Watercolor Painting

Recent articles

  Painting at Ladew Gardens - Perspectives from The Artist's Road
Yew Windows at Ladew, 11 x 15", Gouache, © JM Hulsey
  Nocturne Notes (historical) - Albert Moulton Foweraker
Moonlight, South Devon, Albert Moulton Foweraker
  Watercolor Updates - Jim McVicker
Buck Lake Bathers, 15 x 20", Watercolor, © Jim McVicker
  Watercolor Updates - Jeff Good
Beach 69. Hawaii, Watercolor, © Jeff Good
  Watercolor Updates - Andy Evansen
Saharan Dust Sunset, 11 x 15", Watercolor, © Andy Evansen
  Voices of Experience - Vladislav Yeliseyev
Night Cafe, Watercolor © Vladislav Yelliseyev
  Uniquely Watercolor - Perspectives from The Artist's Road
Three Color Effect in Watercolor © JM Hulsey
  Shaking It Up - Perspectives from The Artist's Road
Canyon Sunrise, Watercolor on Yupo, © J.M.Hulsey
  Waxing Watercolors
Applying Cold Wax Medium to Watercolor © J. Hulsey
  Going Beyond Best Intentions: How to Paint Outdoors Responsibly by Bob Bahr
Photograph © Jessica L Bryant painting along Salmon River
  Profile: Angus McEwan
On Wormit Beach, Watercolor, © Angus McEwanFree Profile:
Angus McEwan
  Voices of Experience - Angus McEwan
On Wormit Beach, Watercolor, © Angus McEwan
  In the Pink - Perspectives from The Artist's Road
The Arrangement, 11 x 15", Watercolor, © John Hulsey
  The Watercolor Medium
Ocean Light I, 40 x 30", Watercolor © John Hulsey
  With Thanks to Mort Solberg - Perspectives No. 454
Summer Nectar © Mort Solberg
  Oliver Romeo - Perspectives No. 440
Oliver Romeo, Watercolor, © J. Hulsey
  Profile: Cindy Wheeler
Green Cathedral, Watercolor, © Cindy WheelerFree Profile:
Cindy Wheeler
  Voices of Experience - Cindy Wheeler
Green Cathedral, Watercolor, © Cindy Wheeler
  Profile: Eric Michaels
El Mercado, Etla, Mexico, 15 x 22" WC, © Eric MichaelsFree Profile
Eric Michaels
  Voices of Experience - Eric Michaels
El Mercado, Etla, Mexico, 15 x 22" WC, © Eric Michaels
  Rose Delight - A Watercolor Demonstration by John Hulsey
Rose Delight Watercolor Demonstration Watch this gorgeous rose magically appear as John Hulsey paints it in watercolor.
  Casein - An Overlooked Medium
The Model Resting, Casein/Tempera, 1889, Henri de Toulouse Lautrec
  A Century of Watercolor - Perspectives No. 418
Watchdog, Watercolor, 22 x 30", © John Hulsey
  Profile: Mary Nagel Klein
Harmony, 12 x 12", Casein on Panel, © Mary Nagel KleinFree Profile:
Mary Nagel Klein
  Voices of Experience - Mary Nagel Klein
Harmony, 12 x 12", Casein on Panel, © Mary Nagel Klein
  Profile: Herman Pekel
Watercolor on Site, © Herman PekelFree Profile:
Herman Pekel
  Voices of Experience - A Step-by-Step Plein Air Watercolor by Herman Pekel
Watercolor © Herman Pekel
  Voices of Experience - An Interview with Brienne Brown
Following the Shadows, 10 x 16", WC, © Brienne Brown
  Profile: Brienne Brown
Following the Shadows, 10 x 16", WC, © Brienne BrownFree Profile
Brienne Brown
  In the Footsteps of Van Gogh - Part II
Irises oil painting by Vincent Van GoghIn the footsteps of Van Gogh - Part II
  Voices of Experience - An Interview with Christopher Leeper
A New Day, 36 x 48", Oil, © Christopher Leeper
  Profile: Pablo Rub
Alovera, © Pablo RubenFree Profile:
Pablo Rubén López Sanz
  Voices of Experience - An Interview with Pablo Rub
Alovera, © Pablo Ruben
  Art of the Bird
Common American Swan, John James Audubon
  On Reflection
LearnReflections at Grez sur Loing, 1884, Willard Leroy Metcalf to paint water reflections from the Masters
in our article On Reflection.
  Consumed by Fire
Fires in the Flint HillsConsumed by Fire: A Gallery of Art Inspired by Flames
  Profile: Jeff Good
Lisabeula Park, 30 x 22", Watercolor, © Jeff GoodFree Profile:
Jeff Good
  Voices of Experience - An Interview with Jeff Good
Lisabeula Park, 30 x 22", Watercolor, © Jeff Good
  Voices of Experience - An Interview with Frank Eber
Boulevard de la Vigne, WC, © Frank Eber
  Profile: Frank Eber
Boulevard de la Vigne, WC, © Frank EberFree Profile:
Frank Eber
  Art Among the Poppies, Part II - It Just Gets Better and Better

Art Among the Poppies - Part II

It Just Gets Better and Better
  Art Among the Poppies - A Watercolor Painting Holiday in Tuscany
Photograph of Ann in the Poppies of TuscanyArt Among the Poppies
A Watercolor Painting Holiday in Tuscany
  Is Travel Abroad Still Worth It? - Perspectives No. 349
Photograph of Students Plein Air Painting in Tuscany © J. Hulsey
  Customs - Perspectives No. 348
The Bridge of Sighs, ca. 1905-08, John Singer Sargent
  Voices of Experience - An Interview with Thomas Schaller
Fog on the Tiber Rome 30 x 22 WC Thomas Schaller
  Profile: Thomas Schaller
Fog on the Tiber - Rome, 30 x 22", WC, © Thomas SchallerFree Profile:
Thomas Schaller
  A Painting Holiday in Tuscany
photo of Mastrojanni Agricola, Tuscany, Italy© J. Hulsey paintiing workshopsIn celebration of our upcoming watercolor painting workshop to Tuscany in June, we decided to share with you some of the interesting and beautiful places we are planning to visit and paint!
  Weathering the Weather - Perspectives No. 325
Dawn in Dubois watercolor © J. Hulsey
  Timing is Everything - Perspectives No. 321
Watercolor by Joseph ZbukvicSave
  Nocturne - LaRoque Gageac Step-by-Step Watercolor Demonstration
watercolor Nocturne of a village in France by John HulseyLearn the key steps to painting a successful
Nocturne landscape in watercolor.SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
  Soaring - A Step-by-Step Watercolor Demonstration
watercolor painting, Soaring ©J. HulseyDiscover how to recapture your plein air
inspiration and build a successful watercolor.SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
  How Edges Make a Painting Sing
oil painting of a girls with peachesOne of the most important techniques a painter can learn to recognize and employ is the artistic placement of edges. Knowing how and where to create a certain type of edge in a painting is essential to successful painting.
  Shall I Compare Thee? - Perspectives No. 308
Rainbow Lorikeets (creative commons)SaveSaveSaveSave
  Profile: Dominik Bari?evi?
Free PThe Blue Mountain, 12 x 16", WC, © Dominik Baricevicrofile:
Dominik Baričević
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  Voices of Experience - An Interview with Dominik Bari?evi?
The Blue Mountain, 12 x 16", WC, Dominik BaricevicSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
  Watercolor Brushes - The Real 411
The Adirondack Guide Winslow Homer Watercolor 1894Everything You Need to Know About Choosing a Watercolor BrushSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
  The Rise of the Synthetic Weasel - Perspectives No. 299
Mustela sibirica by Johann Christian Daniel von SchreberSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
  Gerald Fritzler Interview - Excerpt
  The Power of Middle Values - Excerpt
oil painting of Canyon de Chelly by Edgar Alwin PayneImprove your paintings instantly by learning to recognize and deploy middle values
for powerful impact in this informative article by David Rankin.
  Voices of Experience - An Interview with Kris Parins
Making Tracks watercolor 21 x 29 © Kris ParinsAn Interview with
Kris ParinsSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
  Profile: Kris Parins

Making Tracks watercolor 21 x 29 © Kris ParinsFree Profile:
Kris Parins

SaveSaveSave
  Watercolor Mixing Secrets
Learn to mix watercolors like the pros do!Detail of Afternoon Glow, Watercolor, John HulseySaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
  Voices of Experience - An Interview with Dan Mondloch
Devil's Track River © Dan MondlochAn Interview with
Dan MondlochSave
  Watching You Watching Me - A Step by Step Watercolor Demonstration

All waterwatercolor painting, Watchdog, 22 x 30", © John Hulseycolor papers are not created equal!
Follow along as John paints and then repaints this full
sheet studio watercolor in a step-by-step demonstration.
  A Master of Watercolor - Perspectives No. 269
Long House Sunlight watercolor 28 x 36 ©Gerald FritzlerSave
  Profile: Gerald Fritzler
watercolor paintiing of Canyon de Chelly, by Gerald FritzlerFree Profile:
Gerald Fritzler
  Voices of Experience - An Interview with Gerald Fritzler
watercolor painting of horses and silver bridles by Gerald FritzlerAn Interview with
Gerald Fritzler
  The Power of Middle Values in Painting
Scuola di San RoccoThe key to creating any successful landscape painting is
the masterful placement of values in space.
By decoding the secrets of the masters, David Rankin shows you how
to use his simple techniques to put them to work for you!
  November Light - A Live-Action Video Watermedia Demonstration
Watermedia video demonstration painting
  The Big Picture - Perspectives No. 263
November Light Watermedia © John Hulsey
  Understanding Light in the Landscape Part III
Yurmby Color WheelFree yourself from the tyranny of poor weather and bad lighting!
In Part III, we show you how to use the powerful gamut mask tool to
easily re-color your world in any situation.
  Profile: Stan Miller
Watercolor Painting of French Window Flowers © Stan Miller
Free Profile:
Stan Miller
  Voices of Experience - An Interview with Stan Miller

French Window Flowers © Stan Miller
Voices of Experience:
Stan Miller
  A Painted Life - Perspectives No. 249
Watercolor © Michael James Plautz
  The Weight of History: A Step-by-Step Watercolor Demonstration
Watercolor © John Hulsey
  Profile: David Rankin

Naptime Watercolor © David Rankin
Free Profile:
David Rankin
  Voices of Experience - An Interview with David Rankin
Morning in Bharatpur by David RankinVoices of Experience:
David Rankin
  Profile: Andy Evansen
watercolour of old truck in snow by Andy Evanson.Free Profile:
Andy Evansen
  Voices of Experience - An Interview with Andy Evansen
Watercolor of old truck in snow, by Andy EvansenVoices of Experience:
Andy Evansen
  Mind Over What Matters - Perspectives No. 233
Watercolor Painting by John Singer Sargent
  An Artist's Tour of Provence - Part III
watercolor, The Old Gate, Arles by © John HulseyOur Artist's Tour of Provence continues in Part III. We visit Arles, Les Baux, Avignon, Chateauneuf du Pape and Carcassonne. Travel painting at its best!
  An Artist's Tour of Provence - Part II

watercolor of Gordes, Provence © by John Hulsey


Our Artist's Tour continues as we explore
the most beautiful villages in Provence.
  Painting Christmas - Perspectives No. 217
Detail of Christmas Eve by Carl Larsson
  An Artist's Tour of Provence - Part I
Photo of Ventabren, France.If you love France, then you'll love our
Artist's Tour of Provence.
Travel painting at its best!
  Profile: Sarah Yeoman
The View from the Mountain by Sarah Yeoman
Free Profile:
Sarah Yeoman
  Voices of Experience - An Interview with Sarah Yeoman
Watercolor by Sarah Yeoman
Voices of Experience:
Sarah Yeoman
  Granulation - Perspectives No. 205
Granulation of watercolors
  The Three Amigos - Perspectives No. 195
Zbukvic, Castagnet and Pekel - Three Watercolor ArtistsSave
  Don't Tear Your Hair Out - Perspectives No. 192
watercolor of ocean sunset by John Hulsey
  Profile: Joseph Zbukvic
Watercolor by Joseph Zbukvic
Free Profile:
Joseph Zbukvic
  The Artist's Road Watercolor Test
The Artist's Road Watercolor Test
The Artist's Road Watercolor Test
  Voices of Experience - An Interview with Joseph Zbukvic
Watercolor by Joseph ZbukvicVoices of Experience:
Joseph ZbukvicSave
  Why Watercolor? We Ask Ten Top Painters
watercolor of a Turkish oarsman rowing a boat, by Anders ZornLearn why you too can learn to paint in
watercolor from these top masters
of the medium.
  A Prairie Storm - A Live-Action Video Watercolor Painting Demonstration
Prairie Storm watercolor by John Hulsey
  Step-by-Step Watercolor Painting Demonstration - Poppy Fields near Ventabren by John Hulsey
PopPoppy Fields near Ventabren by John Hulseypy Fields Near Ventabren
A Step-by-Step Watercolor Painting Demonstration
by John Hulsey
  Voices of Experience - An Interview with Mark Mehaffey
Red Rocks - Morning Light by Mark Mehaffey
Voices of Experience:
Mark Mehaffey
  Painting in the Garden of Eden
Painting in Longwood Gardens
  Voices of Experience - An Interview with Mort Solberg
Late Afternoon Moose © Mort Solberg
Voices of Experience:
Mort Solberg
  Understanding Light in the Landscape Part II
Evening Montclair New Jersey George InnessMastering color casts is the key to limiting a palette and controlling mood in a painting. Part II of this series shows how to identify and use them to make your paintings better.
Save
  Painting Winter - Exploiting the Winter Landscape
winter oil by John Hulsey
  A Plein Air Painting Trip to Dubois, Wyoming
John Hulsey painting in WyomingFree. Take an Armchair Tour of
the Scenic Dubois, Wyoming
Landscape.
  Plein Air Painting in the Wild Wild West
Evening, Dubois, WyomingJoin us as we spend a week painting, teaching and exploring the wonderful mountain scenery that surrounds the cowboy town of Dubois, Wyoming.
  Understanding Light in the Landscape - The Carlson Theory of Angles
Oil Painting by John F. CarlsonUnderstanding Light in the Landscape:
The Carlson Theory of Angles
  A gallery of New Mexico paintings
Free. We hope that this gallery of paintings in oil, watercolor and pastel will inspire you as well.
  The Ultimate Still Life Table.
Still life set upEverything you need to know to make your still life paintings more engaging, dramatic and powerful.
  A Gallery of Lowcountry Watercolor Paintings by John Hulsey
Affinity, watercolor by John HulseyFree. Check out the South Carolina Lowcountry
with this gallery of watercolors by John Hulsey
  A Plein Air Painting Trip to the Lowcountry: Charleston, South Carolina
Battery Park watercolor by John HulseyTake a painting trip to beautiful Charleston, South Carolina, and explore its diverse painting opportunities, art galleries and southern charm.
  Desperately Seeking Homer - Perspectives No. 37
The Red Canoe watercolor by Winslow Homer
  Life on the Hudson
Life on the Hudson
Following in the Footsteps of the Hudson River School
  Watercolor Painting Materials List for Workshops
Watercolors
  Painting Clouds - Part II - Perspectives No. 30
Ghost Ranch IV by John Hulsey
  Voices of Experience - An Interview with Frank LaLumia
Oil The Beaches of Catalina by Frank LaLumiaVoices of Experience:
Frank LaLumia
  A Gallery of Cloud Paintings
Pastel Painting of Storm Clouds at Sunset by John Hulsey
Get an Instant Education in Painting Clouds
Effectively in this Rogue's Gallery of Cloud Paintings.
  Painting in the Dordogne River Valley of France
oil painting of The Dordogne River, by John Hulsey
The Best of Dordogne - Domme, La Roque Gageac and Les Jardins de Marqueyssac, including a visit to the Paleolithic cave art at Lascaux.SaveSaveSaveSaveSave
  Don't Be Afraid of the Dark - A Primer on Night Painting
pastel painting of snowy winter road at night, by John Hulsey
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark - A Primer on Night Painting
Learn how the night can provide rich painting opportunities for the intrepid artist in this informative, illustrated article.Save
  Profile: Annie Helmericks-Louder
Pastel Painting by Annie Helmericks Louder Free Profile:
Annie Helmericks-Louder
  The Art of Seeing - Part II: The Red Plaid Dilemma - Perspectives No. 8
pastel painting of Burano rower, by John Hulsey 
  
Save
  The Art of Seeing - Part 1: Illusion or Reality - Perspectives No. 7
John Hulsey's painting workshop in Aix, France 
Save
  Adventure, Inspiration and Tragedy at Sperry Lodge, Glacier National Park
Photo of Mountain Goat, Glacier National Park, Mt., by John Hulsey
Free. Enjoy this example of the type of in-depth articles available to members.
An artist residency in Glacier National Park takes a tragic turn as the artists make their way up to a back-country chalet. 
  Painting in the Land of Enchantment - Perspectives No. 3
John Hulsey painting Cimarron Creek, New Mexico
  Finding Gold Along the Rio Grande
Cottonwoods along the Rio GrandeFree
Finding Gold Along the Rio Grande
The artists travel to northern New Mexico in search of painting gold and find it along the Rio Grande. 
  The Ultimate Backpack
The Ultimate Backpack Third Pocket
The Ultimate Backpack shows how to pack the lightest weight gear for hiking and traveling to paint en plein air.Save
  Gore Creek I - Developing a large studio oil painting from watercolor sketches done on location
Gore Creek by John HulseyFree. Gore Creek I -Developing a large studio oil painting from watercolor sketches done on-location at Gore Creek in Vail, Colorado.   Includes a ten-minute step-by-step video!
  Step-by-Step Watercolor Painting Demonstration, Through the Trees, Lourmarin by John Hulsey
Through the Trees LourmarinFree
Through the Trees, Lourmarin,
"Learn to Develop a Point of View" in this Step-by-Step watercolor painting demonstration on location in Lourmarin, France, by John Hulsey
  Step-by-Step watercolor plein air painting demonstration, Le Pont d'Avignon, by John Hulsey
Le Pond d'AvignonLe Pont d'Avignon
Learn the principle of how to "Break it Down into Shapes" in this Step-by-Step plein air watercolor painting demonstration at Avignon, France, by John Hulsey
  Step-by-Step Watercolor Painting Demonstration - A Votre Sante - by John Hulsey
A Votre Sante by John Hulsey
Free
A Votre Sante,
a step-by-step watercolor painting demonstration at Rousillon, France, by John Hulsey.
  Step-by-Step Watercolor Painting Demonstration - The Fountain Cleaner - by John Hulsey
The Fountain Cleaner by John Hulsey
The Fountain Cleaner,
a step-by-step watercolor painting demonstration from Aix-en-Provence, France, by John Hulsey
  A Checklist for Painting Overseas
Knowing what not to take is just as important as knowing what to take when you travel overseas to paint.  This valuable checklist makes it simple.
  Painting in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Midnight Bear Lake by John Hulsey
Free
Enjoy this mini Tale from the Artist's Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, in which John and Ann share their recent painting adventures during John's artist's residency there. 
 
  Traveling Cross-Country with Watercolor (pdf)
Free
John Hulsey and Ann Trusty chronicled their plein air painting adventures as they drove across the United States in their new Westphalia mobile painting studio "Van-Go".  (Previously published in American Artist Magazine and presented here with permission.)
  The Power of the Sketchbook (pdf)
Free
Capturing inspiration in the sketchbook.  My sketchbook paintings serve many functions, but the most important is to transport me to the moment of inspiration, so I can re-create their spontaneity and freshness in my larger, more finished studio pieces.  (Previously published in Watercolor Magazine and presented here with permission).
  In the Footsteps of Cezanne (pdf), Painting in Provence
Free
Wonderful French Provencal villages, artistic camaraderie, and great food and local wines all combined to make John's week-long teaching workshop there a roaring success. (Previously  published in Watercolor Magazine and presented here with permission.)
  The Forces of Nature (pdf), Painting in the Low Country of South Carolina
Free
Included in this article are some of John's hand-written field notes which reveal his methods for overcoming the many challenges Nature throws in front of the plein air painter while working outdoors in the Low Country of South Carolina. (Previously published in Watercolor Magazine and reprinted here with permission).
  Painting in the Range of Light (pdf), Yosemite National Park, California
Free
John and Ann take off on another painting adventure in their rolling studio "Van-Go" - this time for a month's stay as artist-in-residence in California's Yosemite National Park. (Previously published in Watercolor Magazine and presented here with permission.)
  Painting in Rocky Mountain National Park
Fall in the Moraine by John HulseyJohn and Ann share their painting adventures in Rocky Mountain National Park, where as artist-in-residence, he spent two weeks exploring, hiking and painting.
 
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A Primer on Night Painting - Nocturnes

Nocturnes - A Primer on Night Painting

Filled with inspirational examples by the masters of nightime painting, this little book is sure to fire up your creative energies. Never tried painting at night? We show you how it's done with a step-by-step-oil demo and a tale of night painting in the wilds of Rocky Mountain National Park. The Primer on Night Painting - Nocturnes is a 7 x 7" PDF download with 40 pages of text and images. It includes a gallery of paintings by masters of the nocturne, information to inspire and encourage you in your plein air nocturne painting, an illustrated step-by-step demo and tips for working in pastel and oil. Also available in a softcover edition. Check out the tools and other products that we use in our own art and travels in The Artist's Road Store. We only offer things for sale that we enthusiastically believe in.

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About Us

Photograph of John Hulsey and Ann Trusty in Glacier National Park
We are artists, authors and teachers with over 40 years of experience in painting the world's beautiful places. We created The Artist's Road in order to share our knowledge and experiences with you, and create a community of like-minded individuals.  You can learn more about us and see our original paintings by clicking on the links below.
About Ann     About John
 Hulsey Trusty Studios