Painting-Watercolor-Landscape-Cottage With Pond - Part 1 - 2026

Part 1 of this watercolor landscape video lesson explores the planning stage of the painting. Steve demonstrates two drawing steps. First, he renders a charcoal thumbnail sketch to work out compositional questions such as scale, design, value considerations, etc. while always considering how color will work within the design. Next he draws the final pencil sketch and adds masking fluid in preparation for the watercolor painting stage. Finally he as begins to add color in the sky and foliage he discusses some basic watercolor techniques and tips.