Watercolor Painting Tutorials

Watercolor Painting Tutorials

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All of the tutorials on this page involve the use of watercolor paints. Watercolors have been a choice of medium for many artists and illustrators over the years.  They are relatively inexpensive and easy to use "on site".  Watercolors are noted by their translucency.  Although white is sometimes available as a color, most watercolor purists accept that the "whites" should be produced by the whiteness of the surface.  By varying the amount of water used to thin the paints, a range of value can be produced. 

Watercolors are mostly used on papers.  Watercolor papers are available in a variety of thicknesses and "tooth".  Thicker papers are able to accept more water without wrinkling and are generally more expensive. 

Watercolor paints are produced as dry cakes that activate when water is added to them.  They also come in tubes like traditional paints.

Take a look at the tutorials below to improve your watercolor painting techniques. 

WATERCOLOR PAINTING LESSONS

How to Paint an Eye with WatercolorHow to Paint an Eye with Watercolor
A look at painting an eye with watercolor. 
Paint Trees with Watercolor HeaderHow to Paint Trees with Watercolor
A look at painting 3 different types of trees with watercolor.  
Easy Watercolor LandscapeEasy Watercolor Landscape
An easy approach to creating a watercolor landscape using only a few colors and masking fluid. 
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Watercolor Workshop Module OneThe Watercolor Workshop 1 - Introduction and Materials
An introduction to The Watercolor Workshop video course.
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The Watercolor Workshop 2 - Brushes and Surfaces
Composition of watercolor paint, common brushes and surfaces, and stretching watercolor paper.
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Watercolor Application TechniquesThe Watercolor Workshop 3 - Application Techniques
A look at twelve common application techniques for painting with watercolor.
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Color Theory and Mixing for WatercolorThe Watercolor Workshop 4 - Color Theory and Mixing
Color theory for watercolor painting and how warm and cool primaries affect mixed colors.
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Watercolor CompositionThe Watercolor Workshop 5 - Composition / Still Life
Compositional strategies for arranging a still life for a watercolor painting.
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Watercolor Still LifeThe Watercolor Workshop 6 - Still Life Sketch Conclusion
The conclusion of the still life painting that was started in module 5.
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Watercolor Woodland Landscape Part 1The Watercolor Workshop 7 - Woodland Landscape Part 1
Part one of a series on painting the landscape with watercolors using warm and cool hues to produce contrast and space.
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Watercolor Woodland Landscape Part 2The Watercolor Workshop 8 - Woodland Landscape Part 2
Part two of a series on painting the landscape with watercolors using warm and cool hues to produce contrast and space.
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Watercolor Cityscape Part 1The Watercolor Workshop 9 - Cityscape Part 1
Part one of a series on painting a cityscape with watercolor. Techniques for simplification are presented and implemented.
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Watercolor Cityscape Part 1The Watercolor Workshop 10 - Cityscape Part 2
Part two of a series on painting a cityscape with watercolor. The cityscape painting is completed by developing details.
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Watercolor portraitThe Watercolor Workshop 11 - Portrait Painting Part 1
Part one of a series on painting a portrait with watercolor. Transferring images and mixing skin tones is covered.
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Watercolor portraitThe Watercolor Workshop 12 - Portrait Painting Part 2
Part two of a series on painting a portrait with watercolor. Values and tones are layered to complete the face and hair in this module.
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Watercolor portraitThe Watercolor Workshop 13 - Portrait Painting Part 3
Part three of a series on painting a portrait with watercolor. The clothing and the background are completed in this module.
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Watercolor pencils Orchid Part 1The Watercolor Workshop 14 - Watercolor Pencils Part 1
Part one of a two-part series on drawing/painting with watercolor pencils. Characteristics of watercolor pencils are explored and a painting is started.
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Watercolor pencils Orchid Part 2The Watercolor Workshop 15 - Watercolor Pencils Part 2
Part two of a two-part series on drawing/painting with watercolor pencils. A painting of an orchid is completed.
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Mixing media with watercolor part 1The Watercolor Workshop 16 - Mixing Media Part 1
Part one of a two-part series on mixing media with watercolor applications. Initial washes of color are applied.
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Mixing media with watercolor part 1The Watercolor Workshop 17 - Mixing Media Part 2
Part two of a two-part series on mixing media with watercolor applications. Pen and ink, pastel, and pastel pencil are applied over the watercolor painting.
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Painting with GouacheThe Watercolor Workshop 18 - Painting with Gouache
Learn how to paint with gouache (opaque watercolor) in this module from "The Watercolor Workshop".
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Watercolor Pencils Live Lesson Part 1Watercolor Pencils Part 1 - Full Length Video (1:04:55)
A simple landscape is started using Derwent watercolor pencils. Colors are layered and activated with water.
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Watercolor Pencil Landscape Part 2Watercolor Pencils Part 2 - Full Length Video (1:13:14)
A simple landscape is completed using Derwent watercolor pencils. Local colors and details are added.
How to choose the right paint brushHow to Choose The Right Paint Brush
Everything you need to know about paint brushes. Brush hair types, shapes, marks, and parts are all covered in this video, comprehensive guide, and infographic.
Expressive Watercolor PaintingExpressive Watercolor Painting
Learn how an underpainting can be used to produce expressive colors in a watercolor painting.
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Colored Pencil Course 20 - Watercolor Pencils-Part 1
Learn how to create with watercolor pencils in this first of a two-part series.
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Colored Pencil Course 21 - Watercolor Pencils-Part 2
Learn how to apply and activate watercolor pencils in this second part of a two-part series.
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Watercolor TreesWatercolor Trees - Full Length Video (1:06:25)
Use watercolor to create trees using a combination of just a few colors in this recorded Live Lesson.
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Watercolor and Pen and Ink Part 1 - Full Length Video (1:02:35)
1st part of a two-part series on combining watercolor and pen and ink. Recorded Live Lesson.
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Watercolor and Pen and Ink Part 2 - Full Length Video (50:08)
2nd part of a two-part series on combining watercolor and pen and ink. Recorded Live Lesson.
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Watercolor Waves - Full Length Video (58:03)
Learn how to create the illusion of waves using watercolor in this recorded live lesson.
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Dual Tone Watercolor PaintingDual Tone Watercolor Painting - Full Length Video (1:01:16)
Paint with just two colors and the values of those colors in this recorded live lesson.
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Snow Scene with GouacheSnowy Scene with Gouache - Full Length Videos (2:05:23)
Learn how to use gouache and masking fluid to create a snowy scene in this two part recorded Live Lesson. Part One (59:46) Part Two (1:05:47)
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Watercolor and Colored PencilsWatercolor and Colored Pencils- Full Length Videos (2:38:16)
Learn how to combine watercolor and colored pencils in this two part recorded Live Lesson. Part One (1:20:19) Part Two (1:18:03)
miniature watercolor paintingMiniature Watercolor Painting
Miniature watercolor painting demonstration
Combine Tempera Paint and Colored Pencils
Learn how to combine tempera paint and colored pencils in this demonstration that features creating an image of an eye from imagination. 
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Use Masking Fluid to Create a Watercolor Waterfall - Full Length Video (58:49)
Learn how to use masking fluid to create a watercolor waterfall in this recorded Live Lesson.
Paint with GouachePaint with Gouache
Gouache (Opaque Watercolor) painting demonstration of a tree.
Paint with GouacheThe Basics of Gouache Painting
Excerpts of a 1 hour Live Lesson on painting with gouache
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Paint with GouacheThe Basics of Gouache Painting - Full Length Video (1:01:07)
Follow along as an apple is painted using the opaque watercolor medium of gouache in this full length video demonstration.
How to Paint BirdsHow to Paint Birds
Video tutorial on how to paint birds in the medium of gouache (Opaque Watercolor).
Watercolor Pencil Demonstration - Full Length Video (54:54)
Paint a bird using watercolor pencils in this recorded live lesson.
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Watercolor Painting of OrangesWatercolor Painting of Oranges - Full Length Video (1:00:48)
Learn how to layer watercolor to create a still life painting in this recorded live lesson. 
How to Lift WatercolorHow to Lift or Erase Watercolor
Learn how to lift watercolor paint in this painting lesson
Free Painting Lessons- Watercolor Skecth of a BarnWatercolor Sketch of a Barn
Learn how to use basic watercolor techniques in this free painting lesson video.
Watercolor PapersAll About Watercolor Papers
Learn all about watercolor papers and decide which surface is best for your needs.
Free Painting Lessons-Watercolor PencilsWatercolor Pencil Techniques
Learn how to use watercolor pencils in this video tutorial.
Watercolor Pencils ExcerptsWatercolor Pencil Demonstration
Learn how to paint an iris using watercolor pencils in this video. (excerpts from a Live Lesson)
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Watercolor Pencils ExcerptsWatercolor Pencil Demonstration - Full Length Video (1:14:07)
Follow along as watercolor pencils are used to create a watercolor sketch of an iris in this full length video demonstration.
How-to-Use-colored-pencils-with-watercolorHow to Combine Watercolor and Colored Pencils
Learn how to use watercolor with colored pencils in this drawing/painting lesson
Watercolor Painting of a TroutWatercolor Painting of Trout Time Lapse
Time lapse video of an informational painting of a trout.
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Watercolor Painting of a TroutWatercolor Painting of a Trout - Full Length Video (53:33)
Watch and learn how to paint a trout from start to finish with watercolor and colored pencils in this full length video.
Pen and Ink Watercolor Painting TutorialWatercolor and Pen and Ink
Excerpts from the 2 hour watercolor and pen and ink tutorial.
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Pen and Ink Watercolor Painting TutorialWatercolor and Pen and Ink Full Length Videos (2:08:30)
Learn how to layer pen and ink over watercolor in this two part video series. Part One (1:09:57) Part Two (58:23)
Watercolor-and-Pen-and-InkWatercolor and Pen and Ink Sketch
Learn how to combine Watercolor and Pen and ink to create loose sketches in this video drawing lesson
Free Painting Lessons-Color TheoryColor Theory
Color theory is an important part of painting.  Learn the basics of color theory including the color wheel, color values, and color schemes.
Interactive Color WheelThe Interactive Color Wheel
Learn color theory the easy and fun way with The Interactive Color Wheel.

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