Learn how to add simple backgrounds to your nature journal sketches. Turn a noun (bluebird) into a story (Bluebird feeding from branches beneath a White Oak on a hot sunny day.). Filmed live as a part of the Nature Journal Workshop.
Category: Watercolor
Techniques and materials to help you paint with watercolor.
How to Draw a Shiny Beetle (video)
Carolyn found a shiny water beetle near our house. When I painted it I got a rather dull looking drawing. In this video, I rework the sketch to make it look glossy. The trick is punching up the contrast. Please excuse problems with the sound sync on this video. I was able to correct most
How to Paint with a Waterbrush (video)
The waterbrush is an amazing little tool that revolutionized the way I paint, sketch, and journal. They make the logistics of watercolor, watercolor pencils, water-soluble pencils, or water-soluble pen washes easier in the field. In this class, you will explore watercolor techniques that will help you quickly add color and value to your sketches. learn
Paint a Blue Jay step-by-step
Paint a scientific illustration of a Blue Jay with watercolor in this step-by-step demonstration.
How to paint a sunrise landscape with a waterbrush.
I love painting with waterbrushes. They are now the only brushes I use, even in the studio. They easily create graded washes (an application of paint that transitions from more intense pigment to a pale tint) which I find everywhere in nature. As you paint, the pigment in the brush gets used up but the
How to paint clouds with a flat waterbrush
Flat brushes are incredible tools for creating the random edges of clouds. By twisting the brush between your fingers and rocking it to paint with edges or corners you build beautiful chaotic patterns. If you try to create these kinds of edges with a regular brush, you may easily fall into a pattern of regular
A Better DIY Altoids palette
Hey there do it yourselfer’s. I saw a brilliant way to improve the Altoids palette: rigid paint pans, nothing to fall out, and easy to transfer to a new tin if your old Altoids box starts to rust. The secret is mini ice-cube trays. It’s a good-looking little kit. You get lots of pans to hold your color. My
The Watercolorist’s Bag of Tricks (video)
Have you mastered flat and graded washes and are looking for techniques to broaden your watercolor game? In this workshop we explore techniques to extend the possibilities of watercolor. Before you watch, grab your sketchbook, watercolor kit, Pentel Aquash Large waterbrush, a white crayon, and a white Prismacolor pencil. In this class we will learn
Sierra Sunset Landscapeito
There you are in the High Sierra. The sun has set over a nearby ridge and the light is beginning to fail. As you put on your hat and extra layers to prepare for the night, you look to the east and see the “Belt of Venus”. The blue line, low across the sky made
Blue Grosbeak & Watercolor Washes
Paint a Grosbeak with Watercolor! The Blue Grosbeak is a stunning bird with rich colors, a delight to paint. Use this bird as a study to practice using flat washes to build up colors. Download and print the line drawing and paint over it. This way you will not worry about messing up a drawing