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A very special focus group (Patreon)

Published:
2025-09-09 18:59:26
Edited:
2025-09-18 06:40:59
Imported:
2026-10

Content

Hello Cherry Blossoms,

I would love to get your opinion on something. I am trying to find the sweet spot when it comes to really concise painting instructions.

Below are three versions of a pear painting tutorial A, B & C, please look through all three and let me know what you make of them.

I am expecting everyone to prefer version A with the most instructions but I'd love you to ponder this - don't reply immediately - have a think about how you would feel if presented with the differing levels of instruction: if you're not given a full and detailed instructions would it lead you to be a bit more creative, to experiment with ways to do the painting? or is it just frustrating and you like having the fuller instructions?

Why not have a go and really live the experience!

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Version A:

Version B:

Version C:

Files

Comments

Amy Albritton

No doubt #1! I consider myself and intermediate but would definitely prefer the more detailed instructions!

Amanda Selvaratnam

I think i'd like B as it would help me start to use my developing skills, and as long as I have done other tutorials like the acorns and oak leaves which took me through all the principles of wet on wet, colour swatching, paint mixing, glazing etc. I would like to think i was ready for a litte less hand-holding and a little more experimentation. If I was a complete newbie then A would be best.

Kristin

I am still in need of more instruction, so would prefer #1. I hope with more experience I can move to #2. #3 seems veey scary!

Sophie

To be honest, even A would be a struggle for me!

Sophie

But I love the idea of it

Jayne

For sure version A for me Harriet, I would also say I am probably Intermediate but definitely still prefer more instruction!

ruth howell

Yes A...being a beginner, I need all the help I can get!!!!

Carina 🌸

I love to try this! 🤩😍🤗 The result 🤭🫣 You never know, I keep playing and learning. I think A and B could be ok for me. Thank you Harriet 😘🌸

Laura Albright

Version A is my choice! A beginner needs more instruction and a more experienced painter will probably read the instructions but do their own thing anyway.

Lilias

I would like to have more confidence painting and I feel I get stuck in everything being ‘perfect’ or at least trying to be lol. I think B would allow me the confidence of a tutorial but the freedom to put more of me on the page. It feels a bit like when you paint something in a tutorial already and then say something like - carry on in the same way until you finish this part ie repeating a similar picture - which allows us a bit of freedom I think. Hope that makes sense!

Pam Dratnol

I kind of like option 2 or 3. I have been sort of working my way through your book, "A Year of Watercolor" and I find on some of the lessons I sort of just scan the instructions. So, I wonder if there were fewer instructions, how that would be? I am going to try it!

Erin Berlin

I m between B and A. If I was a brand new beginner prob A, but there s not that much difference between B and A. But ultimately, for me, I think B.

Gwen Tahmaseb

I actually prefer B. The combination of the image and the words provide all of the information. Option A has more words, but the extra words (compared to B) convey information that is very obvious looking at the images below. On the opposite side, C provides no text information and so I wouldn’t know You used wet on wet washes for the second image, or I may have missed that there are glazes etc. I think for those who want more instruction, you need to go the step beyond A. And include information on which colors you use for the wet and wet, exactly where you put the glaze, how to get the color you used for the petals. And if you aren’t going go to that extreme level of detail, I think option B is the better choice.

Patricia Maraia

Hi Harriet - I’ve done a pear before from another artist which was very detailed and while I was a beginner, I thought I blew it, but in the end it came out terrific. The instructions were blow by blow - first you do this, then you do that, and so on and so forth. I believe I like B better, but on condition - what brand/name of paint used and what # brush. Just looking at the photo or now do wet on wet on the pear just doesn’t cut it (especially for me). Thanks for asking, though. Much appreciated, Pat

Ann

Version A. You’re very concise in your language, it creates an understanding beyond the illustration and the information sticks, at least with me. It will be worthwhile to have it the tutorials.

Alison Gammon

I like A, but then I like following instructions!

de Winton Paper co.

Thanks lilias, I’ve always wondered about how I can build people’s independence even though it can be a bit scary at first to go it alone a bit more

Nicole Pratt

My preference is Version B, however Version A, caters to a wider audience and the language is concise and clear.

Gigi

I like A or B best. Written directions help me.

Gigi

Let’s hear it for A!

Betsi

I’d say A as well, and even more details like mixes and brush size. I do often skim through instructions and follow the examples, but if I got stuck, I’d go back and look for the instructions 🤪

BeeDub

As l an intermediate beginner I certainly understand Option B and think the instructions complement the image just fine without too much wordy detail. However, Option A would probably appeal to a larger market group.

Deborah Shannon

I think A works better for the most inclusiveness.

Anna Chavez

I think A is nice because it gives simple instructions without having too much detail. It’s a great visual and another avenue for learning. The color swatches are nice and allow us to explore finding colors or mixing colors to match . Your instructions also give us the opportunity to explore and room for figuring things out.😊

Jay

I do be liking A

Helen Smith

Newbie here. 100% A. I wouldn’t even attempt with less info as I know I’d get frustrated when it went wrong.

Ivana

I would say A or B. For now I like a little description on what to do next. Just to know like you have to glaze or put in details. I think if you put not too much detail in it, you have to scan the picture more to know which color and so on, maybe it can work for me too try much more myself, but if the result isn’t there after a few tries, I think I would probably get frustrated 😅

Helen Curtis

If you are aiming at a novice, the fuller text A would be more helpful. I have been learning from your turorials for a while so I can follow minimal instructions C .

Helen Garrett

I think that A or B would be great. For more advanced painters they can choose not to follow the instructions exactly.

Justine Fresonke

I agree with most everyone else- for me, the instructions are helpful but especially so when paired with a short or long video. Obviously making a video for every single thing is time consuming for you and wouldn’t encourage much creativity for your students/followers. Reminding people which colors go where and when to add them has been very helpful for me in the past. You don’t have an excess of instruction on the page, which is nice and if someone doesn’t need the instruction then they can skip that stage of things! Thank you for asking for our feedback!

Heather Karstens

I would find C pretty daunting and likely wouldn’t find it fun to attempt. At this stage, I could follow B with the minimal written instructions and enjoy the challenge. However, a year ago I would not have know what glazing means, and when I started with watercolor I wouldn’t have understood how to do wet on wet without a little instruction on the technique. I think trying to mix or choose my own colors to match the swatches could be a good practice for me, but when I started out I would have found that frustrating to not have a written list of suggested colors. I feel like it really depends on your target audience and their skill and confidence level.

Tiffany

Hi, as a beginner, version A would be best for me. Versions B and C would be too intimidating, and rather than be creative I would spend too much time figuring out where to even begin!

Vicki Cabak

Definately A. Unfortunately, I don't participate in the Hangout sessions, although I love the paintings, because I want the instructions. Yes, I can put my own touch on paintings (I've done watercolor for many years), but I enjoy your voice, the way you set things up, the way you teach.🩷

AMRabideau

A for me please. Thank you for all you do, Harriet!

Julie Mattera

Hi Harriet-It seems like many others share my opinion of Version A being best for me. But I'll honestly take ANY level of instruction from you!

Sharmon A Youngblood

Definitely A. I need instruction! Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent!!

Dee R

My choice is A

Brigitte Smeulders

If you want to achieve an exact ‘copy’ of the painted example, then the best is to use the A version and follow step by step the written instructions. If however the audience is expected to interpret their version of the subject, then B (and even C for more experienced painters) would be the way to go as that version will require you to ‘see’ and spot variations and learn to put these observations on paper

Tarny

Same ! 🙂

Tarny

I would happily try them all but im just a beginner so my skill level is probably best at A

Rosezi

I would choose A

Monica

I feel fortable with A so that would be my choice as well.

Caterina B

If reader is a confident painter, then b and c would suit. But as a novice A would be best to support someone through the process. You are not over instructing, so there is still room for individual expression with the finished results.

Louise

Version A as a beginner and a Patron I’m here to learn as much as I can so I look for the instructions and videos and all the things!

Jessica

I prefer A for instructions because it’s helpful to take a look at how a piece is created before I start. It ensures I fully understand how it’s created first. I think the painter can then use their own creativity to paint it in their unique way and follow whichever instructions suit them. I think even with concrete directions, people can still create pieces that are truly unique to them. 🥰

Jami Haslem

A! I like to have a go with your tutorial and once I feel comfortable with it, I then try it with my own twist.