Finding Confidence in Watercolour: A Student’s Journey

Introduction by Louise

A guest post by Kati

Meet Kati, one of my talented students from Austria who has been on an incredible watercolour journey! In this guest post, Kati shares her inspiring story of how she fell in love with watercolour during the pandemic and the pivotal role it has played in her creative growth. She also reflects on her experience attending her first in-person watercolour masterclass, the lessons she learned along the way, and how foundational techniques can provide confidence in any painting scenario. It’s a heartfelt story of courage, creativity, and self-discovery - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Discovering Watercolour

Hello fellow artists! My name is Kati, and I live in Austria near the beautiful Lake Constance with my boyfriend and my dog, Coco. I started painting during the pandemic, despite having shown no prior artistic talent or interest. The talent bit is still on its way—just saying.

A calm lake reflecting rolling grey clouds, with a rocky shoreline in the foreground and mountains in the distance. — Lake Constance in Austria

A closer look at the same creative space, highlighting the wooden floor, desk legs, and art books stored beneath the table. — My painting table with a view

A Wiman, Kati, sitting in a cafe holder her dog, Coco, with a cup of coffee on the table in front of her. — Me and Coco

A small black dog perched on an indoor windowsill, gazing out at pastel-coloured buildings across the street. — Coco at the window

Originally, I wanted to learn how to create backgrounds for lettering, but I fell head over heels in love with watercolour. Let’s face it, many of us had plenty of time on our hands back then, and I painted daily—without expectations, without worry, without stress. What utter bliss! I painted landscapes, still lifes, animals, architecture, flowers—you name it, I painted it. But my skills didn’t truly improve until I discovered Louise.

Finding Louise and a New Way to Learn

I found Louise through a recommendation from an artist I followed on YouTube, and I was instantly hooked! My boyfriend later gifted me a Patreon subscription, and the rest is history. But I haven’t come here just to rave about Louise (though I could for days, honestly—just ask me!). I want to share a great experience I had attending my first in-person watercolour masterclass.

Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone

The class was a gift for my 40th birthday, and I was a bundle of anxiety, nerves, and excitement. I’m more of an introvert, so the idea of spending a long time with people I didn’t know was, frankly, petrifying. But I wanted this so much, so I soldiered on and tried to calm my nerves.

I brought my favourite brushes, the ones recommended by the artist, my favourite paper (which thankfully matched the recommended type), and an empty palette, as instructed. Looking around at my fellow students, I noticed everyone had brought full palettes, a variety of brushes, and all kinds of supplies. Cue my shock! I didn’t have masking fluid or paints with me. It turned out I didn’t need them—the instructor provided paint and masking fluid—but I felt a bit insecure. I realized I would have felt more comfortable with my own supplies. I guess I’m less flexible than I thought!

A Breakthrough Moment

As the class began, we gathered around to watch the artist demonstrate a few key techniques. While others seemed confused, my confidence started to grow. Smooth wet-on-wet transitions? Got it. Painting a gradient sky? No problem. Painting dry on slightly wet? Easy. As I watched, I could almost hear Louise guiding me through the steps: how to get the right wetness, how to prep my brush with paint.

A lightly painted watercolour of a seascape, with pale blue washes and pencil outlines indicating the shape of the waves.

It was a breakthrough moment. I thought, “I may not know this artist’s technique, and I might not master it right away, but my foundation in watercolour techniques is rock solid.” Later, I even found myself giving tips to others during some of the simpler exercises.

That newfound confidence stayed with me for the rest of the class. Although the artist’s technique was challenging, I realised I had no issues with the foundational watercolour skills needed to succeed.

Realising My Preferred Way to Learn

I also learned something very important: in-person classes like this aren’t for me. The crowded space, constant chatter, small desks, and lack of air made it hard to feel comfortable or confident. The class felt rushed, with a lot of information packed into a short time, and I struggled to keep up without feeling overwhelmed.

A finished watercolour painting showing a deep blue sea with waves, a rocky cliff on the right, and a small sailing boat in the distance.

By the end, I found myself longing for one of Louise’s step-by-step tutorials, with her soothing voice guiding me through the process—something familiar and comforting. I don’t blame anyone but myself for feeling out of place. The artist did an outstanding job, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity. I learned so much about watercolour and about myself.

Gratitude for Louise’s Teaching

This experience is a memory I’ll always cherish, along with the lessons it taught me. Finally, I want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Louise for her teachings, her patience, and the generosity with which she shares her knowledge. Her guidance has not only shaped my watercolour journey but has also given me the confidence to embrace my creativity. Louise, your kindness and dedication to teaching are truly inspiring, and I’m so grateful for the impact you’ve had on my life.

And now, I’m done stealing everyone’s time—you can all go back to enjoying Louise’s amazing content. Trust me, it’s worth it!

If you are interested in learning to paint in watercolour, Louise has over 200 online, voiced over watercolour tutorials for all skill levels.