Learn to Paint Watercolors In Just 20 Minutes a Day

Art has been an important part of my world all of my life with grandmothers, mother, aunt, cousins and my own son being accomplished artists in a differing specialties of mediums. I took a watercolor class in college but didn’t learn much including the differences in paint quality, papers and brushes nor techniques such as water, brush or paint control and consistency. I lost interest due to lack of knowledge along with a great deal of frustration. Christmas ’23 my sister sent me a small bookmark she had water colored for me. She had taken up watercolor as a way to pass the long winter hours in Washington state and though she is not an artist nor one of your students, she did a fair job for a beginner and I loved it! I loved it so much that at 67, I decided to try watercolor again. I started with YouTube floral, basic brush strokes and student quality supplies but quickly outgrew this. I found you on YouTube one day and began searching out your videos so joined Watercolor Mastery in October.

Your manner of speaking, teaching and style of painting are amazing and speak to my own style and attention to detail. Once I understood the mechanics (I’m still learn!) and nature of controlling water, I was amazed at my accomplishments. I am also most appreciative of your short tutorials on these mechanics with step by step introduction and demonstration where I am able to simultaneously paint along side with you. I am then able to choose my own subject, do my own drawing and reference your video for help and encouragement!

Lastly, and perhaps most of all, I do so very appreciate hearing your encouraging words to continue trying no matter the outcome. I love hearing how its alright to make mistakes and messes, all watercolor paintings go through ugly phases and to just push through then try again. My paintings are never ruined but rather are lessons in learning. I proudly display worst paintings because there is a better painting beside it!

Thank you, Emily, for giving me this gift at this time in my life! Please keep going, teaching and encouraging me and others to keep going as well!

I’m 66 years old, wasn’t good at art as a child, and never thought I’d go beyond making pictures with the grandkids. But I needed a new hobby while recovering from pneumonia and have always loved watercolor art, so decided to give it a go. I’ve been painting for over two months now. I learned some basic techniques, such as color mixing, layering, working wet, damp and dry, from a book and from other youtube tutorials. I discovered that I like to learn by doing paintings, especially by following artists as they explain things step-by-step. Watercolor Mastery offers those kind of tutorials. Emily is so good at explaining things as we go along. I’ve also discovered that, at this point, I don’t enjoy it as much when the picture becomes too abstract. I love seeing my paintings come alive with the finer details of eyes, fur, veins in leaves etc. I appreciate that this program includes help with merging the natural loosensess of watercolor with detail. Finally, Emily’s love for painting and beauty in nature is encouraging and inspiring.

I joined a month ago. I’m enjoying the daily challenge and I see slow improvement in my drawing and painting. I see people put up pictures they painted on Facebook. I’m not that brave yet but so enjoying the journey!!

Course is challenging, yet easy to follow. I have been doing some of the projects twice, and find the second time I have improved.

Thank you for your expertise & putting this course together!

You keep your promise. Because I paint every day I haven’t been able to tell how much or how little I’ve improved. Yesterday I viewed all the paintings that I’;ve posted on your website and I was amazed at how far I’ve progressed since I joined in December 2023. I wondered if I would ever be capable of painting a good watercolor without tutelage, well I’m confident now that I can strike out on my own. That doesn’t mean I’ve learned everything you have to offer, I’m still a beginner. Things I’ve learned: better control of the amount of water needed for different effects; using the belly of the brush, the importance of good paper, brushes and paint; how to lift paint (and I’m the queen of lifting); why my paintings got muddy; improved shading; mixing paint directly on the paper; not to give up while in the ugly stage – persevere until the end and trust the process (sometimes I’m stunned at how well I painted); and being a member of a support group with major benefits of encouragement and validation. I’m sure I’ve forgotten much in this writing but I hear your voice every time I meet a challenge or lose confidence. You’ll be with me always and I’m so very grateful that you were led to reach out to many and that I’m included. Thank you Emily for promoting and improving skills that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Thank you, thank you.

I hear you talking in my head whenever I paint. NowIf I would just listen consistently. I am having more successes and more fun. I am learning my paints and brushes-Silver black velvet! The size 8 arrived today. I am learning to anticipate the “danger zone” and stop and let thing dry. Alos, don’t overwork areas nearly as much as I used to.

I would live to see a tutorial on paining wrinkled, folded, draped cloth.

A Facebook friend asked me what tutorials I was doing so I hope I pushed some more business your way.

I am so glad I found your courses. I love the way you teach and your sweet, gentle demeanor.

I really love the videos, not too long, just perfect and I love all the choices that I have to practice different skills. The only thing is that I had send an e-mail before subscribing because I wanted to subscribe for a year but I did not receive any answer…so I was disapointed but I did subscribe anyway for lifetime 🙂