Steve, this was really excellent. I hope everybody appreciates how outstanding you are at clearly explaining the details of watercolor process. Thank you Strathmore, for keeping this free and accessible to all, and thank you Steve for your detailed teaching. Wonderful!
Good day,☀️ My name is Christine. I’ve skimmed through your video’s. I then immediately went back to take my notes. What I love is how you have set up your waters and accessories. Hahahaha, I do exactly the same. Thinking this might be a tad too much, but indeed it’s not. In fact it’s a perfect set up. Comfortable to say the least. I thank you, excuse me, I thank me😉for spontaneously stopping in. Excellent advice and beautiful artwork. You have the ability to (speak Easy) allow the artist to move forward more freely. I Thank you again.🌱🙏
The little things you go over are very useful and make a huge difference. I appreciate you going over the set up of the water, rag, sponge, etc. The tiny details pulled it altogether for me. Thanks
Thank you so much! I absolutely love how you have represented the sky and mountains❤ I have been testing mountain ideas for weeks (I live in the Cascade Range) and picked up several great ideas. Cheers!
I am SO grateful I found your video!!! I am a beginner watercolor painter and found this video extremely helpful and thorough. I even sensed a "patienceness" in your voice that helped my confidence grow a little and feel less intimidated. You have a gift in teaching watercolor painting! I look forward in journeying with you in your other beginner videos. Thank you kindly!😊
Please tell Strathmore to make a cotton journal!!! I was delighted to see you hosting this, Mr. MOW!!! Thanks Steve and Happy New Year!!!😊 A California Gramma ❤
I wish Strathmore would bring back their 100% cotton travel sketchbooks. I love those portable, flexible sketchbooks, and it made me very sad to see them discontinued 😢
@UJB123 I have those too, they're nice but they aren't like the watercolor paper sketchbooks they used to offer, which were excellent and had thick, 300gsm, cold press, cotton paper. Sigh.. I miss those sketchbooks!
I agree! They are much easier to use &/or transport. I found a solution though. I purchase a package of pre-cut sheets and take them to a local print/copy shop. I ask them to "pad the sheets." They stack the paper, apply a small amount of pressure, and add an adhesive "binder" to one edge. This creates a "note pad" of sorts, that I can peel a page off of as I need it. I have some chipboard (saved from other projects) and leftovers mat board scraps. I cut 2 pieces 3/4" - 1" larger than my paper pad, stack them, and cover them with some old canvas to make a "folder" for the padded sheets. It's a lot less effort than it sounds, and it gives my mind a break when I don't know what to paint.
Thank you, Steve! I think you’ve just helped me break through my WC block. I’m looking forward to the next sessions. You’ve been my favorite for a long time and I learn so much from your channel.
In college my watercolor instructor showed us how to flood the paper and look across the paper from the side. Once the sheen disappears, the paper is ready for the wash. Of course, if you want more bleeding and pooling use the paper while is shiny or drier for less bleed. I find my blends are more predictable if I have a way to gauge saturation.
Hello its the first time I have a so detailed, precise and complete tuto in spontaneous paint. Thanks a lot. Bravo et merci. ...I have to use the french auto translate ...a lot of time!. And luckely for me you speak so slowly.
Congratulations Steve! I have been following your channel for about 4 years! I learned so much from your instructions. I am delighted to hear about your partnership. Well deserved .
Thank you Steve. I’m glad you made that point about water control. I really had no idea about what a difference that could make in my entire painting and having a successful outcome. I’ve been painting with watercolor for many years and have learned a lot from RUclips by the way. The thing that really caught my attention just a couple weeks ago was the watercolor clock by Joseph Zbukvic. For now my paintings will have to be planned in detail so that I don’t forget to include the various layers and how much water is in the brush, the paper or the paint. I have already started to get some success! Anyway, I can see how starting like this could be a way to develop a loose botanical type of painting. It’s got me thinking now and I am going to give that a try at some point. Maybe just a sketch at first. Thanks again for showing your Spontaneous Painting. I think it is another little detail that will help me to come up with some unique finished paintings. And have fun at it.😊
Very beautiful. I personally feel that there are talents that are innate and can grow with practice. However, there are also those that can try but never deeply understand color, form, line, and light and no matter how much they practice or you try to teach them, they just don't get it. That's been my experience with one one art lessons for years. What made me share this is when you start instinctively adding the "right" color to the wet on wet and the painting become more developed and pleasing. That's part of innate talent.
Love Steve's work. I saw the thumbnail, thought it was a MoW video because of the style, read the title and that made me question it. Opened the video and there he is. Totally unique painting style. Great collaboration.
What a nice surprise in my inbox. I said oh goody, Steve. Then said , wait this is Strathmore.. then double yay! For Steve! I am looking forward to watching all of these. You are the first RUclips artist I followed when I was introduced to RUclips and I think when you started your channel…slow to join the masses I know… YOU taught me water control, and being aware of where it is. I kept giggling when you repeated what repeats in my head…. Where is the water?…😂😂 be aware of the water… thank you FOR ALL OF YIUR GENEROUS SHARING! And so glad you have this pairing.
I've had a lot of fun doing spontaneous watercolours lately. Made it even more fun by letting friends pick the colours for me. Some went with a few similar shades, others went crazy with a whole bunch of bright colours. It's really fun and relaxing either way. Just splashing around with paint, water and salt and then try to find the landscape in the chaos. :)
Years ago at some art supply chain I got a pad full of watercolor paper, all different types by Strathmore. It was called Watercolor Sampler, 500 series. Wish they still made it!
Thanks for starting with the basics. I need reminding often, how much water, or what brush to use. I am so glad you are clarifying because it will help me determine what I want to paint. I am looking forward to this series!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful video and dedicating so much effort to creating valuable content that benefits all watercolor artists. Wishing you a truly wonderful day!
I am envious of these supplies. I’ve only been painting for a little over a year and am slowly building up my professional supplies. Cheap supplies are nice to start off with but better supplies give a better result
Paper has the biggest impact in watercolor, then paint, then brushes. So it might help to prioritize in that order. It makes a huge difference to invest in the best paper you can get even if you have to cheap out on paint and brushes because cotton paper with good sizing works completely differently from wood based paper.
Hi Steve love your style of teaching nice and relaxed and very informative. Looking forward to seeing more of your tutorials, that ol Princeton is getting a good workout !
i have used the Strathmore precut 500 series paper for several years now, along with other cotton papers, and I really, really like the performance. I think it's a great value for the price.
Thank you for the great tutorial. I’ve been trying to paint for quite some time. Your advice is really helpful and appreciated. I can’t wait for more! You’re amazing!
Hullo Steve, I was surprised to see this posted on the side of my regular subscriptions! I heard you were going to represent Arches papers from your interview with Lindsay and so I was surprised when this was posted! I have not used the Neptune brushes, but I have quite a few Aqua Elites and I love them as they are so like the Kolinsky brushes my Gran used when she taught me as a kid! I could not afford the expensive natural hair brushes when I started out, NOW the synthetic brushes are so good it is hard to tell them from natural hair brushes! I am glad your doing this workshop on Spontaneous Painting! I am sure they are some of your more popular videos on your channel! Thanks Steve and Please keep them coming!!
Thank you so much Steve, I really really enjoyed watching you take us all through starting watercolour and going through all the ifs and buts. I’m so impressed by your knowledge and enthusiasm I’ve subscribed and given you a thumbs up too
Your start method techniques are very helpful. I'm excited to see where you go with these start methods. Good explanations. This was your first video that I watched. I have now subscribed. Thank you.
Thanks for great information Steve. Can you please talk about the Strathmore pads available everywhere? They’re 300lb not paper but not cotton and much cheaper!
Do you give classes? I need some classes behind me so I’m not completely lost all the time. I’ll be so happy to buy or set up for classes now. You’re a fabulous teacher Thank you!
I used to paint oil the acrylic then water colour, then I worked with clay, throwing and sculpting. I also manufactured soft goods sewing. Now I'm trying to paint water colour again and can't seem to do it. Any thoughts I'm ready to quit my first day back.
Hi Steve - Do you use any "rules" for deciding which colors to start with - Light to dark? How do you determine when you have enough going on? I tend to overwork my spontaneous paintings and to have too much mid tone value...
Steve where have you been? I haven’t seen you for ages. Or is it me? I haven’t watched for ages. I shouldn’t ask but didn’t you used to show oil videos or did I watch your watercolours when I first started out?
Question on the drawing board, what is it made out of? I myself like to have a mobile board to tape my watercolor paper to but found that some materials will not work well and some do, just curious if anyone else has this problem
@@sesanger712 Yeah, they do. Sometimes it's mad frustrating. Things to look out for in decent watercolour paper are - 100% cotton, 300gsm and as far as texture, cold press has some, hot press is smooth. In the end it's about preference, and that is probably the most frustrating part is trying to figure out which paper you enjoy the most. For me, Strathmore 500 is ok, but I much prefer a different brand and it took me a lot of paper to figure it out. One thing I will say is that Strathmore is good for people just starting out because it's affordable and has plenty of sheets to play around with.
Can you do a video for beginners that doesn’t have 37,000 brushes and a bunch of explanations? I would love to do some spontaneous watercolor but I’m so intimidated now that I wouldn’t know where to start. I was thinking maybe three brushes plus the wide one that you use to wet the paper.I’d love to see something more simplified that I might be able to do.
Just jump in! Mistakes and false starts are part of the process. We all make them. Get whatever brushes/equipment appeals to you and start messing up paper. Learn how the paints react and play around learning to control how the pigments move. Practice various techniques without trying to "make" anything. Watch a lot of different tutorials. Eventually you will find the tools and techniques that work for you. PSA: watercolor is addictive. Be prepared to get obsessed. 😉😀
Steve, this was really excellent. I hope everybody appreciates how outstanding you are at clearly explaining the details of watercolor process. Thank you Strathmore, for keeping this free and accessible to all, and thank you Steve for your detailed teaching. Wonderful!
You are awesome! ❤
Good day,☀️
My name is Christine.
I’ve skimmed through your video’s. I then immediately went back to take my notes. What I love is how you have set up your waters and accessories. Hahahaha, I do exactly the same. Thinking this might be a tad too much,
but indeed it’s not. In fact it’s a perfect set up. Comfortable to say the least.
I thank you, excuse me, I thank me😉for spontaneously stopping in.
Excellent advice and beautiful artwork. You have the ability to (speak Easy)
allow the artist to move forward more freely.
I Thank you again.🌱🙏
The little things you go over are very useful and make a huge difference. I appreciate you going over the set up of the water, rag, sponge, etc. The tiny details pulled it altogether for me. Thanks
Thank you so much! I absolutely love how you have represented the sky and mountains❤ I have been testing mountain ideas for weeks (I live in the Cascade Range) and picked up several great ideas. Cheers!
I am SO grateful I found your video!!! I am a beginner watercolor painter and found this video extremely helpful and thorough. I even sensed a "patienceness" in your voice that helped my confidence grow a little and feel less intimidated. You have a gift in teaching watercolor painting! I look forward in journeying with you in your other beginner videos. Thank you kindly!😊
Please tell Strathmore to make a cotton journal!!! I was delighted to see you hosting this, Mr. MOW!!! Thanks Steve and Happy New Year!!!😊 A California Gramma ❤
I wish Strathmore would bring back their 100% cotton travel sketchbooks. I love those portable, flexible sketchbooks, and it made me very sad to see them discontinued 😢
They have a Multimedia sketchbook that's a 500 series. I just bought one. It's a portrait 5x8 tho'
YES!!
@UJB123 I have those too, they're nice but they aren't like the watercolor paper sketchbooks they used to offer, which were excellent and had thick, 300gsm, cold press, cotton paper. Sigh.. I miss those sketchbooks!
I agree! They are much easier to use &/or transport.
I found a solution though.
I purchase a package of pre-cut sheets and take them to a local print/copy shop. I ask them to "pad the sheets."
They stack the paper, apply a small amount of pressure, and add an adhesive "binder" to one edge.
This creates a "note pad" of sorts, that I can peel a page off of as I need it.
I have some chipboard (saved from other projects) and leftovers mat board scraps. I cut 2 pieces 3/4" - 1" larger than my paper pad, stack them, and cover them with some old canvas to make a "folder" for the padded sheets.
It's a lot less effort than it sounds, and it gives my mind a break when I don't know what to paint.
Bee paper now has a large spiral bound notebook with good cotton rag. Made in USA it says. I'm deliriously happy with it. Found on Amazon.
100% cotton paper truly makes a difference in watercolor painting. Thanks for sharing this tutorial.
I’ve always loved your spontaneous paintings, and I’ve had so much fun trying them. Thank you for making watercolor come alive.
Thank you, Steve! I think you’ve just helped me break through my WC block. I’m looking forward to the next sessions. You’ve been my favorite for a long time and I learn so much from your channel.
I love Steve Mitchell's work!! so happy for this partnership!!!
In college my watercolor instructor showed us how to flood the paper and look across the paper from the side. Once the sheen disappears, the paper is ready for the wash. Of course, if you want more bleeding and pooling use the paper while is shiny or drier for less bleed. I find my blends are more predictable if I have a way to gauge saturation.
Hello its the first time I have a so detailed, precise and complete tuto in spontaneous paint. Thanks a lot. Bravo et merci. ...I have to use the french auto translate ...a lot of time!. And luckely for me you speak so slowly.
Congratulations Steve! I have been following your channel for about 4 years! I learned so much from your instructions.
I am delighted to hear about your partnership. Well deserved .
Thank you Steve. I’m glad you made that point about water control. I really had no idea about what a difference that could make in my entire painting and having a successful outcome. I’ve been painting with watercolor for many years and have learned a lot from RUclips by the way. The thing that really caught my attention just a couple weeks ago was the watercolor clock by Joseph Zbukvic. For now my paintings will have to be planned in detail so that I don’t forget to include the various layers and how much water is in the brush, the paper or the paint. I have already started to get some success!
Anyway, I can see how starting like this could be a way to develop a loose botanical type of painting. It’s got me thinking now and I am going to give that a try at some point. Maybe just a sketch at first.
Thanks again for showing your Spontaneous Painting. I think it is another little detail that will help me to come up with some unique finished paintings.
And have fun at it.😊
Very beautiful. I personally feel that there are talents that are innate and can grow with practice. However, there are also those that can try but never deeply understand color, form, line, and light and no matter how much they practice or you try to teach them, they just don't get it. That's been my experience with one one art lessons for years.
What made me share this is when you start instinctively adding the "right" color to the wet on wet and the painting become more developed and pleasing. That's part of innate talent.
Love Steve's work. I saw the thumbnail, thought it was a MoW video because of the style, read the title and that made me question it. Opened the video and there he is. Totally unique painting style. Great collaboration.
I LOVE this workshop!!! Can’t wait to watch the next few in the series!
Awesome! Great seeing you here Steve. I always look forward to your spontaneous paintings on your channel too. Blessings to you!💗
What a nice surprise in my inbox. I said oh goody, Steve. Then said , wait this is Strathmore.. then double yay! For Steve! I am looking forward to watching all of these. You are the first RUclips artist I followed when I was introduced to RUclips and I think when you started your channel…slow to join the masses I know… YOU taught me water control, and being aware of where it is. I kept giggling when you repeated what repeats in my head…. Where is the water?…😂😂 be aware of the water… thank you FOR ALL OF YIUR GENEROUS SHARING! And so glad you have this pairing.
I've had a lot of fun doing spontaneous watercolours lately. Made it even more fun by letting friends pick the colours for me. Some went with a few similar shades, others went crazy with a whole bunch of bright colours. It's really fun and relaxing either way. Just splashing around with paint, water and salt and then try to find the landscape in the chaos. :)
Years ago at some art supply chain I got a pad full of watercolor paper, all different types by Strathmore. It was called Watercolor Sampler, 500 series. Wish they still made it!
Thanks for starting with the basics. I need reminding often, how much water, or what brush to use. I am so glad you are clarifying because it will help me determine what I want to paint. I am looking forward to this series!
Steve this series is excellent. My personal style is spontaneous abstract landscapes. Your thoughts have influenced my thinking, ..in a good way.
Hi, Steve. So nice to see you. This sounds exciting 😊
Great tutorial. My early paintings used too little water and not enough large brushes. I liked your comment on rivulets, they are full of surprises.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful video and dedicating so much effort to creating valuable content that benefits all watercolor artists. Wishing you a truly wonderful day!
Well done Steve, look forward to the next video.
I am envious of these supplies. I’ve only been painting for a little over a year and am slowly building up my professional supplies. Cheap supplies are nice to start off with but better supplies give a better result
Same! I have a few nicer hair brushes ive saved up for
Paper has the biggest impact in watercolor, then paint, then brushes. So it might help to prioritize in that order. It makes a huge difference to invest in the best paper you can get even if you have to cheap out on paint and brushes because cotton paper with good sizing works completely differently from wood based paper.
This is very different from most tutorials I’ve been following and I love it! I’m looking forward to giving this a try and the next tutorials. 🙏
Thank you! A nice surprise to see you! Great fun project too!
Hi Steve love your style of teaching nice and relaxed and very informative. Looking forward to seeing more of your tutorials, that ol Princeton is getting a good workout !
Love this video!!!
Yay! I’m looking forward to this series.
Thank you so much for this set of videos. It was joyful to watch. I don't think I'll ever get to your standard but going to have fun trying
This guys channel is so awesome and this class is really good! Thanks for doing it with him! I'm going to have to check out that paper too!
i have used the Strathmore precut 500 series paper for several years now, along with other cotton papers, and I really, really like the performance. I think it's a great value for the price.
Great information for starters. Looking forward to watching your spontaneous episode! 🎉
Thank you for the great tutorial. I’ve been trying to paint for quite some time. Your advice is really helpful and appreciated. I can’t wait for more! You’re amazing!
Fantastic video! I absolutely love playing in the paintbox...and learned alot today. Thank you ❤
I’ve been trying to find you for years! I used it watch you years ago and then couldn’t find you. Love your style!
Love this method. Looks like fun!
10:02 if you want to get right into it
Thank you Steve. From France
Thanks for your thought process through these paintings. So helpful
The microfibre car sponge is a great idea
❤❤❤ Thanks so much for this amazing video. You really helped me to paint a beautiful painting. ❤❤❤
Really helpful Steve ❤❤ - I hope this paper is available in India.
This is so cool. I'm excited to learn more!
We all thank you so so very much for your wonderful tutorials
Hullo Steve, I was surprised to see this posted on the side of my regular subscriptions! I heard you were going to represent Arches papers from your interview with Lindsay and so I was surprised when this was posted! I have not used the Neptune brushes, but I have quite a few Aqua Elites and I love them as they are so like the Kolinsky brushes my Gran used when she taught me as a kid! I could not afford the expensive natural hair brushes when I started out, NOW the synthetic brushes are so good it is hard to tell them from natural hair brushes! I am glad your doing this workshop on Spontaneous Painting! I am sure they are some of your more popular videos on your channel! Thanks Steve and Please keep them coming!!
I really like these methods. Thank you for sharing
Thank you so much Steve, I really really enjoyed watching you take us all through starting watercolour and going through all the ifs and buts. I’m so impressed by your knowledge and enthusiasm I’ve subscribed and given you a thumbs up too
Ken Bromley do a very good sample pack. Numbered and described.
Fantastic! I would love to know what you thought of the paper.
The first one makes me think of the sky in a bushfire. It would be fabulous with trees under it.
Thank you so much for sharing! This is wonderful!
Your start method techniques are very helpful. I'm excited to see where you go with these start methods. Good explanations. This was your first video that I watched. I have now subscribed. Thank you.
Спасибо, хоть и не знаю языка, но доступно визуально. Впечатляет❤
This was fantastic! Thank you❤️
Thank you for your helpful ideas!!
Thanks for great information Steve. Can you please talk about the Strathmore pads available everywhere? They’re 300lb not paper but not cotton and much cheaper!
Thank you so much. It's a really fantastic tutorial!!!!
How do you gather the inspiration to dish out such an enormous amount of wonderful creativity?
I would love to watch your drawing videos as well.
Hello
I am so happy 2 find ur vids ❤
Thank you
Best tutorial ! Learned a lot
Great series. Does anyone know what drawing board Mr. Mitchell is using?
Great lesson. Thank you.
Very informative, Thanks for sharing!!! Subscribed!!!
Hey dude this is a nice surprise. 😎
Thank you so much . I learned a lot from your videos.
Hi Steve, is there a special adjustment sprayer that you are using? Can you recommend one. I have a mister. Love watching your demos.💜💜💜
Do you give classes? I need some classes behind me so I’m not completely lost all the time. I’ll be so happy to buy or set up for classes now. You’re a fabulous teacher Thank you!
very informative! thanku!
This is so stunning, it looks wonderful ☺
This is excellent! Thanks
bravo bravo bravo !!!!!!!!!
Great instructions and supply list. Just one question, what tape do you use for taping the paper to the board?
Thank you for this ! ❤
Thanks Steve 💝
Great video
Is that sponge covered with microfiber or terry cloth? I'm having a hard time finding one like it.
Excellent teaching here!
I had a large drawing board that warped from the water. What material is your drawing board?
I used to paint oil the acrylic then water colour, then I worked with clay, throwing and sculpting.
I also manufactured soft goods sewing.
Now I'm trying to paint water colour again and can't seem to do it. Any thoughts I'm ready to quit my first day back.
Interesting and useful, thank you
Hi Steve - Do you use any "rules" for deciding which colors to start with - Light to dark? How do you determine when you have enough going on? I tend to overwork my spontaneous paintings and to have too much mid tone value...
Hello Steve, please tell me about the easel on your desk, dark wood with the black knobs on the side?
I had the Gemini 500 series, 300# paper and loved it. Now I can't find it anywhere. Has it been discontinued?
Steve where have you been? I haven’t seen you for ages. Or is it me? I haven’t watched for ages. I shouldn’t ask but didn’t you used to show oil videos or did I watch your watercolours when I first started out?
Question on the drawing board, what is it made out of? I myself like to have a mobile board to tape my watercolor paper to but found that some materials will not work well and some do, just curious if anyone else has this problem
Grazie mille
what does 500 series mean/indicate?
It's the professional artist line, made with cotton and not pulp.
@@suzy7301 Thank you - I'm still learning! The brands all seem to have their own lingo.
@@sesanger712 Yeah, they do. Sometimes it's mad frustrating. Things to look out for in decent watercolour paper are - 100% cotton, 300gsm and as far as texture, cold press has some, hot press is smooth.
In the end it's about preference, and that is probably the most frustrating part is trying to figure out which paper you enjoy the most. For me, Strathmore 500 is ok, but I much prefer a different brand and it took me a lot of paper to figure it out. One thing I will say is that Strathmore is good for people just starting out because it's affordable and has plenty of sheets to play around with.
Can you do a video for beginners that doesn’t have 37,000 brushes and a bunch of explanations? I would love to do some spontaneous watercolor but I’m so intimidated now that I wouldn’t know where to start. I was thinking maybe three brushes plus the wide one that you use to wet the paper.I’d love to see something more simplified that I might be able to do.
Just jump in! Mistakes and false starts are part of the process. We all make them.
Get whatever brushes/equipment appeals to you and start messing up paper. Learn how the paints react and play around learning to control how the pigments move.
Practice various techniques without trying to "make" anything.
Watch a lot of different tutorials.
Eventually you will find the tools and techniques that work for you.
PSA: watercolor is addictive. Be prepared to get obsessed. 😉😀
Great👍
Do you stretch your paper?
How to paint sunflowers in a vase
Abstract watercolor
❤️
Your hands look so... So young looking!!!
He doesn’t look very old. What an odd observation 😊
Did anyone else see the fairy on the right and the hibiscus on the left?
Wow. I suck. 😂
Be kind to yourself and play.
Me too pal! However there is always room for improvement and im always learning. So thankful for people that share their wisdom with us on RUclips