Most Important Lesson for Learning Watercolour Mixing and Painting
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
- 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!
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
I don’t see it. I want to, but they look strange to me. I get the elegant mix, but not how the end result looks.
Hi Brigsy.
I’m really dealing with the first wash here. The very beginning of the painting. The subsequent washes refine the subject and make it look how you want it to.
Thanks, James
@@JamesPotterAboutArt thanks for the reply. Appreciate it.
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
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
Love it, BIG problem for me is I cannot see your pallett when you are pick up the colors to put on the paper. Please show how for each color, thank you
Hi Cathy.
Thanks for your comment. It’s always good to get some feedback on how to improve my videos. I’ll show much more of the colour mixing next time after I get back from my trip.
Best wishes 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 😊
Very good sir👏👏👏 a most economical way with water colour that creates interest from beginning to end😊
Thank you very much! Economical and simple is the best way forward.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks, 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 enjoyed your method. I would like to see you finish those apples to see your end result after you've added the details. How detailed do you get with such a loose begining?
Hi Eileen,
Glad you enjoyed the ideas.
I’m away on a painting trip at the moment, and when I get back, I will be producing more tutorial videos. I will go into how to finish off the apples. I’m not a fan of putting too much detail into things as I want to keep my watercolours fresh.
I hope you enjoy my next videos as much as this one. Thanks, 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
I avoid submurging the brush over the ferule, because the water get's int othe wood and the glue way more , than if we just wet the bristles only. I also use an inexpensive synthetic brush, to bring the color on my pallete and I use the same or similar for mixing, I don't use the brushes that I paint with, for those jobs. Of course, If I could afford buing 60$ to150$ brushes easily, I wouldn't care, problem is that I save money for months, to get one or 2 quality brushes, so I take care of them and they indeed last longer.
Hi,
Thanks for that useful information. I hadn’t considered that part about my brushes before. I have had my Raphael brushes a long time, maybe 15 years. and they’re still fine.(luckily)
I actually bought them on eBay as a job lot. It was a fantastic deal! I doubt I’ll ever find that deal again.
Thanks for the information.
Best wishes, James
I miss seeing how this will integrate into the overall drawing of the apple. What a decision it led to.
Hi, thanks for your comment. This was really just general approach to how to put the Watercolour on the paper.
I’m away on a painting trip, at the moment when I get back I’ll be setting out how to incorporate this in more finished work.
Thanks, 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
hi , brilliant. you said you would cover the 2nd wash in a later video -i haven’t come across it yet …is there a link you could share?
Hi Tamara,
Glad you enjoyed the video. I’m away on a painting trip at the moment and when I get back I’ll be filming the next video. I hope you enjoy it when it comes out!
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.
Please do more videos on this topic.
I will do! I’m away on a painting trip for awhile, but when I get it back home, I’ll do a few more. Thanks James
Are the paints in each pan dry? You are picking the paint very easily.
They are freshly squeezed tube paint. By far the best way
@@JamesPotterAboutArt Indeed! What do you do if they dry?
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
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
I use Watercolour and Acrylic Paint which I treat in the same way as a Watercolour 😊l am learning....
Hi Dunoon,
Interestingly, there are overlaps with painting in Watercolour, and acrylic.
The biggest difference is the amount that you dilute the paint. Watercolour is a much thinner medium.
Keep practising and you’ll get there.
Thanks for watching.
Best wishes, 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
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! 😊
Thank you for this video. I have a question, let's say I'm using yellow and red and I ran out of paint, if I need more paint on my brush, do I clean the brush before taking another yellow/red, or just take the pigment without cleaning the brush?
Since this is the first wash/layer, can we expect the second layer video next? 👀
Hi Diane,
I’m a big fan of cleaning my brush as much as I can, so when I go into my pure colours, I’d always have a clean brush.
Yes, there are more lessons to come. I’m away on a painting trip at the moment but when I get back I’ll start the new videos. I hope you enjoy what’s to come.
Thanks, James
So far found only way can mix on paper is if it’s 100% cotton as when try cellulose (sits on top) & never really mixes? Is it possible on Canson XL as found it difficult!
Hi Paula,
I found that this mixing works on any paper that I use.
I paint on Bockingford and Fabriano Artisto, and they seem fine,
The colours are picked up from the Palette already mixed and then just simply placed on the paper so you’re not really mixing on the paper you’re mixing on the Palette.
Hope that helps.
Let me know how it goes.
Best wishes, James
I am my own worst critic.it is inconsistent and I find myself throwing a lot of my work away.
Hi Chris
I will be producing more tutorial style videos, and hopefully it will lead you to throwing less of your work away!
Thanks, 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
You aren’t on a flat surface…. Very interesting how the colors fall beautifully to the bottom
Hi Rose,
Yes that’s right I always tilt the paper so that the colours run down a bit. This helps for large washes and I feel it gives me greater control over the paint.
I hope you can give it a go!
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
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
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😊
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 😊
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.
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
This is excellent and as you say this topic gets skipped over a lot. I'm new and struggling with something even more basic: how to load the brush (how much water, how much paint), how to pick up paint from dry paint or pans, how to keep paint and water clean.
My advice to you for getting going is to be conscious of protecting the points of your good pointy brushes. This means never scrubbing at a pan with a pointed brush. If you need to get paint off a pan you get it on an old brush into your pallet. You can also spray or drop in the pan a little first with clean water to help it activate if your pans are quite dry. Some brands and some pigments are naturally, or if your house or climate is dry you’ll have a harder time.
So in short, you need at least two brushes at all times if one of them has a good point.
If you are not doing detailed work it’s not so much of an issue but still be aware that scrubbing at pans won’t be good for your brushes. As shown here, decanting the paint works well.
With practice you’ll understand about the difference in tinting strength between different pigments-mentioned here was the strength of alizarin crimson. This will affect how much you need to load up your brush, the best way to learn this for me was to get to know a few paints really well by only using those. The paints will tell you what they need.
Great combinations that can give you excellent painting results and you probably have already…
French ultramarine and burnt sienna or burnt umber. That was mentioned here. These two together are epic. You can get painting with just these two and go for ages.
Take out your brown and replace with the equivalent raw umber or sienna and learn how that is different in terms of strength.
Try finding different combinations of red, yellow and blue, and working with just three paints. Use the loosest definition of red yellow and blue. It’s very informative. So you know ultramarine, burnt umber and raw sienna for example.
Then try swapping the ultramarine for phthalocyanine blue. Massive difference. Then for cobalt blue, massive difference again.
Lemon yellow, permanent rose and ultramarine. Then swap the three same blues. Then cycle yellow ochre, raw sienna, cadmium yellow etc in place of the yellow.
Keep your colours limited and change one variable at once. Just use the colours you have, don’t go and buy anything. These were examples.
Hi Samantha.
Glad you enjoyed the video. I’m very pleased that you came across my video. We all have to start somewhere on our Watercolour journey and it can be very frustrating. However, it’s a very wonderful thing to do. If you can hang in there through the difficult beginning times, it will pay you back time and time again.
I’m I’m away on a painting trip at the moment and when I get back I will do some lessons to help you out with the points you mentioned. Thanks, James.
@@JamesPotterAboutArt That is extremely kind! So many experts do these basic things so deftly that they forget it's not obvious. It takes a real master to analyze and convey the way he handles basic movements.
@@dees3179 Thanks for taking the time to write this, very helpful.
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
Thanks to YT algorithms, I found this wonderful video. You speak very well, and the photography is excellent. It is also appreciated that you do not have distracting music in the BG. It seems as if the best painters have a relatively limited palette. That way, one can learn the properties of each color well. Hazel Soan's "The Art of the Limited Palette" is outstanding; there is a long interview with her about same ruclips.net/video/bPfabWdMvkM/видео.html. So many flock to shopping and "haul" videos, and become collectors of supplies. Ooh, I just need ONE MORE color! Must be a shopping thing, as it does seem as if the ladies produce these videos.
Thanks ever so much for sharing your talents with the world.
Hi Joy,
Many thanks for your very kind words, it’s most appreciated. Keeping it simple and limited is such an important part of watercolour painting, particularly when you paint outdoors, why complicate things?
I’m glad you found my channel and I hope you enjoy my lessons and travels.
Thanks, 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
I'd love to see how you finish the apple!
Hi Becky,
I will be doing more videos on incorporating these ideas into finished paintings.
I’m away on a painting trip right now so I’ll start my new videos when I get back. Thanks James.
Interesting how you mention doing different artists methods then say "in my book".
Hi David.
In my mind, I’ve written a book. Who knows maybe one day?😊
First time viewer to This channel.
Excellent video.
I smiled. :)
*Keep it simple* :)
Many thanks. HAPPY Christmas everyone.
Smiling and keeping it simple is the only way to go🎉
Happy Christmas to you as well.
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
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
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
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
I’m not very good with explanations, I prefer practical and demonstrations so you can see outcomes.
Quite right!
Explanation and demonstration is the way to go. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks, 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.
Lol... when James Potter paints it - everyone says.. An APPLE!! Amazing!!!! When I paint the same blob.. folks go.. What is THAT!?!? Lol...
😂
I’ve painted a lot of apples in my lifetime, keep going and it won’t be long before you get the reaction you want 🎉
Best wishes, James
Remember that these first washes are very watery and then the later layers are the consistency of tea or coffee or milk. If you’re not familiar with these terms go find another RUclips tutorial on consistency.
@@carolyncarter6987 Yeah.. I've heard those terms before and even tried it with little success (my fault - not the concept). I'll keep at it.. maybe someday my blob will indeed look like a piece of fruit!
Why do you use Bockingford paper over Arches?
Hi Jane,
I use Bockingford paper for practice. It’s a relatively cheap paper so perfect for that. When practising, it’s important not to worry about wasting expensive paper.
When I paint properly, I use Fabbri Artistico.
Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best wishes, 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
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
I'd seen that mixing technique used before, but only on thicker paints. Used like this, should the brush be less absorbent? Is there any brush type that might be best for this?
Really enjoying your series of YTs ... thanks for posting them
Hi William.
I use this on all types of washes including very watery ones. I use it with all brushes as well. So there’s no special brush to use this technique with.
I hope you have fun with it!!😊
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
If you can show some daily practice tasks (quick sketches ) to build confidence with this technique
I will do that! I’m away for a bit, but when I get home, I’ll I’ll start😊
@@JamesPotterAboutArt Thank you
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
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
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 was amazed by this video very instructive. I say I play at painting😂😂 one thing that I was amazed with when first started…..getting green by mixing black and yellow😂😂. I must try this mixing on the paper. Thank you so much..I am inspired again! 👍👍🥰💕❤️🐶🐶🇬🇧
Hi Maureen,
I’m so happy that the video has been so inspirational to you! Watercolour is an endlessly interesting subject and I hope you enjoy my future videos.
Best wishes, James
What brand of palette are you using?
Hi Karen,
The design of my palette is called a Binning Monroe.
Mine is made by the little brass box company, however, Craig Young also make it.
It is an amazing Palette! The only problem with it is that it is expensive and there is a waiting list of about a year as they made by hand.
I’ve also done a video on it, so it might be useful for you if you have a look at that
Thanks for watching,
Best wishes, James
Wonderful approach! Thanks for sharing your ideas. Going to give it a try. New subscriber!
Hi Barbara.
That’s really great. I hope your experiments go well and you can make it part of your painting procedures.
Oh and thanks very much for your sub. It’s much appreciated. 😊
Thanks, James
Pourquoi les meilleurs tuto sont toujours en anglais 😢😢😢 pour nous les français on ne trouve jamais rien de bien comme bons conseils 😢😢
Hi, glad you enjoyed the video
Sorry that you can’t seem to find the videos you want in French. I think I did press subtitles when I loaded the video so hopefully you can read it in French.
Best wishes, James
Great piece of advice! I've just subscribed. I'm looking forward for the second part. Hugs from Spain. 🤗
Hi Christina,
Glad you enjoyed it. I’m heading to Spain on a long painting trip next year. Can’t wait for the beautiful weather 🌦️ 😊
Thank you. Got some new knowledge from this.
Glad it was helpful!
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.
Good demo on color mixing on palette versus paper (preferred). Thanks.
Thanks Evelyne,
Glad you liked it 😊
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
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.
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
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
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
Gosh this is interesting. I must see how you do the next layer!
The next watercolour lesson will be in a few weeks. I’m on an oil painting trip in England.
I hope you enjoy the watercolour lesson when it comes out 😊
Thanks 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
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
“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
Thanks for this lesson. A great exercise to do! Something I knew but forgot! I know what you mean about too many people telling you what to do. It’s so confusing. I hope to see lesson 2!
My pleasure. I hope you enjoy painting your apples. It’s so easy to take too much advice and go round and round in circles. Glad to help 😊
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.
Great lesson! Thanks so much. I think I have been doing this but not to this extent and being conscious of it. I’ll be sharing it this week with my students. 😊
Hi. Glad you enjoyed it and have learnt something from my video. I hope your students enjoy it as well.
Thanks, James.
5:40 Mixing on the paper, I should try that one day. I keep saying I’ll do it but I never do 🙃.
I love doing that 😊
@@JamesPotterAboutArt You love procrastinating? 🤣
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
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
Love how you achieved the shadows seasons greetings from Janet and david
Thanks, Janet and David. Hopefully you’ll be giving it a go🎉
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
Rank beginner here. 😁. Thank you.
Thanks for your comment.
It’s always great to hear from a beginner. Watercolour is such a great thing to start and there’s so much fun to get from it.
Good luck and keep going!
Thanks, James.
That was a really interesting talk James.. Good advice. I have found trying to get to grips with watercolour and being seduced by different techniques and invariably they don't go to plan. Then when am forced to accept that, feel a duty to try to make something of that nice piece of Arches paper and focus. Then I do my best work. I see i am thinking about it in the wrong way and that's my issue. I have enjoyed your painting series. Food for thought. Keep doing what you are doing.
Hi Gary.
I can see by what you said that it’s helped you. It’s very easy to become confused in watercolour. You’re on the right track now. Keep going!!
Thanks 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
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 so much! I love this and can't wait to combine the colours this way! ...beautifully fresh and original results as well!
Glad you enjoyed it so much. I hope you enjoy painting lots of apples and begin to put the ideas into your own paintings. Have fun.
Thanks, James.
I have been painting with watercolour for years and now I can see why I get so frustrated with it - I have been mixing the colours wrong !!! Thank you so much and I look forward to to seeing how you do the next layers
Hi Suzette
I can see from your comment that you’re about to make great changes and move on in your art. I’m very excited for you.
Good luck and have fun.
Thanks, 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
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
Great lesson!!!
Thank you.🙏
Glad you enjoyed it. I hope you can introduce it into your own work.
Thanks, James.
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