Home
Creators
Search Recent Random
Posts
Search DMs Popular Hash Lookup Tags Random
Importer
Import FAQ
Register Favorites Keys Review DMs Logout
Community
Telegram ThePornDude
Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

Upcoming Book: Looking for Your Input! (Patreon)

Published:
2024-02-11 00:03:33
Edited:
2024-03-29 02:39:17
Imported:
2026-10

Content

Hi All! As you may know already, I've been busy writing a book. Today, I am reaching out to give you a chance and shape of one the chapters I am working on. Specifically, I'd love to know what your main challenges are as you progress on your watercolor journey. Please let me know in comments below - it can be anything from water control to building a composition from scratch. Even small things like mixing your favourite shade of green or wishing Ultramarine wasn't so granulating in mixes {ok ok that's my own little pet peeve but I am including this  illustration purposes:).  I'd love to hear what's on your mind! Thank you in advance for your feedback! 

Files

Comments

Janel Lucas

Composition and lack of drawing skills are two of my difficulties.

Joana Mariano

For me is the ability to see the end picture when in early stages. You providing images of what we are working towards to helps. I hope one day to be able to do it by my own

Michele Trowell

I struggle with composition, especially make it balance out. I also would love some kind of "formula" for laying down the layers of colors for more realistic paintings. For example one method is using a light layer if blue first, for humans anyway. Then you build the color up from there. What other methods are there?

Jojo

I can’t wait for the book Anna! I thought you’re announcing it’s ready and almost ate all my fingernails hahha. As a beginner I struggled a lot with color theory and warm/cool colors. Now more with composition and how to make painting visually interesting . I love how you introduced blooms in your paintings. People say they are beginner friendly but they are actually not so easy to make! The biggest improvement in my paintings was help coming from the ipad! Not only I can make outlines but often I upload picture of my painting in procreate and change values to see if it improves the painting. Not a lot of people admit using technology to help their process. Something to think about :)

Angela Boavida

Looking forward for the book. For me, the biggest issue is inspiration, and following through with a painting. I have a tone of unfinished work in a drawer. I take forever to decide what to do, and then if it is not looking like I thought it should, I just leave it. I think most times I don't trust my capabilities. I would love to learn how to deal with it. Whatever you decide to include in your book, I am sure it will be a great success and I cant wait to have a copy. Best of luck! ❤️

SHASHA SHARTREUSE

Wow, this is beautiful. Year of the rooster over here🙋🏼‍♀️💕. My issue would be for shadows or darker colors . I would fuss over the area where a darker color is needed but when it dries it’s not as dark as yours. If I put another layer of a darker color then it would either lift the color underneath or it would be toooooooo dark. I would be so bummed out that I wouldn’t finish the project. Maybe water control for me 🤷🏼‍♀️too much , not enough , or too little 😬🤦🏼‍♀️

Colette

I have a fear of ruining my work when I add in backgrounds so they are always too mid value. Suggestions on adding backgrounds where you have both light and dark values at the edges would be helpful. Also as others mentioned, composition is key! Tips on how to balance color in the composition would be great! I used your trick of balancing composition with faint blue silhouettes at the edges and get lots of positive feedback so that was a very helpful insight.

Kae Davis

I get overwhelmed with how much there is to learn about watercolor and how it can become unwieldy. Also, the thickness of the paint. I.e. what consistency am I shooting for?

Jaja

Looking forward to your book Anna. I struggle with how much pigment to load my brush with. I also struggle with wet into wet washes. Thanks for your beautiful watercolours and lovely instructions and encouragement.

Momma Cheryl

I am looking g forward to your book. I think my biggest issue is probably composition as well as controlling water.

Lisa B

Water control,base layer colors and pigments.

Jeanne K

I find that it's hard to start the composition and build it completely out. If it is a subject with lots of trees, for example, I can't decide how much detail I should put in. How much detail of the leaves should I put in and how much should I leave out? I struggle with honing in on just how much to add and what I should allow the viewer to mentally add in. Or I figure out the layout and what I want to paint but struggle with the color layers.

Lisa

Water control is an issue as much as I try, I keep using to much. Trying to remember which paints are staining, which ones granulated is a struggle. Determining gradients of lights and darks, I tend to put on to much color and lose my highlights. I also get impatient and keep adding color, instead of waiting for it to dry then adding more, when should I just let it dry completely... Best ways to keep your paper from buckling, and water pooling, especially when using something other than highest quality paper. When your new to watercolor you tend to want to use all the pretty colors. So limiting your palette, swatching the colors first to make sure they go well together and what other colors can you make with the colors you pick, so you can add those too maybe. Getting the right Color selection for a painting I think is important. And not going overboard. Good luck with your book, I'm sure it will be great.

Gaby Dorough

Using the right values. I'm afraid I'm going to go too dar too quick, and I end up with a bland painting. Also, simplifying reference pictures, which inevitably leads to me overworking my paintings.

Lynn Muster

Congratulations Anna! Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of your book. Since I started my watercolor journey with you, I have stuck with your methods and am very happy with my progression. For me now, trying to branch off into doing my own compositions is my main challenge. How to put photos together in Procreate (I’m lost) or generate AI photos (even more lost). How to even know which photos would work well together. I think if you taught this, you’d be ahead of every other watercolor teacher out there. I have not found anyone delve into this side of painting. Thanks again for all that you do!!! Lynn

Vikki

I’m a beginner and definitely the composition elements are a struggle for me. I’m not good at drawing, so rely on line art. Learning to put various pieces together to create beautiful scenes that would become my own would be awesome. After that, it’s water control and the precise detail work needed for realistic florals and insects. Even your whimsical pieces have incredible detail to them. I am really looking forward to your book, and LOVE your videos. Thank you so much for sharing your gift.

Elizabeth Burrows

I can't wait for your book! Something you have talked about that most other people do not is transparency and staining. I now take notice of the properties of the paints I use. I think, as a consequence, my paintings are fresher and more vibrant. I'd love to learn more about how you consider the properties of the paints you choose and why.

Gwyneth Anderson

I'm excited that you're writing a book! For me, water control is my main issue. I watch you paint and it looks so smooth and natural. Trying to get that perfect balance of water and paint is very difficult.

Gaby Dorough

Making things look realistic! Introducing non-obvious colors to add complexity. (Like using green, blue and purple in portraits)

Sheena Adams

I definitely have issues with composition. Layering is also a struggle for me. So excited for your book Anna!

Dianne Carpenter

I can’t wait to hold your book in my hands or even have one in my kindle!! My biggest issue is water control. My paint dries so fast so I always make the mistake of adding too much water and ruin it. I think there is something to add to your water to keep your paint from drying too fast… I, also, have the problem of not finishing a painting if it doesn’t look good enough…too many unfinished projects!

Mercedes Ordóñez

I am your biggest fan, not only as a designer and artist, but as a teacher. What I love the most of your work are your “designer meets artist style”, colorful, intricate and well balanced, well composed pieces. So…. what I would love to learn more from you is: - composition: how to make the eye go where you want - setting priorities through color - Drawing - maintaining my paintings clean - values. - TIPS for cleaning your art if you messed it up - Pigments (how do you pick yours?)

Catherine Eighmy

I’d really like to understand how to sketch a composition Plein Air without doing too much erasing on watercolor paper. How to draw the image elsewhere and transfer to watercolor paper? Thank you! I feel completely soothed watching you paint.

Angela Reyna

As an absolute beginner composition is the last in my list of challenges, the big ones for me are water control, outlines, overworking areas and layering colors.

Jill

I struggle with a couple of thing -Seeing shapes, interpreting those shapes -Seeing shadows, Seeing their shape, Seeing the midtones - Changing things up so each item doesn't look the same, i.e. changing shape, angle, direction, curled, uncurled - Finally, and this is sort of silly, but when layering objects, i.e. flowers peeking out or leaves, the objects in the back look out of proportion or the wrong shape at the point it is no longer being blocked.

Natasha Menon

So excited about your book. I struggle with mixing colours, especially greens. Would also love to be better at compositions. I love the way you place different elements together in your paintings.

Elizabeth Doyle

Congratulations on the book! I struggle with shadowing - not always sure where I should place them. Also, when I see you paint it seems to not dry as fast as mine so then I have outlines that I try to blend with more water. Thank you.

Diane

Hi Anna, new subscriber here. I would love to learn about choosing shadow colors for each color and in what proportion to mix them and how and when to apply them. I know it's supposed to be complimentary colors, but there are so many types of blue, etc.. Thanks and Congratulations!

Mary Jacobson

I have trouble getting motivated to paint. Especially Plein Air. Love all your work Anna. I am excited to get going a portrait. Thanks for asking our opinion on watercolor. Let us know when and how to purchase your new book.

Maggie Dormer

Definitely building a composition. It’s a huge one for me. I want to be able to create original work but I really need a step by step guide. I’ve got procreate and Photoshop but hopeless at using them (although I’d like to learn, even if it’s just for this purpose).

Elaine Bruckman

My biggest problem is also water control, too much, too little. Especially the wet on wet, which is my favorite look. that you do so well.

Claire SIERRA

Starting from a photo and deciding about the first layer to get to the convenient result is for me the main problem.

Naomi Kohl

I'm a 10 year veteran art teacher and have taught AP studio art, but struggle with COMPOSITION. The process of conceptualization through getting the idea onto paper.. any insight to your process and how you keep true to your ideas. I feel most watercolor books just cover materials a few techniques and projects.. also color mixing is something I've found lacking in most books. Thanks

blossom kitty

Since watercolors aren't like acrylics where you can just repaint what you doing like you have to plan a painting and get an idea first of how it's supposed to look like and I am normally morr the intuitive type that starts and then by seeing how it looks adapts. So I struggle a lot with the planing. Also I freaking hate lifting colors. The browns and greens of my palate lift a lot and they are difficult to layer. With skintones I sometimes get muddy colors or overwork the paper. Also it's tempting to use pastel tones that have white in them to mix skin tones like titanium buff but then it gets messed up when layering over it. I saved a lot of my paintings by using watercolor ground

Hazel

I've only been painting in watercolours for a couple of months and my biggest issue so far is water control. My base layers never look as beautiful and finished as yours and I always have to smooth out ALL my edges. I am using W & N cotman solid paints. I wonder if I am mixing them incorrectly.

Nicki

My biggest hurdle currently is lack of drawing skills and therefore also composing something on my own. I loooooooove using your outlines but struggle to move past that to make my own. On another note, maybe your next book could be about the traditional folk art that you were trained in. It’s so beautiful, I’d love to learn that too!!!! Thank you so much for everything you do, I’m very excited for your book!

Lauri Feetham

Congratulations on the progress of your book! As an beginner/intermediate painter, I feel that water control and color mixing just take a lot of practice and doing. Trying different colors of paints in different brands can be enlightening -- for example one brand of lemon yellow can be very different from another brand of lemon yellow. I would like to support the suggestion of your applications of shadows. You choose such interesting colors! Very different from other artists I've seen. Your thought process on why you choose the different colors would be interesting. I would most like to see some solid composition concepts. Building a composition is so challenging, and to grow from copying someone else's ideas to developing one's own, is fundamental to growth as an artist. And probably for most of us, we need to learn the fundamentals before we can decide which concepts/rules we'd like to bend or break. There are always those exceptional people out there, but I don't seem to be one of them. I'm looking forward to your book, and if you don't add composition concepts, do you have any good suggestions for references?

John

I'm excited but your book. I hope you're enjoying the work. As someone new to watercolors--really, any visual art--I'm learning how to the process from sketch to completion, and I'm learning that well from you. I struggle with water control. Sometimes it feels like I have two modes: drought or flood. I also struggle with controlling color value. I sometimes say about halfway through a painting my inner 3-year-old dumps paint on the paper. I suppose overall, it's the nuances and subtleties of painting I'm working on now. Color mixing would be a good subject to write about, too. And pigments in general. I'm figuring out that one brand's perylene violet is a whole different thing than another brand using the same color name. You talk about this sometimes in your tutorials, and I definitely take note. Thanks for asking us what we need help with, and most of all for the hours of enjoyable instruction you've put online.

Sheila Spain

Very excited about your book! Love your work and your ability to teach your skills. I always feel successful painting from your tutorials. Like most have stated above - the struggle for me is 1) creating my own composition (you teach a lot about that) 2) developing my own style 3) shadow colors Keep teaching us! Hope your book does well

Diane

Hello Anna. I absolutely love your paintings (and style) and I've thoroughly enjoyed the four tutorials of yours that I've completed so far. I think my biggest challenge is that the paint dries too fast. I use Arches 100% cotton paper, and I've even started adding some Qor watercolor medium to my water. Some days I put a humidifier in the painting room, but that doesn't seem to help much. Most likely, the problem is that I'm painting too slowly, though I do my best to speed up the process.

Diane

P.S. Didn't quite finish my comments :-) and accidentally submitted... I also have an issue with backgrounds; I'm not happy with the backgrounds in my last two paintings as they were too overpowering, and detracted from the main subject. Do you have any suggestions on adding subtle backgrounds after a painting is "finished"? Thank you so much for your wonderful tutorials. They are relaxing as well as instructional. I will continue to follow you on Patreon and plan to support your book as well!

John

One more since this just happened after about twenty minutes working on the turtle doves tutorial. I would love a discussion about how to save a painting that seems ruined, or maybe how to tell when it's salvagable and when it's not!

MARIANNE DANHOF

Here’s another person who would like to make her own compositions. I have a lot of nice birds and flowers, but how to combine them and make an attractive painting ? Also: combination of techniques in a painting. Thank you Anna, as always. Looking forward to reading your book. Also available in Europe?

Mattie Denslow

What wonderful news Anna! Can't wait to snag a copy. I think my biggest struggle is patience hahaha I need to be able to slow down. Or buy a heat tool 😅. Looking forward to seeing your book! Always grateful xx

Rendi

Since I am a beginner I still need to learn the amount of water to use, have not gotten to the color mixing yet. So far I love the instructions and the designs. Good luck with the book.

Barb

I love the idea that you are writing a book. Can't wait to add it to my library. I am very new to watercolor but I am in love with it. Mixing colors seem to cause me the most issues. But I am learning to google my questions if it is cool or warm,

Susan Morrison

Anna I can't wait to get your book. Thank you so much for your incredible mentoring, you have given me so much hope in my ability to paint. Rather than reiterate, I totally agree with all the comments above, I struggle in these areas as well, especially water control and developing my own compositions. So, if I do come up with my own composition, I need you to teach me how to paint it LOL! I am usually amazed and feel happily successful when I follow your tutorials but on my own, I definitely struggle to know how and when to apply specific techniques.

Pam Pryce

I have trouble with water evaporating too quickly in summer and I’m not surprised as its very hot here in summer, I use wetting medium sometimes too, winter …fine. I am a patron of another watercolourist who really soaks each water application before dropping in pigment and it works quite well but I love and use a lot of wet in wet so helps there. It is frustrating using watercolour in a hot dry climate is it hot where you are Diane?

Yakshini P.

Water control is the area I struggle most with (especially softening paint edges). I would also like to see some tips on coming up with compositions. I've also had trouble with applying techniques in regards to light and shadows/emphasising light and shadows in a painting. Good luck with your book Anna!

Deirdre

I'm so excited to see the published book. I've only recently found your youtube channel and absolutely love your work. My main struggle seems to be with composition; I don't think it was really coverec in the dark ages when I was at school.

Diane

Hello Pam and thank you for your comments. The temperature is rarely an issue here. It's the winter that's bad (I'm in Virginia), as the air in the house is very dry with the heat on (it's dry outside, too). And in the summer we have the AC on, which also dries the air. Even with wet-on-wet, things dry out quickly and often result in a non-uniform look. I haven't experimented a lot with the ratio of wetting medium to water. May I ask how much you typically mix with your water? Thanks much!

Rebecca Austin

Congrats on the book! My issue is being able to draw freehand to make my own compositions. I always have to have a traceable picture.

jk.art.studio

So exciting that you have a book for us!! Congratulations Anna!! ❤️ I’ve been painting with watercolor for 2 years and I’d like to create a painting on my own with my own reference photo. I have no trouble with getting the line drawing on paper. However, I need help analyzing and planning how to approach the painting. Which areas and colors to paint first, second etc. I know it’s lightest to darkest but it’s not always that easy to discern the when and where. I can follow a tutorial fine but when I try to paint on my own, I get all mixed up.

Elina Mauno

I know this isn’t a question. But I would like to know about helping with freehanding too, even though I only freehand directly onto watercolour paper. I just can’t stand tracing as a process for some reason. My pointer would be - doing the basic shapes first veeeeery lightly to get an idea on what size things need to be helps a lot

candy vanstaveren

My biggest problem is that I am afraid to go darker. In order to capture the lights I need to have the darks, but once the darks are laid in, it is so hard to get it out if I don’t like it the whole painting can be ruined.

Ana

It is very thoughtful of you to ask us for feedback. Congratulations on your upcoming book! The most challenging part for me is controlling wetness: the wetness of the brush versus the right moisture of the paper to get the wanted results.

Marilise Bernard

Writing your own book is very exciting! I found your tutorial on boundaries and anchor points very useful and wanted to know whether you use any vector programs or other software to help you with the drawing. How do you get the crisp outlines for the sketches like the sunbird and lemons? A lesson on colour mixing would also be great. You could maybe also share some of your experience in observation over the years for beginner artists as it is daunting to work up the patience to practise every day. Love your work as always.

Marilise Bernard

Perhaps you could include in the book and for your Patreon members like a map of which tutorials to start with and work yourself through them all to get to the advanced ones, kind of like a guide or road map if you will :)

Marilise Bernard

Ooh! and perhaps you could also include a story or two of how you made time for your art learning journey while raising a family. Being a stay at home mom, managing a 3 year old can be quite demanding and by the time he falls alseep then so do I..

Marilise Bernard

Sorry for so many posts... and also perhaps share a lesson or two on the anatomy of certain flowers and leaves and how to interpret them into shapes like the little folds of leaves and how you have simplified it in order to draw them.

Kathy

I would like to learn more about creating realistic watercolor portraits - specifically - hair , using warm and cool colors , and knowing when it’s finished Thank you for sharing your talent Anna

Christine Kilger

Congratulations Anna! I think my question may be harder to address but this is the area where I struggle (besides overworking). I would love clarification/theory about your thought process of how you look at a reference photo and deconstruct it. In other words, how you will approach it in layers as a watercolor. For example, the first layers that you (and other teachers) put down always surprise me! I feel like there is some secret I am missing about how to "see" or "translate" into a layered watercolor process. Excited about your book!!

Yuki Dickson

Congratulations on our book Anna! Your detailed and thoughtful tutorials have taught me how to watercolor as a total newbie and I appreciate you. Echoing some already expressed sentiments here are my 2 cents in no particular order re: main challenges as an advanced beginner: 1. Creating a balanced and pleasing-to-the-eye composition from scratch. What are the fundamental considerations and steps? 2. Translating images to paper via a high-quality pencil sketch by hand. I know this is a completely different skill but it also impacts how I think about (1). Can I create a pleasing sketch with traced elements? 3. Translating a color palette from a reference photo and planning the layers. You’ve addressed this throughout your videos but going about it unsupervised is always a deer-in-the-headlights moment for me. 4. Water/paint control and having the paint dry creating a hard outline on an object even though it seemed blended when wet (maybe this a low-quality paper/paint issue). Your cockatoo/iris tutorial addressed this well. 5. 100% watercolor paper is a non-negotiable. As a beginner, I did not use 100% cotton bc of cost and thought it was wasteful and only for “real artists”. When I switched it completely changed the game. The paints behave as intended and high-quality paper somehow transforms some of my mistakes. Thank you and looking forward to your book!

randi cornwall

Hey girl! So excited for this book and hope it gets to grace my shelves too. 💜 I love your tutorials and would love if you could include this: The hardest part of me in creating my own watercolor scenes is the process. I notice you’ve mentioned a few times having some practice sessions with the subject material. You’ll even make a few different variations of the subject before moving to a final piece. Another watercolorist I follow mentioned that she takes hundreds of photos of her portrait subjects before putting paint to paper. I think for enthusiasts to truly move to artist, we would benefit from understanding these methods more. I would LOVE if you could include your process of “rough draft” to “finished piece” explained in detail, while recognizing that every artist’s process is different. This is the part no artist mentions…and I have a lot of watercolor books!

Linda (Daily) Locklear

Everything I would suggest has already been said. I have followed two of your tutorials so far and am excited to start another. Maybe a comment in how to identify colors within a reference.

Perga Fey

As with others here, I congratulate you on your forthcoming book. Which I will want to buy. My personal struggles in art are that of not quite yet obtaining the spontaneous painting . Due to my previous métier, I am too detailed. So my lesson is to not worry so much about all details. How do I put this aside? I have been using a way bigger brush and have just been brave. Bug brush. Bold strokes. Good results.

Renee Griffin

Marilise,I would like to check out the lesson on anchor points and boundaries. Can you tell me which one it is? I get behind and there are so many- and so little time!

Myrna Landers

My challenge in watercolor is overworking a piece. Lifting, adding, etc. Having the patience to slow down, lol.

Kim Rojas

Hi Anna what a great idea to write a book! I struggle with color choices in shadows for different color combinations.

Anna Bucciarelli

Hi Denise, if you are referring to the painting - its a very old one from 2017 - way before I filmed anything:)

Anna Bucciarelli

Thank you - this is interesting, although a bit out of my realm of expertise, to be completely honest, as I am trying to get as detailed as possible most of the time. Its completely a matter of taste and style! The approach you describe is exactly correct - bigger brushes, and being brave with water and pigment to capture the "feeling" of what you see rather than particular details.

Anna Bucciarelli

Thank you Randi - this is very helpful. The way you described the process is exactly right = lots of refinement basically and not expecting the first attempt to be perfect. I will definitely include a section on that with some practical examples.

Anna Bucciarelli

Hi Yuki. Thank you so much for your thoughtful recommendations. These are excellent! Happy to report I've already wrote an entire section on sketching vs tracing:))) And I definitely stress the importance of cotton throughout! As you said, its non-negotiable {although there is still some debate in the art community}. In my draft so far, I tried to offer a balanced approach that takes cost into consideration. Points 1 and 3 are giving me a lot of food for thought - I will definitely need to spend some time on these in the book and will be working on those draft sections in the upcoming weeks. Have a wonderful day!

cindy

I agree with Kim. Shadow colours are a struggle for me as well. Also creating a cohesive composition is something I find challenging.

Cindie Hicks

I am a new painter to watercolor. I struggle with seeing the different colors to use for layers and layering in a way that those layers are visible and adding to the realism of the painting.

Peggy Baker

I love your teaching methods. I can actually turn out of paintings I am proud when I do a Step by Step with you. I hope you will include some of those in your book. I will be sure to grab a copy right off the press!

edinabi

I get along very well with repainting your pictures by following the individual steps, but I would love to paint my own motif. I have difficulties in choosing the colors for a composition. Which ones go together? Especially when several layers are painted on top of each other. How do I prevent that not everything is muddy in the end and how do I create a whole composition? Your pictures are always so well put together and look so pleasing to the eye. Are there any (secret) rules?

Liz Hall

That would really help

Gwendoline Sanderson

I was looking for your book, thought you had already launched it. Loading the brush so it will last, I keep running out of paint, what a pain.

Daniel

I find my main challenges come in the planning stage. For example: 1) Choosing how much to abstract the painting vs. sticking close to the reference. This relates particularly to how much I should blend vs. leave harder edges on mid-tones and where to emphasize details. 2) Selecting the colour palette to enhance rather than match the reference. 3) General principles for maintaining glow. How do I observe a reference and find how to do it on my own? I will very much will be looking forward to the book!

allroundleftie

I can't seem to get the luminosity that you do and I use the same paints. Also, a wet street is problematic. I get the theory, just can't seem to achieve the results. I know, practice, practice, practice...............

Yuki Dickson

Hi, a few other thoughts for beginners popped into my head as I was painting: 6. Understanding the application/difference of Hue vs Value when planning layers. Painting from light to dark was the only watercolor rule I knew when starting your classes. So when your base layer included diox. purple or quin red (albeit a VERY light value) along with yellows and pinks off the bat I was so confused. I would think, why is she going rouge ?!, despite your explanation multiple times in all your videos this was to simply color map and KEEP IT LIGHT. With no formal art class training it did not compute that you can take a LIGHT VALUE of a DARK HUE. It’s laughable now but might be helpful to emphasize to a beginner. Your Coral Roses tutorial addressed this well. 7. Suggestions on Creating a Basic Watercolor Kit specifically for your classes. Suggestions on where to splurge/save. A few things I would recommend if I could redo my beginner kit IMO: SPLURGE: a) 100% watercolor paper (see 5). Multiple reasonable options exist on Amazon (US) for cotton blocks ranging from $14 - $26. Even Arches has a $18 9x12 block of 12 sheets! it’s not even that huge of a splurge anymore. SAVE: a) watercolor paints. - start with an inexpensive watercolor set with at least 16 colors It is nice to have pre-mixed colors as a beginner. still use the $20 random 16-tube set from Amazon and only now selectively adding Anna’s recs. -add a set of Fine Watercolor Dot cards to your foundational set. I didn’t even know these existed until Anna mentioned them. They are incredible and wish I knew about them sooner. SO reasonable and you get generous samples of so many beautiful pigments: DS card 66 colors for $8, WN card 109 colors for $15 on Amazon US I don’t recommend 3 primary colors of fine watercolor tubes and color mixing bc that would drive me nuts but good option for those with a solid grasp of color theory. b) brushes - Amazon, JoAnns, and Michales all have incredibly inexpensive detailer brush sets that will give you a nice variety. c) Palettes - thrift store, your kitchen. Anything flat and white and ceramic. I use white porcelain dessert plates. I don’t love plastic bc it absorbs color and gets so dirty. I saw Anna’s cute flower ceramic palette in a set of 3 on Amazon for $18 which is nice.

Lynn

My two biggest issues are water control and creating a composition through an accurate drawing. How much detail do I put in the drawing or do I paint in later? Which details to include, suggest, or leave out? I began my watercolor journey with botanicals, wet on dry on hot press paper. Now I paint birds with botanicals with as much correct scientific detail as possible. I saw you were planning a tutorial on wet on dry so looking forward to that, and, of course, your book!

Alex Kristofcak

consistency -- in everything, really: water control; amount of pigment, etc.

Alex Kristofcak

oh and compositions, specifically, i can dream up a super cool composition but when it's totally made up (i.e. without a concrete reference), i struggle with figuring out where the shadows fall to make the values/volume give it realism

Gloria Mielke

would love to have your book. Let me know when it is out.

Mary

I struggle with picking the first layer or 2 of color used in blending upwards to the final result. It makes me tend to want to mix what I perceive as the final color and just do one layer with that. It's really not possible to get a good result that way, I just can't envision the colors "underneath" the result. Also, can't tell when I should pronounce a painting finished, I always overwork.

Vanessa Schäfer

I find composition and balancing colours still difficult, often it looks boring or strange.

Beth

Water control is my biggest problem. Especially in layering. I have outlines when I lay down color. I wait and layer another color over it and there are still outlines.. so outlines and blooming everywhere. I try so hard to get it right and I struggle and never have had luck learning.

Maria Eadie

I'm straggling leaving light on my composition. I to cover everything with paint.

Anna Bucciarelli

Thank you for your feedback. I will address this in a book but in a meantime my advice is to try very hard graphite pencils - the ones I use are 3H and 4H.

Katherine Antonini

I absolutely love this painting! Will it ever be one of your tutorials? 🤞

Lorraine Cooper

I love this my struggle is how to get the colours so vibrant. I overpaint and touch up with ink, not the right way but it works in a fashion.

Viviana

Hi Anna I been enjoying your tutorials a lot !! Thank you for having them so well explained !! This is a beautiful painting ! What I most admire of it is your vibrant color palette , I will like to know how you get to chose the colors for your paintings ?

Oscar

Wonderful tutorials (thx).... my major challenge has been the water-paint ratio.... Water control on the paper and on my brush has always been a struggle. Keep us posted on the release of your book.

Yuki Dickson

HI Anna, a few more topics that would have been helpful as a beginner: How to organize your palette paint prep tips for optimal coverage for different objectives and avoiding harsh outlines

Monica Crumley

Honestly, the three things you mentioned… Water control, designing my own composition and mixing the best greens are exactly some little things I’m always working on.

Dana Simpson

This may just be my issue, but I think I tend to use too much water, because many of my paintings fade outside the lines some, and look sloppy/ messy. I also tend to drop paint where I don't want.. I was once told by an art teacher or two, that my work is messy.. I literally have to cleanup each and every painting with white paint around the edges..

Dana Simpson

And the things mentioned above..

Becky Doucette

I think the biggest hurdle for me was mistakes. Teachers saying how unforgiving watercolor is, but not going any work arounds. Mistakes are going to happen, how to correct, incorporate, move on from a mistake is hard. I think this would be useful for new painters. For example, you are keeping the background white, but when you are almost done a little bit of paint gets on the background. You could change direction and have a blue background. you could get rid of the mark with white gesso, or something like a leaf could be added where the mark is.

cindy

I would like to know once and for all ....an ideal pallet of colours should be. I know we need one warm and cool of each colour but which exact ones. I also know that it could vary by brand. I think this would be good for beginners as well.

Cathy B.

I've been looking for more tips on mixing paint on paper, and haven't found much.

Cathy B.

Just to clarify, I mean more than placing the colours side-by-side. Something more like a rock using just primary colours to get gradations of colour.

Cathy B.

I also need help on calligraphy/brush strokes that imply plants in a landscape, but are interesting.

Sharon Haggadone

Your paintings are so beautiful 🌸 Applying the background to enhance the focal point is difficult for me. I am looking forward to getting your book in the future.

Janice

For me it’s the under painting of yellow if and when to use it. Especially if and when to use it under pink colours.

Suzi Gregersen

It would be nice to know a little about how to know where you need to leave space for the finaly white highlights. I start with what seems enough white space, but as the paints blend I usually end up with not nearly enough or none at all.

Jennifer Crow

Definitely keeping a space wet enough for wet on wet. And also how to determine the stages of what to paint (underpainting, stage 2, stage 3 etc) when doing own personal composition. I am so so excited for this book!!

Jackie

Underpainting and leaving white space are probably my biggest issues. Knowing when where and how much.

julie abernathy

Hi Anna! Can I have a signed copy? Or rather purchase one -also we have bluebirds in our backyard building nest -I would love to have a picture of a bluebird family along with the babies. ..if you were ever looking for new subject matter. I would love to copy this from you And I also love your color palette swatches. I’ve ordered the Qor paints! Excited for them to come on Monday. 😄

Jennifer Crow

Is your book going to be available before the Amazon release? I know we can pre-order, but wanted to double check if you are going to have an early access release available? I’m so excited!

Anna Bucciarelli

Hi Jennifer - I am not sure - at the moment we are going through the edits and the layout, so far the plan is still December of this year. If I hear ANYTHING different from the publisher in this regard, including maybe pre-sale opportunities for Patreon subscribers, I will of course let everyone know!

Elizabeth E Brandon

One of the things I find unique about you as an artist is your wide range of colors. The use of warm and cold colors. Combining colors successfully that other artists fail with. I would like to see an entire chapter on how you do this. I know it is advanced, but it is so useful and a different way of thinking.

Elizabeth E Brandon

You are excellent at composition. It is not just the rules of composition. You have a unique ability to combine objects. That will be helpful.

Anna Bucciarelli

Thank you so much Elizabeth! It's probably my favourite part of doing art - just putting the pieces together like a puzzle to create something new :))))))) Have a wonderful day!

Daniela Zapata

Hi Anna, your paintings are wonderful.. really makes your heart skip a beat... If I may, what I struggle with while painting is realising how much water is needed in the paper, for example for wet on wet when the first wet is just water and we drop the color in.. many times my paintings don't go the way I want as I have too much or too little water.

Velda Draper

Just received your book...Fantastic

Anna Bucciarelli

Velda, Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your thoughts — it truly means the world to me! If you have a moment, I would be so grateful if you could also share your thoughts in a quick review on www.Amazon.com - Reviews not only help others discover the book, but they also support me in continuing to create resources like this for the community. Thank you again for your support — and happy painting!