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I recently had the incredible opportunity to be featured on Art School Live with Eric Rhoads, and I can honestly say—it was a thrilling experience from start to finish.

Going into the live show, I’ll admit I was a little nervous. But once the conversation began, those nerves quickly melted away. Eric was gracious, curious, and genuinely interested in my process, which made the entire experience feel more like an engaging studio conversation than a formal demo. It flowed far more smoothly than I had hoped, and I walked away feeling energized, grateful, and deeply affirmed.

During the episode, I shared my poured watercolor technique, focusing on how I use masking fluid to preserve the white of the paper and create luminous layers of color. We talked about something I’m often asked about: the difference between washes and pours, and how each approach creates a very different visual and emotional result.

To illustrate this, I shared two finished zebra paintings—painted from the same subject, but using two entirely different methods.

The Wash Zebra: Control

The first zebra was painted using wet-in-wet watercolor washes. In this approach, the paper is damp and the pigment is guided carefully with the brush. While the water is active, I maintain control over where the color travels, how edges soften, and how form is shaped. Washes are about intention, precision, and deliberate decision-making. They allow me to sculpt the painting thoughtfully, one brushstroke at a time.

The Poured Zebra: Glow

The second zebra was created using poured watercolor. This method relies heavily on gravity, timing, and trust in the process. I build the painting in layers—pouring pigment, allowing it to dry, applying masking fluid, and then pouring again. The result is a natural glow, soft transitions, and organic movement that simply can’t be replicated with a brush alone. In poured watercolor, the water becomes a collaborator, and the painting often surprises me in the best possible ways.

Seeing these two zebras side by side made the lesson clear:
washes are about control, and pours are about glow.

 
Neither approach is better than the other—they simply offer different energy, mood, and possibilities.

I’ve been so touched by the response to this episode. Hearing from artists who felt inspired or encouraged to try something new is exactly why I love teaching and sharing my process. Opportunities like this remind me how powerful it can be to talk openly about technique, experimentation, and trusting your own artistic voice.

I’m incredibly grateful to Eric Rhoads and the Art School Live community for such a warm welcome, and I hope everyone who watches the replay finds something that sparks curiosity and joy in their own watercolor journey.

If you haven’t seen the episode yet, the recording is available—and I truly hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed being part of it.

You can view the recording at https://www.youtube.com/live/uga7e0LRRzo?si=2U3TbaVdtUsi7_6u

Happy painting,
Leslie