Advancing with Watercolor: A Tonal Plan - Dark against Light “Riding into the Light”

This video was done to support my class which meets in the Plein Air In the Boston metro area. We meet at different parks and harbors throughout the summer painting watercolor outdoors. In this video I discuss in more depth how the watercolor artist, or any artist, looks at their motif and visualizes a painting. In particular today I am talking about taking liberties with the subject to create a more readable and striking painting. Most of the decisions are made around the use of lights and darks and how to use contrast to guide eye, tell a story, and describe the light. The area we are working in is the north end in Boston, famous for brownstones, a beautiful harbor, and wonderful Italian food. Our morning starts in the Paul Revere Mall.
In each video I will address some of the challenges with each motif and ways to meet those challenges. Along the way I hope you experience the same thrill of working under an open sky that we did.
Accompanying tutorial:
www.garytuckerartist.com/gallery/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Working-on-Location-Piers-Park-2working-on-Location-Paul-Reve-Mall-A-Plan-for-lights-and-darks.pdf
My Materials List:
www.garytuckerartist.com/galle...
Thank you all for your continued support -
for liking this short video and particularly for your comments. They help me in planning my next series of videos...
Any questions you have please direct them to my contact page on my website, thanks

[@gast4215]

There's nothing more educative than listening to a painters thoughts while he's working on a piece, thus showing how to implement these theoretical thoughts into the painting. Thanks a lot for this video and your explanations!

[@junvale6389]

Thanks Gary....as usual, no dull moments in the way you paint.....Saludos!

[@kheminlowe6195]

Gary tucker not only a fine painter , but what a brilliant teacher, so clear because he is so down to earth and practical, great Gary I’ve learned sooooo much from you thanks

[@GaryTuckerArtist]

Thx for the support Khemin

[@josephstanski5180]

Thank you Gary for such a clear explanation of you reasoning - nicely done.

[@MARTJE2222]

Thanks for sharing your techniques Gary

[@karenjohnson6487]

I love this painting. It really conveys the early morning feel. A perfect summer morning in Boston. Thank you.

[@kallak9676]

I love the way your brain works!

[@dodiburnett9964]

Loving your very helpful tips, Gary. Planning your lights, joining items within the painting, etc.
Beautiful, and thank you!

[@jorgesalinas9505]

I do learn with your videos! Thank you!

[@WedlerFineArt]

Your brushwork and preliminary washes show me how to avoid the "paint-by-numbers" trap I fall into. Every time, your approach mesmerizes me. I have to watch a second and third time to truly absorb your thinking. I looked at your materials list and was surprised by your recommended use of 3-4 brushes. If my watercolours progress I will have you to thank,
to a large degree.

[@JeffChorney]

Gary in my mind this is one of your best paintings ever! You nailed it perfectly and I appreciate the narrative of how you went about it from start to finish.

[@pattis584]

Simply brilliant. Your color combinations, especially in the foreground, add such depth to your painting. Really pleasing to the eye.

[@jandean9268]

Thank you so much for articulating your thought process during your painting. Showing the photograph from time to time was also extremely helpful. I think I have understood how to simplify for the first time! Also I am beginning to see how I might avoid the lure of naturalistic colour in favour of effective colour. You are a very fine painter and a great teacher.

[@robertastrow1175]

I really enjoyed your thoughts while painting and what I need to think about when painting not only outdoors but from photos.

[@devanarayananv.v7058]

It's beautiful.

[@malwinderjanjua]

Thanks for sharing your views, details, techniques of water color painting. That’ll really helpful for everyone. Good going 👍🏻

[@jakepeters4370]

Brilliant work!

[@RubenGarcia-kc3op]

Wow beautiful composition

[@MP-yl2pb]

Awesome watercolor painting

[@dawnymock]

Wonderful!

[@susanmolz6117]

Your work is beautiful

[@FredSchendel]

Wonderfull painting Sir. I keep talking to my braincells how to dissecate the view in highs and lows tones, but it is still incredibly difficult to get such beatifullnes. Briliant, thanks for sharing your knowlege and art .

[@serrc1]

Lovely work, helpful commentary!

[@catys997]

I really like having the photo in the corner. It helps to see how you use it without trying to copy it.

[@Crap873]

Extremely gorgeous!!! This painting reminds me of Alvaro Castignets work ! Which is an extreme compliment.

[@sp-xf3pb]

no artist likes any of his work reminds anybody of someone else's work. Your extreme compliment might well be annoying as well. just saying :)

[@seagullart3469]

Very nice paintig 🤣🤣👍⚘⚘

[@patriciaheller9211]

You plan your lights and darks before you start painting. Do you use a notan or it just comes to you? LOVE your work and videos.

[@trlan55]

I love your loose style. Do you use white gouache for the highlights?

[@dawnymock]

In one of your videos you mentioned a composition book- what was the title? Really enjoy your lessons!

[@maxwellborges9612]

Muito profissional.

[@redmoon8217]

You use yellow ochre as initial wash a lot for glow. I notuce while it is still wet you will often put some blue in for sky. How do you stop it going green? Thank you.

[@GaryTuckerArtist]

An often asked question - I use yellow ochre for that reason - not too strong - other yellows are more apt to produce green

[@redmoon8217]

@@GaryTuckerArtist thanks for reply Gary. when I try it goes green still. 😞

[@mefonsecach]

Dw noticias ultima hora