Thank you for this! I have been a beginner for some years now and I do see lots of improvement. I want to do better plein air too. I am having a weird trouble lately of either too much water or not enough! Maybe better materials? Or just more lessons/practice? It is hit and miss for me.
For me practicing daily, painting anything, has really helped. If there is a day I just am not feeling it or am very tired I paint a box or a line just to keep the momentum and habit going. More quality/specialized paints and paper has helped as well. Hope you find what works for you!! Enjoy the process!!
Very well described. I don’t know why soooo many beginner watercolourists just don’t want to understand that practice actually means you need to practice on a very regular basis - myself included… But now I totally get that it’s the only way you’ll improve, it also teaches you how to really see, the more you look at and study your subject whether real life or from a photo, you’ll see more and more light and shadows and values. The biggest obstacle which held me back enormously was that In my desperation to learn how to paint with watercolours (like you, I had zero painting experience in any medium) I got caught up in watching many different tutorials on TH-cam and didn’t realise that I was sooooo confusing myself because of all the different styles presented - one artist recommended painting trees one way, the next a completely different way & on and on it went with other subjects as well so that most times by the time I got around to painting I had no idea which style I would use, not only that but I used different styles in the same painting and it took me ages to figure out why my paintings just didn’t look right as I was doing loose skies with really detailed trees or vice versa, I was making non focal areas too detailed and focal areas too loose blah, blah, blah and I went like that for at least 2 years before the penny dropped….I’ve also read some really brilliant books which helped me to understand a lot about values, use of colour and composition. Really enjoyed your video and I’m sure it’ll help a lot of beginners, hope you keep enjoying watercolours as after 7 years they are still the love of my life, apart from my family, and I have no interest whatsoever in trying other mediums as I find nothing is as beautiful as watercolours plus a lifetime won’t be enough for all that I’d like to learn about painting with them.
Very cool comment. I have been thinking a lot about why I struggled to feel good about my art when I was only following tutorials. Yes, I now practice consistently but I think it is more than that. Your comment crystallized something for me. I did not use reference photos and did no plein air or even still lives before. Now I mostly paint from life/reference photo of something real. Only trying to learn to paint from tutorials had me thinking there was ‘a way’ to do things. Now I feel more confident to look at something and try to capture it. I am not trying to replicate I am trying to create. There are times when doing a tutorial helps bring how to capture something into focus, but these now feel like tools, not rigid ‘how tos’. Thanks for your comment!!
I am a newbie not just doing watercolour painting but an type of Art. I was never a crafty, creative person. I am slowly following TH-cam artists such as Paul Clark. I have also tried Plein Air as I love the out doors. I even made a portable watercolour plein Air kit, which turned out great, but as you said, Plein Air painting isn’t that easy…. Everything you said in this video makes so much sense and has given me so much confidence to keep at it. I must say, I also started out with cheap paints and paper and since I started using Daniel smith tubes in palettes and using good watercolour paper/ journals, I have noticed a difference. Well Done with your improvement and study of Watercolour. You have made me feel like I can also improve, just by practicing one thing at a time. Thank you so much for your honest trip to becoming a better painter. Hiccups and all. 🎨👏🤗🥰🇨🇦
So many hiccups :) I just finished #pleinairpril, I was able to paint/art outside for 26 of the thirty days. It is so cool to see development and style emerging. It really is such a fun hobby. It makes me so glad to read your words🥰 Thank you. It is difficult to start new things. Cool to hear that you are keeping at it! If you share your work on Instagram add me (same name as here) I would love to see your work 😊 I love finding people working through similar art things as me!
@@makingmeaningnow I’m not as brave as you to share my paintings just yet. But when I feel braver and more confident I will share with you on Instagram. Thanks 😊
I do see some real progress here. It comes from practicing good technique. And from watching others paint, but that only goes so far. Applying what you learn leads to results. Keep going, and don’t forget to have fun in the journey. Watercolor can bring you a lot of joy. Cheers and happy painting! :)
Thank you for such heart felt encouragement! I am having such a great time, that is why I am feeling compelled to upload some of the adventure to TH-cam. This generations version of shouting it from the roof tops! Cheers!!!
I've heard somewhere that it's the quantity not the quality .. so just get the cheapest dollar store sketchbook, cheapest colors and try to reproduce the exercises over and over again. You'll be surprised at the results. That's your throwaway sketchbook , don't be afraid of it... just paint paint paint ... make the first mark and the rest will follow. Do it every day, multiple times a day.
Yep, that is what I am doing. I have been painting daily for about four months now and focusing on targeted, yet fun, specific practice. I have been enjoying the results so I wanted to share my experience :)
i love your persistence my first watercolor paintings were um, uninteresting.. It wasn't until i decoded to take a night class at the local community college that i got the hang of it. The teacher was what i needed. I had already painted off and on for years but had a fear of doing it wrong! She did insist on using god paper and that made all the difference. The longer one paints with watercolors, the more you discover that. Always spray your pan paints with water some minutes before you start. Even cheap paints work on good paper! I love your progress! Buy a pad of Arches 140 pound, cold pressed paper and you will be amazed! You don't need a block.
Yeah paper does seem to make the most difference. I have some arches paper but since I am mostly focused on painting outside I was looking for a notebook that works well, and isn’t very expensive. The SMLT I used on my trip worked really well for the price. Someday I hope to learn a little book binding to make my own sketchbook out of some lovely Arches :) Thanks for your comment! I always love talking art!
Thank you for this! I have been a beginner for some years now and I do see lots of improvement. I want to do better plein air too. I am having a weird trouble lately of either too much water or not enough! Maybe better materials? Or just more lessons/practice? It is hit and miss for me.
For me practicing daily, painting anything, has really helped. If there is a day I just am not feeling it or am very tired I paint a box or a line just to keep the momentum and habit going. More quality/specialized paints and paper has helped as well. Hope you find what works for you!! Enjoy the process!!
Paul Clark - he is a good teacher - I have learned a lot from him
Never underestimate the power of a library card! I learned most of my art skills from library books, too.
It’s amazing right! They just, let you take books….for free….it always feels like I am getting away with something :)
Very well described. I don’t know why soooo many beginner watercolourists just don’t want to understand that practice actually means you need to practice on a very regular basis - myself included… But now I totally get that it’s the only way you’ll improve, it also teaches you how to really see, the more you look at and study your subject whether real life or from a photo, you’ll see more and more light and shadows and values. The biggest obstacle which held me back enormously was that In my desperation to learn how to paint with watercolours (like you, I had zero painting experience in any medium) I got caught up in watching many different tutorials on TH-cam and didn’t realise that I was sooooo confusing myself because of all the different styles presented - one artist recommended painting trees one way, the next a completely different way & on and on it went with other subjects as well so that most times by the time I got around to painting I had no idea which style I would use, not only that but I used different styles in the same painting and it took me ages to figure out why my paintings just didn’t look right as I was doing loose skies with really detailed trees or vice versa, I was making non focal areas too detailed and focal areas too loose blah, blah, blah and I went like that for at least 2 years before the penny dropped….I’ve also read some really brilliant books which helped me to understand a lot about values, use of colour and composition. Really enjoyed your video and I’m sure it’ll help a lot of beginners, hope you keep enjoying watercolours as after 7 years they are still the love of my life, apart from my family, and I have no interest whatsoever in trying other mediums as I find nothing is as beautiful as watercolours plus a lifetime won’t be enough for all that I’d like to learn about painting with them.
Very cool comment. I have been thinking a lot about why I struggled to feel good about my art when I was only following tutorials. Yes, I now practice consistently but I think it is more than that. Your comment crystallized something for me. I did not use reference photos and did no plein air or even still lives before. Now I mostly paint from life/reference photo of something real. Only trying to learn to paint from tutorials had me thinking there was ‘a way’ to do things. Now I feel more confident to look at something and try to capture it. I am not trying to replicate I am trying to create. There are times when doing a tutorial helps bring how to capture something into focus, but these now feel like tools, not rigid ‘how tos’. Thanks for your comment!!
I am a newbie not just doing watercolour painting but an type of Art. I was never a crafty, creative person. I am slowly following TH-cam artists such as Paul Clark. I have also tried Plein Air as I love the out doors. I even made a portable watercolour plein Air kit, which turned out great, but as you said, Plein Air painting isn’t that easy…. Everything you said in this video makes so much sense and has given me so much confidence to keep at it. I must say, I also started out with cheap paints and paper and since I started using Daniel smith tubes in palettes and using good watercolour paper/ journals, I have noticed a difference.
Well Done with your improvement and study of Watercolour. You have made me feel like I can also improve, just by practicing one thing at a time. Thank you so much for your honest trip to becoming a better painter. Hiccups and all. 🎨👏🤗🥰🇨🇦
So many hiccups :) I just finished #pleinairpril, I was able to paint/art outside for 26 of the thirty days. It is so cool to see development and style emerging. It really is such a fun hobby. It makes me so glad to read your words🥰 Thank you. It is difficult to start new things. Cool to hear that you are keeping at it! If you share your work on Instagram add me (same name as here) I would love to see your work 😊 I love finding people working through similar art things as me!
@@makingmeaningnow I’m not as brave as you to share my paintings just yet. But when I feel braver and more confident I will share with you on Instagram. Thanks 😊
@@carolefreeman2544 sounds good 👍 Look forward to it :)
I do see some real progress here. It comes from practicing good technique. And from watching others paint, but that only goes so far. Applying what you learn leads to results. Keep going, and don’t forget to have fun in the journey. Watercolor can bring you a lot of joy. Cheers and happy painting! :)
Thank you for such heart felt encouragement! I am having such a great time, that is why I am feeling compelled to upload some of the adventure to TH-cam. This generations version of shouting it from the roof tops! Cheers!!!
@@makingmeaningnow good for you! Keep on going! :)
Also Andrew Pitt & sooo many more
I will have to look your recommendations up :) There are so many great creators on TH-cam!
I've heard somewhere that it's the quantity not the quality .. so just get the cheapest dollar store sketchbook, cheapest colors and try to reproduce the exercises over and over again. You'll be surprised at the results. That's your throwaway sketchbook , don't be afraid of it... just paint paint paint ... make the first mark and the rest will follow. Do it every day, multiple times a day.
Yep, that is what I am doing. I have been painting daily for about four months now and focusing on targeted, yet fun, specific practice. I have been enjoying the results so I wanted to share my experience :)
i love your persistence my first watercolor paintings were um, uninteresting.. It wasn't until i decoded to take a night class at the local community college that i got the hang of it. The teacher was what i needed. I had already painted off and on for years but had a fear of doing it wrong! She did insist on using god paper and that made all the difference. The longer one paints with watercolors, the more you discover that. Always spray your pan paints with water some minutes before you start. Even cheap paints work on good paper! I love your progress! Buy a pad of Arches 140 pound, cold pressed paper and you will be amazed! You don't need a block.
Yeah paper does seem to make the most difference. I have some arches paper but since I am mostly focused on painting outside I was looking for a notebook that works well, and isn’t very expensive. The SMLT I used on my trip worked really well for the price. Someday I hope to learn a little book binding to make my own sketchbook out of some lovely Arches :) Thanks for your comment! I always love talking art!
Eric Yi Lin & LIRON Yankowsky also teach in an amazing way!
You should do 150 landscapes in a month 5-10 per day.
I wish I had the time for that! I can normally carve out about an hour a day for art, it is my me time 😊