I am 68 and was a singer songwriter until I lost my singing voice in a surgery. So now I am trying my hand at art. Thank you for these lovely videos!!!
That's tough, so I'm glad you chose another way to be creative! I, too, had surgery for vocal polyps and my voice was never the same. So I've taken up watercolour and couldn't be happier!!
I lost my voice for almost a year. I went to the Voice Center at Vanderbilt University. I was able to get my voice back in about six weeks. Nashville Tn. Wishing you my best
@@marciadempsay6104 Thank you for sharing your story. 🥰. My voice has improved some over the past years but I won’t be able to preform. Hafta say I definitely miss being on stage! 😊 having said that I’m really glad I don’t have to carry amplifiers around anymore. 😂. Enjoy your voice, it is a true gift!!💝
Sorry about your voice. I'm a musician who can no longer play guitar because of age, arthritis, etc. I'm trying my hand at painting, something I've always wanted to do. I have a lot to learn, but I'm pleased with my progress so far. Thank God for RUclips tutorials! How did I ever get along without them? 😂
One of the things I wish I knew is working with a limited palette; I learned this from you. It's fine to buy every color that catches your fancy but a good painting has only a few; you can achieve great results just by changing the amounts. Thanks for stressing color harmony; it really makes a difference.
I too learnt these tips by trial and error.....one thing I am still struggling with is achieving transparency in watercolours in one go...with tonal values in place and it should look like the pic is done... all in one wash. Looking forward to a video of this kind. Thanks Louise.
I too learnt these tips by trial and error.....one thing I am still struggling with is achieving transparency in watercolours in one go...with tonal values in place and it should look like the pic is done... all in one wash. Looking forward to a video of this kind. Thanks Louise.
Louise, As a beginning painter I find your bloopers delightful. Not only do they tingle me but they remind me to relax and have fun. Your work is stunning. Thank you.
Thanks so much for your candor. The one thing I wish I’d known was that practice in a sketchbook is essential. Identify a day that you’ll practice leaf shapes, or softening edges - or removing paint from dried paper (!). It’s through learning these things and practicing these skills that we improve. You can’t create a masterpiece every day. BTW, I had the privilege of attending a four-day watercolor workshop with Tony Couch, the author of WATERCOLOR YOU CAN DO IT, last Spring on St. Simon s Island, Georgia in the US. Tony is amazing and still going strong at 95 years young. It was amazing to be in the presence of watercolor royalty!!
I would love to see a more in depth video on “dominance” and composition. You’re the first person I’ve seen mentioning this. It sounds really interesting. Also I just wanted to say how much I appreciate and enjoy your videos. I’ve learned so much from you. I especially like your bloopers at the end of every video. It shows us your unique personality which is amazing 🥰
This was a great video! (New sub here). I would love to see you recreate those paintings and show the side by side comparisons, explaining what you did differently. I think it could be interesting and very helpful for a lot of us. Thanks!
Thank you Tabitha! Someone else suggested this and I thought it was a great idea. So, as we speak, I am working on that. I don't have footage of when I painted the overworked tulip because I painted it before I started filming myself but I can use it to show the differences on the second tulip painting that I have just completed. The new video will be out next month.
With writing stories I'm what is called a "pantser". That means I can's for the life of me PLAN a story. Well, I can plan it, but then I feal like I've already written it, and then having to actually put it on paper is impossible for me. I have to let the story tell itself to me while I'm writing it. With watercolour painting I find the same thing. I can plan very carefully, but when I try to paint it, it won't work. Because to me that feels like all the joy and surprise of then actually painting it have gone. It's become more like a chore. So I have to see what it becomes, how I paint it, as I go. That's just how I am I guess. I've only started painting about 2 to 3 years ago, so I consider myself to be a beginner. Videos like this are so very helpful. Thanks :)
Somewhere I learned to call dominance "weight". I look at a drawing and decide where I want all the "weight" to go 🙃. Louise, I am so glad you brought up mixing your own greens. Mixing them yourself creates so much flavour in a painting, especially landscapes with cool and warm greens playing up shadowy areas in the scenery. Have used magic erasers for a few colour lifting/blending techniques. If done gently it will produce some amazing sky effects. I have even used balled up toilet paper to lift out clouds....the grand kids thought that was funny, but it sure got their imagination going! Would love to hear more about the principles of design! Is an area I kind of ignore often.
Love this helpful video -I would love to hear more about the principles of design with examples-your instruction on dominance was so so helpful ❤ Louise I hope you know what a treasure you are ! - Bonnie
I agree I am looking for things to do in my sixties being as it appears I will be more alone in my days … my alziemers were continue to progress if I don’t reverse it
@@joycebruhn1346add coconut oil to your food it halts the progress of alzeheimers. I'm also starting to paint in my sixties and loving these videos so much. What a wealth of knowledge Louise has. So enjoy her.
Louise, this video was so helpful! It brings out that no matter how many years we have been painting, or doing anything, there is always more to learn!
Louise I enjoyed your video on what I wished I knew in the beginning. What I would love to see is for you to do those 3 paintings over now, so we can see what you mean.
Thanks for the wonderful and helpful video. One caveat about lifting dried washes. Some pigments are staining and don’t lift. My first watercolor teacher used staining pigments so she could glaze over them without worrying about the pigments below moving at all. The manufacturer usually includes info about how staining the pigment is. Thanks again!
Even if you don't think you're early, works are beautiful, I assure you they are. Even if they aren't everything you want them to be, they're absolutely something wonderful to so many. I look at my early work and sometimes cringe I call it academic, but like you, as we evolve our tastes of all with what we think of our work. Just please, there's no reason to dislike your work. It's just different work than you're doing now
Brilliant!!! I had given up on watercolors and went to oil. Love it. Now I’m bored after twenty years and thinking of watercolors. Right in time your fantastic video shows up. THANK YOU. I’m subscribed and Liked your channel.
Oh I still struggle with color mixing & letting the paint do its own thing. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. I really appreciate your channel & I’m learning so much.
As a beginner, all your pointers are SO valuable! Cant thank you enough ❤ Regarding what you say about not fussing with the colours also remind me of Oriental water colour where just single brush strokes are done following the artists sense of timing, intuition, contemplation and of course years of dedicated practice...
Dominance and focal point are easy to loose sight of when you are in the throes of making the paint and water behave unless you consciously focus on them. Excellent video!
OMG! I'm so glad I watched to the end. Thank you, Louise, for the best laugh of my week. So glad other people do things like this. Thank you, thank you 🙂
Thanks for your tips Louise! It sure is helpful. Of all the artists who work with watercolor, I think you are the clearest in explanation and I like the way you structure your videos. You don't rush things and I appreciate that very much. Composition is a difficult thing. Maybe it's possible to make a separate video of it? I am curious about examples and differences between compositions. What you said about avoiding different layers is interesting. I know artists who swear by painting several layers to get more depth and brightness in a painting. On the other hand, I also find the transparency of your paintings very beautiful and pure.
I love watching your videos - you are so poised, so ladylike in manner and speech, so accomplished and professional, just so, so, perfect ! And then you show the bloopers at the end with your face gurning stupidly, getting flustered and irate, being forgetful and most of all, being human, and it makes me smile and laugh. Loved all the information in the video, but loved the video more !
When I decided I wanted to take up watercolour painting I signed up for a comprehensive course that took me a year to complete. The instructor taught some of the things you mention in this video, such as not making every element of a painting the same size whether it be rocks, trees, or flowers. He also talked about the importance of making a focal point in the painting and other basic elements of composition, and also that it's possible to lift paint once it's dry. A big focus of his course was on how to mix colours and using a limited palette, so I got familiar with this all-important aspect of watercolour painting from the get go. I have a lot of colours of paint, but I rarely use more than six for any given painting. He also made it clear from the get go that if you want to succeed at watercolour painting you absolutely must use 100% cotton paper, even as a beginner, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I took that advice seriously and started off right away using Arches, although I no longer use it. The thing I struggle with the most is my perfectionism, which leads me to fiddle with my paintings. My perfectionism is difficult for me to let go of. Maureen
Hi Louise! Nice way to start my Oregon morning, with a new video by you! 💜💜💛💛💚💚 All useful tips, thanks for always thinking of how to help the watercolor journey smoother!
I would like to point out that your earlier paintings are very beautiful- it’s just that you have improved your skills and the newer ones are more polished, maybe.
I started my painting journey with oils. Years later I changed to acrylic. Now I am learning watercolors. I really related to your comments. Each median is different. I find watercolors tedious.
I really appreciate the knowledge and experience you share with us Louise. But, I must confess, my favourite parts of all your videos are the outtakes; they absolutely crack me up 😂! Thank you for being willing to share those too, you bring much needed humour with every one. Thank you and God bless. 🙏💖
Thank you for your tips :) the first one is really helpful, because I didn't thought about it before :) I recently bought watercolors and I started drawing in 2022, but on drawing tablet, so i did it only digitally. On Instagram I saw from time to time "real" paintings. It always amaze me how much skills you have to have to paint on canvas or paper, there's no ctrl+z. On my tablet is so easy to undo things, make lines straight, make the whole sketch bigger or smaller. I like that control. But I started to see more and more watercolor paintings or digital drawings in this style. This subtle washed out effect catched my eye. I love it, it's just like you captured THE moment in your painting, but look, it's passing away, next minute it will be gone (because of the washed out outlines or shapes). I think about watercolors like this. As much as I like the subtle, pastel colors, the same goes to vibrant ones. So when I saw some paintings in watercolors when the colors was solid, strong and simply beautiful I was shocked, because I always thought watercolors are more faded. Still I was never truly into classic art, so that's why there's lack of my knowledge. After that I decided "I have to try it. I must to try it!". So I don't think that your paintings with solid color and lack of washed out effects are bad, no, they are stunning and beautiful in its own way! That's just a different method. What is great about watercolors that you can achieve different effects. Nothing is good or bad when it comes to HOW you use your paint. That's my opinion :) Now I'm gonna refer to point 5. After few attempts to paint flowers and feathers I was amazed how random brush movements + watercolors can create shapes with shadows and how you can see some fantasy creatures. I love it, i just can' say how much happy I am that I decided to try it the classic way. I love how "unstable it is", if you make mistake, you have to go with the flow and the outcome can be so amazing, that you never thought it could look so good or it can create something you didn't even want to, but the result is still satisfying. In watercolors I love that you have to be partners, watercolors let you move brush and you let watercolors do their job, by flowing on the paper. One thing I know, on the tablet I would never create something by accident, I would never have my cute little fantasy creatures which I have now thanks to watercolors (I used that word so many times here xD), because I have everything under control. Once again thank you for your videos. You are very skilled, I would love to paint animals like you do and hope some day I could do something similar.
Louise thank you so much for recommending Tony’s book-Watercolor You Can Do It. I’m learning so much already about design and I’m only 3 chapters in. I discovered I’d painted a piece about 2.5 years ago that has oblique thrust and I didn’t even know it at the time. It’s a watercolor of a little rustic church out on the prairie (the outback to y’all) and we used it for our Christmas card that year. I love Tony’s book. Thanks again and I look forward as always to your great videos and tutorials. Blessings to you and Dom. Love the bloopers btw😂.
I’ve been practicing g for the last 6 years. I take classes with that. However there is either something wrong with me or I’m not cut out to be san aetist. My granddaughter is simply amazing. Thank you so much. I’ve learned more this morning than most of my classes. I’m on my way to the airport going to Canada for 20 days. I might be able to relax lol. Hugs from North Carolina.
Thank you so much for your very helpful video. I'm just starting with art as a whole, let alone watercolour. I loved my first painting of proteas, but I'm going to have another go after watching this! Thank you again 👏
Oh, thank you so much Louise, I had just started lifting and I think you have on that alone just made my day! Every tip you gave is a blessing. I have also just started looking at Rosemary & Co brushes so will now go back & look at the eradicator brushes…. Regards from West Australia 👋
So useful, thanks Louise. I think you are right in that size variation is important. However there are also exceptions - like wildflower fields tend to be all a similar size in a lot of paintings and they look great. I was chuckling to myself as you showed us those spectacular tulips and said "way too bright" - I thought they looked great! But yes, softer neutrals do look stunning. I am a bit baffled by colour mixing. I bought the primary colours to try and learn how to mix greys. Not easy! My top tip is to not overpaint - i.e leaving white. V hard to do!
As always, I love your excellent videos. I’ve painted for years but since I don’t paint that often, I feel I’m still a beginner. Thank you for sharing your expertise!❤
You said it, mistakes are how you learn. I really appreciate you talking about what didn’t work for you as well as what did instead of just giving a list of things to do. Thanks so much for letting us benefit from your experience.
Thank you for sharing your progress and what you are learning from other great artists books. I wish I knew in the beginning how much of a difference decent paper makes. Your video's are top notch. I need this sort of thing as I'm very, very discouraged atm with my painting, out of sorts. Truing to resist the urge to give up. But I keep telling myself to paint as often as possible, anything, even swatching or colour mixing. I'm still not entirely satisfied with the result when I paint but hoping something will click into place. Looking forward to your next update.
WOW Louise that is wonderful. Sooo helpful. I remembered when you were talking that an artist once wrote variations and alternation is MONEY IN THE BANK. 😄
Louise, I wish I had known more about composition, including the importance of dominance, values, gradation, and when /where to use soft and hard edges. I also wish I had known to use a limited color palette. Louise, I adore the outtakes at the end of your videos. You are such a delight---as a person, as an artist, and as a teacher! Your charming personality, talent, and expertise shine through every video, and I thank you and your team for all the hard work required to produce such well-crafted educational content. Lousie, thank you for sharing your wisdom and creativity, and for inspiring us on a continuous basis. Most of all, thank you for being you! You are a great blessing to all of us!
One thing I wish I knew is that art takes time. Don't settle do the leg work, and try it all. At the end of the day we all know our own hearts even if we think we don't.
No no no! All your paintings are beautiful! You have just advanced my dear!!!! I know it’s so easy to down our work… call it ugly, rip it up and throw it in the bin … but I refuse! I keep every single “failure” of a painting. To others they might not see what I see as a failure. But I learn for it all. I won’t call it ugly though….. just lessens! Lol!!! ❤
Regarding lifting off pigments, I wonder how you pick your colours - I don't mean the hue or temperature, but the properties like staining, transparency, opacity, pigment intensity, etc.. I have only recently realized what a difference it can make, and am curious where the exploration will lead me.
These videos about actual “learning” are so helpful. I’m happy to say I have the Rosemary brushes, but I was never certain about using them on dry paint. And I give you all the credit for my becoming a paper stretching enthusiast! It makes a huge difference, and it’s much easier than I thought. I already had a nice sized gator board that worked great. But I also had a larger one, about double in size. Since I’m mainly interested in practicing and learning, I’m not ready for anything too large. My husband was able to cut the large board in half, so now I have 3 boards, which means I can always have my next project ready (something you pointed out on your video about this). I’m certain I’m overworking some of my paintings, but I’m also seeing a lot of improvement, so I’ll keep that in mind, but for now, I’m becoming more accepting of my shortcomings. And, as you may recall, I’m also an acrylic artist, and I completely relate to your descriptions. (I still want to finish one portrait of my horse, but it’s hard going back to that medium.) One thing I would enjoy learning about is how to simplify a painting. I’ve always gotten lost in the details, and that’s especially difficult with watercolor. I’ve I notice how good you are at figuring out what should be included and what isn’t essential. Thank you, Louise.
Thank you Anne! I'm so pleased you are paper stretching enthusiast. It really doesn't take any time to do and as you said, if you have a few boards you can always have a piece of paper ready to work on when you are. It's so much easier painting on a piece of paper that stays flat. Being able to simplify a subject, I think comes from experience more than anything else. I am still working on that myself after 12 years. These days I ask myself what is it about the subject that I am attracted to and that's what I try to draw attention to in the painting.
Thank you, Louise, as always, for making these great videos that are always so helpful, especially as a ‘newbie’ to water colour. I really appreciate your natural, down to earth, calm and serene demeanour ( although I can imagine you smiling at that 🤭🤭 ) . 🥳🥳💕💕
Thank you so much for this frank and forward video! I’m a newbie and I’m loving the process but the results…not so much🙄Baby steps - that’s the key! Excited to try to the eradicator brushes!😻
I have lots of books by David Bellamy as well as Tony Couch. I still consider myself a beginning watercolor painter. I read their books and saw the "principles" and techniques etc. It is very hard to try and apply all of those things. Some of them have been very helpful, but I don't fuss too much if I don't. I felt it diminished my creativity. Your paintings are gorgeous, I wish I could paint that well! Everyone develops their own style. Painting can be beautiful without all of those elements. If encorporating them helps, then great. Otherwise make what looks good to you!
I too am an acrylic painter and I'm about to give up on watercolors. I overwork everything and love detail painting. I'll keep at it. Thanks so much for the tips!
Louise, I began painting with watercolor about four years ago now. I have struggled with the exact same things that you described in this video. I also need to say that I've learned so much from watching your videos and the lessons that you posted in SkilShare. Thank you!
THANK YOU.....thank you for your oh so helpful ideas and examples but also for your bloopers! I love knowing that part of you. Gives me the understanding that we are all on this watercolor journey together.
I am 68 and was a singer songwriter until I lost my singing voice in a surgery. So now I am trying my hand at art. Thank you for these lovely videos!!!
That's tough, so I'm glad you chose another way to be creative! I, too, had surgery for vocal polyps and my voice was never the same. So I've taken up watercolour and couldn't be happier!!
Kudos to you!!!👏
I lost my voice for almost a year. I went to the Voice Center at Vanderbilt University. I was able to get my voice back in about six weeks. Nashville Tn. Wishing you my best
@@marciadempsay6104 Thank you for sharing your story. 🥰. My voice has improved some over the past years but I won’t be able to preform. Hafta say I definitely miss being on stage! 😊 having said that I’m really glad I don’t have to carry amplifiers around anymore. 😂. Enjoy your voice, it is a true gift!!💝
Sorry about your voice. I'm a musician who can no longer play guitar because of age, arthritis, etc. I'm trying my hand at painting, something I've always wanted to do. I have a lot to learn, but I'm pleased with my progress so far. Thank God for RUclips tutorials! How did I ever get along without them? 😂
One of the things I wish I knew is working with a limited palette; I learned this from you. It's fine to buy every color that catches your fancy but a good painting has only a few; you can achieve great results just by changing the amounts. Thanks for stressing color harmony; it really makes a difference.
So true. Thank you very much!
Yes and learning to mix paint. It's tricky!
I too learnt these tips by trial and error.....one thing I am still struggling with is achieving transparency in watercolours in one go...with tonal values in place and it should look like the pic is done... all in one wash. Looking forward to a video of this kind. Thanks Louise.
I too learnt these tips by trial and error.....one thing I am still struggling with is achieving transparency in watercolours in one go...with tonal values in place and it should look like the pic is done... all in one wash. Looking forward to a video of this kind. Thanks Louise.
@@premila601 yes, and that makes a huge difference to the luminance of the piece. I also tend to go over my watercolour and it loses that.
Thank you for accepting your flaws. You seem very sweet and talented.
Louise, As a beginning painter I find your bloopers delightful. Not only do they tingle me but they remind me to relax and have fun. Your work is stunning. Thank you.
🏆🏆🏆🏆
If only MY bloopers could look like that!
Thanks so much for your candor. The one thing I wish I’d known was that practice in a sketchbook is essential. Identify a day that you’ll practice leaf shapes, or softening edges - or removing paint from dried paper (!). It’s through learning these things and practicing these skills that we improve. You can’t create a masterpiece every day.
BTW, I had the privilege of attending a four-day watercolor workshop with Tony Couch, the author of WATERCOLOR YOU CAN DO IT, last Spring on St. Simon s Island, Georgia in the US. Tony is amazing and still going strong at 95 years young. It was amazing to be in the presence of watercolor royalty!!
I would love to see a more in depth video on “dominance” and composition. You’re the first person I’ve seen mentioning this. It sounds really interesting.
Also I just wanted to say how much I appreciate and enjoy your videos. I’ve learned so much from you. I especially like your bloopers at the end of every video. It shows us your unique personality which is amazing 🥰
Ian Roberts' youtube channel is a great resource for learning composition! @Ianrobertsmasteringcomposition
@@TheMadGrim 10:34
This was a great video! (New sub here). I would love to see you recreate those paintings and show the side by side comparisons, explaining what you did differently. I think it could be interesting and very helpful for a lot of us. Thanks!
Thank you Tabitha! Someone else suggested this and I thought it was a great idea. So, as we speak, I am working on that. I don't have footage of when I painted the overworked tulip because I painted it before I started filming myself but I can use it to show the differences on the second tulip painting that I have just completed. The new video will be out next month.
With writing stories I'm what is called a "pantser". That means I can's for the life of me PLAN a story. Well, I can plan it, but then I feal like I've already written it, and then having to actually put it on paper is impossible for me. I have to let the story tell itself to me while I'm writing it.
With watercolour painting I find the same thing. I can plan very carefully, but when I try to paint it, it won't work. Because to me that feels like all the joy and surprise of then actually painting it have gone. It's become more like a chore. So I have to see what it becomes, how I paint it, as I go.
That's just how I am I guess.
I've only started painting about 2 to 3 years ago, so I consider myself to be a beginner. Videos like this are so very helpful. Thanks :)
Somewhere I learned to call dominance "weight". I look at a drawing and decide where I want all the "weight" to go 🙃. Louise, I am so glad you brought up mixing your own greens. Mixing them yourself creates so much flavour in a painting, especially landscapes with cool and warm greens playing up shadowy areas in the scenery.
Have used magic erasers for a few colour lifting/blending techniques. If done gently it will produce some amazing sky effects. I have even used balled up toilet paper to lift out clouds....the grand kids thought that was funny, but it sure got their imagination going!
Would love to hear more about the principles of design! Is an area I kind of ignore often.
I love my Rosemary eradicators! Great tips for any skill level.
Love this helpful video -I would love to hear more about the principles of design with examples-your instruction on dominance was so so helpful ❤ Louise I hope you know what a treasure you are ! - Bonnie
Thank you Bonnie! I'm glad it was helpful.
I agree I am looking for things to do in my sixties being as it appears I will be more alone in my days … my alziemers were continue to progress if I don’t reverse it
@@joycebruhn1346add coconut oil to your food it halts the progress of alzeheimers. I'm also starting to paint in my sixties and loving these videos so much. What a wealth of knowledge Louise has. So enjoy her.
What a sweet soul you are! Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom.
Louise, this video was so helpful! It brings out that no matter how many years we have been painting, or doing anything, there is always more to learn!
I'm glad Renee. Thank you!
Louise I enjoyed your video on what I wished I knew in the beginning. What I would love to see is for you to do those 3 paintings over now, so we can see what you mean.
Absolutely refreshingly honest! Subscribed 😊
Very informative and well explained. Thank u louise.❤
Videos like these are gold. Thanks for making them 🥰
Thanks for the wonderful and helpful video. One caveat about lifting dried washes. Some pigments are staining and don’t lift. My first watercolor teacher used staining pigments so she could glaze over them without worrying about the pigments below moving at all. The manufacturer usually includes info about how staining the pigment is. Thanks again!
Thank you - it's good to remember that!
Mmm….baby steps really resonated with me ❤
Thank you Louise!
Thanks! You make a world of difference!
Thank you very much.
I often watch how-to videos. It's a pleasure to watch demos by someone who has a good eye. Yes, I like your work!
Excellent information from your experience, thank you!
Thanks Louise, your straightforward way of communicating (and your frankness) is so refreshing!
Very nice of you to share, bless your heart :)
Your older work is beautiful!! It's natural to learn and see mistakes in previous art. Still stunning art.
The use of cotton paper was a game changer for me. And blocks!
Even if you don't think you're early, works are beautiful, I assure you they are. Even if they aren't everything you want them to be, they're absolutely something wonderful to so many.
I look at my early work and sometimes cringe I call it academic, but like you, as we evolve our tastes of all with what we think of our work. Just please, there's no reason to dislike your work. It's just different work than you're doing now
I appreciate the heads-up!
Love your bloopers!!
I love your calmness, honesty and advise
All of your paintings are wonderful! Old and new alike.
Brilliant!!! I had given up on watercolors and went to oil. Love it. Now I’m bored after twenty years and thinking of watercolors. Right in time your fantastic video shows up. THANK YOU. I’m subscribed and Liked your channel.
Oh I still struggle with color mixing & letting the paint do its own thing. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. I really appreciate your channel & I’m learning so much.
I'm glad. Thank you Colleen.
@@LouiseDeMasi You’re welcome 😉!
As a beginner, all your pointers are SO valuable! Cant thank you enough ❤
Regarding what you say about not fussing with the colours also remind me of Oriental water colour where just single brush strokes are done following the artists sense of timing, intuition, contemplation and of course years of dedicated practice...
I agree with you mam😊
Eres encantadora y aprendo muchísimo de ti
Thanks for the advice-I prewet my dried paints to get them start softening before I start painting and it works for me
Great reminders to those who are new to watercolor.
Thank you Diana.
Dominance and focal point are easy to loose sight of when you are in the throes of making the paint and water behave unless you consciously focus on them. Excellent video!
Wonderful, thank you!
This was very helpful.
Your bloopers are amazing! I am so grateful you included them. It shows us you are real ❤️ I've learned so much from you- thank you xx
OMG! I'm so glad I watched to the end. Thank you, Louise, for the best laugh of my week. So glad other people do things like this. Thank you, thank you 🙂
Thanks for your tips Louise! It sure is helpful. Of all the artists who work with watercolor, I think you are the clearest in explanation and I like the way you structure your videos. You don't rush things and I appreciate that very much.
Composition is a difficult thing. Maybe it's possible to make a separate video of it? I am curious about examples and differences between compositions.
What you said about avoiding different layers is interesting. I know artists who swear by painting several layers to get more depth and brightness in a painting. On the other hand, I also find the transparency of your paintings very beautiful and pure.
New to you channel…really needed the chuckles over the bloopers…like REALLY needed that! Lol
Great tips and a good laugh? I’m in!
Warm thanks!
Thanks for this!
very informative, thank you 🥰
Great tips!
I love watching your videos - you are so poised, so ladylike in manner and speech, so accomplished and professional, just so, so, perfect !
And then you show the bloopers at the end with your face gurning stupidly, getting flustered and irate, being forgetful and most of all, being human, and it makes me smile and laugh.
Loved all the information in the video, but loved the video more !
Thank you thank you thank you
When I decided I wanted to take up watercolour painting I signed up for a comprehensive course that took me a year to complete.
The instructor taught some of the things you mention in this video, such as not making every element of a painting the same size whether it be rocks, trees, or flowers. He also talked about the importance of making a focal point in the painting and other basic elements of composition, and also that it's possible to lift paint once it's dry.
A big focus of his course was on how to mix colours and using a limited palette, so I got familiar with this all-important aspect of watercolour painting from the get go. I have a lot of colours of paint, but I rarely use more than six for any given painting.
He also made it clear from the get go that if you want to succeed at watercolour painting you absolutely must use 100% cotton paper, even as a beginner, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I took that advice seriously and started off right away using Arches, although I no longer use it.
The thing I struggle with the most is my perfectionism, which leads me to fiddle with my paintings. My perfectionism is difficult for me to let go of.
Maureen
Maureen, I'm so like you. my perfectionism gets the best of me most times, yet it's hard to let go of it!
Hi Louise! Nice way to start my Oregon morning, with a new video by you! 💜💜💛💛💚💚 All useful tips, thanks for always thinking of how to help the watercolor journey smoother!
Thank you Lydia. I hope all is well! 💚
I love your lessons! I’m going to break out my watercolors that have been collecting dust. ❤
I would like to point out that your earlier paintings are very beautiful- it’s just that you have improved your skills and the newer ones are more polished, maybe.
Thank you very helpful
I used a wet majic eraser to remove water color from dry paper.
Thank you Lynn.
I Love you Miss Louise ! You are a treasure ! Thank you for being you 😊
Thank you Beverley! 🥰
I started my painting journey with oils. Years later I changed to acrylic. Now I am learning watercolors. I really related to your comments. Each median is different. I find watercolors tedious.
Thank you for sharing ideas.
I absolutely adored your tulips.
Many flowers are brilliant. Please don't touch it❤
Thank you Robin. 💚
I really appreciate the knowledge and experience you share with us Louise. But, I must confess, my favourite parts of all your videos are the outtakes; they absolutely crack me up 😂! Thank you for being willing to share those too, you bring much needed humour with every one. Thank you and God bless. 🙏💖
Thank You💖
Thank you!
Such great advice. Thank you for sharing your long-learned methods.
Thank you for your tips :) the first one is really helpful, because I didn't thought about it before :) I recently bought watercolors and I started drawing in 2022, but on drawing tablet, so i did it only digitally.
On Instagram I saw from time to time "real" paintings. It always amaze me how much skills you have to have to paint on canvas or paper, there's no ctrl+z. On my tablet is so easy to undo things, make lines straight, make the whole sketch bigger or smaller. I like that control. But I started to see more and more watercolor paintings or digital drawings in this style. This subtle washed out effect catched my eye. I love it, it's just like you captured THE moment in your painting, but look, it's passing away, next minute it will be gone (because of the washed out outlines or shapes). I think about watercolors like this. As much as I like the subtle, pastel colors, the same goes to vibrant ones. So when I saw some paintings in watercolors when the colors was solid, strong and simply beautiful I was shocked, because I always thought watercolors are more faded. Still I was never truly into classic art, so that's why there's lack of my knowledge. After that I decided "I have to try it. I must to try it!". So I don't think that your paintings with solid color and lack of washed out effects are bad, no, they are stunning and beautiful in its own way! That's just a different method. What is great about watercolors that you can achieve different effects. Nothing is good or bad when it comes to HOW you use your paint. That's my opinion :)
Now I'm gonna refer to point 5. After few attempts to paint flowers and feathers I was amazed how random brush movements + watercolors can create shapes with shadows and how you can see some fantasy creatures. I love it, i just can' say how much happy I am that I decided to try it the classic way. I love how "unstable it is", if you make mistake, you have to go with the flow and the outcome can be so amazing, that you never thought it could look so good or it can create something you didn't even want to, but the result is still satisfying. In watercolors I love that you have to be partners, watercolors let you move brush and you let watercolors do their job, by flowing on the paper. One thing I know, on the tablet I would never create something by accident, I would never have my cute little fantasy creatures which I have now thanks to watercolors (I used that word so many times here xD), because I have everything under control.
Once again thank you for your videos. You are very skilled, I would love to paint animals like you do and hope some day I could do something similar.
Thankyou once again Louise for your words of wisdom. I always learn from your videos and look forward to your next installment. Glenda
Louise thank you so much for recommending Tony’s book-Watercolor You Can Do It. I’m learning so much already about design and I’m only 3 chapters in. I discovered I’d painted a piece about 2.5 years ago that has oblique thrust and I didn’t even know it at the time. It’s a watercolor of a little rustic church out on the prairie (the outback to y’all) and we used it for our Christmas card that year. I love Tony’s book. Thanks again and I look forward as always to your great videos and tutorials. Blessings to you and Dom. Love the bloopers btw😂.
Excelent video! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Henrique
I’ve been practicing g for the last 6 years. I take classes with that. However there is either something wrong with me or I’m not cut out to be san aetist. My granddaughter is simply amazing. Thank you so much. I’ve learned more this morning than most of my classes. I’m on my way to the airport going to Canada for 20 days. I might be able to relax lol. Hugs from North Carolina.
Beautiful, loved the last few paintings! 😊
Thank you so much for your very helpful video. I'm just starting with art as a whole, let alone watercolour. I loved my first painting of proteas, but I'm going to have another go after watching this! Thank you again 👏
Oh, thank you so much Louise, I had just started lifting and I think you have on that alone just made my day! Every tip you gave is a blessing. I have also just started looking at Rosemary & Co brushes so will now go back & look at the eradicator brushes…. Regards from West Australia 👋
Thank you, amazing . Lots of possibilities where none appeared 😂. Beautiful work
Thank you!!!
Good for you.👍
So useful, thanks Louise. I think you are right in that size variation is important. However there are also exceptions - like wildflower fields tend to be all a similar size in a lot of paintings and they look great.
I was chuckling to myself as you showed us those spectacular tulips and said "way too bright" - I thought they looked great! But yes, softer neutrals do look stunning. I am a bit baffled by colour mixing. I bought the primary colours to try and learn how to mix greys. Not easy!
My top tip is to not overpaint - i.e leaving white. V hard to do!
Love to see your hints. I also use the Mr Clean magic eraser (barely damp) to remove watercolor paint.
Very helpful video, Louise. Thank you!
As always, I love your excellent videos. I’ve painted for years but since I don’t paint that often, I feel I’m still a beginner. Thank you for sharing your expertise!❤
LOVE! Wish RUclips had a LOVE button along with the like button :)
You said it, mistakes are how you learn. I really appreciate you talking about what didn’t work for you as well as what did instead of just giving a list of things to do.
Thanks so much for letting us benefit from your experience.
Such a great video!! Do you have a video where you talk more about the dominant part of the painting?
Thank you for sharing your progress and what you are learning from other great artists books. I wish I knew in the beginning how much of a difference decent paper makes. Your video's are top notch. I need this sort of thing as I'm very, very discouraged atm with my painting, out of sorts. Truing to resist the urge to give up. But I keep telling myself to paint as often as possible, anything, even swatching or colour mixing. I'm still not entirely satisfied with the result when I paint but hoping something will click into place. Looking forward to your next update.
11:40 . That's easy for you to say😮
WOW Louise that is wonderful. Sooo helpful. I remembered when you were talking that an artist once wrote variations and alternation is MONEY IN THE BANK. 😄
Good advice! Thank you Di.
Love to see the youtube videos and this one in particular. I love your patreon too. Thank you for teaching us!
Thank you very much. ❤️
Louise, I wish I had known more about composition, including the importance of dominance, values, gradation, and when /where to use soft and hard edges. I also wish I had known to use a limited color palette.
Louise, I adore the outtakes at the end of your videos. You are such a delight---as a person, as an artist, and as a teacher! Your charming personality, talent, and expertise shine through every video, and I thank you and your team for all the hard work required to produce such well-crafted educational content. Lousie, thank you for sharing your wisdom and creativity, and for inspiring us on a continuous basis. Most of all, thank you for being you! You are a great blessing to all of us!
Thanks for sourcing where you got your ideas. There’s so much plagiarism these days on utube it’s as bad as the pandemic.
Thank you for the great tips! Much appreciated!
Thank you!
One thing I wish I knew is that art takes time. Don't settle do the leg work, and try it all. At the end of the day we all know our own hearts even if we think we don't.
No no no! All your paintings are beautiful! You have just advanced my dear!!!! I know it’s so easy to down our work… call it ugly, rip it up and throw it in the bin … but I refuse! I keep every single “failure” of a painting. To others they might not see what I see as a failure. But I learn for it all. I won’t call it ugly though….. just lessens! Lol!!! ❤
That's really important Ashley. Keep them so you can see how much you've grown. Thank you! ❤️
Regarding lifting off pigments, I wonder how you pick your colours - I don't mean the hue or temperature, but the properties like staining, transparency, opacity, pigment intensity, etc.. I have only recently realized what a difference it can make, and am curious where the exploration will lead me.
I realize that I still have so much to learn...
Me too! Thanks Ran.
Thank you so much!!! Very helpful.❤
Thanks Diana. 💝
These videos about actual “learning” are so helpful. I’m happy to say I have the Rosemary brushes, but I was never certain about using them on dry paint. And I give you all the credit for my becoming a paper stretching enthusiast! It makes a huge difference, and it’s much easier than I thought. I already had a nice sized gator board that worked great. But I also had a larger one, about double in size. Since I’m mainly interested in practicing and learning, I’m not ready for anything too large. My husband was able to cut the large board in half, so now I have 3 boards, which means I can always have my next project ready (something you pointed out on your video about this).
I’m certain I’m overworking some of my paintings, but I’m also seeing a lot of improvement, so I’ll keep that in mind, but for now, I’m becoming more accepting of my shortcomings. And, as you may recall, I’m also an acrylic artist, and I completely relate to your descriptions. (I still want to finish one portrait of my horse, but it’s hard going back to that medium.)
One thing I would enjoy learning about is how to simplify a painting. I’ve always gotten lost in the details, and that’s especially difficult with watercolor. I’ve I notice how good you are at figuring out what should be included and what isn’t essential.
Thank you, Louise.
Thank you Anne! I'm so pleased you are paper stretching enthusiast. It really doesn't take any time to do and as you said, if you have a few boards you can always have a piece of paper ready to work on when you are. It's so much easier painting on a piece of paper that stays flat.
Being able to simplify a subject, I think comes from experience more than anything else. I am still working on that myself after 12 years. These days I ask myself what is it about the subject that I am attracted to and that's what I try to draw attention to in the painting.
Thank you, Louise, as always, for making these great videos that are always so helpful, especially as a ‘newbie’ to water colour.
I really appreciate your natural, down to earth, calm and serene demeanour ( although I can imagine you smiling at that 🤭🤭 ) .
🥳🥳💕💕
Thank you so much for this frank and forward video! I’m a newbie and I’m loving the process but the results…not so much🙄Baby steps - that’s the key! Excited to try to the eradicator brushes!😻
Thanks Elizabeth. Yes- one step at a time! 🥰
I have lots of books by David Bellamy as well as Tony Couch. I still consider myself a beginning watercolor painter. I read their books and saw the "principles" and techniques etc. It is very hard to try and apply all of those things. Some of them have been very helpful, but I don't fuss too much if I don't. I felt it diminished my creativity. Your paintings are gorgeous, I wish I could paint that well! Everyone develops their own style. Painting can be beautiful without all of those elements. If encorporating them helps, then great. Otherwise make what looks good to you!
I too am an acrylic painter and I'm about to give up on watercolors. I overwork everything and love detail painting. I'll keep at it. Thanks so much for the tips!
Louise, I began painting with watercolor about four years ago now. I have struggled with the exact same things that you described in this video. I also need to say that I've learned so much from watching your videos and the lessons that you posted in SkilShare. Thank you!
THANK YOU.....thank you for your oh so helpful ideas and examples but also for your bloopers! I love knowing that part of you. Gives me the understanding that we are all on this watercolor journey together.
Thank you!