My tomatoes so far are very sloppy 
, I’m really enjoying learning to use watercolors. I’ve learned not to use a hair dryer to speed up drying, to not use brand new brushes directly on the first use (mine are not fancy) because of all the shedding, to remember to let color dry before next layer, and to add more water to the drying paint on palette.
This is my very first attempt at watercolor, or second if the orangutan with watercolor pencils counts (only did a very small part of the face because didn’t have all the colors needed). I will finish my tomatoes then proudly post the finished messy painting.
I must add that the picture of these painting of my tomatoes turned out extremely photogenic, it looks way better than in person 
Hi Meme5 -
So glad you found some time for artwork. (Say hi to your daughter for me.) I’ve got to say, for your first watercolor attempt you are DOING GREAT - REALLY. It is something that takes a lot of practice to master and the things you’ve listed as what you’ve learned so far are understandable trials. I’d suggest when this is totally dry (and normally when you start a watercolor painting) tape down the ENTIRE SIDE of all 4 sides of the paper. It will still bubble up when it is wet but will return to flat as it dries. The other option is to buy your watercolor paper in “block” form because those edges are already glued in place, and then you don’t remove the paper until your painting is done.
The other thing you should know is since this is just an underpainting that will have colored pencils on top, the quality of the watercolor right now is perfectly fine. Most of it will be covered up. What you’re accomplishing with this step is giving yourself a “map” of where the color and details are located for the final drawing phase. You are also helping to fill the tooth of the paper with color because sometimes colored pencil alone has a hard time filling that tooth. Continue to enjoy the process. I’m looking forward to seeing the completed artwork.
Terri Robichon
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@robichon, Thank you for your advice. I will follow it exactly.
Said hello to my adult child for you, she’s all happy and says hello back, she’s asking if you miss her lol ……but now I must finish typing later …my attention must go to her
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I thought your tomatoes were amazing before trying to paint mine. But now, I think your tomatoes are extra super triple amazing! I wanna be you when I grow up wow
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Hi Meme5 - Tell your adult child that of course I miss her. She is a very special friend of mine and I’m impressed with all the exercise that she is getting.
Now Meme5, we all have our strengths and weaknesses. Believe me, your family should be grateful that you’re not like me because that would probably drive them crazy. My husband is a saint to live with me. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and it extends to everything I touch. Bye the way, you made my day and I thank you from the bottom of my heart !!!
Terri Robichon
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Tomatoes in progress…the paper is not flat anymore, i taped it all around as soon as @robichon suggested it, but I guess it was too late haha. Live and learn. I’m glad there is a pencil color application to make them way better, in my case. I must admit, I’m too impatient to wait for watercolor to dry. Watercolor is no joke! I’ve been wanting to try oil painting. The waiting to dry between applications will be a challenge x 1000
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This will work out just fine under the colored pencils. When I use watercolors under colored pencils it is mainly for 2 reasons. First, it helps to fill the tooth of the paper with color so that you don’t have to work so hard layering the colored pencils. Second, it is a map of where the colors and details need to go and is easier to follow than just a line drawing. This underpainting will easily accomplish both of those things and most of it will be covered up.
Terri Robichon
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@robichon - Beautiful job! I’ve just finished this lesson and the color pencils saved it from the trash. But I’m not good with watercolor like you are.
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This isn’t great but it’s the best watercolor I’ve done so far. The color pencils really helped it. I was super challenged by the paint drying between layers so I did a layer and then came back the next day. I don’t have enough patience to watch paint dry.
This is the first artwork I’ve posted here.
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Hi Rheba -
Thanks so much for posting your work. And “WELL DONE” with the tomato project.
Terri Robichon
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Your tomatoes are really good! What do you mean by not being good with watercolor? I am terrible with a capital T. The colored pencils did save mine from trash for sure. Plus my paper is all warped, then the third tomato is still not finished with colored pencils.
Anyhow, i plan on practicing more with watercolor, I love the medium, just not the waiting on it to dry…
In the meantime I hope to see more of your posts in the near future…
Sonia
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Terrible tomatoes :(( ….yes, I used odorless spirits blending thingy ….and shook the acrylic marker without a cap after priming it, went all over the place… the paper is super warped it won’t stay taped down, eeky
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Don’t you just hate those accidents. Happens to all of us at some time. (I still think your tomatoes look just fine, but now you’ll remember how important it is to tape down all the edges of the paper before you start).
Terri Robichon
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I’ve learned a great deal with those tomatoes for sure. I will aim higher next time 
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Meme5 - you always aim high. It’s just a matter of getting exposed to something new, and then getting in that all-important hands-on practice time. You are very gifted!!!
Terri Robichon
PS. Say Hi to your adult child for me and tell her I miss her.
I really thought it was a photo Terri, your watercolour work is incredible. 
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I see the second part of the course has been uploaded. Posca markers are used. I don’t have any and at the moment I’m not interested in buying them, I will, however, give it a try with alcohol marker base.
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Hmmmmm. I may have to hit the buy button on the ones in my saved list on Amazon. I will watch through the first couple of videos first. Thanks for the heads up, Jane.
Brenda
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Wow!!!
Everyone’s artwork is great! Thanks for sharing with us.
Teri
So, I checked the Blick website and found a set of 16 Poscas for under $33. I pulled the trigger, because that was $15 less than a set of 15 on Amazon. So, I’ll be doing the second installment of the new course in a few days. 
Brenda