10 techniques for painting rocks with watercolor. Watercolour beginner tutorial to master rocks.

10 techniques to help you paint rocks with watercolor paint. Watercolour beginner tutorial.
My PATREON MEMBERSHIP PAGE: www.patreon.com/user/membersh... - in addition to ad-free content you get exclusive content (new videos will be more in depth than those on my KZbin channel), hi-resolution reference photos, photos of my finished painting, and drawing outlines where available. Other benefits are also included.
Ten Techniques for painting rocks with watercolor.
My teaching manual: Mastering Watercolors - A Practical Guide: amzn.to/3ZF2FRW
In this episode I cover 10 techniques to help you paint rocks with watercolor paint.
Here are the subjects covered in this video:
1. Light, shadows, and rock form
2. Simple smooth oval rock
3. Sharp edged rocks
4. Creating rock shapes with a credit card
5. Using candle wax to preserve hightlights
6. Drizzeling water to create great tonal and form transitions
7. Painting grasses near rocks
8. Reflections of rocks
9. Textures on rock surfaces. Dry brush technique
10. Painting masses of rocks easily
11. Multi colored rocks.
If you are a beginner, and this is the first of my videos in this series you are watching, then I highly recommend that you go back and begin at Watercolor Class One and do the exercises in each. These exercises are what I used to put my beginner face-to-face students through, before allowing them to progress to more advanced subjects. Even now, before a student, new to watercolor, can join my online class they have to first prove they have studied and applied this beginner lessons. In this way, new students are able to more easily join my more advanced classes.
I also have a couple of watercolor painting books which I published and distribute through Amazon.
The first one, which has sold over 10,000 copies is bascially my teaching manual and is titled:
Mastering Watercolors - A Practical Guide.
The second is full of step by step demonstrations and is titled: Watercolor Step By Step: amzn.to/3z4YXEu
Both books are available in kindle format and paperback.
You can also find a lot of useful information on my website: www.paintingwithwatercolors.com/

[@laurabaldwin942]

Thank you. This is the best instruction I have seen on how to paint rocks with watercolor!

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lomarenr1598]

This has been the most encouraging, enlightening and most comprehensive rock watercolour painting video I’ve EVER seen on KZbin. Over the years I’ve watched countless artist try to teach how to paint rocks and although their rocks were good they don’t compare to your teaching method. I feel now that I can paint rocks and have them look believable. Thank you so much for this fantastic video. It will definitely be saved in my library. I have also subscribed to your channel as I feel I can learn a lot from you!

[@JoeCartwright]

Thank you very much. So glad you have found my channel, and enjoyed the video. Enjoy your painting.

[@user-ny5yv7is4i]

The most informative tutorial on rocks! Thank you

[@JoeCartwright]

Wow, thanks! Glad it was helpful.

[@rinaamaya7382]

Oh my goodness It's a good teaching it is helping me I'm learning thanks God bless you

[@JoeCartwright]

You are so welcome. Enjoy your watercolour journey!

[@MarilynParker5865]

That is the best instructional video EVER on rocks...a tough challenge for me. I'm bookmarking this...thank you~!💞💞🎨🎨👨‍🎨

[@JoeCartwright]

You are so welcome!

[@iammir8365]

Very comprehensive. I don't think I need to watch any more rock videos. This is it. Thanks a bunch!

[@JoeCartwright]

Awesome, thank you!

[@mrsshorty261]

Absolutely brilliant…can’t thank you enough…from a very grateful newbie watercolour painter

[@JoeCartwright]

My pleasure 😊

[@handymotte9937]

Hello Joe. Now I`ve learned how to paint rocks and stones in different ways, That was very helpful and I`m looking forward to the next videos. Greetings from Petra.

[@JoeCartwright]

I hope you enjoy them as much.

[@wendybirnie3324]

Fabulous video Joe. Thankyou very much.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@roxym.3933]

This is the best video outhere of rocks techniques … thank you

[@JoeCartwright]

Wow, thanks! Glad it was helpful!

[@lesleyholmes6724]

Keep coming back to this video. So very useful.I have your book on light and I hope one day to make my work look as effortless as you do. Brilliant thank you.

[@JoeCartwright]

You can do it! Thank you for purchasing my book.

[@lynncondello6082]

Thank you, you make it look so easy

[@JoeCartwright]

You can do it!

[@methatronn]

The best rock technique!!!! Thank you

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you found it helpful.

[@cannerobertson1]

Joe, you are an amazing teacher. Thank you for this lesson. I've been struggling with making rocks look natural. You make it all make sense!

[@JoeCartwright]

Happy to help! I enjoying working out how to explain things as simply as possible.

[@user-ny5yv7is4i]

Just watched a second time and painted them. Thanks a bunch. Feeling much more confident on rocks. Wonderful tutorial.

[@JoeCartwright]

Great job! Well done.

[@sheilacym]

Well !! What can I say, Joe, as all the other comments have already expressed exactly how I feel too, about this amazing and brilliant tutorial video that you have so kindly given so much of your time to share with us. As many others have said….this is absolutely and without doubt THE BEST video tutorial with such clear explanations and techniques for painting rocks in their various forms. I came across your channel just a few days ago and am so pleased that I found you here on YT. Looking forward to watching all of your video / tutorials. I sincerely appreciate your teachings and thank you very much. 🤗🥳🤗

[@JoeCartwright]

WOW, thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed my video. I hope you enjoy the rest.

[@carolinedcruz4523]

Thank you. You are a wonderful teacher. This concept of shadow and light was so well demonstrated and explained. Thank you once again.

[@JoeCartwright]

You are so welcome

[@pambrown9523]

Literally, the best information for painting rocks, all in one video! Thank you so much for such a comprehensive, relatable explanation and demonstration of painting one of nature's most significant components! My favorite video EVER ❤❤❤

[@JoeCartwright]

You are so welcome!

[@tanyaharris7514]

Excellent demo..thank you so much 💕

[@JoeCartwright]

You are so welcome!

[@CF-on9xj]

Ganz lieben Dank für das interessante , und hilfreiche Video. Lieben Gruß Christine

[@JoeCartwright]

You are welcome.

[@electrichen6243]

OMG this is an amazing video. This is the best explanation I've had of form and shadow, and great rock techniques. I've seen some of the techniques before but never had them explained as well as this. I'm so happy your video popped up in my KZbin recommendations, I will be following your channel from now on.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you enjoyed my video. Have fun with the rest of them. :-)

[@COCOChatnails]

Just fabulous, thanks so much!

[@JoeCartwright]

You are so welcome!

[@mikejustice1196]

These videos are the best I’ve watched Thanks for sharing your talent and mastery 😊

[@JoeCartwright]

Wow, thank you!

[@user-ly6io1kb2b]

Such a helpful tutorial. Thank you.

[@JoeCartwright]

You are very welcome.

[@alexandrasanches2473]

What a wonderful teacher you are! Big hug!

[@JoeCartwright]

Thank you. Glad you are enjoying my videos. Have fun!

[@bonniegarson80]

So many excellent example! Thank you

[@JoeCartwright]

Thnak you, glad you liked it.

[@adriennesaracen6525]

Excellent tutorial, thank you.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ChuLaiGuy]

Water color paint water rocks 😊

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you liked it.

[@attadudepc]

These techniques are amazing and you present the video extremely well. Thank you for making this video

[@JoeCartwright]

You are very welcome, glad you a enjoying my video. Thank you for the feedback!

[@kindredspiritm]

You are a brilliant teacher. Thank you again for sharing your talent with us.

[@JoeCartwright]

You are very welcome!

[@bodawei425]

I especially love the trick with the credit card. You rock!

[@JoeCartwright]

Thanks so much! Glad you found my video useful. I hope my others are of help as well.

[@lindamcdonald9199]

Really useful, many thanks x

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@terrylavis4792]

Thanks for this great demo about different rocks Joe - it’s fabulous! 👏👏👏

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you like it Terry!

[@shalinigupta848]

Thank you so much. You are an amazing teacher.

[@JoeCartwright]

You're very welcome!

[@margaretpalmer-im2on]

That's great Joe just what I need to know.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad to hear!

[@judelistens510]

Thanks Joe!

[@JoeCartwright]

You are very welcome!

[@nancyhorricks6168]

This is the best tutorial I have found so far. I think you are a born teacher. I can’t wait to practice every technique you have demonstrated! I love your video, so easy to follow. Thank you.

[@JoeCartwright]

Thank you very much for the feedback. Very happy you got a lot out of my video!

[@paulagarrett3758]

First time I’ve ever watched one of your videos. This was a great tutorial! Very “gneiss”. 😁I will be going back and trying each of these studies. I love painting rocks. The simplification of using two colors (mostly) really helps in seeing what is really changing in each technique.

[@JoeCartwright]

Have fun! Thank you for your feedback.

[@ingaharms7841]

wonderful, thank you

[@JoeCartwright]

You are very welcome. Glad you liked it.

[@craftico-mi2hq]

Thankyou so much sir. I start to learn watercolor painting and i think i am so lucky that i find your channel in my early days so i don't have to waste my time by wandering here and there and how to start. Once again thank you so much❤❤

[@JoeCartwright]

Welcome on board. Have fun on your watercolor journey.

[@craftico-mi2hq]

@@JoeCartwright Thankyou sir❤

[@mostho]

great tut

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you liked it 😊

[@_e.n.]

Brilliant guidens, thank you very much 🤗

[@JoeCartwright]

Thank you, you are very welcome.

[@raymcerlean55]

Thanks for this very useful video.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tfouch1]

Great tutorial. I struggle trying to paint rocks and stones. This was a great help.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad to hear it was of hlep.

[@Elena141961]

Спасибо за обучающее видео. Поэтапно нарисовала с вами! Отличный познавательный бесплатный урок! спасибо за щедрые знания,которые вы нам даете!

[@JoeCartwright]

Yu are welcome.

[@irmareitz701]

As usual a great tutorial! Thank you Jo. I always enjoy your lessons and look forward to trying the different techniques.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad to hear you are enjoying the series Irma.

[@goelnarendragoel1057]

I must say I am highly impressed. one of the most comprehensive presentations about a particular topic. I will make it a point to watch your videos on a regular basis. thanks a ton for sharing this.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kw519]

Thank you Joe. I just found your channel and I want to tell you your teaching skills are greatly appreciated! You rock.

[@JoeCartwright]

Welcome! Thank you very much for the feedback!

[@grantellis2840]

Wow, thank you so much Joe, so many different ways to do rocks, I'll have to do a lot more practicing oh and will have to hunt up an old credit card, fascinating technique. Wonderful lesson Joe, you are teaching us so much, Thank you again. :)

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad to hear you are working through each lesson Grant. Well done.

[@debbieborden7651]

Awesome! Thank you. First time seeing you. Can't wait to watch more.

[@JoeCartwright]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed my video. There are many more in the series.

[@fernandavalverde6379]

Thank you Joe! Amazing techniques! Great tutorial!

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you like them!

[@concerned4160]

Excellent descriptive video! I'm just drinking my first cup of coffee and your detailed drawings make me want to begin painting before the sun's even up 😁. Good job, please keep sharing your skills.

[@JoeCartwright]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@scootmcgoot570]

Hi Joe! New watercolor painter here from Alabama. Thank you sir for sharing this wisdom and knowledge with us.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you enjoyed my video.

[@tmrounds]

I love your video. You are a great instructor and I can’t wait to try these techniques on one of my lighthouse paintings!!!!

[@JoeCartwright]

Thank you so much! I appreciate the feedback. Good luck with your lighthouse paintings! They are one of my favourite subjects too.

[@CarlosContrerasZunig]

master class

[@JoeCartwright]

Thanks you Carlos, glad you liked it.

[@DonnaDyer]

Love this. I wish I had seen this yesterday when I painted a landscape rocks that I loved and totally messed it up. I’ll try again with these hints

[@JoeCartwright]

Practice is never wasted Donna. Glad you found my video helpful.

[@shahrzadafshinpour5847]

Thanks again for a wonderful instructional video and helping us grow in the watercolor world. I’m grateful. Happy new year.

[@JoeCartwright]

You are so welcome! Happy New Year!

[@riesalipschitz3035]

Thanks Joe, that was very helpful. I am continuing to learn!

[@JoeCartwright]

Great to hear Riesa!

[@barbarabunn86]

I love your tutorials. I've been having trouble predicting-seeing where the shadows and reflections should be. The way you describe it is helping greatly. Thanks.

[@JoeCartwright]

Happy to help! Thank you for the feedback.

[@shelley2he844]

Joe!! I thankgod for you at this moment!! And thankyou. I've finally mastered clouds, and water a little bit, but rocks...... Rocks have been the bane of my life for the last week! I was in a temper, I've watched so many videos and all of them left me feeling so frustrated! But this video is *chefs kiss* finally I think I will be able to paint them. Your tutorials are incredible, thankyou so much!! ❤️😁

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you are enjoying my tutorials and finding them helpful Shelley.!!! :-)

[@lynnadamson7773]

Joe, what a great tutorial! Thank you.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@carolinafernandezoro733]

Excellent!!!!

[@JoeCartwright]

Many thanks!

[@michaelklein5242]

Wonderful! Thank you, Joe! You said something that very much applies to the mistake I've been making, that when it starts to look like a believable rock, it's best to leave it alone. 😉 I'll try a few of these techniques out tonight. Happy to subscribe and looking forward to more from you! 🎨

[@JoeCartwright]

You are very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@elenakashpersky5658]

Thanks!!!

[@JoeCartwright]

Welcome!

[@esilabet]

Love that tutorial, I tried them all and use those practices as warm ups. Really interesting! Thanks!

[@JoeCartwright]

You're so welcome! Thank you for the feedback!

[@franceslazu1784]

Sir, you are the best watercolor artist ever.

[@JoeCartwright]

Thank you so much 😀

[@riesalipschitz3035]

Great lessons…thanks for sharing.

[@JoeCartwright]

You are welcome. Thanks for the feedback.

[@anthonyjones3698]

Thanks

[@JoeCartwright]

Many thanks for your support.

[@soongloege3241]

Thank you so much.👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 I need to watch many times.

[@JoeCartwright]

I'm glad you like it.

[@bharatjadav3814]

, very very very useful technic

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you liked it.

[@patrickpenta3005]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you for sharing!

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@virginiaalan2050]

Thank you so very much. You have demonstrated the absolutely most detailed techniques for painting rocks. No longer will my rocks be described as a pile of dog poop!

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was of help Virginia. I aim to end all poop! :-)

[@nancyrolfe3033]

Your video came up for the first time today and I wish I could do something to make sure everyone who is beginning watercolors sees it (I have definitely hit subscribe, like and hit notifications) because you are GREAT with instructions and examples!!! This is so clear, informative and most helpful, meaningful teaching I’ve ever found. Thank you so much for taking the time and sharing your talents and experience with us on KZbin. Hopefully you will know how much it means to me (and I’m certain many others)! I can’t wait to try these now! I’m so excited that I have a good understanding finally. Please continue to teach… I am going back to watch everything I missed on your channel… Again, a HUGE thank you ❤ Sending blessings, Nancy Rolfe

[@JoeCartwright]

You are very welcome. So glad my video was useful to you.

[@bithiasherman]

Love this tutorial as I really wanted to learn how to paint rocks better. So helpful and informative.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was of help to you.

[@elainewood2947]

Another amazing tutorial, I am learning so much from your teaching. Just hope I can remember it all, shall have to revisit many times. Thank you so much.

[@JoeCartwright]

You can do it!

[@sherryfurr9115]

Wow, what a superb tutorial. One of the best I have seen. Thank you!

[@JoeCartwright]

You're very welcome! Glad it was helpful.

[@kerrylyons278]

Very good and easy to understand.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hotspursam4972]

Super. Thank you for sharing your expertise. Very much appreciated

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nlmelch]

Great rock demo. Thank you.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you liked it!

[@touranassar4302]

Best and most effective tutorial videos I have watched. 👏👏👏🙏

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ginaschissler9887]

Love your style in painting and instruction Thanks so much

[@JoeCartwright]

You are so welcome! Glad you are enjoying my tutorials.

[@carolinewithers1647]

Great tutorial. I just discovered you. Very good instruction.

[@JoeCartwright]

Welcome! Glad you enjoyed my video.

[@sylviem.4832]

Thank you !

[@JoeCartwright]

You're welcome!

[@billfourie8734]

Great Tutorial. Many Thanks!

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@replicante59]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@JoeCartwright]

You're very welcome! Glad my video was useful to you.

[@colleurfull]

Dank je wel voor de zeer duidelijke video, ik ga het zeker uit proberen!!

[@JoeCartwright]

You are very welcome. Have fun!

[@WatercolourMentor]

Hi Joe thanks for this tutorial, I tend to neglect details on rocks but some of your tips make it easier to paint them in a short period of time. I find selecting a strong light source to be helpful! -Darren

[@JoeCartwright]

Hi Darren, many thanks. Glad you liked the video. In my more advanced paintings, light is often the subject. - Joe

[@mysticriver9420]

Merci beaucoup ! Très utiles toutes vos vidéos !

[@JoeCartwright]

You are welcome!

[@syedazim2011]

Hi Joe, Your teaching style is wonderful. What I liked most is the use of few pigments and brushes, and a small very focused subject - rocks also only few pieces. As a learner, I could follow your demonstration so clearly. Many, many thanks. Best regards Azim Dhaka, Bangladesh.

[@JoeCartwright]

Awesome, thank you! I appreciate your feedback. Enjoy your watercolor journey.

[@shahzadqurashi7728]

Many thanks for this video sir

[@JoeCartwright]

Most welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@armdaMan]

Hello there from deep down South africa Thanks a zillion for showing and Sharing with so much detail and in no hurry to beat any dead line Really opened up our horizons and gave us opportunities to simply excel Much appreciated LORD Bless ATB TC aRM

[@JoeCartwright]

Nice to hear from you. You are welcome to the videos. Thanks for the feedback!

[@teresamitchell-banks2286]

Very helpful. Thank you🇨🇦

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful to you.

[@patsmith3939]

Interesting. Slow moving but the subject is rocks after all. But the study is good.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you liked it.

[@patferguson572]

So good. Thank you. I love rocks and cliffs, but haven't had the 'nous' to get things looking right. A great tutorial. Thank you, again. from Oz.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you found it helpful Pat. I am from Oz too. Penrith, NSW. :-)

[@patferguson572]

@@JoeCartwright Thought so. Not only accent, but your 'country' paintings, which I soo love. Come from cattle people. Central Qld

[@user-wd8kc6nj7z]

Отличный урок. Спасибо

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you found my lesson helpful.

[@bsmith5404]

Inspiring, thanks! Was hoping to see them all together at the end to refresh my memory and compare them though 🤓.

[@JoeCartwright]

Next time!

[@user-mn2bz7cg9s]

Большое спасибо! Очень красивый и полезный урок!

[@JoeCartwright]

You are very welcome. Glad it was useful to you.

[@PhoenixRevisited-ik5qm]

Brilliant! Is there a class#14, I have watched all 13 classes and wonder which video to watch next?

[@JoeCartwright]

Here is a link to all the videos in my Beginner Watercolor Class playlist. After 14 I stopped numbering them as the sequence was already getting into more complex paintings.

[@Fortunados1]

Thank you so much...👍

[@JoeCartwright]

You are very welcome!

[@salauddeensyed5295]

Thank you for wonderful video for beginners like me Sir, You got one more subscriber today...

[@JoeCartwright]

Thanks you and welcome. I hope you enjoy the rest of my beginner videos. :-)