Watercolor Pencil Line Over Wash. Fun, Stylized, Spontaneous!

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  • @ScheherazOdd
    @ScheherazOdd 4 роки тому +19

    I have a question for you: When a person is learning to draw (or in my case, learning to draw *better* ) how true to life, or true to the reference photo should the person get? I am a perfectionist, so as I am trying to learn to draw what I see, I tend to try to draw every single detail that I see in my reference photo, exactly as it appears. Should I be doing that? Due to my inexperience with that kind of drawing, it makes it a very long and tedious process.
    I'll give an example: Right now, I'm drawing a simple autumn leaf from a reference photo. It took me two hours to get the shape of the leaf to be an exact match to the reference photo. (I used tracing paper to make sure it was an exact match.) Before now, I have always been the type of person who draws mostly from imagination, and used reference photos to fill in where needed. I would picture a tree in my mind, draw it, then use reference photos to give me an idea of where the shadows should be, or how the foliage clumps together. The leaf I am currently drawing has serrated edges. Should I be drawing each and every serration, exactly as it appears in the photo? Or should I do my best to draw *a* the serrated edge, without drawing each serration exactly as it is placed in the photo?
    On some of your videos where you use a reference photo, I've noticed that you don't stick to the photo 100%. Like that gorgeous, gnarled tree you did in line and wash... I know that you have a lot of experience drawing, and that that allows you some freedom; you've drawn enough trees in your life to understand how it *should* look. But when is it okay to say, 'The shape of this leaf is correct, and I know this has a serrated edge, so I'm going to add a serrated edge on my own, without sticking to the reference photo 100%.'
    I should probably also tell you that I have no intention of being a hyper-realist when it comes to my art. My goal is illustration, similar to Ida Rentoul Outhwaite and Beatrix Potter, with Edward Gorey thrown in to darken things up a bit. I understand that I need to learn to draw what I see, and that that is how the masters of illustration were able to do what they did (especially Beatrix Potter.) Do I need to do that? Copy what I see down to the tiniest detail? I sure hope that what I'm asking makes sense!
    Thanks for reading this long-winded explanation of what should be a simple question!

    • @mindofwatercolor
      @mindofwatercolor  4 роки тому +51

      re: details and drawing what you see. - This depends entirely on what your drawing purpose is. You should definitely NOT be focusing on details if you are trying to practice and increase your ability to see and draw proportions, form and value. Details don't help with that. In general many artists go way too fast to the details thinking that makes their drawing better. They can be fun to add and draw but should be reserved for finished work and only if you have a good base construction. Think cake vs icing or the foundation and framing of a house vs decor. Good, accurate proportions, form and value make a drawing or painting superior. That should be the focus in drawing improvement. Details are just icing on the cake, maybe even the icing decoration on top of the icing. As to when is it ok to go to details? Thats an artistic decision. Decision making is just one of the many elements that make art, art and make you an artist. If it were a simple formula then everyone would be good at it. Time, practice and experience make those decisions better.
      re: Illustration and hyper realism - again, that depends on your goals as you draw and paint. If you wanted to develop a style similar to Outhwaite, Potter or Gorey then yes study their style and even copy it if you want (usually referred to as master studies) but not necessarily every extreme detail or to the exclusion of basic drawing skills. It cannot be repeated enough, good representational art is based first on sound drawing principles like proportion, form and value. THEN a style is developed through your artistic decisions and that just takes time and experience. What details you leave OUT are much more important than what you leave in! Again it's an artistic decision. If you study Outhwaite for example you begin to see and understand that she actually left a lot of details out (same goes for Potter and Gorey). That should intrigue you as an artist. How do you get to that level and learn what to leave out? This is art and developing a masterful artistic style. It's first and foremost a command of basic drawing principles + mastery of your preferred mediums + interesting and accomplished stylistic decisions. Attained in that order. Focus on one at a time, would be my advice. Details should be last and focus on what to leaving out more than what you should put in. Again, if it were easy to define, everyone could do it.
      re: faithfuness to reference - This is just another one of those experience things. In general you should strive to "understand" your reference rather than copy it. Copy it exactly to begin, definitely, but try to understand how a leaf curls and how light hits it well enough that you can eventually begin to be more inventive with leaf forms of your own making (rather than purely copying) based on those reference characteristics. Otherwise you just become a slave to the reference. Something few accomplished illustrators do. Reference should really be more of a guide to help you solve visual problems.
      Hope that helps. Good questions! - Steve

    • @wendyb7993
      @wendyb7993 4 роки тому +5

      Enjoying the experience of drawing and painting will relax you and then you will put however much detail you want into each piece as your mind relaxes into the joy of drawing and painting in your own style. Don’t get bogged down with being perfect relax and do it 🤗

    • @z1522
      @z1522 4 роки тому +8

      @@mindofwatercolor Very good advice. Especially with the amount of useful information on UA-cam now, many are beguiled by the astonishing ultrarealistic works, without having explored drawing history and old masterworks, which by comparison can look unfinished or crude. It is not true, that one can draw anything from life, and once skills are developed, faces are just like trees or hubcaps. A hundred thousand years of evolution have fine-tuned our sensitivity to faces, where minute shifts in a rendering may change the expression, or leave an uncomfortable sense that it is off somehow, even if we still recognize the person (which caricatures play on). Yet we can fake leaves, with practice, without painstakingly focusing on one specific leaf. I'd say if one can draw a convincing likeness, perhaps they can draw practically anything else. Deficient drawing skills hobble artist's creative abilities because if one can't reproduce a decent likeness from a direct source, one will never come close to doing it from memory or imagination. Sargent portraits are sublime, for what just a few charcoal strokes perfectly suggest convincingly, so we barely notice every area he leaves unfinished, or sketched without detail. Hyperrealism feels creepy and artificial, in many ways, perhaps because our eyes don't work that way - we can only focus sharply in a small area at one time, and we'd have to be using a magnifying glass a foot from a person to see each pore and eyelash, at which point the extreme foreshortened perspective would put the ear out of focus and shrink it to a little flap.

    • @robertcochran7103
      @robertcochran7103 3 роки тому +2

      @@mindofwatercolor Thank you for answering Megan. I am learning how to draw and I too wonder how precise I ought to be. You give an excellent answer here.

    • @cruztimothy8637
      @cruztimothy8637 3 роки тому

      I guess im asking the wrong place but does someone know of a trick to log back into an instagram account?
      I somehow forgot the account password. I would appreciate any help you can offer me.

  • @hildapriore472
    @hildapriore472 2 місяці тому +2

    I MUST say something:
    Just when i wanted to give up,with my watercolor Art, i was so sad,an then i discoverd your Channel,with this Style, AND that you are Christian too, then i became soo encouraged,and now it is such a Joy and Fun, im so glad and thankful!!!
    Be blessed,you and your family❤😊👍🍀🇨🇭🤗

  • @purity2706
    @purity2706 4 роки тому

    So glad you're back, and you seem so upbeat and joyful, so you must have overcome your difficulties, if not, retiring to your studio and chatting with Reese and your viewers brings peace. Don't be a stranger!!😇

    • @mindofwatercolor
      @mindofwatercolor  4 роки тому +1

      Thanks. Not difficulties really, just busy, out of the ordinary challenges that are distracting and effecting my schedule. They’re not over either but we’re dealing with it.

  • @juliethorpe2697
    @juliethorpe2697 2 роки тому +1

    Love, love, love your Princess Bride T-shirt!

  • @erinaceus
    @erinaceus 4 роки тому +34

    This reminds me of being a kid, watching the clouds to see what or who was being revealed to me. Thank you for sharing, always an inspiration.

  • @irenh6285
    @irenh6285 4 роки тому +1

    Виртуозно,легко,прозрачно. Очень тонкая и приятная работа. Спасибо за удовольствие

  • @TheGypsygirl809
    @TheGypsygirl809 6 місяців тому +1

    Don’t know how long ago you painted this but i am so glad i found this video. I’m amazed and in love with this type of watercolor painting. It’s exactly what i need as a beginner at watercolor painting. I have found many amazing artist but this looks like something i can truly enjoy without stress. Thank you for sharing your artwork with us.

  • @joann5157
    @joann5157 4 роки тому +30

    Another GORGEOUS spontaneous painting! I love these!
    Whatever the cares of your heart are right now, I hope all the love from your viewers does indeed cheer your soul.

  • @bonniecullom1007
    @bonniecullom1007 4 роки тому +2

    Good to see you again Steve, thanks for this lovely video 👍💜😎🎨

  • @Caris158
    @Caris158 4 роки тому +2

    Yaaaaay!! Thanks to you and Reese 😄

  • @lindaraereneau484
    @lindaraereneau484 3 роки тому +1

    This is the approach for me. It is all about discovering, rather than trying to make something that reflect the known.

  • @rebeccawong1
    @rebeccawong1 3 роки тому +1

    The unknown is the fun, thank you 🙏🏻

  • @rachelpeeples5652
    @rachelpeeples5652 2 роки тому +1

    OMG... I love your Princess Bride Shirt! and as always, your artwork and tips are wonderful!

  • @lindaking9222
    @lindaking9222 4 роки тому +2

    Welcome back....nice to see another spontaneous piece...nice colour combination

  • @BStarfireMcquinn
    @BStarfireMcquinn 7 місяців тому +1

    I'm really loving doing the spontaneous wc's. :)

  • @sharisayed3004
    @sharisayed3004 2 роки тому +1

    Wow you're still posting in Oct 2020. Thank you for being current. There are so many yt sites that have been inactive since 2016.

  • @susanjaneritter
    @susanjaneritter 3 роки тому +1

    GLORIOUS...LOVE YOUR STYLE, AND APPRECIATE YOUR GENEROSITY IN SHARING TECHNIQUES...THANK YOU SO MUCH, STEVE

  • @bethjames9246
    @bethjames9246 Рік тому +1

    Thank you Steve! Have a Great Day!

  • @rutbrea8796
    @rutbrea8796 3 роки тому +1

    This "Random" painting is a great idea! Impressive and inspiring, I like it very much. Thanks for sharing.

  • @edzejandehaan9265
    @edzejandehaan9265 4 роки тому +4

    "I got a lot of spontaneous scraps"...I liked that remark, it's comforting!
    I think this one came out beautiful, a very effective use of a limited palette.

  • @helenduplessis9820
    @helenduplessis9820 4 роки тому +1

    This is the stuff fairytales are made of!! Mere mortals like me can just stand in awe!!

  • @JazzyPuppyB
    @JazzyPuppyB 3 роки тому +1

    Ive always been so intimidated by watercolor but I have recently decided I can do it if i learn more and keep trying. I just found your channel and am loving it. thank you

  • @annepercival7814
    @annepercival7814 4 роки тому +14

    Can’t tell you how much seeing this lifted my spirits first thing on this miserable wet morning. Thankyou

  • @judithgillam5074
    @judithgillam5074 4 роки тому +2

    Beautiful !!!

  • @herbalannie7707
    @herbalannie7707 4 роки тому +2

    Love those colors!

  • @starr-starr
    @starr-starr 4 роки тому +7

    You never cease to amaze me with what appears on your paper. Love that triad.

  • @DrCarolFrancis
    @DrCarolFrancis 2 роки тому +1

    Unbelievably beautiful. Thanks for the teaching and inspiration

  • @sharoncapstick7944
    @sharoncapstick7944 3 роки тому +1

    Gutted you forgot to record the 1st one but I think I got the gyst. I love watching you paint. I may have the guts to have a go myself one day. Thankyou for your videos.

  • @Rubbereyes
    @Rubbereyes 2 роки тому +1

    Heading out to my studio to give it a go. I really do appreciate your style and instructions. Look forward to lots more. Thanks.

  • @samanthabarnes1681
    @samanthabarnes1681 Рік тому +1

    Wow! Thanks for sharing your awesome gift. Such a beautiful painting❤

  • @shirleywittering9698
    @shirleywittering9698 4 роки тому +19

    Oh My! what fun! I sat there with a big grin on my face, just magic. I have been practicing with watercolour pencils but this is a whole new technique. I can't wait to start. Your list of materials is a great help too. A lovely way to spend a wet and windy day in England.

  • @BrokenAnguissette
    @BrokenAnguissette 4 роки тому +5

    I always enjoy the spontaneous landscapes! This one had almost a fantasy feel to it that I'm extra loving 😊

  • @woutsebastiaan
    @woutsebastiaan 4 роки тому +2

    Like so many others I love your spontaneous watercolor videos. They teach me so much about value and bold brushstrokes.

  • @joycesnodgrass7068
    @joycesnodgrass7068 4 роки тому +1

    Welcome back💛 Thank you💛

  • @deborahraenelson
    @deborahraenelson 4 роки тому +6

    So glad to see you have time for another great video. Hope all is well with you and your family. Stay safe...

  • @chantalp.146
    @chantalp.146 4 роки тому +8

    Thank you, I’m always amazed at how you turn a spot of paint into a scene..

  • @Sides3Sides
    @Sides3Sides 4 роки тому +1

    Those are my favorite watercolor pencils. Great demonstration 🙂

  • @FuriedHearts
    @FuriedHearts 4 роки тому +17

    I love how it goes from white paper to a few spritzes of water, a few blobs of paint, to a nice composition. I can see the composition taking form at 4:53. I love how on the right the golden color peaks through from behind, looking like the sun. If you left it at 4:53 and never added lines it would make a super pretty abstract painting 😍
    I have an entire set of watercolor pencils (Albrecht Durer) that I haven’t used much. Need to use them more!

  • @pegilouharmon7467
    @pegilouharmon7467 4 роки тому +1

    Wonderful spontaneous painting. Thank you

  • @chantalnugues-perrin3631
    @chantalnugues-perrin3631 4 роки тому +3

    Glad to see you back ! thanks for this beautiful tuto ! Take care of yourself .

  • @tammysunderman4734
    @tammysunderman4734 4 роки тому +1

    So nice to see you again

  • @22lucygoos
    @22lucygoos 4 роки тому +1

    Steve, you are so inspiring. Thank you. I love your videos and your talent.

  • @cherylj.harris4967
    @cherylj.harris4967 3 роки тому +1

    This is how I want to paint. Will be trying this today!

  • @tailspinart
    @tailspinart 4 роки тому +3

    Working in graphic design for the past 20 years, I have been finding it so difficult to make the switch over from a controlled environment to loosening up when I paint. I love this video, thank you! I'm going to try something like this today.

  • @chrismalone617
    @chrismalone617 4 роки тому +2

    I really love the spontaneous painting videos!

  • @kimcloete5928
    @kimcloete5928 4 роки тому +1

    Thanks Steve for your videos. Really appreciate them. God bless you

  • @suemauer5965
    @suemauer5965 4 роки тому +2

    Thank you for the beautiful verse at the end of this video. So timely, so full of kindness.

  • @barbararivera2380
    @barbararivera2380 3 роки тому +1

    It looks like an angel. Awesome! Thank you.

  • @karenfriend2711
    @karenfriend2711 4 роки тому +1

    Gorgeous colors--made me smile!

  • @wizkidsvideos
    @wizkidsvideos 4 роки тому +3

    Steve, so beautifully painted. Enjoyed watching this painting pop off of my tv screen. ❤️❤️❤️

  • @lkv2021
    @lkv2021 4 роки тому +8

    This is stunning! Thank you for the spontaneous painting tips. I don't like feeling like I'm wasting paper when I try to do one that doesn't turn out the way I wanted, but it's the only way to make progress. I try to use my cheap paper for this and to test ideas, but the results are very different.

  • @carmenvogels-aagaard5559
    @carmenvogels-aagaard5559 4 роки тому +2

    Brilliant!

  • @sarah4264
    @sarah4264 4 роки тому +1

    I love this concept for playing with colors. This would make a gorgeous lampwork bead 😆

  • @mskhartwatercolourwithmisu8598
    @mskhartwatercolourwithmisu8598 4 роки тому +1

    It's beautiful. I really like the bottom parts too. Thank you for sharing.

  • @cassiescreations9828
    @cassiescreations9828 4 роки тому +2

    I enjoyed watching you stir things up a bit with watercolor pencils! Fall-ish colors. Enjoyed! Thank you for another spontaneous watercolor! I know it's been rough, hang in there!

  • @jennief2108
    @jennief2108 4 роки тому +2

    Hello Steve ~ a lovely composition textures and colors ! Sincerely hope things are getting better and you can both enjoy a comfortable weekend, Nice to see you back ! ...... Jennie

  • @joaniegreen2184
    @joaniegreen2184 4 роки тому +1

    It’s Alive!!! Very nice !

  • @getsomecolourinyourlifedav2478
    @getsomecolourinyourlifedav2478 3 роки тому +1

    Great video Steve, I do enjoy these spontaneous paintings. Think they are perfect for artist block 👍

  • @PL1960
    @PL1960 4 роки тому +1

    You are one of the most natural talents in watercolor. A sort of special "gift"

  • @maribethcolberg5565
    @maribethcolberg5565 4 роки тому +1

    Simple “blobs” of color become a beautiful forest. Amazing!

  • @jcneedles388
    @jcneedles388 3 роки тому +1

    Negative painting at it's best. Lovely.

  • @BigDomski
    @BigDomski 4 роки тому +12

    Such a beautiful and lively painting 😯 this technique is incredible. Whenever I try to paint or draw something spontaneous, I end up subconciously making patterns on the page and then realising how boring it is 😆 I've gotten better at letting go though, so that's something

  • @christinebarone2151
    @christinebarone2151 4 роки тому +1

    Just gorgeous.

  • @lindaoneill746
    @lindaoneill746 3 роки тому +1

    Love this! I'm going to use this technique in my urban sketching!

  • @megsgonnamake
    @megsgonnamake 4 роки тому +2

    You are so amazing.....blowing my mind with this!! WOW!! LOVE ....TFS!!!

  • @rithafenske3282
    @rithafenske3282 2 роки тому +1

    This is so inspiring, thank you very much!! The technique echoes continuous line drawing, and I believe the resultant work comes from deep within.

  • @kmeyersvt
    @kmeyersvt 4 роки тому +10

    You have the best tshirt collection! Great to see you again, this gives me good ideas for my fall painting here in peak foliage season in the northeast. Thank you! Be well.

  • @belle6219
    @belle6219 4 роки тому +6

    Gorgeous results! Looks like so much fun. Can't wait to try it, especially with the autumn color inspiration happening now.

  • @lynnrush7166
    @lynnrush7166 4 роки тому +3

    Amazing! Thanks for sharing. I always look forward to seeing your fabulous paintings.

  • @donnalieblick8478
    @donnalieblick8478 4 роки тому +2

    Very inspiring! Love the color choices. Thank you!!

  • @amybiebel7234
    @amybiebel7234 4 роки тому +1

    Welcome Back. Amazing to see you masterfully create ❤️

  • @Peppermint_Paper
    @Peppermint_Paper 4 роки тому +5

    Absolutely love this technique ....When you do them! This piece and the golden one you showed are incredible to me. I don’t love landscapes, in general , but you take them to another level that I adore! I can only aspire to gain a fraction of your skill! Can’t thank you enough for sharing.

  • @annylindsay5358
    @annylindsay5358 2 роки тому

    Spotted the Princess bride t shirt...I love that movie! As usual love your work and the lessons they teach us all, thank you so much for sharing so generously. I will go on learning forever, looking forward to it.

  • @zondragail3688
    @zondragail3688 4 роки тому +1

    Wonderful colors! Such a beautiful painting!

  • @anniegotakindlee
    @anniegotakindlee 4 роки тому +1

    This was terrific. Love love love. Take care. Hope all is well.

  • @morganadams2122
    @morganadams2122 4 роки тому +2

    I'm excited to give this a shot. I used your video with the shadowbox as inspiration for a birthday present and it turned out great!

  • @maryanharrell5642
    @maryanharrell5642 4 роки тому +2

    I loved the colors in this painting, Steve. I do so enjoy your abstract landscapes. I have not had a lot of success, but I love trying. Thanks, as always!

  • @ChristinaTodd1970
    @ChristinaTodd1970 4 роки тому +1

    Excellent Steve. Like everyone else I love to watch the spontaneous painting come to life.

  • @tinabocook-bx4ut
    @tinabocook-bx4ut Рік тому +1

    I absolutely loved watching this come yo life. Wonderful 💙

  • @KaerryKat
    @KaerryKat 4 роки тому +8

    I like the phrase visual library. Is this a common phrase and I've missed it before? Love your work.

  • @Queenread82
    @Queenread82 4 роки тому +1

    Hi Steve! So nice to see you. Thanks for the vid!

  • @CHARICEFAVORITES
    @CHARICEFAVORITES 4 роки тому +1

    LUV your work! Does anyone else think the bottom half of the painting looks a bit like the reflection of the landscape in water? Steve.you are amazing. Thank for sharing.

  • @nancyloomis3046
    @nancyloomis3046 4 роки тому +1

    “Looking for edges that present themselves as natural shapes.” I do a lot of “abstract doodling” with watercolor and ink and that’s exactly what I often do, but I never defined it quite that well. I’m pretty strong at seeing patterns and shapes and then repeat what I like...or go with what the shape is...like a face or flower as I see it. I think most artist’s are probably good at this. I sometimes call my doodling “morphing” as it often starts with whatever I feel like drawing and then it gets refined & tweeted into something else. Thanks for all your great instruction!

  • @rainastor4789
    @rainastor4789 4 роки тому +2

    Absolutely beautiful!

  • @bruceosborne1892
    @bruceosborne1892 4 роки тому +1

    Beautiful work Steve. Thank you.

  • @ChrisC-ws5od
    @ChrisC-ws5od 4 роки тому +1

    Hey neighbor! Welcome back! It’s great to see you in my subscription stream again. I know you re doing a great job with the family- hang in there! Thanks for the lovely demo! 💯👍🏻😺

  • @hildapriore472
    @hildapriore472 2 місяці тому +1

    This Video is just soo fantastic!!!
    The relief withhin....😅

  • @barbaragemin5117
    @barbaragemin5117 4 роки тому +4

    Steve, I just love your spontaneous paintings. Time to take out my Polychromos pencils, which are perfect for this exercise, and try another one! Thank you so much.

  • @vivilev8031
    @vivilev8031 3 роки тому +1

    This is incredible! Thank you so much!! I am recently getting fed up with watercolour and this just helps bring back the excitement. Thank you!!!

  • @rhondita95
    @rhondita95 4 роки тому +1

    So pretty! Love the colors!

  • @mageetu
    @mageetu 4 роки тому +1

    Yay, Steve! Thanks!

  • @twenty-fifth420
    @twenty-fifth420 4 роки тому +2

    Always loved these spontaneous pieces! Wish there was more or even a lightning round ‘time lapse’ of multiple pieces.
    Thank you so much! ❤️ 🙏

  • @geraldineconway1865
    @geraldineconway1865 4 роки тому +1

    Great to see you Steve, hope your wife is recovering well x

  • @nancykaye5274
    @nancykaye5274 4 роки тому +3

    Thank you for such a lovely demonstration. Amazing how all the elements appeared. So glad to finally find one of your videos. Stay healthy😍

  • @lindaphillips2325
    @lindaphillips2325 Рік тому +1

    So so beautiful!

  • @francoforleo4971
    @francoforleo4971 4 роки тому +4

    I’ve just discovered watercolour pencils and this has been a great tutorial 🙏🎨

  • @juliepay1004
    @juliepay1004 4 роки тому +2

    Good morning..so nice to see and hear you again. I really enjoy your style of presentation so easy to absorb what you teach. your choices of topic alway appeal to my liking and or ability. Look forward to your next one. I don't mind waiting when the end result is so enjoyable and informative. Happy Thanksgiving from Canada ...soon....

  • @tammyhampel1449
    @tammyhampel1449 4 роки тому +1

    I wish I could give that picture and process 10 thumbs up! Gorgeous, imaginative, amazing, magic... love the colours... I am so glad I found your channel!!

  • @sallywright5503
    @sallywright5503 4 роки тому +1

    Love these spontaneous works. Learning a lot watching your videos. Thank you for sharing your time and talents.

  • @patty8232
    @patty8232 4 роки тому +1

    Just gorgeous you are so talented hope you do more soon! Thank you