Recommended YouTube Channels
There are quite a few great YouTube channels out there for free content when you are starting to learn about making art. I plan to provide more content in the coming years as I develop an online presence, but I don’t want you to be slowed down in your journey in the meantime. Here are some sites I am enjoying now and ones I used to get started and get excited about painting. I’m sure there are more now than when I was starting out, but here are a few that I liked. I followed many exercises for free before I felt the need to pay for content.
Before we get to the list, a gentle but important reminder – please please please, do not go down the rabbit hole of watching watching watching videos and clicking on the next video and spending your time on YouTube instead of painting! Watch one or two short videos to get your juices flowing, monkey see-monkey do, and then get your materials out, set your timer for 15 minutes, and give it a go! The dopamine hit of watching videos is pleasurable, but the act of creating is what will bring you longlasting joy.
And with that caveat, here is the list:
Jay Lee Art – Jay Lee uses watercolor and acrylic. I love his brush work. This rose tutorial is one of my favorites.
Mr. Otter Studio – excellent beginner subjects and painting tips with low cost materials. Here’s a video on 13 beginner tips on watercolor.
The Frugal Crafter – she does many crafting things. I like her watercolors — you may find lots of things to enjoy!
Angela Fehr – here is a watercolor artist and teacher who does not draw, she mainly paints abstracts, landscapes, and florals. She also has many classes online, and a monthly subscription. www.angelafehr.com
Draw Tip Tuesday.
Koosje Koene is delightful and full of inspiration.
Emma Jane Lefebvre. I love this Layered Watercolor Flower video.
My friend’s daughter, Caitie North, is an ambassador for Peerless Watercolors, a highly portable and pigmented brand of paint. Here is a full length bumblebee tutorial.
Channels I currently enjoy
As my art journey expanded and I learned more, I had more questions. One of the things I love about the art journey is it is an endless process of exploration and learning — which is good for the brain as we age, among other things. Here are some channels I am enjoying now:
Creations Cee Cee. I love her use of materials and abstract shapes and brush work. She is inspiring my current Magical Mail creations. Here is a waterdoodle playlist.
Amy Dapice of Art Conspiracy. I have had the pleasure of taking Zoom classes with Amy. Her YouTube channel is very efficient and packed with good content. Here’s an excellent video explaining chiaroscuro, light and shadow.
Linescapes. I found these two cuties looking for a video on simplifying landscapes. I’m sure I will watch more of their stuff.
Jean Haines is my watercolor mentor. Her gentle use of brushes and paints is divine. She does not have much free content, but has a website for approximately $180US per year with a massive inventory of tutorials. I took an in person workshop with her in 2018, and now pay for the annual membership to her site. You can find it here. I don’t necessarily want to paint the subject matter she is painting, but I enjoy watching her use of brushes and paints. Plus, she is a lovely person — sometimes I put on her videos while I am painting just to hang out with her. I always get some great tips.
There is so much content out there! If there is something you are interested in, just search in YouTube. For example, here’s a play list on different ways to paint clouds. There is so much free content on YouTube. If you are stuck on something — water, reflections, trees, clouds — search on YouTube. You can find anything!
Friendly reminder – please please please, do not go down the rabbit hole of watching watching watching videos and clicking on the next video and spending your time on YouTube instead of painting! Use YouTube as a way to learn and get excited about creating, not as a way to waste hours of your precious time. Watch one or two videos to get your juices flowing (monkey see-monkey do), and then get your materials out, set your timer for 15 minutes, and start painting.
Let me know what channels that you like. I will check them out and may add them to this list.
Enjoy!
xoxo
