by lbaur | Jan 18, 2020 | How-to
This article is the first of a series on creating more powerful, personal and expressive paintings. When I teach watercolor classes or workshops, there is often a moment where a student comes up to me, thrusts a painting into my face and demands: Tell me what’s...
by lbaur | Mar 3, 2016 | How-to
If the idea of painting outside or while traveling is appealing . . . but intimidating . . . a great way to start is to try line-and-wash. Even if you think you are “not an artist” and have no experience drawing or painting. Even if you “can’t...
by lbaur | Feb 7, 2016 | How-to
Every time I lead a class or workshop, more than half of the participants mention the goal of “loosening up”. Here’s a skill-building exercise to help you move in that direction.
by lbaur | Dec 11, 2015 | How-to
Want your paintings to look unified? It helps to combine “things” into larger shapes, and then use smaller shapes to (partially) separate them. Here’s an exercise to help you practice. First, set up a still life with a couple of simple objects. Avoid...
by lbaur | Nov 13, 2015 | How-to
I know some of you enjoy using the templates I create for my Watercolor Prayer/Meditation Mandala Mini-Retreats. I created a new one that was very popular at the last mini-retreat, so I decided to share it with you here. This one has some larger open areas for you to...
by lbaur | Aug 21, 2015 | Behind the Scenes, How-to
Having recently accepted an invitation to fill a last-minute gap in the show calendar at Hudson Hospital, I’m in the “final countdown” phase of prepping for a show. No matter how diligent and organized I am, I seem to always require a final frenzy of...
by lbaur | Aug 7, 2015 | Behind the Scenes, How-to
That pesky inner critic! I don’t know about you, but simply telling her to sit down and shut up doesn’t work for me. Oh, I can get her to leave me alone. It just doesn’t lead to paintings I’m happy with. I need my inner critic. We all need time...
by lbaur | Jul 16, 2015 | Behind the Scenes, How-to
I’ve been presenting my watercolors without glass for quite some time. I love the clean look! Here’s everything you need to know to present your watercolors using this method. In the video, I demonstrate one way to do this, using the method (and products) I use...
by lbaur | Jul 10, 2015 | Behind the Scenes, How-to
Yesterday, 12 intrepid sketchers from the Watercolor Minimalist class at Wet Paint descended on Como Conservatory determined to learn some tips and tricks for sketching on location in a short amount of time and with minimal stuff. It was a gorgeous day, there were...
by lbaur | Feb 20, 2015 | Behind the Scenes, How-to
I’m welcoming some new watercolor painters to the medium, so there have been some requests for information about caring for watercolor brushes. (Even if you know all this, you might want to skip down to item 9. In the third paragraph, there are two links to...
by lbaur | Feb 13, 2015 | How-to
Looking for templates so you can try it yourself? Templates are at the bottom of the Mandala Mini-Retreat class page. Last weekend’s mini-retreat on Mandalas for Prayer and Meditation at Wet Paint was a wonderfully relaxing way to spend a Saturday afternoon! If...
by lbaur | Feb 13, 2015 | How-to
Are you a control freak when you make art? Or does your inner child go wild? Most of us want to make art that combines structure and spontenaity, but that’s not easy! In workshops and classes at all levels, when we go around the room and talk about what we want...
