The 5th Annual Watercolor Live came to an end recently, wrapping up with even more of today’s best watercolor artists sharing all of their secrets, explaining their materials, methods, and more, hosted by Eric Rhoads and Kelly Kane.
The next Live event is March 26-28, 2025, with the inaugural Acrylic Live. Join us then to be with fellow painters online for days of demonstrations, Q&A with your favorite artists, mingling during the breakout rooms and cocktail hours, and the incredible faculty painting auction.
Realism Art Highlights from Watercolor Live

Coming to us from an old schoolhouse-turned-studio in Stockholm, Sweden, Björn Bernström gave us good reasons to strive for, rather than avoid, creating “cauliflowers” in a watercolor painting.

In a much-anticipated segment, Thomas Schaller joined us live on camera for a cityscape demo. He explained that he almost exclusively starts a painting by focusing on the lights, then the mid-tones, and lastly the darks. “No color – no matter how beautiful – is going to save a painting if it doesn’t have the right values,” Thomas said, adding that to him, “values are 90 percent of the painting.”

Internationally renowned artist Alvaro Castagnet painted a scene from a Sunday morning in a northern Italy market for us. When it comes to painting such a scene, he says, “If you spend lots of time looking at things, you’ll always find something you love.” He wrapped up the demo by adding that there’s always something else that can be done, but that the message of the scene has been accomplished, and “before your very eyes.”

In this photo, you can see how Xi Guo used an X-Acto blade to scrape away the top layer of the paint to create additional highlights for her watercolor still life demo of a painting she calls “The End of the Summer.”

Janine Helton joined us to paint a small (5 x 5-inch), close-up portrait, which she says is a great way to practice your skills, become proficient in painting faces, and experiment with color. Janine used reference photos and drawing studies to help guide her choices in values and more.
“Listening to what he says is just as important as watching him paint. He is such an inspiration!” ~ Nancy H., during Schaller’s demo
“Thanks to all of you! it was a fantastic and inspiring day!” ~ Kellie L., after Day 2 of Watercolor Live
Remember: The next Live event is coming in March with Acrylic Live, so visit Acrylic.com now to register and be with fellow artists online for days of demonstrations, Q&A with your favorite artists, and mingling during the breakout rooms and cocktail hours, and more!
View more articles on watercolor art and artists here at RealismToday.com.