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Sneak Peek: January Tutorial šŸ“āœØ (Patreon)

Published:
2026-01-03 23:47:19
Edited:
2026-01-11 18:04:53
Imported:
2026-10

Content

Iā€™m so excited to share a little preview of our upcoming January watercolor tutorial ā€” and itā€™s one of my most requested subjects ever: a horse! To start 2026, I wanted a painting that forces the most important watercolor skill: value control. So weā€™re painting a brown horseā€”layer by layerā€”in a way that keeps watercolor luminous (no muddy panic-darks, promise). šŸ™Œ

UPDATE: The Horse Tutorial is now live: https://www.patreon.com/posts/beginner-proof-147919474

Honestlyā€¦ painting a horse has been on my to-do list for as long as Iā€™ve had Patreon, and with the Chinese Year of the Horse coming, it felt like the perfect time to finally dive in. Now I need your help: what should I put behind the horse? The original idea had a little light sand + a fenceā€¦ but it feels a bit boring.

Vote in the comments below (or share your own idea!):A) Clean white background (classic + bold)B) Lots of sand being kicked up by the hooves (dynamic strokes + maybe a little splatter šŸ‘€)C) A subtle branch framing one side (like in our Tiger tutorial)D) Something totally different ā€” tell me what youā€™d love to see!

Files

Comments

Angela

Running along the ocean

Jojo

WoW!!!!! šŸ¤© canā€™t wait for this tutorial wowow. I like white background but some sand splatter would be interesting! I am definitely up for a challenge!!!

Christine

D- Fire! Itā€™s the year of the fire horse

Monalisa Mackey

Hi Anna, Heā€™s such a beauty!! šŸ˜šŸ˜ ā€¦so glad you are painting a full body painting rather than a portrait. Will you be teaching us how to draw him too? I think Option B would be perfect with the sand šŸ˜Š

Mark

Bamboo or money plants. Kumquat trees are also auspicious or Anthurium . I can't wait to try this as a beginner !

Ingrid

I just saw wild horses in the Island Amelia, running free on the ocean water.

Anna Bucciarelli

Thank you Jo! And Happy New Year! I started painting horses 2 weeks ago and I haven't stopped:)))) I am liking the splatter idea but also concerned about ...you know.... too much splatter and how it might make it too messy.... Researching the visuals (potential branches) and testing splatter techniques next week. Curious to see what people think would work best!

Jennifer Katsch

On a beach with the ocean as background maybe at sunset if it doesn't compete too much. Gorgeous horse boy the way. Can't wait to see the turorial.

Holly Strauss

It is the fire horse year but love to see horses running along the ocean

Laura Todd

B (although I hate the messiness of spatter) I LOVE to draw/paint horses. It was my childhood obsession! I can't wait

Diane

Subtle green grassland with a hint of hills and/or sky in the background?

Anna Block

I picture it in grasslands but option B sounds awesome also.

Allyson

D - absolutely something firey or at least Lunar New Year themed šŸ„°

Mark

Even chinese coins would be cool. I dunno I'm excited to paint the horse

Michelle

I think option B would best fit the existing composition. Or (and I love this idea) someone mentioned a seashore with the horse kicking up ocean spray instead of sand. Beautiful!!

Debbie

Something firey would be awesome.

Courtney

Option B I love some splatter

Linda Watkins

Please! With huge storm clouds behind him! It's a Stallion, yes! Not a mare. He needs to be muscled with huge flowing mane & tail coming out & through a huge billowing, threatening sky!

Marlaina Capes

Iā€™d like to see a forested background with a little sand being kicked up. I have a reference photo of my own horse running but canā€™t upload it.

Anna Bucciarelli

Patreon won't let image sharing in the chat, but I think I know what you mean, I am also leaning towards some green in the background:)

Jane Howard

Option B, like the fiery background idea too- maybe a fiery sunset sky?

Anna Bucciarelli

Same! I will have to test the platter out several times before I dare to bring it to this one:)))

Anna Bucciarelli

Mark! Thank you! Also I had no idea about Kumquat - just spent 15 minutes distracted admiring photos of these beautiful trees now I want to paint them too hehe

Anna Bucciarelli

Thank you Monalisa! I definitely did just the head first in my sketchbook along with a bunch of other horses, but he was too beautiful not to paint in full eventually :))) I am currently re-thinking the drawing tutorials format - when I record a "real" drawing before painting a tutorial I have to use hard pencil and a lot of folks complained they can't see it well. Which is absolutely fair, the whole point is to keep it light and barely visible but I want the instruction to be more effective.... So I might to a horse recording using a soft pencil separately :)

Grazyna N

All he needs is the ground he is trotting on. Beach sand with a very delicate body of water behind would provide a good background. The horse is very beautiful as it is and does not need tons of background items that would only distract from the focus of this painting. Please make this horse stand out and do not add the background consisting of many other colorful fancy elements that only distract from the object of focus. The horse is not galloping and does not look scared. He does not need a storm chasing it. He is simply trotting playfully on a beach. Simplicity is much more powerful in watercolor than a jungle of unrelated colorful objects that do not always belong to each other.

Yvonne Stanley

Oh Wow!! Really looking forward this one!!! I also did want to put a request in for a horse (but did not lol). Thank you!!šŸ¤© B and C

Sammie Bryant

Wow, thatā€™s gorgeous! I love it, canā€™t wait to try this. I think of a pasture or field, a beautiful branch or tree would be nice under a ice sky.?

leslie

option B

Connie

I like the idea of sand beneath him and little being kicked upā€¦.maybe a pond behind him Grazyna Nā€™s suggestion. If I think of framing him, I see a plain backgroundā€¦maybe the Chinese symbol for ā€œhorse.ā€ā€

Connie

Would you consider doing several horse tutorials, eg. a series? Thank you, Anna!!!

Irene

Definitely option B ā€¦ sand

Mrs Jo-Ann Murphy

Hi Anna, Iā€™m so glad that youā€™ve chosen to paint a horse! Iā€™m fairly new to watercolour painting but absolutely love horses and how their beauty can be captured using watercolour. I also think Option B ā€¦.sand being kicked up as Im very interested in ā€œatmospheric paintingā€ and would love to see how the movement of sand can be expressed. Many thanks. JošŸ¤—

Kaye Saunders

This will be a great subject for the year of the Horse - my own Chinese Zodiac symbol. I will look forward to giving this one a go. I agree with Grazyna N - something simple. As in trotting on sand - maybe a little kicked up with a suggestion of water behind.

Elle Dechene

As a Taiji Quan practitioner and a horsewoman, I am delighted by your choice of subject. I prefer option A, the traditional Chinese approach, with a chop. But I think that this can be accomplished on an individual basis, I look forward to your choice.

gayla

The horse is gorgeous! I can see him/her galloping on the beach with a little sand spray and the ocean behind gingerly rolling in!

Tonilyn

I like Option B - It grounds the horse.

May

It's the year of the fire horse. A bright beautiful sunrise at the background brings in good vibes.

Lynn Muster

Well the horse looks galloping to me, or at least trotting lol, so I like the sand being kicked up by the hooves. Definitely needs a ground of some description. šŸ’–

Shehnaz

B and C together šŸ˜

Mark

You can see why the Chinese masters painted these beautiful things. My mum is chinese Malaysian and she tells me the year of the double fire horse is an auspicious year and she says é¦¬åˆ°ęˆåŠŸ mĒŽ dĆ o chĆ©ng gōng ā€œSuccess arrives swiftlyā€ . The first character ma means horse! Can't wait to see what you create this year

Suz

Red chinese lanterns, falling cherry blossoms, bokeh

Renee Wilkey

B. The sand being kicked up. Would also love the horse running along the beach. . .. and fire sounds like a beautiful fairytale. I just love the idea of painting horses. šŸ™‚

Dawn Howell

B Sand being kicked up šŸ™‚

Marg

Wow! Clean white background...so it doesn't take away from the power of the horse. But someone's suggestion of cherry blossoms could also be a nice soft contrast.

Alexa

B :).

Ingrid

Just like your painting.

Lynda Lazarevic

Going with the fire horse theme I suggest a beach with fire sunset kicking up sand. Keeping the background slightly blurred so it doesn't over power the horse

Thomas O'Haire

A desert sandstorm or fiery sandstorm might enhance the movement and mystery of the composition. Also, just slightly more musculature definition in some areas could accentuate the power of the subjectā€¦.In my humble opinion šŸ˜Š

Will R

That horse is alive and leaving the page behind

Will R

A thought.... Leave the horse in the stark white square or maybe make it an archway Painting a grassy field and blue cloudy sky that is being left behind into another dimension surrounding the white light portal

Sabrina Peart

I like the idea of the Chinese symbol for horse as maybe a flag in the doorway of a barn of sorts..... Their barns are very distinctive long and low and Typically, the structure is long and low, built from wood, brick, and stone, with a tiled roof that gently curves upward at the corners. Those curved eaves arenā€™t just decorativeā€”they help shed rain and snow and reflect classical Chinese architecture. The roof tiles are often gray or dark brown, while the supporting beams and columns may be stained deep red or left natural.

Vivien King

I love the idea of water being splashed up as if the horse is running along a beach in shallow water, so a little splatter- although it looks a little like the horse is climbing or jumping, perhaps frolicking in the water? With a blue sky.

Morgane Leroy

I really love this new subject to paint ! The option B sounds great as horses look majestic and powerful in motion. My best memories of my horses was when I rode on the beach. A canter under a blue sky and turquoise sea was a dream came true to me Iā€™d love to be able to paint my girl afterwards Thank you for everything you do to teach us and make us enjoy this wonderful watercolor journey

Ewa

This soooo beautyful Anna šŸ˜! I see this horse running on the beach by the sea and splashing water around. It was first thought. I have immediately imagine a running horse splashing water. Perfekt scene šŸ˜Š

Anny

B, zand of water. Schitterend.

Katherine Erickson

Love the horse and canā€™t wait to paint it for my granddaughter. I feel like it needs something red since itā€™s the year of the fire horse. Maybe some red Chinese lanterns or red flowers/trees. Also love the idea of running on the beach but not a fan of splatter. Maybe I just donā€™t do it right! lol. Thank you for this exciting New Year tutorial!!!

Paulette Detweiler Imhof

Looking forward to the challenge. Who doesn't love a mountain scene as a back drop. Or standing near the over hanging branch of a large oak tree. Both represent strength. On a fun note, I have my Anna box of paints so that I don't have to go on a hunting expedition for colors each time we paint. You have also help me develope using what I have by mixing and experimenting. Thanks again.

Mary Austin-Keller

B D- a chincoteague Island inspired setting - a small area on coast of Virginia where they have historic wild horses.

Lori L Miller

I canā€™t wait to start the horse! A

Nita Lanata

I like the idea of a sandy beach with splashes of water. Can't wait to see what you decide.

Maureen W

Honestly, you are such an extraordinary painter that I find it quite intimidating. I'd love if you could do something a bit simpler too.

Robert Swift

This rampant steed demands rising dust/sand and perhaps a coiled rattler?

VRTO

The ocean. I live near the Gulf of Mexico, and I love to see the horses galloping on the beach *=(it's hard sand!)

VRTO

Oh, I love that idea! My sister in law grew up on the Eastern Shore, and she told me about those horses!

VRTO

I'm intrigued! What is "Anna's box of paints"?

Jean

Awesome. I began my relationship with horses at age 3. My paint brush is on the saddle and ready to ride. Thank you Anna

Jean

Pick any trail and off we go

Cait McCollom

I love the idea of a Sandy beach with some water, just to be different. However, in spirit of LNY, and to tie it into your style more, adding peonies, chrysanthemums, gladiolas, or orchids would also make it festive. These are classic florals used in LNY art and asthetic.

Kathryn Garcia-Stackpole

I love the idea of sand and possibly seafoam? Suble Seascape in the background.

Monalisa Mackey

Sounds like a great plan to do a separate horse drawing tutorial! šŸ˜ŠšŸ‘šŸ». Another option for the setting would be a bit of sea spray from his hoofs if he is running along the waterā€™s edge.

Beth Curran

Maureen, if you give some of her tutorials a try, you may surprise yourself. The thing is, go slow and donā€™t give up. When I first started I thought all watercolor artists were speed painting. I would have to rewind many times. Then I started to get a little faster. The more I try, the more I learn. As an example, I learned about blending with clear water from one of Annaā€™s tutorials and could hear her saying it in my head as I was working on a completely unrelated project this weekend in which that was not part of the instruction. Thus, I have learned things that I can start applying on my own and finally started to see opportunities in a painting when certain techniques make sense. I did the entire lobster claw/butterfly painting recently and I absolutely love how it turned out. Then I tried the ā€œsimpleā€ leaf and my first try was a mess. It is certainly a learning experience, but her instruction is so very good. Sending joy your way!

Barb

Yep, "B" has my vote

Melanie

ĀæĀæĀæAnna would you please give us a heads up on the paint colors??? That way I can be sure I have them????

Paulette Detweiler Imhof

Anna consistently uses a group of predictable paints. I have a box with a magnetic flap that I keep those paints in . Itā€™s about 5x5ā€ Aprox. 2ā€deep. At the same time I am trying to use up my half pans that have these colors already in them. Too many paints! Is that possible??? =)

Paulette Detweiler Imhof

Anna consistently uses certain paints. I have place them in a box with a magnetic flap. Thus, my Anna box. Makes the prep a little easier. I hope this message gets to you. I keep trying to reply.

Mary Lu Turpin

Iā€™d love to see a stromy sky behind the sand.

Adrian

B - dynamic strokes, sand

S PA

Iā€™d love to see it with sand, dynamic strokes

Kate

Sandy beach. I live in Virginia Beach near the wild ponies who are very hardy. It would be fun to learn to paint horses and paint portraits of them.

Cheryl Palmer

Clouds of dust churned up by thundering hooves, clods of dirt flung up, over a pale grey blue wash, blended perimeter edges

MadCatter (Cat Fleming)

Mountains in the background. The horse is crossing a stream & throwing up water šŸ’¦

Lori L Miller

When will this tutorial be released

Catherine

B - sand and movement

Peggy K

I don't care for the forelock curled around the ear... looks like a cronut. The rest of the horse is manufique! Plain white background for his Royal Highness!

carmella ceglia

Beautiful horse Anna. I do agree need to loose the circle of hair around the ear. Going with D...I would like to see the horse standing in water or splashing a hoof in the water. With just a light blue sky with some clouds in the back ground reflecting in the water. I think you can get some great wet on wet and water reflections. Thank you and appreciate all you do for us.

Ana Bechara

I cannot wait for this one!!! I vote for the sand idea. But any background is gonna be amazing!

Robin

A

Joy

Any is fine with me. When is the tutorial. Iā€™m just starting with your tutorials.

Jenny M

Going to vote up the water idea above - water is my nemesis and I would love the chance to learn this from you!

Terri Torbeck (Home)

Anna, I was sure I subscribed to your Pateon, but the horse tutorial I want to do says locked. When I try to subscribe, I get a message indicating I am already subscribed. What can I do? I don't know how to contact you directly. Thank you

Anna Bucciarelli

Hi Terri! Thank you for your message. šŸ˜Š Right now youā€™re signed up for Tier 1, which includes: - all demos (real-time recordings without narration in this Collection: https://www.patreon.com/collection/425559 ) - ad-free YouTube videos (in this collection: https://www.patreon.com/collection/426828 ) - and behind-the-scenes posts and updates All narrated tutorialsā€”including the Chocolate Horseā€”are available in Tier 2, so youā€™d just need to upgrade your membership to access those. Since youā€™ve already paid for Tier 1, Patreon will simply charge the difference between the tiers going forward. P.S. A gentle reminder: the best way to reach me with questions is through the Direct Message feature on Patreon. Comments can sometimes get lost, but I make sure to respond to all DMs every Friday. Thank you again, and happy painting! šŸŽØāœØ

Beckie Siganto

I second a vote for D - water ideas - water is my trouble spot. I would love the chance to learn this from you, and actually see the whole table with your waterbowl when seeing your tutorials

Elissa Jayce

Beautiful. Excited to work on this next!

carla simon

A) kicking up dust and/or D) rocky mountains where wild horses still run