How To Simplify Your Subjects In Watercolor

Oct 20, 2025

Simplify Your Paintings

What Supplies Do I Need to Paint This Scene?

I am painting on Saunders Waterford Cold Press 140lb paper, and I have my surface tilted to 35 degrees.

I use a variety of brands of brushes, but I mainly stick to a large mop, medium round and smaller synthetic brush with a point.

Here are the list of pigments on my palette:

Burnt Sienna
Cadmium Red
Cadmium Yellow Medium
Cerulean Blue
Cobalt Blue Cobalt
Teal Blue
Cobalt Turquoise
Lavender
Neutral Tint
Payne's Gray
Quinacridone Gold
Raw Sienna
Raw Sienna Light
Raw Umber
Rose Madder Permanent
Ultramarine Blue

If you would like to purchase some of the brushes I feature in this video you can take a look at my Amazon Affiliate link: https://www.amazon.com/shop/m.white.art

Reference Photo

First Wash

Second Wash

Third Wash - Final Painting

Follow Along on YouTube

I hope you're able to take some time with this video and create your version of this scene. But beyond that, I hope that watching my watercolor painting process helps inform you as you take on new and varied subjects that inspire you. I hope the framework I offer makes you a more nimble and creative artist.

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