How to Paint a Backlit Waterfall

Today I demo for you my favorite kind of light effect to paint... backlight! My subject is a beautiful waterfall high in the mountains of Colorado. I explain just what I'm doing and why I'm doing it while showing you every step along the way.
Music: paid subscription to Artlist Music

[@davechittenden1657]

A beautiful picture Steve... as you say nature gives us all we need.
I love Lassen for his sheer exuberance.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thanks Dave, I'll look Lassen up!

[@marywebb1138]

I always enjoy your relaxed way of instructing. Thank you Steve😊

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thank you Mary! 😁

[@janoxendale4445]

Thank you Steve! I love to watch your videos, so right now my favorite artist is you. I have several other favorites too that paint representational scenery.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Awww, we need to get you out more @janoxendale4445, lol!!! 🤣🤣🤣As Wayne's World was famous for saying... ''"We are not worthy!" But seriously, thank you for that. And thanks for watching and for supporting my channel, I have so much fun and it's really great knowing that I'm able to pass along some of what I've learned along the way. Paint On!!

[@TTundragrizzly]

Oh good.. you’re alive!!
Was literally worried

[@johncollado1151]

Hi Steve, nice piece.😊 Okay, I did post this comment while I was watching your process and I'll have to say, Steve Atkinson is my favorite western landscape painter!

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Hey John, thanks for all your kindness and support over the years. I appreciate it more than you can know. Paint on!!

[@jackiegarroutte8970]

Gorgeous painting and fantastic demo!!

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thanks Jackie, that's much appreciated!

[@rebeccaking3514]

Peder Mork Monsted, favorite painter.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thanks, I'll check him out!

[@dougg1075]

Wow! That’s beautiful and inspiring.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thank you so much Doug, it's good to see you here! Your avatar is memorable as is your feedback!!

[@satyanwesi9383]

Beautiful painting! My favorite artist is Ivan Shishkin.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thank you very much! I know Repin's work, but I'll check out Shishkin's paintings. Thanks for the tip!

[@akicitaa.8233]

I've been painting for a decade, and I never knew the term Contre-jour until now!

[@akicitaa.8233]

Also: Coleman

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

@@akicitaa.8233 As in John Coleman the sculptor of Native Americans?

[@argyle6674]

beautiful

[@nigelbanksart]

Miro - enjoyed the video, thankyou Steve

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Excellent artist! thank you

[@carolhestand2561]

Wonderful, no, enlightening! I use acrylic, watercolor, soft pastels and Bierstadt

[@fred5968]

Great video Steve. In reply to your comment, I have many favorite artists, but James Bama is high on my list.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thank you Fred! Bama is high on my list too. Even his commercial work. That man was special!

[@deborahnavarro9947]

I'm a watercolor artist, but I appreciate all your general painting tips. Thank you. No favorite artist. I'm just here for the humor ;)

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Wonderful! Thanks for watching and for getting my sort of humor.

[@hpyle5592]

Great work, thanks for sharing your process! Also great to see you on the tubes again. Fave living artist: Whelan. Dead: Van Gogh.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

You mean Michael Whelan, the book artist? I have a book of his of his fantasy art! Thanks for watching and paint on!

[@hpyle5592]

@@SteveAtkinsonFineArt Yes, sir. I realize some would consider him more of an illustrator than a fine artist, but I just love his style. It doesn't hurt that I was a teenager in the 80's and get a huge nostalgia kick remembering those covers!

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

@@hpyle5592 Coming from the world of illustration myself, I believe some of the best artists who ever lived were illustrators. Certainly, most of my favorites were illustrators! I love that Whelan got to paint the cover of the last book in the Wheel of Time series.

[@fayee8986]

Very nice enjoy your video thank you yes I subscribe because I do like it LOL. keep them coming❤

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thanks for subbing, and I sure will keep 'em coming. Paint on!!

[@karenjohnson6487]

Steve
So happy to see your video. Love the painting. So much more lively than the photo. Thanks.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Hiya Karen, thanks for that! I think so too...

[@matthewcondon1985]

Thomas Cole - for landscapes (at the moment).

[@judelistens510]

Beautiful:)

[@jackiegarroutte8970]

SOROLLA❤

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Yep, you know when he's the favorite painter of artists like Richard Schmid, he's one of the best!

[@marywebb1138]

Hopper, especially Nighthawks; because that's what I am😅😅😅

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Haaha, beautiful!!

[@Shuvah2Him]

Fav artist is God!

[@brianpite0893]

Lucian Freud. I really like your painting Steve, but I would drop the insipid music.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Yep, I hear you Brian, I went back and forth with myself about whether to keep it or leave it out. I use an EQ to not to make it so loud as to not be able to hear what I'm saying. Music can be so polarizing! Thanks for watching and for your feedback, I do listen, even if I don't implement all of the suggestions. Paint on Brian!!

[@dangrossheider7304]

albert bierstadt....Rembrandt...sorry that's 2 😅

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Ooh boy... you're forgiven Dan!

[@jaywon6749]

Sargent

[@BenLawson-y4p]

Monet

[@geoffreywall5622]

No fav artist

[@cameronruesch81]

Sargent

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

I'm kinda surprised this is the first time he was named and that it took so long! 🔥🔥🔥