1. What is Watercolour? - An Introduction for Beginners

In this video, I go right back to the start to look at the absolute basics. Today, we'll look at the fundamentals - the properties of watercolour and how it behaves. It's the first in a six-part series for those of you starting off painting watercolor landscapes, but those of you with more experience should keep an eye on the basics too... they're vitally important and often overlooked.
As always, thank you for supporting the channel.
- Olly
PAINTS.
Daler Rowney Artist's Quality - geni.us/rwRJa6A
Daler Rowney Aquafine - geni.us/8bXMGe
BRUSHES
Daler Rowney Aquafine - geni.us/oYL7Foy
Rosemary & Co Series 8 sable - geni.us/jQJF6
Jacksons hake brushes - geni.us/i5sLoCs
PAPER
Langton Prestige - geni.us/ID0a
Millford - geni.us/cUkGAx
Saunders Waterford - geni.us/tlfGE
PALETTE
Jacksons Art Supplies - geni.us/TOCAJt
THIS VIDEO CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS, WHICH MEANS THAT I RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION ON A PURCHASE OF THOSE PRODUCTS WITHOUT ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU.
This video contains affiliate links to products, which means that I receive a small commission on a purchase of those products without additional cost to you.
The purpose of this video is to share my knowledge and experience of landscape painting and watercolor with you and from time to time that may involve me recommending products that I use. I receive some of those products from manufacturers for free, but the products that I recommend are only products that I believe in, have used for many years and am comfortable to recommend to you.
The products that I receive are not contingent on me making any video tutorial content, nor are they part of a legal sponsorship arrangement.

[@kathrynhouslet3427]

There are many good watercolor artists on the Internet but you stand out as a teacher because you show why things happen with our paints, not just how to copy. Thank you for this.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Appreciate that Kathryn - thank you. I've always placed value on rationale and analysis, which are rather un-arty, I know!

[@LadyPoppet]

Took the words right out of my mouth! 100% agreed!

[@attadudepc]

He is indeed a great teacher

[@ArtVandelayNYC]

​​@@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442I concur. You are by far the best watercolor teacher I've come across. Knowledgable, thoughtful, and you're really able to see things from a beginner's perspective even though you're a professional. I really appreciate your videos 🙏🏼

[@tmsouth1]

That is so true. I will try other tutorials/teachers but continually finding myself coming back here.

[@howlingwilf]

Thank you for this man. I always feel like I am having a one on one art lesson from you. Long may you continue as your passion for watercolour is inspirational.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

That's very kind Ian - thank you.

[@margaretlawrence6504]

Brilliant tutorial Oliver, as usual. After doing watercolour painting for a couple of years I have lost motivation for it over the last year but your tutorials are giving me the zest again to keep going. Just have to not watch you late at night as your soothing voice always sends me to sleep and then I have to watch you again next morning! I think you are by far the best teacher on KZbin.

[@Barbara-ex3ge]

Thank you for another great tutorial. You seem to have the knack of simplying the complex and making water colour painting achievable.

[@mairidughlas7424]

I have watched many great watercolour artists on the internet but you stand out from the rest as an excellent teacher who has the innate ability to impart knowledge to an unseen audience. I have learned so very much about watercolour basics from watching your videos. Thank you very much.

[@selftrue670]

Hands down, the most articulate and precise watercolor instructor on KZbin. No nonsense, just useful info. Thanks very much! Cheers!

[@bevhagadorn696]

I have fallen in love with this watercolor teacher. I've been painting in various mediums over my long lifetime. Watercolor is my favorite painting medium. I wish I could have started my art lessons with tutorials with Oliver Pyle. Although, I'm grateful I'm able to watch him share his knowledge at this time to keep me interested in painting more. In life, you never stop learning with teachers like Oliver.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thanks Bev!

[@leojablonski2309]

BINGO

[@mariehannum6409]

You are a remarkable teacher! You “ see” what is on the white paper and you help us see it . Best teacher award to you

[@dorotaa7569]

I loved what you said about supporting small local businesses. This is one of the rules I follow, not limited to the watercolor equipment. I encourage others to do so :)

[@karis2308]

You are a great instructor. I've been blocked on painting so I'm going through the basics again hoping it will inspire me. Thank you so much for this video.

[@yunzers]

You are definitely one of the BEST watercolor teachers on KZbin. Thank you so very much!

[@Sherlock2022]

Thanks for going back to basics, I often try to run before I can walk with the medium. Will you be including a tutorial on the initial drawing? Thanks again.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Certainly David - it's a little way ahead but we will get there!

[@stevec-b6214]

I cannot fault any part of your videos. I watch them repeatedly, and with undiminished enjoyment.

[@markgraham8276]

Hello Oliver. I came to art late in life and needing something to help distract me from chronic pain, I tried watercolour and wow am I hooked. I've watched many of your videos and really appreciate the detail you go into, and how much you give to help people. Thank you so much, your videos have really helped me develop my skills.

[@bjewels8566]

Same.

[@wilmakerstholt699]

Same i am old and happy

[@ThuyNguyen-el9wv]

Thank you so much Olly for sharing your knowledge. Looking forward to many more videos from you.

[@jameslbaker9138]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and expertise. I am learning and practicing. I also admire your work.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Appreciate that James - thank you.

[@jkirklen13]

Thank you! I’m looking forward to these videos!

[@sharon9532]

You are such a great teacher,thank you. I love your paintings.

[@paintlady2268]

Greetings! I've been watching, and some rewatching, your videos. So informative. And I really enjoy, and learn, watching your full-length painting demos. Thank you for these lessons.

[@jennytellier631]

Really enjoying your channel! Looking forward to working my way through this series this week. :)

[@chestervlielander8079]

Thank you for uploadong these series Oliver! You bring it very clear and calm. Since ive been watching your videos I understand watercolors alot better. It motivates to get started, and helps to get on paper what i have in my head. Keep up the good work!

[@theresaranft2313]

I'm learning so much from your videos and they're such an inspiration to me! Thank you! Looking forward to your next videos.

[@terryarterton3339]

Exellent video Oliver as ever. They are all a great help, many thanks !

[@clareclemens4849]

Thank you so much. Your explanations are so clear and unpatronising and I love your calmness. I am can't wait for the next one. I have been painting since 2019 and love the medium, but always more to learn. Thanks Oliver.

[@maimunamalik2883]

Hi, Oliver, your tutorial is simple and easy to understand. My love for landscape had me painting since last year. I have so much to learn. Your paintings are subtle and effortless. Would love to see complete tutorial on your landscape paintings :)

[@andrecardon2141]

I was reading for ten years a lot watercolor magazines but the explanations and démo of Oliver are the best one, I heard. I recommend

[@kathryndohring5481]

Thank you so much for posting this wonderful informative video. I've been binge watching your channel and today started painting along. What fun! Love getting back to the basics.

[@shannlakho4805]

Your fence posts look Fantastic! Thank you again 🙏

[@marijkeschellenbach2680]

This playlist is exactly what I need.

[@davidsecker5161]

You are a great teacher, please continue.

[@andystacey4760]

Thanks Oliver, always makes me feel inspired.

[@isabelabaeza3832]

Always good tips and clear descriptions. Thanks Oliver

[@dogwhiskers8]

What a treat. Thank you so much. I'm thrilled when I see a new tutorial from you. Then end up sighing if only I could paint one thousandth as well as Oliver. Onward I will go :)

[@farrukhjamalhyder227]

Thanks! Oliver for sharing key points 🙌🏻 really appreciate it.

[@annieh6021]

I love that you explain stuff slowly enough. I’m new to the channel and I’m hoping to learn much more at a “do-able” pace. Thank you.

[@shannlakho4805]

Excellent video Olly👍You are an Awesome teacher! Looking forward to your tutorials 😊Thank you! Shanna

[@Jacklette]

best videos on watercolor painting I have found in the net! I am so excited to try out what you are teaching. Dear Oliver, many many thanks for that. Greetings from Munich/Germany

[@dhirajshetty483]

Absolutely brilliant video Oliver ! Thank you mate

[@niguwinslow2744]

Thank you! You are an amazing artist and a teacher. I now will tryouts painting using your technique.

[@andrewfrost8866]

An excellent discussion on the basics, presented in such a clear, exciting and informative manner.

[@763parky]

Love this tutorial, very helpful, Thank you Oliver.

[@caseystorm4999]

You are a wonderful inspiration Olly. I cant wait to learn from this series and strengthen my watercolour skills. This was a 1st class tutorial. We are privaledged to have access to your expertise. Thankyou so much. 👍

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

That's very kind of you Casey - thank you and its always a pleasure to share.

[@Jaline_on_YouTube]

Finally! I have painted with water-soluble oils and also acrylics for a number of years. Now that I'm retired, I have been experimenting more - and although I have watched several other water colourists, your style is much closer to how I want to paint. Even though I sometimes enjoy just splashing colour around to see what happens, I enjoy realism the most - and your work is the first I have discovered on KZbin that 'speaks' to me in watercolour language. I have only watched about 3 of your videos so far and am delighted to see there are many more to choose from. I am so glad I found your work. Your teaching skills are as effective and inspiring as your finished works. Thank you!

[@toddbridges8834]

More great information and encouragement!!! Very positive and supportive….. exactly what new students need!!! Thanks a million !!

[@lauramartens5516]

I have watched many watercolor videos, you have done the most to help me understand watercolors and what they can do. I am anxious to watch the rest of your videos. Thank you so much for breaking watercolor painting down to where it makes sense.

[@davidsmith812]

Excellent, again! Thank you.

[@angelalexandrov4011]

Thank you,mr. Oliver!

[@ianbarnes1406]

Great video Oliver. People just starting out on their watercolour journey will find this extremely useful

[@CHarveyFan1]

Thanks for your posts, Oliver. I love your beautiful light and transparent style which is much harder to achieve than you make it look. I guess it's all down to practice. Your work is really inspiring.

[@donnacarraway9182]

Great video and a great help! Thank you!!

[@brianlove541]

Yes, it was helpful to return back to the beginner basics. Thanks

[@robertcox3861]

Thanks Oliver. Please don't stop with these wonderful videos. Their worth a fortune. You'r giving so much inspiration. Thanks

[@kasibylas8872]

Wonderful video, thank you Oliver! Amazing didactics…

[@marinamnishek3823]

Thank you so much for this video, it has really helped me understand the medium better. I'm looking forward to new lessons!

[@paperniceness]

I love the way you break it down, best explanation and demo very beginner, thanks

[@CaseyMusicOfficial]

Hi Oliver, ready to get more serious with my painting, and happy to have found you! thank you! Saved the playlist

[@attiliadin]

Brilliant! Thank you!

[@robinsamuelson3626]

Thank you for this introductory on watercolor. It states its the 1st of six-part series, I just want to make sure I didn't miss the rest of the series. Thanks again!

[@riamaas]

it's great to see all those terms visible explained ,wish i had seen this when i started with watercolors, it would have saved me a lot of stress and disapointment-but now i'm very happy and i will spent a lot of time watching and listening to you before going over all the things i did in the past. Thank you so much for taking time to tell/show us what watercolor is

[@mountainsno]

I've been sharing your tutorials and I'm so glad you are doing this series. I began and I needed the next bit but I ran out of your videos. So yay! You really are a straight forward and essential knowledge kind of teacher. Thank you.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Very kind Maretta - thank you

[@NYtalk60]

I am a beginner and I love watercolor. When I started, my artist friends said why do you want to do watercolor. I said because it's unpredictable with a mind of it's own. Thank Mr. Pyle. I feel validated! This was a great lesson and I'm going to watch all. I loved, "and neither do you!"

[@clare9637]

Thank you Oliver. This was really helpful for someone like me who has just started water colour painting. All I've done so far is have a go at Negative painting using random ideas from my head to try to get started but I have yet to paint anything real!!! I look forward to the next video.

[@Jackie030567]

Very clear instructions, genuine, and good teacher…looking forward to the next tutorial

[@juliestevenson]

Thank you for this tutorial. I have been using watercolour for a while but not really knowing why things happen as they do. It is great to go back to the basics to try to understand how it works.

[@leonajean1979]

I painted along with this. Thank you! 😊

[@TimDobbs]

Thanks for this video ... really helpful as I want to get back into painting and your teaching style is excellent

[@sarahjackson8252]

Thanks very much for making these videos. I've been struggling with watercolour for some time, and now at last feel I'm making progress in seeing where I'm going wrong, thanks to your advice!

[@clairemoore2753]

Thank you , I really enjoyed this video. I dont think I have seen the properties of watercolour explained so well before. I look forward to episode 2

[@ronscherzinger1639]

First video I’ve watched done by Oliver P. Hits the nail on its head, dead on! From what I’ve seen, I love his complete works. Close to what I want to achieve. Very well done

[@leticiarellera1599]

Thank you so much Oliver. I learned a lot from you than other painting instructions. 👍🏻

[@tezoodle]

Thank you for another really helpful video. I can feel more dots being joined up as I continue my watercolour journey with your videos and teachings. One of the things I struggle with is the consistency of the pigment + water, so it's very helpful when I can see your palette, and how much water you add to your colours. Perhaps you could continue with the palette shot ? Thank you Olly, you are a Watercolour genius! 👍😀

[@nicholaspuchetti2557]

I'm two videos in on your channel. So appreciate your tone of speech, you cadence, and thoughtfulness to the beginner (me). Looking forward to engaging the water color medium...now. Thanks again.... Nick.

[@DoubleRainbows-fp6ih]

So Grateful to you Oliver. Brilliant. I loved lesson 6 & "the rule of 3" tutorial☺️

[@shubhaoak2165]

Wonderful tutorial .Thank you !

[@soulserenity2503]

very professional style and formatted video, thank you Oliver. A great beginner's introduction to watercolour. looking forward to watching the rest of this series.

[@valeriegehling4358]

I’ve watched a few of your tutorials & find your paintings very pleasing to the eye! Thanks

[@elizabethandrepont2308]

I really enjoy your instruction. You do a great job.

[@ailishniriain787]

Thank you for this. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching and learning and hope to be able to use what you have taught. I am looking forward to watching the rest of your videos. Having looked at your art work online and have to say it is really magnificent.

[@jacklynwilliam3862]

You, Sir, are an excellent teacher and painter! Thank you!

[@estherzwemer5995]

You're an incredible teacher & artist! Thanks sooooooo for your videos!!!

[@guriaarseth4936]

I really appreciate your teaching; the step-wise method is so suitable, you lead me to discover the secrets of watercolour - a happy journey!

[@bryanjones1340]

Very enjoyable tutorial which I found very useful. I liked the demonstrations on tone and also the importance of keeping the quality of transparency of the paint. I'm enjoying following you channel and the subject material is great for me. I am pleased with some of my results from the recent Painting Trees tutorials. 👍👍😁😁

[@johnhaywood6358]

Wonderful lesson. Thank you so very much

[@hotspursam4972]

Superb, thank you so much Oliver

[@elijahh8183]

Marvelous teacher. Thanks

[@Minimouse1954]

Thank you for your amazing tutorials, your great

[@dreamalamb4259]

Thank you for taking the time to teach ❤

[@alexandramaxwell9656]

You are a great teacher. I love it thank you

[@learnnancy1979]

So gorgeous! Perfect in explaining how you see it and why you paint it the way you do. Totally relaxing, informative and inspirational.

[@pamrobinson3642]

Thank you so much! You are one of the best teachers I have encountered in my watercolor journey.

[@user-ie2fx5yi1t]

Hi Oliver, I love and admire your work! Thanks for all your teaching videos!

[@alisonhendry2928]

Brilliant. Descriptions and words used are so spot on! Always nice to go back to the basics and remind ourselves. Thank you. Look forward to more.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thanks Alison

[@user-qb3or1nl3p]

Thank you, one of the best tutorials I have seen so far :)

[@user-xc1ud3ev1k]

Love how you advised engaging local retailers.....this helped me a lot. I got guidance and insights at the shop.

[@caustic299]

I’m so happy I discovered your channel! Absolutely love your painting style and technique and what is perhaps even more important you’re a great teacher, I’ve already learned so much from you. Thank you 🙏 is there some sort of uploading schedule you’re adhering to? I don’t want to miss your videos when they first come out.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thanks Liza. I’m hoping to release 1 each week for the next 6 weeks, but if you click on the bell icon next to ‘subscribe’ then you’ll be notified when I post a new video. Thanks for watching!

[@rhondacalabro867]

You are a wonderful artist and teacher. Thanks so much for sharing your talent.

[@derekhutchinson6916]

New to your channel Oliver and already appreciating it very much. Many thanks, Derek

[@ozlemguler4324]

What a wonderful, calm and systematic approach you have. I'm trying to add watercolour media to my art making and really fumbling around. You've made it feel achievable and I'm looking forward to all of your videos. Thankyou for your generosity in sharing your knowledge and skills.

[@robinmorris8711]

Great Video thanks Oliver. I've been painting watercolour for only a year but hardly scratching the surface yet! so many different approaches to painting on KZbin; Your style is good for me! Thanks!

[@marygoodger51]

I love your videos, really interesting and informative. Not too complicated for newbies like me