I just recently got on my own case because I’ve been so afraid of “wasting” my precious supplies, that they’ve literally sat and gathered dust! But I had a sudden “NO MORE!” moment, as the only true way to waste art supplies is to never use them. Hell, even making mistakes is still making! So glory to all our messes, may our tubes run empty and our paper drip in a rainbow of colors!
I’m still struggling with this, with my success rate changing every day. But watching these videos is helping. Happy for you that you’ve reached that point!
Haha I laughed out loud with this statement. I remember when I used to quiver before cleaning off the old paint on the palette… waste.. ha! After years of making messes I enjoy the beauty of clean white and LOVE to squeeze out more paint! Means I can go shopping for more. Nothing more satisfying than squeezing out that last bit of pigment from a tube! Means I have used pigment and have been painting! Thanks for that statement! Will share with my beginner students.
Excellent. One other tip is when you have your brush loaded with paint but you’re aware there might be too much water in it, you can dab the part by the ferrule with a paper towel and that will remove excess water but keep the pigment in the tip and lower half of the brush. Then you don’t waste the paint or your time by redoing it all when in doubt.
thank you *so much* for making this video. i've been dancing around watercolour for a few years because every time i paint it goes badly and i haven't dived in because i don't know what i'm doing. every person i've seen approach the subject of water control exclusively deals with wash strength, which hasn't helped at all because wash strength is only one small part of the role of water in watercolor! just the opening of the video alone, when you said that watercolourists are painting with water - my mind was blown! it makes sense, of course it does, but that's not how i've been thinking about water - i've been thinking about it as a temporary pain in the butt that i can overcome if i can get pigment-to-water ratios correct in my mixes on the palette - as if the palette itself is the only water management tool. your tips on blotting materials and not being shy about changing up water while painting, showing your setup and how to use the stuff - all of this was so, so useful.
Thanks for the "news you can use" Steve! I dunno how you seem to get the RIGHT mixture of subject matter (spontaneous, abstract, realist, landscape, still life) - but you get the PERFECT balance! I absolutely need that "back to the basics" information over and over again ... so keep it up! Thanks again!
As a beginner, I continue to gravitate to your tutorials because they are so useful as well as inspiring. I have been using water and brush with little-to-no control because i hadn't been instructed what to do. THANK YOU! This tutorial has completely changed how i approach my pallette and paper!
I am a newbie and I follow several artists, but I totally enjoy (and chuckle) at your delivery! I so appreciate the in detail guidance you provide. So many artists just don’t go in to detail on HOW things are done. And, I love how you go over even the “duh” things because you are directly speaking to me! LOL Love it!
2:00 Not making brush and paper moisture level changes when needed 10:51 Using your brush as a water manager, not just a paint applicator 15:12 Being too precious with palette mixtures
Outstanding instruction. I can't get over how wonderful it is to watch a master like this -- I live in the sticks, yet I get to stand at his elbow! Thank you, Mr. Mitchell. You got me started in 2017.
Finally, after years of other mediums--oil, acrylic, pastels, I realize I'm painting with WATER as my medium and adding pigment to it as needed---NOT starting with pigment!! The world has opened its wonders!! cant wait to apply the knowledge to reality!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart !!!!
I'm picking up from just making water color wheels and hue exercises how to manage the water on the paper, in the brush, and the pigment mix. I'm using a lot of cloths that are very absorbent and find them incredibly helpful. Mistake #3 is my big challenge. Because I"m new to watercolor, I've been stingy. I really like the square Meeden palette you showed, because the wells are big enough to put pigment up on the side and gravity helps puddle the wet pigment. I have their 18 well ceramic palette, but the wells at least for now, don't let me get enough wet pigment. I've also hesitated to make big mixing puddles, as I don't want to end up with mud. Thank you, again, for your wonderful instruction!
I’m learning to watercolor so I’m watching LOTS of videos. I don’t know why but something connected in my brain when you were talking about water as a medium like acrylic or oils. “Painting with water….” Lightbulb moment! Eureka! I found myself using too much pigment and wasn’t achieving the sheer beauty of this medium. Keep in mind, I am so so so new at this. I am learning so much from you. Granted, a lot of your videos are way over my head in execution. But man, they are beautiful! (I think I may be a touch older than you😜 but when I heard your music today, I thought Herb Albert!)
Same, I was mentally forehead slapping myself, like geez! But thinking on it, I’ve only really done acrylic and a little oil, but mostly stuck with dry mediums like charcoal and graphite. This is literally the exact opposite but I was treating it the same, now my brain has done a somersault and I’m excited to get playing with my paints again 😃
Thanks for the enlightening video, with some great tips on what should be a common sense feature of watercolour painting, but sadly common sense is NOT as common as it is reputed...at least not where I am concerned. I am going to practice all of your tips until I get it right...Cheers !!!
Among the huge numbers of watercolourists on UA-cam you are one of the very few I follow religiously Steve. Every one of your videos teaches me a little something in an area I thought I had covered already. I thanked you many times and I’ll do it again: thank you for the time you spend on us.
This video hits right where my frustrations have been lately. Thank you for all the great tips! I have been telling my non painter husband that if I don't learn how to control the water the water controls me!! Waiting for the paint to dry is the hardest part but taking a break to move a bit or do a small chore seems to help with that.
Despite painting with watercolors for a while now, I'm always excited when you post a video like this, with the fundamentals of the media. Thank you for doing this.
Brilliant insight. Bottom line....USE the paints and paper, Use the good stuff!!! When you do, your results will be a catalyst to keep you going. When you get great results from using quality products, it gives you the motivation to keep painting and creating. Too, always remember to PLAY along the way.✨🧡
Wow! Essential information, not “just basics!” There’s something valuable in this video for every watercolor enthusiast, beginner to professional. Thanks for improving the lives of art geeks everywhere! :)
Oooh, I’ve never seen anyone use a sponge before, but it makes so much sense! Especially all those tiny sponges I see in cheaper watercolor sets sometimes. So that is what they are used for! 😆
My biggest problem is letting the paint layers dry enough, I’m always to impatient and start the next level to soon. Have to listen to myself and walk away. Thanks Steve good video.
I have not even finished watching and can’t wait to say how much I LOVE your water control vids. A long time ago, In the beginning of my learning journey in a galaxy far far away I found YOU! And the light bulbs came on! No one explained more clearly and simply and made me laugh at the same time. Water and pigment control on GOOD paper are essential to less frustration and more success. You are just the best and so clear! I send everyone to your beginner series when they ask for more UA-cam help. Thanks for all the years of your sharing. 🙏🥰
I really appreciate the way you share your expertise. I know I’ve been making some of these mistakes and this instruction will help me paint with a more accurate purpose and result. Managing the water in my palette and on the paper is HUGE! Thank you so much!
I learn so much from you. Took a beginners class. Was handed a photocopy and we started painting. No info on water control, mixing, using brushes or paint. Never went back for second class was too discouraged.
This really helped to change to thinking of it managing water not just putting down paint! Also helping to not be afraid to mox larger amounts to start with! Thanks Steve.
Being precious with paint is truly ridiculous with watercolor. By nature, watercolor stretches very, very far. It’s nice to watch these basics to see how far I’ve come along. Once I discovered moving the paint to another well if I wanted a tea consistency it was a true Eureka moment. Thanks for all your wise words Steve. Blessings to you and everyone!
Thank you so much! I started watercolor (and drawing) a week ago and your videos, as the way you explain things in general, have been among the most instructive and useful in helping me understand why I was not getting anything close to what I expected, what I should try to do otherwise and how. It almost feels like you're standing next to me while I paint and explain what I did wrong ;)
After 20 years of doing watercolors I still need these reminders. Thank you! I normally steal the worn towels from the kitchen when they seem too stained "Hey Honey, I think we need to get you some new kitchen towels...these are pretty ratty."...and then my daughter steals them to wipe the acrylic paint off her brushes making them less useful for me. Ah, the cycle of towels...The carwash sponge is a new one. I'll have to pick one of those up...
Thanks for another great tutorial! Controlling the amount of water is one of my biggest problems, but I didn't understand how to fix it. This is also a MARVELOUS reason for using up paints! While watching I thought, "Is there any reason I can't do this kind of practice with my cheap, "junkier" paint? I have very little quality paint. It's on my wish list from several sites, but I can't justify buying any more since I have quite a bit of my crafting paints & student stuff I inherited from my kids' college supplies. As you say, I've been really precious with my "GOOD" paint. I am treating my supplies so VERY precious that I haven't been painting at all, especially after seeing the blends you get with DS paints & knowing why I should be using the "good stuff." Sincerely, Thanks for the inspiration and instruction, God Bless You, Teresa
My paint dries really fast! I have Daniel smith, pentel and Windsor newton … I think the temp in my room might be warmer than most but I cannot change that. Just surprised at how fast they dry. Definitely having to add more water before finishing. I tend to paint in sections because of this.
As a total beginner, I was just using a flat wash thing to apply water, and two sizes of rounds. Yesterday I got a flat, oval wash, filbert-y type, and wow, suddenly I could make all sorts of cool strokes and shapes and leave interesting white shapes behind..so much to learn, so many variables..
This or the most helpful tips i have every had i have been painting for 55 years.An you have helped me so much. You or the best artist at explaining your artwork ❤
Thank you so much! I’m trying so hard to figure this out. Years! I give up and drop watercolor just to go back in a few years to try again. I think this video is going to really help me. ❤
Thank you for an excellent presentation! I am a retired oldster new to watercolor, and I have a tendency to use too much pigment, resulting in "coloring book" looking pictures. I love the transparency and variations I see in good watercolor pictures, but still am having a hard time creating just that. I now realize I need to spend more time in with light and middle tones using the water more effectively as you demonstrated. This lesson really resonated with me. Thank you again!
Now that I finished the whole thing I will add that if I do the LAZY and forget to blot or dry the brush etc I go back to the frustrating place. I sit and ponder and remind self that blot , blot, control that water is the key. I bought a pack of facecloths at Costco and use them instead of paper towels as much as I can to control the water. It is now a habit and all thanks to you. Love that squirt bottle idea for wetting paint too. Thanks .
Thank you for reminding us about these. I not consciously been thinking about these as they are automatic of how I’m employing these brush and water management.
Steve, once again.....you are absolutely the best teacher! You have a special gift for explaining things in a way that makes it easy to understand and learn the details from all your videos. Thank you VERY MUCH!
I'm struggling, never having had a lesson I really appreciate allyour advice. There is so much more to this than i ever imagined. I get frustrated with water scenes and especially where there is the sparkle effect and you're supposed to be able to lift the brush at the precise point where the white paper is to show. Then you have to go down with the brush to finish the stroke😢
I taught myself how to control watercolor in my youth and thought it was just me with all the rags and paper towels set up before I could even Begin to think about picking up the brush! I haven't done much with w/c in years so I thought I'd do a little review before getting supplies out - Love your channel, you paint the way I prefer to and the way my college instructors would Not allow me in their classes - with draftsman-like control.
Great basic tips for novices and reminder for more advanced painters. You touched on cleaning your palette as needed…important also. I’m guilty of covering leftover washes thinking I’ll use them for another painting. Rarely happens 😂
More good stuff! And Steve, I wish to thank you for using nicely manicured and clean fingernails in your close-ups. There's another fellow on UA-cam who gives video lessons, but his nails are so dirty and encrusted that I find myself marveling at them more than what his hand is doing! 😁
This was very informative. I hadn't even thought about water management. Adding more water washes out the brilliance of color I use in a painting. Now I see how I'm making this mistake. Gonna start thinking my paint is so precious that I become afraid to use more paint and less water. DUH...learned something so obvious from this lesson. Thanks Steve Mitchell!
I just found this video and it is wonderful! It was so helpful. Clear, concise, and so easy to understand and follow without being overwhelming. You are a great teacher. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Great video, Steve! I’ve been playing with watercolor for a few years and have taken classes from 3 different instructors. Keep asking for help with the paint/water ratio, but none of the instructors talks about that. I feel like that’s where I’ve been stuck…basically painting with pigment instead of water with some pigment as you mentioned. Really appreciate this “back to the basics” video!
Perhaps your most useful video ever, and that is saying something! Thank you so much. By the way, how to do wash the towel? Just hadn't wash with laundry soap?
WOW WOW WOW!! ✔ I've never heard another video/teaching such as this one❗ No one teaches the obvious. - You gave it ALL to us... which is exactly what we need when discussing "PAINTING WITH WATER." 😊 - Like many others (in the comments) I too, had an epiphany. YES!! ... FINALLY A COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING❗ - This will help me (and others) immensely. And I'm so grateful for it. 🤗 THANKYOU for every bit of information that you've put into this video. I'll be watching it again.... more than once I'm sure. Blessings 💕🕇🕊
@@mindofwatercolor Yes.... It's something that is right in our face, but for some unknown reason, we just don't see it. Long-time painters (if they truly cared) should be teaching the newbies. - I'm not a crybaby but it's just SO obvious. (And moreso important.) - It just may be the most important and first thing that a new WC Painter should be taught. ~~~ Now that I know this piece of common sense, I will never forget it❗ SIMPLE AS THAT. - Bfn 💀
Learning water control is so difficult, I have struggled with it for sure. Thank you for breaking the information down and explaining in easy to understand terms! So helpful.
I just have to tell you Thank You! This video has actually turned on a light bulb for me! Learning water color online has been fun but I haven't improved as much as I think I should have. This video has really made a difference for me in my creations! I don't want to put the paint brush down now!!! Thanks Steve! I Have always enjoyed your videos.
Thanks for another terrific video! Such a great way to put it, we are using water as a medium!! Realizing I have been guilty of not using enough water!! Afraid of it?! Thanks for this lightbulb moment!
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I just recently got on my own case because I’ve been so afraid of “wasting” my precious supplies, that they’ve literally sat and gathered dust! But I had a sudden “NO MORE!” moment, as the only true way to waste art supplies is to never use them. Hell, even making mistakes is still making! So glory to all our messes, may our tubes run empty and our paper drip in a rainbow of colors!
Guilty as charged! I've been using cheap materials while the good stuff is locked up for when I get better.
Amen to all of this!! I got to that point 3 weeks ago and haven’t looked back since!!!!
this was a very informative video for me….painting with water makes a lot of sense, i never thought about it that way, thank you so much👍🏼
@@imjesssayin1706 good for you!! 🤗
I’m still struggling with this, with my success rate changing every day. But watching these videos is helping. Happy for you that you’ve reached that point!
“If you’re being precious with your paint and are afraid to waste it, you’re not painting.”
Thank you! 🎨 👍
Absolutely!
Haha I laughed out loud with this statement. I remember when I used to quiver before cleaning off the old paint on the palette… waste.. ha! After years of making messes I enjoy the beauty of clean white and LOVE to squeeze out more paint! Means I can go shopping for more. Nothing more satisfying than squeezing out that last bit of pigment from a tube! Means I have used pigment and have been painting! Thanks for that statement! Will share with my beginner students.
Thank you for being patient enough to explain in detail without being repetitive
Thank you so very much!
Excellent. One other tip is when you have your brush loaded with paint but you’re aware there might be too much water in it, you can dab the part by the ferrule with a paper towel and that will remove excess water but keep the pigment in the tip and lower half of the brush. Then you don’t waste the paint or your time by redoing it all when in doubt.
Boy did I ever need that. Thanks so much.
Finally a teacher who can teach. You really cover all your topics with such honesty and knowledge. Brings back the joy again.
Not wasting paint was soooooooooooo me as a newbie! I love your videos!
Using the black paper was sheer genius! Again I have learnt a lot from this video.
My favorite method of water control is what I call the W.O.S.S method. Wipe On Sweat Shirt. :)
😂
😂 Hilarious! I use the “flick-and-sling-and-get-paint-on-the-wall” technique.
thank you *so much* for making this video. i've been dancing around watercolour for a few years because every time i paint it goes badly and i haven't dived in because i don't know what i'm doing. every person i've seen approach the subject of water control exclusively deals with wash strength, which hasn't helped at all because wash strength is only one small part of the role of water in watercolor! just the opening of the video alone, when you said that watercolourists are painting with water - my mind was blown! it makes sense, of course it does, but that's not how i've been thinking about water - i've been thinking about it as a temporary pain in the butt that i can overcome if i can get pigment-to-water ratios correct in my mixes on the palette - as if the palette itself is the only water management tool. your tips on blotting materials and not being shy about changing up water while painting, showing your setup and how to use the stuff - all of this was so, so useful.
Thank you, full of useful information
Good video. I use a doggy diaper pad next to palette as a towel, and also paper towels
Thanks for the "news you can use" Steve! I dunno how you seem to get the RIGHT mixture of subject matter (spontaneous, abstract, realist, landscape, still life) - but you get the PERFECT balance! I absolutely need that "back to the basics" information over and over again ... so keep it up! Thanks again!
As a beginner, I continue to gravitate to your tutorials because they are so useful as well as inspiring. I have been using water and brush with little-to-no control because i hadn't been instructed what to do. THANK YOU! This tutorial has completely changed how i approach my pallette and paper!
I am a newbie and I follow several artists, but I totally enjoy (and chuckle) at your delivery! I so appreciate the in detail guidance you provide. So many artists just don’t go in to detail on HOW things are done. And, I love how you go over even the “duh” things because you are directly speaking to me! LOL Love it!
Thanks!
Thank so much Patricia!
Thank you. Very helpful.
2:00 Not making brush and paper moisture level changes when needed
10:51 Using your brush as a water manager, not just a paint applicator
15:12 Being too precious with palette mixtures
Outstanding instruction. I can't get over how wonderful it is to watch a master like this -- I live in the sticks, yet I get to stand at his elbow! Thank you, Mr. Mitchell. You got me started in 2017.
Exactly how I feel. I could never afford instruction like this. What a great guy.
Finally, after years of other mediums--oil, acrylic, pastels, I realize I'm painting with WATER as my medium and adding pigment to it as needed---NOT starting with pigment!! The world has opened its wonders!! cant wait to apply the knowledge to reality!!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart !!!!
One thousand likes for this video!! Thank you! There's no one who doesn't need reminding.😊
I'm picking up from just making water color wheels and hue exercises how to manage the water on the paper, in the brush, and the pigment mix. I'm using a lot of cloths that are very absorbent and find them incredibly helpful. Mistake #3 is my big challenge. Because I"m new to watercolor, I've been stingy. I really like the square Meeden palette you showed, because the wells are big enough to put pigment up on the side and gravity helps puddle the wet pigment. I have their 18 well ceramic palette, but the wells at least for now, don't let me get enough wet pigment. I've also hesitated to make big mixing puddles, as I don't want to end up with mud. Thank you, again, for your wonderful instruction!
This is one of the most useful vids i have seen...and i have watched about a thousand!! Such great info..thank you!!
That car washing sponge is brilliant. Off to buy one now.
I’m learning to watercolor so I’m watching LOTS of videos. I don’t know why but something connected in my brain when you were talking about water as a medium like acrylic or oils. “Painting with water….” Lightbulb moment! Eureka! I found myself using too much pigment and wasn’t achieving the sheer beauty of this medium. Keep in mind, I am so so so new at this. I am learning so much from you. Granted, a lot of your videos are way over my head in execution. But man, they are beautiful! (I think I may be a touch older than you😜 but when I heard your music today, I thought Herb Albert!)
Oh my goodness, me too!!! This video is exactly what I needed.
Same, I was mentally forehead slapping myself, like geez! But thinking on it, I’ve only really done acrylic and a little oil, but mostly stuck with dry mediums like charcoal and graphite. This is literally the exact opposite but I was treating it the same, now my brain has done a somersault and I’m excited to get playing with my paints again 😃
I do that too, that’s why I let my paints dry instead of using fresh paint.😭
Me..too..! Super saturation…
Great video and thanks for using my watercolor bowl in this video!
Did you make that great bowl? 💛🧡❤️
You're quite welcome which reminds me I meant to put your website link in the description.
YES she did and they are fabulous! goldenbergdesigns.com
This is really helpful! Water control is definitely a problem for me and it's not typically discussed in beginner tutorials. Thank you Steve
Thank you for the reminder. I am often way too stingy with my paint!
Lightbulb moment…..duh! Water+color…..not Color +water. Brilliant instruction!🙏
As a new painter, this kind of instruction is invaluable. Knowing things like this will save time, aggravation and money
Thanks for the enlightening video, with some great tips on what should be a common sense feature of watercolour painting, but sadly common sense is NOT as common as it is reputed...at least not where I am concerned.
I am going to practice all of your tips until I get it right...Cheers !!!
Loved the music between tips. Made think of Matt Helm movies from the 60s. I saw the repeats. Good to refresh the key aspects every now and again.
Among the huge numbers of watercolourists on UA-cam you are one of the very few I follow religiously Steve. Every one of your videos teaches me a little something in an area I thought I had covered already. I thanked you many times and I’ll do it again: thank you for the time you spend on us.
This video hits right where my frustrations have been lately. Thank you for all the great tips! I have been telling my non painter husband that if I don't learn how to control the water the water controls me!! Waiting for the paint to dry is the hardest part but taking a break to move a bit or do a small chore seems to help with that.
I really appreciate these basics - not a lot of other instructional videos do this, and I guess they just assume you already know.
New to water color , your last part about being stingy with my paint turned the light on for me as well as water control 🙏
Despite painting with watercolors for a while now, I'm always excited when you post a video like this, with the fundamentals of the media. Thank you for doing this.
Brilliant insight. Bottom line....USE the paints and paper, Use the good stuff!!! When you do, your results will be a catalyst to keep you going.
When you get great results from using quality products, it gives you the motivation to keep painting and creating. Too, always remember to PLAY along the way.✨🧡
Wow! Essential information, not “just basics!” There’s something valuable in this video for every watercolor enthusiast, beginner to professional. Thanks for improving the lives of art geeks everywhere! :)
Oooh, I’ve never seen anyone use a sponge before, but it makes so much sense! Especially all those tiny sponges I see in cheaper watercolor sets sometimes. So that is what they are used for! 😆
My biggest problem is letting the paint layers dry enough, I’m always to impatient and start the next level to soon. Have to listen to myself and walk away. Thanks Steve good video.
Me too
I have not even finished watching and can’t wait to say how much I LOVE your water control vids. A long time ago, In the beginning of my learning journey in a galaxy far far away I found YOU! And the light bulbs came on! No one explained more clearly and simply and made me laugh at the same time. Water and pigment control on GOOD paper are essential to less frustration and more success. You are just the best and so clear! I send everyone to your beginner series when they ask for more UA-cam help. Thanks for all the years of your sharing. 🙏🥰
I really appreciate the way you share your expertise. I know I’ve been making some of these mistakes and this instruction will help me paint with a more accurate purpose and result. Managing the water in my palette and on the paper is HUGE! Thank you so much!
Great advice . Nothing worse than trying to colour match when you run out of the mix. Good tips. Thanks
I learn so much from you. Took a beginners class. Was handed a photocopy and we started painting. No info on water control, mixing, using brushes or paint. Never went back for second class was too discouraged.
Thanks a great video . For me having scrap of same paper to test on is a big help.
This really helped to change to thinking of it managing water not just putting down paint! Also helping to not be afraid to mox larger amounts to start with! Thanks Steve.
Being precious with paint is truly ridiculous with watercolor. By nature, watercolor stretches very, very far. It’s nice to watch these basics to see how far I’ve come along. Once I discovered moving the paint to another well if I wanted a tea consistency it was a true Eureka moment. Thanks for all your wise words Steve. Blessings to you and everyone!
This is so simple but I never heard it explained so well. sSeeing the pictures of varied drying cloths and surfaces etc. really helpedI
Pled
Thank you so much! I started watercolor (and drawing) a week ago and your videos, as the way you explain things in general, have been among the most instructive and useful in helping me understand why I was not getting anything close to what I expected, what I should try to do otherwise and how. It almost feels like you're standing next to me while I paint and explain what I did wrong ;)
A great back-to-basics reminder for all.
Boy this is a great segment. I don’t use enough water or paint and I hardly ever pick up water. I will have fun with this. Thank you so much!
So simple, so basic, so enLIGHTening. The light bulb really turned on with this video. Thank you so much!
After 20 years of doing watercolors I still need these reminders. Thank you! I normally steal the worn towels from the kitchen when they seem too stained "Hey Honey, I think we need to get you some new kitchen towels...these are pretty ratty."...and then my daughter steals them to wipe the acrylic paint off her brushes making them less useful for me. Ah, the cycle of towels...The carwash sponge is a new one. I'll have to pick one of those up...
Thanks for another great tutorial! Controlling the amount of water is one of my biggest problems, but I didn't understand how to fix it. This is also a MARVELOUS reason for using up paints!
While watching I thought, "Is there any reason I can't do this kind of practice with my cheap, "junkier" paint? I have very little quality paint. It's on my wish list from several sites, but I can't justify buying any more since I have quite a bit of my crafting paints & student stuff I inherited from my kids' college supplies. As you say, I've been really precious with my "GOOD" paint. I am treating my supplies so VERY precious that I haven't been painting at all, especially after seeing the blends you get with DS paints & knowing why I should be using the "good stuff."
Sincerely, Thanks for the inspiration and instruction,
God Bless You, Teresa
My paint dries really fast! I have Daniel smith, pentel and Windsor newton … I think the temp in my room might be warmer than most but I cannot change that. Just surprised at how fast they dry. Definitely having to add more water before finishing. I tend to paint in sections because of this.
Thanks for the reminder of a concept so basic it’s often overlooked! Genius
As a total beginner, I was just using a flat wash thing to apply water, and two sizes of rounds. Yesterday I got a flat, oval wash, filbert-y type, and wow, suddenly I could make all sorts of cool strokes and shapes and leave interesting white shapes behind..so much to learn, so many variables..
This or the most helpful tips i have every had i have been painting for 55 years.An you have helped me so much. You or the best artist at explaining your artwork ❤
Excellent - never thought of “painting with water” new mindset & extremely important - thank you 🙏
Brick wall is now dismantled. Thank you , excellent watercolour information.
Thank you so much! I’m trying so hard to figure this out. Years! I give up and drop watercolor just to go back in a few years to try again. I think this video is going to really help me. ❤
Im improving in practicing! Thank you so much for your instructions and insights ! I enjoy this so much ❤
Thank you for an excellent presentation! I am a retired oldster new to watercolor, and I have a tendency to use too much pigment, resulting in "coloring book" looking pictures. I love the transparency and variations I see in good watercolor pictures, but still am having a hard time creating just that. I now realize I need to spend more time in with light and middle tones using the water more effectively as you demonstrated. This lesson really resonated with me. Thank you again!
Thanks! I needed that! Very helpful and empowering advice.
Carol in Bostob
When you teach it makes sense. I like your back to basic videos. Thanks
Now that I finished the whole thing I will add that if I do the LAZY and forget to blot or dry the brush etc I go back to the frustrating place. I sit and ponder and remind self that blot , blot, control that water is the key. I bought a pack of facecloths at Costco and use them instead of paper towels as much as I can to control the water. It is now a habit and all thanks to you. Love that squirt bottle idea for wetting paint too. Thanks .
Thank you for reminding us about these. I not consciously been thinking about these as they are automatic of how I’m employing these brush and water management.
Steve, once again.....you are absolutely the best teacher! You have a special gift for explaining things in a way that makes it easy to understand and learn the details from all your videos. Thank you VERY MUCH!
I'm struggling, never having had a lesson I really appreciate allyour advice. There is so much more to this than i ever imagined. I get frustrated with water scenes and especially where there is the sparkle effect and you're supposed to be able to lift the brush at the precise point where the white paper is to show. Then you have to go down with the brush to finish the stroke😢
I taught myself how to control watercolor in my youth and thought it was just me with all the rags and paper towels set up before I could even Begin to think about picking up the brush! I haven't done much with w/c in years so I thought I'd do a little review before getting supplies out - Love your channel, you paint the way I prefer to and the way my college instructors would Not allow me in their classes - with draftsman-like control.
THANK YOU...thank you, thank you, thank you...Game changing instruction.
What sincere encouragement! Tidbits nobody ever really shows or tells so frankly made such a helpful video here. Thanks ever so much. Great one.
Great basic tips for novices and reminder for more advanced painters. You touched on cleaning your palette as needed…important also. I’m guilty of covering leftover washes thinking I’ll use them for another painting. Rarely happens 😂
More good stuff! And Steve, I wish to thank you for using nicely manicured and clean fingernails in your close-ups. There's another fellow on UA-cam who gives video lessons, but his nails are so dirty and encrusted that I find myself marveling at them more than what his hand is doing! 😁
Very thorough, comprehensive and clear instruction on these essential skills.
This was very informative. I hadn't even thought about water management. Adding more water washes out the brilliance of color I use in a painting. Now I see how I'm making this mistake. Gonna start thinking my paint is so precious that I become afraid to use more paint and less water. DUH...learned something so obvious from this lesson. Thanks Steve Mitchell!
Okay, guilty of one paper towel. I like this very much - very helpful
Loved listening to this video. I've been too stingy with my paint pigments!
LOL, seen this video for the 3rd time, and still learning some, great reminders!!!!
I just found this video and it is wonderful! It was so helpful. Clear, concise, and so easy to understand and follow without being overwhelming. You are a great teacher. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks. I'm one of those who make such common mistakes ..
All very helpful, especially #1! Thank you!
Great video, Steve! I’ve been playing with watercolor for a few years and have taken classes from 3 different instructors. Keep asking for help with the paint/water ratio, but none of the instructors talks about that. I feel like that’s where I’ve been stuck…basically painting with pigment instead of water with some pigment as you mentioned. Really appreciate this “back to the basics” video!
Perhaps your most useful video ever, and that is saying something! Thank you so much. By the way, how to do wash the towel? Just hadn't wash with laundry soap?
You explain and demonstrate so well. I refer beginners and intermediates to you often.
Thank you so much. This video showed me everything I was doing wrong with the water/paint ratio I was using. I guess I am stingy on paint. 😂
WOW WOW WOW!!
✔ I've never heard another video/teaching such as this one❗
No one teaches the obvious.
- You gave it ALL to us... which is exactly what we need when discussing "PAINTING WITH WATER." 😊
- Like many others (in the comments) I too, had an epiphany. YES!! ... FINALLY A COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING❗
- This will help me (and others) immensely.
And I'm so grateful for it. 🤗
THANKYOU for every bit of information that you've put into this video.
I'll be watching it again.... more than once I'm sure.
Blessings 💕🕇🕊
So right about not seeing this taught more. Why? I don't get it. Seems obvious to me. Thanks!
@@mindofwatercolor
Yes.... It's something that is right in our face, but for some unknown reason, we just don't see it.
Long-time painters (if they truly cared) should be teaching the newbies.
- I'm not a crybaby but it's just SO obvious. (And moreso important.)
- It just may be the most important and first thing that a new WC Painter should be taught.
~~~
Now that I know this piece of common sense, I will never forget it❗
SIMPLE AS THAT.
-
Bfn 💀
As usual, cool, calm & oh so applicable… Thanks
It is always helpful to revisit the basics. Thank you
Thank you! This is so very helpful as I still struggle with using too much water.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻very good teaching
I always run out of paint in the middle of a nice big wash ! Grr haha I need a huge pallet like yours
Thanks for the lesson! I am getting improved results by paying much more attention to the amount of water in my brush, thank you!
Great info and a lovely presentation. Just what a beginner like me needs. Thank you.
Learning water control is so difficult, I have struggled with it for sure. Thank you for breaking the information down and explaining in easy to understand terms! So helpful.
Your video gave great tips to this beginner. Thank you. It was very helpful. I appreciate your videos.
I just have to tell you Thank You! This video has actually turned on a light bulb for me! Learning water color online has been fun but I haven't improved as much as I think I should have. This video has really made a difference for me in my creations! I don't want to put the paint brush down now!!! Thanks Steve! I Have always enjoyed your videos.
Thanks for another terrific video! Such a great way to put it, we are using water as a medium!! Realizing I have been guilty of not using enough water!! Afraid of it?! Thanks for this lightbulb moment!