Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
What actually makes a watercolor painting work?
In this video, I walk through a beginner watercolor piece and share exactly what I love, what’s working, and what I would improve—based on 14 years of experience as a professional artist.
If you’ve ever wondered why your paintings don’t quite look the way you want them to, this kind of breakdown will help you see your work with a more trained eye.
We cover:
What the artist did really well (and should keep doing)
The biggest areas for improvement
Simple adjustments that would instantly elevate the piece
How to think like a professional watercolor artist
Whether you're just starting out or trying to refine your style, this will help you move from guessing → understanding.
—
✨ Want to go deeper? Get personalized feedback on your own artwork inside my Patreon members in the $10 and $20 tiers can submit pieces for critique each month! If you’re ready to grow faster and see your work through a professional lens, join us here: jennarainey.com/join-community
🎨 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.
What actually makes a watercolor painting work?
In this video, I walk through a beginner watercolor piece and share exactly what I love, what’s working, and what I would improve—based on 14 years of experience as a professional artist.
If you’ve ever wondered why your paintings don’t quite look the way you want them to, this kind of breakdown will help you see your work with a more trained eye.
We cover:
What the artist did really well (and should keep doing)
The biggest areas for improvement
Simple adjustments that would instantly elevate the piece
How to think like a professional watercolor artist
Whether you're just starting out or trying to refine your style, this will help you move from guessing → understanding.
—
✨ Want to go deeper? Get personalized feedback on your own artwork inside my Patreon members in the $10 and $20 tiers can submit pieces for critique each month! If you’re ready to grow faster and see your work through a professional lens, join us here: jennarainey.com/join-community
🎨 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.
