Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this tutorial, we’ll paint a delicious little cupcake together while focusing on developing realism while still maintaining fresh, painterly results.
I take you through my entire process step-by-step, starting with the pencil sketch, where I focus on simplifying shapes and getting proportions right. From there, we move into layering watercolor to gradually build depth, texture, and contrast. 👩🎨
We’ll only be using four colors, which makes this a wonderful exercise in developing a wide range of values and learning how layering can create rich, realistic results.
► Access my Drawing Mini-Course for the Total Beginner for Free here:
erikalancasterartist.kit.com/2a06aa492f
► Recommended Resources:
Block-In Basics: How to Start Your Drawings the Right Way youtu.be/DPaLL_M_X7U
From Flat to 3D: Build Realism Through Value youtu.be/-RBBRHrBwGk
Color Theory 101: Everything Beginners Should Know youtu.be/sp5EivHJNv8
Watercolor for Beginners: Basic Brush Strokes and 3 Washes youtu.be/Apf8ZHBZmzA
Watercolor Paint Consistencies Explained youtu.be/1Adb6c-ZL5Y
► Supplies:
-Baohong Cold Press 140 lbs Watercolor Paper amzn.to/4cA0Lf8
-Strathmore Tracing Paper 9x12” amzn.to/3F1Qf24
-Princeton Aqua Elite Round (3) amzn.to/3ZSKMkW
-Royal&Langnickel Zen Round (14) amzn.to/44I3QoR
-Royal&Langnickel Zen Scrubber (8) amzn.to/46YjLAj
-Winsor & Newton Cotman 111 Rounds (8) amzn.to/4bvyoOc
-Winsor & Newton Cotman 111 Rounds (6) amzn.to/477dXo5
-Van Gogh Watercolor Tubes tidd.ly/4b6wgLu
*Colors: Azo Yellow Deep, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Umber, Cobalt Blue (Ultramarine)
-Faber-Castell 9000 Series Graphite Pencils (HB) amzn.to/3y9q9Xm
-Blue Scott Absorbent Towels amzn.to/3ObA0QO
-1” Artist Tape amzn.to/3VWTTjJ
-General’s Eraser Pack (3) amzn.to/4b0e1sE
-Mr. Pen Kneaded Eraser amzn.to/4cWkcfP
► 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
*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.
00:00 Introduction
00:39 Pencil Sketch
07:21 Swatching Paint Colors
09:40 Watercolor Painting
#watercolorfun #watercolorillustration
In this tutorial, we’ll paint a delicious little cupcake together while focusing on developing realism while still maintaining fresh, painterly results.
I take you through my entire process step-by-step, starting with the pencil sketch, where I focus on simplifying shapes and getting proportions right. From there, we move into layering watercolor to gradually build depth, texture, and contrast. 👩🎨
We’ll only be using four colors, which makes this a wonderful exercise in developing a wide range of values and learning how layering can create rich, realistic results.
► Access my Drawing Mini-Course for the Total Beginner for Free here:
erikalancasterartist.kit.com/2a06aa492f
► Recommended Resources:
Block-In Basics: How to Start Your Drawings the Right Way youtu.be/DPaLL_M_X7U
From Flat to 3D: Build Realism Through Value youtu.be/-RBBRHrBwGk
Color Theory 101: Everything Beginners Should Know youtu.be/sp5EivHJNv8
Watercolor for Beginners: Basic Brush Strokes and 3 Washes youtu.be/Apf8ZHBZmzA
Watercolor Paint Consistencies Explained youtu.be/1Adb6c-ZL5Y
► Supplies:
-Baohong Cold Press 140 lbs Watercolor Paper amzn.to/4cA0Lf8
-Strathmore Tracing Paper 9x12” amzn.to/3F1Qf24
-Princeton Aqua Elite Round (3) amzn.to/3ZSKMkW
-Royal&Langnickel Zen Round (14) amzn.to/44I3QoR
-Royal&Langnickel Zen Scrubber (8) amzn.to/46YjLAj
-Winsor & Newton Cotman 111 Rounds (8) amzn.to/4bvyoOc
-Winsor & Newton Cotman 111 Rounds (6) amzn.to/477dXo5
-Van Gogh Watercolor Tubes tidd.ly/4b6wgLu
*Colors: Azo Yellow Deep, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Umber, Cobalt Blue (Ultramarine)
-Faber-Castell 9000 Series Graphite Pencils (HB) amzn.to/3y9q9Xm
-Blue Scott Absorbent Towels amzn.to/3ObA0QO
-1” Artist Tape amzn.to/3VWTTjJ
-General’s Eraser Pack (3) amzn.to/4b0e1sE
-Mr. Pen Kneaded Eraser amzn.to/4cWkcfP
► 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
*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.
00:00 Introduction
00:39 Pencil Sketch
07:21 Swatching Paint Colors
09:40 Watercolor Painting
#watercolorfun #watercolorillustration
