Have you ever had a reference photo that has elements you like but also has some problem areas that hold the scene back from its potential? 

Today I want to give you permission to make your scene exactly what you need it to be while still drawing inspiration from what you love about your referen...

If you want to create strong light in your watercolor scenes, you have to pay special attention to the colors and the strength of your mixes. To have bright, vibrant light, you must also have dark values, reflections, and appropriate placement of warm and cool colors. 

Let's dig into this topic!...

The obvious reason painting clouds is a valuable watercolor practice is because you will want to know how to paint clouds in your landscapes. But focusing in on skies can also accelerate your progress in other watercolor skills.

This practice gives you the opportunity to work on timing and color...

It's essential to achieve an impression of depth without losing sight of your focal point, especially in a landscape scene like the one above that spans miles and great heights. It can be more difficult than it looks, though, to create both a powerful focus and a great distance. 

Here are four t...

There is something so peaceful about nighttime. In fact, there was a period of time when my kids were really young and life was so full that I the only time I could get out for walks was after sundown. I was surprised how serene and quiet, how reflective these times could be.

So it's no wonder I...

One of the most spectacular places I've visited is the beautiful ancient fishing village of Cefalu. 

It's Rick Steves favorite place in all of Sicily, and it was featured in the second season of White Lotus. I recently had the chance to go and visit here and paint in person, and of course I also...

One of the most important things that you can do for your paintings is to simplify.

This is going to make your paintings stronger and more focused - and, believe it or not, it's going to make your scenes easier to paint.

Simplify Your Watercolors When You Implement These 5 Strategies

Here are...

One mistake that I notice a lot in student work is that they don't go dark enough in this first layer. 

Of course, the first wash is for the lightest and brightest values of your painting, but you don't want it to be so light that the gap between the first and second wash values is noticeable. Y...