Hi Robert, I think Leonardo was right! Simplicity is the way to do anything. I look at professional golfers they make it look so easy. I think painting is just the same. Best wishes, James
I have spent a lot of time chasing techniques and buying and then selling paints I thought to be essential and now find myself painting simply and happier with results. Thank you for your excellent videos, which are really helping me to return to basics.
Hi Carl, That’s really wonderful, I think you certainly picked up the essence of what I was saying. Keeping it simple is so important to me, it’s so easy to overcomplicate things. Keep going, it sounds like you’re on the right track now! Best wishes, James
Thank you! Your method really nails what makes watercolour so special and so beautiful to work with. It is like you partner with a living medium. I would love it if you could please do some portraiture lessons, too.
Hi Nash, My pleasure. You’re quite right bringing the beauty of Watercolour out , is so important and what makes Watercolour so fantastic to work with. I’ve made a couple of portraiture videos, so hopefully you can enjoy those. Best wishes, James
Totoal beginner in the dark here and then bam! I think you’ve given me some light and direction. I felt like i was just ‘colouring in’ now i am blown away with what could be not only possible but enjoyable. Thankyou.
Hi Elizabeth, Glad you enjoyed the video. I’m so pleased you found a new direction! By what you say, I think you’ve really made a breakthrough now, keep on going. Watercolour is a wonderful journey. Best wishes, James
Your two colour mixing videos are among my all-time favourite watercolour lessons I've watched on RUclips. I've watched them twice, the second time with my father and his partner and we all found them fascinating.
Hi Sam, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed these two Watercolour mixing videos so much! To me, one of the best benefits of using this technique is that it makes the whole process so much more fun, the whole painting seems to instantly become more beautiful. Glad your family enjoyed the video as well! Thanks for watching Best wishes, James
Hi Juliette, Glad you enjoyed the video. Watercolour is a wonderful adventure and as a beginner, there’s lots to learn., Keep hanging in there, and you’ll be amazed what you can do! Have fun with your apples. Looking forward to hearing how it’s going Best wishes, James
You touched on something that I struggle with, perhaps because I am self taught. No art in school or instruction classes. I find that how to mix and then lay the colors down without muddying them is what I am unsure of. I have used acrylics and painted several items I am proud of, but they in no way prepare me for the watercolor painting. Thank you for the simple lesson on what to do and what not to do. I look forward to more lessons and learning to love using watercolor.
Hi Sandra, I really pleased for you that you’re on the Watercolour journey. I think Watercolour is the best medium in painting as it’s so immediate and you don’t need much equipment. Don’t worry about not having lessons or going to art college. I never went to art college and I’ve never had a lesson in painting. I just relied on my own enthusiasm and interest to take me through. Watercolour is a wonderful journey to take, full of ups and downs, but keep on going and you’ll be rewarded! I hope you enjoy my future videos and happy painting. Best wishes, James
I think I’ve found my soul inspiration I’m self taught, mostly oils, lots of pastels, some acrylics, but can not leave this earth without a dive into watercolors!! Have purchased many expensive supplies but find I take my same old approach to realistic interpretation!!! I want to break the habit- and I think you have just given me hope and a different approach - to my painting life!! I’m 84 as of a few days ago- but still on the search without a guide! BUT I THINK I HAVE FOUND ONE!! Please continue teaching🙏🏻🙏🏻
@@joyceyoung5628 Hi Joyce, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed my video so much and you’ve been inspired to take up a new direction. For me, the impressionist idea is so attractive and to keep things simple is the key. Detail is something that you have to be very careful with, especially when painting Watercolour. The beauty of a clean wash is a wonderful goal. I’ve just finished videoing my next tutorial as it’s raining again, here in Scotland and it should come out on Thursday. Hope you enjoy it. Best wishes, James
You have reminded me of what I love about this medium! I have been struggling lately and sadly, that struggle always shows in the painting. I cannot wait to try painting these apples!
This lesson and the mixing lesson preceding it have really been an epiphany for me! Your mixing 'on the paper' and the notion of developing my own aesthetic has allowed me to overcome 'freezing' while I paint. Thank you so much for this and your 'mantra' of keeping it simple. This approach is so freeing!
Hi Jeff, Glad you enjoyed These videos, and more importantly, that you got so much from it! It really does sound that you on the right track now. The trick now, is to not go back to old habits and keep on moving forward! Well done, keep going. Best wishes, James
Hi, James, I would love to see lessons from you in portraiture. I love the way you paint. I started out painting similarly because I fell in love with paint moving through water and the light from the paper shining through, but after years of various workshops and classes, lost that magical feeling, so thank you sincerely.
Hi Christine, Glad you’re getting back to the way you used to paint. It’s not a well-known idea, so it’s very easy to lose this way of painting. The trick now for you is to not forget it and keep on reminding yourself. I’ve done a few Portraits for RUclips now. I hope you enjoy them. Best wishes, James
I loved your description of painting on the “knife edge”. Had fun with the apple exercise, Experimented with colors other than yours. Found a wet on wet first wash set up for beautiful subtle color transitions and visual unity of the final painting. TY
Hi Blane, Glad you enjoyed the knife edge idea. It makes a lot of sense to me and gives you a way to visualise your own art style. I’m excited that your paintings are going well, and that you’re enjoying Watercolour in a different way Best wishes, James
Hello James ! I enjoy very much your touching with the brush on the paper ! It is so significating your recheach with sensibility of the right touch and colours ! I like portraits paintings and fruits and flowers paintings and landscape paintings but also all subjects in a good réalisation (books, bibelots...) ! Thank you very much
Hi Isabelle, I’m really pleased that you enjoyed the video. Lots of different colours, make painting interesting. I’ve done a few portrait videos, if you wanted to have a look. Lots more videos to come. Thanks for watching. Best wishes, James
Hi Susie, Always pleased to see a beginner on my channel. I look forward to guiding you along. There’s lots of ups and downs in Watercolour, but stay with it and you’ll get there! Thanks, James.
Thank you James this was very enlightening . Especially when you said that it s important to understand what you are trying to achieve with the watercolour, and how, because this is precisely what I lack. Now I can see the way forward much more clearly and have subscribed to find out more.
Hi, Glad you’re enjoying the lesson. You’ve picked up a very important point in painting Watercolour. Knowing what you’re trying to accomplish is the first big step in understanding. Keep on learning, and you’ll get there! Thanks for watching. Best wishes, James
I liked your knife edge explanation. I never have done impressionistic paintings. I painted with a portrait artist and we did realism but doing an impressionistic portrait in watercolor interests me. Thank you for sharing again.
Hi again, Kimberly, The knife edge I find is a really interesting idea. It sets parameters around your work, and most importantly tells you not to paint with detail. I find it so much more enjoyable experience when you hint at things rather than painting lots of detail. I’ve done a Watercolour , Portraits and I hope you enjoy them Best wishes, James
Thank you for sharing your knowledge of watercolor painting. I have only watched video for several weeks. I find myself wanting to paint but terrified of starting. After watching this video I think I’m now ready to paint. I love your style
Hi Judy, I’m so pleased that you’re at the edge of beginning to paint Watercolour. To start is the most difficult thing, sometimes just pushing yourself into the deep end is the best way, if it doesn’t work out, well there’s always the next piece of paper. I’m looking forward to hearing how it went. Good luck. Best wishes, James
Thank you for sharing your way of thinking in your paintings. Look forward to portraits as well. If you could do simple discussions like this video here with just segments or moments in the process. These little tidbits for new painters or different types of thinkers are perfect. Thank you 🙏
Hi Puppy, Glad you enjoyed the lesson. I’ll always do a little chat about Watercolour when I paint as I believe the ideas are the most important part of painting. Glad you like the idea of Portraits. Hope you enjoy my next videos. Best wishes, James.
Hi Cheryl, I’m glad you enjoyed the knife edge idea. I do find it very helpful for myself, as well as it keeps me on the straight and narrow. Best wishes, James
I do write it down again ! 🙏 you are simple & brillant ! I m not self assured enough to do something else than abstract.. But i want to color Kerby Rosanne with watercolours, & i m gonna try it following not the usual ways of coloring, but just the ways i want to see the Colors giving life to his drawings… Thanks for your « from the heart » videos 🌸🦄🌸
Wow! I am loving this. Your explanation of the "knife edge" nails it....that is exactly my goal. Every now and then, things come together. Very serendipitous! I would LOVE you to do some portrait videos....I am just now coming to the point of wanting to learn how to get started with that. so glad I came across your site!
Hi again, For me, the knife edge idea is a very important one. It Gives you an overall view of what you’re trying to attempt, which is so vital. If you don’t know where you’re going, how can you get there? I have done a few Portraits so hopefully you can have a look at those. Best wishes, James
Hi Robert, Glad you enjoyed the video. The knife edge concept is really interesting as it provides a framework for a certain type and style of painting. I’ve done a couple of Portrait videos now, I hope you enjoy them. Best wishes, James
Thank you again. Your method is lovely and you explain what you're doing very clearly. Very insightful stuff! I'll be back again n again. Thank you James. Love, Mel in Devon 🍰🌻
Hi Galbereth , You’re welcome. Glad to see you back here again. I’d love to hear how the new ideas go, when you start to paint again. Best wishes, James
Hi Rande, Glad you enjoyed the mixing lessons. I hope you can incorporate some of the ideas into your own painting. I have done a few Watercolour Portrait demonstrations, so you can have a look at those videos. I look forward to hearing how your paintings are going. Best wishes, James
Hi Steve, Glad you like the Portrait, they are really intense things to paint but very satisfying. I’ve done a few others on RUclips now which I hope you can enjoy. I’m sure I’ll be doing more in the future. Best wishes, James
Again, thank you. I have been working at dialing back on using watercolour like I use acrylics. This lesson is perfect for me to practice the minimalism of the watercolour medium. 👏🏻
My pleasure. I can see that you’re moving on in your Watercolour painting. Keeping it, simple and minimal is one of the most important parts that you can learn. Keep practising. Best wishes, James
Hi Diane, Glad you enjoyed the mixing ideas. I hope you can give us a go. I’ve done a few videos on Portraits now, I hope you enjoy them. Best wishes, James
Hi John I’m really happy that you enjoyed the follow-up lesson so much. My next lesson on still life,it’s on tonight and then next week I’ll begin Portraiture😅 Best wishes, James
Hi, glad you enjoyed this video. Watercolour portraits are an amazing thing to try. I’ve done a couple of videos now for RUclips. I hope you enjoy them. Best wishes, James
Magnifique cette méthode de mélanger les couleurs et de suggérer ,de sentir le merveilleux …. Merci de m‘ouvrir les grandes portes de ce que peut être une autre aquarelle!
Hi Marie-aude, I’m so glad that you enjoyed the video and found it so interesting. Watercolour is a fascinating thing to do, I hope this technique can guide you in a different direction. Enjoy your painting. Best wishes, James
I have never seen anyone explain water color mixing in quite this way. You are right, it is definitely recognizable as an apple, but as you say, it is impressionistic. The style and colors are quite lovely for such a simple subject. I found this very interesting as well as helpful. Thank you!
Hi Lisa , I’m so pleased you found this interesting. It is a different idea from the normal, but I find it such an exciting and fun way to paint, hinting at things rather than going into lengthy detailed painting. I hope you enjoy giving it to you. Best wishes, James
I knew there had to be a way to make watercolor more dynamic. You nailed it for me. I was really stuck in some old habits ! Thank you for sharing. I excited now to pick up the brush again.
Hi Betty, That’s wonderful to hear you’re excited to get back to Watercolour painting. It’s an awesome thing to do. It’s great to hear you have a new direction to go down. Happy Christmas. Best wishes, James.
Hi Pat, That’s really great, glad you’re enjoying my videos and that you like the style. I hope you can introduce it into your own painting. Best wishes, James
Hi Swirly, Glad you enjoyed the video. I’ve got lots of landscape plans this year. The weather is beginning to improve in Scotland, so I’m really excited to get out properly soon, so they’ll be lots of skies, clouds, trees, and plants coming. Best wishes, James
Glad you enjoyed the video I have done a few demonstrations of Portraits now, which I hope you enjoy and have a go at. Thanks for watching, Best wishes, James
Bonjour. Merci pour cette vidéo. Je vais essayer d'appliquer vos conseils car je trouve très subtil cette façon de laisser les couleurs se mélanger elle même à partir du pinceau. J'attends avec impatience d'autres vidéos qui me permettraient de progresser. Encore merci à vous.
Hi Gerard, Glad you enjoyed the video. It is a really interesting way to paint and as you say the subtlety is beautiful. I look forward to hearing how your experiments with this technique goes. Best wishes, James
Hi Donna, Glad you enjoyed the video. I’ve since done a couple of Watercolour Portraits, which were great fun. I hope you can have a look at that and maybe be inspired to give it a go! Thanks for watching, and I’m glad you found me! Best wishes, James
Aesthetics over technique! WOW, that makes such a difference for me! I checked your video out for color mixing tips, which I got , but I learned so much more. Mostly I learned why I’m not happy with my work, why it looks childish. Thank you. 0:45
Hi Holly, I’m really pleased that you enjoyed my video, and that you got something from it! Aesthetics are a fascinating thing, they direct you and guide you forward. It’s great that you can look at your work in a different way now. Keep at it. It’s a wonderful thing to do! Best wishes, James
Thank you! This is what I’ve been in search of-a way to stretch my abilities (not just copy how others do things) and learn how to be more impressionistic.
Hi Shannon, My pleasure. I’m really excited for you. It’s a wonderful way to paint full of excitement. I hope your experiments go well and you begin to see painting in a simpler way. Best wishes, James
Hi Tina, Glad you enjoyed the video. I’m very happy that it’s helped you. I look forward to hearing how your painting changes and hopefully improves. Thanks for watching. Best wishes, James
Hi Joan, Glad you enjoyed the video. That’s really great that you’re getting your confidence back! It’s such an important part of painting Watercolour. Keeping it simple is a very important message in Watercolour. Keep going! Thanks for watching. Best wishes, James
Excellent demo as usual. I like your idea of watercolour portraits I am very daunted by portraiture but I think with your style of teaching I could take a gentle step into the subject , I suspect there are many others who feel like I do.
Hi Paul, Glad you’re enjoying my teaching tutorials. I find them fun to do. Portraits will be a really great challenge . Something you don’t see very often in Watercolour. Have a happy Christmas. Best wishes, James
Hi, I’m so pleased you’ve enjoyed the techniques. I do find it a fun way to paint. I’ve done a few videos on Portrait painting so have a look at those, I hope you enjoy Best wishes, James
@JamesPotterAboutArt I am only a beginner . I always wanted to learn waterpainting when I retired. And I'm loving it , so I was painting some gum leaves the other day using your technique ,wow ,they turned out so lovely. Took a photo of a waratah in flower , and playing with that at the moment
@@ahairysituation121 That’s really great. I’m so pleased!! Watercolour is such a wonderful medium. It’s very difficult at times, but when you make a breakthrough and improve, it’s incredibly exciting. Keep going. Best wishes, James
Hi Diana, Glad you’re excited about Portraits. They are the most challenging and rewarding paintings to do. Keep with it and we’ll get there! Best wishes, James.
Hi, Violino, My pleasure. I’m glad you enjoyed the video and got something from it. There is a lot on RUclips. I always think one of the best pieces of advice is to keep it simple. Watercolour is a simple medium, which doesn’t like to be pushed around too much. Best wishes, James
Hi Marilyn, Many thanks for subscribing to my channel. I’m glad you enjoyed the teaching so much! Lots more videos to come, which I hope you enjoy. Best wishes, James
Hi Carolyn, Understanding Watercolour is the most important part of learning. There is a big jump, in starting to paint, the best thing to do is keep it simple and just start to put paint and water down on the paper and see what happens. Have fun with it! Best wishes, James
Love your stressing simplicity....you are right students have had to many teachers and tutorials and the end result is often mud. You helped us all learn to keep it simple, unique, and clean colors. Keep Teaching please....a part time 20 year student of Watercolors 🎉
Hi Barbara, Glad you’re enjoying my videos. Keeping it simple is so important, it’s so easy to make it over complicated. I hope you can introduce these ideas into your own painting, and I look forward to hearing from you again for you to tell me all about it! Lots more videos to come. I hope you enjoy them as much. Best wishes, James
I am very new to watercolour painting and the way you explained the mixing of colours suddenly makes much more sense, thank you. And yes I really would love to see you do some lessons on portrait painting.
Hi Dominic, I’m really happy that you enjoyed the video so much and that it makes sense to you. I think when something makes sense and is logical. It makes things clear and easier to do as it’s important to get rid of the doubt and confusion. I’ve done a couple of Portraits on RUclips now. Hope you enjoy them. Best wishes, James
Thank you for this 2nd part, the "knife-edge" insight is so helpful, as well as the "hints" to keep the color fresh. I'm a graphic designer who is just resuming learning watercolor as a sort of creative wellspring, am so looking forward to the videos on portrait painting 🥰🥳
Hi, I’m really pleased you enjoy my part two of mixing watercolour paints. The knife edge is a really interesting concept which I can see you picked up nicely. Happy painting. Best wishes, James.
Thank you for sharing your technique and expertise. I must admit to not being a portraitist, but prefer landscapes. However I think you're giving a lot of benefit in your instruction with lots of lessons to be learned regardless of genre or style. So now I think one of my biggest problems is how I move through the 'ugly phase' of a painting (or even get that far if it all looks like going to rats)
Hi William, You’re completely right, doing something away from your main interest (landscape) will make you a more rounded artist and a better artist! I’m sure I can help you to get through the ugly phase in painting. We all go through that! Best wishes, James
I am incredulous of your artistic eye and ability to achieve the impression of these images - apple and person! Impressionism has always been my favourite expression of art (as an observer). I hope to use your lessons to someday find a way to bring magic into the landscapes I love.
Hi Penny, I’ve done a couple of Portraits now so you can have a look at it those videos and another one coming out soon. Portraiture is a wonderful subject And so meaningful. I hope you can give it a go. Best wishes, James
Love these sorts of video, to the point and easy to watch. I'm not a regular user of watercolours (I use acrylics mainly) but I do dabble with them occasionally when I'm in the mood so this is helpful.👍
Hi Cat, Glad you liked the video. I feel it’s very important to do as many different types of medium as possible as it makes you think. I’ve always found that painting in oil helps my watercolour, and vice versa. Thanks for the comments. Best wishes, James.
I’d love to see your portraits in watercolour. I’ve so enjoyed your two terrific videos on mixing colours. Really fun and joyful to play with my watercolour paints. Thank you.
Hi Chris, I’m really glad you enjoyed both of my colour mixing videos and that is brought a bit of fun into your painting. Glad you’re interested in the Portraits, it’s a great challenge but a wonderful thing to do. Hope you had a happy Christmas. James
Is this some sort of alchemy ? Some well placed splashes of colour and an apple appears. Can this be taught/learnt, don’t know but looking forward to trying. Portraiture, already nervous but can’t wait. Bring it on ! Great lesson thanks.
Hi Mike, It is alchemy! Not really. I’m sure it can be taught. It’s just a question of learning, a new set of rules and starting seeing things differently. In the New Year, I’ll try and post more often, one teaching video, keeping it simple and one demonstrating. I hope you enjoy them. Best wishes, James
Since retiring, I have been on a journey of discovery and learning so much from artists that willingly share their expertise. During holidays in Tunisia and particularly Jerba, I took photographs of people in everyday situations which I have attempted to draw and then paint in oils. Some images however, appear to need a simpler medium. Your watercolour of a family member is quite exquisite. I would indeed appreciate any lessons in portraiture that you might share. Many thanks. AliK
Hi AliK, Glad you’ve been enjoying my videos. It’s wonderful that you have discovered Watercolour in your retirement. It’s a fantastic thing to do! It’s full of challenges with lots of highs and lows. It wouldn’t be as much fun if it was easy. I particularly like people paintings done in Watercolour. There’s something about the lightness of touch of Watercolour . That is so attractive. I will do lots more portrait, painting and figure studies. I hope you enjoy my future videos. Best wishes, James
Hi Didier, Glad you enjoyed it, and I’m so pleased that you’ve learned something from it. I’ve done a couple of videos on Portrait painting now so I hope you enjoy them. Best wishes James
Hi Jo, I’m so pleased you found my channel, and many thanks for subscribing. Glad it’s helping you! Lots more videos to come, I hope you enjoy them. Happy Christmas to you. Best wishes, James.
This is the first time I’ve watched a video of yours. I love your demonstration and your freshness. I have worked in watercolors for several years, and my goal is to paint looser and softer. I find that working with larger brushes forces me to not “fiddle” and overwork. Thanks for your inspiration!
Hi Jonnette, Glad that you found my channel and that you enjoyed this video. If you can find a way to paint in Looser style, Watercolour becomes so much more fun because you can paint something without hours and hours of labour which is satisfying itself. Painting with bigger brushes is a great way of trying to do that. You’re quite right overworking is what deadens the paint. Keep going! Best wishes, James
Hi Tammy, My pleasure. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I uploaded a tutorial last Thursday and part two is coming out on Sunday. I hope you enjoy them. Best wishes, James
My pleasure. I’m so pleased that you came to realisation whilst watching the video. It does make Watercolour painting a little bit more exciting. I hope your painting goes well and thanks for the sub! We have a new video coming out on Thursday. Best wishes, James
Hi Jeanie, I’ve done a couple of Portrait demonstrations now which are on RUclips. I hope you enjoy them! Maybe you could have a go at Portrait painting yourself? Best wishes, James
Hi Sheryl, Glad you enjoyed the video and the style of painting. The best part of the style is that it’s fun to do. I’ve done a few Portraits on RUclips now, so you can look back on my videos and have a look at those. I hope you enjoy them! Best wishes, James
That’s really great! It’s a wonderful little exercise to learn how to place the colour on the paper. After while it does become second nature. I hope you can see the difference in your paintings. Keep going. Best wishes, James
Hi Lucy, Glad you enjoyed the two lessons. I hope you enjoy experimenting with the new ideas and I look forward to hearing how it went. Best wishes, James
Thank you! This lesson and the last on mixing colors was so helpful to me as an abject beginner. I’m having light bulbs going off as I begin to understand your approach. I tend to fall off that knife edge toward realism when what I love about watercolor is Impressionism. It makes sense as I watch you paint. More please!
Hi Cheri, That’s really great! I love to hear that my lessons have helped and I’m really excited for your continued improvement. Judging from your enthusiasm, I can see you’re on the way! Best wishes, James
I love your focus on very beginner lessons. I want to walk that path with you is so helpful. I'm so interested to learn from scratch. So many that I watch are either falling into craftsy or they are too advanced to fast. You speak to the artist in me that wishes to be seen. ❤ Thank you so much.
Hi, I’m so glad you’re enjoying my lesson so much. I really like the idea of helping people on the route to becoming artists and to develop an artistic style. They’ll be lots of ups and downs, but stick with it and you’ll get there! Best wishes, James
James, this one exercise has been so useful for me. I spent 20 minutes doing a very bad job of it. Mostly as a result of wetness of my paints, too dry, so no mingling of colours or accidentally shipping a boat load of water onto it making a cauliflower mess. Using some new brushes, which I think was half the issue. But through trial and error I got there, I liked one apple so much I thought I'd give it a background wash...I used three colours lightly collided as you suggest. And I love how this and the apple had such variance of colour, the sort of thing I used to attempt with multiple glazes or not attempt at all. Then, happy with my work, I fiddled around with it a bit nore...not heeding your words of caution and the apple was less good. What I'm saying is I learned a lot from this one exercise
Hi, I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying experimenting with this technique, and that you had such success with it! Imagine how good you’ll be in a few weeks time. One of the interesting questions with Watercolour is when to stop, and sometimes it’s not that easy to know, however, it does come with experience, less can be definitely more! Keep going. Best wishes, James
Love your process and will start doing it as best I can. I’m self taught since know I have some habits to overcome - thank you for this insightful & delightful process!
Hi Linda, Glad you enjoy the simple style of painting and the process for that. It does make painting a lot more fun, which is why we paint in the first place. I’m completely self taught, the same as you, so loving the process is what it’s all about. Best wishes, James
Thank you, I am a total beginner and these two lessons is so helpful. I heard someone teach on, how important it is, to always mix the colours you want to use in advance, so you have them ready?! I like your aproach so much more, it is really vibrant and so beautiful! I am drawn to this, but also to using pen and wash, I am trying to figure out, what I like best. But nothing wrong with using both methods, right
Hi, My pleasure. It’s great that you’ve started Watercolour. It’s a wonderful thing to do. There are lots of ups and downs but it’s so worth it in the end. I’m looking forward to hearing how your painting goes in the future. Best wishes, James
Very novel approach to mixing, and very effective! So you don't make a soup, but simply sample from the buffet table. Off now to try that. Thank you! First, one more "yes" for portrait tutorials.
Hi Samuel, Glad you enjoyed the video. You had a very good analogy of the buffet table. It’s exactly right! I’ll be starting the Portrait tutorials soon. I hope you enjoy them. Best wishes, James.
Hi Mols, Glad to hear that you’re always wanting to improve. I agree with that. No matter how good you get, there’s always room for improvement. I’ll be starting my Portraits in the New Year which I’m really looking forward to and I hope you enjoy them too. Thanks, James.
Yes l would be interested in portraits in watercolour I've managed to draw portraits but never managed to do them in watercolour so would find this helpful. Many Thanks for the videos really enjoying them . Happy Christmas to you and all your family.
Hi Nick, Good to hear from you again. I’m glad you’re interested in Portraits. Adding colour to your Portraits is the next big step for you to take! I hope you continue to enjoy my videos. Have a very happy Christmas to you and your family. Best wishes, James.
Loved your 2 watercolour tutorials with the apple. I am just starting out with watercolour painting and found your presintation clear and logical. Probably super ambitious but looking forward to your portrait teachings
Hi Kaye , Glad you enjoyed the two tutorials so much. It’s a very fun method of painting and I hope that you can incorporate it in your own work. Best wishes, James
Hi Alison, Glad you enjoyed my video. I hope it helps your paintings. I’ve done two videos on my equipment. The first was a review of my Palette and the second was a review of my plan air painting gear. Hope you manage to find them. Best wishes, James.
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I think an apple a day will immensely improve my watercolor technique! Thank you
Hi Kathy,
I think an apple a day Is such a good idea😂
Let me know how it all goes.
Best wishes, James
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” (attributed to Leonardo De Vinci) thanks James for your demonstration wonderfully luminous
Hi Robert,
I think Leonardo was right!
Simplicity is the way to do anything. I look at professional golfers they make it look so easy. I think painting is just the same.
Best wishes, James
I have spent a lot of time chasing techniques and buying and then selling paints I thought to be essential and now find myself painting simply and happier with results. Thank you for your excellent videos, which are really helping me to return to basics.
Hi Carl,
That’s really wonderful, I think you certainly picked up the essence of what I was saying. Keeping it simple is so important to me, it’s so easy to overcomplicate things.
Keep going, it sounds like you’re on the right track now!
Best wishes, James
Thank you! Your method really nails what makes watercolour so special and so beautiful to work with. It is like you partner with a living medium. I would love it if you could please do some portraiture lessons, too.
Hi Nash,
My pleasure. You’re quite right bringing the beauty of Watercolour out , is so important and what makes Watercolour so fantastic to work with.
I’ve made a couple of portraiture videos, so hopefully you can enjoy those.
Best wishes, James
Totoal beginner in the dark here and then bam! I think you’ve given me some light and direction. I felt like i was just ‘colouring in’ now i am blown away with what could be not only possible but enjoyable. Thankyou.
Hi Elizabeth,
Glad you enjoyed the video.
I’m so pleased you found a new direction! By what you say, I think you’ve really made a breakthrough now, keep on going. Watercolour is a wonderful journey.
Best wishes, James
WONDERFUL!! To see how the apple came together and alive! I have learned so much. Thank you for your talent and most of all, your generosity.
Hi again,
My pleasure.
I hope you’ve had a good try at painting the apples, let me know how it went.
Best wishes, James
Your two colour mixing videos are among my all-time favourite watercolour lessons I've watched on RUclips. I've watched them twice, the second time with my father and his partner and we all found them fascinating.
Hi Sam,
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed these two Watercolour mixing videos so much!
To me, one of the best benefits of using this technique is that it makes the whole process so much more fun, the whole painting seems to instantly become more beautiful.
Glad your family enjoyed the video as well!
Thanks for watching
Best wishes, James
Definitely would love a portrait session!
Hi Richard,
I’ve done a couple portraits for RUclips.
I hope you enjoy them.
Best wishes James
I’m just a beginner, but I loved this, especially how you don’t completely mix the colors together. I will keep practicing the apples - very cool!
Hi Juliette,
Glad you enjoyed the video. Watercolour is a wonderful adventure and as a beginner, there’s lots to learn., Keep hanging in there, and you’ll be amazed what you can do!
Have fun with your apples.
Looking forward to hearing how it’s going
Best wishes, James
You touched on something that I struggle with, perhaps because I am self taught. No art in school or instruction classes. I find that how to mix and then lay the colors down without muddying them is what I am unsure of. I have used acrylics and painted several items I am proud of, but they in no way prepare me for the watercolor painting. Thank you for the simple lesson on what to do and what not to do. I look forward to more lessons and learning to love using watercolor.
Hi Sandra,
I really pleased for you that you’re on the Watercolour journey. I think Watercolour is the best medium in painting as it’s so immediate and you don’t need much equipment.
Don’t worry about not having lessons or going to art college. I never went to art college and I’ve never had a lesson in painting. I just relied on my own enthusiasm and interest to take me through.
Watercolour is a wonderful journey to take, full of ups and downs, but keep on going and you’ll be rewarded!
I hope you enjoy my future videos and happy painting.
Best wishes, James
I think I’ve found my soul inspiration
I’m self taught, mostly oils, lots of pastels, some acrylics, but can not leave this earth without a dive into watercolors!!
Have purchased many expensive supplies but find I take my same old approach to realistic interpretation!!! I want to break the habit- and I think you have just given me hope and a different approach - to my painting life!!
I’m 84 as of a few days ago- but still on the search without a guide! BUT I THINK I HAVE FOUND ONE!!
Please continue teaching🙏🏻🙏🏻
@@joyceyoung5628 Hi Joyce,
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed my video so much and you’ve been inspired to take up a new direction.
For me, the impressionist idea is so attractive and to keep things simple is the key. Detail is something that you have to be very careful with, especially when painting Watercolour. The beauty of a clean wash is a wonderful goal.
I’ve just finished videoing my next tutorial as it’s raining again, here in Scotland and it should come out on Thursday. Hope you enjoy it.
Best wishes, James
You have reminded me of what I love about this medium! I have been struggling lately and sadly, that struggle always shows in the painting. I cannot wait to try painting these apples!
@@M0odyBlue
Hi Christine,
That’s awesome, great that you’re getting back into fun painting, which is what it’s all about!
Best wishes, James
This lesson and the mixing lesson preceding it have really been an epiphany for me! Your mixing 'on the paper' and the notion of developing my own aesthetic has allowed me to overcome 'freezing' while I paint. Thank you so much for this and your 'mantra' of keeping it simple. This approach is so freeing!
Hi Jeff,
Glad you enjoyed These videos, and more importantly, that you got so much from it!
It really does sound that you on the right track now. The trick now, is to not go back to old habits and keep on moving forward!
Well done, keep going.
Best wishes, James
I appreciate hearing about your approach so much! I'd love to see more beginner lessons!
Hi Chris,
Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll try and do a beginner video this week.
Best wishes, James
Hi, James, I would love to see lessons from you in portraiture. I love the way you paint. I started out painting similarly because I fell in love with paint moving through water and the light from the paper shining through, but after years of various workshops and classes, lost that magical feeling, so thank you sincerely.
Hi Christine,
Glad you’re getting back to the way you used to paint. It’s not a well-known idea, so it’s very easy to lose this way of painting.
The trick now for you is to not forget it and keep on reminding yourself.
I’ve done a few Portraits for RUclips now.
I hope you enjoy them.
Best wishes, James
I loved your description of painting on the “knife edge”. Had fun with the apple exercise, Experimented with colors other than yours. Found a wet on wet first wash set up for beautiful subtle color transitions and visual unity of the final painting. TY
Hi Blane,
Glad you enjoyed the knife edge idea. It makes a lot of sense to me and gives you a way to visualise your own art style.
I’m excited that your paintings are going well, and that you’re enjoying Watercolour in a different way
Best wishes, James
TY, James!
Hello James ! I enjoy very much your touching with the brush on the paper ! It is so significating your recheach with sensibility of the right touch and colours ! I like portraits paintings and fruits and flowers paintings and landscape paintings but also all subjects in a good réalisation (books, bibelots...) ! Thank you very much
Hi Isabelle,
I’m really pleased that you enjoyed the video. Lots of different colours, make painting interesting. I’ve done a few portrait videos, if you wanted to have a look.
Lots more videos to come.
Thanks for watching.
Best wishes, James
Wow! Just ...Wow!
Hi again.
Hope you’ve managed to paint a few apples and I hope they went well!
James
Thank you I'm a beginner and I look forward to learning more
Hi Susie,
Always pleased to see a beginner on my channel. I look forward to guiding you along.
There’s lots of ups and downs in Watercolour, but stay with it and you’ll get there!
Thanks, James.
Thank you James this was very enlightening . Especially when you said that it s important to understand what you are trying to achieve with the watercolour, and how, because this is precisely what I lack. Now I can see the way forward much more clearly and have subscribed to find out more.
Hi,
Glad you’re enjoying the lesson. You’ve picked up a very important point in painting Watercolour. Knowing what you’re trying to accomplish is the first big step in understanding.
Keep on learning, and you’ll get there!
Thanks for watching.
Best wishes, James
I liked your knife edge explanation. I never have done impressionistic paintings. I painted with a portrait artist and we did realism but doing an impressionistic portrait in watercolor interests me. Thank you for sharing again.
Hi again, Kimberly,
The knife edge I find is a really interesting idea.
It sets parameters around your work, and most importantly tells you not to paint with detail.
I find it so much more enjoyable experience when you hint at things rather than painting lots of detail.
I’ve done a Watercolour , Portraits and I hope you enjoy them
Best wishes, James
Thank you for sharing your knowledge of watercolor painting. I have only watched video for several weeks. I find myself wanting to paint but terrified of starting. After watching this video I think I’m now ready to paint. I love your style
Hi Judy,
I’m so pleased that you’re at the edge of beginning to paint Watercolour. To start is the most difficult thing, sometimes just pushing yourself into the deep end is the best way, if it doesn’t work out, well there’s always the next piece of paper.
I’m looking forward to hearing how it went. Good luck.
Best wishes, James
I love the approach you take to painting - - it’s extremely helpful to me!
Hi Lacamas,
Glad you’re enjoying it so much!
Lots more to come.
Best wishes, James
Thank you for sharing your way of thinking in your paintings.
Look forward to portraits as well.
If you could do simple discussions like this video here with just segments or moments in the process.
These little tidbits for new painters or different types of thinkers are perfect. Thank you 🙏
Hi Puppy,
Glad you enjoyed the lesson. I’ll always do a little chat about Watercolour when I paint as I believe the ideas are the most important part of painting.
Glad you like the idea of Portraits. Hope you enjoy my next videos.
Best wishes, James.
Magnificent lesson. This same theory in a portrait must be interesting. Thanks for these tips.
@@motlba Hi Monica,
Glad you like the mixing ideas. And yes, the same mixing goes for Portrait painting.
Thanks, James
I enjoyed the explanation of painting on a knife edge.
Hi Cheryl,
I’m glad you enjoyed the knife edge idea. I do find it very helpful for myself, as well as it keeps me on the straight and narrow.
Best wishes, James
I do write it down again ! 🙏 you are simple & brillant !
I m not self assured enough to do something else than abstract..
But i want to color Kerby Rosanne with watercolours, & i m gonna try it following not the usual ways of coloring, but just the ways i want to see the Colors giving life to his drawings…
Thanks for your « from the heart » videos 🌸🦄🌸
Hi Lilou ,
That’s really great! Glad you’ve been inspired. I look forward to hearing how it all goes.
Best wishes, James
Wow! I am loving this. Your explanation of the "knife edge" nails it....that is exactly my goal. Every now and then, things come together. Very serendipitous! I would LOVE you to do some portrait videos....I am just now coming to the point of wanting to learn how to get started with that. so glad I came across your site!
Hi again,
For me, the knife edge idea is a very important one. It Gives you an overall view of what you’re trying to attempt, which is so vital. If you don’t know where you’re going, how can you get there?
I have done a few Portraits so hopefully you can have a look at those.
Best wishes, James
Hello James, I really like the way you interpret reality on the "knife edge" method.
I would definitely appreciate some portrait painting lessons!
Hi Robert,
Glad you enjoyed the video.
The knife edge concept is really interesting as it provides a framework for a certain type and style of painting.
I’ve done a couple of Portrait videos now, I hope you enjoy them.
Best wishes, James
Great I sure appreciate your watercolor mix demonstration. Look forward to see more of your paintings ❤
Hi Gek,
That’s really great that you enjoyed the demonstration and I hope you can make use of the ideas in your own painting.
Best wishes, James
Yes watercolor portraits would be wonderful.
Hi Patsy,
Glad you enjoyed the video. I’ve done a few portraits now. I hope you can have a look at those.
Thanks for watching. Best wishes, James
Thank you again. Your method is lovely and you explain what you're doing very clearly. Very insightful stuff! I'll be back again n again.
Thank you James.
Love, Mel in Devon 🍰🌻
Hi Galbereth ,
You’re welcome. Glad to see you back here again.
I’d love to hear how the new ideas go,
when you start to paint again.
Best wishes, James
Yes, I would love a demonstration of portrait painting with watercolor. Love the first two on mixing colors. Thank you
Hi Rande,
Glad you enjoyed the mixing lessons. I hope you can incorporate some of the ideas into your own painting.
I have done a few Watercolour Portrait demonstrations, so you can have a look at those videos.
I look forward to hearing how your paintings are going.
Best wishes, James
watercolour portrait classes would be AMAZINGly frightening - please do❤
Hi Steve,
Glad you like the Portrait, they are really intense things to paint but very satisfying. I’ve done a few others on RUclips now which I hope you can enjoy. I’m sure I’ll be doing more in the future.
Best wishes, James
That was amazing to see - thank you for sharing your knowledge. Very helpful.
Very glad you enjoyed that video. Just keep on practising and it’s amazing how quickly you can improve.
Best wishes, James
Wow - thank you, thank you, thank you. Loose, light and lovely ❤
Hi Nicola,
Glad you enjoyed the video. I hope it’s giving you a new direction in your Watercolour painting.
Best wishes, James
Again, thank you. I have been working at dialing back on using watercolour like I use acrylics. This lesson is perfect for me to practice the minimalism of the watercolour medium. 👏🏻
My pleasure. I can see that you’re moving on in your Watercolour painting.
Keeping it, simple and minimal is one of the most important parts that you can learn.
Keep practising.
Best wishes, James
Portraits yes!😊
Hi Diane,
Glad you enjoyed the mixing ideas. I hope you can give us a go.
I’ve done a few videos on Portraits now, I hope you enjoy them.
Best wishes, James
LOVED THIS LESSON
Hi Karen,
Glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully you can introduce some of the ideas into your own paintings.
Best wishes, James
Thank you for the wonderful follow-up lesson. I look forward to your take on portraiture as well as landscape. Thanks again!
Hi John
I’m really happy that you enjoyed the follow-up lesson so much. My next lesson on still life,it’s on tonight and then next week I’ll begin Portraiture😅
Best wishes, James
Yes! I would love to see how an impressionistic watercolorist tackles portraits.
Hi, glad you enjoyed this video. Watercolour portraits are an amazing thing to try.
I’ve done a couple of videos now for RUclips. I hope you enjoy them.
Best wishes, James
Magnifique cette méthode de mélanger les couleurs et de suggérer ,de sentir le merveilleux …. Merci de m‘ouvrir les grandes portes de ce que peut être une autre aquarelle!
Hi Marie-aude,
I’m so glad that you enjoyed the video and found it so interesting.
Watercolour is a fascinating thing to do, I hope this technique can guide you in a different direction.
Enjoy your painting.
Best wishes, James
I have never seen anyone explain water color mixing in quite this way. You are right, it is definitely recognizable as an apple, but as you say, it is impressionistic. The style and colors are quite lovely for such a simple subject. I found this very interesting as well as helpful. Thank you!
Hi Lisa ,
I’m so pleased you found this interesting. It is a different idea from the normal, but I find it such an exciting and fun way to paint, hinting at things rather than going into lengthy detailed painting.
I hope you enjoy giving it to you.
Best wishes, James
Your process for painting portraits would be very interesting to see.
Hi Gary,
Glad you’re interested in Portrait painting, it’s an amazing thing to do!
Best wishes, James
I knew there had to be a way to make watercolor more dynamic. You nailed it for me. I was really stuck in some old habits ! Thank you for sharing. I excited now to pick up the brush again.
Hi Betty,
That’s wonderful to hear you’re excited to get back to Watercolour painting. It’s an awesome thing to do. It’s great to hear you have a new direction to go down.
Happy Christmas.
Best wishes, James.
Just watched 1-2, really love your style! I’m sure I’ll watch these a few more times. Thank you Mr potter 🙏
Hi Pat,
That’s really great, glad you’re enjoying my videos and that you like the style.
I hope you can introduce it into your own painting.
Best wishes, James
I’m going to try your technique👍🏻
@@ihop8783That’s great. I hope you enjoy it!
James
Amazing thought process. Thank you!
My pleasure,
Glad you enjoyed it, and I hope you can practice the ideas and introduce them to your own painting.
Best wishes, James
Brilliant lesson! Thank you!☺️
You're very welcome!
Glad you enjoyed it so much.
Best wishes, James
Rather than portraits, I prefer landscapes, skies, clouds, trees, plants, walking trails...
Thank you for the information...
Hi Swirly,
Glad you enjoyed the video.
I’ve got lots of landscape plans this year. The weather is beginning to improve in Scotland, so I’m really excited to get out properly soon, so they’ll be lots of skies, clouds, trees, and plants coming.
Best wishes, James
Thanks so much for this, I've learned so much! I'd really like to learn more about portraits
Glad you enjoyed the video
I have done a few demonstrations of Portraits now, which I hope you enjoy and have a go at.
Thanks for watching, Best wishes, James
Bonjour.
Merci pour cette vidéo. Je vais essayer d'appliquer vos conseils car je trouve très subtil cette façon de laisser les couleurs se mélanger elle même à partir du pinceau. J'attends avec impatience d'autres vidéos qui me permettraient de progresser.
Encore merci à vous.
Hi Gerard,
Glad you enjoyed the video. It is a really interesting way to paint and as you say the subtlety is beautiful.
I look forward to hearing how your experiments with this technique goes.
Best wishes, James
I was just going to write and say, yes, please to the portrait tutorials but just found that you have already done some 🥰. Thank you!
Hi Donna,
Glad you enjoyed the video. I’ve since done a couple of Watercolour Portraits, which were great fun. I hope you can have a look at that and maybe be inspired to give it a go!
Thanks for watching, and I’m glad you found me!
Best wishes, James
Aesthetics over technique! WOW, that makes such a difference for me! I checked your video out for color mixing tips, which I got , but I learned so much more. Mostly I learned why I’m not happy with my work, why it looks childish. Thank you. 0:45
Hi Holly,
I’m really pleased that you enjoyed my video, and that you got something from it!
Aesthetics are a fascinating thing, they direct you and guide you forward.
It’s great that you can look at your work in a different way now. Keep at it.
It’s a wonderful thing to do!
Best wishes, James
Hi Sonia,
Glad you enjoyed the lesson and got something from it. I hope your experiments with these ideas go well.
Best wishes, James.
Thank you! This is what I’ve been in search of-a way to stretch my abilities (not just copy how others do things) and learn how to be more impressionistic.
Hi Shannon,
My pleasure. I’m really excited for you. It’s a wonderful way to paint full of excitement. I hope your experiments go well and you begin to see painting in a simpler way.
Best wishes, James
Wonderful video. Thank you so much! Really helpful.
Hi Tina,
Glad you enjoyed the video. I’m very happy that it’s helped you. I look forward to hearing how your painting changes and hopefully improves.
Thanks for watching.
Best wishes, James
Truly amazing work. You’ve given me back my confidence to try again and not over complicate my work. Thanks so much
Hi Joan,
Glad you enjoyed the video.
That’s really great that you’re getting your confidence back! It’s such an important part of painting Watercolour.
Keeping it simple is a very important message in Watercolour.
Keep going!
Thanks for watching.
Best wishes, James
Really helpful. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Wes,
I really pleased it helped!
Best wishes, James
Excellent demo as usual. I like your idea of watercolour portraits I am very daunted by portraiture but I think with your style of teaching I could take a gentle step into the subject , I suspect there are many others who feel like I do.
Hi Paul,
Glad you’re enjoying my teaching tutorials. I find them fun to do. Portraits will be a really great challenge . Something you don’t see very often in Watercolour.
Have a happy Christmas.
Best wishes, James
I am enjoying you techniques , totally amazing . And heck yeah , lets do portraits
Hi,
I’m so pleased you’ve enjoyed the techniques. I do find it a fun way to paint.
I’ve done a few videos on Portrait painting so have a look at those, I hope you enjoy
Best wishes, James
@JamesPotterAboutArt I am only a beginner . I always wanted to learn waterpainting when I retired. And I'm loving it , so I was painting some gum leaves the other day using your technique ,wow ,they turned out so lovely. Took a photo of a waratah in flower , and playing with that at the moment
@@ahairysituation121
That’s really great. I’m so pleased!!
Watercolour is such a wonderful medium. It’s very difficult at times, but when you make a breakthrough and improve, it’s incredibly exciting.
Keep going.
Best wishes, James
I would love to see some portraits!
Hi Diana,
Glad you’re excited about Portraits. They are the most challenging and rewarding paintings to do.
Keep with it and we’ll get there!
Best wishes, James.
Thank you so much. I could not pinpoint what I want but now I do. After meandering many RUclips videos..
Hi, Violino,
My pleasure. I’m glad you enjoyed the video and got something from it. There is a lot on RUclips. I always think one of the best pieces of advice is to keep it simple.
Watercolour is a simple medium, which doesn’t like to be pushed around too much.
Best wishes, James
Wow! Wonderful way to teach and explain impressionistic watercolor! Subscribed! Thank you!
Hi Marilyn,
Many thanks for subscribing to my channel. I’m glad you enjoyed the teaching so much!
Lots more videos to come, which I hope you enjoy.
Best wishes, James
Understanding at the moment of painting. Thank You
Hi Carolyn,
Understanding Watercolour is the most important part of learning. There is a big jump, in starting to paint, the best thing to do is keep it simple and just start to put paint and water down on the paper and see what happens.
Have fun with it!
Best wishes, James
Love your stressing simplicity....you are right students have had to many teachers and tutorials and the end result is often mud.
You helped us all learn to keep it simple, unique, and clean colors. Keep
Teaching please....a part time 20 year student of
Watercolors 🎉
Hi Barbara,
Glad you’re enjoying my videos. Keeping it simple is so important, it’s so easy to make it over complicated.
I hope you can introduce these ideas into your own painting, and I look forward to hearing from you again for you to tell me all about it!
Lots more videos to come. I hope you enjoy them as much.
Best wishes, James
I am very new to watercolour painting and the way you explained the mixing of colours suddenly makes much more sense, thank you. And yes I really would love to see you do some lessons on portrait painting.
Hi Dominic,
I’m really happy that you enjoyed the video so much and that it makes sense to you.
I think when something makes sense and is logical. It makes things clear and easier to do as it’s important to get rid of the doubt and confusion.
I’ve done a couple of Portraits on RUclips now. Hope you enjoy them.
Best wishes, James
Thank you for this 2nd part, the "knife-edge" insight is so helpful, as well as the "hints" to keep the color fresh. I'm a graphic designer who is just resuming learning watercolor as a sort of creative wellspring, am so looking forward to the videos on portrait painting 🥰🥳
Hi,
I’m really pleased you enjoy my part two of mixing watercolour paints. The knife edge is a really interesting concept which I can see you picked up nicely.
Happy painting.
Best wishes, James.
Thank you for sharing your technique and expertise. I must admit to not being a portraitist, but prefer landscapes. However I think you're giving a lot of benefit in your instruction with lots of lessons to be learned regardless of genre or style. So now I think one of my biggest problems is how I move through the 'ugly phase' of a painting (or even get that far if it all looks like going to rats)
Hi William,
You’re completely right, doing something away from your main interest (landscape) will make you a more rounded artist and a better artist!
I’m sure I can help you to get through the ugly phase in painting. We all go through that!
Best wishes, James
I am incredulous of your artistic eye and ability to achieve the impression of these images - apple and person! Impressionism has always been my favourite expression of art (as an observer). I hope to use your lessons to someday find a way to bring magic into the landscapes I love.
Definitely interested a portraiture class I am serait to paint my grandchildren especially whilst they are babies
Hi Penny,
I’ve done a couple of Portraits now so you can have a look at it those videos and another one coming out soon.
Portraiture is a wonderful subject And so meaningful.
I hope you can give it a go.
Best wishes, James
Brilliant lesson! Great to see the apple really come through! Thanks!
Hi again,
Glad you enjoyed the second part. I look forward to hearing from you how your apples went!
Best wishes, James
Love these sorts of video, to the point and easy to watch. I'm not a regular user of watercolours (I use acrylics mainly) but I do dabble with them occasionally when I'm in the mood so this is helpful.👍
Hi Cat,
Glad you liked the video. I feel it’s very important to do as many different types of medium as possible as it makes you think. I’ve always found that painting in oil helps my watercolour, and vice versa.
Thanks for the comments.
Best wishes, James.
I love your work
Hi Noreen
Glad you’re enjoying my paintings. Lost more videos to come.
Thanks for watching
Best wishes, James
I’d love to see your portraits in watercolour. I’ve so enjoyed your two terrific videos on mixing colours. Really fun and joyful to play with my watercolour paints. Thank you.
Hi Chris,
I’m really glad you enjoyed both of my colour mixing videos and that is brought a bit of fun into your painting.
Glad you’re interested in the Portraits, it’s a great challenge but a wonderful thing to do.
Hope you had a happy Christmas.
James
Is this some sort of alchemy ? Some well placed splashes of colour and an apple appears. Can this be taught/learnt, don’t know but looking forward to trying. Portraiture, already nervous but can’t wait. Bring it on ! Great lesson thanks.
Hi Mike,
It is alchemy!
Not really. I’m sure it can be taught. It’s just a question of learning, a new set of rules and starting seeing things differently.
In the New Year, I’ll try and post more often, one teaching video, keeping it simple and one demonstrating.
I hope you enjoy them.
Best wishes, James
Since retiring, I have been on a journey of discovery and learning so much from artists that willingly share their expertise. During holidays in Tunisia and particularly Jerba, I took photographs of people in everyday situations which I have attempted to draw and then paint in oils. Some images however, appear to need a simpler medium. Your watercolour of a family member is quite exquisite. I would indeed appreciate any lessons in portraiture that you might share.
Many thanks. AliK
Hi AliK,
Glad you’ve been enjoying my videos. It’s wonderful that you have discovered Watercolour in your retirement. It’s a fantastic thing to do! It’s full of challenges with lots of highs and lows. It wouldn’t be as much fun if it was easy.
I particularly like people paintings done in Watercolour. There’s something about the lightness of touch of Watercolour . That is so attractive. I will do lots more portrait, painting and figure studies.
I hope you enjoy my future videos.
Best wishes, James
Thank you! Your approach is so well explained. It will help. Sessions about portrait will be most welcome.
Hi Didier,
Glad you enjoyed it, and I’m so pleased that you’ve learned something from it.
I’ve done a couple of videos on Portrait painting now so I hope you enjoy them.
Best wishes James
I just found your channel and immediately subscribed. You are exactly what I've been looking for. Thank you. Have a very merry Christmas ❤
Hi Jo,
I’m so pleased you found my channel, and many thanks for subscribing. Glad it’s helping you! Lots more videos to come, I hope you enjoy them.
Happy Christmas to you.
Best wishes, James.
You are an excellent teacher. Thank you!
Hi Laura,
Many thanks for your kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed the video.
I hope you enjoy painting your apples!
Best wishes, James
Beautiful portrait - YES - for sure I’m interested in meant more lessons on your methods!
Hi again, Linda,
I’ve done a couple of Portrait lessons. I hope you enjoy them.
Regards, James
This is the first time I’ve watched a video of yours. I love your demonstration and your freshness. I have worked in watercolors for several years, and my goal is to paint looser and softer. I find that working with larger brushes forces me to not “fiddle” and overwork. Thanks for your inspiration!
Hi Jonnette,
Glad that you found my channel and that you enjoyed this video.
If you can find a way to paint in Looser style, Watercolour becomes so much more fun because you can paint something without hours and hours of labour which is satisfying itself.
Painting with bigger brushes is a great way of trying to do that. You’re quite right overworking is what deadens the paint.
Keep going!
Best wishes, James
Thank you for an excellent tutorial! Very well done. Looking forward to seeing your other lessons.
Hi Tammy,
My pleasure. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I uploaded a tutorial last Thursday and part two is coming out on Sunday.
I hope you enjoy them.
Best wishes, James
Ty for sharing . I had an AH HA moment while you did this. Funny how we find the things we dont know we are looking for. New Sub here.
My pleasure. I’m so pleased that you came to realisation whilst watching the video. It does make Watercolour painting a little bit more exciting. I hope your painting goes well and thanks for the sub!
We have a new video coming out on Thursday.
Best wishes, James
excellant! very helpful!
Hi Jason,
Glad you found it useful.
I hope it will help your panties out!
Best wishes, James
Would LOVE to see a portrait demo!
Hi Jeanie,
I’ve done a couple of Portrait demonstrations now which are on RUclips.
I hope you enjoy them!
Maybe you could have a go at Portrait painting yourself?
Best wishes, James
I’m interested in portrait course and love your style!
Hi Sheryl,
Glad you enjoyed the video and the style of painting.
The best part of the style is that it’s fun to do.
I’ve done a few Portraits on RUclips now, so you can look back on my videos and have a look at those. I hope you enjoy them!
Best wishes, James
Fantastic lessons! Very interesting! So grateful to hear your viewpoint on watercolors!
Hi Willing,
Glad you enjoyed the video so much.
I hope your watercolour experiments go well!!
Best wishes James
Great video. Practicing my apples now. I have a Prulde mini heat gun; the airflow is gentler than a hair dryer.
That’s really great! It’s a wonderful little exercise to learn how to place the colour on the paper. After while it does become second nature.
I hope you can see the difference in your paintings.
Keep going.
Best wishes, James
Thank you for these 2 valuable lessons. Your explanations are understandable and I hope to retain the information you’ve given.
Hi Lucy,
Glad you enjoyed the two lessons. I hope you enjoy experimenting with the new ideas and I look forward to hearing how it went.
Best wishes, James
Loved the 2nd lesson just as much as the 1st .... I'll have a go at whatever lessons you throw at us 🖌️ 🎨
Hi Suze,
That’s really great!
If you can try and paint from life rather than photographs.
Let me know how it all goes.
Best wishes, James
Thank you! This lesson and the last on mixing colors was so helpful to me as an abject beginner. I’m having light bulbs going off as I begin to understand your approach. I tend to fall off that knife edge toward realism when what I love about watercolor is Impressionism. It makes sense as I watch you paint. More please!
Hi Cheri,
That’s really great! I love to hear that my lessons have helped and I’m really excited for your continued improvement. Judging from your enthusiasm, I can see you’re on the way!
Best wishes, James
I love your focus on very beginner lessons. I want to walk that path with you is so helpful. I'm so interested to learn from scratch. So many that I watch are either falling into craftsy or they are too advanced to fast. You speak to the artist in me that wishes to be seen. ❤
Thank you so much.
Hi,
I’m so glad you’re enjoying my lesson so much. I really like the idea of helping people on the route to becoming artists and to develop an artistic style.
They’ll be lots of ups and downs, but stick with it and you’ll get there!
Best wishes, James
Very interesting.
Hi Subrah,
Glad you enjoyed it .
Thanks, James
James, this one exercise has been so useful for me. I spent 20 minutes doing a very bad job of it. Mostly as a result of wetness of my paints, too dry, so no mingling of colours or accidentally shipping a boat load of water onto it making a cauliflower mess. Using some new brushes, which I think was half the issue. But through trial and error I got there, I liked one apple so much I thought I'd give it a background wash...I used three colours lightly collided as you suggest. And I love how this and the apple had such variance of colour, the sort of thing I used to attempt with multiple glazes or not attempt at all.
Then, happy with my work, I fiddled around with it a bit nore...not heeding your words of caution and the apple was less good.
What I'm saying is I learned a lot from this one exercise
Hi,
I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying experimenting with this technique, and that you had such success with it!
Imagine how good you’ll be in a few weeks time.
One of the interesting questions with Watercolour is when to stop, and sometimes it’s not that easy to know, however, it does come with experience, less can be definitely more!
Keep going.
Best wishes, James
Again so very helpful, thank you!
I’m looking forward to hearing how your experiments with this idea goes.
Best wishes, James
Love your process and will start doing it as best I can. I’m self taught since know I have some habits to overcome - thank you for this insightful & delightful process!
Hi Linda,
Glad you enjoy the simple style of painting and the process for that. It does make painting a lot more fun, which is why we paint in the first place.
I’m completely self taught, the same as you, so loving the process is what it’s all about.
Best wishes, James
Thank you, I am a total beginner and these two lessons is so helpful. I heard someone teach on, how important it is, to always mix the colours you want to use in advance, so you have them ready?! I like your aproach so much more, it is really vibrant and so beautiful!
I am drawn to this, but also to using pen and wash,
I am trying to figure out, what I like best. But nothing wrong with using both methods, right
Hi,
My pleasure. It’s great that you’ve started Watercolour. It’s a wonderful thing to do. There are lots of ups and downs but it’s so worth it in the end.
I’m looking forward to hearing how your painting goes in the future.
Best wishes, James
Very novel approach to mixing, and very effective! So you don't make a soup, but simply sample from the buffet table. Off now to try that. Thank you! First, one more "yes" for portrait tutorials.
Hi Samuel,
Glad you enjoyed the video. You had a very good analogy of the buffet table. It’s exactly right!
I’ll be starting the Portrait tutorials soon. I hope you enjoy them.
Best wishes, James.
Thanks so much. I'm always looking to improve with watercolor, especially with portraits.
Hi Mols,
Glad to hear that you’re always wanting to improve. I agree with that. No matter how good you get, there’s always room for improvement. I’ll be starting my Portraits in the New Year which I’m really looking forward to and I hope you enjoy them too.
Thanks, James.
Yes l would be interested in portraits in watercolour I've managed to draw portraits but never managed to do them in watercolour so would find this helpful. Many Thanks for the videos really enjoying them . Happy Christmas to you and all your family.
Hi Nick,
Good to hear from you again. I’m glad you’re interested in Portraits. Adding colour to your Portraits is the next big step for you to take!
I hope you continue to enjoy my videos.
Have a very happy Christmas to you and your family.
Best wishes, James.
Loved your 2 watercolour tutorials with the apple. I am just starting out with watercolour painting and found your presintation clear and logical. Probably super ambitious but looking forward to your portrait teachings
Hi Kaye ,
Glad you enjoyed the two tutorials so much. It’s a very fun method of painting and I hope that you can incorporate it in your own work.
Best wishes, James
Very good lesson. Love
Great video James. Very helpful.
What video will give details of your equipment please. Thanks
Hi Alison,
Glad you enjoyed my video. I hope it helps your paintings.
I’ve done two videos on my equipment. The first was a review of my Palette and the second was a review of my plan air painting gear.
Hope you manage to find them.
Best wishes, James.