Most Important Lesson for Learning Watercolour Mixing and Painting
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- Опубликовано: 9 янв 2025
- This is the first and, I believe, the most important lesson in learning to paint watercolour.
I demonstrate how to mix colours and apply the first wash
Great for both beginners and more experienced painters
Here is part 2
• Part 2 of Learning to ...
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For those waiting to watch part two, it is now out, link below. Thanks, James
ruclips.net/video/dKEEbXDcSQI/видео.htmlsi=aG2nTNOviVr12qfu
I found this an invaluable lesson! Thank you!❤️
@@nagwagi2000
Great!
In a world now with tons of tutorials and technical examples and teachings, it’s easy to forget what you liked about art. The beauty and expression. Thanks for reminding me that art CAN be simple.👍
Hi Shamar ,
Yes that’s completely right. The most important thing is to be interested in what you’re painting not necessarily how you’re painting. The appreciation of the aesthetics and the beauty of the world around you, is the whole reason why we paint.
Thanks for watching,
Best wishes, James
You unlocked for me in less than 20 minutes what I think is the key to lovely loose watercolor.
Hi Shiloh,
Glad you enjoyed the video. It’s great that you’ve come to a new realisation.
I’m looking forward to hearing how your paintings go.
Best wishes, James
What you did in this video is liberate me from the fear of making mistakes. When I applied your approach, which is to focus more on the beauty of color rather than trying to perfectly copy the colors I see in the subject, it had the effect of making me more relaxed when I paint. That one’s asthetic, one’s sense of beauty and enjoyment of creating beautiful colors is more important than strictly copying the colors of the subject, that to me is a revolutionary idea. But when you think about it, the whole point of painting is to have fun and not worry so much about technique or copying the subject with photographic precision. Watercolor cannot be rigidly controlled anyway - it’s a medium that wants to be free and spontaneous. Allowing accidents to happen and recognizing the beauty you create when you surrender to the playfulness of watercolors - that is the magic of this medium and your approach is harmonious with that magic.
Hi,
That’s the perfect reaction to the tutorial!
Watercolour is a medium which will go its own way and the more you try to control it the more you fight it and it gets so frustrating.
Realising that you don’t have to be perfect is the way forward.
Happy New Year to you.
And have a great year painting
Best wishes, James
Been painting in my off time for decades,but this video was an eye opener with a bang! Letting colours do their own mixing on the paper instead of in the pallete is mind blowing and so effective. Thank you for this.
That’s so great that you’ve found something that has made you think and giving you a new direction in your heart and art.
I’m really excited for you!
Good luck. Thanks, James.
I will try this. A beginner, I already seem to mix on the paper, letting the water do what it's going to do.
Excellent lesson!!
Thanks 😊
5:22 s
As an overmixer, I really appreciate your lesson. Thanks so much!
Mixing this way will add so much more interest and life to future paintings.
Hi Rae,
Glad you enjoyed the lesson.
I hope all your experiments go well, and that you can see the difference it makes when placing the paint on the paper.
The other benefit is that, I think it’s a lot more fun, which is why we painting the first place!
Thanks for watching.
Best wishes, James
I’m a 15 year watercolour painter, ie, I keep doing the same thing over and over again, but never really improve. This is a great lesson for someone like me who needs to break out of old habits in order to progress.
Over the years, I’ve discovered there’s a big difference between being a watercolour painter and a watercolour artist. I’m a painter.
Thank you for demonstrating what I’ve been missing… aesthetics in my paintings… maybe one day I’ll progress into becoming an artist… one can only hope…!
😂.
Really great that you have a new way to go now!
Old habits are hard to break.
Keep going and you’ll get there🎉
Thanks James
So true definitely in the same position this is lovely can’t wait to start using❤ thank u
as a beginner, I've watched so much by now. Your lesson is the first to explain mixing in this way and I cannot wait to begin exploring... thank you.
Hi Ann,
Glad you found me and that you enjoyed the lesson
It’s a really interesting way of mixing paints and it does produce some great results but most importantly, it makes Watercolour fun.
Let me know how it goes .
Best wishes, James
Mixing colors on the paper gives them so much more life than premixing on your palette. Thanks for this timely lesson.
Hi Christine,
Glad you enjoyed the new mixing ideas.
You’re right, it’s much brighter colours with the benefit of it being much more fun as well.
I hope you keep on enjoying this way of painting.
Thanks for watching.
Best wishes, James
I love your focus on beauty rather than technique. I find it's good to step back every so often and look at the piece. Also I notice that my paintings change over days and even months. Sometimes I go back to a painting or sketch I did sometime before that I didn't really appreciate and see it with different eyes. Usually it looks better!
Hi Rebecca,
Glad you enjoyed the video.
I do find a very useful idea. Thinking about painting from the perspective of beauty, I think it makes you look at your work differently.
I often find like you that looking back on work makes you see things with fresh eyes. Always useful.
Thanks for watching.
Best wishes, James
Wow what a tremendous difference NOT mixing my colors is making! I couldn't figure out why my paintings were so lifeless and dull. I followed your instructions and I am so thrilled with the results!!!! This is so exciting! Thank you ever so much for this!!!!!
Hi Richard,
I’m so pleased that your paintings have improved! it’s a simple idea but amazing how effective it is. Sometimes being less thorough and perfect is a good idea.
Best wishes, James
Loved it! At the start of my journey, so really hoping I can embrace this... it makes sense. Apples apples apples!
Glad you enjoyed the video.
Improving with Watercolour has a lot to do with realising something, then you can move forward
I hope your apples have gone really well!
Best wishes, James
Thank you so much. I’m retired and starting to learn something new. I’ve been watching watercolour painting videos for beginners. Your sharing is very inspiring and has given me the green light and direction. Thank you very much.
Hi Kenny.
That’s really great that you’ve enjoyed the video and got something from it.
I think Watercolour painting is perfect for when you retire. It’s very challenging at times, The benefits are so worthwhile with a feeling of great satisfaction when it goes well.
Keep going!
Best wishes, James
this is a brilliant teaching.. this is exactly what i wanted to learn.. how to let the colors represent themselves and let the blend and mixing occur explicitly and form a composition..
I’m so pleased you enjoyed the video. It’s an interesting idea and I hope you can run with it!
Have a happy New Year
Best wishes, James
This is so fear-conquering and barrier-breaking! Thank you so much! 🥰🤸♂️
Hi,
Glad you enjoyed the video and that it’s giving you more confidence in your painting!
Lots more videos to come.
Best wishes, James
I’m so glad I watched this. I’ve been conscious that I was mixing my colours exactly as you showed wrongly but couldn’t find the right path. I will be painting apples today !. Thank you for this . I like the way you explain the concept as I am fairly new to watercolour and I will be following your tutorials in future.
Hi Rhona,
I’m so pleased you found a new way of tackling your watercolours and I hope your apples are going well. The more you do the more you’ll understand.
Happy painting.
Thanks, James
Extremely useful lesson to keep painting’s fresh,I have never seen this aspect explained before. You make a really important point about learning; examine when some project or action goes well and ask yourself self why was that successful, much more incite from examining a success than try to see why something goes wrong. Looking forward to more videos.
Hi Paul.
Glad you found it interesting. It’s always a good idea to re examine your paintings. I hope it helps.
Thanks James
That's exactly what I like in Sargent's watercolor paintings, these vibrancies of colors !
Sergeant paintings are amazing. There’s something so special about them but somehow difficult to put your finger on what it is that’s so amazing.
I have seen this approach before (Charles Reid) but forgotten this. Thanks so much for reminding me. I am going to work on this. ALSO, I love the plein air trips you post and thank you to your wife for filming all this.
Hi Pamela. Glad it helped you. Very sad that Charles Reid not with us anymore.
We are hoping to do lots more adventure trips in our campervan. Which will always be my main focus in my videos.
Tanya was very pleased that you appreciated her videography. She really great at it now 😊
I am new to your channel which just popped up in my feed. Lucky me! What a great way to begin my morning. The sharing of your thoughts and techniques, simplicity and seeing your own beauty as an artist (so many don’t especially beginners like myself) I just had to send you a heartfelt thank you!
Hi,
I’m so pleased that you’ve managed to find my channel and that you enjoyed this video so much!
Keeping it simple and seeing beauty is one of the main tricks.
I hope your painting continues to develop.
Thanks for watching and Best wishes, James
Frustratingly simple and obvious, but not simple and obvious at the same time. Struggling to develop depth in my work and feel this wonderfully explained aesthetic approach to colour mixing will help create the depth I’m missing. Thank you and excited to watch more watercolour painting and advice from you.
Hi Iain. That’s great!
I’m really pleased that you’ve found a new direction and your obvious enthusiasm to back it up.
Have fun 😊
Thanks James
Thank you for this lesson and demo! Capture the aesthetics not the technique!❤
Hi,
Glad you enjoyed it. It is interesting that aesthetics aren’t talked about more. Technique is important then after you’ve learnt that it’s all about aesthetics.
Thanks for watching.
Best wishes, James
James, I thought your part 1 video was brilliant, thank you. I'm a complete beginner but after watching you it made me want to finally have a go and paint, paint the apple. I haven't watched part 2 yet but looking forward to it.
Watching you clicked in my head what it was all about, keep it simple let the water and colours blend naturally. Thank you once again.Steve
Hi Steve,
Glad you enjoyed the video.
I’m so pleased that it’s made something. Click with you.
Improving in Watercolour is much more about having a realisation than lots of hard work.
Best wishes, James
Yes! Just the reminder we all need some times. Now I can't wait for Lesson 2....
Hi Allan. Glad you enjoyed it so much. It’s such a great subject. Watercolour . Part two will be in a few weeks as away on an oil painting trip.
Have fun practising apples.
Thanks, James.
I followed along and painted my own apple. It is beautiful. Thank you for teaching to appreciate beauty. It makes my painting much more enjoyable and less stressful. I also painted a pear, and it was beautiful as well. Thank you again.
Hi Jen,
I’m so pleased that my video has helped you! It’s great to hear that.
I feel it’s so much happier way to paint, getting stuck into it, much more quickly than the traditional way.
Lots more videos to come and I hope they keep on giving you motivation.
Best wishes, James
Wonderful artist and teacher. Thank you so much
Hi Rebecca,
Thank you for your kind words!
I hope it helps your painting. I hope your Apple are going well!
Best wishes, James
Such an intriguing painting approach, especially tailored to discovering the magic that happens when the color mingle together. Thank you for generously sharing your creative process and providing a valuable learning opportunity for many artists. Wishing you a truly wonderful day ahead.
Hi Lela,
I’m so pleased you enjoyed the video so much. There are so many ways to paint Watercolour. This way, to me is the most exciting!
I hope you can incorporated in your own painting.
Best wishes, James
I spent a bit of time studying your two examples. Absolutely love the second example. I don’t know how to express it except to say that the second example makes me happy in a very quiet way.
Hi Gail. I liked the second one as well. There was something about the way the blue went down.
Hope you give it a go.
Thanks, James
Love you English and the why you say and do thing. I'm just one of those distant cousin's from the States that loves all thing English. If that is the first layer I haven't a clue where you would go from where you've just been. You have to cover it all up with the second layer
Hi Pat (distance cousin!)
I love Americans. One day I’ll spend some time in an RV wandering around painting my watercolours.
I’m away on a painting trip at the moment when I get back I’ll make my new video about the second layer and I hope it will show the way forward. Best wishes, James
Thank you for this. While I'm that collector of things related to painting, I love and appreciate the 'less is more' approach to color and definitely need to practice letting the watercolors do their own thing when it comes to mixing. I'm going to watch part two then give it a go (or five).
Hi, Lori ,
Glad you enjoyed the video. I must admit I’ve collected the fair amount as well. However, most of it sits in a drawer unloved.
I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun trying out the new mixing method. I look forward to hearing how it’s going.
Best wishes, James
I am definitely looking forward to trying your method. I am a 4 year new watercolor artist...largely self taught...unless you count the many books and tutorials I've plowed through to learn a technique, etc. Most teachers / author artists instruct to mix two colors to achieve a third color - like you demonstrate (the wrong way - HA). But them most aren't sharing this type of loose rendering of a subject. That in and of itself is hard for this a-type, rule following, detailed oriented painter person. Now you know a little more and why this will be a good challenge for me. I'll be sure to report back.
@@JamesPotterAboutArt
@@lorichristensen7427
Hi Lori,
Interesting to hear about your Watercolour journey.
There are so many ways to paint Watercolour, from high detail to abstract.
I prefer the Looser impressionistic style, to me, it’s just more fun to do, with the added benefit, that is also quick.
Glad you’re giving this style a go.
Best wishes, James
Fantastic, thanks for sharing. I am a beginner and find this approach appealing. Love the presentation! Karen, USA, NC
Hi Karen,
Glad you enjoyed the video.
It’s always good to hear from beginners. It’s so important to start in the right way as Watercolour can be very frustrating.
Keep going, the more you learn the better your painting will become.
Best wishes, James
Thank you for this! So grateful to have a voice in my ear reminding me of the expressive beauty of watercolor.
Hi Amy
Glad you’ve moved forward.
I hope you’re apples are going well 😊
Thanks James
This is an excellent reminder to get back to basics, but above all to discover the beauty of this medium. It reminds me of exercises and advice that I've read in an old second-hand book I found in Madrid (where I live). It's a dusty, smelly book that contains real gems like these in your video.
You said something here that is just so pertinent: technique is a bottomless pit! Although some techniques do have to be learned and practised, we should not see it as the be all and end all. Unfortunately, RUclips is full of technique-based tutorials. I started down that path and got lost down the rabbit-hole. In the last six months or so, I've begun to emerge dazed and bedraggled from said bottomless pit and I've know found myself painting more expressively, loosley and from my creative imagination; rather than trying to render faithfully an image or a tutorial I've watched. I enjoy making more of a mess, I enjoy just "letting things happen" and it's a far more enjoyable and liberating way to paint. I still have a robotic vice of using too many brushstrokes, so that's my next little painting demon to deal with...
Hi Mark.
Thanks for your comment very interesting!
I can see that you have turned a corner and come to a realisation about moving forward in a better way.
You’re definitely on the route for improvement! 😊
Hi James: I haven't painted anything with watercolor or picked up a brush since school (50 years ago), but I think this way of mixing colors is the way to do it. If I can overcome my great manual clumsiness, maybe I can paint something very basic before it's too late. Thank you for sharing your art with us.
Hi,
It’s great that you found Watercolour after such a long time. I hope you can manage to get your paints out soon and give it ago.
Just keep it simple and you’ll be okay.
Best wishes, James
Never fear - use more paint! Get bold by taking some chances. This was a great lesson. Just get in there and try stuff and be bold about it. You'll love the results.
All good advice.
Thanks, James
James Potter …what a lesson…which can be applied to many things…God bless and thanks for sharing your talent with us…
Hi Linda,
Glad you’ve got something positive from the video.
Thanks for all your comments.
Best wishes, James
Thank you for this- the idea of separating the colors and letting them mix on the paper inspires me to want to keep practicing watercolor 🙏 the results are beautiful
Hi, Fancy,
Glad you enjoyed the new ideas. I’m so pleased it’s had such an impression on you!
It is an awesome way to paint, the results are so beautiful.
Good luck with all your experiments.
Best wishes, James
Thank you for this lesson, James. I appreciate your focus on expressing and capturing beauty in its imperfect form. I'm a total beginner, not someone who has artistic skills, but I want to grasp the beauty of nature around me. The idea of not blending the colours, but using them in an intermingled way is novel, but reminds me of how I enjoy the tastes and textures of different foods on my fork.
Hi Rebecca,
Glad you enjoyed the video.
I think you in particular have really got the message from it! Seeing the beauty in It’s imperfect form and the similarity between the taste and textures of different food, is a wonderful point of view!
I hope you enjoy all your experiments in mixing. I’m sure you’re going to have a lot of fun.
Best wishes, James
Thank you for showing How to do this. To see colors mix on paper, I have seen them place next to each on the paper…not to pick up the mix together on the brush. Going to give this some practice and I hope I can continue to Remember it 😀 Thank you ❤️
Hi Roxann.
I’m glad you enjoyed the video and found something new. Hope all your experiments go well and you can introduce it into your painting.
I’m sure you’ll remember it😂
Thanks, James
Really enjoyed watching that thank you
I'm certainly going to get in the habit of picking up the paints on the brush in that way
When your apples were drying you could see the different colours bouncing off each other
Hi Alison,
Glad you enjoyed watching the video and that you got so much from it.
I hope you enjoy the new techniques in your own painting, and I look forward to hearing how it’s going.
Best wishes, James
I'm new to watercolors after oils most of my 82 years. This is what I was looking for. I love the use of colors but didn't quite know how to get there. Thanks!
Hi Charlotte,
Great that you’ve got into watercolours now, it’s a great thing to do and a great adventure.
Happy painting, thanks, James
Magical James! I'm off to imagine and paint apples! 😊
That’s really great! I hope your apples went well!
Best wishes, James
I’ve just started water colour after acrylic painting. Started with folk art. Love the beauty of water colour. However I’m just the person you are referring to re wanting to buy many different palettes and brushes etc. I’m all over the place. So what you say absolutely hits the spot. I’m desperate to master this medium.I got a lot from what you are teaching in this video James. I’m going to keep it as simple as I can. Thank you.
Hi Eileen,
That’s really great that you’ve enjoyed the video and more importantly that you’ve got something from it.
Keeping it simple is such an important part of Watercolour. The moment you start complicating things is when Watercolour painting tends to break down and you get a muddy painting.
If you can keep it simple, you’ll progress much faster.
Good luck and best wishes,
James
Real learning experience going on here. Inspirational James . Thank you.
Hi.
That’s great that it had such a strong impact on you. I hope you can translate it into your own painting!
Thanks, James
Wow, what great advice! I'm stunned at the difference your mixing makes. Thank you. ❤
Hi,
Glad you liked the video and so pleased that it’s making a difference to your painting😊
Thanks, James
@JamesPotterAboutArt Oh yes! I just did a little mixing thing to see what kind of purples I could get... I did a page of sweet peas. Rather than taking one color and mixing a little more and a little more of the other color to get a series of gradients, I used this technique, and the results are fabulous! Much more alive and dynamic. Thank you.
@@windywednesday4166
Well done! Glad it’s working out for you. I’m very excited for you 😊
Best wishes, James
Yes all videos and classes I have gone to or seen do not teach like this and I think you have created a great idea I have to try over again , it is very clear and makes since. Thanks so much, look forward to hearing you more.
Hi Alice,
I’m really glad you enjoyed my video and got so much from it! It’s a wonderful way to paint which adds fun to the whole process!
I hope you enjoy my future videos as much.
Best wishes, James
Thank you! Great tips especially how not to 'scramble' colours together but leave them intact
Hi Marie,
Glad you enjoyed the video so much. I’m looking forward to hearing from you, how the new ideas went in your own painting.
Best wishes James
Very inspiring. I am a beginner, and seem to have the best outcome when i least plan for it. Regarding shading, i love havibg different colors in one trough, and then explore the subtle shades between them by increasingly mixing them.
Hi Annegret,
I’m glad you enjoyed the video and had a bit of inspiration from it.
It does sound that you are picking up a lot of tips ,which is great !
Watercolour is a tricky, medium ,full of ups and downs. However, the more you learn and understand it the better you get.
Keep practising and enjoying it.
Best wishes, James
I love it! Wow! That’s how I’m going to paint. No more throughly mixing up the paint. It looks so much better. ❤
Hi,
Glad you enjoyed the video and that you’ve come to the realisation that you shouldn’t over makes your colours!
As you’ve noticed the colours are much more interesting this way
Good luck with your painting.
Best wishes, James
Thanks so much for this lesson? I did it exactly the ‘wrong’ way, but I definetely will try it your way! 😊
Hi Barbara,
My pleasure. I hope you’re enjoying your new mixing on the paper. It is fun seeing those colours in a more pure form mingling rather than mixing.
Keep painting,
Best wishes, James
Thank you for your time to demonstrate the simplicity of using colours to achieve desired effect and aesthetics.
Hi,
My pleasure.
Glad you enjoyed the video and I hope you can use the ideas in your own painting.
Best wishes, James
Thank you so much - very inspiring and a good reminder to let the magic happen. I've subscribed, and look forward to exploring and learning, and getting more inspiration. Fantastic presentation, love the conversational invitation to join you in your painting area. I felt like you invited us all in as friends, and I am grateful for your generosity in sharing. Sending love, light, and wishes for painting weather.
Hi Sue,
Thank you very much for your very kind words, it’s much appreciated. lots more videos to come and I hope you enjoy them as much as this one.
Looking forward to warmer weather.
Best wishes, James
Thanks for subscribing as well😊
Oh I love a good paint-along! Fantastic Tutor, thank you very much.
Hi Jacqueline,
Glad you enjoyed the painter along. I hope your apples turned out well and I hope you can use the ideas in your own painting.
Let me know how it goes
Best wishes, James
It was really fun watching and listening to you. Very interesting how you explained all, nice and clear. Thanks!
So happy you liked it so much 😊
Thanks James
Outstanding video and instruction. I was applying one color at a time to the paper and letting the colors mix on the paper but it was not getting good aesthetic results. This is much better. Thanks. Keep doing the instructional videos.
Thanks for your kind words. I’m really glad that the new ideas are helping you.
Happy painting. James 😊
Thank you for this tutorial. The way you mix your colours on the paper is beautiful. I have always mixed my paints on my palette but I will now practice this tutorial.
Hi Veronica,
Glad you’ve found a new way to mix your paints. I find this way the most exciting and fun way of doing it and the results are always so interesting. You never quite know how it’s going to turn out.
Enjoy your painting.
Best wishes, James
You're so right - not many people talk about this way of colour mixing and it's such and interesting technique! Thank you for this video!
My pleasure
I hope you can enjoy the ideas and techniques.
Best wishes, James
I so appreciate your Most Important Lesson. When I used to paint in acrylic I didn't mix my colors very much. I loved it. Why I didn't keep doing that with watercolor, I don't know. I'm going to practice the apple and I see you posted part II. I can't wait.
Hi Cheryl,
Glad you enjoyed the video so much. It’s very interesting what you said about your acrylic painting. There are a lot of similarities between all the mediums.
I hope your apples go well, and I hope you enjoy part two.
Best wishes, James
Subscribed all the way from Utah, USA….thank you! This lesson rings true. I am so new to watercolor and I’ve heard this early, so let’s hope I use it without forgetting. I’ll check out some of your other videos. Thank you for rainy days and lessons. Going to paint some apples.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for the sub. Great to hear from somebody from Utah. I’m sure your weather is very different to Scotland!
Glad you discovered Watercolour painting. It’s a wonderful thing to do. There’s a lot of ups and downs but hang in there and it will get better.
Thanks for watching.
Best wishes, James
I had never seen this approach before and can't wait to try it. You made some truly exciting mixes.
Hi Krista,
I’m glad you’ve stumbled across something new.
I’m excited that you’re going to give it a go. I hope it will give your painting a boost. Thanks, James
A refreshing take on watercolour theory! You're right about different artists having different views about how things should be done. Overthinking the approach is almost as bad as overdoing the painting! Many thanks for an original and liberating demonstration. I look forward to future videos.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your comment. Overthinking is bad in everything but in Watercolour you can actually see the results of it very clearly.
Keeping it simple, makes everything better for me!
I’m away on an oil painting trip at the moment, but when I get back I’ll be producing more teaching videos.
Thanks, James
A very useful tip and not something I had previously been aware of. Thank you
Hi Dominic
Glad that you found it useful. I hope you can introduce it into your watercolour painting 😊
Thanks, James
I’m new to watercolour but, this makes sense. I love it. Thank you. I can’t wait to play.
Hi Sonia
I’m so pleased that you’re going into the Watercolour world!
It’s a really wonderful journey full of ups and downs when you improve it’s really exciting!
Hope your experiments go well. I’m looking forward to hearing how it goes.
Best wishes, James
@ Ta for the inspiration and your response.
This is so helpful. I too like to see colors mixing on paper.
Hi Nancy,
Glad you enjoyed this video.
It really is fun to watch the colours mix on the paper and the effect it gives it so satisfying.
Keep practising and I hope your Watercolour is getting better.
Best wishes, James
Excellent video James and thanks for taking the time to help us learn. As a relative beginner to watercolour painting and watching quite a few other artist here on YT this is undoubtedly the best advice on mixing I have seen.
Hi Jim. Thanks for your kind words. I’m glad the advice resounded with you. I hope you can improve in leaps and bounds.
Thanks, James.
I dabble with paints rather than claim to paint, but I’m planning on making time for a more concerted effort next year. I find it hard to translate what I see, or want to see, into colour on paper, but this is an interesting idea and it will certainly be something I’ll try out, though you’re quite right, it’s almost automatic that we forget and slip back into previous routines. Thank you for this tutorial, I’ve subscribed and look forward to what comes next.
Hi Paul,
Glad you’ve got something from the video. Watercolour is a tricky medium, but the more you understand it, the more you can translate what you see into the painting.
Hopefully watching the videos Will, help you move on and be a better painter. Thanks, James.
Thank you for making this video. I am entirely new to painting , at least, since I left school about 50 years ago! This is a beautiful method of mixing, I love the aesthetic and look forward to practicing the technique.
Hi Shelagh ,
That’s really great that you’ve enjoyed the video so much!
It’s wonderful that you’ve taken up painting again. It’s a fantastic thing to do Full of ups and downs, but in the end incredibly rewarding.
I think this is the best method of painting Watercolour as it leads to the most fun , you can really start to enjoy Watercolour.
Best wishes, James
You painters table is quite interesting. Is it adjustable or is it stationary and set at a specific angle? This was a very nice and simplistic explanation. Taking one down to the bare roots of mixing. Pure magic.
Hi,
Glad you enjoyed this one so much. I think it’s a very interesting way to paint and also I think makes it more fun!
My table is a camera tripod with a board attached to the top, so nice and simple.
I set it at an angle so that the water can slightly flow down.
I did a video on my set up so perhaps you might enjoy watching that.
Best wishes, James
You just absolutely blew my mind with the variation mixing. I don't know why I didn't come up with this earlier but it never seemed intuitive somehow... loving it, I need to try it ASAP!
Hi, glad you enjoyed the ideas and I hope when you got to try it it all went well. Let me know how it goes.
Best wishes, James
Wow now I know what I’ve been doing wrong (and feeling frustrated and unmotivated!). Thanks James. Glad I met you here.
Hi Anermila,
I’m so pleased that you’ve moved on in your Watercolour. It is frustrating when you keep on trying but don’t advance.
I hope you have a great success with this technique, and I look forward to hearing how it’s going.
Best wishes, James
This is an eye-opener! I was mixing colors exactly how one shouldn't. I can't wait to try this. Thank you!
Hi Carol,
Glad you found a different idea.
I do find it a very satisfying way to paint and more importantly, more fun.
I hope you enjoy your experiments.
Let me know how it goes.
Best wishes, James
Nice light. Beautiful mixing of water colors. Thank you very much! It was useful for me
Hi,
Glad that it helped you and I hope you enjoy putting the ideas into your painting.
Thanks, James
Thanks, James. I enjoy your obvious love for watercolor, and I find your work extremely inspiring. I never fail to walk away, thinking, "I want to try that!"
Hi Mark.
I’m so pleased you enjoyed it. It’s a very good and easy exercise to give it a go😊
Thanks James
Very glad I found this video and your channel. Thank you. The bit about technique vs. beauty was insightful.
I’m glad that you found me!
Glad you like the comment. So much of Art is about aesthetics.
Best wishes, James
Very much enjoyed this. I will start with apples as soon as I get home. My greatest struggle is water/paint ratio, and timing. Watercolor requires patience…not always easy when I want to get on with it! Thanks.
Hi Ritzie,
That’s really great that you enjoyed the video and that you’re going to give the apples a go. Timing is an important part of Watercolour.
Best wishes, James
Thankyou, for me, this is a new way to paint. I'll definitely give it a go.
Hi Marrilyn
It’s a fun way of painting. I hope you enjoy it.
Thank you. Just what I needed before drowning in too many views. Hannes
Hi Hannes,
I’m so glad you enjoyed that video and hopefully it’s clarified some of the challenging process of watercolour painting!
It’s always good to keep it as simple as possible.
Keep painting,
Best wishes, James
Beginner, lovin your style. Thank you!
Hi Kathi. That’s so great to learn this a the beginning of your Watercolour journey. I hope you enjoy it. There are lots of bumps on the journey but it’s worth keeping on going. Thanks James
Out of all the lessons I've taken over the years, this way of mixing colors has never been explained but I love this way of mixing and will give it a try..Thank You
Hi Kim,
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed my video and have learned something new.
I think it’s a great way of painting and makes the whole painting process much more fun!
Best wishes, James
Brilliant! I have also been mixing too much on the palette….ive watched Charles Reid who always added so many other colors but maybe too many for my brain … this lesson was great ! Thank you . I have always loved JS Sargent’s watercolors and you sometimes are very close to his aesthetic …. I am hooked 😅
Hi,
Glad you enjoyed the video.
Charles Reid was a wonderful painter and Sargent was the pinnacle of watercolour painting.
Thank you for watching my videos, and I hope you enjoy them in the future
Thanks James
Muchísimas gracias por su tutorial tan importante y al que nunca había tomado en cuenta, siempre tomaba las pinturas y las mezclaba a la manera tradicional , ahora, a través de su clase veo la enorme diferencia que se logra, colores limpios y con mayor luz. Muchísimas gracias por su muy útil enseñanza , seguiré viendo su programa con mucho entusiasmo.
Hi Rosemarie,
I’m really happy that I’ve managed to help you so much!
Many thanks for your subscription. I’m away on a painting trip at the moment and when I get back home I’ll be doing some more watercolour tutorials.
Thanks again, James.
Thanks, just beginning to dabble and that was brilliant-no mixing!!
Glad you enjoyed it. No mixing or part mixing is a really fun way to paint and give some surprising results.
I hope you enjoy practising it,
Best wishes, James
A very good lesson, you are a true painter, the vision is to express what we see through our eyes and mind not to copy. I just found your channel and I love your approach and aesthetic point of view. Your tips are valuable, thank you, James, subscribed.
Hi Angela,
Welcome to my channel and many thanks for subscribing to me.
I think that aesthetics are undervalued, but so important. You’re right we have to express what we see and make the paint interesting, which isn’t necessarily just about copying
Thanks for your kind words
Best wishes, James
Thank you for explaining how you use colour, very interesting and effective technique.
Hi Kate,
Glad you enjoyed the video.
It’s a very interesting way to paint and I hope you can get to grips with it.
It’s fun practising and learning to mix the colours.
Best wishes, James
Thank you, that advice of keeping the paints their own color and putting color next to each other is wonderful! I love the effect. Thank you for the practice tips. I think it will help me loosen up and not fuss so much.
That’s so great that you’ve come to a new realisation about how to mix paint. I can see from your comment that you’re going to move on now!
Thanks, James
I really enjoyed as a beginner watching your first step in watercolor! It was very helpful.
Hi Vickie ,
Glad you enjoyed that! I hope you can start to use some of the techniques within your own painting. For me, it’s The best, and most fun way to paint Watercolour.
Best wishes, James
Thank you so much. I am a beginner so watching this video does help me so much. ❤❤❤❤
Hi Kieulann
Glad that the video has helped you.
It’s very exciting to be a beginner, in Watercolour, there’s such a lot of discovery and excitement ahead of you!
Enjoy the journey.
Thanks James.
You are a great teacher! I envy (in the good way!) of your students…
Hi Alexander,
That’s very kind of you to say .
I really enjoyed the teaching side of it.
Best wishes, James
@@JamesPotterAboutArt it is so nice of you to take the time to reply! I am trying to conquer watercolor on my own and only keep being defeated …
I love the aesthetic focus. I don’t like mixing colors into muddy messes, so this approach makes sense. I’ll give it a try. I’m a newbie so I don’t have years to unlearn 🎉
Hi Pam,
Glad you enjoyed the video. I’m excited for you that you can start mixing in a more satisfying and colourful way.
Good luck with your experiments.
Best wishes, James
Thank you so much, you have given me a lot to think about AND to try out. I like your minimal approach and what you said about developing one's own personal esthetic rather than being too overwhelmed by other artists - something I am definitely guilty of.
Hi Mieczyslawa,
That’s really great that you’ve got so much from that video and that you’re putting it into practice. It’s a complicated thing painting in Watercolour but trying to simplify as much as you can. It’s always a good idea.
It’s always good to take inspiration from other artist, but in the end you have to find your own way.!
Keep painting,
Best wishes, James
Love It ! Make it look so easy! I can't wait to try it!
Hi,
Glad you enjoyed the style and the video. It’s a really fun way to paint. I hope you enjoy experimenting with it and that improves your Watercolour.
I look forward to hearing how it goes.
Best wishes, James
Really well explained James, I like your take on colour mixing, well done and thank you.
Hi Kevin,
Glad you enjoyed my video. All the best in your painting.
Thanks, James.
“Aesthetically beautiful “- there’s a statement. I’ve learnt a lot today from your demo I have been out in the fresh air myself painting in water-colour a Woodside in Leicestershire. The colours have come out a little faded/jaded - room for improvement but feel I could do a better job now - thanks.
Hi Robert.
I will be talking more about aesthetics. Glad it’s all helped and see you in the next video. Thanks James
Thank you James, makes me realise where I have been going wrong. I will definitely try this.
0:15
Hi Pamela,
Glad you enjoyed the video and great that you’ve come to realisation! I always feel that when I’ve come to realisation that I’ve improved!
Good luck with your experiments.
Best wishes, James
That was very helpful, thank you! I just finished painting some hills and they did not come out well because they were too uniform, so I can't wait to try this!
Hi Barbara,
Glad it was helpful.
I’ll be interested, to hear how your next range of hills come out with the new ideas.
Hopefully the variation in colour will help.
Best wishes, James
Was a great lesson for beginners, which I am, of keeping it simple and not to get hung up on technic. Loved the way to "not" mix. March 2024
Hi Lynn,
Glad you enjoyed the lesson.
One of the most important things to do as a beginner, and as a more advance painter is to keep it simple.
Having to many different lesson ideas, swamps you!
Thanks for watching.
Best wishes, James
I find this exciting. I would like follow these thoughts and see where they lead.
Hi Dave,
Glad you’re excited!!
I’m looking forward to hearing how it went for you.
Best wishes James
Thanks for this video. I've been thinking for awhile that I have too many colors in my palette. Also minimal mixing of different colors and focus on aesthetics rather than techniques both very good to keep in mind. Thank you!
That’s great news that you’re simplifying your palette. Keep at it!!
Thanks James
Blew my mind, thank you. Thank you for simplifying what i'm desperately been trying to do!!
Hi,
I’m really pleased that you’ve gained so much from the video. Simplifying things in Watercolour is the most important thing that you can learn, once you can simplify you can begin to enjoy painting in Watercolour in a totally different way. Much more fun.
Good luck
Best wishes, James
Such a lovely reminder about keeping watercolours fresh. Thank you James. More of these on less Clement says please.
Hi Stella. Glad you enjoyed it. I will do more. There are lots of inclement days in Scotland!
Thanks, James.