Mastering Water Reflections in Watercolor (and How Gouache Can Help You Fix or Finish)

Mastering Water Reflections in Watercolor (and How Gouache Can Help You Fix or Finish)

Creating realistic water reflections in watercolor can be one of the trickiest techniques to master. Water is fluid, reflective, and constantly changing—capturing that with a brush takes a mix of observation, layering, and patience.

My Tips for Painting Reflections:

• Start light: Lay in your base water tones using wet-on-wet to keep things soft.

• Mirror shapes: Whatever’s above the waterline gets loosely mirrored below—but soften the details.

• Pull down and blur: Use a damp brush to gently pull color downward while the paint is still damp for that natural ripple look.

When It’s Not Working…

Sometimes reflections end up too dark, too harsh, or just off. That’s where gouache can be a lifesaver.

• Use white gouache to pull back highlights or add ripples.

• Mix gouache with your watercolor paints for softer, more matte adjustments that sit on top of the paper.

• Think of it as layering light on top, especially useful for sparkles, boat highlights, or cloud breaks.

Watercolor is about letting go of perfection—but also knowing when to grab a tool like gouache to guide things back.

If you’ve struggled with reflections, you’re not alone. I just finished a painting of Bunker Harbor that had me rethinking every brushstroke on the water. But I stuck with it, used a little gouache magic, and now it’s one of my favorite pieces.

Check out the Video for this painting Here and you can purchase this painting or prints in my Etsy Shop! 

Happy Painting,

Kellie 

Want to feel more creative in your studio? Try setting up zones.

Want to feel more creative in your studio? Try setting up zones.

When I moved into a bigger Victorian studio space this year, I realized I needed structure — or I’d just end up overwhelmed!

I created 3 simple zones:
🎥 Filming & Computer Area (for teaching classes)
📝 Walking Desk (for brainstorming + planning)
🎨 Painting Space (near the best natural light)

Having separate areas helped me:

✔️ Focus faster
✔️ Stay more organized
✔️ Feel more inspired to create

Even if you have a small space, setting up “zones” (even just mentally!) can be a game changer.

One helpful course I recommend: Creating a Creative Space That Works for You on Skillshare.

How is your studio set up? I'd love to hear!

#ArtistLife #StudioSetup #CreativityTips #SkillshareTeacher #ArtStudioInspo

Watercolor Paper Sizing – Why It Matters (And What It Actually Means)

Ever wonder why your paint behaves so differently on one paper vs another? 

It’s not just the brand—it’s the sizing.

What is “sizing” anyway?

In short, it’s how the paper is treated to handle water.
There are two kinds:

• Internal sizing (mixed into the pulp)

• External sizing (applied to the surface, usually gelatin)

Let’s break it down with two popular options I use in the studio...

Arches Watercolor Paper

Sizing: Internal + External (gelatin)

This combo makes the surface more resistant to water, which means:

• Paint sits on top longer

• You get brighter colors, cleaner edges, and smoother blends

• It’s easier to lift or glaze without staining

• Feels slightly slick when wet—great for wet-on-wet fun

Pro tip: You can rework an area more before the paper gives up on you. It’s amazing for detailed layering and vibrant results.

Canson XL Watercolor Paper

Sizing: Internal only (no surface sizing)

Because there's no extra surface sizing:

• Paint sinks in fast

• Colors dry softer or even dull

• Lifting and blending are harder

• Paper can start to pill if you fuss with it too much

Best for quick practice, flat washes, or loose sketching
Pro tip: Work quickly, or with a lighter hand to avoid damage

So, which one should you use?

• Use Arches when you want more control, vibrancy, and room to layer

• Use Canson for budget-friendly practice, warm-ups, or looser work

• Check out my video - my first try on Canson XL paper HERE! 

How to Paint Ocean Waves in Watercolor (Without Getting Overwhelmed)

Painting water — especially waves — can feel a little intimidating. There's motion, light, transparency, texture... it’s a lot! But it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Over the years, I’ve learned that the key to painting believable waves in watercolor is to loosen up and let the paint do a bit of the work for you.

Here are a few tips to help get you started:

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1. Start Light and Build Layers

Waves have depth and transparency, and the best way to show that in watercolor is by working in layers. Begin with a light wash for the base ocean color and let it dry completely. Then, build up darker tones to show where the wave curls or where shadows form.

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2. Use Brush Direction to Create Motion

Waves are constantly moving, and your brushstrokes can help show that! Use curved or diagonal strokes that follow the direction of the wave’s movement. Keep it loose and don’t overthink every line — a little imperfection adds to the energy.

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3. Add Foam with Dry Brush Techniques

Foam and splashy highlights are best added with a dry brush or a touch of gouache. Load a small amount of paint on your brush and drag it lightly over the paper’s surface — this leaves behind that broken, frothy texture.

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4. Don’t Forget the Sky

The colors of the ocean are often reflected from the sky. If your sky is soft and warm, try pulling some of those same tones into the water, especially near the horizon. It helps everything feel more connected and natural.

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5. Lift Highlights While It’s Damp

Waves often have little highlights or shine — you can lift some paint out with a damp brush or paper towel while the paint is still damp. This creates soft, natural highlights without needing white paint.

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Want to Paint One With Me?

If you’re ready to give it a go, I created a mini course that walks you through painting a crashing wave step-by-step. It’s beginner-friendly, under an hour, and we keep it relaxed and fun.

👉 CLICK HERE! 

Hope these tips help you feel a little more confident tackling ocean waves in watercolor. And remember — it’s just paper and paint! Let yourself play a little. 🌊

Happy painting,
Kellie

Calm & Easy Watercolor Animals - April Challenge Week 3

Week 3 of the April Challenge is here, and this one’s all about slowing down, relaxing, and letting watercolor do its thing.

This week, I painted five gentle animal studies:
🐦 A sweet hummingbird
🐞 A cheerful ladybug
🐰 A soft and fuzzy bunny
🐟 A graceful koi fish
🐝 And a buzzy little bumble bee

Each one focuses on simple, calming techniques—like soft blends, wet-on-wet washes, and gentle brushwork. These little paintings are a great reminder that you don’t need to overthink it. Sometimes, just sitting down and letting the paint flow is exactly what you need. If you missed the first two weeks, don't worry you can catch up anytime and watch them. Click to watch Week 1 and Week 2!

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Let the Paint Breathe — Don’t Overthink It

One of the biggest lessons watercolor teaches us is to let go. It’s easy to get caught up in making everything perfect — the shape of a wing, the exact color of a shadow — but honestly, watercolor shines when we step back and let it do its thing.

This week’s animal studies are a great reminder that you don’t need to overthink it. A few loose shapes, some soft color, and a little space to let the water move can say more than hours of detailed work.

Some of my favorite parts of these paintings are the happy little accidents — a color bloom here, a fuzzy edge there. That’s where the magic lives.

If you find yourself overworking your piece or second-guessing every brushstroke, just take a breath, loosen up your grip, and let the water lead a little. That’s when it gets fun again.

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I’ve created a short video showing snippets of each animal and some of the relaxing techniques I used. You can watch the overview on my YouTube channel to get inspired!

✨ Want to paint along with me?
I’m sharing the full-length, step-by-step versions of all five paintings over in my Patreon group. These are perfect if you want to follow along in real time or build your skills in a calm, supportive space.

👉 Join Patreon for full tutorials

This challenge is all about making time for yourself and finding joy in creating — even if it’s just for a few minutes a day.

I hope these peaceful little creatures bring you a smile and a little artful calm this week. 💛
Thanks for painting with me!

– Kellie

April Watercolor Challenge – Week 2: Spring Skies & Weather

April Watercolor Challenge – Week 2: Spring Skies & Weather ☁️🎨

Welcome to Week 2 of our April Nature Watercolor Challenge!
This week we’re diving into 5-minute experiments with green—but with a fun twist: we’re focusing on sky moods and weather scenes.

Each day brings a new mini challenge, perfect for boosting creativity and loosening up your brushwork. These are designed to be quick and approachable, even if you’re short on time.

Here’s what we’re painting this week:

• Mon, April 7 – April Showers: Think rainy skies or playful puddles

• Tue, April 8 – A Windy Day: Swirling clouds, bending trees

• Wed, April 9 – A Vibrant Sunset: Let loose with color!

• Thu, April 10 – A Starry Night: Try moon glow and deep blues

• Fri, April 11 – A Rainbow After the Rain: Soft pastels and blends

• Sat/Sun, April 12–13 – Free choice or catch-up time

How to Join In:

• Paint one or all prompts at your own pace

• Share your art in our Facebook group: Kellie Chasse Art Group

• Use the hashtag #AprilNatureWatercolors so we can all see your beautiful work!

This week’s theme is a great way to loosen up and play with green tones, skies, and layered washes. You’ll be surprised how much emotion and story you can pack into a 5-minute painting!

Want to see what brush I’ve been using for these studies?
👉 Check out the FUUMUII Brush on Amazon (affiliate)
👉 Watch my unboxing video on YouTube

The Power of 5-Minute Watercolor Studies: How Quick Painting Can Transform Your Art

We often think that improving our watercolor skills requires long, dedicated sessions at the easel. But what if I told you that some of the most effective learning happens in just five minutes a day?

This month, I’m diving into quick 5-minute watercolor studies as part of my April Challenge, and I’d love for you to join me! 🌿🎨

Why 5-Minute Watercolor Studies?

Short, intentional painting sessions help us in so many ways—whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist. Here’s why making time for just five minutes a day can transform your creative practice:

1. Overcome Perfectionism

When you only have five minutes, there’s no time to stress over every detail. You learn to let go, trust the process, and embrace imperfections, which often leads to more expressive, spontaneous work.

2. Build a Consistent Habit

Sometimes, the hardest part of painting is just starting. But when you know it’s just five minutes, it feels easy to commit! And the more you show up, the more progress you’ll see.

3. Train Your Eye & Hand

Quick studies sharpen your observation skills and improve your brush control. Whether it’s capturing light, mixing greens, or creating texture, repetition builds muscle memory.

4. Unlock Creativity Through Play

In short sessions, there’s no pressure to create a masterpiece. Instead, you can experiment freely with colors, shapes, and techniques—leading to happy accidents and new discoveries.

5. Reduce Creative Blocks

Feeling stuck? A small, no-pressure painting session can reignite your creative spark and help you push through resistance.

Join the April Watercolor Challenge!

This week, we’re exploring different shades of green with a variety of fun, bite-sized prompts:

🖌️ Tiny forest scene
🖌️ Meadow with wildflowers
🖌️ Sprouting seed or new growth
🖌️ Green critters (frogs, turtles, lizards)
🖌️ Misty green hillside
🖌️ Free choice or catch-up day

You can paint along with me in my latest YouTube video—a collection of quick demos to inspire your daily practice. Watch it here! 

And if you’d love extra feedback and support, my Patreon members get access to the full-length versions of these tutorials!

Let’s paint, experiment, and grow together. Share your work using #AprilNatureWatercolors so we can cheer each other on!

Happy painting,
Kellie