Good Instruction Gone Bad

I've been watching various YouTube videos hoping to learn more about watercolor and I have learned - at least intellectually.  Putting the instruction into practice is a whole 'nother ballgame!

 The video which has impacted me the most was one by Stan Miller where he showed a portrait painted in colors that weren't typical.  He chose colors from his palette seemingly at random and without thought as to whether they were suitable to the subject.  He says that you can use any color you want in a painting as long as the drawing is accurate and the values match the values in the subject.  The resulting portrait was stunning to say the least. (see the video HERE)

Well, I tried but somehow, my puppy just doesn't have the same WOW factor as Mr, Miller's portrait - (unless you say "WOW, how in the world did she mess that up so badly!")

But I know that practice makes perfect - this is my first attempt and to tell the truth, it was almost impossible for me to judge value in watercolor.  Watercolor dries much lighter than it looks when it's wet.  Also, much of Mr. Miller's painting was color that blended into the next one.  I think I should have chosen a subject that didn't have so much white for my first time (but I could have used a very light color instead of the white).  Or, perhaps I should have just used 'black' and white for this maiden voyage. 

As I said, this video knocked my socks off so I'll continue to practice in hopes of being able to achieve that look in the future.