Event resources

• How to Use a Water Brush | YouTube [6:40]
• Introduction to Watercolor Techniques | YouTube [5:18]
• Books — I got these from my local library; you can use WorldCat to see if they're available at one near you!
  • Watercolor Flowers the Easy Way by Berrenson, Sara
  • Watercolor the Easy Way by Berrenson, Sara
  • Watercolor Flowers Chinese Style by He, Lu
  • The Beginner's Guide to Watercolor by Merryl, Jovy
  • Watercolour Flowers for the Absolute Beginner by Peart, Fiona
  • Modern Watercolor Botanicals: A Creative Workshop in Watercolor, Gouache, & Ink by Simon, Sarah
• Art supplies — Jetpens, our supplier for this event, is a women-owned small business based in San Jose; they also offer other product recommendations, videos, and guides. 
  • Pepin Artist's Coloring Book - Chinese Designs (select illustrations from the Japanese Designs book were also available)
  • Kuretake Little Red Gift Set - 6 Watercolor Palette + Fine Brush Pen + Water Brush Pen
  • mt Solids Washi Tape - Red - 15 mm x 7 m (like painter's tape, can be used to secure paper to a surface while you're painting)
• Supplies I had — Pentel Vistage Water Brush - Medium - Compact Body & Kuretake Gansai Watercolor Palette - 12 Color Set

Other resources

• Pepin Postcard Coloring Books Coloring and Painting Demo | YouTube [1:29]
• The Best Water Brushes | JetPens — comparison of water and regular brushes
  • Don’t worry if you can’t get every trace of color out of your water brush’s bristles. Water brushes are made with white or transparent synthetic bristles that are prone to staining. This does not affect the paint color.
  • For everyday cleaning, simply squeeze water through the bristles and dab the tip on a paper towel until it is clean. We recommend storing your brush empty if you will not be using it for a while. This prevents algae and mold from growing in the barrel and grip section.
• The Best Watercolor Supplies For Beginners | JetPens — helpful tips & tricks with pictures 
• 20 Beginner Watercolor Painting Techniques | Watercolor Fanatic  — helpful pictures of wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, different pigment & water mixtures, other techniques
• Watercolor Tips for Beginners | John Lovett Artist 
  • Preserve white paper right from the start.
  • Work out your composition with a thumbnail sketch before you begin.
  • Limit your palette to maintain color harmony.
  • Don't allow foreign colors to cause distraction - link them to the rest of the painting.
  • Consider using a tie up color to give the painting unity.
  • Make your dark colors either warm or cool to avoid neutral dead spots.
  • Make your center of interest or focal point dominant
  • Don't overwork - allow for some areas of simple understated relief.
• 12 Step-By-Step Watercolor Art Tutorials for Beginners | Meraki Lane 
  • Start Light – Begin with light washes of color and gradually build up layers for depth and richness in your paintings.
  • Practice Color Mixing – Experiment with mixing different colors to create new hues and tones. Keep a color mixing chart for reference.
  • Control Water – Learn to control the amount of water on your brush and paper to achieve various effects, from smooth washes to textured details.
  • Embrace Mistakes – Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—watercolor is a forgiving medium that allows you to work with happy accidents and unexpected outcomes.
  • Work from Light to Dark – Start with lighter colors and gradually add darker tones to avoid muddy mixes and preserve highlights.
  • Play with Texture – Explore different techniques like dry brushing, splattering, and lifting to add texture and interest to your paintings.
  • Practice Wet-on-Wet – Experiment with wet-on-wet techniques by applying wet paint to a wet surface for soft blends and fluid transitions.
  • Develop Brush Control – Practice different brush techniques, including dry brushing, wet-on-dry, and wet-on-wet, to gain greater control over your brushstrokes and achieve precise, expressive effects.
  • Practice Patience – Watercolor painting requires patience and a willingness to embrace the unpredictable nature of the medium. Take your time, allow layers to dry between applications, and don’t rush the process.