Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Introduction 00:00
Tips for Success 01:13
The Flat Wash 04:36
The Graded Wash 07:54
The Variegated Wash 13:06
One of the most common struggles I hear from beginners is that their painting is going great… until they get to the background. Or they end up leaving the background blank altogether because painting larger areas feels too nerve-wracking. 😰
In this video, I’m taking the mystery out of the process by breaking down the three fundamental washes: flat, graded, and variegated.
I’ll walk you through how they work, my favorite way to approach them, and essential tips that will help you get better results.
► Access my Drawing Mini-Course for the Total Beginner for Free here:
erikalancasterartist.kit.com/2a06aa492f
► Recommended Resources:
Color Theory 101: Everything Beginners Should Know youtu.be/sp5EivHJNv8
Watercolor Paint Consistencies Explained youtu.be/1Adb6c-ZL5Y
Watercolor Class for Beginners: Exercises/Must-Know Info on Water + Brush Control youtu.be/Apf8ZHBZmzA
Watercolor Fun Pattern Exercises for Water and Brush Control youtu.be/QtNltiylwMI
► Supplies:
-Baohong Cold Press 100% Cotton Watercolor Paper 15”x10.2" amzn.to/4adgS0u
-Royal & Langnickel Zen Round (14) amzn.to/4rA11PJ
-Princeton Neptune Mop Quill (6) amzn.to/4a5qHha
-Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor Tubes amzn.to/4qOpWz0
-Daniel Smith Watercolor Tubes amzn.to/3LDJN4B
*Sap Green, Prussian Blue, Quinacridone Rose, Carbazole Violet
-Blue Scott Absorbent Towels amzn.to/3ObA0QO
-1” Artist Tape amzn.to/3VWTTjJ
► Gear + Art Business Tools:
-Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera
amzn.to/4caJ99g
-Manfrotto 196B-2 143BKT 2-Section Single Articulated Arm with Camera Bracket (Black) amzn.to/2l7HJ8j
-Yeti Microphone amzn.to/3PtzE9G
-LED Desk Light with Arm Mount amzn.to/4kft2cK
-MacBook Pro 16 inch amzn.to/3sFavQe
► Music:
Pulsar - The Grey Room - Density & Time
*Courtesy of YouTube's Free Audio Library
*Disclaimer: This channel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. It is also a participant of Share-a-Sale, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for content creators to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Shareasale.com partner companies.
#watercolorforbeginners #watercolortechniques
Introduction 00:00
Tips for Success 01:13
The Flat Wash 04:36
The Graded Wash 07:54
The Variegated Wash 13:06
One of the most common struggles I hear from beginners is that their painting is going great… until they get to the background. Or they end up leaving the background blank altogether because painting larger areas feels too nerve-wracking. 😰
In this video, I’m taking the mystery out of the process by breaking down the three fundamental washes: flat, graded, and variegated.
I’ll walk you through how they work, my favorite way to approach them, and essential tips that will help you get better results.
► Access my Drawing Mini-Course for the Total Beginner for Free here:
erikalancasterartist.kit.com/2a06aa492f
► Recommended Resources:
Color Theory 101: Everything Beginners Should Know youtu.be/sp5EivHJNv8
Watercolor Paint Consistencies Explained youtu.be/1Adb6c-ZL5Y
Watercolor Class for Beginners: Exercises/Must-Know Info on Water + Brush Control youtu.be/Apf8ZHBZmzA
Watercolor Fun Pattern Exercises for Water and Brush Control youtu.be/QtNltiylwMI
► Supplies:
-Baohong Cold Press 100% Cotton Watercolor Paper 15”x10.2" amzn.to/4adgS0u
-Royal & Langnickel Zen Round (14) amzn.to/4rA11PJ
-Princeton Neptune Mop Quill (6) amzn.to/4a5qHha
-Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor Tubes amzn.to/4qOpWz0
-Daniel Smith Watercolor Tubes amzn.to/3LDJN4B
*Sap Green, Prussian Blue, Quinacridone Rose, Carbazole Violet
-Blue Scott Absorbent Towels amzn.to/3ObA0QO
-1” Artist Tape amzn.to/3VWTTjJ
► Gear + Art Business Tools:
-Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera
amzn.to/4caJ99g
-Manfrotto 196B-2 143BKT 2-Section Single Articulated Arm with Camera Bracket (Black) amzn.to/2l7HJ8j
-Yeti Microphone amzn.to/3PtzE9G
-LED Desk Light with Arm Mount amzn.to/4kft2cK
-MacBook Pro 16 inch amzn.to/3sFavQe
► Music:
Pulsar - The Grey Room - Density & Time
*Courtesy of YouTube's Free Audio Library
*Disclaimer: This channel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. It is also a participant of Share-a-Sale, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for content creators to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Shareasale.com partner companies.
#watercolorforbeginners #watercolortechniques
