His first painting looking better than anything I've ever done. 👁️👄👁️

I appreciate that you share your early paintings, as many people might assume that all great watercolorists possess a natural talent and have been painting masterpieces from the start.  It's because you didn't give up when you didn't paint masterpieces at first.  You learned and practiced, and analyzed your paintings and improved over time.

Watercolor is like golf, looks easy but really hard to master without a lot of time, practice, and patience.  I didn’t understand why many started from acrylic when I decided to try watercolor.  Quickly I found out how hard watercolor could be (just like after I took golf lessons).

5. 01:17 simplification. simplify the edges of the painting, save the most contrast and saturation to the focal area;
4. 03:07 creating depth. the further away the object the less visible the contrast;
3. 04:25 color mixing. grey is more present than we assume, don't use paint directly from the tube;
2. 06:20 watercolor timing. two variables are how wet the paper is and how much paint is there on the brush
1 . 08:17 values. consider turning your scene or photo in black and white during the planning process

This isn't watercolor specific skills, this is general art skills you're talking about.

Funny thing about the colors: for me it was the other way around. I had to learn not to be afraid of adding some more saturated colors. I was afraid of ruining the painting with strong color but the end result can be unintentionally drab that way.

Begins at 1:18

I can understand what you're saying but my brain and hands are enemies at the moment. I will admit that ive been afraid to paint for the majority of my life. I only started a few months ago and ive learned so many neat things about watercolors.

Everyone, especially the overthinkers, and perfectionists (nyself included)... Don't give up. Actively remind yourselves that art isnt perfect. You'll slowly (or quickly) pick up things here and there, as you continue to practice. Give yourself time, compassion, grace and patience throughout your watercolor journey 💖

good tips for almost any medium

Crazy. Values was the game changer for me too. My mind was BLOWN at the power of values

There are tons of “top 5 tips” videos out there, but I found this one to be truly valuable. Thanks for the great explanations and examples.

▶Free Video Lesson: 7 Secrets of Fresh, Powerful Painting https://www.learntopaintwatercolor.com/7secrets?video=P9axE9luJos

THIS is the most helpful video I have seen about watercolors.

Matt,  I just discovered your channel.  Your #1 tip is by far the most important tip in creating “all” visual art.  It really is important whether the work is realistic,  abstract, carefully designed  shapes on surfaces, or fun exaggerated expressions taken from realistic composed scenes….
It’s so nice to see someone else who gets it and can explain it nice and simply. Terrific gift to students! When I first learned the word “values,” in my art classes in high school and later in art classes, no one could explain to me how to really see values in real life. After taking years to figure it out, I too share the simplest examples with beginners so they don’t have to waste so much time before they really understand what value means in drawing and painting while observing real life subjects… You made me smile today🥰

The most important skill in WC is how to  rip your failed sheets with a perfectly syncronized  scream of frustration!

Yes,when you see some one who has mastered anything you gotta realize all the work they have put in to get there.

laziness, when regulated, is smartness

Experimenting with neutral tiny, sap green, and sepia was an exciting day of discovery for me.  Cannot recommend enough!

Wow, this video was a game changer for me. Thank you SO much!

Matthew you are an important watercolor teacher for me.  When I first started during Covid shutdown I studied ….carefully thinking at first I would return to oil painting.  I had been awarded the “Best Child oil painter in America” when I was 10 yrs. old.  My tutor had submitted my first painting unbeknownst to me.  A course in the Chicago Art Museum that summer was the prize.  When I slipped into that room…..wow, the smells, the huge easels etc.  my destiny as an artist was sealed.  Anyway decades later I finally decided on watercolor.  You even wrote back to me when I had a question.  Thank you Matthew  I love watercolor now….a river of color  it is so exciting.