Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this watercolor tutorial, I’m taking a real-life photo from a charming street in Portugal and turning it into a loose, expressive window scene.
This lesson is perfect if you’ve ever taken a beautiful travel photo and thought, “How do I actually paint this?” We’ll focus on simplifying the reference, choosing what details to keep, creating texture, building soft shadows, and capturing the feeling of the scene without getting overwhelmed.
You’ll learn how to look at everyday moments with an artist’s eye and turn real-life inspiration into a painting that feels charming, loose, and full of story.
🎨 Want a list of my favorite painting supplies? Check it here: amzn.to/3IQZ3sP
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more adventures and real talk on creativity, watercolor tips and big life moves.
🧳 Follow me on Instagram for some updates on our move-abroad life: [@jennarainey]
_______________________________________
🎨 Unlock Your Inner Artist!
• Take Watercolor to the Next Level with the Everyday Watercolor Companion Course: jennarainey.com/everyday-watercolor-companion-course
• Master the Fundamentals with The Art Within – your go-to course for sketching, watercolor basics, and discovering your artistic style: jennarainey.com/the-art-within
• Join My Inner Circle on Patreon for exclusive tutorials, behind-the-scenes content, and more: jennarainey.com/patreon
• Grab Your FREE Beginner’s Guide to Watercolor E-Book and start painting today: jennarainey.com/cbgtw-ebook
🖌️ Dive into Watercolor Tutorials!
• Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide to Watercolor: youtu.be/tDdfPMTX15Y
• Quick Practice Tips to Improve Fast: youtu.be/kqxb6GgzhvM
• How to Paint Anything with Watercolor: youtu.be/9e2wy7ktKA0
• Paint and Water Ratio - Tea to Butter Exercise: youtu.be/MG7WfJ4vsoY?si=QXprsYj0pXEc7_mM
• Easiest Way to Paint TEN Flowers With Watercolor: youtu.be/NcRLrNVrfMM?si=gwQFJo1-M-YSgwvN
✏️Supplies I Swear By
Brushes:
Princeton Heritage 4050 Round
• Size 2: amzn.to/2IWtSvu
• Size 6: amzn.to/2VpcA0y
• Size 16: amzn.to/2XFfNXe
Paints:
• Maimeri Blu Watercolor (the exact colors I use available/linked in my Amazon shop: jennarainey.com/amazon or my Blick shop: jennarainey.com/blick )
• Paper & Accessories:
• St Cuthberts Saunders Waterford Coldpress Watercolor Paper: amazon.com/dp/B01601FCP0?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzjennarai-20&creativeASIN=B01601FCP0&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.U81HES0ZJGW3&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d_asin
• Watercolor Palette: amzn.to/3lFMuBa
• Blackwing Matte Pencils: amzn.to/3vFruyN
• Pantone Formula Guide: amzn.to/2VWHc9Y
• Scanner Epson V600: amzn.to/2Z8ozzS
🌟 Who Doesn’t Love Freebies?
• FREE 40-page Watercolor E-book: jennarainey.com/cbgtw-ebook
• FREE Masterclass – Digitize Your Artwork: jennarainey.com/digitize-your-artwork
💌 Stay Inspired and Connected
• Exclusive Content and Art Critiques on Patreon: jennarainey.com/patreon
• Instagram: instagram.com/jennarainey
• Pinterest: jennarainey.com/pinterest
• Website: jennarainey.com
🛒 Shop My Favorite Art Supplies and Gear
• Amazon Storefront: jennarainey.com/amazon
• Blick (different availability, pricing, shipping options): jennarainey.com/blick
📚 Don’t Miss My Best-Selling Watercolor Books:
• Everyday Watercolor: amzn.to/2XJkWNU
• Everyday Watercolor Flowers: amzn.to/2ZyIN4P
• Everyday Watercolor Sketchbook: amzn.to/3OJWPZH
✨ Want to Stay in the Loop?
• Sign Up for Updates: jennarainey.com/jr-insider
📢 Disclosure
Some links are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps keep the content flowing—thank you!
MUSIC: paid for and licenses acquired from Artlist.
In this watercolor tutorial, I’m taking a real-life photo from a charming street in Portugal and turning it into a loose, expressive window scene.
This lesson is perfect if you’ve ever taken a beautiful travel photo and thought, “How do I actually paint this?” We’ll focus on simplifying the reference, choosing what details to keep, creating texture, building soft shadows, and capturing the feeling of the scene without getting overwhelmed.
You’ll learn how to look at everyday moments with an artist’s eye and turn real-life inspiration into a painting that feels charming, loose, and full of story.
🎨 Want a list of my favorite painting supplies? Check it here: amzn.to/3IQZ3sP
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more adventures and real talk on creativity, watercolor tips and big life moves.
🧳 Follow me on Instagram for some updates on our move-abroad life: [@jennarainey]
_______________________________________
🎨 Unlock Your Inner Artist!
• Take Watercolor to the Next Level with the Everyday Watercolor Companion Course: jennarainey.com/everyday-watercolor-companion-course
• Master the Fundamentals with The Art Within – your go-to course for sketching, watercolor basics, and discovering your artistic style: jennarainey.com/the-art-within
• Join My Inner Circle on Patreon for exclusive tutorials, behind-the-scenes content, and more: jennarainey.com/patreon
• Grab Your FREE Beginner’s Guide to Watercolor E-Book and start painting today: jennarainey.com/cbgtw-ebook
🖌️ Dive into Watercolor Tutorials!
• Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide to Watercolor: youtu.be/tDdfPMTX15Y
• Quick Practice Tips to Improve Fast: youtu.be/kqxb6GgzhvM
• How to Paint Anything with Watercolor: youtu.be/9e2wy7ktKA0
• Paint and Water Ratio - Tea to Butter Exercise: youtu.be/MG7WfJ4vsoY?si=QXprsYj0pXEc7_mM
• Easiest Way to Paint TEN Flowers With Watercolor: youtu.be/NcRLrNVrfMM?si=gwQFJo1-M-YSgwvN
✏️Supplies I Swear By
Brushes:
Princeton Heritage 4050 Round
• Size 2: amzn.to/2IWtSvu
• Size 6: amzn.to/2VpcA0y
• Size 16: amzn.to/2XFfNXe
Paints:
• Maimeri Blu Watercolor (the exact colors I use available/linked in my Amazon shop: jennarainey.com/amazon or my Blick shop: jennarainey.com/blick )
• Paper & Accessories:
• St Cuthberts Saunders Waterford Coldpress Watercolor Paper: amazon.com/dp/B01601FCP0?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzjennarai-20&creativeASIN=B01601FCP0&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.U81HES0ZJGW3&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d_asin
• Watercolor Palette: amzn.to/3lFMuBa
• Blackwing Matte Pencils: amzn.to/3vFruyN
• Pantone Formula Guide: amzn.to/2VWHc9Y
• Scanner Epson V600: amzn.to/2Z8ozzS
🌟 Who Doesn’t Love Freebies?
• FREE 40-page Watercolor E-book: jennarainey.com/cbgtw-ebook
• FREE Masterclass – Digitize Your Artwork: jennarainey.com/digitize-your-artwork
💌 Stay Inspired and Connected
• Exclusive Content and Art Critiques on Patreon: jennarainey.com/patreon
• Instagram: instagram.com/jennarainey
• Pinterest: jennarainey.com/pinterest
• Website: jennarainey.com
🛒 Shop My Favorite Art Supplies and Gear
• Amazon Storefront: jennarainey.com/amazon
• Blick (different availability, pricing, shipping options): jennarainey.com/blick
📚 Don’t Miss My Best-Selling Watercolor Books:
• Everyday Watercolor: amzn.to/2XJkWNU
• Everyday Watercolor Flowers: amzn.to/2ZyIN4P
• Everyday Watercolor Sketchbook: amzn.to/3OJWPZH
✨ Want to Stay in the Loop?
• Sign Up for Updates: jennarainey.com/jr-insider
📢 Disclosure
Some links are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps keep the content flowing—thank you!
MUSIC: paid for and licenses acquired from Artlist.
