Excellent tutorial Paul. I have learnt so much from you. I therefore make notes that I print out before my painting sessions and am chuffed with the end result. I love your work and teaching style and your one of my favourite watercolour artists on RUclips.
Thank you very much Kevin, that's a very kind thing to say. I'm glad my work on here is well-received and helps other to learn this fantastic medium. Keep those brushes wet, Paul 🎨
I am already ecstatic that I found this tutorial! WHAT...I've already learned that I'm wetting the paper wrong and I'm loving learning the background techniques ! Thank You!
Do let me know if you found the techniques in this video useful and don't forget you can see the whole otter being painted here: ruclips.net/video/D6UvpusYops/видео.html
I've learned so much from you . I want to this opportunity now to say thank you for all instructions that you give on RUclips . You are an amazing artists!!!
Thanks Paul, these short videos which focus on one particular aspect of watercolour painting are just what’s needed. Backgrounds are often the way I spoil a painting, now I have a bettered idea of how to go about it, but I’ll take your advice and practice first.
Thank you slimjim, this is also why I very often paint the background first, if it doesn't turn out ok, I use the back for watercolour testing strips. 😉
I really need this level of direction, I wanted to return to watercolours, I needed a starting point. Your instructions are easy to watch and leave me motivated. Thank you.
Just started with watercolours, I have painted in acrylics and pastels, I am finding watercolour difficult but you are helping me a great deal thank you.
Hi Peter, watercolours as you know is a lovely medium to use, it doesn't smell and doesn't have to take up too much room. Have fun with it, and thank you for watching my videos here. Paul 🎨
Thanks Michael, grass can be tricky. If it's behind the subject, mute down the colours a little to allow the curlew to stand out a little more, you don't want the background fighting with the bird for dominance. Paul 🎨
Thanks for excellent tutorial Paul!!! Excuse my English !!! Last year l began to paint watercolor and your knowledge helps me a lot!!!!You are a great artist!!!!!
Thanks so much for this tutorial. I find backgrounds the most difficult and unpredictable to paint. When a background doesn't turn out nicely it puts me right off of wanting to paint the subject.
Glad it was helpful Crystalheart9. This is also one of the reasons why I very often paint the background first. If it doesn't work out then you haven't wasted all that time painting a detailed subject. 🎨
What are everyone's favorite color combinations for backgrounds? Mine is Prussian Blue and Quinacridone Sienna, it is calming. This was a great demo, thanks!
Hello again Paul, From school I got a watercolour set with a big and really small brush anyways lets get to the point could you please try to paint a Sun Conure (Sorry If your busy I just really like them and I would love to draw one)
Great suggestion! I've never painted that particular bird and what lovely colours these parrots have as well. Thank you for that, I will give it some serious consideration. Paul 🎨
That's right Rachel, using water gum tape and staples is a very common method and works really well. I just like to be a little different, plus this way I don't need to stick staples into my boards. Paul :-)
Thank you! I’ll give that background a try with my next bird painting. Can you please tell me the purpose of the tick marks on the sides of your paper? Do they guide your drawing?
Hi Ellen, yes the pencil tick marks are, so I can realign my outline drawing I've already done on a piece of paper, onto the watercolour sheet if needed. Sometimes we can cover up important marks and this is a way to put them back a gain. 😊
I am enjoying you videos. Right now I am struggling t make backgrounds so I am watching all the background videos I can find. I am just a bit scared of putting a lot of water on but I'm trying.
You can do it Maria and I'm sure you know that. They take a bit of getting used to, but as long as you take your time and enjoy the learning process you will be fine. Paul :-)
I am trying to learn all I can about this. I don't understand how you can put so much water on your paper without extreme warping. Maybe my paper is too cheap? Can you explain this? Thanks.
Hi Pauline, yes it is to do with the paper needing to be stretched first, or at least use a pad of pre-stretched paper such as a 'block pad'. Usually a 140lb (300gsm) paper can still warp when completely soaked, plus yes, it can also depend on the quality of the paper you use, mid-range upwards would be recommended. You can still flatten your paper afterwards if you didn't stretch it, try my technique here bit.ly/2YWKFFb Paul :-)
Hi Paul wow I just love your painting. In lockdown these last 8 weeks watching your videos i have been practicing learning watercolour. I brought my self a present a 45 pan winsor newton watercolour set any tips
Hi Yvonne, thank you so much for your kind words. To be honest with you with such a fantastic array of colour, and with my favourites Winsor & Newton, you are spoilt for choice of subjects. I think you may have joined as a free member on my website a couple of months ago, fingers crossed you have played with my Free Members Videos there. Paul 🎨 devonartist.co.uk/
Hi Michael, you can sign up to my school here: www.patreon.com/TheDevonArtist or browse the Freebie Club tutorials here: devonartist.co.uk/free-membership-index/ Either way, I'll see you there!
I find wetting the background at least two or three times first, allowing the water to soak into the paper, keep the paper wetter that little bit longer. That way, I tend to not get too much in the way of dry lines of paint.😃
Excellent tutorial Paul. I have learnt so much from you. I therefore make notes that I print out before my painting sessions and am chuffed with the end result. I love your work and teaching style and your one of my favourite watercolour artists on RUclips.
Thank you very much Kevin, that's a very kind thing to say. I'm glad my work on here is well-received and helps other to learn this fantastic medium. Keep those brushes wet, Paul 🎨
I am already ecstatic that I found this tutorial! WHAT...I've already learned that I'm wetting the paper wrong and I'm loving learning the background techniques ! Thank You!
You are so welcome Suzanne 😊
Do let me know if you found the techniques in this video useful and don't forget you can see the whole otter being painted here: ruclips.net/video/D6UvpusYops/видео.html
Ty for this video. You have the coolest brush containers I've seen on YT !
You are so welcome, I do have a blog post on how I made my brush holder if you are interested. 😉 devonartist.co.uk/my-budget-brush-holder/
Thanks Paul for the watercolor lessons.
I'm glad I can be of some help, thanks for watching Wayne. 😊
I've learned so much from you . I want to this opportunity now to say thank you for all instructions that you give on RUclips . You are an amazing artists!!!
So nice of you Nancy, thank you for sticking around and watching my videos here. Paul 🎨
Thanks Paul, these short videos which focus on one particular aspect of watercolour painting are just what’s needed. Backgrounds are often the way I spoil a painting, now I have a bettered idea of how to go about it, but I’ll take your advice and practice first.
Thank you slimjim, this is also why I very often paint the background first, if it doesn't turn out ok, I use the back for watercolour testing strips. 😉
I really need this level of direction, I wanted to return to watercolours, I needed a starting point. Your instructions are easy to watch and leave me motivated. Thank you.
That is so nice to hear Mary, thank you very much. Paul 🎨
Thank you for sharing so many tips ! I’ve really enjoyed watching.
Glad it was helpful Sherrill 😃
Just started with watercolours, I have painted in acrylics and pastels, I am finding watercolour difficult but you are helping me a great deal thank you.
Hi Peter, watercolours as you know is a lovely medium to use, it doesn't smell and doesn't have to take up too much room. Have fun with it, and thank you for watching my videos here. Paul 🎨
Thank you. Trying to paint a large background and am finding it challenging
I'm glad my video has helped Erica, thanks for having a look. Paul 🎨
Thank you, this was very helpful.😊
You’re welcome Diana 😊
You’re welcome 😊
Excellent tutorial. I do a bit of watercolour and just about to paint a curlew and chick against grassy background (not sure about doing grasses yet!)
Thanks Michael, grass can be tricky. If it's behind the subject, mute down the colours a little to allow the curlew to stand out a little more, you don't want the background fighting with the bird for dominance. Paul 🎨
I like all your videos - I had no idea how to paint the background
Thank you so much Judy, I'm glad this video helps you along the road to watercolours. Paul 🎨
Great demo of a background. You really did make it look easy! I have to REALLY be conscious of leaving space! I think I’ll go practice!
Thank you very much Theresa. 🎨
Thank you for showing the masking removal.
You're welcome Kathryn, thank you for watching. Paul 🎨
Thanks for excellent tutorial Paul!!!
Excuse my English !!! Last year l began to paint watercolor and your knowledge helps me a lot!!!!You are a great artist!!!!!
You are very welcome Christina, I'm glad I can help, Paul :-)
You have got me painting again….thank you…..great tutorials
Thank you Linda, that's a lovely thing to say. Paul 🎨
I find your techniques extremely useful. Your instructions are very detailed and clear to follow.
Thank you very much Mr S. 🎨
Thanks for the helpful video. I always have problems with background.
@@dawnmcarr You are more than welcome Dawn. Paul :-)
Thank you so much.
You're welcome Karen 😀
Excellent tutorial. As a beginner i learn how to do an easy background thank you
Thank you very much, as you can see it's great fun to just simply play with those paints. 😀
Thank you Paul. Great help for learning backgrounds.
Thank you Pat, I'm glad I could be of some help. 😊
Thanks so much for this tutorial. I find backgrounds the most difficult and unpredictable to paint. When a background doesn't turn out nicely it puts me right off of wanting to paint the subject.
Glad it was helpful Crystalheart9. This is also one of the reasons why I very often paint the background first. If it doesn't work out then you haven't wasted all that time painting a detailed subject. 🎨
@@TheDevonArtist I paint the background first as well so I don't ruin the entire painting if I don't like it.
Very helpful ty
Glad it helped, thanks for taking a look at my video. ☺️
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. This is a very useful video, especially for beginners and background panickers like me 😁.
My pleasure Eva, I'm glad it was helpful to you. 😊
This is great! Thank you! I’m so glad to find your tutorials.
Glad you like them Mary, thank you for watching. :-)
This is so helpful. Keeping things simple, but interesting in the back-round. I would use this for flowers or birds, or a still life.
You are so welcome Deborah, thank you 😀
Helpful
Glad it helped 😊
What are everyone's favorite color combinations for backgrounds? Mine is Prussian Blue and Quinacridone Sienna, it is calming. This was a great demo, thanks!
Hi Debra, than kyou for your kind words and yes, what a lovely background combination of colour you have there. Paul 🎨
Hello again Paul, From school I got a watercolour set with a big and really small brush anyways lets get to the point could you please try to paint a Sun Conure (Sorry If your busy I just really like them and I would love to draw one)
Great suggestion! I've never painted that particular bird and what lovely colours these parrots have as well. Thank you for that, I will give it some serious consideration. Paul 🎨
It is very interesting it’s the 1srt time I saw paper stretched like that I can’t rem how I used to keep it downmust have been staples
That's right Rachel, using water gum tape and staples is a very common method and works really well. I just like to be a little different, plus this way I don't need to stick staples into my boards. Paul :-)
Thank you for the great information!
Glad it was helpful Cheryl, Paul :-)
Thank you! I’ll give that background a try with my next bird painting. Can you please tell me the purpose of the tick marks on the sides of your paper? Do they guide your drawing?
Hi Ellen, yes the pencil tick marks are, so I can realign my outline drawing I've already done on a piece of paper, onto the watercolour sheet if needed. Sometimes we can cover up important marks and this is a way to put them back a gain. 😊
Ace!
Thank you Jeff :-)
I am enjoying you videos. Right now I am struggling t make backgrounds so I am watching all the background videos I can find. I am just a bit scared of putting a lot of water on but I'm trying.
You can do it Pauline, and if you're not sure before you start, test it out on some scrap watercolour paper of the same type first. Paul :-)
I love the background. I am now learning to use water colours. It is hard
You can do it Maria and I'm sure you know that. They take a bit of getting used to, but as long as you take your time and enjoy the learning process you will be fine. Paul :-)
Thank you so much for sharing this!!! Found this so helpful. I really struggle with backgrounds but this has made me excited to try again!!
You're so welcome Lisa. I'm glad I spotted your post on Facebook. Thank you for watching. Paul :-)
Wonderful tutorial Paul.
Thank Marie :-)
Thanks Paul......I use coloured pencils & don’t do many backgrounds, as it’s not that easy, but will give this a go for my next one 👍
You can do it Lynn, just take your time and think it through before you start, a little bit of pre-planning. Paul ;-)
Wildlife in Watercolour I DID IT! 👏👏👏👍 you inspired me to get my paints out, so even had a go at painting a blue tit 😁
Thanks Paul!
Thanks. Question, how do you paint a background when a flower has extremely tiny thin leaves. It seems like it would be difficult to mask.
It would certainly be difficult to mask out, but you could possibly mask out the leaves using a cocktail stick. 🤔
Are you going to do a video on all the mediums you can mix with watercolour
Hi Jacky, I could do, but I'd have to buy all the mediums in the first place. LOL Still, it's a good idea. 😉
Thank you very much. I found this most helpful
Glad it was helpful Zara, thank you for watching. Paul :-)
I am trying to learn all I can about this. I don't understand how you can put so much water on your paper without extreme warping. Maybe my paper is too cheap? Can you explain this? Thanks.
Hi Pauline, yes it is to do with the paper needing to be stretched first, or at least use a pad of pre-stretched paper such as a 'block pad'. Usually a 140lb (300gsm) paper can still warp when completely soaked, plus yes, it can also depend on the quality of the paper you use, mid-range upwards would be recommended. You can still flatten your paper afterwards if you didn't stretch it, try my technique here bit.ly/2YWKFFb Paul :-)
@@TheDevonArtist Thank you!
Hi Paul wow I just love your painting. In lockdown these last 8 weeks watching your videos i have been practicing learning watercolour. I brought my self a present a 45 pan winsor newton watercolour set any tips
Hi Yvonne, thank you so much for your kind words. To be honest with you with such a fantastic array of colour, and with my favourites Winsor & Newton, you are spoilt for choice of subjects.
I think you may have joined as a free member on my website a couple of months ago, fingers crossed you have played with my Free Members Videos there. Paul 🎨 devonartist.co.uk/
👍👍👍👍👍🌹
Thank you 😀
Adorei!
Muito obrigado
Cannot see where to sign-up...
Hi Michael, you can sign up to my school here: www.patreon.com/TheDevonArtist or browse the Freebie Club tutorials here: devonartist.co.uk/free-membership-index/ Either way, I'll see you there!
How not to have dry lines here and there?
I find wetting the background at least two or three times first, allowing the water to soak into the paper, keep the paper wetter that little bit longer. That way, I tend to not get too much in the way of dry lines of paint.😃
U
The same to U 2 Eduardo, thank you. 😁