How to Use a Water Brush & How it changed MY LIFE
Вставка
- Опубліковано 9 чер 2024
- The Water Brush (Pentel Aquash - Large) has become one of my most used and treasured art supplies. This video shows you how to use one (the very basics) and how I was introduced to this tool. It's convenient and has helped me paint more often. It is simple to use, not expensive, and it has become my GO-TO choice when traveling.
I am forever grateful to Kathleen McElwaine (sorry I misspelled it in the video), an artist from Georgetown, TX for inviting me into her studio!
Contact information:
UA-cam - / kariwaltz
Facebook Art by Kari - / kariwaltzart
Instagram - / kariwaltz
Website - www.kariwaltzart.com
Email - kariwaltzart@gmail.com
Water Brush - www.amazon.com/Pentel-Aquash-...
Fine tip pen - 005 Micron black www.amazon.com/micron-005-pen...
Find Kathleen: www.KMcElwaine.com
Created by InShot:inshotapp.page.link/YTShare
#waterbrush #artbykari #kathleenmcelwaine
My first water brush was an Aquash. I thought I HATED water brushes because the blippin' thing leaked H2O all over as I was painting. I gave up on water brushes completely because of my negative experience with the Aquash brush. Then...5 years later, someone gave me a Kuritake Zig water brush. I tried it. It was MAGIC!!! The water flowed evenly. It didn't leak. It didn't form those stupid huge puddles all over my artwork like the Aquwash. I could control the density of my color. I could apply paint where I wanted paint. I loved my Zig water brush and haven't looked back. I think Aquash brushes are junk. I'm glad you had a good experience with yours.
Wow, so sorry you had a bad experience. Maybe the one you had was defective. Regardless, I'm thankful you found one that worked for you. I haven't tried that brand and might check it out based on your recommendation. It's amazing how many tools are out on the market today. I'm glad we both found ones that help us create. Happy painting!
Kari
I used the Kuretake Zig brush when I was inking comic book pages for DC and other publishers. Rather than water, I filled mine with Radiograph ink. Filling could be messy if you weren't careful -- but the slick clean line I got from the Zig was just what I needed for the "animated style" Batman comics I was working on at the time. I still have a few unused ones packed away in case I ever get back to working in ink on paper again. All digital here for the past decade!
I use aquash and absolutely love those water brushes, I have tried others, but always return to the aquash. I think it would of been a defective brush if you had water going everywhere.
I have a quick tip for fixing bent bristles on water brushes and any other paint brush that gets bent out of shape. Simple boil some water and quickly dip the bristles in and wipe it off. So far I haven’t found a brush that this didn’t work for. Hope this helps ! Oh, if fixing natural hair brushes you will need to rinse brush on cool water to prevent mold from forming. Also, you can dip your brush as many times as needed to fix the bristles. So far I haven’t had any negative experiences with this method.
Thank you so much!!! I'll try to include this in a future video. Have a great day!
Every now and again a UA-cam comment changes everything. Thanks for taking the time to help us all out, it works!
@@KariWaltz That would be awesome, thanks !
I’ve been painting for nearly 50 years. I picked up watercolor in 2022 and I paint daily now. I’m hooked. I do enjoy my water brushes as well.
So glad you found it as addicting as I have. I'm so thankful you are painting daily...such a good thing to do. It makes me feel better
Oh thank goodness!! I finally found a channel that clearly explains how to use these brushes!!! They aren't very many good videos on aqua brushes!! Thank you for this!!
Your comment just made me smile! Thank you! Just in case you are interested in coming to Wildacres this summer. This is the link to the summer classes. I'd be happy for you to come either session, but Greg Barnes and I will be teaching in the second session.
Registration doesn't open until noon March 13th. If you know of any potters or Clay artists, the two teachers are incredible and they have been teaching there for over 17 years. All inclusive stay under $1,000 depending on class fees if there are any. There is very little Wifi and no air conditioning, but you are on top of a mountain one mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Feel free to share.
Here is the link to the "About Page" reduxstudios.org/wildacres-about/. Everyone can find any information under the "Wildacres" drop down menu on the website. Such as the sessions, fees, etc. Registration opens on the 13th and there are buttons on the each of the official class pages and those will activate for registration on Wednesday at noon.
I was just thinking the same thing…a video that tells me what I need to know. Thank you. I have that same watercolor set you were using and many Zig water brushes. Now I know where to start.
@@katherine9026 thank you so much for letting me know this is helpful. Good luck on your art journey. Please let me know how I can help.
I am so thankful you found this video and that what I shared was helpful. Good luck in your art journey and please let me help you if i can!
I just bought myself an aquash brush for plein air painting and sketching. Love the advice you have given, especially the advice to “give yourself permission to not create something amazing.” The supplies aren’t cheap, so it’s easy to get paralysis from fear of wasting them. It’s important to accept that there WILL be some waste before your work starts to become amazing, but your work won’t change til you get through that stage. It’s obvious, but I needed to remind myself of this quite a few times in the beginning. 😅
Stillman & Birn beta sketchbooks aren’t 100% cotton watercolor paper, but they aren’t that much worse than the high quality pure cotton brands. I think it’s a good less expensive option while you are learning.
Congratulations on your new mindset. If we aren't making mistakes, we aren't learning, and I've learned a lot. 😃
You will be surprised how long the watercolors last. Your investment is in your well-being. Whether I create anything worthwhile, the process of creating shifts the brain to the right side, which is therapeutic. I wish you all the best in your creative journey. Thanks for commenting the specific tip that helped you; that helps me.❤️
Thank you SO much for explaining how to use this water brush. I especially appreciate the tip about the top unscrewing in the opposite direction! I was about to throw it away!! I'm a beginner and your tips really helped me. Thanks again!
I thought I already replied, if so ignore. I'm so glad you found my channel, and what I showed helped you. That's my goal. Thank you for watching and commenting. Happy creating, and please let me know if I can help.
I'm always looking online for any how to's when I get something new that I'm not sure about. Gotta love the internet, eh! lol
Me, too. I bought a new watercolor set last week. It took me three days to figure out that the brush unscrews clockwise instead of counterclockwise like everything else on Earth. I almost broke the handle trying to open it. Why are they made that way?
Some countries/companies don't know or follow the righty-tighty or lefty-loosy rule 😅😂🤣
@@KariWaltz Must be the countries south of the equator. 😁
I love how art has touched your heart.
I'm glad that was evident to you...it has made such a positive impact in my life, I just want to share that. Thanks for watching!
I love Kathleen….took a class from her when I lived in Georgetown…kind, gentle spirit!
If you ever take another one, please tell her Hi for me.
The timing of your video was perfect for me. As I watched it, I was unwrapping part of the paper and swatching some Neopastel oil pastels. This is a new medium for me. Thank you for your comments about playing and keeping it simple.
Your videos are always so helpful. Thank you.
Thank you for watching and commenting. I'm glad the videos have been helpful. 🙂
I think i was looking for you or someone that would explain this medium. My sister gave me a lot of art supplies. Started with pencils, then found some ink in the art stash and loved it too. And then i foun a small watercolor set with a watercolor brush and did not have a clue, played with it a little and love it so much. And now I have your lovely tutorial and its just perfect. Thank you sooo much. Love the way you teach , your voice , you , are a just a being of art. Best wishes to you.
Thank you so much for what you wrote! People like you are why I wanted to make this channel. Art is so therapeutic to me, and I want everyone to find some media they love to help them create. Thank you for watching and for commenting. I so appreciate it 😊
Just came across your channel today, and what a refreshing tutorial! I appreciate your delivery and encouraging spirit. Can’t wait to see (and learn) more! ❤
Thank you so much for saying that a lot of people have found my channel from this video alone. I'm glad it's helping you and answering questions for you, and I hope my channel does more of that. Happy creating ❤️
Wow. I'm so glad your video popped up on my feed. I'm excited about using my water brush.
Yay!!! You found me! I'm heading out on a hike and hope to use it today. I LOVE this brush♥️ Thanks for watching and commenting it really helps my channel grow.
Great! I already have a set of those brushes but you gave me some new ideas and tricks I'm gonna use from now on.
Thank you so much for letting me know this was helpful to you. Thank you for commenting; it's greatly appreciated. ❤️
Nice intro. A water rush is a must for travel. Can’t so without it.
That's how I feel about it... it's an extension of my arm😉
Thank you for this video on using a water brush --- thank you for the encouragement. I reeeeeellly like the painting of the teacup 😊
Thank you so much for watching!
Hope it was helpful, and glad you liked the teacup 🙂
Lovely video, Kari. Thanks!
You are so welcome, thank you for watching!!! 😊
This is sooo helpful, thank you!!
I want to be helpful!!! So grateful my videos are helping you.❤️
This was really good! Helpful all the way! Thank you❣️
So thankful you found it helpful; that's my goal😊
I love this process because it is so affordable and portable! So much better than using water based markers…. Thank you for the demo. Water brushes like you showed here are so underrated!
Totally agree they are under-rated! Thanks for watching and commenting; it's so appreciated 🙂
Thank you!! This is a great tutorial and instructional video. It REALLY helped me with my water brushes. Please keep making these great videos!!
I think I need to! Thank you for watching and I'm grateful this one helped you. Happy creating!
Perfect timing for this video. I just picked up a couple of watercolour sets that came with water brushes I have never used before. Thanks.
You are welcome! Different brands can make a difference, so if you find the brush is releasing water too fast without being squeezed, try another brand. Pentel is my favorite, but there are many on the market that I haven't tried.
Thank you, this is a fun tutorial. Love your artwork.
Thank you so much! I appreciate you watching and commenting. ♥️
Thank you. Just what I needed.
Thank you for letting me know that. I hope what I share is encouraging. Art is my therapeutic escape that brings me peace, and I hope everyone can find that in their art. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Great teaching. Thank you!❤
Thank you for watching and commenting. It's so appreciated ♥️
Thank you so much for your video! Helped me a lot on my arts work
So glad it was helpful. Thanks for letting me know.😊
This is the first video of yours that I've watched and 7 seconds in I subscribed and turned on notifications. I loved your intro! I then gave myself some time to see what the video was about and how the content was presented and then I recorded my "Like". I look forward to being inspired by you.
That is one of the nicest comments I have ever received. Thank you for watching, commenting, liking and subscribing. Some videos are better than others, but I try my best with the time I have and do it all by myself. God has blessed me through my art and I hope to encourage those who tune in. Happy creating ♥️
Thanks for sharing your valuable experience - especially for use in journaling. You're right about the threading on these implements. All of my water brushes unscrew in the opposite direction. They totally defy the righty tighty-lefty loosey convention.
Yes, that is how I remember the direction too. So glad I tried the other way. Going through the hustle of returning would have been a waste of time.🤣😂😳
this was so helpful! Great tutorial
Thank you for watching! I recently updated my favorite palette, but the Pentel Water Brush is still my favorite.😃
Am on the cusp of venturing into colours from pencil sketching. Like you I am all for journaling everyday life: a ginger plant, two shapely bottles, an exquisite cup- anything that "say" something to me. Great tips thanks! Hope to get into it as much as you have! Need more right brain stuff 😊
I'm sorry, i thought I responded yesterday, but I don't see it🙄 Exploring color is fun for me, and taking time for right brain activities is one of my favorite things and so therapeutic. Enjoy your journey.
I think those are the ones I have. I haven't really tried painting with them yet. Thank you for sharing this.
I love that they give me the capability to paint anywhere without having a water container. I have no excuse not to paint.🤯
Amazing 👏 Bravo thank you
You are welcome!
I love my aquash brush!!! ♥
Yay!! Me too!
Keep painting 😀
THANK YOU!! I've had the water brushes in there package for months. Until now. ❤
Yay!!! Hope you like them! If not, try a different brand. I am a FAN!
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for watching and commenting. I really do appreciate it 😊
A great help thanks
You are so welcome, thank you for watching! 😀
Very enlightening….thank you!
You are very welcome! Thank you for watching 🙂
I just started learning and practicing in watercolor! I also just found your channel. I have collected art supplies for such a time as this! When you quoted Joel Salatin ❤❤❤!! Hi from NC.
So glad you found me!
I just returned from a trip to NC. I went to a plein air convention in Cherokee. It's a beautiful state!
Hey very good video, I learned quite a few thingsn
Thank you for letting me know! I appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment.
Fanstastic! Thank you :)
You are welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting 🙂
Thank you for this. My kit came with and had no idea how to use and some of the other videos don't explain it very well.
Yay!!! So glad my content was helpful. I appreciate you letting me know.🙂
I just came across your video, and I'm so glad I did! Thank you for sharing the waterbrush technique. My parents were both artists, my father in watercolors, my mother in oils, and some watercolors. They have both passed, but when my mother died fairly recently, I found a drawer full of her paints, and brought most home with me. I know many are dry, but with this brush, I may just get to play with them, and bring her memory back in a tactile way. I've been afraid to try. I was never really taught to paint, but to draw, and I watched them for hours as a child. I want so bad to experience the joy they both had. This brush could open new doors for me. Thank you so much for the informative video!
Thank you for letting me know your story❤️❤️❤️. Finding the joy in creating is more important to me than the end product. Even if the watercolor paint is dried up in the tubes you can cut the tube off and still rewet the paint.
I can understand your hesitation not to try, but all of us started at some point and just playing with the paint and experimenting with the wetness of the paper can be rather hypnotic. Give yourself permission to play and have fun thinking of your Mom. I think she would smile down on you♥️
Happy creating, enjoy your new journey and please let me know how it goes ♥️ Thanks for watching!
Also, if you know how to draw, you have a GREAT advantage over those who haven't learned.
Thank you again!
It's not just for watercolor. I use it for acrylic paint to. It's another great tool that's complimentary to the rest of my tools. Opens up so many other possibilities. I don't wipe the color off my brush. I keep a extra can of water to dip brush into to rinse the brush until clear and wipe. Then reset my paper where I plan to lay more paint than draw paint on the wet area. It just works better for me. It's an extra step, but works for me better.
Thanks for letting me know. I will have to give it a try.
I think it would be wonderful to have this, in addition to your regular brushes, to soften your hard edges immediately. The sooner you soften, the better the end result.
So true! I totally agree with softening edges sooner than later. The more I paint, the more I learn how important edges are...
Thanks for watching and commenting. Much appreciated 🙂
Thank you!!
You are welcome, thanks for watching!
After seeing this video i take the water brush online and and your tips help to use water brush thanks for tips, ❤❤
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching🙂
Thank you !
You are welcome! Thanks for watching!!!😃
I like using it at home. I usually rinse it in a cup of water between colors. Knowing that I can just wipe it on paper towel is a better option! I have three now and have only used the one that came with my Koi set of watercolors because I really like it.
I think you will really like the freedom of just wiping it off. Happy painting!
Thanks!
Oh my word, Suzanne! Thank you for my VERY FIRST SUPER THANKS donation 🙂 I appreciate it so much and am grateful you found my content deserving of that. I just recently met the guidelines for any kind of monetization. Thank you for the encouragement. Have a GREAT day!
thank you so much for the tips!! Also, you are so beautiful!
I'm glad you liked the tips! Thanks for watching.
Thank you so much for your teaching! I have a water brush and did not have a clue what to do with it.😢
You are sooo welcome! I'm glad what you found was helpful to you. I have several videos with demos using the water brush. Happy creating!
Thank you so very much for sharing….
Thank you so much for watching! I hope my videos are helpful.
Happy creating!😀
Thank you for watching and commenting! Happy creating!😀
Very helpful video. Thanks, thumbs up, and subscribed.
Yay! Thank you for subscribing 🙂
I'm so thankful you found it helpful.
@@KariWaltz Your channel has quite a few vids that I can learn from. Thanks and best wishes.
So appreciate this upbeat comment🙂
It's beautiful 😯 I love the combination of the colors and the textur of cours. Thank you ⚘
Thank you so much for watching and taking time to comment.
Awesome! Art journaling is just what I need and on a budget too. It is so easy to be lured by the shiny things, and I tend to spend, but this is what I’ll do. I was eyeing the Faber Castell one too. Anyone know?
Is there a hard bound watercolor sketchbook you recommend that won’t break the bank?
I don't know the limit of your bank, but Moleskine is worth the price because I can paint on both sides, it has a back pocket and an elastic band to hold it closed. I also work small so that saves me money. As long as the paper is around 140lbs. I have been fine. Dollar General even had a 5.5 x 8 inch for $5! I paint on one side and draw or make notes on the other. That works for me too! Hope this helps.
Hi Kari! Do I have to go to UA-cam to say hello…I miss you? Love your video. Barbara from Muses
Thanks, Barbara! I miss y'all too! I just returned today from a 2.5 week trip to Florida to the Forgotten Coast en Plein Air and Plein Air South. An incredible group of invited artists were there to demo and teach. I did a lot of note taking and sketching.
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for sharing this. In your opinion what is the best water brush. And what sizes are most important to start with. Thanks!
The only one I use is large Pentel Aquash.
Thank you so much for sharing! A waterbrush came with a pack of gelatos i got for christmas and had no idea what to do with it...
You are so welcome! Thanks for commenting and I'm glad you found my channel. Happy creating!
You are so welcome! Thank you for watching and I hope to see you again. Happy creating! ♥️
This was wonderful and where has it been!?!? For a couple of years I have been struggling to wc....still on leaves and petals drills. A year ago I got some wc brush pens hoping the more control would help me learn. The tin came with this weird plastic brush....a water brush....what the hey? Lol. I had not seen it before and never having painted, sketched etc. in my whole life (I'm 75) I needed, still do need lots of help. I searched youtube for what to do with it, how to use this brush and there isn't really a whole lot. Until your channel that just popped up today. This is the 1st one and I will be diligently marathoning you. I am going back to trying to use that brush. I see you have a vid full of tips and tricks to using the brush (how many times can I type the word brush? haha) Thanks so much for sharing your joy and knowledge.
Kathy,
Your comment just makes me smile! I am so thankful you found my channel. That brush really did change my life. It allowed creating to be convenient and lightweight. I hope my content gives you encouragement, and please enjoy the process. Give yourself permission to play.
Happy creating!!!
Thank you for watching.
Have you had any issues with pigment being sucked up into the barrel of the brush? If so is there anything I can do to prevent this ? Thanks for another Rad video. Much love and respect from North Carolina
I have not, but some of my students have. Just let the brush breath by allowing the air to go back into the brush without it being in water or paint. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the tip about the brush “breathing”. I’ve had issues with sucking up colour into the water, so I’ll try and be more aware of the timing of breathing!
I hope it helps you out!
Thanks for watching 🙂
Nice👌👌👌
Thank you!
I use it to add water soluble graphite to pen/ink sketches
Great idea!
I just got some watercolor paints and water brushes for Christmas. I am totally new to water color. Should I use distilled water? We have well water.
Well water is just fine. I use whatever comes out of my tap.
Congratulations on your new adventure. Be kind to yourself and just play and experiment to start with, no pressure 😉
@@KariWaltz Thank you so much. I'm a senior who has wanted to paint my whole life, but just never did. Now, I have everything I need!
I love waterbrush but I've always been curious about how others wipe them clean. I often squeeze water through the bristle and wipe it over a towel. So it takes a lot of water and I have to fill more water frequently. So is it not necessary to squeeze when washing the bristle? I thought that without squeezing, the bristle won't be clean enough and the paints will be contaminated, but perhaps that's not a big issue when sketching?
That is correct. At least with the Pentel brush I use. Gravity does most of the work. If the brush is LOADED with paint I want to clean off then squeezing a little will speed up the process. I rarely need to do that because when working in a journal I use less water so I can control the paint. If you want the wet on wet method. You need to squeeze a little, but if you are having to fill your brush often, you are squeezing more than necessary or your brush doesn't have enough water control.
Hope that makes sense.
If you don’t mind, which watercolor kit is this? Thank you
Koi - pocket field sketch box. 24 count - (normal colors not the neon)
Very informative, I also tried watercolours but they are difficult to control means many a times I take less water or more water then required actually and it’s very hard to keep up with water resources to get the brushes clean and ready for next colours, I do charcoal and graphite arts and wanted to start doing water colour.
Your video is very informative and I will try my luck with these water colour brushes, hope these are available in India also.😊
Bundle of thanks for the information and very helpful video
I hope you can find them too. My favorite brand is Pentel and most of the time I use only the size large. Good luck!
@@KariWaltz thanks I’ll look for them around and share my water colour tryouts with you 😊
@AmitKapatia it would be nice to see your efforts!
This really helped me upgrade my watercolor skills after I watched this video someone asked me to draw some characters for a TV show since I was so good so thank you for making this video and one question what school do you work in I want to know like I said thank you for making this channel
I'm so thankful it was helpful to you. I am currently retired, but I taught in GA public schools for 28 years, making 30 years in all.
Just tried royal langnickle from walmart and the water control for these things is insane
Do you mean insanely good or bad?🤔 If it's GOOD, I need to try them.
I wish she had given us the name or a little more detail about the kit/set she purchased with the paint and brush. I looked all over and could not find anything similar.
I am retired, old, bored, and lonely. I love to paint. Well... I used to. I was very good at it when I was younger. Took after my father I guess. In school, my Art teachers used to keep my works. My mother would be furious about it for her too wanted them. They told my mother they would be placed on the wall in the school library. After a while, they would be taken down, and we never saw them again.
You are right, so sorry I forgot to add that. Koi travel Watercolor kit. It's on Amazon for currently about $22 on sale. It's student grade and great to begin with. I painted many journal entries with a set and never ran out of paint...I make my own now. I'll post an update soon.
Lol i threw 4 brushes away thought they were broken, and i coulnt get them open..thank you!
I can totally relate! I was so frustrated when I first bought this kit. I was so excited when I surprised myself 😲 by turning the top a different direction. Glad my video helped you as well. Thanks for watching!
I've had these for awhile but I find the water is hard to come to the brush. I've cleaned them,
I haven't had that problem, what brand are yours? I use Pentel. Thanks for watching, anyway, I'm sorry you haven't had luck with them.
Which paper should be used in watercolour painting plz tell me maam
Sorry I missed your question earlier.
I use cold press 140lb. paper most of the time. It's approximately for what I do and more affordable.
It depends on the type of painting you are doing so it will vary.
I have camlin tube water colour can i use cold preess 140lb ur mentioned paper @kariwaltz
@@UmalkhairInamdar yes, that will work. Give it a try, experiment and play a bit. A great way to learn.
I decided to learn to watercolor but hav NO idea how to start. Any ideas?
My journey with watercolor did not start the traditional route. Studio work traditionally works from light to dark and often floods the paper. The layers of paint are built up layer on layer as each one dries.
I use watercolor in journals and don't want to take that much time. I try to control the water rather that the water control me.
Playing with the different techniques wet on wet, wet on dry, and getting used to the wetness or dryness of the paper is a good place to begin.
A lot of it depends on what style you like and what you want to do with what you learn. Do you want to work larger or keep it 5x7 or smaller? Playing with the paint without trying to make something beautiful is what I would do. Start simple. Hope this helps. Starting with a limited palette is an option too. I'll look for one of mine that might help.
This might be helpful
ua-cam.com/video/o2qkTtLplS8/v-deo.htmlsi=UdT2Myf07j2eDWye
I have lots of different waterbrushes, but all of them let out water, and too much, even without squeezing the brush.
I have found Pentel work well for me. I haven't had an issue with too much water flow. Sorry you haven't had a good experience. 😔
I bought them, and the ZIG ones too, because in your comments lots of people wrote about the pemtel and ZIGs too. I received them today and LOVING THEM!! OMG, i had no idea that the ones i had (and i had like 10, but all cheap) were bad. You opened my world, thx sooo much!! A couple of weeks ago i bought a field watercolor kit for 50euro, that had a water reservoir and little wster unit (loving it) but all i needed to spent was 15 euros on decent aqua brushes, i just did not know, so thx thx thx!!!!
@Pebblesmas you have no idea how happy this makes me!!! 😃😃😃I'm so thankful my content was helpful to you. I'm forever grateful for the artist who shared it with me. Happy creating, and I hope your journey with this brush brings you joy.
nooooo!! just squeeze the tube to evacuate the air, dip it into the water and release.
I've never dipped mine in water to fill it.🤔
Lovely tips! Thank you! I’m a lot better with the water brush but it took me awhile. Lol
Glad you gave yourself time to learn.
Thanks for watching 🙂
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Sorry it wasn't your thing...can't make everyone happy. Thanks for checking it out anyway.