Just a quick point to all those smartypants below who say there is no such thing as an incorrect way to do something: Incorrect in art is when the result is not wanted and/or the intent is not met. When most people pick up watercolor or any other medium, they expect to paint to the strengths of the medium or what is traditionally expected of watercolor. This man is providing you with instruction in how to meet the common expectation of the medium and need not include a disclaimer that it his opinion on how to use it--that should be self evident.
THIS 😊🙏🏼💪 Work exactly the way you want, as long as it’s deliberate and you know (to some extent) what the result is going to be. This is especially true to anyone interested in realism and impressionism. I’m always trying to play nice, so I feel compelled to do these “disclosures” at times 😅
Yes, you explained that well in the video - don't listen to them! I have been scared to try watercolour because many people say it's easy to screw it up and no way to correct it - but you showed you can :) Thanks.
I realize this is a 2 year old video, but I’m new to watercolor and seeing this was perfect timing and a real game changer for me. Today’s challenge for me was monsterra leaves. I tried 3 times and they just came out blotchy and awkward. The very first one after seeing your tips was incredible! Thank you so much for teaching me what I’m sure will be one of the most important things I’ll ever learn about watercolor painting!! You’re my hero for the day!!!
I love that you acknowledge that sometimes the streaking and splotches CAN actually be a design CHOICE. I have tried to make sure I know how to do a nice smooth wash, but I just love the loose splotchy look and always seam to return to it. I also don’t tape my paper down when I’m working, because I like how it crinkles up after it drys that way. I’m strange. I know, but hay, I do art for myself, not a museum. So... thank you for not insulting something I enjoy just because it’s not the “traditional” way to do things and thanks for the great video. I’m hitting the subscribe button 😊
Thank you so much 😊🙏🏼 Of course! It really is a matter of personal taste in many regards. As long as it’s a deliberate choice and not something I do out of lack of skill / awareness - I’d be happy to utilize it as a technique at the right moment 😉🎨 Happy to have you on board!
I am a long time oil painter and am having difficulty breaking habits that are best for oils. I have learned a lot by watching your videos. You are my kind of teacher.
Thanks Liron! I love that you not only showed WRONG and RIGHT ways but ALSO how to FiX a wrong result to improve it. After years of painting in acrylics I have finally started learning to paint in watercolour to do plein air painting (or "urban sketching") as it is so portable. I love how fast drying it is, yet unlike acrylics the paints in my box are easy to re-hydrate if they dry out in the outdoors. It's been hard learning to do washes and blending instead of my acrylic style. Because i can see and paint better in strong colours i have been afraid for years of learning what i used to think of as "wishy-washy" pale colours, but I have been trying with the help of generous people like you, and already i have been selling my watercolours. Thanks again.
Thank you for the kind words 😊🙏🏼 I'm happy I can help! Making a switch from acrylics to watercolors can indeed be a challenge. However - once you fully discover the freedom that is watercolor painting - you'll be able to appreciate it even more than others ^_^
Great video. I really notice that even with realistic painters that the best underpaintings are flowing and blended using a lot of water. Then, they use small brushes for the details.
Yes, that is a good way to go! (: As a beginner I would practice doing it that way, and with time explore different techniques and approaches. Thank you!
Paused in the middle of the video to try the techniques with my own reference, and it made me create a great piece of my own with the help of this and the blending technique video. Thanks to you, I've found a confidence in finally doing watercolor! I even added some pencil to emphasize detail.
I appreciate your wonderful teaching style. I love your examples. I often can't figure out what it is that I'm not understanding that makes my beginner paintings so frustrating for me. Every video that I've seen from you has a fantastic explanation with a visual that I can really learn from. Also your positive enthusiasm and love of art and what you do is contagious and inspiring! Thank you!
I generally work on smaller pieces of paper, but my go to brush is a size 10 squirrel round brush, I use others for details, but for the base painting that is my brush. I also have a large flat brush for water application.
Lion, this video helped me understand what I may be doing wrong. Many people have advised me to do wet on wet more than not. That really does not work as well for me. Wet on dry gives me more control. I have been an oil painter for over 50 years and now that I am retired have started several new mediums, pastels, acryrlic and watercolor. Each one is very different. The basic skills are still used and since I learned a more traditional way of doing oils, I am pretty well schooled. Your explanation of each medium was especailly helpful. I wonder if there are several artists that have encountered the "unlearning" part. I worry that when I return to oils, it will effect the quality of work in that medium that I have acheived or perhaps new knowledge will enhance it.
I am so happy to hear this helped you, and to learn more about your unique perspective (: I wouldn't worry too much about it affecting your work quality in oils. If anything I believe it will enrich it 😁🎨 We learn new skills that can apply to previous skills all the time. By the way, you may very well be familiar with Stan Miller's work (because I mentioned him a lot). But if you aren't - be sure to check it out. I think it will make a lot of sense - especially to artists trained in oils. Here's a good one to start with: ua-cam.com/video/ruazvqznIJg/v-deo.html
Hi Liron, I've only just watched this and I was fascinated by your video, it taught me a lot. I'm a real beginner but love love love the translucency of watercolour and just as you said, it has taken me a long time to adapt from oils and acrylics (which I did at art lessons years and years ago). My style is very loose, and I notice even on the looser example on the right, that your style is much more accurate, and also the 2 stages, which I've not done yet! I envy your talent but cannot achieve that just now. I'm more of a loose watercolour artist, but I also love your style and you are very clearly a very accomplished artist. Thank you so much for sharing this, it's really helped me.
Good lesson. I think that if someone is going to use that patchier look, they had best do it enough so that it is a deliberate style for that piece. I recently looked at a nice work by Nitin (whom you just interviewed), he used a very slightly different colour to offset a distant tall building from the background sky. The edge was distinct, but the look was very smooth and even within each separate part.
Good teacher - love that you hit evert single problem that is possible, especially when beginning! Pretty much past this one but ALWAYS happy for reminders. Thank you 👍🙏✌️
Thanks for this. I teach watercolor classes and it is helpful for me to see how you explain and show people how not to do it first and then how to do it better. I sometimes have a hard time getting that across to people.
Great technique showing the wrong way and then the right way, and quick enough in sequence to allow a student brain to stay with the lesson and not to get swamped in details irrelevant to the lesson. I like the way you speak. You are clear and don’t confuse the issues,you make the statements clearly and with useful distincdtions. I like your style.
Being an oil painter when I tried water color I didn’t even do washes or layers. As I worked my way down the picture it was finished! It was coloring book and terrible!
Haha I totally understand, so many including myself go through this! Watercolor has so much possibilities and depth when it comes to how you layer and how you treat every individual layer (:
I really hesitate to use a bigger paintbrush, as I don't have a steady hand, and I tend to go over the lines. I can see why this would limit me, and why my brushstrokes are a little untidy! Great demo, though, thanks! ☺
Great demo Liron! I do agree though! I prefer the texture that you got with the "DON'T" but the vibrancy in the "DO". I have a few tricks myself when it comes to getting a smoother wash. I dampen the paper with water that has a bit of oz gall in it, It really helps the paint to flow a lot easier. The most important thing though is the paper. Watercolours is one if not the only medium that the paper you choose can make or break your painting. It takes a bit of experimenting to find the one that works best for your style or technique.
i wish i had a video like this when i was fifteen and first attempted water colors. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what i was doing wrong. It was so disheartening i actually gave it up for a few years until i was around twenty and needed a more 'mobile' paint medium since i was doing a lot of moving about. I now know what my mistakes were starting out, but still, videos like this would have been a massive help for tiny me. there are thousands of how to videos, not so many of common mistakes made and how to fix them.
having come from oil painting it toke some time to change the way I paint to get the feel of watercolour and some times I drop back into a oil frame of mind when i am painting, TFS
Every video I watch of yours is 'exceptionally' helpful and I gain more knowledge and understanding of watercolor! Please make more...! THANK YOU! You are inspirational.
Helpful video, particularly advice to use the correct size brush. Also appreciated the instructor's comment about painting with watercolor in ways similar to other mediums, ie. acrylics. I believe that is a mistake I have made. Looking forward to more videos from Liron!
Thank you so much 😊🙏🏼 Very happy you found this helpful! And remember there are no real rules - as long as you do what you do deliberately. Watercolors can be used drier as well, as long as it serves a predetermined purpose 😉 (or not, who knows? haha 😂)
Useful. At the moment it’s hot and drying much quicker, so much easier for the ‘bad’wash to appear. Can see I need more water now, same as the garden.😃
I know it is not much, but I think it’s worth a comment (you know, to show my support ecc ecc): I’ve NEVER understood how to play with watercolor in a more aware way...until I saw a couple of your videos. Thank you, because I still not know anything about this charming medium, but at least now I think I know a bit more about *how to think* about them (sorry for my english!). So, thank you, really. You definitely deserve viewers support! 🤓❤️
My inexperience contributes greatly to streakiness because I need too much time to make decisions. This time of year with high humidity works in my favor! Question: how do you achieve the "sparkle" of watercolor which requires leaving white space when you do such complete washes? I only know after the fact that I forgot to do it... again!!
One trick is not too be too fussy, just lay in your washes and don't worry about always coloring within the lines. That will give you a fresh look, though not as photo-realistic. I need to leave more white space too. Another option is to paint more vignettes, and let the white space frame your subject, and don't worry about coloring the background right up to every inch of the main subject I often need to leave more white space too, so it's an ongoing battle/style judgement. Don't know if this is of any help, but I tried.
No idea what you are referring to but to place plain white spaces in the piece itself like a highlight, masking fluid is a great way for people who don't have as good brush control for small or even large areas. If it's those dots and thin strokes you see on some spaces like the eyes, its white ink from a pen or white gouache (if you want something strong but still a bit opaque) Another way is to not actually leave any white. Really thin/pale washes of the lightest colour on the object not painted over as you build up the layers work well too. It's all about knowing value and lighting.Gives it a softer strength to the highlight/white area, yet maintain its pop effect. No clue if this helped but I tried....
Thank you for this. I am trying to improve my watercolor technique and this helped a lot! You rocked that avocado! 🥑And don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with your speech. 😉
I think the left one is just a more illustrative approach (except the streakiness) and the right much more painterly. The left one handled details much better because of the dryness, it exudes more control.
Thank you for this video. Very helpful. I have a question. In the second step, when you add a "darker mixture," what do you mean by "darker"? Do you mean the same colors but more saturated, or different colors (and if so, which colors did you use as the "darker mixture." Often when I have tried to add darker colors as a second layer, it ends up looking washed out. I realize that water control might be the issue. But it would help to understand what colors you are choosing. Thanks.
Thank you for watching Ann 😊🙏🏼 Great question - the answer is it'll depend. Sometimes I'll use a similar / same color in thicker consistency (less water, more paint). But very often I mute (gray) the shadows a bit, so I'll mix in my other primary colors to get it a little more gray (: A lot will depend on what you see on the subject / reference. Often there's reflected light that influences not only the value of the shadow, but also its color
@@LironYan Thank you for your quick response. I just stumbled upon your videos a few days ago and am enjoying them. In this video, between 13:00 and 13:20, as you were adding the second, darker layer of green to the avocado skin, you mentioned “picking up a bit of a darker paint” and using "a darker mixture." That's what I was asking about, not the shadows. At that point, were you using a thicker version of the same mixture you used in the first layer? Or were you adding a darker color (which I assume would be a blue)?
By the way, in my original question, I misused the word saturated. I probably should have said concentrated. I meant more pigment and less water. I just watched your video on saturation and realized I have been misunderstanding that word.
Although 4 yrs old, STILL a great video. My view of 'mistake' is when my intentional goal for the medium is not met and the outcome displeases me for one or 2 reasons: 1) because I cannot consider it a 'happy accident' (ala Bob Ross) OR 2) I cannot recover my goal with adaptations and skilled correction techniques. As a weaver, one can weave 'tapestry' on many types of looms, eg my rigid heddle loom, but there are specially designed tapestry looms uniquely built for this type of weaving. Learning to weave a 'balanced' plain weave did not prevent me from later experimentation with other weave structures.
great video, and commentary. I’m a total beginner with this, but I see what you did here. You used more passion to fix the “wrong way” and that made you focus on fixing it with all your heart, and it became better. Even after the first wash, that person that made the mistake wouldn’t do as you did, keep it wetter to fix it. I’m glad you aren’t a pool shark, you wouldn’t be able to throw a game :-) and I think your focus was on fixing the left one, so you didn’t put all you had into the right hand one. I tried painting tonight, watercolor, and it was terrible. I have a hard time controlling the paint at all, the edges. I see I attempted a way to detailed painting so now am going to look at your videos dedicated to more beginner stuff. Thanks, I keep coming back to your videos. Your commentary is great.
Hello! Thank you for this video - An irrelevant to the topic comment but one of my real struggles: How can you soften your shadows on second layer without lifting the bottom layer at all? I understand that I usually tend to press the paper a lot, but no matter how much I try to do it gently, I always remove some colour beneath. Any suggestions would be highly appreciated. Thank you a lot!!!
That's a great question! I think it will really depend on paper. I find that I don't have that problem at all with most good cotton papers (Arches, Saunders Waterford & even Fabriano). But it's very common with pulp paper, or cheaper papers, for example. If your problem is only with softening in the 2nd layer (in other words, you're able to cleanly do it on the first layer), I would really look into the type of paper you're using. Another thing that can help is using a softer brush, and perhaps making sure you're not using a brush with short tough bristles (these tend to be more aggressive on paper and lift a little easier). I hope this helps 😊🙏🏼
@@LironYan Thank you very much for your reply. I have only tried layering on Canson Xl 100% cotton. I will try it on different brand. And definitely I should try with softer brushes (I only use synthetic so it needs some research). Thank you again!
Thank you Liron. I know there is something about my watercolor painting that is frustrating me, but until I saw this video, I didn't know what I was doing wrong. Thank you for pointing it out so clearly. From this I will remember to not worry so much about all the little brush marks (like I did in oils) and to paint more relaxed; and I will remember to use more water with my paint. My problem is how to get it watery enough while still getting strong colors. What is your recommendation?
Quick question - When I do my version, the brown of the pit leaks into the green of the avocado and makes a soupy mess of brown green. But I painted them quickly as advised in the video. Am I missing something? When he does it, they barely blend and it looks good!
I think the paint and the brush and the paper are very important factors to achieve this. I have tried a notebook (195 gram), and that feels really different from a 300 gram paper (less easy to get wrinkles so it would not change the water flow). I have recently bought a natural-synthetic mop size six brush, and it is much better than my synthetic small brush since it could hold more water and the colours dry slower. I know nothing about these when I first start.
Thanks, Liron. I think I get so concerned about moving quickly that I ignore the basic wash technique and forget to soften the edges. I often find I don’t use enough water to keep the edges with a bead, so I can keep moving forward.
did you put some kind of coating on your palette? i have the same one from mijello, but the water does‘t stay in one place and always gathers up again at one spot again and forms one single drop.
nice and helpful tutorial, Liron. I have problem with green washes in landscapes in particular. Do you have any advice on how not to flatten the whole drawing with wrong hue (value?) greens and keep the layers and air in the drawing?
Tata P hey Tata, try to keep the darker, brighter and warmer colors in the foreground and gradually, as you go into the distance lighten your washes, make them less saturated and add a bit of blue to your greens to achieve the effect of aerial perspective.
Il video è molto interessante! Vorrei chiedere perchè quando aggiungo scuro nelle zone d'ombra prima che sia asciutto, anziché scurirsi si schiarisce! Forse è colpa del tipo di carta? Uso Saunders Waterford 300 g. grana fine. Grazie
thank you for this brilliant video, Liron. when I started experimenting with watercolour (coming from oil) I definitely did treat watercolour like oil! still improving my watercolour game, this demonstration is of great help, thank you! :)
but.... I like the look of the wrong way better O_O other then richness of the avocado flesh - the avocado on the left just looks better to me. the on on the right has edges that bled into each other too much - makes it look messy instead of intentional to me, something I struggled with a LOT until an art teacher very emphatically said: "use the hairdryer between your layers!" I guess its just a stylistic preference, but some of my favorite watercolors are loose and flowing, yet VERY crisp and precise at the same time.
Haha, I slightly messed up the demo - I love the "wrong" way too 😂 Which is why I should put a disclaimer saying this is one guy's point of view, and only true some of the time haha. And I get what you mean with loose and flowing, yet very crisp. One of the best examples I found of this is Michael Reardon. He is incredible 🎨🤩: ua-cam.com/video/b8dyjFS_mEs/v-deo.html
@@LironYan yes exactly! another one of my faves with that sort of loose yet crisp style right now is elitsakarabashlieva.weebly.com/ just completely in love with how reflective her water and fruits are. I'm still struggling with crisp edges yet loose free washes, but its all practice after all :) and hairdryer and good paper O_O
Hi!! I am a beginner and I have an issue with my blending. The paper I have seems to dry too fast and I am unable to blend seamlessly. When I add water to try to soften the edges, it seems like the paint settle around the water edges and create this coloured water marks when it's dried. Any advices on this? I'm trying a wet on dry technique. I can't really do wet on wet because the paper dries too fast.
Hmm, interesting - what paper are you using? This usually happens with pulp papers (not cotton). Similar to what you'll find in sketchbooks and Cotman pad (that are of slightly lesser quality). I do have a quick tip for you, regardless of the paper type - always have a spray bottle available. Spray some water from afar every once in a while. This keeps the wash wet longer. I hope this helps 😊🙏🏼
Liron Yanconsky I‘m using a 300g watercolour paper matte. It‘s Perfect Ideaz made in Germany but I guess it‘s of lower quality. Yes I will try that! Also, does your paper dries flat or it will crinkle up slightly? PS: I tape the sides of my paper.
@@michellelizabeth87 I see - yes, that may help 😊 My paper buckles a bit, but if you just allow it enough time (or use a hair drier, or put it under direct sunlight 😉) it will stretch back really well! So don't worry about the buckling too much. I see many artists continuing to work on the paper while it's buckled, and it still dries flat and beautiful after a few hours 😁🎨
18:50 That would have been a good opportunity to lay down the brush on it's side and in one brave swoop get the texture at the light to shadow transition. Your finished piece looks more like a painted egg than an avocado. Avocados always has the avocado dimples.
It can work both ways, if you want to allow the paint time to dry and not mix. That’s another possible way of doing it (: But then you have to be accurate, and make sure you don’t re-awaken the paint (unless that’s a specific effect you are going for). As long as the values and drawing are accurate it will look good, no matter the technique (works like magic haha 😛)
Thank you! Very accurate explanation! Could you tell me how you decided to drop the shadow behind the seed? Because on the photo it was so light but your painting looked more 3D!
Great video. Subbed! A ton of great tips in here, especially for those of us who always have worked with acrylic or oil and try to bring those styles to watercolor... it never works, haha~
One of the problems with wet on wet is color run in or "color bleeding". A color will have the tendency to run into an area that's already wet with another color. Wait until the painted area is dry before applying another color next to it. The videos are edited and it may not actually show that some time has passed before the application of the other color.
Its mainly about water control. You can see there is a slight colour run when he adds the burnt sienna (this section isnt edited or has dried as previous commentor has suggested). He doesnt use excessive water on the page, and so when the colours touch, they dont run easily. It seems you're having some trouble with unwanted bleeding. Try reducing the amount of water on the page. (This can be done through brush control, or less water in your paints). I hope this helps a little.
Wait until the first colour is dry, or near dry, and use less water on your brush. There are so many watercolour techniques to try, and to learn. keep having a go and figure out what suits you best x
I believe that is Carbazole Violet by Daniel Smith (: You can probably get it for cheaper as a part of their Secondary Set (affiliate link): amzn.to/2Py3dpq Thank you ^_^ I hope this helps.
I've seen people gouaching with watercolors and watercoloring with gouache. It didn't worth it. Sure, it's your free choice, BUT... If you really want to get this thick gouachy look, why to give yourself so much struggle with watercolor, just use gouache! You sure can mix watercolor to this creamy texture, but you'll need a lot of effort, it makes no sense. With that amount of your creamy watercolor mixture, that you used to make one stroke, you could've cover the entire paper! Same with the opposite, you can apply gouache with big amount of water, haunting for this transparent watery light effect, but it just will not work as good. I think of 3 ways that it could be reasonable. 1) Your unusual use of the material creates a unique effect that cannot be achieved with another medium. 2) You challenge yourself, you wanna fight the material and defeat it. 3) You can't afford the proper medium at the moment. Let's say you're out of money, or you're in trip with just one set of paints and you suddenly see something that you wanna paint, and your medium isn't the best for it, but you are starving to paint it here and now. And last but not least, THANK YOU for your clear articulation. Native speakers often tend to eat sounds, what makes them hard to listen. But not you.
Just a quick point to all those smartypants below who say there is no such thing as an incorrect way to do something: Incorrect in art is when the result is not wanted and/or the intent is not met. When most people pick up watercolor or any other medium, they expect to paint to the strengths of the medium or what is traditionally expected of watercolor. This man is providing you with instruction in how to meet the common expectation of the medium and need not include a disclaimer that it his opinion on how to use it--that should be self evident.
THIS 😊🙏🏼💪
Work exactly the way you want, as long as it’s deliberate and you know (to some extent) what the result is going to be.
This is especially true to anyone interested in realism and impressionism.
I’m always trying to play nice, so I feel compelled to do these “disclosures” at times 😅
Liron Yanconsky You’re THE man, Liron. I loved this video!!
Yes, you explained that well in the video - don't listen to them! I have been scared to try watercolour because many people say it's easy to screw it up and no way to correct it - but you showed you can :) Thanks.
so did you not watch the video or do you have comprehension problems
I realize this is a 2 year old video, but I’m new to watercolor and seeing this was perfect timing and a real game changer for me. Today’s challenge for me was monsterra leaves. I tried 3 times and they just came out blotchy and awkward. The very first one after seeing your tips was incredible! Thank you so much for teaching me what I’m sure will be one of the most important things I’ll ever learn about watercolor painting!! You’re my hero for the day!!!
Thank you so much Michelle! 😁🙏🏼 Very happy I could help! Keep up the good work
I love that you acknowledge that sometimes the streaking and splotches CAN actually be a design CHOICE. I have tried to make sure I know how to do a nice smooth wash, but I just love the loose splotchy look and always seam to return to it. I also don’t tape my paper down when I’m working, because I like how it crinkles up after it drys that way. I’m strange. I know, but hay, I do art for myself, not a museum. So... thank you for not insulting something I enjoy just because it’s not the “traditional” way to do things and thanks for the great video. I’m hitting the subscribe button 😊
Thank you so much 😊🙏🏼
Of course! It really is a matter of personal taste in many regards.
As long as it’s a deliberate choice and not something I do out of lack of skill / awareness - I’d be happy to utilize it as a technique at the right moment 😉🎨
Happy to have you on board!
I am a long time oil painter and am having difficulty breaking habits that are best for oils. I have learned a lot by watching your videos. You are my kind of teacher.
Thank you Monica 😊🙏🏼 Happy this helped!
Thanks Liron! I love that you not only showed WRONG and RIGHT ways but ALSO how to FiX a wrong result to improve it. After years of painting in acrylics I have finally started learning to paint in watercolour to do plein air painting (or "urban sketching") as it is so portable. I love how fast drying it is, yet unlike acrylics the paints in my box are easy to re-hydrate if they dry out in the outdoors. It's been hard learning to do washes and blending instead of my acrylic style. Because i can see and paint better in strong colours i have been afraid for years of learning what i used to think of as "wishy-washy" pale colours, but I have been trying with the help of generous people like you, and already i have been selling my watercolours. Thanks again.
Thank you for the kind words 😊🙏🏼
I'm happy I can help!
Making a switch from acrylics to watercolors can indeed be a challenge. However - once you fully discover the freedom that is watercolor painting - you'll be able to appreciate it even more than others ^_^
Great video. I really notice that even with realistic painters that the best underpaintings are flowing and blended using a lot of water. Then, they use small brushes for the details.
Yes, that is a good way to go! (:
As a beginner I would practice doing it that way, and with time explore different techniques and approaches.
Thank you!
Paused in the middle of the video to try the techniques with my own reference, and it made me create a great piece of my own with the help of this and the blending technique video. Thanks to you, I've found a confidence in finally doing watercolor! I even added some pencil to emphasize detail.
Very nice technique. Love that you show 2 ways to do the same painting to get a feel of how to approach painting avocados. Thanks for sharing !
I appreciate your wonderful teaching style. I love your examples.
I often can't figure out what it is that I'm not understanding that makes my beginner paintings so frustrating for me. Every video that I've seen from you has a fantastic explanation with a visual that I can really learn from. Also your positive enthusiasm and love of art and what you do is contagious and inspiring! Thank you!
Thank you. I understand what you are saying. It’s good to remember that watercolour works very well with plenty of water, paint & a larger brush. 😊
Yes, that is true (:
Thank you!
I generally work on smaller pieces of paper, but my go to brush is a size 10 squirrel round brush, I use others for details, but for the base painting that is my brush. I also have a large flat brush for water application.
as an oil painter this is super helpful!! I was doing most of the mistakes you pointed out ahaha and never realized it! TYSM for the tips
As a beginner, I found it very useful to actually see how and why different ways of painting lead to different results. Thank you!
Lion, this video helped me understand what I may be doing wrong. Many people have advised me to do wet on wet more than not. That really does not work as well for me. Wet on dry gives me more control. I have been an oil painter for over 50 years and now that I am retired have started several new mediums, pastels, acryrlic and watercolor. Each one is very different. The basic skills are still used and since I learned a more traditional way of doing oils, I am pretty well schooled. Your explanation of each medium was especailly helpful. I wonder if there are several artists that have encountered the "unlearning" part. I worry that when I return to oils, it will effect the quality of work in that medium that I have acheived or perhaps new knowledge will enhance it.
I am so happy to hear this helped you, and to learn more about your unique perspective (:
I wouldn't worry too much about it affecting your work quality in oils. If anything I believe it will enrich it 😁🎨
We learn new skills that can apply to previous skills all the time.
By the way, you may very well be familiar with Stan Miller's work (because I mentioned him a lot). But if you aren't - be sure to check it out. I think it will make a lot of sense - especially to artists trained in oils.
Here's a good one to start with:
ua-cam.com/video/ruazvqznIJg/v-deo.html
You could try gouache.
I recently went from loose oil painting to watercolor. Needless to say I am over working my watetcolors. I will learn though, your videos are helping!
Thank you for watching 😊🙏🏼
It seems to be a very common transition so you are not alone! Keep me updated (:
Hi Liron, I've only just watched this and I was fascinated by your video, it taught me a lot. I'm a real beginner but love love love the translucency of watercolour and just as you said, it has taken me a long time to adapt from oils and acrylics (which I did at art lessons years and years ago). My style is very loose, and I notice even on the looser example on the right, that your style is much more accurate, and also the 2 stages, which I've not done yet! I envy your talent but cannot achieve that just now. I'm more of a loose watercolour artist, but I also love your style and you are very clearly a very accomplished artist. Thank you so much for sharing this, it's really helped me.
Thank you for watching and welcome aboard! 😁 I love loose painting, and I definitely go much looser than this very often.
@@LironYan Ah thank you Liron! xx
Good lesson. I think that if someone is going to use that patchier look, they had best do it enough so that it is a deliberate style for that piece. I recently looked at a nice work by Nitin (whom you just interviewed), he used a very slightly different colour to offset a distant tall building from the background sky. The edge was distinct, but the look was very smooth and even within each separate part.
Oh thanks for that, you are every right, I was using the watercolors like acrylic paints. This helps a lot.
Happy to hear this helped! (:
Thank you
Good teacher - love that you hit evert single problem that is possible, especially when beginning! Pretty much past this one but ALWAYS happy for reminders. Thank you 👍🙏✌️
Thanks for this. I teach watercolor classes and it is helpful for me to see how you explain and show people how not to do it first and then how to do it better. I sometimes have a hard time getting that across to people.
Great technique showing the wrong way and then the right way, and quick enough in sequence to allow a student brain to stay with the lesson and not to get swamped in details irrelevant to the lesson. I like the way you speak. You are clear and don’t confuse the issues,you make the statements clearly and with useful distincdtions. I like your style.
Thank you so much! (:
Happy you found this useful too.
Being an oil painter when I tried water color I didn’t even do washes or layers. As I worked my way down the picture it was finished! It was coloring book and terrible!
Haha I totally understand, so many including myself go through this!
Watercolor has so much possibilities and depth when it comes to how you layer and how you treat every individual layer (:
Nice demo in technique and Value! Thank you!
Value does all the work and color takes all the credit! yes larger brush is best!
I really hesitate to use a bigger paintbrush, as I don't have a steady hand, and I tend to go over the lines. I can see why this would limit me, and why my brushstrokes are a little untidy! Great demo, though, thanks! ☺
I’m new to watercolor and am not an artist- this has helped tremendously- Thank you!
So happy to hear Joyce! Thank you 😊🙏🏼
Great demo Liron! I do agree though! I prefer the texture that you got with the "DON'T" but the vibrancy in the "DO". I have a few tricks myself when it comes to getting a smoother wash. I dampen the paper with water that has a bit of oz gall in it, It really helps the paint to flow a lot easier. The most important thing though is the paper. Watercolours is one if not the only medium that the paper you choose can make or break your painting. It takes a bit of experimenting to find the one that works best for your style or technique.
Nathan Dixon z
Sarah Conroy Thanks!
I used a thicker paper and it made the watercolors dry quicker and have that streaky look and I wanted to cry! It was so annoying.
i wish i had a video like this when i was fifteen and first attempted water colors. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what i was doing wrong. It was so disheartening i actually gave it up for a few years until i was around twenty and needed a more 'mobile' paint medium since i was doing a lot of moving about. I now know what my mistakes were starting out, but still, videos like this would have been a massive help for tiny me. there are thousands of how to videos, not so many of common mistakes made and how to fix them.
So happy to hear you found this video helpful to that degree 😊🙏🏼
I hope I can do many more videos like this one and help as many people as possible!
I only watched two of your films. They concerned the basics. They helped me a lot. I am grateful for the information. :)
So happy I can help 😊🙏🏼
Thank you so much!
i actually painted avocados in watercolor and acrylic separately. def gonna try this method!
having come from oil painting it toke some time to change the way I paint to get the feel of watercolour and some times I drop back into a oil frame of mind when i am painting, TFS
Every video I watch of yours is 'exceptionally' helpful and I gain more knowledge and understanding of watercolor! Please make more...! THANK YOU! You are inspirational.
Helpful video, particularly advice to use the correct size brush. Also appreciated the instructor's comment about painting with watercolor in ways similar to other mediums, ie. acrylics. I believe that is a mistake I have made. Looking forward to more videos from Liron!
Thank you so much 😊🙏🏼
Very happy you found this helpful!
And remember there are no real rules - as long as you do what you do deliberately.
Watercolors can be used drier as well, as long as it serves a predetermined purpose 😉 (or not, who knows? haha 😂)
Thanks, Liron! Super helpful! 👍
Useful. At the moment it’s hot and drying much quicker, so much easier for the ‘bad’wash to appear. Can see I need more water now, same as the garden.😃
Unlearning is soooo hard!! You helped a lot
Happy to hear 😊🙏🏼
Thank you!
Lol indeed!!
Very helpful and I liked the way you demonstrated both ways of doing it and explaining the differences. Thank you.
“You know what? I’m not going to touch that. I don’t want to ruin it.” Perhaps the most important lesson in watercolor. 😂
7 minutes in and I'm feeling very called out lmffaoooo
the "bad" one was actually a little better from the start
I know it is not much, but I think it’s worth a comment (you know, to show my support ecc ecc): I’ve NEVER understood how to play with watercolor in a more aware way...until I saw a couple of your videos. Thank you, because I still not know anything about this charming medium, but at least now I think I know a bit more about *how to think* about them (sorry for my english!).
So, thank you, really. You definitely deserve viewers support! 🤓❤️
Very inspiring. I love these quick painting exercises that are easy to follow.
My inexperience contributes greatly to streakiness because I need too much time to make decisions. This time of year with high humidity works in my favor! Question: how do you achieve the "sparkle" of watercolor which requires leaving white space when you do such complete washes? I only know after the fact that I forgot to do it... again!!
One trick is not too be too fussy, just lay in your washes and don't worry about always coloring within the lines. That will give you a fresh look, though not as photo-realistic. I need to leave more white space too. Another option is to paint more vignettes, and let the white space frame your subject, and don't worry about coloring the background right up to every inch of the main subject
I often need to leave more white space too, so it's an ongoing battle/style judgement.
Don't know if this is of any help, but I tried.
No idea what you are referring to but to place plain white spaces in the piece itself like a highlight, masking fluid is a great way for people who don't have as good brush control for small or even large areas.
If it's those dots and thin strokes you see on some spaces like the eyes, its white ink from a pen or white gouache (if you want something strong but still a bit opaque)
Another way is to not actually leave any white. Really thin/pale washes of the lightest colour on the object not painted over as you build up the layers work well too. It's all about knowing value and lighting.Gives it a softer strength to the highlight/white area, yet maintain its pop effect.
No clue if this helped but I tried....
Thank you for this. I am trying to improve my watercolor technique and this helped a lot! You rocked that avocado! 🥑And don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with your speech. 😉
Thank you so much 😁🙏🏼
Very happy you found this helpful!
Good lesson on how to “fix” a painting too.
Just what I was doing: too small a brush, not enough paint. Thanks for the advice !
Happy I could help 😊🙏🏼 Thank you for watching!
I think the left one is just a more illustrative approach (except the streakiness) and the right much more painterly. The left one handled details much better because of the dryness, it exudes more control.
this.is.what.i.neededdd. Thank youLiron-kun!
Thank you for this video. Very helpful. I have a question. In the second step, when you add a "darker mixture," what do you mean by "darker"? Do you mean the same colors but more saturated, or different colors (and if so, which colors did you use as the "darker mixture." Often when I have tried to add darker colors as a second layer, it ends up looking washed out. I realize that water control might be the issue. But it would help to understand what colors you are choosing. Thanks.
Thank you for watching Ann 😊🙏🏼
Great question - the answer is it'll depend.
Sometimes I'll use a similar / same color in thicker consistency (less water, more paint).
But very often I mute (gray) the shadows a bit, so I'll mix in my other primary colors to get it a little more gray (:
A lot will depend on what you see on the subject / reference. Often there's reflected light that influences not only the value of the shadow, but also its color
@@LironYan Thank you for your quick response. I just stumbled upon your videos a few days ago and am enjoying them. In this video, between 13:00 and 13:20, as you were adding the second, darker layer of green to the avocado skin, you mentioned “picking up a bit of a darker paint” and using "a darker mixture." That's what I was asking about, not the shadows. At that point, were you using a thicker version of the same mixture you used in the first layer? Or were you adding a darker color (which I assume would be a blue)?
By the way, in my original question, I misused the word saturated. I probably should have said concentrated. I meant more pigment and less water. I just watched your video on saturation and realized I have been misunderstanding that word.
Well explained and exampled....
"I may do a good job of it accidentally" ROFL!
Great demo! I always have to remind myself not to keep messing with the washes after I put them down
As a beginner, I definitely do the contour painting 🥴. I outline and then fill in. I’ll try to be more mindful of that next time I practice
omg you are incredible. Thank you so much for explaining it all.
It's my pleasure ^_^
Really happy this helps!
Neil deGrasse Tyson November 2018
Although 4 yrs old, STILL a great video. My view of 'mistake' is when my intentional goal for the medium is not met and the outcome displeases me for one or 2 reasons: 1) because I cannot consider it a 'happy accident' (ala Bob Ross) OR 2) I cannot recover my goal with adaptations and skilled correction techniques. As a weaver, one can weave 'tapestry' on many types of looms, eg my rigid heddle loom, but there are specially designed tapestry looms uniquely built for this type of weaving. Learning to weave a 'balanced' plain weave did not prevent me from later experimentation with other weave structures.
Agreed! That’s a great distinction (:
It’s all about that vision and whether you’re able to bring it to life with some resemblance
Thank you very much! I am a beginner and I learn soooo much from your videos!
Wow that makes me really happy 😊😊 Thank you for letting me know! 🙏🏼
great video, and commentary. I’m a total beginner with this, but I see what you did here. You used more passion to fix the “wrong way” and that made you focus on fixing it with all your heart, and it became better. Even after the first wash, that person that made the mistake wouldn’t do as you did, keep it wetter to fix it. I’m glad you aren’t a pool shark, you wouldn’t be able to throw a game :-) and I think your focus was on fixing the left one, so you didn’t put all you had into the right hand one. I tried painting tonight, watercolor, and it was terrible. I have a hard time controlling the paint at all, the edges. I see I attempted a way to detailed painting so now am going to look at your videos dedicated to more beginner stuff. Thanks, I keep coming back to your videos. Your commentary is great.
Fascinating. Can't wait to go back into previous attempts. Thank you
My pleasure! Let me know how it goes (:
Thanks Liron, I found this very helpful!
very informative... thanku!😊💕
Happy I can help 😊🙏🏼
One of the best watercolor teachers!!
Wow thank you so much! (:
I still have a lot to learn, but I'm trying to share things as I learn them!
Hello! Thank you for this video - An irrelevant to the topic comment but one of my real struggles: How can you soften your shadows on second layer without lifting the bottom layer at all? I understand that I usually tend to press the paper a lot, but no matter how much I try to do it gently, I always remove some colour beneath. Any suggestions would be highly appreciated. Thank you a lot!!!
That's a great question! I think it will really depend on paper.
I find that I don't have that problem at all with most good cotton papers (Arches, Saunders Waterford & even Fabriano).
But it's very common with pulp paper, or cheaper papers, for example.
If your problem is only with softening in the 2nd layer (in other words, you're able to cleanly do it on the first layer), I would really look into the type of paper you're using.
Another thing that can help is using a softer brush, and perhaps making sure you're not using a brush with short tough bristles (these tend to be more aggressive on paper and lift a little easier).
I hope this helps 😊🙏🏼
@@LironYan Thank you very much for your reply. I have only tried layering on Canson Xl 100% cotton. I will try it on different brand. And definitely I should try with softer brushes (I only use synthetic so it needs some research). Thank you again!
Thanks man :) You are cool, I enjoy your videos!
Gosh. You’re such a handsome guy
😂 Thanks
Gosh sir. yes u are handsome 👀
Thank you Liron. I know there is something about my watercolor painting that is frustrating me, but until I saw this video, I didn't know what I was doing wrong. Thank you for pointing it out so clearly. From this I will remember to not worry so much about all the little brush marks (like I did in oils) and to paint more relaxed; and I will remember to use more water with my paint. My problem is how to get it watery enough while still getting strong colors. What is your recommendation?
Yasmine S. What's on your reading list, Yasmine?
Quick question - When I do my version, the brown of the pit leaks into the green of the avocado and makes a soupy mess of brown green. But I painted them quickly as advised in the video. Am I missing something? When he does it, they barely blend and it looks good!
I'm not an expert, but you might've been using wrong paper.
You’re using too much water if it’s running.
the way you say the word "dark" is giving me chills. what paper are you using ?
I think the paint and the brush and the paper are very important factors to achieve this. I have tried a notebook (195 gram), and that feels really different from a 300 gram paper (less easy to get wrinkles so it would not change the water flow). I have recently bought a natural-synthetic mop size six brush, and it is much better than my synthetic small brush since it could hold more water and the colours dry slower. I know nothing about these when I first start.
Thanks,
Liron. I think I get so concerned about moving quickly that I ignore the basic wash
technique and forget to soften the edges. I often find I don’t use enough water to keep the edges with a bead, so I can keep moving forward.
You touched on a lot of good points! Thanks.
did you put some kind of coating on your palette? i have the same one from mijello, but the water does‘t stay in one place and always gathers up again at one spot again and forms one single drop.
I really appreciate your help! Your ideas are great!! Thank you, I think you are already helping me even though I’m a real beginner. 💐
Very interesting; I think that once you know how to do it the right way, it is hard to do it the wrong way.
You’re a really good teacher and I always enjoy your art!
nice and helpful tutorial, Liron. I have problem with green washes in landscapes in particular. Do you have any advice on how not to flatten the whole drawing with wrong hue (value?) greens and keep the layers and air in the drawing?
Tata P hey Tata, try to keep the darker, brighter and warmer colors in the foreground and gradually, as you go into the distance lighten your washes, make them less saturated and add a bit of blue to your greens to achieve the effect of aerial perspective.
Im so glad I found your videos
So happy to have you onboard 😊🙏🏼
Thank you and don't hesitate to ask questions if you get any!
Il video è molto interessante! Vorrei chiedere perchè quando aggiungo scuro nelle zone d'ombra prima che sia asciutto, anziché scurirsi si schiarisce! Forse è colpa del tipo di carta? Uso Saunders Waterford 300 g. grana fine. Grazie
Fabulous !! Thank you for sharing.
thank you for this brilliant video, Liron. when I started experimenting with watercolour (coming from oil) I definitely did treat watercolour like oil! still improving my watercolour game, this demonstration is of great help, thank you! :)
Very helpful video - thanks!
👏 Thanks, I'll be checking out your other videos too! 💜 😍 🌹
but.... I like the look of the wrong way better O_O other then richness of the avocado flesh - the avocado on the left just looks better to me. the on on the right has edges that bled into each other too much - makes it look messy instead of intentional to me, something I struggled with a LOT until an art teacher very emphatically said: "use the hairdryer between your layers!" I guess its just a stylistic preference, but some of my favorite watercolors are loose and flowing, yet VERY crisp and precise at the same time.
Haha, I slightly messed up the demo - I love the "wrong" way too 😂
Which is why I should put a disclaimer saying this is one guy's point of view, and only true some of the time haha.
And I get what you mean with loose and flowing, yet very crisp.
One of the best examples I found of this is Michael Reardon. He is incredible 🎨🤩:
ua-cam.com/video/b8dyjFS_mEs/v-deo.html
@@LironYan yes exactly! another one of my faves with that sort of loose yet crisp style right now is elitsakarabashlieva.weebly.com/ just completely in love with how reflective her water and fruits are. I'm still struggling with crisp edges yet loose free washes, but its all practice after all :) and hairdryer and good paper O_O
Awesome tip! is this a Mijello mixing palette? where did you buy it?
It is! Got it from Amazon 😁🎨
It’s my favorite studio palette
@@LironYan thanks dude
This is brilliant! THANKS
Hi!! I am a beginner and I have an issue with my blending. The paper I have seems to dry too fast and I am unable to blend seamlessly. When I add water to try to soften the edges, it seems like the paint settle around the water edges and create this coloured water marks when it's dried. Any advices on this? I'm trying a wet on dry technique. I can't really do wet on wet because the paper dries too fast.
Hmm, interesting - what paper are you using? This usually happens with pulp papers (not cotton).
Similar to what you'll find in sketchbooks and Cotman pad (that are of slightly lesser quality).
I do have a quick tip for you, regardless of the paper type - always have a spray bottle available. Spray some water from afar every once in a while. This keeps the wash wet longer.
I hope this helps 😊🙏🏼
Liron Yanconsky I‘m using a 300g watercolour paper matte. It‘s Perfect Ideaz made in Germany but I guess it‘s of lower quality. Yes I will try that! Also, does your paper dries flat or it will crinkle up slightly? PS: I tape the sides of my paper.
@@michellelizabeth87 I see - yes, that may help 😊
My paper buckles a bit, but if you just allow it enough time (or use a hair drier, or put it under direct sunlight 😉) it will stretch back really well!
So don't worry about the buckling too much.
I see many artists continuing to work on the paper while it's buckled, and it still dries flat and beautiful after a few hours 😁🎨
Thanks, great video!
Thank you so much 😊🙏🏼
18:50 That would have been a good opportunity to lay down the brush on it's side and in one brave swoop get the texture at the light to shadow transition. Your finished piece looks more like a painted egg than an avocado. Avocados always has the avocado dimples.
Are using nylon brush in watercolor
Interesting,so when you start a new color next door you do it right away,I have been waiting a bit then doing that with poor results,thanks.
It can work both ways, if you want to allow the paint time to dry and not mix. That’s another possible way of doing it (:
But then you have to be accurate, and make sure you don’t re-awaken the paint (unless that’s a specific effect you are going for).
As long as the values and drawing are accurate it will look good, no matter the technique (works like magic haha 😛)
how to control the water? bcuz sometimes when i use very wet brush, the water blends the colors too much together and damages sharp edges.
Thank you! Very accurate explanation! Could you tell me how you decided to drop the shadow behind the seed? Because on the photo it was so light but your painting looked more 3D!
What is that appliance/gadget mounted on the wall, behind your right ear, with a pink hose attached from below?
Haha Dyson vacuum cleaner 😂 That's the charging station
Great video. Subbed! A ton of great tips in here, especially for those of us who always have worked with acrylic or oil and try to bring those styles to watercolor... it never works, haha~
Thank you
I would like to show you how I illustrate with watercolour. Is it ok to post it here?
What easel do you use?
How did the burnt Sienna not run into the green in the first coat? When my colors touch they run and merge together
One of the problems with wet on wet is color run in or "color bleeding". A color will have the tendency to run into an area that's already wet with another color. Wait until the painted area is dry before applying another color next to it. The videos are edited and it may not actually show that some time has passed before the application of the other color.
Its mainly about water control. You can see there is a slight colour run when he adds the burnt sienna (this section isnt edited or has dried as previous commentor has suggested). He doesnt use excessive water on the page, and so when the colours touch, they dont run easily.
It seems you're having some trouble with unwanted bleeding. Try reducing the amount of water on the page. (This can be done through brush control, or less water in your paints). I hope this helps a little.
Wait until the first colour is dry, or near dry, and use less water on your brush. There are so many watercolour techniques to try, and to learn. keep having a go and figure out what suits you best x
Best Hair cut so far and handsome face 😁
Cool advice i never knew about before!
Anyone knows what’s the name of the violet he’s using?
I believe that is Carbazole Violet by Daniel Smith (:
You can probably get it for cheaper as a part of their Secondary Set (affiliate link):
amzn.to/2Py3dpq
Thank you ^_^ I hope this helps.
Liron Yanconsky thank you so so SO much!
This helped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So happy to hear 😁🙏🏼
Thank you
I've seen people gouaching with watercolors and watercoloring with gouache. It didn't worth it. Sure, it's your free choice, BUT... If you really want to get this thick gouachy look, why to give yourself so much struggle with watercolor, just use gouache! You sure can mix watercolor to this creamy texture, but you'll need a lot of effort, it makes no sense. With that amount of your creamy watercolor mixture, that you used to make one stroke, you could've cover the entire paper! Same with the opposite, you can apply gouache with big amount of water, haunting for this transparent watery light effect, but it just will not work as good.
I think of 3 ways that it could be reasonable. 1) Your unusual use of the material creates a unique effect that cannot be achieved with another medium. 2) You challenge yourself, you wanna fight the material and defeat it. 3) You can't afford the proper medium at the moment. Let's say you're out of money, or you're in trip with just one set of paints and you suddenly see something that you wanna paint, and your medium isn't the best for it, but you are starving to paint it here and now.
And last but not least, THANK YOU for your clear articulation. Native speakers often tend to eat sounds, what makes them hard to listen. But not you.