Resources for beginners

Once you gather your supplies….

What do I need to learn first? Where do I begin?

There are many resources available, such as online tutorials and classes, books, art supply websites, and in-person classes.

For a free 7-day trial of my Patreon courses:  Diann Zimmerman – Patreon.

Online Training
Many artists have online classes and learning programs for monthly subscriptions. Here are a few I have tried:

Anna Mason Art – If you like realism, this is it. She offers a free Pear tutorial so you can try out her teaching style before subscribing.

Let’s Make Art – This is a fun site. The art is happy, great for beginners, and Sarah Cray’s videos are a joy to watch. She is such a cheerful lady. They offer monthly subscription box where you receive a box each month with 4 projects, complete with paper, reference photo, outlines to trace, and paint. You do not have to subscribe to their monthly subscription to have access to the outlines and videos. I love this about that company! Tutorials are available on YouTube and their outlines are available on their website.

Angela Fehr – She offers a free Watercolour Jumpstart course for free. Her art is loose, and gorgeous. She has great tutorials for techniques. When I grow up, I want to paint like her!

 

Patreon
Some instructors offer training by monthly subscription through Patreon. Each teacher has a different pricing model, including tiered pricing. Most watercolor teachers have monthly subscriptions available for $10 or less. Popular instructors include:

• Ellen Crimi Trent
• Lynn D. Pratt Paintings
• Karen Rice Art Channel
• Yong Chen
• Louise De Masi
• Andrew Geeson
• Maria Raczynska
• Michele Webber
• Lois Davidson Art

Skillshare
Skillshare has over 20 thousand classes available covering a huge variety of topics. The entire catalog can be accessed for a monthly fee. Popular watercolor instructors include:

• Yana Shvets
• Louise De Masi

 

YouTube
YouTube  has thousands and thousands of free tutorials. If you search for “beginner watercolor technique tutorial” in YouTube, you will find many free videos. Here are some of the artists I subscribe to because I love their art and teaching style:

• Andrew Geeson – loose painting
• Paul Clark – offers free outlines on his website for his tutorials
• Yong Chen – amazing artist and great teacher, you will learn a lot of color mixing using limited palette
• Jo MacKenzie – offers great info on color mixing and seeing values and shapes
• Ksenia Annis Tummy Rubb Studio – amazing artist, and explains things very well
• Lois Davidson – loose style painting with fun techniques
• Watercolor by Shibasaki – he’s such a happy man, his joy for painting comes through and it makes me smile
• In the Studio with Michele Webber – she is a member in the Facebook group and is so helpful to other members
• Nil Rocha Art – ink and wash
• Peter Sheeler – ink and wash
• Ian Fennelly – urban sketching
• Liron Yancansky – love his approach to art, he simplifies the process
• Ellen Crimi-Trent –
• Chris Petri – goes through the entire process, from drawing to painting (you will learn to draw with him!)
• The Mind of Watercolor – has great beginner tutorials
• Geoff Kersey – landscapes, and he goes step by step

 

Painting Guides:   these books have outlines you may trace, and step by step instructions.

Click here to see a list of guides I highly recommend.

 

If you have Kindle Unlimited, there are many watercolor books available for no additional cost than the monthly Kindle Unlimited fee. Check your local library. Some libraries have an e-Book program.  Free!  I love free. If you’re on a budget, try used book stores.  I love cheap. And finally, there are the online bookstores. They’re convenient, but you’ll pay full price.

 

Art Supply Websites
Most offer free online tutorials, demos, and resources.  Also, check their Facebook page and Instagram.  Here are a few that have good resources, articles, demos, tutorials:

Jerry’s Artamara Learning and Art Education

Cheap Joe’s Artist Resources

Jackson’s Art – Watercolour Painting blog

Winsor & Newton education

Sennelier Colours blog

 

In-Person Classes
You may have classes in your area.

• Your local community art society or art league
• College or university for leisure learning classes
• Some art supply stores have classrooms and offer classes
• Google search “art teacher near me”

 

Final Words

YOU CAN DO THIS! And with practice, YOU WILL DO THIS!

When shopping online, please consider using our Affiliate Links

We have affiliate links for Amazon, Jackson’s Art Supply, Jackman’s Art Materials, SketchBox, SAA, The Artist Life, Da Vinci Paints.  There are discount codes for The Artist Life (15%), SketchBox (10%), Jackman’s Art Materials (10%).

 

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