Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

Content

I want to provide my patrons with content that they want to see so I have a few questions for you. 

What would you like to learn? 

What do you have trouble with?

 Are there and particular subjects you'd like to paint?

I have been asked by a few people on YouTube to paint landscapes and seascapes. I've never done that before so it will be a learning curve for me when I do. I'll have to push myself out of my comfort zone. 

I also want to start trying to paint portraits. I used to draw a lot of faces in graphite when I was younger but I've never painted a portrait in watercolour. So that's also on my list of things to do.

Let me know in the comments if you have anything in particular you'd like to paint or if there's anything I can help you with.

Files

Comments

Chrystèle

I would love to learn how to paint portrait and clothes

Chrystèle

My major problem is, of course, with the skin. It's not really about the colors but the different layers. The result is always very disappointing. It looks dirty even after leaving every layer drying well. The best would be to start with simple exercises and practices and gradually increase the difficulty, but I have yet to find any resources like this. I saw some artists play with dramatic lights and shadows on their faces. The result was beautiful. I tried the monochromous portrait, and I knew it was an advanced project, but I wanted to try it. My result was disappointing once again.

Louise De Masi

Painting portraits is not easy. Have you been painting for long Chrystele?

Chrystèle

I'm an experienced illustrator (graphite and colored pencils), but I started painting with watercolor only eight months ago. I started trying to paint some of the portraits I drew, but after a while, I felt so frustrated that I decided to find a course. I picked yours because I love your style (mix of realism, minimalism, and looseness). I spend my Saturdays painting, and lately, some hours after my workday.

Louise De Masi

You have a good background in art- that's great. Watercolour is the most difficult medium to use (in my opinion) because of its transparency and fluency. I worked in acrylic paint for about ten years before I started painting in watercolour and it wasn't an easy transition. I didn't feel confident enough to even attempt a watercolour portrait until I'd been painting with watercolour for ten years and for the final seven of those I was painting full time. You are way ahead of me in the confidence department 😀! Give yourself time to improve. It takes a lot of practice.

Chrystèle

10 years before attempting a watercolor portrait? Wow! It gives a lot of perspective! So it's just expected that I'm just struggling! I don't think that trying to paint a portrait in watercolor has to be seen as proof of my confidence but more as a lack of awareness regarding the skills you need to do so. Why? Well, I never heard anyone speaking clearly about the number of years you need to paint a portrait with watercolor. Now I know!

Kirti Jain

Hello Louis, you are great teacher looking forward to learn glass bottles and cutlery in watercolor

Kao

Hallo Louise ! I think all your botanicals and animals paintings are fantastic. I think it would be nice , Halloween approaching , to have an example on how you would paint a group of pumpkins ! There are some really nice out there …

Sharron Adamson

I would love love love to learn to paint one of your galahs, a gang gang or any bird really. 💕

Margret Martin

Love what you have been doing - birds and florals. I love landscapes too!

Louise De Masi

Birds are one of my favourite things to paint. I'm working on a Galah class at the moment for Skillshare.

Karen Read

All of your bird portraits are exquisite! I also love the absolute attention to detail that are your florals ! So my vote is for either of these.

Bette McDowell

I love botanicals so all your videos are wonderful. I would like to know more about choosing colors. I struggle with that and things like realistic shadows.

Louise De Masi

Thanks Bette and welcome! I will remember to put more information in my videos about choosing colours. quite a few people have told me they struggle with that. I've touched on this topic briefly in the rabbit video.

Louise De Masi

Thanks Karen. You're easily pleased. They are my two favourite subjects.

Emma Wood

I adore all your paintings Louise and am so appreciative of the knowledge that you share. Like many above I like painting birds and other animals. I recently tried your giraffe and fox lesson and enjoyed every minute.

Louise De Masi

Hi Emma. Welcome! Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed the classes. There will be many more to come.

Terri H.

Hi Louise! I got back from my trip and was so pleased to see you launched your Patreon site! Congratulations! I so enjoy all your floral and animal paintings and your calm style of teaching with colors that don’t have to be mixed! I’m itching to get back to painting! Again, congratulations and thank you for starting this resource!

Debbie Thompson

Hi Louise! I’m glad someone mentioned colors, because as I’ve been working through your pink rose class on Skillshare, I find myself wondering how you choose the colors you use (purple and pink for leaves? But it works!). You could probably spend a whole class on color theory. I would also love to see your approach to other animals (dogs, horses, cows). I am looking forward to working my way through the rest of your classes and tutorials on YouTube. Thank you so much for sharing your incredible talents with us!

Louise De Masi

Thank you very much Debbie! I certainly need to spend some time and do a tutorial on this.

Bette McDowell

Awesome! I just finished your succulent class and started on the rose. I have noticed that I'm getting much faster at putting the colors down! I will add the rabbit to my list.

Kimberly Arledge

Hello Louise! I've taken all your classes and love your style. As with many, I have wanted-and tried to take the style you use and apply it to landscapes- with very limited success. I love trees. I've practiced big majestic oaks and scrabley pines. Theres a Cedar with long weeping branches I want to try. Just a suggestion. I'll be here painting whatever you want to teach us.!

Louise De Masi

Thanks so much Kimberly. Landscapes and trees are something I need to try myself. I've had a few people mention them to me on YouTube, They're on my list.

Jacinthe Boudreau

Hi Louise, the thing that first brought my attention to your painting is your style. The way you softly drop the water on the paper and you let the water make is way.....is magic. Also, I love the way you allow the colors to mix on the paper...This is a little hard to express since my english is limited....😚.

Jacinthe Boudreau

No special request for now, I am just enjoying and painting along😊👩‍🎨. Thank you for asking💫

Louise De Masi

Thank you very mush Jacinthe. I think your English is great! Watercolour is a difficult medium to use, as you know. I've tried over the years to simplify it for myself.

Eve Eichner

I really love the process of painting along with you. Please continue doing birds and flowers, maybe veggies also. Have a wonderful day!💕

Susanne Norling

A sunflower, a pineapple and a raspberry would be awesome!

Heidi Bingham

Hello Louise! I guess my comment didn't get registered. I LOVE to watch you paint animals and I want to paint more birds. I would like to see a raven and more owls. I would also love to see you paint some insects like beautiful, big beetles, hissing cockroaches, butterflies, and spiders. How FUN would that be??? I have no animals so it's weird that I'm OBSESSED with painting them. I'm not very good at it at all, but I keep trying. Thank you!!!

Louise De Masi

Hi Heidi. Thank you for your suggestions. I've got a list on my desktop so I'll add them all to it. Lol....spiders and cockroaches....they're a different request.

Kathy Wilden

My daughter’s pet husky died recently and I would like to paint his portrait. I’m not sure about the fur. I would like you to show us how to go about it.

Caden

If you could show us how you take off your tape and staples after you stretch the paper so it does not rip in more detail that would be awesome!

Louise De Masi

Hi Caden, Definitely...that's a good idea. It's good that you tell me these things because sometimes I take for granted that people already know that. I plan to do a video on how to stretch paper so I'll also include how to take the tape/staples off when you're finished.

Rachel Ottley

I love your bird paintings! And would be interested in bugs & insects as Heidi also requested. So much fun!

Rita Navroth

I love your flowers, birds and animals, all shapes and sizes. I like some insects too like butterflies, ladybugs and dragonfly's. I too would like to learn landscapes, I have had difficulties with all the wet on wet of blending. I am still a beginner and have an easier time with detailed paintings. Need to learn how to quickly blend the colors and how to keep the paper from warping with all that water. I love all your paintings and enjoy them all. Thanks for taking the time to create these videos and offering such a wonderful array to choice from.

Louise De Masi

Thanks so much Rita for your suggestions and letting me know what you are having difficulty with. I'll publish a video soon about how I stretch my paper.

Dax Castro

I really love the way you use contrast to make feather and Fur Details. I've learned a lot just from watching you Create them in some of your birds and mammals but it would be great if there was a tutorial highlighting how you use wet and dry methods to create for lines and feather Delineations.

Marijke de Boer

Hi there, I have just joined your patreon channel! So excited that you are offering these classes. I love all your bird stuff and flowers too! Although I am a marine mammal ecologist, I keep sketching birds:) Water colour seems the perfect medium for whales and dolphins so I am keen to give that a try soon. I have been doing water colour just over a month so am pretty much a beginner. I tried to follow one of your barn owls on you tube and simply fell in love with the colours and am so impressed with your amazing painting skills.

Louise De Masi

Hi Marijke, Welcome! Watercolour is a perfect medium for marine mammals and water. What a fantastic occupation you have. I'll make sure I add whales and dolphins to my list of subjects to paint.

Nicoline Mann

Hi Louise! I just joined your patreon and am so excited! I’ve always painted in a similar style to you, but struggle with large areas and shadows. I’d love to learn how to paint whales and dolphins, Peonies, a red rose, a monstera leaf and dogs that have curly hair (doodles and poodle types) as well as ticked dogs like blue healers etc, I look forward to working through your classes! I love your soft gentle approach and pure love of watercolours!

Louise De Masi

Hi Nicoline! Welcome. Thank you very much for your suggestions. I have a list I'm keeping on my computer desktop. I'll add your suggestions to the list. This gives me guidance and keeps me on track. Thank you again. xx

Rose Blixencrone

Male lion with wind blowing through the hair. Or a lion family with multiple individuals. That would be fun.

Rose Blixencrone

Or.. maybe a animal let’s say an elephant with flower decorations on it or around it, like a mix of different references into one imagenary painting. That.. that would be super fun!

Bronwyn bossley

Hi Louise would love to do Gum leaves and gum flowers with that white it gets on stems. Also how to do a black background etc Thank you again love your work.

Heather Baker

Hi, I would like to see probably the most basic thing ever.... a penguin. I keep trying to do penguins, but can’t make it work. I would also like to see a raven. Monochromatic animals seem difficult, as well animals with a lot of white.

Louise De Masi

Welcome Heather. Thanks for your suggestions. They're on the list now.

Louise De Masi

Thanks Bronwyn. Gum leaves and gum flowers ......great idea!

Amy Arendsen

A snowy egret would be fun. I see them all the time here in Florida. I love their yellow feet.

Dinna

I have a photo of my daughter when she was 2 and I would love to have this photo as a painting. I'm scared to try, but think your style is perfect for this photo - so I'd love to see you work on portraits as well. If you need a model, I have one for you. :)

Dinna

I love all your work and can't wait to watch all the videos.

Louise De Masi

Thank you Dinna. I will need to practice myself. I used to draw portraits in graphite but I've never painted one. It's on my list of things to do. Could you possibly email the photo to me? I'd love to practice. My email is ldemasi@iprimus.com.au

Tanya

hello, I am so excited that i am learning so much from you. I would love to paint the Black cockatoo you painted and hang in one of your rooms you renovated and filmed for us to see.

Tanya

Also to learn about watercolor brushes and learn which one to use.

Laurel

Furry animals! I also love owls and have several great photos I took of nesting owls in Saguaros that I’d love to tackle. The saguaros don’t make me hesitate but those fluffy baby owls do! 😉

Louise De Masi

Thanks Laurel. A few people have mentioned painting fur or fluffy animals. It's not easy to do in watercolour so I know how you feel about those fluffy baby owls. I've got fur on my list of subjects. :-)

Debbie Renwick

I hope you teach us how to paint all those beautiful birds!!!

Nicoline Mann

If you need any other children for reference Louise, I would be delighted to send you pictures of my grandchildren.

Britta Thrane

Farm animals incl. ducks and hens :)

Anki Johansson

Just finished your chrysantemum on skillshare, and would like much more Flowers, been and Butterflies🥰

Jahl

Love your birds, do you think you could do a Paradise Kingfisher? I'm about to try my hand at that cute little fairy wren.

Louise De Masi

Good luck with the Fairy Wren. We could do a Paradise Kingfisher. I'd need to find a good reference photo that we can use though. 🧡

Yolonde

Lol ... I love the crawly critters as well

Yolonde

I am really intrigued with your rendering of black in your crow paintings. You have captured that amazing surface that throws so many colours but is still black. I would love to learn how to do that very much.

krisha

I would love to see how you paint the iridescence of birds. I am smitten with your crow! :)

Kristi

I really enjoy your florals. Maybe a succulent. I also love giraffe painting!

Nicoline Mann

Wonderful! Sorry I didn’t see your response before. I’ll send some pictures your way. ❤️

Meredith Bennett

I love the flowers and birds - exactly what I was looking for! I specially really want to learn to paint a crow.

Noelle Ilitch

I LOVE a florals.. I like the idea of a colorful succulent, a hydrangea, and a protea flower!

Louise De Masi

All beautiful suggestions Noelle! Thank you....I'm on it. 😝 💕

Jahl

Flamingo and elephants :)

Yvonne de Visser

Love everything you paint but I love to see you paint a hedgehog. The one you have painted before is so cute!

Faye Lukezich

Hi Louise, I would love to see many wild animals, specifically furry ones. I love how your fox on skillshare shows how to suggest a fur texture without painting in every hair. So more fur examples would be great. Also I'm interested in lizard textures as well. You're a wonderful teacher and so very talented. I'm so excited to see you here on Patreon! Thank you for all your wonderful classes I've learned so much from. ♡♡

Louise De Masi

Hi Faye, Welcome! I'm glad you are here and thank you for your suggestions. I'll add them to my list. 💜

Julia Bos

Hello Louise, Julia from the Netherlands here. I would like to learn how to make human faces.

Teri F

Hi Louise. I would love to learn to paint veggies and/or fruit in your vibrant painting style. Peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, corn, whatever. I know you would make them beautiful and bold! 🌶 🌽 🍅😁. I mostly struggle with reds and how to mix the warm and cool and put in shadows and still keep it vibrant.

Louise De Masi

Thanks Julia, I've added it to my list. I used to paint them in acrylic paint but never in watercolour so it's something I'll have to practice first. 💜

Louise De Masi

No problem! I've added them to my list. Thank you for the suggestion. 💕

Hotflash Vickie

Hello, Louise!! Might as well get my choice onto the list before you get TOO overwhelmed. Sounds like that might be happening soon, as you are becoming quite popular (as you should!) on social media. (I believe we all knew this would happen...) Anyway, in order to perhaps get this on the list for NEXT year, I'm hoping you can truly leave your Australian Comfort Zone and perhaps Go American and think Christmas In The U.S., i.e., Christmas Tree, holly and berries, the basic snow scene outdoors with a snowman and redbird or something - you know, a Christmas card sort of scene. I've always imagined hand-painting my own Christmas card for family (the boss and neighbors can get store-bought, of course), but it probably will remain a fantasy unless I receive step-by-step instructions from, of course, you, the expert in All Things Watercolor. But as I say, I realize the fluffy animals and sea creatures will come first, and maybe next winter in Australia when you're sipping a mug of chocolate (that would be hot-as-hades here in the States, I believe), you may be inspired to think Christmastime in the States! Oh, yes! And I'm sure I can rummage around the attic and find plenty of inspiration among my dust-covered Christmas boxes should you need any :)

Louise De Masi

Hi Vickie! Yes great idea! Thank you for reminding me. I was planning to get some 'Christmas themed' paintings done this year..... I'll see what I can do. I like the idea of a red Cardinal and some holly. ☃️

Rachel Ottley

Thank you for all the Patron requested tutorials!! So much fun!! I would love a black bird - Crow? Raven? Starling? Black Cockatoo? - & see how you use blues & purples to make those feathers shine!

Louise De Masi

Absolutely Rachel. A black bird is on my list! 💕

Faye Lukezich

Hi Louise, I wrote about fur on here before. But I really would love to paint an octopus. They fascinate me. Also other sea creatures, and of course many furry mammals such as wolves, bears, foxes, mountain lions, etc. Owls, ravens and crows. Elephants, rhinos, and lizards. Oh yes and landscapes. I know that's a huge list and don't expect you to do them all, but I'm trying to be more particular in suggestions. Thank you so much for everything you do. I love it all.

Louise De Masi

Thanks Faye! Lol....I've got lots to keep me busy and inspired! 🧡 Let me know if you come across a good octopus photo that's free to use.

Faye Lukezich

Boy that last bit is hard. Not seeing very good free reference photos for the octopus...well I'll keep an eye out. Maybe something cool will show up!

Nicole Butzen

Hi Louise. I have read the previous requests and I join those who ask for a human face tutorial. Your tutorials are great.

Karen collar

Hi Louise, my painting suggestions/requests would be see how you would tackle painting a mackerel (fish), they are a lovely silver/blue colour. Flower-wise, it would be great to learn how you would paint an Echinacea, my attempts were pitiful :-) Thank you!

Mel

Hi Louise i love your style and you are an amazing teacher, and i am soooo pleased you paint birds and animals as well as flowers. and so looking forward to doing portriats and reptiles ! I followed another artist on patreon but unfortunately for me she kept getting requests to do landscapes so i lucked out there as thats just not my thing ! but now i found you !!!

Mel

Oh and fish was a good suggestion too. If you could do a Cockertiel at some point that would be really cool and a bearded dragon as my mum and muminlaw have had these and it would be nice if i could have a go at doing them.

Mel

Also, sorry ideas just keep popping in my head now ( i bet you wish you never asked !!!) I wonder have you ever done watercolour on canvas ? im thinking of having a go at it, as i like to do big pics, I thought id try one of the WC grounds out and see what a disaster i might create !!!

Louise De Masi

Lol...thanks for all the suggestions Mel. I've added them to my list. I've never painted watercolour on a canvas. I imagine it wouldn't be easy. I plan on doing a tutorial on painting on an Ampersand Aquaboard. They're a bit different to panting on paper but still enjoyable.

Kelle Luoma

Also, I'm sooo glad I stumbled across you, Louise! I'm 3 weeks into my first watercolour class now, and while I think that the basics that are being taught are invaluable, I don't like the style she teaches. First day in class she said we don't need liner brushes because none of us were going to paint botanicals. Um...I want to paint just that! I can easily understand your blending and glazing techniques, and apply them to my own paintings. Until I saw your hydrangea tutorial on YouTube, I couldn't get wet on wet to work. Now I can use it easily, although I need much more practice. Thank you so much for sharing your talent, both painting and teaching. I'm so excited to keep painting every day now.

Louise De Masi

Thank you Kelle! Good luck with the painting classes. It's good to learn from different people, absorb what you need, discard what you don't and before long you'll develop your own personal style of painting in watercolour. The rainbow parrot tulips are beautiful, challenging but beautiful. Water drops are easy once you know how. I demonstrate how to paint them on my succulent Skillshare class. I'll do some more for here. 💕

Kelle Luoma

Thank you! I also struggle with tulip leaves. I can not get the curl and the rounded shapes to olook right. I hope you will do a demo on those types of leaves one day.

Louise De Masi

Yes I will, absolutely Kelle. I love painting tulips.

Patricia Teal

I am loving all the animals! That is what drew me to your classes. I hope to keep seeing more animals in the near future, all kinds scaley, fluffy, hairy, rough, smooth, feathery :)

Elena

I've joined after I saw a picture of a fluffy dog for one of your tutorials. As I really want to pain my rough-coated Jack Russell terrier. It is a challenge as he is mostly white with very textured coat. As a subject may I also suggest gold fish and lotus flower (not necessarily in one painting :))?

Amanda Novaes

I am so happy with my improvement after join your classes.... Some suggestions for classes: Horses Texture (like cattleyas)

Patti Kehl

I have newly joined your group this month. I have been enjoying scrollingt

Patti Kehl

through different tutorials getting an idea what you have to offer. I watched all three tutorials on the Gardenia tonight and I have a question. Do you always paint with wet paint? I hear you refer to a "watery mix" and wonder if you prefer to squeeze some paint and spray with water and go from there - or was that just on the Gardenia.

Patti Kehl

Please forgive the disjointed message. I am not sure how that happens! LOL

Louise De Masi

Hi Patti, Welcome. I use a palette with sloping wells. I place the paint at the highest point of the well and I spray it with water. The water falls to the bottom of the well and the paint that I squirted out stays at the top and eventually hardens over after it's been there for a while. I mix some paint into the water at the bottom of the well. So when I want a light colour I'll use the watery paint at the bottom of the well. When I want dark paint I'll wipe a damp brush over the paint at the top of the well where I squirted it out. If you watch the Zebra tutorial I put some black paint on a saucer. I don't use a lot of black paint so it's not a colour I have on my palette (hence the saucer). When I put the paint on the saucer I put it on the outer rim. So then when I add water the water falls into the middle part of the saucer. That gives me a choice of using the watery paint in the middle part of the saucer or the really dark pigment where it sits on the saucer where I squirted it out. When I refer to watery paint in any of my tutorials I'm talking about that watery paint that's lighter in colour. It will become clearer to you if have a look at the Zebra tutorial. I'll make a short tutorial up that focusses just on this when I can.

Siddharth Singh

Hey Louise ... it’s awesome to come across a great teacher like yourself . Would really love if you could do a tutorial on pond koi with maybe a few Waterlily pads and another of Lilium orientalis flower stem . 🙂🙏🏼🙏🏼

Louise De Masi

Hi Siddharth. Thank you and thank you for the suggestions! I'll keep an eye out for some good reference photos.

Susan Brun

Good Morning Louise! I’m so happy I found you initially on Utube and now on Patreon! I would LOVE to see a goldfinch with their bright plumage perhaps sitting/feeding on a coneflower or purple thistle. I love feeding hundreds of these Beauties in my garden and on my feeders all winter here in Canada. Your Hummers are fabulous! Ruby Throats are so striking and make for a pretty painting too. In the floral department, I love a purple/bluish delphinium or a stalk of Oriental Lily flowers and buds. Clematis in beautiful light are always a favourite too. I am a passionate gardener and birder and it sounds like you are too! Looking forward to many more beautiful paintings from you. Congratulations on the new addition to your family.

Louise De Masi

Thank you very much Susan. Welcome and thank you for the suggestions. ❤️

KRISTY losey

Could you show us how to paint a blue jay and a chickadee?

KRISTY losey

ohhhh and i would love to learn how to paint zinnias. They are such a beautiful flower..so many colors to choose from! Thank you so much Louise!

Louise De Masi

Hi Kristy, I have a chickadee tutorial on Patreon. I'll put a blue jay on my list. Thank you!

Robyn Mills

Im fascinated with deserted houses, and sheds and the way the light goes through them, and the atmosphere they create. Love the bush (Australian), our native flowers and would like to tackle a Waratah and some of our native orchids which are lovely and delicate. Having said that I love all flowers, animals , people, landscapes..... frankly I’m happy with any of the tutorials and subjects I have followed with you.

Janis hawkins

Hi Louise, I struggle with painting water of any type - glassy rivers or lakes, ocean waves, or churning rivers. I have so many personal reference photos of landscapes that I would like to try but have never been happy with the results. I would love a tutorial on this. My first choice would be how to paint a smooth, glassy lake. Thanks!

Ronelle Visser

I would like to join Patreon but would first like to see all the available tutorials. Following you on Skillshare and would like to see how many tutorials are presented on both platforms . Regards, Ronelle.

Louise De Masi

Hi Ronelle, You can see all of my tutorials on the index I have made on my website. Copy and paste this link to see the Patreon tutorials: https://www.louisedemasi.com/new-index scroll down to see all of them. While you are there, click on the page 'Online Classes' in the menu at the top of the page to see the Skillshare tutorials I have. Thanks!

Debra smith

Hi Louise, I love your lessons. You have got me hooked on painting , and giving anything a go. I would love a line drawing for the giraffe featured in your paper stretching tutorial. I realise, you have not done a tutorial on that particular painting. Also, I would love to learn simple techniques for drawing eyes with expression( smiling) and all facial expressions .ie sad, happy excited . Thanks Louise. Love your work and classes.

Louise De Masi

Hi Debra, That's wonderful, it's a beautiful addiction! That's a great suggestion about eyes and expressions, thank you! I don't have a line drawing for the giraffes behind me in my videos I'm sorry. I ask that others don't paint my paintings that aren't tutorials because some of them are licensed etc. 💕

Dawn Carr

I would love more paintings of exotic birds, specifically macaws. I'm obsessed with the lovely vibrant colors but I struggle with feathers.

Louise De Masi

Thanks for the suggestion Dawn. I'd love to paint another Macaw.