How to paint figures in a landscape - Watercolor Tutorial by Tim Wilmot #42

Including figures in a scene is often tricky for painters and here I cover the why and how to include some people in a scene. The subject is Venice, various figures, a bridge and shadows.
More paintings for sale at
www.timwilmot.com/
Please support my work via patreon.com. Make a small donation and I will give you a personal critique in return with extra tips just for you!
/ timwilmot
In this demo I will be covering...
1) Choice of Subject. What makes a good watercolor subject. How to simplify the scene.
2) Materials I use such as the paper. I will also cover the paints I use and the palette, plus how I hold the different brushes for different techniques.
3) Doing the outline sketch as the first step. How to draw various figure shapes and outlines.
4) Doing the sky and the first wash of the background and then the foreground.
5) Shadows and details of the figures and buildings.
6) Watch out for the 'sword' brush at the end and highlighting tips.
More information on watercolour demos, painting workshops, lessons and recent paintings by Tim Wilmot can be found at:
www.timwilmot.com/
The paper I use and recommend is Saunders Waterford. More information at:
www.stcuthberts...
stcuthbertsmill...

[@grantcampbell2297]

Absolutely amazing Tim the way you placed those figures in the painting. Could not believe how it started as a "mess" but the finished as a real masterpiece. Many Thanks

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks Grant

[@btpetro]

As a beginner, I found your annotation extremely helpful. The hints/suggestions regarding figures was of immense value. Thanks.

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks for your kind comments

[@denlatham1561]

Been oil painting for years. Just getting into watercolor. Loved the tutorial, so beautiful, instructional and impressive. And done in real time! Gives me hope.

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks for watching Den. If you fancy a go yourself, why not consider being a Patron via my Patreon site. For a small pledge I set regular painting projects and you get a video critique back from me in return. More info at www.patreon.com/timwilmot . Thanks again.

[@marcpaull39]

Another excellent Tim Wilmot masterclass, and all free of charge!
SUBSCRIBERS: Why not support Tim on his Patreon page and take advantage of downloadable source photos and feedback on your own work? All for a small monthly fee. Let's give something back to this knowledgeable and generous tutor.
Small print follows: I have no connection to Mr Wilmot or will accept any financial gain for the aforementioned endorsement ; )

[@TimWilmot]

Nicely put and thank you Marc and thanks for your support. I appreciate it.

[@pedrocosta6440]

Wonderful. Simplicity itself. Looks easy but it takes a lot of years to get there. Thanks Tim!

[@TimWilmot]

Just keep practicing

[@arezooz4752]

Thank you for your step by step tutorial. It was really instructive for me. I love the way you simplified the picture and also colors you picked to creat this amazing painting.

[@TimWilmot]

Thank you and I always simplify the scene

[@placidop.c.]

Thank you very much for your master class. I hope you keep showing us your interesting videos. Congratulations Tim.

[@TimWilmot]

Yes, more to come

[@glenisepearson7407]

Love the light.

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks Glenise

[@drtony6778]

TQ Sir, only genius can paint like this !! 5STAR !!!!!

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks alice

[@govindmatondkar7502]

Perfect 💖

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks

[@nidiapearson6542]

Once again, many many thanks for showing us your video step by step. I really enjoy them so much!

[@TimWilmot]

Thank you Nidia

[@karensurber3744]

Love the light and action in this painting. Trying to get looser with my watercolors. Watching you go through your process is incredibly helpful. Thanks so much!

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks Karen and glad it helped a bit

[@wilmawernick9242]

Wonderful tutorial. I enjoy your style and the way you present.

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks Wilma

[@qso3566]

Really enjoyed this! I am trying to master the art of figures in a scene, this was most helpful. Thank you.

[@TimWilmot]

Glad it helped

[@CorinneCeroni]

Great, thanks a lot.

[@TimWilmot]

Glad it was helpful! Hope you have a go!

[@rbrunet4755]

What a talent.

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks Richard

[@njmccormackgmail]

I absolutely loved this, especially as I have been struggling with figures in scenes. Thank you!

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks James and give it a go

[@xxxorg]

I WONDER IF WHEN YOU DRAW FIGURES YOU MIGHT ZOOM IN SO I CAN SEE EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE DOING?? I LOVE THE WAY YOU PAINT AND WANT TO PAINT THIS WAY MYSELF!!
I JUST TOOK UP DRAWING AND WATERCOLOR A FEW MONTHS AGO! MY SKETCHING IS ATROCIOUS!! I NEED MUCH PRACTICE ON EVERYTHING BUT ESPECIALLY FIGURES!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THESE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS!!!

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks. If you would like a go yourself and get a critique back from me, please check out my Patreon site www.patreon.com/timwilmot

[@ЛюдаЛобанова-т9б]

Good afternoon ! Nice watercolor and nice lesson. Thank you !

[@TimWilmot]

Thank you and good evening

[@maxwellborges9612]

Absolutamente perfeito! Muito aprendizado.

[@TimWilmot]

👍

[@Von-Verga]

wow, thanks for sharing

[@TimWilmot]

My pleasure

[@ЛюдаЛобанова-т9б]

Thank you! Good night !

[@TimWilmot]

And you

[@johncowburn4444]

Once again Tim, I 'm amazed at how the early part of your painting looks like it might be a bit of a mess and then emerges at the end as a MASTERPIECE! Gives me hope. A question, your brushes - I can find Pro Arte Raphael mop brushes, are these the ones?

[@TimWilmot]

Have you got a URL for that brush John and I'll check it out

[@mrjudders1]

Found some available at Curtisward Art supplies

[@johncowburn4444]

Here it is Tim, a No 12 costs £27.96 reduced from £46.60. www.curtisward.com/pro-arte-renaissance-squirrel-pointed-mop-brush.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwsdfZBRAkEiwAh2z65quVdQS52UWcnhTnD5NySS82undrcXNV0GPQuioBYOnDHViBZhLrnBoCx20QAvD_BwE

[@johncowburn4444]

David Judd - Yes, just realised that those are the ones I was looking at!

[@TimWilmot]

I would love to try one of the soft aqua flat brushes...

[@rosalbafuggiano7039]

Grande maestro grazie !

[@TimWilmot]

👍

[@zaviolyn]

I'm beginning to think about adding figures to my watercolors. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I'll check out your website. I have been doing the loose watercolors of Andrew Geeson for more than a year and looking for new teachers.

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks for watching. If you fancy a go yourself, why not consider being a Patron via my Patreon site. For a small pledge I set regular painting projects and you get a video critique back from me in return. More info at www.patreon.com/timwilmot . Thanks again.

[@HollyVanHart]

👏🏻 Great video! ✔️ ✔️ 😍

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks Holly

[@MrMoykanal]

nice!!

[@TimWilmot]

👍

[@srabastibasu2]

whatever i want to learn i get it in your videos. ive a question- you used a “cerulean blue” here which is not there in the list on your website. should i get one despite of having French Ultramarine, cobalt blue and pthalo blue (gs)? im trying to copy your supplies too! 🙈

[@TimWilmot]

Cerulean could be copied with some cobalt blue and a little white paint. Most people supply it

[@srabastibasu2]

@@TimWilmot thank you so much! though ive already made a purchase! 😊🙏

[@pedroariasbohigas8381]

Hi Tim. Again one of your wonderful miracles using this media. Very useful and encouraging . I didn't get which white are you using for the highlights. Could you please tell me the brand? Thanks again for your tutorials. Really appreciated. Greetings from Madrid

[@TimWilmot]

It is from Shinhan and is half gouache half watercolor

[@pedroariasbohigas8381]

Tim Wilmot Thanks a lot for quick reaction

[@luciobissoli5893]

153/5000
beautiful lesson, I would like to get to have this ability to represent the figures, I always have the defect of painting the details too

[@TimWilmot]

If you join my Patreo club, you can try it yourself and I will give you a critique back !! www.patreon.com/timwilmot

[@MathinusG]

Hi Tim it looks like someone called Kelley Coleman is re-posting videos of Nitin Singh but is using your name!!

[@TimWilmot]

Hmm, that does not sound right. Do you have a link or URL?

[@ThinkerThunker]

Amazing! Thank you so much. I notice you don't use any dry-brush, that I saw. Do you prefer cleaner lines? Also, what do you think of pen and water color? Thanks!

[@TimWilmot]

I do use dry brush on some scenes - e.g. tyre marks on roads in a street scene. I love pen and wash by the way, but have not done it myself.

[@rhondacarson3990]

can we pay to Patreon in Canadian Dollars?

[@TimWilmot]

I think it is all US - not sure what the exchange rate is for you guys

[@tedbrown7908]

Shadows are wrong. Good painting but the shadows should be in the same direction.

[@TimWilmot]

Not according to my photo

[@MaTTheWish]

PRO...

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks Matt

[@MaTTheWish]

Thank you Tim, You're a Very good Art instructor.

[@럭키-u8g]

♥

[@TimWilmot]

👍

[@jimsmith3653]

Hi Tim great work as usual, thank you. Looking at your patreon page do you add content on a regular basis, I am a beginner but would love to join you.

[@TimWilmot]

Yes. Every month there is a painting project to follow and I then give you a critique of your painting. I hope you can join the program www.patreon.com/timwilmot Thanks Jim

[@guenchi2666]

how tf

[@TimWilmot]

Thank you

[@katemcguiness8254]

Way too stressful to watch for the composition of the legs. I think this was a purposeful set up.

[@TimWilmot]

I know there are 'leg men' but you must be a 'leg woman'

[@joeaccordion]

Wow... how beautiful. Thank you Tim for sharing your wonderful technique in creating this new masterpiece.

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks Joe as always

[@jandean9268]

Very clear and helpful commentary illuminating your decision-making. Great teaching.

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks Jan

[@SuperReyand]

WOW, this one works perfectly!
👌🏻

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks

[@StephenMarkTurner]

Start by making a bunch of slop, then 30 minutes later a terrific painting emerges. Beats me, but thanks very much.

[@TimWilmot]

...Now this would make a great future subject. "How to turn slop into a half decent painting"....

[@myutub090571]

Very well done painting, great light/dark balance, nice figures (no zombies) haha thanks, you're great!

[@TimWilmot]

I like zombies now and again. I know what you mean...

[@mrjudders1]

Superb demonstration of putting figures in a painting with such freedom. Looks deceptively easy but the figures seem to move. Excellent!

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks David. This might be a Patreon Challenge - Figures, soon

[@sandramckeehan5679]

After watching this, I went to, Patreon, and tried to become a $5 tier member, but it would not go through. After clicking, the screen went white and went no further. I signed up with email and password though. Love your work and need to learn how to become more fresh and loose!

[@TimWilmot]

Hi Sandra. Thanks for watching and thanks for your support. I saw that your Patreon registration did not go through. Would you still like to take the monthly painting challenge and critique? If you send me a private email to [e-mail] and let me know what the problem or error was and I can try and help. Happy painting Sandra.

[@lynnetiltman1001]

Brilliant tutorial, I will have a go. The only thing that I will do is make the middle chap on the staircase darker, I can see the lines of the stairs through him!

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks for watching. If you fancy a go yourself, why not consider being a Patron via my Patreon site. For a small pledge I set regular painting projects and you get a video critique back from me in return. More info at www.patreon.com/timwilmot . Thanks again.

[@jacqiart9433]

I love it. I’m still learning how to draw figures and just watercolors period.

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks Jacque

[@ЛюдаЛобанова-т9б]

Я вас обожаю !!!

[@TimWilmot]

👍

[@maryvalliantbradbury2410]

Beautifully executed and a very good lecture .Thank you.

[@TimWilmot]

Glad you liked it!

[@daviddewitt9365]

Please list the brush sizes and brand? That would be very helpful ... Thanks!

[@TimWilmot]

This may help you th-cam.com/video/o2X8Qv66Cwc/w-d-xo.html

[@DavidDeWittStudio]

@@TimWilmot Oh, thanks so very much, very kind ...

[@sejaldinesh6477]

YOU HAVE WONDERFUL SENCE OF COLOR SELECTION, THANK YOU TIM

[@TimWilmot]

Thank you

[@lucesima2704]

Lástima no esté en español!. Gran acuarelista!

[@TimWilmot]

Gracias Luis

[@jrz7325]

Very good tutorial. Well done. Thank you for sharing.

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks Jim

[@fotoladyvb]

Thank you Tim. Very exciting piece. Love the light

[@TimWilmot]

Thank you

[@ANGEL_SOLO]

Muy motivador, gracias.

[@TimWilmot]

Gracias Angel

[@NatishaBeck94]

круто!!!!!

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks

[@chrismorley3074]

BRILLIANT Tim....!!!

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks Chris !

[@klecal]

Very beautiful

[@TimWilmot]

Thank you

[@ТарасШевченко-х9ч]

what a peaceful picture!

[@TimWilmot]

👍