Wild Watercolor Book Review and Live Painting

In this article I introduce the new book from my art friend Karen Elaine, “Wild Watercolor”. I show you some of my favorite projects in the book and warm up for the painting session with a few of the book’s simplest projects, then we use reference photos and concepts explored to paint a dragonfly on a tree branch.

We painted the dragonfly on leaves during the workshop, then I added white iridescent watercolor to make the wings sparkle after the class was over.

Some of the things you will learn from this workshop include:

• why I like the simplicity of the format of Karen Elaine’s book “Wild Watercolor”, with projects for beginners to advanced painters;

• introducing the Van Gogh watercolors;

• tricks to mix green watercolors to add an interesting complexity to leaves;

• mixing and applying shadow colors;

• exercising the push and pull of watercolor - why to lay colors down and then lift;

• how to drop colors into wet areas of the paper to get diffused color edges;

• moving around the painting so areas dry before returning to add details;

• BONUS: how I mix a beautiful transparent turquoise color from Phthalo Blue and Phthalo Green;

• and more…

My fun painted projects from Karen Elaine’s book, Wild Watercolor, in the Fuumuui 100% cotton watercolor paper spiral bound book.

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Wild Watercolor Projects and Dragonfly Painting Workshop Video Replay

Below is the full video workshop of my Live painting session. The paints, surfaces and accessories used in the video are listed afterwards in this article. Enjoy! 🎨

Here are the video timeline sections if you want to jump to a particular part of the live session:

0:00:00 - Intro To Karen Elaine's Wild Watercolor Book
0:08:11 - Discuss Art Supplies
0:27:53 - Warm Up Leaves, Poppy Flower and Branch
1:01:20 - Dragonfly on a Leaf Project
1:57:08 - BONUS: How to Mix Turquoise Color
2:05:27 - Finish Dragonfly on a Leaf Project

Here are Karen Elaine's Instagram and YouTube channels:
https://www.instagram.com/karenelainecreative/
https://www.youtube.com/@UCv7csfyZVBPuGYPmbzY8-Xg

And, here is the link to the Yasutumo YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@UCrHWKLbwILv0kk4TwKs5NxQ

Here is the Pixabay website where I found the dragonfly pictures used for the show:
https://pixabay.com/images/search/dragonfly/

Feel free to ask me any follow-up questions in the comments below. Thanks for watching! 😍

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Van Gogh Watercolor paints for the dragonfly project.

Supplies List for Still Life Floral Watercolor Painting Workshop

Here is a list of the Van Gogh Watercolor 10ml paint tubes I used during this live session:
Quinacridone Rose
Turquoise Green
Phthalo Green
Phthalo Blue

Here are links to the book and supplies list for the papers, paints and accessories shown during the video. As a Blick Affiliate and Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases for links below that lead to Blick Art Materials or Amazon.

• Book: Wild Watercolor by Karen Elaine Softcover (2025) - https://amzn.to/49ISuE0

  📗📘📙

• Van Gogh Watercolor Pocket Box Travel Set 12 + 3 Half Pans - https://amzn.to/3NEFRRJ

• Van Gogh Watercolor Paints 10ml Tubes on Blick - https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-101491996-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fvan-gogh-watercolors%2F

• Prang Children's Watercolor Paint Set 16 Colors - https://amzn.to/4bSpydX

• Pigma Micron Pens Black Set of 10 Various Tip Sizes - https://amzn.to/4bjjbQO

• Pebeo Drawing Gum Masking Fluid 45ml Bottle - https://amzn.to/4k2v284

• Magic Inkless Pencil Metal Barrel Set of 2 - https://amzn.to/45yY09I

• Crow Canyon Mini Square White Enamel Trays Blue Rim 4.75x4.75in Set of 4 - https://amzn.to/49sh3EX

• US Art Supply Watercolor Spiral Bound Book 140lb 8.5x5.5in 30 Sheets x 3 - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T21BSDQ?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.2KXA587IB1GL4&linkCode=tr1&tag=dietzart-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.2KXA587IB1GL4_1769409348489

• Fuumuui Hardbound Spiral Notebook 100% Cotton Watercolor Paper 140lb 20 Sheets and Fuumuui Watercolor Paper Block 100% Cotton 140lb 22 Sheets - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNVGZ1DB?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.GBWJX4WGWFGV&linkCode=tr1&tag=dietzart-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.GBWJX4WGWFGV_1768799189548

• Fuumuui Professional Series 10 Brush Set - https://amzn.to/4bkcca1

• Princeton Velvetouch Round Brush Size 6 - https://amzn.to/4qE6dBH

• Princeton Velvetouch Round Brush Size 10 - https://amzn.to/4rdGwIe

• Princeton Velvetouch Willow's Blender 3/8" Brush - https://amzn.to/4b6QdDE

• Watercolor Block Leaf Opener - https://amzn.to/4bcfxIt

• Faber Castell Collapsible Tulip Edge Brush Holder Water Cup - https://amzn.to/3Pxxyon

• General's The Master's Brush Soap 2.5oz Jar - https://amzn.to/49k2Jgq

• General's The Master's Brush Soap 24oz Tub - https://amzn.to/49k2Qsm

• Wood Brush Rest Stand Set of 2 Holds 4 Brushes Each - https://amzn.to/3OrurOi

• My Recommended Cloth-Like Viva Paper Towels 3 Double Rolls - https://amzn.to/3EPZhOW

  🎨🎨🎨

  Note that most of the list of supplies above can be found on the Blick Art Materials website and shipping is generally free for orders of $79 or more. Check them out here:
  https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101492004-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2F
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  If you would like to see other paints, mediums and art supplies that I recommend, click below to go to the Supply Links page on my website:
  https://www.dietzart.gallery/supply-links

  
  Or, check out art supply recommendations on my Amazon Storefront. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
  https://www.amazon.com/shop/tristinadietzelmes

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FREE Live Art Lessons Sunday Afternoons

SUNDAY afternoons I teach a FREE ART LESSON simulcast on YouTube Live and on the WhatNot auction platform followed by a giveaway and sale of my handmade artworks, gift items and some art supplies on WhatNot. You can follow the QR code appearing in the YouTube video or follow the Invite link in the video description to join me on WhatNot for some great Live Auction Art & Gifts deals.

If you're new to Whatnot, sign up with the following link and get $15 in Whatnot credit to use to shop on the platform:

https://www.whatnot.com/invite/tristi...

I hope you'll join me and the thriving Artisan community over on WhatNot soon!

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Finished “Dragonfly Dreams” watercolor painting on 100% cotton paper by artist Tristina Dietz Elmes. At the time of writing this article, this artwork is available in my Etsy store as the original watercolor painting.

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Happy Arting! 🎉