How I Simplify a Photo into a Loose Watercolor (Boats & Reflections)

In this video, I walk you through my process of turning a photo reference into a loose watercolor painting, focusing on boats and reflections. One of the biggest challenges in watercolor is learning how to simplify a reference photo instead of trying to copy every detail. In this tutorial, I show you how to break down a scene, choose what matters, and paint it in a more expressive, relaxed way. If you’ve been struggling with loose watercolor techniques, or wondering how to approach watercolor from photo references, this step-by-step demonstration will help you see things differently. This is especially useful for beginners and self-learning artists who want to improve their watercolor landscapes, paint boats in watercolor, and handle reflections in a simpler way. Take your time, observe the process, and most importantly - enjoy painting without overthinking.