Think Differently: A Non-Traditional Watercolor Demo

In this session, I decided to skip the pencil sketch and paint straight from instinct. It’s not about perfection or tight planning, it’s about breaking habits and thinking differently. By leaving the drawing behind, I stay connected to the overall design and energy instead of getting trapped in the details.

👉 Want step-by-step lessons? Visit the Watercolor Hub for tutorials and free courses.

No Drawing — Just Respond

Starting without a drawing keeps you honest. You have to commit to shapes, edges, and value patterns instead of tracing outlines. It’s uncomfortable at first, but that tension forces you to see the painting as a whole — not a collection of objects.

Stop Matching Colors

Color isn’t meant to match what’s in front of you — it’s there to support the feeling of the piece. When you stop chasing accuracy, you start noticing relationships between warm and cool, light and dark. That’s when watercolor gets exciting.

Let the Paint Lead

This demo is about letting watercolor do what it does best flow, fuse, and surprise you. The more you control it, the less it can teach you.

Continue Learning

👉 Next stop: check out my Free Watercolor Painting Course or browse the Watercolor Tutorials Hub to keep building your skills.
👉 Follow me on Pinterest for daily watercolor inspiration!

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Materials You’ll Need

Here are the materials I use all the time and have for decades. I only buy from Blick Art but feel free to shop where you prefer.

Recommended Watercolor Materials

• Holbein Professional Watercolor Paints – 8 Essential Hues
  Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Lemon Yellow, Ultramarine Blue, Cerulean Blue, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Light, Neutral Tint, Burnt Sienna
• Fabriano Artistico Watercolor Paper – 140lb Cold Press
  Buy full sheets and cut into quarter sheets for best value
• Silver Jumbo Wash Brush
  Great coverage, excellent quality for the price
• Princeton Neptune Point Rounds (No. 12 & 6)
  Reliable and affordable detail & wash brushes
• Princeton Neptune Dagger (1/2")
  Versatile size for lines, edges, and detail work
• Masterson Aqua Pro Palette
  Durable, with deep wells for generous mixing space
• Gator Board
  Lightweight, long-lasting painting support board
• Holbein White Gouache
  Optional for highlights and fine details
• Miscellaneous: plastic water containers, paper towels, masking tape

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