Easy Watercolor Fall Cabin - Tutorial Review
Ever wish you could complete an easy and fun watercolor project in just 30 minutes? I recently tried Andrea Nelson's Fall Cabin tutorial, and in this review, I'll share my process, insights, and final results – plus a fascinating discussion about watercolor blobs!
Introduction
Now, as someone who's been exploring watercolor for 5 years, I love finding quick tutorials that fit into my schedule. I follow my own advice and am always bookmarking Instagram and Youtube watercolor tutorials that seem inviting and enjoyable to my eyes. Some of these projects are by artists that I regularly follow, and some I just stumble upon.
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I love following artists because then I have an ongoing supply of tutorial options, and I love stumbling on new artists (artists new to me) because it opens up my eyes and my brain to new styles and techniques.
One of my very favorite artists is Andrea Nelson (Andrea Nelson Art) who I follow on Instagram, she also has her own website and a YouTube channel. She is so creative and fabulous. Her projects are always fun and colorful. (See the Resources section below for Andrea Nelson links)
Tutorial Review
So this post is actually a review of Andrea's Fall Cabin tutorial, so I want to take a moment to share with you my process.
1. I watch the chosen tutorial from start to finish
2. I check the artist's other platforms in case there are shorts or commentary or other content that directly relates to the tutorial, and I watch/read whatever I may find
3. I get my art supplies and paint my version of the project
4. Meanwhile, I keep the tutorial video accessible on my MacBook, in case I need to check a step or view the original painting
5. Once my version is complete, I put it aside for a day or two so it dries completely and I can look at it with fresh eyes
6. If I decide to write up a review post, I re-watch the tutorial video, grab any images that will be in the article, and then start writing
Okay, so maybe 2 months ago I had about 20-30 minutes free, and I remembered Andrea's Fall Cabin project so I pulled it up on my laptop to review real quick. (See the Resources section below for Fall Cabin tutorial link)
(Photo screenshot of Andrea Nelson's Fall Cabin YouTube Video)
If you don't already follow Andrea, I highly recommend her! She is really talented, with a positive and engaging communication style, and very thorough with instructions and pointers. I come away from every (digital) encounter with her feeling kinda uplifted and smiling.
I didn't have her paper size, so I taped down an 8" square sheet of Fabriano cold press 140 lb watercolor paper.
I chose to try out some new Daniel Smith watercolors my husband gave me for Christmas.
And I used a couple of Winsor & Newton Promarker Watercolors for the tree trunks and detail-work. (See the Resources section below for a list of the art supplies I used in my version)
While I was painting, I realized the project could be easily modified to reflect seasonal variations, so I may be inspired to paint a different version come Spring.
It took me maybe 25 minutes to do this project, and I wasn't rushing.
Here's a photo of the painting I did, next to Andrea's original.
(Photo screenshot of Andrea Nelson's Fall Cabin original, next to a photo of my version)
As you can see, my colors are different from Andrea's, and I painted a square cabin instead of an A-frame cabin like in Andrea's painting.
I really like how it turned out, and it was a lot of fun to paint.
Discussion of Blob Technique
If you watch this tutorial by Andrea, you will hear her say to do "blobs" for the treetops. The blob is a repeating concept in Andrea's tutorial content, and if you check out her YouTube channel or her Instagram grid, you will see she utilizes blobs in some of her other projects too.
I find watercolor blobs to be a super versatile painting technique not only for beginners but also for painters who enjoy using the simple approach in certain designs and compositions.
And I confess I really love a bunch of colorful blobs being transformed into treetops or fishes or cats, depending on chosen finish details.
There are a few more tutorials by Andrea that incorporate blobs, in case you love the concept as much as I do! (See the Resources section below)
(Photo screenshot of other watercolor blob tutorials on Andrea Nelson's YouTube channel)
Wrap-Up
Now, just to be clear, when I am doing someone else's tutorial, I think of it as practice work, or study work, as I am focused on painting a version of their art piece, not my own original work.
The tutorials are art I am making for the love of the design and the subject, and for the interest in the way it is presented.
Equally significant, with Andrea Nelson and other artists like her who feature shorter projects, these are easily accessible art experiences for watercolor beginners, for people with busy schedules who want to fit art into their life, and for painters who appreciate fast and fun projects.
And, when I am choosing to create art projects by artists like Andrea Nelson who is talented and enthusiastic and good-natured -- it kinda exponentially increases the good vibes and happy feels that making art delivers to my brain and body.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you tried Andrea Nelson’s tutorials or experimented with watercolor blobs? Let’s chat in the comments :)
RESOURCES:
Andrea Nelson's Fall Cabin tutorial on Instagram
Andrea Nelson's Fall Cabin Tutorial on YouTube
Andrea Nelson links
Andrea Nelson blob tutorial links
List of Art Supplies I Used in My Version of "Fall Cabin
Paper = 1264 Fabriano 8" square cold press 140lb watercolor paper
Paints = Daniel Smith watercolor tubes in Iridescent Vibrant Raspberry, Duochrome Emerald, Olive Green, Iridescent Bronze
Markers = Winsor & Newton Promarker Watercolors in Sap Green, Yellow Ochre, and Ivory Black
Pens = White Sakura Gelly Roll 08, and Black Sharpie Pen
About the Author:
Written by Mary Moreno of Mary Moreno Studio, a self-taught watercolor artist since 2020 and creative blogger sharing practical, beginner-friendly tips and tutorials.
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