YouTube: What to Record?

I made a YouTube channel some time ago, but I've been a bit stumped regarding what kind of content I even want to post there. When I first started out, I thought it would be helpful to share some beginner tips and tricks that I found helpful when I was first learning to paint in watercolor. 

Spaghetti at the wall

I made a few long form and short form videos, basically throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what stuck. I first dipped my toe in with some tape peel reveal videos, because that part of the process is oddly satisfying.

No traction.

Then I tried showing my face and demonstrating some basic techniques. The effort of a full face of makeup, the perfect outfit, and a formal approach... a total time-sink compared to the engagement.

Next, I tried some full painting walkthroughs, no talking and sped up. That was alright but felt too anonymous, so I switched it up with some highlights of a full painting walkthrough with a voice-over.

That felt closer to the pin.

But my enthusiasm completely fizzled out each time I thought to myself, "I should create a library of videos for beginners!"

Recalibrate

What I've come to realize is there are so many talented teachers out there with a practiced way of translating their wisdom to beginners, and that is not my draw to watercolor. I love watching walkthroughs and lectures on my lunch breaks, and I've noticed I pay special attention to how each artist approaches each technique, simply because each approach is unique to that artist. 

I find it fascinating that we could all paint the same thing and it will turn out differently every time! A decade ago, I was in a group session lead by the amazing Cindy Sturla, who had us all stand in a circle and paint the same barn scene. At the end of the session, we all turned our paintings inward to share with the group, and everyone gasped because each one was completely different! We all followed the same motions in real time, step by step, but each interpretation was as unique as our signatures. 

Eureka!

Experimentation. Technique. Methodology. These are the pillars of what draws me to create, and what I talk animatedly about to my friends. With wild hand gestures, I walk them through how I figured out something that seemed impossible at first.

Adding to the knowledge

I love the magical chaos of watercolor. Setting up for a painting is meditative and calm. Checking the lighting and the humidity of the room, the sounds of peeling and taring the tape, refilling my water cup with clean water, ready to go. Putting on the perfect playlist, wetting the brush, and then seeing what the pigments and I come up with. It is always a collaboration, and usually a surprise!