?
@asburysolomons303
2 жыл бұрын
LOVE LOVE LOVE your channel! Thank you for the all the great ideas, and permission to be imperfect, creative and have fun!
@ArvoMovieMaster
2 жыл бұрын
You have amazing videos! Great techniques, inspiration, ideas, teachings, and personality!
@ciznuk7
3 жыл бұрын
I don't think there are really bad habits when it comes to art - except things like letting your brushes stay in the water over night because you damage your equipment and it costs you more money. I love using white - not because I'm unable to use more water but because I love the effect and look of it. Yeah watercolor purists react to this as if it's a crime but honestly I couldn't care less. You do you and I do as I please - it's art, its free and there are no rules to creativity.
@elizabethmcgregor1736
Ай бұрын
I agree with all except the "most important" one. I often leave paintings unfinished. I have severe anxiety (why I paint) and if I screw something up, I have to destroy it. I can't help myself. And NEVER have I continued it and had it look "better" or be "fixed." Not once.
@MMGARC
Жыл бұрын
Great tutorial.....and I loved #6 !!! Emma, you can be so Hilarious and crack me up! But seriously, I got a lot of good information from this. Made a lot of sense that I never really thought about. So Thank you (even for the laughs!!).
@mog-gyveroneill2500
2 жыл бұрын
Hmm, the last one...I have SOOO many unfinished paintings, both watercolour and acrylics, or technically W'sIP! Some of them are stagnant because I've gotten to the stage where every brush stroke saps my energy, or because it's gone so smoothly that I'm scared to 'ruin' it! BUT sometimes, just sometimes, if I've left a painting, put it away, for a while, and come back to it, I forget what it is that frustrated me, and think, 'wow, did I paint that, not too shabby!' I'm not a great artist, and don't do the forward thinking enough to keep the paper unpainted for the light source, so I do use white, but I'm learning all the time, even if I sometimes want to hurl my work into the recycling. I do cut out the best bits of failures and keep them in a scrapbook, it makes me look quite compitant! Love your channel.
@GuilHelmus
3 жыл бұрын
I'm glad you brought it lightly to us. Easy tips and we'll just see what we do with it :). Some days we will listen, most days we won't :).
@barriolson312
2 жыл бұрын
Number 7. Was doing a maritime painting...I hated the result, stiff, lifeless, uninteresting. So it was large, and on Arches cold pressed. Took it to the bathtub, washed it out, until it looked like early morning fog, went into it with wet on wet, added some small details, then it looked very mysterious. Took it to a show, A well known judge gave me best of show. So listen to number 7. It doesn't always work, but you learn something at the very least, and maybe it will turn out one of your best. Don't give up, and use good paper. It's why I like watercolor so much (as compared to) It's an adventure.
@user-gz4fo5nm6n
Жыл бұрын
OMG Thank you! You made me laugh out loud! I love you! glad I found your channel - a REAL person I can learn from and not feel like I'm being scolded and scoffed at! hooray! :-)
@highonart2204
3 жыл бұрын
Love your way of putting it accross Emma! Funny, gentle, open, wow!! 🙌
@marlbboro8091
Жыл бұрын
Bought a makeup brush dryer from Walmart $5 (they are on Amazon too) and hang my brushes -art and makeup, upside down after I have cleaned them. I left my Princeton brush by mistake, in water overnight and the chipping on the wood is depressing. I got some rocks from the beach and then just lay them at an angle, ferrule facing down when I rinsed them in between painting with them . I love love palette ‘dirt’ so rarely wash my palette.
@togetvj
3 жыл бұрын
Glad you said that, Emma, about washing brushes because in your introduction I saw the top of the ferrule go below water level (a no no) and the brush head being somewhat pounded on the bottom of the glass jar. Just saying. 🤐🤣 This reminded me so much of my dear departed mother who used to say so often throughout my childhood "Do as I say, not as I do". 🤣 PS to get into a tube of water colour where the lid has stuck to the tube, put the whole tube in tepid to warm water for a while and the top will screw off easily enough. Innit.
@EmmaLefebvre
3 жыл бұрын
I know it irks people for sure lol. And I know it looks like I’m being a bit rough with my brushes when doing that, but I swear I’m being gentle. I’ve had some of my brushes for years and they’ve lasted, even with me using them like that. I say, do what works for you 😁
@togetvj
3 жыл бұрын
@@EmmaLefebvre Of course you know I was just joking. Nothing to do with art irks me. Nothing at all. There is so much more in this world to get irked about. Love your videos and, importantly, your presentation and good humour.
@gelgoangel_0705
3 жыл бұрын
me playing this video while staring at the brush I left in the jar of water: 👁️👄👁️
@28878212
Жыл бұрын
In love with you Emma--you won my heart with your humorous discussion of the 11nth commandment, Thou Shalt Not Use White! Great job!
@watercolourmark
10 ай бұрын
We have white paint for a reason, to use it. Daniel Smith has a Lavender paint. It is a mixture of blue, violet and white. If Daniel Smith uses white to mix a hue then it would be wise not to tell watercolourists not to use it. But if you like washed out weak lavender then go for it.
@antoniolima1068
3 жыл бұрын
jesus... all that fluffy around and then... but ... cant stand emotional reasoning, so detrimental to developing of skills.
@annemiekebelgraver7400
3 жыл бұрын
It was informative and funny! Thanks 😀
@claireh457
3 жыл бұрын
I really enjoyed this especially your little snarling voice about not using white to lighten colors, very funny❗️❗️❗️❗️
@maritzagonzalez5324
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for not forgetting the first timers and inspiring me to discover a new way to put a little art in my life😊🤗
@donnaulrich4772
2 жыл бұрын
If you dip your paint brush, that has become misshaped by leaving it in water overnight, into boiling water for a quick second, it will return to shape. If the brush falls apart after doing this, you haven’t lost anything since it wasn’t useable for anything but mixing paint anyway!
@VanmeterFL
2 жыл бұрын
Great informational video. If I really mess up a painting, I'll splash it with color, laminate it, and cut the failed paper into strips for bookmarks. I punch a hole in one end, and add a little ribbon to slip into a card as a gift to a friend with the prettiest of these. Sadly, there are days I make way too many bookmarks. I'm also thankful I've only broken one of these rules in the past. My OCD has always had me fighting to keep from cleaning my palette. After studying various triads in a Jane Blundell class, I made up my three favorite triad mixing surfaces. When not in use, I keep them in their own container until I need their lovely colors again.
@Amzie-kx1xr
Жыл бұрын
I love your channel SO much! You paint in the style I would love to. I'm a beginner, but my dream is to one day be able to sell my work as printed cards and stationery. With practice, I hope I get there someday!
@thomasjuracek2406
3 жыл бұрын
Emma- sorry, going to disagree with cleaning the palette. No point in worrying over which paints are in the palette or how to mix colors if you are just going to start with whatever already exists? I am in the camp of clean the palette after each painting so that you can mix bright clean colors for the next project. Anytime you start mixing with a previously mixed color, you are asking for a muddy result. That is why, as you pointed out, you clean off the actual paint pans so that they are not contaminated. Exempting this “mistake”a very good video.
@jamesstanley9262
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for that. My experience contaminating pan colours not the same as contaminating colours fresh from the tube; almost impossible to remove that (darker) pigment which mixes into another colour.
@henrique552
2 жыл бұрын
Sorry for my poor english but i have to say: listen to you is just a pleasure and you are so adorable ( i don't know if that is the right word in this context haha) and i will for sure subscribe. It's so much fun to learn watching you and...yeah, congrats for your work and thanks for sharing it o/ until next video
@melissab3038
2 жыл бұрын
I cannot smash the like button enough! 😁🥰 Especially the last bad habit of leaving a painting unfinished. Because I have been dabbling in watercolor for FIVE YEARS and have tons of unfinished paintings that I feel terrible about! I probably have more unfinished paintings than finished ones. Yet people always compliment them when I do complete them. So thank you for giving me the kick in the pants that I really needed to hear.
@2annawen
3 жыл бұрын
I think you are a super funny and a sweetheart #7 Is my worst bad habbit, but i will say that ive been forging ahead! Great job on this video❤👍👍
@crazypabo5263
2 жыл бұрын
The last one called me out in 4D 😭. I got 4 acrylic painting incomplete cuz well it was frustrating as it wasn't coming together the way I wanted it ....ig I shld finish em now
@theunboiledfrog1258
2 жыл бұрын
First thing I taught my granddaughter (at age 2) “do not contaminate your colours!” Now she is 4 and us teaching her younger brother “do not contaminate your colours!” 🤣
@StarryDreamer28
3 жыл бұрын
I use plastic coffee jars for water which works til they wear out. but don't trust my hands with glass even though they last longer lol. when i try to lighten with water it washes away but I also use cheaper paint
@lisahopp1112
3 жыл бұрын
“Habits you need to stop... or not.” 🤣 I love vintage souvenir ashtrays, and I use them to hold and dry brushes horizontally. I like a clean palettes. I try so hard to be all free and keep on mixing. But it’s my thing....I love clean palettes. When a painting starts to go south, I make myself finish it. I figure I might as well get allllll the mistakes out of the way before trying again.
@abbyp.5845
2 ай бұрын
Your admissions to these mistakes and your facial expressions are priceless 😂 you're awesome, and I love watching your videos. You inspire me to keep going when I'm in a rut
@karonsky1
3 жыл бұрын
So helpful! You’re adorable and Soo real! Keep it up Emma💕🇨🇦
@meon3wheels
2 жыл бұрын
Good tips! It seems every watercolor teacher I've had will contradict the others. So, we have to find what works for ourselves. Thanks!
@kathleenmetcalf6767
Жыл бұрын
You're so funny! Love your approach to art! Thanks for making me smile today!
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