You are my FAVORITE water colorist by far! And I agree with ALL of your tips. I began learning with Joe Fettingus at bi annual workshops and he was a spokesperson for Arches, I’ve kept all their magazine adds with his paintings to remind me that there is no replacement for 100% cotton paper. My style is different from yours but I’m going to try the Chinese Zodiac signs as a series and apply your tips and examples. I’m 80 years old and didn’t do any art until I retired from medicine but that’s not stopping my learning every day. One more tip that I think is critical for me. Keep all your supplies organized, clean and easy to set up. Early on, by the time I had amassed everything to paint I was over it already. So I created a dedicated storage area in my home and everything is organized in old wooden wine carriers with handles that I have painted with acrylics so set up is quick, easy and inspiring. God Bless.

I'm not an artist, just some who enjoys and is engrossed in your work. In my opinion, your advise for learning watercolor techniques can be apply to most hobbies in which you would like to improve. Since many activities intended to enhance leisure are taught rigidly, I agree with your tips. Not everyone will or wants to become a professional artist, yet we all want to improve. Finding a safe place, like this channel, to do so is very encouraging. I love the consistency of your voice. It has an ASMR vibe which is pleasing, feels nonjudgemental but honest. 💜💜💜💜💜

It's amazing how much your early learning issues come down to paper. Not just watercolor, but colored pencil, graphite, anything on paper. Everything "works" better and achieves more depth on proper paper. But the nice thing about cheaper paper? You can REALLY appreciate how much value you get out of better supplies, which takes an edge out of one's frugality.

@AnnaBucciarelli

2 күн бұрын

💯 agree 👌😊

I love Saunders Waterford paper. I agree about paper for sure. It’s the literal foundation of watercolour.

Your incredible painting abilities, combined with your delicate ASMR voice, lovely appearance and beautiful overall presentation style makes you truly the "Bob Ross" of watercolour painting (meant as a very sincere compliment of course.). :)

I couldn't agree more, 100% cotton is best.

I learn much better when I am feeling inspired. Choosing subjects that tickle my fancy is definitely the best way I grow as an artist.

It’s so sad when someone bursts your bubble. I’m so happy that you worked through this and are now showing us how to become exceptional painters too. Love your work.

Yes, like a few people here, I agree, 100% cotton is the way to go. It’s worth the extra cost. My favourite is Fabriano Artistico (vegan friendly if that’s a consideration for some viewers)

@AnnaBucciarelli

11 күн бұрын

Thank you Nancy! You hats an excellent recommendation 👌💜

I agree with your every word! And I hate this stigma around the paper topic. Why is it such a taboo to say an obvious fact - watercolor medium is supposed to be applied to a cotton paper. Period. That’s not a privilege and not bragging, that’s just a freaking fact. Yes, cotton is much more expensive, but so as everything else that is high quality in this life. I understand that not everyone can afford it. If that’s the case - buy whatever you can afford and move on. Why people feel the need to become so aggressive, write mean comments blaming others of their inabilities??? I started painting on 1.99$ paper that was made from God knows what. Then I upgraded to pulp and recently started buying cotton. It really is a HUGE difference how it accepts paint, how paint blends on the paper and how many layers it can take. Only on cotton paper I managed to beautifully mix colors directly on the paper, rather than on my palette. And the fish by the way - drop dead gorgeous 🥰🥰🥰 thank you for being honest!

@patsymccown2766

10 күн бұрын

I totally agree!

I agree that the paper can make a massive difference depending on how you want to paint. I managed to get results close to what I wanted on non-cotton but once I found even a 25% blend I noticed a difference. I treated myself to 100% after a while and it was night and day with how the paint behaved, the lack of warping and the vibrancy the paints kept on the page, how long you could move the paints around and the amount of glazes it could handle. Obviously if you don't NEED it to behave like that, it won't make much difference to you but if you're the type of artist who would benefit from it, then I absolutely agree.

I always tell people the number one thing to spend money on is good 100% cotton paper. It does make the biggest difference. Hands done. Most of my paintings are done with cheap paints. But always good paper.

@AnnaBucciarelli

11 күн бұрын

Absolutely 💯☝️

Yes, watercolour paper is very expensive - especially here in Australia, a single sheet of watercolour paper 56cm x 76cm Arches 300gsm costs around $27 a sheet!!!!! However what a lot of people don’t know is that buying watercolour by the sheet is MUCH cheaper than buying an Arches watercolour pad AND significantly the paper in Arches 100% cotton watercolour pad is NOT the same as the Arches 100% watercolour sheets - yes, they are 100% cotton BUT they are made on different moulds and therefore there can be a lot more variation in the quality of the sizing in the pads than there is on the sheets. Another thing that is very noteworthy is that by using Arches watercolour sheets you are guaranteed to be able to paint on BOTH sides of the sheet, so you are not wasting paper if you ‘ruin’ a painting as you can paint on the back of your sheet as well, it’s just as good on both sides….Watercolour blocks are eyewateringly expensive here in Australia so I don’t think I know of anyone that uses them….

@ladyflimflam

10 күн бұрын

You can also wash off arches and start again. There may be some staining depending on the pigments you use. You can even grab some gelatin powder and re-size it.

@evelynevelyn107

6 күн бұрын

I live in Australia and have bought 100% cotton 300gsm paper from Amazon (Baohong Academy large block),Temu (Baohong Acad large roll), and Jackson’s Art Supplies (Saunders Waterford in sheets during their Black Friday sale).

All great tips, Anna! 100% cotton paper is a game changer.

How does the paint know where to go? The water moved your color right along the lines... it didn't go outside your lines! Oh my stars.. I've never watch anything like this before... it's magical.

Wow! I’m a grandmother now, but you and I had the same experience with watercolor. Many years ago, my first watercolor instructor, told a visitor, that everyone was making great progress, but she wasn’t sure about ‘that one’ (me). It destroyed my self-confidence. It also made me determined to prove her wrong! I didn’t quit, but I was still shattered! I started painting what I liked to paint, which, believe it or not, was what I called, ‘fantasy fish’. I also painted flowers. Over the years I’ve painted sporadically. I tried to paint what I thought would please others. Most of the time, I was very bored! This long story is to tell you that I so appreciate this video! I’m anxious to pick up my brush again. Thank you for this great, encouraging tutorial!! All your advice is extremely helpful, and rings very, very true!! ❤

@francineh.7825

10 күн бұрын

That's horrible she said that!! Unfortunately it seems to happen so often.

Anna this was the issue i had when I started an you have proud the TRUE. AN YOU OR SO KIND AN EXPLAINING. AN YOUR ARTWORK IS BEAUTIFUL.GOD WAS WITH YOU .AMEN IAM FROM SHERMAN TEXAS,IAM 78 an i have painted for all my live.❤

@AnnaBucciarelli

10 күн бұрын

Hello to beautiful Texas! I’ve never been but hope to visit one day 😊 Thank you for watching and supporting my channel 💜

Thank you so much for this video! I feel like you’ve opened my eyes to my next steps in this new watercolor journey. Light bulb moment! Looking forward to watching more of your videos. ❤

Oh...😮.....i have no words....painting is I've thing but to be able to draw like you...i could never draw a fish like this... oh I'm stunned at your talent.

Absolutely fabulous and much appreciated your water colour paper tip✨👌🏽

Thank you for an EXCELLENT video! Such wonderful advice that I really needed to hear. You are a gifted teacher and communicator. ❤🙏🏻❤

@AnnaBucciarelli

11 күн бұрын

Thank you 😊💜

I fully agree with painting what you love, and I think this can be especially true for neurodivergent artists. When I started painting, I had undiagnosed ADHD. Painting anything that wasnt an animal was so demotivating and stressful. I definitely had to get that joy and excitement established before I was open to learning more about technique :)

@AnnaBucciarelli

9 күн бұрын

Thank you for sharing Denise! Ps: I absolutely love your channel 💜

@InLiquidColor

9 күн бұрын

@@AnnaBucciarelli Thanks Anna! Right back atcha!

I absolutely agree with Anna's comments about the importance of quality paper. I'm still learning but two leaps forward happened when I a. started using better paper and b. found Anna's channel. I think both these changes have had a huge impact on my understanding of the watercolour process. Anna's discussion of transparency and how she layers has really helped me understand how I can acquire more luminance in my work.

Thank you for this video. I love your work and I learned soo much. ❤❤❤

I just loved you video...I have learned many things from it and also learning...you are a great teacher..thank you..respect and love ❤ 🙏

Your style is the reason why I wanted to learn watercolors! I just bought cottonpaper and man what a difference! 😍

I’m a watercolor hobbyist, and can’t agree more than paper is key. I practice on Baohong academy paper, which is more affordable than arches. I also came to know a seller of art supplies who every now and then have returned & used paper blocks to sell at a much lower price. These are the best of value in my opinion.

Great tips and wonderful painting! There are 3 other 100% cotton papers I would recommend. Two are considerable cheaper than Arches and one a little less. The one that is a little less is the Fabriano Artistico. I especially like their bright white paper. Love the grain on it too. Paints do lift easier than on Arches (which may or may not be a good thing depending on what paints you like to use and how many layers you like to paint). The other 2 less expensive but still very nice to paint on are the Hahnemühle and the Baohong. My local art supply store carries sheets of the Baohong Masters Choice. It is perfect for my first try painting (I do two as well) or for smaller studies. Hope this helps :)

Beautiful, thank you!

Unbelievably beautiful. I’ve admired your work for some time now and hope someday to at least get near your quality.

Totally agree about the quality of paper! I’ve taught WC to beginners and it is heartbreaking, like you say, to watch the struggle! It’s just not worth trying to make the cheaper papers work. You can always shop sales on the many art supply websites! Love your videos!

Thank you beautiful ❤

Thank you this was so helpful your paintings are beautiful!

Beautiful work & extremely helpful himts

This vlog is an affirmation! Thank you for all your sharings!!!

Very educational, interesting video, thank you

That is fabulous as always. You are such a good teacher as well. Thank you. 💗

Absolutely Gorgeous!

Thank goodness you didn't give up, you produce the most stunning art ✨️ ❤️

@AnnaBucciarelli

9 күн бұрын

Thank you so much!

Thank you. I think you are 100% right. I’m working on all 5 tips.

So well said. All of your advice is so valuable. I think painting the same thing more than once is what helped me grow the most (including several attempts at your Skillshare classes when I was first learning). Arches is my preferred paper, but I also use Baohong and a Bee Paper Sketchbook which is 100% cotton. I use the less expensive paper for studies and experiments, before doing final paintings on Arches.

Anna this is byfar the BEST ADVICE EVER!! I wish I had heard this when I first began my watercolor journey in 2019. I love your work…it is so luminous…I love the color combinations that you use in all your paintings. Thank you✨

Stunning :)

Excellent points! I love watching you paint as you continue your narrative. Very inspirational presentation. Thank you❤️

The Best Watercolor Channel ever!!❤❤🎉

I completely agree with you about using 100% cotton paper. It really does make a difference. My go-to inexpensive 100% cotton paper is New York Central.

@AnnaBucciarelli

8 күн бұрын

Thank you for the recommendation! Haven’t seen this brand in Toronto but I’ll keep an eye out 🧡

@AndiNewtonian

8 күн бұрын

@@AnnaBucciarelli I get it at Jerry's Artarama. I don't know if you have one where you live, but you can buy it from them online.

Beautiful❤

Agreed with 100% cotton paper. It's less frustrating overall, and easier to work with for wet on wet and layering

Great advice, as always a lovely painting Thank you

@AnnaBucciarelli

11 күн бұрын

My pleasure 😊

Awesome work ❤

Beautiful video

Your work takes my breath away. ❤ I'd love to see you paint on Yupo (polypropylene) paper. I've been able to achieve amazing results using it. You can spray the almost dry paint with alcohol or water for texture and cotton buds to lift and move pigment.

I agree - still life paintings are so boring to do! Personally, I find them really hard to do in an interesting way, which is also very discouraging when trying to learn something new.

You are a natural teacher. Anna. Enjoyed the video❤. I was lucky to learn from a teacher who stressed on very light washes initially. I have difficulty in repeating a picture twice, which your video has inspired to do. My regular paper is Chitrapat and Baohong. Have you thought about writing an art book?

Thank you so much for sharing these tips with us. Yes, they make total sense, and I could relate to them as I've had very similar experiences and got discouraged from painting watercolour. Until I found your videos!

@AnnaBucciarelli

11 күн бұрын

🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵

Right on point

Another fantastic video. These tips are very helpful and inspiring. I think they will help me stay focused and put me on the right track for improving my learning process and skillset. Thanks again for sharing your skills with us. I so enjoy your voice and watching you paint. My favorite way to spend my Saturday mornings for sure!

@AnnaBucciarelli

11 күн бұрын

Thank you Dottie! Have a wonderful weekend 😊

I loved this video and hearing about your watercolor journey❤ I also agree with you 100% about quality paper…it makes ALL the difference in this medium! My favorite papers in order of preference: 1. Saunders Waterford ❤❤❤❤❤ 2. Hahnemühle (The Collection) 3. Arches 4. Fabriano Artistico 5. Baohong Academy (their Artist’s paper is too “toothy” and difficult to work with, but their student-grade Academy paper is lovely to work with and more affordable than other 100% cotton papers). Upgrading to 100% cotton watercolor paper can transform your journey. You can focus on learning techniques and mastery of the medium if you’re not fighting with poor supplies.

Your artwork is incredibly gorgeous !

@AnnaBucciarelli

11 күн бұрын

Thank you so much!

Nobody needs to made a issue about you what you said you or just telling the true because a lot of artist can’t afford all the high cost.AMEN❤

@AnnaBucciarelli

10 күн бұрын

I still request Arches blocks for my birthday in lieu of other presents 💙 it is expensive but so worth it!

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience with us. There is so much helpful information in this video, but more importantly, there is so much encouragement. Self doubt is the enemy of achievement, and this and others of your videos have done so much to help us to overcome it.

@AnnaBucciarelli

11 күн бұрын

Well-said! I think we all tend to be overly critical of ourselves, especially in the early stages :) Thank you for watching and supporting my channel

I'll watch this again next time I paint. ( It reminds me of keeping the fun factor) ❤

Insanely beautiful.... ❤✌🏻❤

@AnnaBucciarelli

10 күн бұрын

💜💜💜

At the start of the video I was thinking "how the hell is she applying washes over the top of paint without it lifting and blooming", now I'm thinking it may just be my paper and paints that are confusing me.

This is a very beautiful and intricate painting. And a lot of precious advise as well. Thank you. When you are making a painting like this fish do you keep and image in front of you to look at, or it all comes right from your head? Mainly the first wet on wet layer, when timing is crucial, do you already know what your next brush stroke will be? And the next. I find this difficult. I stop to think and then it's too late.

Hard to believe you were ever a beginner 😊

@AnnaBucciarelli

9 күн бұрын

We all start there 😊🧡

Totally agree about paper being the no. 1 important factor! I recently started painting again after a longer break, thinking it would be a good idea to first "practice" on my leftover 25% cotton paper. And felt frustrated ALL the time. After some frustrating paintings, I decided to paint one particular item a second time, this time on relatively affordable 100% cotton paper (Hahnemühle Expression) - instant improvement! And all frustration instantly gone! Water and pigments behave completely differently on cellulosa vs cotton (I personally don't think that 25% cotton makes any difference to no cotton at all). Finally, I painted it again, this time on rather expensive Saunders & Waterford cotton paper. This felt of course best, although I must say that the difference to Hahnemühle wasn't actually that big. So, it seems that the cheapest 100% cotton paper still is WAY better than anything not 100% cotton (haven't tried 50-50, but I will just stick with 100% cotton).

@AnnaBucciarelli

11 күн бұрын

☝️ this is so true - expensive mixed media paper is worse than the cheapest cotton! Every time I pick up non cotton I feel like I “forget” how to paint 😊

I agree that paper is the most important, and if you're in a budget, make sure to at least get 100% cotton. Thankfully, there are some cheaper brands online nowadays. I started with Baohong student grade, then their artist grade paper before I took the leap to Arches and now Hahnemuhle paper (it stays wet longer for me than Arches does in my region). I love the idea of planning to paint something at least twice, as I tend to get very down if i make an error, and often get discouraged after. All your tips are super helpful (as always!) and i hope beginners try some! You've helped me so much and i just adore you - would love to see more fish & flowers ❤

I just discovered you now and am absolutely awestruck by your creations! I will join your Patreon. Thank you!!!

@AnnaBucciarelli

10 күн бұрын

Welcome to the channel 😊🩷

I had the same experience with 100% cotton paper and agree completely. Sometime when you’re doing a painting like this, could you tell us when you’re using synthetic ox gall, please? I can’t get my paints to act like yours, and I suspect the ox gall is the reason. Thank you for all the work you do, you’ve helped me understand watercolor in ways I never have before.

Omg, I love those zodiac paintings! Are they available as prints? Or would you ever put out an artbook? Your paintings are so beautiful.

Thank you Anna for your advices! ❤I bought my first 100 % cotton paper this year and my oh my it did help! For practicing, I would consider buying smaller size paper f.ex. a postcard-sized block, so the prize is lower, or cut a big sheet in smaller pieces. Doing some smaller paintings may help to overcome the fear of "ruining" an expensive paper but at the same time explore the possibilities of the cotton paper.

@AnnaBucciarelli

10 күн бұрын

Great idea!!! I Often get these tiny blocks of arches for that precise reason - good enough for 1 flower or a small animal study , and less stressful 😊🩷

The first time I painted on 100% cotton paper, it was like magic!

Thank you soooooo much for your teaching us. ❤ Cathy from OreMountains 🤩 Germany 🇩🇪

@AnnaBucciarelli

10 күн бұрын

Thank you Cathy!!! 😊

This is beautiful, it’s wonderful to see how it comes alive! Have you played with birds of paradise flowers before?

@AnnaBucciarelli

9 күн бұрын

I don’t think so - should add to my to do list 😊

Te felicito por tus logros!!! Algo parecido me ocurrió a mi😊...pero más que nada con el acrílico que gracias a una hermosa pareja que sube sus trabajos así como vos, pude redescubrirlo y fue maravilloso!!! Al final la experiencia nos dice...nunca te des por vencido ❤❤❤❤gracias amiga!!!!

Please make video on tool paper that every thing from very beginning

I love hot press paper (non cotton) but I got cotton ones too for the "good paintings" I will done. Anything I do on cotton turns out wonderful. I use Magnani paper which probably is more expensive but it's easier to get here.

Thank you for your honesty. I have needed to give myself permission to do what intrigues me. Your suggestions/tips has calmed my anxiety and insecurity. Sketching and painting is what’s getting me through the recent death of my husband of 53 years. Question… not tech savy😏 how do I superimpose the downloads of your fish, flowers etc. Which side of the cold press do you use as I find the rougher side a little intimidating.. used to hot press.

Insightful tips! Bao Hong brand of 100% cotton paper that is very affordable.

Beautiful. I use the same watercolor block, it always warps. Help please.

Thank you very much for the video. I have a question, could you tell me the purchase link for the paper you use? The thing is that I always end up with the paper completely wrinkled.

@littletoysmaker

10 күн бұрын

I already saw the link in the description hahaha. Thank you so much. 🤣🤣

I have discovered BAOHONG professional paper - 100% cotton. It’s a Chinese brand and can be bought online. Arches is still the best but compared to all the other brands I have tried that are less expensive than Arches this one is REALLY good. I have seen a few KZread artists use it as their main paper, even for originals they sell. It’s really affordable and it feels less daunting knowing it doesn’t cost an absolute fortune like Arches.

@AnnaBucciarelli

10 күн бұрын

Thank you!!!! 😊🩷

I am a beginner (started painting last fall as a distraction as my 29 year old grandson was dying from brain cancer) I started by watching tutorials and soon found you!!! I have learned so much - thank you!! I couldn’t believe Arches paper - a dream come true!!! after my 1st paintings on regular watercolor non cotton paper I heard some teacher mention Bockingford 100% cotton I bought 1 big sheet for $7 & cut it up - oh my goodness!!!! It is heavenly to work on - so much easier for lifting and blending - and I now prefer it to Arches Buying sheets and cutting makes it less than 1/2 Arches cost!! I was finding that tiny circles were appearing on my arches that the paint simply wouldn’t adhere to?? I paint dogs and cats mostly and these spots always appeared in the most inconvenient places lol Anyways, give Bockingford a try 😊

Do you share the drawing of the fish?

@AnnaBucciarelli

11 күн бұрын

Yes on my PATREON 😊

What if you cannot draw? I try sketching, but it looks wrong. I cannot enjoy the painting if the underlying structure is incorrect.

@AnnaBucciarelli

9 күн бұрын

That’s totally ok - drawing and painting are 2 different skills. Tracing is fine as long as it’s copyright free images; I also provide black and white outlines for all my tutorials to make it easier to practice 😊

It sounds like we started the same. I gave up too. Not as long. I put my paints away for over 2 years. My paints from 3 years ago were heavy. People say my current paintings glow.

@SuperCutealien

11 күн бұрын

I love painting flowers. Flowers are usually my subject no matter the medium. I love flowers.

@AnnaBucciarelli

11 күн бұрын

That’s fantastic!!! As watercolors should look 💙

Anna, you must have had a bad teacher. A good teacher wouldn't give up on a student. It's their job to make students understand the material, doesn't matter the subject. I love your painting style and thank you so much for your tips. I am just a hobby painter but I agree with your "paint what you like" advice. I don't mind still lives but I also hate landscapes. :D The only thing I have different experience with is to paint the same thing twice to make it better. For me usually the second is worse than the first. :D Must be something wrong with me, but many times a painting turns out better by accident for the first try.

I wish the video wasn't sped up

@AnnaBucciarelli

11 күн бұрын

The 3 hour version is on my PATREON 😊