Watercolor Painting for Children with Cynthia Parsons

Watch and learn the basics of the color wheel and the three primary colors. When you are done, you will understand about these foundational colors and be ready to learn all about secondary colors (Lecture 2).

Watch and learn the basics of the theory of secondary colors and where they belong on the color wheel -- and see it in action! When you are done, you will be ready to learn about color intensity and color temperature (Lecture 3).

Watch and learn all about the differences between pure color and mixed color, also known as color intensity. Learn about how you can utilize color intensity when you are painting for different purposes. Also, in this lesson you will learn about color warmth and how and when to use it when painting. When you are done with this lesson, you will be ready to learn about color compliments, tints, and shades (Lecture 4).

Watch and learn everything you need to know about the basics of complimentary colors and how to utilize these concepts when painting, such as causing colors to move forward in or recede into your composition. Also, learn about how to create tints and shades in your paintings by manipulating colors. When you are done with this lesson, you will be ready to move on to Lecture 5 in Section 2 and learn all about watercolor paints.

Watch and learn everything you need to know about the basics of watercolor paint. Learn what is transparent and what is opaque? How and when should you use them and to what effect? When you are done with this lesson, you will be ready to learn all about the different types of containers for watercolor paint (Lecture 6).

Watch and learn everything you need to know about the basics of watercolor paint containers: tubes, tins, trays, as well as some very handy tips about how to construct your palette. Also in this lesson you will learn about what makes up your watercolor paint: all about pigment, color, and binder and what that has to do with painting. When you are done with this lessons, you will be ready to move on to Lecture #7 and learn about the different types of paper used in watercolor painting.

Watch and learn everything you need to know about the basics of watercolor paper. Learn about hand-made papers and the various textures, patterns, tints, patterns, and imprints you might find in watercolor papers and how they can be used. You will also learn about machine-made papers all of the various weights of paper (90 lb., 140 lb., and 300 lb.) and what those numbers mean. Have you ever wondered what the difference between rough, cold press, or hot press (also known as smooth) surfaces in watercolor papers mean? In this lesson, you'll not only find out, but you will see how those different types of papers and surfaces can affect your watercolor painting. You will also learn about a relatively new watercolor paper called polypropylene, and how it can be used in watercolor painting! When you are done with this lesson, you will be ready to learn all about watercolor paint brushes in Lecture 8.

Watch and learn all about three of the main types of watercolor paint brushes: round, flat, and chisel brushes. That's not all, as you will also learn about the different parts of the brush too. Do you know what a ferrule is? If not, you'll learn in this lesson. Learn all about the different types and sizes of brushes and when you should purchase, select, or use them in your watercolor painting project. This lesson will help you to understand which brushes are best suited to a particular application. When should you use large brushes as opposed to small ones? When is it better to select a natural brush, instead of a synthetic one? When should you use a chisel brush and when is a flat brush the better tool? Learn all those answers and more in this lecture! When you are done with this lesson, you are ready to move on to learning about water and water containers in watercolor painting (Lecture 9).

Watch and learn all about how to use water and the various containers for your water when you are painting in watercolor. This lesson helps you to understand how water interacts with the paint and how you can best utilize that information when you are painting. Learn how to select the best containers for your watercolor painting project, as well as some tips and tricks for how to avoid making messes while painting. When you are done with this lesson, you're almost ready to being painting, but not before you learn a thing or two about paper towels in Lecture 10!

Watch and learn a ton of good tips about selecting the right kind of paper towels for your watercolor painting project. You might think that any paper towel might do, but after watching this lesson you will learn how important this tool is in your watercolor arsenal. Learn about blotting, blossoming, bleeding, adding texture, and affecting different kind of washes - all by using your paper towel! When you are done with this lesson, you will be ready to move into learning a little bit about pencils and erasers - and how you will need them for watercolor painting (Lecture 11).

Watch and learn to understand what pencils and erasers have to do with watercolor painting. Get some excellent tips and tricks about which kind of pencils you should have on hand (and why) when you are working on a watercolor painting project. Should all of your pencils be sharp? Are regular old No. 2 pencils good enough? What about erasers? What kind of erasers do you need for a painting project and why? Can you use erasers to affect the way your watercolor paints look? Get the answers to all of these questions and much more in this lesson! When you are done with this lecture, it is time to begin Section 3 and begin learning some watercolor painting techniques!

Watch and learn as this lesson reveals to you a simple, but fundamentally important watercolor technique: how to get the whitest whites possible in your painting. This lesson demonstrates and explains this technique and also displays how to do a simple wash technique. When you are done with this lesson, you will be ready to move on to Technique #2 in Lecture 13!

Watch and learn as this lesson reveals what is possibly one of the most fundamental and important of all watercolor techniques: how to make water and the pigment of the paint work for you! This lesson shows you and explains how this technique works - and you get a preview of another neat watercolor painting trick: blossoming! When finished, you will be ready to move on to the next technique, in Lecture 14!

Watch and learn as this lesson shows some excellent and useful watercolor painting techniques: all about using water to prepare your paints and how to add pigment to your project. This lesson also gives you a preview of a couple of extra tips: bleeding edges, clean lines, and creating watercolor washes! When you are done with this lesson, you will be ready to move on to Lecture 15, which is all about laying on the paint with a flat brush!

Watch and learn as this lesson shows you step by step all of the different techniques for using a flat brush. Using a flat brush in the right way can really take your watercolor painting to the next level, but not if you don't understand the techniques... This lesson explains all of those and shows you ways to make them happen on your canvas. When you are done with this lesson, you will be ready to move on to Lecture 16, which shows you all about round brushes.

Watch and learn as this lesson shows you step by step all of the different techniques for using a round brush. Using a round brush in the right way can really take your watercolor painting to the next level, but not if you don't understand the techniques... This lesson explains all of those and shows you ways to make them happen on your canvas. When you are done with this lesson, you will be ready to move on to Lecture 17, which shows you all about sponges.

Watch and learn as this lesson shows you step by step all of the different techniques for using different types of songes. Using a sponge in the right way can really take your watercolor painting to the next level, but not if you don't understand the techniques... This lesson explains all of those and shows you ways to make them happen on your canvas. When you are done with this lesson, you will be ready to move on to Lecture 18, which shows you all about creating washes and glazes!

Watch and learn as this lesson demonstrates how to do washes and glazes in your watercolor painting. Not only does this lesson show you how, but also gives you critical information on when you should use one as opposed to another - not only how, but why and when as well! Also, you learn some critical "DO NOT's" in this lesson as well as the "DO's"! When you are done with this lesson, you will be ready for our next lesson (Lecture 19), which is all about wet into wet!

Watch and learn as in this lesson as you learn several techniques, all of which have to do with working with wet paint. Learn about merging colors (wet into wet), bleeding, and creating watermarks. Utilizing techniques like this, your watercolor painting will soon begin taking on a whole new level of artistry. When you are done with this lesson, you will be ready for Lecture 20, wherein you'll learn about the technique of lifting out colors.

Watch and learn as this lesson steps you through the technique known as "thirsty brush", or lifting out a color on both a light wash and a dark wash. Understanding how to manipulate the colors, pigment, and water in your watercolor paintings is critical to becoming a water-colorist, and this lesson explains those concepts simply and easily. When you are done with this lesson, it is time to move on to Section 4!

Watch and learn as this lesson steps you through one of the most overlooked, but most critical of all tasks that a watercolor painter should do - keeping their brushes properly clean, shaped, and dried. Don't make the mistake of skipping this step - your brushes are your primary tool and if you do not take care of them, they will fail you. However, if you follow the steps laid out in these lessons, your tools should serve you for years to come! When you are done with this lesson, you are ready to move to our last lesson, Lecture 22!

Watch and learn as this lesson teaches you how to safely store your brushes, materials, and finished art. Tips and techniques for how to (and how NOT to) store your brushes once they are clean and dry. This lesson also gives you great tips and tricks for storing your finished art so you can share them and enjoy them for years to come!