So happy to have found this same book, now out of print, about a week ago as a used book on Amazon. It arrived yesterday as good as brand new! Am looking forward to learning a lot more about textures; and now after seeing this video I will be examining the illustrations for details, shadows, scale, etc. Thank you for doing this video!
Fun tip, my husband is a tennis player, often time he gets the wrist sweat bans. They are great for me to use on my wrists when painting out doors to control water in my brush. Just thought I would pass it along.
Hi Steve, I became interested in painting with watercolours approx 9 months ago. Your videos have been tremendously helpful. The fact that an artist with your incredible talent is willing to share his God given talent with individuals like myself is such a blessing. The instruction and encouragement you give is wonderful and appreciated so very much. Your ability to capture the beauty of creation is truly awesome, and the scripture verses you display at the end of your videos serve as a consistent reminder of just how majestic our Creator really is. Thank you so much for being willing to 'give of yourself' the way you do.
I appreciate the point you made about not needing to draw from memory, and you're completely right with that being the general assumption. I always thought since I was in grade school that if you couldn't draw something from scratch from memory then you weren't a good artist. I'm a graphic designer, and only last year at 38 years old did I discover that I actually can draw and it's okay to use reference! :) I'm still learning watercolour but I have this whole new world that's opened up to me, and I'm really enjoying the process of creating art! Thanks for another great video! :)
Hi Steve - This was so excellent. I completely agree with everything you pointed out. I’m tempted to mention a sixth thing that I think is probably native to most Artists, and that is not to forget to see the wonder and beauty in the world. I have always been thinking about this topic, even when I was a kid, and the things that separate the great Artists from the good ones. This list nails it Steve. In addition I am so thankful for the democratization of knowledge because all through the 70’s and 80’s I spent days in libraries and went to art shows hoping to catch a friendly Artist who could help unravel these mysteries. Even in art courses in college, they rationed this information. So glad you are here and sharing this stuff Steve. It’s gold, it truly is.
Love this oneeeeee!!! It's hard to tell that to people!! I've got family members who really think I should paint from my mind, also peers who are not very experienced and think the same, even teachers diminishing people who use photo references, it's a relief to find someone who thinks is ok and even a necessity to use the photos and references! Thanks so so much for this vid. 🌈💕😍
Amen to that!!! I have come to the conclusion, this is what I do....this is what I love....so, they don't have to approve. I paint how and what I love.
Muñi Conejito hi, me too. I have a family member who doesn’t do anything artistic at all but seems to think that references are cheating. I’ve noticed that my favorite UA-cam artists have a cell phone on the table with a reference of a giraffe or bike that they are using while teaching us how to paint. They don’t announce it....but sometimes you can see it there. My first reference was nature. Thank you for your comment!
I spend a lot of time watching The Mind of Watercolor videos and I find them all to be invaluable. I signed up for a class in watercolor, for the second time, and for the second time I decided not to continue. I could find no value in each instance. Being told, "Today we are going to paint the ocean, or the redwood trees, or whatever, without being taught the basics, or for that matter not being given much in the way of instruction. I could simply practice on my own, but without increasing my knowledge. Fortunately I found The Mind of Watercolor. Steve is a gifted teacher, and an amazing watercolor artist. Of course I will never achieve his level of skill, and I try not to be daunted by that fact, but rather to keep on practicing and with each lesson by Steve I make small incremental improvement. With all of the over-painting and mistakes I still really like what I do and I am running out of wall space to hang my paintings. L. Graves
Steve, thank you so much for this very helpful video! I painted my first watercolor last June (no prior art experience of any kind). After 2 months I was so fortunate to find an instructor who has helped me advance & enjoy this new hobby. Your videos were the first ones that I watched on UA-cam in the 2 months "on my own". I have now painted over 75 paintings & just love the medium! Thanks again!
Great advice right there. My biggest weakness is #2. I'm sometimes very impatient and just want to go for it. Taking more time and doing preparatory sketches and so on - can be really beneficial (:
I totally relate to that as this is my weakness too. For my next project, I decided I was really going to take my time to do various thumbnails and "mature" and mull over my subject matter. Yes, it is so difficult to resist the urge to go straight in...As it happens I think I'm learning much more through this "slow" process.
I'm so glad you mentioned these habits... I have boxes and boxes of photos, and tons of books, not to mention the crazy amount of videos of people like you I watch multiple days a week. Sometimes, I trace my favorites from photos or masters ai admire, and look at them for hours, even days before the 1st brush stroke goes in...m
good choice of the 5 main elements of a realist painting! I would add another one which is to create "color harmony" instead of sticking to the colours you think you know your objects usually have (like trees to be green, rocks to be grey etc.)
Yes, I agree. I could go on and on. I could probably come up with a list of 50 things. Factors like color though can very quite a lot and yet the scene can still look very realistic.
Wonderful video. Thank you for restoring my desire to be a better realist. I am a 70 y.o. Amateur who loves to paint a realistic scenes. Wish I could attend your work shop. Louisiana is just a bit to far for now, maybe another time. I try to view as many of your videos as possible.
Another great video 👍! There are artists who are wonderful painters but can not teach or even understand how they achieve a painting. You are a wonderful painter who knows the why and the how and is gifted with the ability to teach it to others. How grateful we are that you share that with your you tube students!
I have been struggling with whether to continue as a realist or try to loosen up my paintings. Your vlogs lately have been right on the spot for me. This one especially has been very very helpful. I also love seeing your surroundings and the beautiful scenery you have at your fingertips. Thank you and God bless you.
According to my ophthalmologist, I am one of the 5% of the population that can't see images in 3D. I can see real life in 3D but images and pictures all look flat. Working from a picture is difficult and sketching outdoors is difficult, what I see on paper doesn't look like real life. But I practice every day and am learning to cope and I am getting better. You inspire me with your videos and wisdom.
Wow- I always forget about this condition: it's so hard to imagine. I do admire your determination and fortitude. I know I wouldn't have what it takes- if I were in your condition. But who knows? Anyway, your story is really inspiring. Again: wow.
I learn so much from your videos! I did an abstract of a mountain highway. My husband said the trees looked more like broccoli. Naturally, I was not painting from life... hence 'abstract' label. But I learned that even with an abstract, you have to have scale and perspective. Thanks for posting!
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Just love how you explain the differences and your thoughts. I've been thinking quite allot about this the past weeks so your video was timed perfectly!
Thank you for the no holds barred style in your teaching. These are exactly the kind of pointers that beginners, like me, need to hear to help us work through early problems. You are a great UA-cam mentor!
I would have to agree with you, especially on study and observation. For one of my paintings, I took water and dumped some on the table, had the light shine on it from a certain angle and took photos of it. I needed a spilled puddle reference to put under and old water pitcher to make it look like it was just used. I painted the scene.
Wow, thanks for sharing Ray Hendershot's work. It, along with your meaningful comments, is a real masterpiece. Danged, looks like I'm going to be hit with a quick relapse of my "Amazon book ordering" disease!!
Great vid. These points always need to be stated and hammered home: many of us are either insufficiently aware- or take stuff for granted. Especially when it comes to reducing tone and value with distance: so often a view's depth is let down by insufficient value/saturation/ reduction. Wartrecolour is so magical at rendering gradations and creating vast depth for the eye to lap up. Like you do, for instance.
my favourite of these points mentioned are the top 2 i feel people could progress so much even without a lot of work in other areas by just looking at everything, noticing everything you cannot draw details, textures and features if you dont notice them. its difficult to explain to people what you really mean because peoples eyes have to process so much information that people get used to ignoring most of it, to really see everything you need to practice and spend a lot of time working on noticing everything. good video, you have explained these very well and you have used good examples, i expect you put a lot of thought into how to put across these ideas, great job. this is the first video of your i have seen i am going to check out the others because although i know most of these pointers, im not to great with watercolours so hopefully ill be able to learn a lot from the others.
You are such a fantastic teacher. That is a very difficult skill, and one that you have mastered in addition to your incredible watercolor. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and being so very kind and generous with your time
Hi Steve. Great tips here, thanks. When you referenced Ray Hendershot it reminded me of one of my favorite artists, someone who is no longer with us but one who was loved and respected by many. You may or may not be familiar with his work but I wanted to mention him because we both grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His name is Hubert Shuptrine. Hendershot's work reminds me of Shuptrine's book "Summer Down East", a series of paintings inspired by his family vacation in Maine, probably back in the '60's or early '70's. Fabulous renderings. Please look him up if you have a chance. Keep up the good work!
Just found your channel. Thanks for some sensible tips and great advice. I tend to be a tight painter, but my eye is so drawn to passages of gorgeous translucent loose wash. I struggle to know where to cut back with detail and to just enjoy the colour.
Some of these observations have relevance to a looser style as well - value is one that stands out. My cousin is a world-class quilter and when she assembles her quilt patterns, she does so with BW photocopies of the fabrics. In her words "..color gets the credit, but value does the work...".
Great description of all the things you need to pay attention when studying a subject. I practiced this with a fall leaf. Amazing how many details are in a fall leaf. As usual thanks a million times Steve. You are so easy to fallow and understand for those of us with whom English isn't a native languish.
I enjoyed this so much. I had just been thinking that I need to go back and draw more. When I came upon your video. Really some old lessons I had forgotten, but will now go back and remember and draw more. Thank you so much.
Wonderful coincidence to have just stumbled upon this Masters work. What caught my eye was the familiarity of buildings & scenes and turns out many of these Paintings were from the area where I grew up! I recognize a few of them. (Chester County, PA). In fact, I grew up down the road from Andrew Wyeths Home & one can see a lot of Wyeth influence in his Paintings. A few weeks later, I stumble across THIS Video that answered many questions & focused on important points I had looking at Hendershot's work. This particular book is extremely instructional as well a profoundly beautiful cover to cover. As we slowly lose our Landscapes and scenes like this all across this Country, I know this book will become an important item within our Family inherited Collections -these Paintings beautifully depict a Time & Place so meaningful and one that will eventually become a "once was" .
Oh! Wow! Thank you for the clip with the hummingbird! ....still enjoying and listening to your clips and trying some things....I appreciate all your input.
Thank you… This is very helpful to hone my observation skills. 🎨✨ Something I will start doing is to take photos of a possible subject at different times of the day.
Steve thanks soooo much for this video ! Ive seen it before but it’s probably been 2 yrs so i needed to refresh my brain! I love how you used Ray’s book to show examples of each point. For some reason... my painting tends more toward trying to be realistic instead of “loose” so this info very helpful!
Hi Steve. I actually have this book per your recommendation from another video u did. I totally agree w/ u about Ray Hendershot being a master @ realism. I also appreciate ur point of view on the top 5 things the top realist painters do. In my own watercolor journey, I’m learning & trying to absorb every bit of info I can so that my artwork is something I can be proud of. I understand it takes TONS of practice. But ppl in my family think practice is a waste of time. They think because I do other things “well” this should follow suit. My son has even laughed @ my work & though I know it’s his young teenage unthoughfulness (not an actual word…..but should be), I allowed it to hinder my progress. Thank u so much for sharing ur incredible God-given talent w/ us. I could never thank u enough. U inspire me to continue my journey no matter what “the critics” (lol) say!! Lastly, I appreciate that u put a Bible verse @ the end of each video!
This is one of the best, most helpful videos on UA-cam regarding 'realism' in painting! What seems obvious isn't always so and it's awesome advice for newbies and a great reminder for more experienced painters. And of course, I thoroughly enjoy the bird photography as they are my favorite little creatures on the planet. Great video, Steve!
You remind me of what to keep in mind, and help me to realize that I been working against myself in some of my approaches to landscape drawing, which I hope be painting in watercolor soon after I am finish with all studies, practice of different part of landscapes.
With all the fantastic artists out there, I can't believe you picked one of my all-time favorites. He has several books, the one on texture is very good. You mentioned lighthouses; if you haven't seen his, take a look. The richness in color is incredible.
Excellent - gives me focus on how to continue in the right direction to improved art. Wrote these points down as constant direction when I sjetch & paint. Thank you
I really appreciate the examples being monochromatic. It is easy for me to be visually confused by color when I am looking at examples; instead of seeing the light/dark values I see the colors. I have to adjust my eye/brain to look at something “flat”, to see it as only values so I can render the shapes/light onto paper. The monochrome examples made it easier to pay attention to the detail.
Stev this was another great video. Your point that really good realist art is created from strong observation and many reference photos, and as I always due. When I pick the photo that I will paint from, I measure the difference in size of buildings and trees. Size and proportion can not be overstated.
Another great video! I'm lucky in that what you convey lines up with much of what my teacher says. I must work on my observations more. One thing I find helpful is having two copies of my photos - one in color and one in sepia/black&white, whether printed or on my iPad. It helps me determine value easier.
It's also handy to use the greyscale feature of your printer to get values of your subjects. You can pull it down or increase it for best effect, and edit on your computer, before you print it, so you'll see what you're going to end up with.
good video. it came at an opportune time.I am painting a detailed pic of a rusty truck. mechanical things elude me so I have to research a lot,, from googling the medallions to closeup of the door handles and hub caps. I may not be putting all that detail in, but the impression still has to be right. husband is a car aficionado, and def lets me know if something is off!
Phenomenal video Steve! I always learn so much when you share your insight! I am a beginner and am aware of a few of my struggles, but to have you talk through them really helps! I so appreciate your teachings and inspiration! Enjoy Spring!
Very helpful, I am one of those people who keep trying to get better, for myself. I know that nothing will become of my art as far as selling or famous lol but for myself I try to do better. MY problem is time to do it more often. I find art as an escape from other things. Thanks for the tips and sharing once again.
Thanks Steve, we all need these important detours into the minds of artists of realism. I added some notes for me in my journal to use when thinking about what to include or exclude etc.
Truly enjoyable video, from your lovely scenes (birds, trees, clouds) to the great advice. Putting the book on my wishlist immediately. Thanks so much.
Deeply appreciate every tip you offer. I'm happy I'm applying some of these things because it encourages me more for being on the right track:) I have so much to learn so keep up with the tips and beautiful work. Love learning all I can from you:)
Beautiful topic! I think I make quite frequently the mistake of thinking to much details will make the drawing more realistic and it ends being to sharp and almost illustration style. And then you look through all those beautiful pieces and you realize that the greatest really follow the "less is more" and just by sugesting things with some values, they achieve the most beautiful works. And I couldn't agree more, you really need A LOT of references to master that ability.
This is exactly what I do when preparing a realistic painting. I'm half way through a painting right now and took even more pictures of the subject today. Can't paint from my head at all!
I have been a portrait artist for years. Particularly in graphite and I can tell you from experience that the portraits where I work from a photograph are sooooo much better than those I just scribble out of my head. The light values alone are a huge issue and no matter how well you can 'imagine' your subject its never really quite right. I thank you so much for your lessons and vlogs. Our last child got married and the house is quite empty. I was filling my time with politics and social media but it was literally making me ill. So I decided to quit the news and try something new. Watercolor was my choice. I haven't painted since high school and that was a very long time ago and I am so excited to be doing it now. To quote you; "You need to be brave to watercolor." and with your help I think I can do just that. Thanks again from one of your newest Minders.
Thanks! I know what you mean about politics and the news. I check in on the news about once or twice a week now. Keeps me sane and mellow. Life goes on.
Thanks for the helpful discussion. For those of us who do plain air lose watercolor, I would like to suggest Loose Watercolor, A Step by Step Painting Guide by Jerry McClish.
Thank you for validating my personal process of getting ready to paint, which entails lots of reference material & study to the subject matter as well as having several images that I can draw from (not just drawing from my memory). I always add my own layout & composition with added details that complete the whole picture with correct proportions & perspectives. But it's nice to know there are others that use images to draw from & that I don't have to feel guilty for not drawing things from scratch or justifying the time I take to research my subject matter for each piece. That's just my process! & glad to know I'm not alone in that journey.
Yes! Thank you, Steve. Not just five points but explanations of those and EXAMPLES with SPECIFIC examples. And they are five points I could realistically say to myself that I might just be capable of following. That is useful, helpful instruction. Thank you!
He is one of my favorite WC Artists but there is so little information about him available. Thank you so much for this video. I own this book and go through it again & again. I just draw for now, lol, and buy books and supplies for that great moment when I pick up a brush and create the first of many master disasters. I'll get where I'm going though, if I want it bad enough & I think I do. Again, many thanks!
I loved this segment, as I have all your posts. Accurate artistic paintings depend on a clear understanding of all the elements you shared. Knowing linear perspective and the ability to conceptualize light in painting took many years for artists to realize and perfect during the Renaissance. I pray I allow my thick skull to learn a few of the techniques necessary to paint realistically! I read a quote that was said to be found in Leonardo Da Vinci's room: "May it please the Lord, Light of all things, To show me the Way, So that I may Paint light Worthily!" It's a good prayer. Thanks for your post!
My issue is value detection especially if there are lots of colors involved. I love the softness of the pieces you showed us! Another issue that I am struggling with is suggestion of details through various techniques. Can you show us more of that in a full painting/composition?
Thank you so much, Steve for once again sharing some really wonderful information. I am a beginner, trying to learn on my own and consider your videos a goldmine of helpful insights. You're awesome. God bless. and thanks again for sharing your knowledge with those of us who can't afford lessons, art school, etc.
Another really great detail in the stone house painting.. the stones on the steps are slightly larger than the stones on the wall... because they are slightly closer.
Hendershot’s use of various white is genius. I have only 1 strong point & that’s observation. I have to thank an educationalist circa 1900 who taught me & others to truly observe things, then draw EXACTLY what you see. I’ve been practicing that for decades. Where I’m clueless is perspective, shadow, shading, and much more. I’m thrilled to hear that references are ok because when I draw/paint from my mind I revert to 5 years old in skill. I LOVE that the human eye will fill in suggested items like those roof shingles you used for example. I lean toward realism all the way. I can do loose cartoonish stuff but it happens so quickly that its unfulfilling for me. Thank you times a million.
Very good info! You suggested great things to work on. Thank you! I laugh when people think that artists are BORN with talent. Nope, nope. It's a matter of developing, finely honing your skill. Learn, learn learn! Thanks for the tips!
I think there are people born with special talents. However for talent to shine you also need the oportunity to learn and the passion to not lose interest. If you don't have a passion you won't try new things and either stop doing it or reproducing the same thing on a high but stagnant level. Very talented people might also experience a very fast improvement in the first few months or years and once the basic and intermediate techniques are learned their improvement slows down and they've got to work little harder which can be discouraging. In that case a beginner that had to fight for every little improvement might even be more likely to stick to it. Talent is probably less important than we think to excel in your craft, but you can't ignore that there are people born with a special talent to pick interesting compositions, subjects or colour combinations, people that are born with a very patient or decive temperament and thus have very early a very defined personal signature in their art... Tldr: Hard work might win against pure talent but pure talent paired with a good education, passion and hard work will win over just hard work+education+passion.
Great video Steve! 😁 Yay the hummingbirds have arrived...still waiting on them here. Close observation is the biggest key to realism. I love how you broke all of the aspects down. TFS 😃
Yeah I guess at your elevation they might come a bit later. When I was in Phoenix back in January, I saw several at the Botanical Gardens. I guess its warm enough down there to winter.
The Mind of Watercolor yeah I think so. Some of them will head up in the next couple of weeks to cool off. It is already hot down there & went over a 100 a few weeks ago....yuck! 😝
Yeah but its a dry heat... bahahahahaha! (I saw that on T-shirts down there) Regardless, GASP! No thanks. Yeah my uncle who lives down there complains about it all the time.
The Mind of Watercolor lmbo! yeah a dry heat until monsoons come in (july-september) and then it is hot jungle heat. 😥 😓 Even up here it can get really uncomfortable & we have no ac here. 😲
Your photography is really amazing! The time you put into these videos production shows. My hummingbirds have left here in Houston, Tx. So sad. But I can watch yours. Thanks Steve.
The last 2 are what I struggle with the most. #4 Contrast, #5 perspective, scale and proportion. This is a 3 year old video but it's helping me realise the mistakes that I've been making recently, mostly using pen and ink, although these issues translate to any medium. I tend to see things in terms of lines, however I'm slowly realising that drawing and painting can be the same thing. The way a draftsman draws can be the same approach as a painter painting, and vice versa. I wouldn't say I want to draw realistically, but semi-realistically, so I will have to know both ways to combine them. I'm finding realistic drawing much harder, but your videos help me perceive things better in terms of light and shadow. Getting a believable range of values is incredibly hard for me, as well as their placement, especially the cast shadows. Thank you for being a teacher, and just sharing what you know. It's priceless information to a beginner like me.
I was looking for something I can study and get me inspired during vacation in July, and I actually went ahead and bought this book. Just now! So thanks, it looks promising
So happy to have found this same book, now out of print, about a week ago as a used book on Amazon. It arrived yesterday as good as brand new! Am looking forward to learning a lot more about textures; and now after seeing this video I will be examining the illustrations for details, shadows, scale, etc. Thank you for doing this video!
Fun tip, my husband is a tennis player, often time he gets the wrist sweat bans. They are great for me to use on my wrists when painting out doors to control water in my brush. Just thought I would pass it along.
Hi Steve, I became interested in painting with watercolours approx 9 months ago. Your videos have been tremendously helpful. The fact that an artist with your incredible talent is willing to share his God given talent with individuals like myself is such a blessing. The instruction and encouragement you give is wonderful and appreciated so very much. Your ability to capture the beauty of creation is truly awesome, and the scripture verses you display at the end of your videos serve as a consistent reminder of just how majestic our Creator really is. Thank you so much for being willing to 'give of yourself' the way you do.
Thanks so much for the kind note Rosemary!
I appreciate the point you made about not needing to draw from memory, and you're completely right with that being the general assumption. I always thought since I was in grade school that if you couldn't draw something from scratch from memory then you weren't a good artist. I'm a graphic designer, and only last year at 38 years old did I discover that I actually can draw and it's okay to use reference! :) I'm still learning watercolour but I have this whole new world that's opened up to me, and I'm really enjoying the process of creating art! Thanks for another great video! :)
Hi Steve - This was so excellent. I completely agree with everything you pointed out. I’m tempted to mention a sixth thing that I think is probably native to most Artists, and that is not to forget to see the wonder and beauty in the world. I have always been thinking about this topic, even when I was a kid, and the things that separate the great Artists from the good ones. This list nails it Steve. In addition I am so thankful for the democratization of knowledge because all through the 70’s and 80’s I spent days in libraries and went to art shows hoping to catch a friendly Artist who could help unravel these mysteries. Even in art courses in college, they rationed this information. So glad you are here and sharing this stuff Steve. It’s gold, it truly is.
Thanks Marty. I appreciate that. So true too, wonder and beauty provide essential motivation to express and share that to others.
Love this oneeeeee!!! It's hard to tell that to people!! I've got family members who really think I should paint from my mind, also peers who are not very experienced and think the same, even teachers diminishing people who use photo references, it's a relief to find someone who thinks is ok and even a necessity to use the photos and references! Thanks so so much for this vid. 🌈💕😍
Agree!
Amen to that!!! I have come to the conclusion, this is what I do....this is what I love....so, they don't have to approve. I paint how and what I love.
Muñi Conejito hi, me too. I have a family member who doesn’t do anything artistic at all but seems to think that references are cheating. I’ve noticed that my favorite UA-cam artists have a cell phone on the table with a reference of a giraffe or bike that they are using while teaching us how to paint. They don’t announce it....but sometimes you can see it there. My first reference was nature. Thank you for your comment!
I spend a lot of time watching The Mind of Watercolor videos and I find them all to be invaluable. I signed up for a class in watercolor, for the second time, and for the second time I decided not to continue. I could find no value in each instance. Being told, "Today we are going to paint the ocean, or the redwood trees, or whatever, without being taught the basics, or for that matter not being given much in the way of instruction. I could simply practice on my own, but without increasing my knowledge. Fortunately I found The Mind of Watercolor. Steve is a gifted teacher, and an amazing watercolor artist. Of course I will never achieve his level of skill, and I try not to be daunted by that fact, but rather to keep on practicing and with each lesson by Steve I make small incremental improvement. With all of the over-painting and mistakes I still really like what I do and I am running out of wall space to hang my paintings. L. Graves
Steve, thank you so much for this very helpful video! I painted my first watercolor last June (no prior art experience of any kind). After 2 months I was so fortunate to find an instructor who has helped me advance & enjoy this new hobby. Your videos were the first ones that I watched on UA-cam in the 2 months "on my own". I have now painted over 75 paintings & just love the medium! Thanks again!
Awesome!
Great advice right there. My biggest weakness is #2.
I'm sometimes very impatient and just want to go for it. Taking more time and doing preparatory sketches and so on - can be really beneficial (:
I need to SLOW down and enjoy. Yep, I am impatient.
I totally relate to that as this is my weakness too. For my next project, I decided I was really going to take my time to do various thumbnails and "mature" and mull over my subject matter. Yes, it is so difficult to resist the urge to go straight in...As it happens I think I'm learning much more through this "slow" process.
Steve, I've been watching your channel for about a year now, and I do like your techniques for painting, it has really changed my style.
I'm so glad you mentioned these habits... I have boxes and boxes of photos, and tons of books, not to mention the crazy amount of videos of people like you I watch multiple days a week. Sometimes, I trace my favorites from photos or masters ai admire, and look at them for hours, even days before the 1st brush stroke goes in...m
good choice of the 5 main elements of a realist painting! I would add another one which is to create "color harmony" instead of sticking to the colours you think you know your objects usually have (like trees to be green, rocks to be grey etc.)
Yes, I agree. I could go on and on. I could probably come up with a list of 50 things. Factors like color though can very quite a lot and yet the scene can still look very realistic.
Wonderful video. Thank you for restoring my desire to be a better realist. I am a 70 y.o. Amateur who loves to paint a realistic scenes. Wish I could attend your work shop. Louisiana is just a bit to far for now, maybe another time. I try to view as many of your videos as possible.
Another great video 👍! There are artists who are wonderful painters but can not teach or even understand how they achieve a painting. You are a wonderful painter who knows the why and the how and is gifted with the ability to teach it to others. How grateful we are that you share that with your you tube students!
Thank you!
I have been struggling with whether to continue as a realist or try to loosen up my paintings. Your vlogs lately have been right on the spot for me. This one especially has been very very helpful. I also love seeing your surroundings and the beautiful scenery you have at your fingertips. Thank you and God bless you.
According to my ophthalmologist, I am one of the 5% of the population that can't see images in 3D. I can see real life in 3D but images and pictures all look flat. Working from a picture is difficult and sketching outdoors is difficult, what I see on paper doesn't look like real life. But I practice every day and am learning to cope and I am getting better. You inspire me with your videos and wisdom.
Wow- I always forget about this condition: it's so hard to imagine. I do admire your determination and fortitude. I know I wouldn't have what it takes- if I were in your condition. But who knows? Anyway, your story is really inspiring. Again: wow.
I absolutely adore that you said not to worry about painting from reference. I thought I was just not good yet because I needed references.
I will always say that you or the BEST AT DEMOSTRATE HOW TO PAINT.An thanks for your time at showing you work.I love your work ❤
I learn so much from your videos! I did an abstract of a mountain highway. My husband said the trees looked more like broccoli. Naturally, I was not painting from life... hence 'abstract' label. But I learned that even with an abstract, you have to have scale and perspective. Thanks for posting!
Just love how you explain the differences and your thoughts. I've been thinking quite allot about this the past weeks so your video was timed perfectly!
Thank you for the no holds barred style in your teaching. These are exactly the kind of pointers that beginners, like me, need to hear to help us work through early problems. You are a great UA-cam mentor!
Thanks!
I would have to agree with you, especially on study and observation. For one of my paintings, I took water and dumped some on the table, had the light shine on it from a certain angle and took photos of it. I needed a spilled puddle reference to put under and old water pitcher to make it look like it was just used. I painted the scene.
Wow, thanks for sharing Ray Hendershot's work. It, along with your meaningful comments, is a real masterpiece. Danged, looks like I'm going to be hit with a quick relapse of my "Amazon book ordering" disease!!
I have the same disease my friend! 😭
Great vid. These points always need to be stated and hammered home: many of us are either insufficiently aware- or take stuff for granted. Especially when it comes to reducing tone and value with distance: so often a view's depth is let down by insufficient value/saturation/ reduction. Wartrecolour is so magical at rendering gradations and creating vast depth for the eye to lap up. Like you do, for instance.
my favourite of these points mentioned are the top 2 i feel people could progress so much even without a lot of work in other areas by just looking at everything, noticing everything you cannot draw details, textures and features if you dont notice them. its difficult to explain to people what you really mean because peoples eyes have to process so much information that people get used to ignoring most of it, to really see everything you need to practice and spend a lot of time working on noticing everything.
good video, you have explained these very well and you have used good examples, i expect you put a lot of thought into how to put across these ideas, great job. this is the first video of your i have seen i am going to check out the others because although i know most of these pointers, im not to great with watercolours so hopefully ill be able to learn a lot from the others.
Great info as always. Love the shot of the single yellow-green leaf on the branch at the beginning of the video. Would love to paint! Beautiful.
You are such a fantastic teacher. That is a very difficult skill, and one that you have mastered in addition to your incredible watercolor. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and being so very kind and generous with your time
Hi Steve. Great tips here, thanks. When you referenced Ray Hendershot it reminded me of one of my favorite artists, someone who is no longer with us but one who was loved and respected by many. You may or may not be familiar with his work but I wanted to mention him because we both grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His name is Hubert Shuptrine. Hendershot's work reminds me of Shuptrine's book "Summer Down East", a series of paintings inspired by his family vacation in Maine, probably back in the '60's or early '70's. Fabulous renderings. Please look him up if you have a chance. Keep up the good work!
Just found your channel. Thanks for some sensible tips and great advice. I tend to be a tight painter, but my eye is so drawn to passages of gorgeous translucent loose wash. I struggle to know where to cut back with detail and to just enjoy the colour.
Great tips Steve. You are far and away my favourite instructor. Barbara from Canada.
Some of these observations have relevance to a looser style as well - value is one that stands out. My cousin is a world-class quilter and when she assembles her quilt patterns, she does so with BW photocopies of the fabrics. In her words "..color gets the credit, but value does the work...".
Great description of all the things you need to pay attention when studying a subject. I practiced this with a fall leaf. Amazing how many details are in a fall leaf. As usual thanks a million times Steve. You are so easy to fallow and understand for those of us with whom English isn't a native languish.
I enjoyed this so much. I had just been thinking that I need to go back and draw more. When I came upon your video. Really some old lessons I had forgotten, but will now go back and remember and draw more. Thank you so much.
Wonderful coincidence to have just stumbled upon this Masters work. What caught my eye was the familiarity of buildings & scenes and turns out many of these Paintings were from the area where I grew up! I recognize a few of them. (Chester County, PA). In fact, I grew up down the road from Andrew Wyeths Home & one can see a lot of Wyeth influence in his Paintings. A few weeks later, I stumble across THIS Video that answered many questions & focused on important points I had looking at Hendershot's work. This particular book is extremely instructional as well a profoundly beautiful cover to cover. As we slowly lose our Landscapes and scenes like this all across this Country, I know this book will become an important item within our Family inherited Collections -these Paintings beautifully depict a Time & Place so meaningful and one that will eventually become a "once was" .
Oh! Wow! Thank you for the clip with the hummingbird! ....still enjoying and listening to your clips and trying some things....I appreciate all your input.
every time I watch a video just like a breath of fresh air
'Breathe ... breathe in the air, don't be afraid to care' - P Floyd (1973) .
This is another inspiring tutorial. I am learning soooo much from all your titorials. They really are like a great Sunday Icecream witht cherries.
Thank you… This is very helpful to hone my observation skills. 🎨✨
Something I will start doing is to take photos of a possible subject at different times of the day.
Steve thanks soooo much for this video ! Ive seen it before but it’s probably been 2 yrs so i needed to refresh my brain! I love how you used Ray’s book to show examples of each point. For some reason... my painting tends more toward trying to be realistic instead of “loose” so this info very helpful!
Hi Steve. I actually have this book per your recommendation from another video u did. I totally agree w/ u about Ray Hendershot being a master @ realism. I also appreciate ur point of view on the top 5 things the top realist painters do. In my own watercolor journey, I’m learning & trying to absorb every bit of info I can so that my artwork is something I can be proud of. I understand it takes TONS of practice. But ppl in my family think practice is a waste of time. They think because I do other things “well” this should follow suit. My son has even laughed @ my work & though I know it’s his young teenage unthoughfulness (not an actual word…..but should be), I allowed it to hinder my progress. Thank u so much for sharing ur incredible God-given talent w/ us. I could never thank u enough. U inspire me to continue my journey no matter what “the critics” (lol) say!! Lastly, I appreciate that u put a Bible verse @ the end of each video!
This is one of the best, most helpful videos on UA-cam regarding 'realism' in painting! What seems obvious isn't always so and it's awesome advice for newbies and a great reminder for more experienced painters. And of course, I thoroughly enjoy the bird photography as they are my favorite little creatures on the planet. Great video, Steve!
You remind me of what to keep in mind, and help me to realize that I been working against myself in some of my approaches to landscape drawing, which I hope be painting in watercolor soon after I am finish with all studies, practice of different part of landscapes.
With all the fantastic artists out there, I can't believe you picked one of my all-time favorites. He has several books, the one on texture is very good. You mentioned lighthouses; if you haven't seen his, take a look. The richness in color is incredible.
Excellent - gives me focus on how to continue in the right direction to improved art. Wrote these points down as constant direction when I sjetch & paint. Thank you
Thanks, Steve. I will watch this one over and over and I am writing down the five tips. Always, I learn from you.
Great, Great, Great, GREAT, video! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
I really appreciate the examples being monochromatic. It is easy for me to be visually confused by color when I am looking at examples; instead of seeing the light/dark values I see the colors. I have to adjust my eye/brain to look at something “flat”, to see it as only values so I can render the shapes/light onto paper. The monochrome examples made it easier to pay attention to the detail.
Great analysis, you have provided items of consideration which artists could (should?) work on for years to come. Thanks.
Stev this was another great video. Your point that really good realist art is created from strong observation and many reference photos, and as I always due. When I pick the photo that I will paint from, I measure the difference in size of buildings and trees. Size and proportion can not be overstated.
Another great video! I'm lucky in that what you convey lines up with much of what my teacher says. I must work on my observations more. One thing I find helpful is having two copies of my photos - one in color and one in sepia/black&white, whether printed or on my iPad. It helps me determine value easier.
Very good tip!
It's also handy to use the greyscale feature of your printer to get values of your subjects.
You can pull it down or increase it for best effect, and edit on your computer, before you print it, so you'll see what you're going to end up with.
I do the same. I don't have it but iPad can get an app called value finder that reduces your photo to 3 to 5 values. many people find that helpful
good video. it came at an opportune time.I am painting a detailed pic of a rusty truck. mechanical things elude me so I have to research a lot,, from googling the medallions to closeup of the door handles and hub caps. I may not be putting all that detail in, but the impression still has to be right. husband is a car aficionado, and def lets me know if something is off!
SO VERY HELPFUL - ENJOYED THIS LESSON
You made some very good points, and I thought the examples from the book were helpful. Thanks!
You offered so much valuable information in one video.. Thank You ... I learned a lot.
Thanks for this. Very helpful video. Love your style.
Phenomenal video Steve! I always learn so much when you share your insight! I am a beginner and am aware of a few of my struggles, but to have you talk through them really helps! I so appreciate your teachings and inspiration! Enjoy Spring!
Very helpful, I am one of those people who keep trying to get better, for myself. I know that nothing will become of my art as far as selling or famous lol but for myself I try to do better. MY problem is time to do it more often. I find art as an escape from other things. Thanks for the tips and sharing once again.
Good plan. And improvement increases your enjoyment of art.
Thanks again. Saw the other video too. Found Hendershot's and Jean Haines books in my library!
Thanks Steve, we all need these important detours into the minds of artists of realism. I added some notes for me in my journal to use when thinking about what to include or exclude etc.
Truly enjoyable video, from your lovely scenes (birds, trees, clouds) to the great advice. Putting the book on my wishlist immediately. Thanks so much.
Deeply appreciate every tip you offer. I'm happy I'm applying some of these things because it encourages me more for being on the right track:) I have so much to learn so keep up with the tips and beautiful work. Love learning all I can from you:)
Beautiful topic! I think I make quite frequently the mistake of thinking to much details will make the drawing more realistic and it ends being to sharp and almost illustration style. And then you look through all those beautiful pieces and you realize that the greatest really follow the "less is more" and just by sugesting things with some values, they achieve the most beautiful works. And I couldn't agree more, you really need A LOT of references to master that ability.
thank you Mr Mitchell! This video was great!
This is exactly what I do when preparing a realistic painting. I'm half way through a painting right now and took even more pictures of the subject today.
Can't paint from my head at all!
I have been a portrait artist for years. Particularly in graphite and I can tell you from experience that the portraits where I work from a photograph are sooooo much better than those I just scribble out of my head. The light values alone are a huge issue and no matter how well you can 'imagine' your subject its never really quite right. I thank you so much for your lessons and vlogs. Our last child got married and the house is quite empty. I was filling my time with politics and social media but it was literally making me ill. So I decided to quit the news and try something new. Watercolor was my choice. I haven't painted since high school and that was a very long time ago and I am so excited to be doing it now. To quote you; "You need to be brave to watercolor." and with your help I think I can do just that. Thanks again from one of your newest Minders.
Thanks! I know what you mean about politics and the news. I check in on the news about once or twice a week now. Keeps me sane and mellow. Life goes on.
Great tips and good reminder. Thank you.
This is a very informative video!!! Quite helpful!!! Many thanks!!!
Thanks for the helpful discussion. For those of us who do plain air lose watercolor, I would like to suggest Loose Watercolor, A Step by Step Painting Guide by Jerry McClish.
I loved this very much! I am a very big fan of Ray Hendershot’s work. I wish you could help us to to more of that. Thanks
I'm so glad I found your channel, your videos are amazing. Thank you for putting all of this content out there for us!
This was so timely Steve, as I've been considering buying Hendershot's book for a while, but just wasn't sure -- now I am, so thanks!
This video really helps me to develop my understanding of realistic painting. Thank you very much!!!
great tips all, esp liked the attention to contrast.
Great take on realistic art. Excellent. I am also a fan of Ray Hendershot.
Thanks
Thank you for validating my personal process of getting ready to paint, which entails lots of reference material & study to the subject matter as well as having several images that I can draw from (not just drawing from my memory). I always add my own layout & composition with added details that complete the whole picture with correct proportions & perspectives.
But it's nice to know there are others that use images to draw from & that I don't have to feel guilty for not drawing things from scratch or justifying the time I take to research my subject matter for each piece. That's just my process! & glad to know I'm not alone in that journey.
Yes! Thank you, Steve. Not just five points but explanations of those and EXAMPLES with SPECIFIC examples. And they are five points I could realistically say to myself that I might just be capable of following. That is useful, helpful instruction. Thank you!
He is one of my favorite WC Artists but there is so little information about him available. Thank you so much for this video. I own this book and go through it again & again. I just draw for now, lol, and buy books and supplies for that great moment when I pick up a brush and create the first of many master disasters. I'll get where I'm going though, if I want it bad enough & I think I do. Again, many thanks!
Thank you! Very helpful information. I love the book as well. His art is just so soft and atmospheric.
Great ideas. Always striving to learn and incorporate ideas. Just looking to get a little bit better...but all the time. 😊
I loved this segment, as I have all your posts. Accurate artistic paintings depend on a clear understanding of all the elements you shared. Knowing linear perspective and the ability to conceptualize light in painting took many years for artists to realize and perfect during the Renaissance. I pray I allow my thick skull to learn a few of the techniques necessary to paint realistically! I read a quote that was said to be found in Leonardo Da Vinci's room:
"May it please the Lord,
Light of all things,
To show me the
Way,
So that I may
Paint light
Worthily!"
It's a good prayer.
Thanks for your post!
Every time I think I've seen the best upload of yours, you do it again! LOVE!!!
Your explanations are so good.
My issue is value detection especially if there are lots of colors involved. I love the softness of the pieces you showed us! Another issue that I am struggling with is suggestion of details through various techniques. Can you show us more of that in a full painting/composition?
Thank you so much, Steve for once again sharing some really wonderful information. I am a beginner, trying to learn on my own and consider your videos a goldmine of helpful insights. You're awesome. God bless. and thanks again for sharing your knowledge with those of us who can't afford lessons, art school, etc.
Another really great detail in the stone house painting.. the stones on the steps are slightly larger than the stones on the wall... because they are slightly closer.
Great video Steve! Thanks.
I could see many things where I can improve, thanks for the video :)
Hendershot’s use of various white is genius. I have only 1 strong point & that’s observation. I have to thank an educationalist circa 1900 who taught me & others to truly observe things, then draw EXACTLY what you see. I’ve been practicing that for decades. Where I’m clueless is perspective, shadow, shading, and much more. I’m thrilled to hear that references are ok because when I draw/paint from my mind I revert to 5 years old in skill. I LOVE that the human eye will fill in suggested items like those roof shingles you used for example. I lean toward realism all the way. I can do loose cartoonish stuff but it happens so quickly that its unfulfilling for me. Thank you times a million.
Thanks Steve...great video as always
Thank you for the advice!
Very good info! You suggested great things to work on. Thank you! I laugh when people think that artists are BORN with talent. Nope, nope. It's a matter of developing, finely honing your skill. Learn, learn learn! Thanks for the tips!
I think there are people born with special talents. However for talent to shine you also need the oportunity to learn and the passion to not lose interest.
If you don't have a passion you won't try new things and either stop doing it or reproducing the same thing on a high but stagnant level.
Very talented people might also experience a very fast improvement in the first few months or years and once the basic and intermediate techniques are learned their improvement slows down and they've got to work little harder which can be discouraging. In that case a beginner that had to fight for every little improvement might even be more likely to stick to it.
Talent is probably less important than we think to excel in your craft, but you can't ignore that there are people born with a special talent to pick interesting compositions, subjects or colour combinations, people that are born with a very patient or decive temperament and thus have very early a very defined personal signature in their art...
Tldr: Hard work might win against pure talent but pure talent paired with a good education, passion and hard work will win over just hard work+education+passion.
Very interesting video Steve as this is the type of watercolour that I love painting.
Great video Steve! 😁 Yay the hummingbirds have arrived...still waiting on them here. Close observation is the biggest key to realism. I love how you broke all of the aspects down. TFS 😃
Yeah I guess at your elevation they might come a bit later. When I was in Phoenix back in January, I saw several at the Botanical Gardens. I guess its warm enough down there to winter.
The Mind of Watercolor yeah I think so. Some of them will head up in the next couple of weeks to cool off. It is already hot down there & went over a 100 a few weeks ago....yuck! 😝
Yeah but its a dry heat... bahahahahaha! (I saw that on T-shirts down there) Regardless, GASP! No thanks. Yeah my uncle who lives down there complains about it all the time.
The Mind of Watercolor lmbo! yeah a dry heat until monsoons come in (july-september) and then it is hot jungle heat. 😥 😓 Even up here it can get really uncomfortable & we have no ac here. 😲
Such a beautiful, informative video. Thank you so much.
Your photography is really amazing! The time you put into these videos production shows. My hummingbirds have left here in Houston, Tx. So sad. But I can watch yours. Thanks Steve.
Extremely insightful and informative. Many thanks
Great tips , thank you for sharing your time and know how 😁.
Thank you for this video. Very informative
The last 2 are what I struggle with the most. #4 Contrast, #5 perspective, scale and proportion. This is a 3 year old video but it's helping me realise the mistakes that I've been making recently, mostly using pen and ink, although these issues translate to any medium.
I tend to see things in terms of lines, however I'm slowly realising that drawing and painting can be the same thing. The way a draftsman draws can be the same approach as a painter painting, and vice versa.
I wouldn't say I want to draw realistically, but semi-realistically, so I will have to know both ways to combine them. I'm finding realistic drawing much harder, but your videos help me perceive things better in terms of light and shadow. Getting a believable range of values is incredibly hard for me, as well as their placement, especially the cast shadows.
Thank you for being a teacher, and just sharing what you know. It's priceless information to a beginner like me.
I didn't see all of your videos but this seem to be one of the best so far. Cheers and thank you from Argentina.
I was looking for something I can study and get me inspired during vacation in July, and I actually went ahead and bought this book. Just now! So thanks, it looks promising