Thank you for joining this creative watercolor session focused on painting summer creatures inspired by nature. In class, you learned how to simplify bees and frogs into easy shapes while exploring watercolor techniques like wet-on-wet painting, layering, and color blending to create playful and expressive artwork.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

Start with Simple Shapes

Breaking animals into basic forms like ovals, triangles, and curved lines makes drawing much less intimidating. Simple sketches provide a strong foundation for painting.

Practice Wet-on-Wet Watercolor Techniques

Applying paint onto wet paper allows colors to bloom and blend naturally. This technique helped create soft textures, fuzzy bees, and vibrant frog bodies.

Experiment with Color Choices

Frogs do not have to be green, and bees do not have to look perfectly realistic. Try whimsical color palettes, patterns, or decorative details to make your artwork unique.

Use Layering to Add Interest

Building color gradually with light, medium, and dark shades creates depth and dimension. Layering greens and yellows helped give the frogs a lively appearance.

Work Small and Practice Often

Using small watercolor cards or cut paper pieces is an affordable way to practice techniques repeatedly. Creating several small paintings helps build confidence and improves brush control over time.

Helpful Supply Tips

Watercolor paper, even inexpensive varieties, makes a noticeable difference in paint flow and blending. Keep two water cups nearby—one for rinsing brushes and one for clean water.

***If you are just starting your watercolor journey, these are the products I would suggest:

Paint:
24 Color Watercolor Paint Value Pack by Artist’s Loft Necessities at Michael’s (tubes)
36 Color Watercolor Pan Set by Artist’s Loft Necessities at Michael’s
Paper: (140lbs or 300g)
Canson Watercolor Pad (Cold pressed, 140 lb) at Michaels
Canson Watercolor Paper (cold pressed, 140 lb ) on Amazon Prime
The Watercolor Paper from 5 Below

Keep Your Reference Guides Handy

The downloadable drawing and painting guides from class can help refresh your memory as you continue practicing independently at home.