This is one of the best instructional videos I’ve ever seen on this subject ... new painters will save a lot of time and aggravation by watching.

There's nothing like actually teaching someone to paint to show you what people need to be taught!!! I've learned so much by trying to teach my 4 year old granddaughter to paint. She actually listens to my advise too!!!

The "How to load the brush" part is extremely precious for this second-time beginner. The first time I started watercolor, such info on KZfaq and the internet in general was quite rare. I also couldn't find affordable quality classes or seasoned painters to talk to, so I gave up. I was thinking how great it would be to have the same "How to load the brush" for wet-on-wet, then I saw the list of your "drills", and there is one, along with so many important subjects one needs to make progress. Thanks a lot! ☯🖌💝

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for making a video teaching these very basic basics. Most art channels don't explain these basic basics. And that makes it so so difficult. I've been searching for tutorials explaining how in the world to do it and can't say how thankful I am for your series on these basic and the length in which you explain and demonstrate these things!

Lovely video! ☺️ I would like to add that brushes with softer bristles, like squirrel hair or synthetic squirrel hair (which seems to be a bit "snappier" than the real hair), do not bounce back the way you mention, and that is in no way an indicator of them being of lower quality. It is just the way that hair behaves. They tend to hold more water, and sometimes pigment, which can be useful. So if you are struggling with that and are using a plain synthetic, maybe look for something that will hold more water to begin with. Also, some very good brushes release water and pigment very evenly. So, in the "chain of leaves" you made, with both thin and thick lines, with a brush like that you would not see "puddles" of pigment (or water) in the same way. My personal favourites are the Tintoretto Pocket/travel brushes, in their mop series. I think it's the line 1337. Hope this might help someone! 😊

I can't thank you enough! After 2 frustrating days of playing with watercolors, I have found your videos and watched a couple of them. The one where you explain how too much water and cheap paper creates problems was an eye-opener. Then I watched this video and created a page of all the types of strokes you showed with a red paint only. What a relief!!! I finally feel in control of my color distribution on the page. Even the tip with the "puddles" was a treasure in and of itself. Before seeing how you do it I struggled with picking up enough pigment from my pallettes. Thank you so much! I feel that now I am going to start progressing towards the abstract painting that have been my vision to create. You demonstrate and explain things so clearly! A super valuable instruction! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I'm just starting out. I've watched lots of videos and had lots of false starts but this video has been so, so helpful. You are the first person who has explained about needing a puddle actually in the paint. Thank you so much. I will be watching all your videos now and finally feel I have found someone who will help me get somewhere with enjoyment instead of frustration. Thank you!

Thank you! I think this is the first video I have ever seen that shows how to load the brush - one of my greatest points of indecision!

Hi Emma, could you please do a video on edges...lost and found ,soft and hard etc..and how to use it to our advantage?

Thank you, Emma. With you I practice two things: watercolor and english. Sometimes it's better to back to basics

Like the spray bottle but I've switched to an eye dropper and distilled water in the bottle. Works super for me.

I rarely, if ever, comment on KZfaq videos, but I'm going to now because I can't hold back. This is one of the best watercolor videos out there. I struggle SO much with this medium, and have never seen a fantastic beginner video like this. Thank you, thank you for this. I'll be binge watching this weekend!! 😊😊

This has been the best video for beginners I’ve come across. I am on Skillshare and NO ONE talks about how to wet the paint, how to transfer the paint into the palette and how to wet the brushes!!! Thank you for this! I have a cheapO palette with pans as a starter, but I’m already looking into a White Nights or W&N palette…

I've been painting for watercolor for several years, at least. Thanks so much for teaching these basics that I never knew!

I'm an educator myself, Emma and you are a real natural. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

No, thank YOU for these basic instructions....SO necessary! I painted for years (long ago) in oils and had just started dabbling in watercolors when my sister, that I was very close to, died. I quit painting and just recently decided to start in w'colors again. I was getting so frustrated watching other videos and trying to duplicate what they did....then I found your drills and WOW, I don't feel like giving up. I think I actually might learn.

You are a wonderful teacher, Emma! Thanks for the great quality and content of your tutorials. They’re so very helpful.

Thank you! I have been really struggling with the basics. So many tutorials take for granted a student knows the basics and it gets really frustrating.

I'm entering my second year of watercolor painting, and I will be doing this this week. I wish I learned as a kid, but learning as an adult is almost more fun!

Finally someone who touches on the real basics. I left a watery mess on my first attempt. Clueless. Was thinking this is just not for me. I will try your lessons. Thank you.

Your instructions are very clear and so helpful to a beginner like myself - thank you. I will keep this in mind while painting.

I learned so much from this - I am just a beginner and have been struggling with the amount of water - things no one tells you 😂 much appreciated!!! I love your videos!!!

Your the best teacher. Thanks so much

Thanks Emma, very helpful tips! I realized not too long ago, that because I am right handed, I was always practicing my strokes and techniques from right to left. Now, I practice right -left, vertical, diagonal, left-right, etc. My right sided strokes will always be dominant, but I have definitely seen improvement and have learned more control by doing so. Just one of my helpful tips.

Bonsoir Emma Jane! J’ai débuté l’aquarelle il y a environ 3 mois. La pratique de l’exercice de cette vidéo m’a grandement fait progresser concernant le contrôle de l’eau. Vos explications sont claires. Alors, maintenant je peux analyser les résultats de mes gestes. Merci beaucoup et svp continuer vos vidéos. Vous faites une excellente pédagogue !

Thank you so much AGAIN! I'm now a fan! This whole "drill" series is the perfect introduction to watercolor for ANY beginner, whatever they plan to paint later. You share all the essentials with such a cheerful demeanor and casual tone that it drives out the common stress beginners feel, letting them focus on the basics. Your steady hand and just so brush loading and gestures are very visible, which makes them obvious qualities to emulate, motivating the learner.

Look at all that love they’re giving you in the comments Emma. I’m not a beginner and many of these things I’ve practiced, but I’ve been having the hardest time getting that soft blend. It’s got to be because I’m holding the brush at the wrong angle so I’ll give your tip a go. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge. Blessings to you!

I hadn’t given much thought to the hold of paintbrush, but you’ve made some really good points here! I definitely need to remind myself to move my arm and not my wrist, sometimes it’s difficult to break out of habits

Hi Emma, I am a new subscriber. I've been looking for a basic video, on exactly what you are showing here, so I am thrilled to have found you.

Just started to ´paint ´ for the first time since childhood. Activate the color ! That sentence made me subscribe ! Thank you 😊

Emma, I was an art major 50+ years ago and I want you to know that I learned more from this video than I did in 3 years of school. Thank you so much for starting at the beginning. I never knew I had to activate my paint. I am looking forward to trying all the drills and being able to turn out some acceptable work. You are a fabulous teacher. Thank you.

You have made watercolor so easy to learn, tysm for these videos!

I've just started painting with watercolours and could not get any pigment - this has helped me so much thank you.

I have learned so much more from you Emma than any other watercolor artist or instructor. You explain everything so well. Thanks so much for sharing your gifts of teaching and watercolor. I am so happy I found your channel.

Thank you, I’m new to watercolor and this helped immensely.

Big thanks to your niece for providing the beginner perspective!

Great video. Boy did I need this even though I’ve been playing with watercolors. Explains so much. Thank you ❤❤❤

Ok. I’m one that likes to just go for it and ‘let’s just paint’! But I can’t tell you how many times I felt rigid while painting and I wasn’t having fun!And that is the point right? To have fun! I knew deep down I was really lacking something. And it’s this! These beginner videos!!! Ha ha. Thank you Emma. I’m so excited to learn the basics! Wish I would have started here! lol. Soft edges. Oh my goodness. I did not know how to do that! Now I do. :). Yay!!😊thank you. You are a wonderful teacher and artist. We are blessed!

Awesome , awesome and useful instruction - thanks so much Emma

I’ve been doing watercolor since October 2021. Your tutorials are the best! Thank you!

I'm new at watercolor painting and I have been watching your videos. I'm going to go through all of these drills so you can teach me correctly. I love your paintings So from Canada to Ohio here we go !!

Hi Emma...thank you for teaching us. You inspire me

wow !!!❤❤ thank u god for shoing me this gem of a lesson

Ah ha!!! That makes so much sense now. Thank you 😊 xx

Love understanding the horizontal hold, many thanks for sharing your skills.

Excellent instruction and clarity. Thank you.

This is a very helpful video and helps me understand why I was experiencing some of the things you have described in this video.

Very informative video. It’s the first time I see watercolour drills. I really appreciated this video. Thank you. Helene

Thank you Emma. This is really helpful. I have struggled with getting a rich color despite using Prof. Grade W&N paints and decent(ish) paper. Now I know why.

Sooo helpful! Thank you very much! I will watch all the tutorials in the links in this video!

I just started watercolors. I’m so glad I found you. I’ve been teaching myself through trial and error. Mostly error lol. I’m learning a lot. Thank you!

This is so incredibly helpful! Many thanks!

Right as i was about to ask about those “blooms” on the paper and wondering is it the paper? You answered my question! Haha That could be a neato look!

Thanks. This is exactly what I needed to learn. You're a great teacher!

This is exactly what I've been looking for since trying to teach myself to paint this year. Thank you!

Do you have a wonderful ability to break steps down and make them clear to beginners like me. I was doing watercolor seven years ago on my own and doing OK until I took three lessons and got so discouraged that I quit and only just recently picked it back up. This tutorial was exactly what I needed! I wonder if you could do a video or maybe you already have, of exactly your hand position when you do different strokes, especially the horizontal hold. I couldn’t really see how you were holding it. I’m going to keep going with all your beginner tutorials! Thanks so much.

Wow, so glad I found your channel! I'm a new subscriber and a new watercolorist!

Thank you, Emma! I smiled through the whole video. Your instruction was so very clear and well-organized, with helpful demos. It was exactly what I needed! Thank you for that well-thought out lesson! Youve motivated me to put brush to paper and practice and learn from the different techniques, all the while taking in the beauty created anytime you put down watercolor.

This is excellent. I struggle with how much paint to use. Practicing this chart will sort that out! Thank you!

Thanks a million Emma. I’ve learnt so much. That horizontal info was so amazing. 🙏🏻😍

Good stuff!😊 useful teachings on important techniques!

You are a natural born teacher 💚🤗

Wow! I wish I had discovered you earlier. I have a terrible time with watercolours, but now I feel some hope entering my challenged brain. Thank you. 🇨🇦😊

Watched this video over n over.. every single time i find this usefull.. all of your drill videos actually

Just started teaching my mom and niece watercolor basics and this is so perfect to show them! Thanks a million!!

This is such a helpful video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

This was a wonderful tutorial!!!!! Thank you

You have just adressed the biggest nemesis of the beginer's water color least understood basic technique. Thank you! Been w.c. painting for just over a year and never knew this. Have heard lots about water control but was never instructed to these very basic ways of control.

This is a great video for instruction for me. I learned so much...thank you for your efforts.

Emma, I love your teaching style. You are so patient. I am having a problem making the petal drill on the loose floral tutorial. Can you provide information on how to create the rounded end rather than the pointed edge like a leaf? Thank you.

I love your drills, and this one especially! You always give me permission to practice/play! I will do this more often to loosen my grip and let the flow happen! Thanks and Happy New Year, Karen Dirmisg

This was really fun to do!!! Thank you so much 😊

Your instructions are so helpful and I love how you demonstrate everything. Thank you. 💜

I use the horizontal hold, loaded with dry paint ( in different values) to create texture on leaves or sand! Thanks for this tutorial, Emma!

That horizontal hold bit was my lightbulb moment. I've been trying to create that effect for awhile now but always ended up overworking the blend because it never occurred to me to hold the brush horizontally. Thanks, Emma. Tiny request, if you have time, would you be willing to put your Drills video into a single playlist and then add this video to it? It's sometimes hard to tell which video cane out first on KZfaq. Sending ❤️ and ☮️

I want to learn water color to make my heart sing. This the first helpful video I have seen. Intend to watch the rest. Anne D Charlotte nc

Emma this video had helped me so much! This so informative and you explain the processes so clearly as you do in all of your videos. Love them all. I really have lots of fun practicing along with you. Again thanks so very much🤗🤗

Newbie here! You make it look so easy and I was feeling a little discouraged, but I can see improvement after doing these practice drills! This video was very helpful.Thank you so much!

This is a great lesson! You are a wonderful teacher! Thank you so much.🥰

Thank you so much for your tutorials!

Very helptul, thanks Emma!

I'm so glad I went back through your videos and found this. I'm still trying to master watercolors and sometimes I feel I flop at water control

Thank you for showing us these much needed tips!

This is very helpful. Thank you so much for sharing.

Thank you Emma , you're an amazing teacher. Loved your effective method of instruction.

Thank you so much!! This is the first video that has helped me understand how to use watercolors!!

This video is so helpful to understand the fundamentals of watercolor, plus technique. Thank you so much!

Finally I understand. You are a such great teacher!

Thank you Thank you thank you! This was sooo helpful!

Glad I watched, initially thought I didn't need too lol I has lots of learning to do 😜

Fantastic video thank you so helpful!☘️☘️☘️

Thank you!! I've watched SO MANY videos the last few days, but this has helped me tremendously.

I have a bunch of little bottles with droppers that held my dogs various tonics and remedies. I clean them out and fill with clear water. Add a few drops to each pan I’m using after one all over spray. Works really well to create paint puddles! I have a dirty one that I use to dip into used water jars when I don’t need clean water. So handy

Thanks so much for sharing your skills. I see I have a lot of practice to do! So enjoy your videos. Thanks for sharing.

Emma, thank you so much for this great tutorial. I have struggled with water:paint ratios for a long time and have watched tons of videos. I think yours is the first one that actually explained how to manage this when using pan paints instead of fresh from the tube laid out right in the mixing space. I’ve been watching you for a couple of years now, and it has been so much fun watching your skills grow. I love your style, so well done without sketching! Your baby must be a toddler by now; would love to see you paint with him sometime, just for fun (check out a Bobby Parish video sometime, with his little girl Rose - so cute)!

I am stunned.been watercoloring.a long time.this is fabulous. You are.a sweet genius to me.very helpful.thanks.

Long time since last time I practiced watercolor, but this video really makes me feel the longing. So accurate!

Excellent tutorial !

Just what I needed -- Great Job:). Great info as well.

Great tutorial Emma ! thank you so much for sharing ! Awesome !