How to paint in Line & Wash - a beginner's guide 

Paul I'm 71 years old. I'm just starting a journey into watercolor. I cant draw but I can trace. I havent been able to find what i love to do in watercolor. Until now. I love it I love it I do. This is what I want to do. Line and wash. It's perfect. Oh thanks so very much. Have you written a book? I'm a subbie now. I'm going to,watch today until I'm cross eyed. Your tip about finding a stick is brilliant. I'm so serious. As soon as I watched you put the lines on the paper and then wash it with paint I felt it..it was yes yes yes. I cannot wait to get my good Arches paper out and my paints. Nowmi need to order some good micron pens or markers, whatever they are. Hurrah I'm so happy

Have never seen such a rich content explained in just 9.28 min. Simply awesome.... something corporate people also should learn. "No. 12 Stick" was too good.

Hi Paul, I’m 81 years young and I’m so glad I found your book, your RU-vids and you Facebook group. I’m learning so much. I always thought one painted the picture and then put the lines in. Doing the lines and then putting the wash in is easier and makes more sense. Thank you. Thank you for all the giving you do. I can’t get out to classes so this is all fantastic.

This reminds me of the meme that reads: This stick! I LOVE this stick! Seriously, though, I've been a pen and ink artist for years, and it never occurred to me to use a stick with my ink. I have got to try that!!

This is surely the best beginners guide to line and wash on the internet!

Right, now I’m off to to get some No. 12 sticks! 😂

Thoroughly enjoyed watching you paint and taking the 'mystery' out of it. I am 73 and have only been painting for a year and just love all of it, but ink and wash is quickly becoming my very favourite. I will be watching for more of you in the future. Thanks so much for sharing your gifts!

I am watching this thinking 'I recognise him' then I realised it is from when you ran a drawing course I was on at the South Street studio. I was so sad when that place closed as I was planning on coming back for a watercolour course. So I am glad you are now here on RU-vid. I will check out some of the workshops when we can all go back to normal.

Thank you so much I am going to try it, your video is what I need to inspire me to start, I am french from Quebec, Canada….a fan of your talent!❣️🙏

I'm new to watercolors and fell in love with the line and wash technique! It's so gorgeous, it pops out in a perfect way in my eyes. Of everything I painted so far (I use Tombow mono drawing pens), my family loves my line and wash the most and my mother even asked me to paint something for her foyer in that style! Love at first sight for me, so thank you so much for the tips Paul. But now I want to try the stick and ink!

Wow! I just love your work!!

Amazing!! I think Im gonna be a fan of line and wash from now on!

Really clear Paul - thank you

I am teaching (trying!) myself to sketch and draw and came across line & wash and immediately loved it. I discovered your RU-vid videos when searching for a beginner's guide. I've been binge-watching now! You are the most informative and engaging resource I have found thus far. When I look at the world around me now, I am constantly seeing things I'd love to be able to capture in my own way (I literally spent 5 minutes taking pictures of bell peppers in the grocery store today). Thank you for making art so accessible and inspiring!

Such an easy to understand lesson. I am new to watercolor and was recommended to you by a friend, and I am thankful I was! I really enjoyed this lesson.

It is a really great to have you as my teacher! Thank you for the teaching!

Love this technique, been trying it for a while but your video has given me lots of great tips. Thank you x

Excellent straightforward explanation.

Thank you for an excellent introduction to line wash! I love your play of light and shadows, like in the barn one.

I bought your book and I am learning through your book and videos. I love your work. Thanks.

Loved this video and how u explained everything! Excited to try these methods. Thankyou!!

Loved watching you paint. Thanks for sharing. I also love the stick idea. I'll have to try that too.

Just brilliant!!! 😲

I can’t believe how helpful your videos are and informative! Thank you!

Loved it! ❤️

This is fantastic! Thanks for such clear explanations and lovely examples!

I am definitely becoming a fan of you, your artwork and your techniques!

Thank you for the class :) I love learning new thinks!

So nice...great line and wash techniques

Love this video, many thanks! i will try this new method, love the garden stick idea and the blurry lines.

Wowzers! I love your video! Just subscribed and can’t wait to see what’s up next. Your paintings are brilliant. Thank you!

Thanks for the video, Paul!

Beautiful technique and painting. Looks like I am going to binge watch all ur tutorials. Hope I can follow some of them

I love line & wash! Thank you. All watercolor is exciting - love to watch the paint do it’s thing. Love to watch you as you know how to direct the paint so artfully.

Love your videos. They're clear, informative and so fun! I find myself chuckling in the middle of many of your videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your humour. 😀

This was so great! I’ve been experimenting with line and wash and love it, and this really helped me! 👏 thank you

loved this. so straightforward and encouraging!

Loved this!

Great tips for beginners!! Love your energy & sense of humour while teaching 😊

Fantastic lesson. Thank you.

Thank you for this beautiful and encouraging demonstration. You are a blessing in these times.

I love everything about this video. The instructions and the tips but mostly the humor. Thank you

So very helpful- thank you!

Thank you thank you thank you! So much wisdom in this short video, exactly what I was looking for!

So cool! I learned so much in just a few minutes!

I’ve found that I actually never knew my true niche!! The line & wash is definitely MY THING! It’s wonderful & the paintings I’ve done just really thrill me. I usually give away my works, but I’m keeping the first two for myself. I decided to just paint other ones for those who’ve asked for my paintings. Thank you VERY MUCH for your great instructions & for sharing your God-given talent with us.

The last one is sooooo beautiful.

I appreciate your art lessons and I always get to smile because of your wicked dry wit! Live your number 12 stick!

I love your videos. Great learning each time. Thank you Paul

I absolutely enjoy all your videos. You are so good at explaining and teaching. Wonderful. I’m so glad I found you.

That's very encouraging for me to find out this information. I really enjoy these videos. These are very valuable for me

very beautifully done and explained, thanq

Love your work

I love the line and wash and will be doing it.I loved the stick idea amazing what nature can provide. Thank you for another great video

Thanks for this amazing tutorial!

This is one of the best tutorials what I ever seen. Thanks

Love this technique ! Thank you so so much ! Still practicing .

Great teacher you are

Loved it, Paul.

I’m giving it a go! Thanks 🙏🏻

Excellent demo, Sir. I will give a try. Thank you.

Perfect tutorial!! Thank you. Exactly what I needed to start my first piece. So talented you are!

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. A masterclass!!!

Absolutely beautiful

Thanks for the video Paul, I never thought I could draw the outline first and paint over it, but the effect as you have shown is great! I shall remember that if i try line and wash again. Stay well!

I’m so glad I found your channel😊

I'm just so glad that you're on RU-vid! so I can learn from you from the other side of the world!

I started drawing sir... Thank You for being my Guru(Teacher). ❤️❤️God Bless You.

Thank you Paul, I too love line & wash and will give it a go today.

I love the no. 12 stick ... this was great, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Delightful and instructive. Thanks!

Your art takes my breath away.... super! Tutorial....I ❤️ line and wash.... I've done a few following Lois Davidson....they came out surprisingly nice! Great tips, as in ALL your videos.... 🙏

You are amazing 🤩. Motivated me so much with your tutorials and your sense of humour . Thank you 🙏

Thank you for the information or instructions they are so helpful.

Love the Line & Wash looks really effective, especially the boat. Looks fantastic. I am going to try it.

Just need to work on getting my sketches looking right. Wonderful tips.

I love your process you get straight to the lesson. Quick. Done great tips A rewarding video thanks

You’re genius at this!

This was extremely helpful. Thank you. I cannot wait to give it a go.

You are a very good artist and teacher, I wish I had a beautiful teacher like you in high school- as they did not teach us anything. I LOVE art and I love to paint, I love painting roses, and they are cute but I really can't draw and I'm not good a buildings, I'm not too bad at birds. You are helping people in more ways than you know, because hobbies are so important for a healthy mind. Love from America

Just love your lessons. You are knowledgeable, engaging, and entertaining. And, of course, your work is excellent. Thanks for sharing your talent. God bless you.

Thanks for sharing your vast knowledge with us. Awesome

What an inspiration! thank you for this video. After many years I am going back to pen and wash. many thanks.and thanks for the stick trick ;0

I’ve now watched several “line and wash beginner guide” videos and must say this is the best so far. It offers new tips and tricks that are not obvious. I’ll be checking out more on your channel! Thanks, Paul!

Best video on the technique I've found yet. I have liquid inks of various colours that I was wondering if I should use instead of watercolours, and I'm glad you mention that these can be used for the wash. Can't wait!

So much packed into this very short video. Thank you so much. 🎉 beautiful painting ❤

Smashing!!! ♡♡ Definitely gonna give it a try... thank you so much!!

So clearly explained and enjoyable to watch! I can’t wait to try.

What a lovely and informative video ... and I truly enjoyed watching you paint the sailboat. Thank you!

Thank you for the wonderful video! Love the stick humor as well!! We actually used this method in my high school art class once, which of course I completely forgot about, lol. It was many moons ago. Your work is beautiful and I'm subscribing!! 😉😊

Just found your channel and it's inspirational. You are a gifted artist and teacher. Thankyou

I love your teaching style. Your straight to the point, lots of info in a short amount of time. I loose interest if people waffle on to much. I am trying to teach myself to water colour, so pleased I've come across your tutorials. BRILLIANT 😄

Great to have seen this tutorial as i have never done line and wash and as i am starting a watercolour course we have to have a dip pen so now really looking forward to trying this technique. Thank you Paul 🎨

This stick paint is gorgeous! You are a genius! I love it!

Excellent content thanks, and I was particularly impressed at how well made the video itself was, it must have taken a lot of time and effort.

Your presentation was a joy to watch. It was professional, educational and just plain fun. I am inspired to find a stick.

Excellent tutorial... thanks!

Fantastic! Thank you for the video 😃

Love love luuuuuve these … I have work to do today now 🙏🏻

Like the idea of „selling garden sticks“ for dough!ha!ha! I‘ve a Bamboo for penning from a course over 25 yrs. ago. I‘m not sure if I watch you to learn & others on utube, or just like watching all you artists producing magic! I find you all so amazing, interesting & clever! Wish so much to be able to create the drawings/ paintings you all do! Thanks. Don’t know when this was written but, I now have a huge twig ext to desk! Waiting to be sharpened & used!