Watercolor painting has become a beloved and integral part of my life, transcending its initial status as a mere hobby. It has captured my heart and soul, becoming a passion that has led me to become an enthusiastic and dedicated instructor in this exquisite art form. The delicate interplay of colors and textures that watercolor painting offers has allowed me to express myself in ways that I never thought possible, and I am thrilled to be able to share this joy with others.
Maria Raczynska
A Professional Watercolor Artist And Teacher.
Maria is a Polish-American Artist, Based in Orange County, California. Over the years, Maria has shared her techniques with thousands of students all around the world. She specializes in teaching 'wet on wet' and 'lifting' techniques and is known for explaining the fundamentals of watercolors in great detail. Maria provides helpful tips on how to wet the paper, what ratios of water and paint to use on a brush and how wet the brush should be. She also explains how to lift colors and soften layers using a damp brush technique. Maria's online schools, Patreon and MR online school, have an average of over two thousand students enrolled each month, and she has a massive following on all social media platforms with over half a million followers. Apart from teaching, Maria has created her own lines of watercolor brushes, "Golden 1", "Golden 2", and "Songbird". All brushes are exclusively sold in her Etsy shop. "Songbird" are designed with DaVinci Artist Brushes in Germany and are a great addition to any artist's toolkit. |
Maria Raczynska recording a class in her California studio.
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Watercolor painting is a wonderful way to liberate your mind and calm your soul. The beauty of this medium lies in the way it permits you to immerse yourself in the creative process and allow the colors and textures to dictate the direction of your brushstrokes. It's truly enchanting to see the paint spreading across the paper, creating unexpected blends and beautiful effects. I believe that when it comes to art, experimenting is key. That's why I always encourage my students to try out new things and not be afraid to play around with different techniques. I also believe in the importance of letting go and painting loosely, which is why I encourage my students to completely let go when they're creating. Throughout my classes, I always encourage my students to start painting on their own and choose their own references. |
Maria Raczynska sitting by her studio desk, in Orange County, CA.
Silly things about me... Favorite food: Anything chocolate. Favorite color: Blue-violet or Purple (my daughter's favorites) Favorite place to be: home... in my studio. Favorite hobby - other than painting: Making desserts Favorite country to visit: Switzerland. Favorite season: Spring. Favorite time of the day: Morning - I'm a morning person and I like to go to bed early! Favorite movie genres: Romantic, fantasy and comedies. |
Maria Raczynska in her California studio.
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Official Holbein Brand Ambassador, read more here.
Maria Raczynska plein-air painting in Richmond, London, UK.
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Things you may not know about me...
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Hahnemuhle's featured artist
To read the full interview, please click here.
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"Maria is truly an incredible artist. Her special talent lies in her unique style of watercolor painting, which allows her to capture the essence of animals in a way that is truly breathtaking. Her ability to create soft and smooth layers is truly amazing, and it is clear that she has a deep connection with her subjects. It is no wonder that she is so highly regarded in the art community." - Ann Lark |
Here I am, sharing mostly about my art, teaching,
and the watercolor techniques, but there's more to my life than the studio.
To me, there is nothing more important than my family. I am incredibly fortunate to have an incredible husband who always manages to keep our little girl entertained while I focus on my work in the studio. Speaking of our daughter, she is quite the firecracker! She has a unique personality and doesn't like being told what to do - but that's just part of what makes her so special to us. Whenever life gets tough, I find that spending time with my loved ones is what keeps me motivated and moving forward. |
Maria Raczynska and her family.
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