How to Simplify Your Watercolor Paintings (3 steps)

▶︎Free Video Lesson: 8 Ways to Avoid Overworking Your Watercolor Painting www.learntopai...
A strong painting has focus.
And to accomplish that, you often have to simplify.
Whether you are looking at a reference photo in your studio or painting plein air, you will end up with a stronger painting if you leave some details out.
In this week’s video, I offer you three practical tips to simplify your watercolor paintings.
Simplification helps clarify your message, makes your subject less confusing, and emphasizes the elements of the scenes that you find most valuable. In short, it makes for a stronger painting.

[@bunnyshade6112]

Heya, just found this video and thank you, I have complained that I tend to overwork and add to much and this gave me some good advise on stopping myself XD

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Good. I hope this helps you out!

[@kathrynlehotsky2815]

This lesson was to the point and instructive. Focusing on what is most important is clarifying
I am so glad I clicked on your site. Thanks Kathryn

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you, Kathryn! I’m glad you found your way here.

[@nancyobrien6412]

This was excellent, Matthew. Thanks.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

You’re welcome!

[@librenonlibre]

Such excellent teaching. Thank you for making it so clear, illustrating your points and explaining succinctly. Much appreciated!!!

[@tmikeporter]

Excellent, Matthew. Simple, direct and clearly stated. I can detect Andy E's influence on you. The value study being a vital practice to start with.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thanks Mike! Yes, I've learned a lot from Andy. Great artist and teacher!

[@memo35andmyelfe58]

Hi Matthew and Thank you so much for your advices! I am from Hamburg, Germany, and can rather easily understand you - where are you from? I am now 70 years old and learned English in school and a lot in 1974 from American soldiers in Berlin. He came from Florida and she came from California - that's why I am curious to know from wich part of the world you are from. And thank you again!!!!! Bye for now🙂

[@rihamel-ashry7565]

This is really helpful. Simplifying the scene is key to a successful painting and I needed these tips. Thanks a lot. And thanks for the link too.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

You’re welcome! Glad you found it helpful.

[@AnjaKoster]

Lovely quiet and very useful instructions. Thx a lot 😊

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

You’re welcome! Glad you liked it.

[@philippbaumann5549]

Very helpful, thanks Matthew. What I still don't get is the need to connect shapes. Heard this from other artists already, but haven't seen yet the purpose of it, or in other words: what's the disadvantage if I don't connect shapes.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Good question! The advantage is that it reads clearer from a distance when you paint large connected shapes. It avoids a cluttered look of a lot of smaller unconnected shapes and it allows the colors to softly transition one to another. Which is a lovely quality of the medium. I hope that helps.

[@nadinewatson2574]

Very helpful Matt. And, it makes so much sense!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad to hear it!

[@OneTrueWord1988]

Thank you so much Matthew! Simplification is something I struggle with, but now I understand that I didn't really know what it involved. Your excellent explanation has given me concrete steps I can take to work toward this goal. I appreciate this lesson, and your time and effort to provide it!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

That’s great to hear! Best of luck to you!

[@dianemcgregor6171]

Thanks ...this came at the right time for me.

[@susanwood4770]

I like,very much, your explanations. I am finding your way of teaching easy to understand and it makes sense to my way of seeing things. Thank you!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you Susan. So nice to hear that!

[@KeyArtGallery]

Beautiful demo 👍😍

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thanks!

[@ranji6]

The best lessons(chanel) on watercolors i have come across. Thank you!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you! Much appreciated.

[@seraphinajane2389]

This helped so much! Tysm

[@robinhoughton6641]

Your explanation is very helpful, thank you.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

You’re welcome!

[@JayPatel-tm4fv]

Incredibly helpful! Both the content and the way it's presented. Thank you!

[@susanhorne2143]

Thank you so much.

[@simonnemason2162]

Thank you for giving those points, which we all think we know, but fail to implement.

[@sylviaroan3265]

3:09 pm this is a great reinforcement to what you have taught me. Thank you, Matt!

[@mariamalenta6574]

Super helpful information! Thank you so so much!

[@lysareyes8098]

love it. the points were profoundly explained in simple terms. really helpful

[@swiitchy511]

Great instruction, to the point, new knowledge for me. Yes 🙌

[@katedobinson3891]

Very helpful Matthew, thank you !

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad you like it!!

[@49945]

Спасибо

[@johnukpainter]

I Don't have cloud so can't see your free video.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Hi John, all you need is an email address. Let me know if you have any issues!