5 simple steps to loosen up your painting and make it look like the masters' work!

How do I paint more loosely and expressively? This is the most common question I get from students. In this video, I’ll show you exactly what's missing in your practice that’s holding you back—and how to fix it. We’ll break down the elusive idea of “artist instinct” into 5 simple, actionable steps you can apply to any subject in order to achieve a masterful, painterly look for your artwork.

The reason you're struggling to paint loosely may not be what you think. It’s not about the medium, and it also doesn't take years and years in order to get there. It's about learning abstraction and distillation, from day 1. Yet most beginner watercolor classes focus on technique and swatches, not on seeing and simplifying the subject.

What’s more, students often follow teachers step-by-step, without ever practicing abstraction for themselves. Since the teacher already did the work of simplifying, the moment students face a new subject alone, they’re lost again. It’s like being handed fish without learning how to fish in the first place.

So how do we change that?
It’s easy to say “just practice for 10 years”—but most of us want to enjoy the fruit of our labor now. From my experience as both an artist and teacher, I’ve learned that it doesn’t take that long to see real progress. With the right mindset, intentional exercises, and clear methods, you can fast-track your breakthrough.

In this video, I’ll guide you through 5 clear steps—from seeing subjects as simple shapes, to developing confident, non-repetitive brushwork. By the end, you’ll understand how to build a strong foundation for expressive, loose painting.

Chapters:
00:36 - Reasons preventing beginners from painting loosely
03:50 - The 5 step process to break through

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More about me:
Ina Xi is an award-winning plein air painter and art educator based in the Pacific Northwest, whose work explores the themes of nostalgia, cultural diversity and collective human experiences.
Website: https://www.inaxiwatercolor.com/
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