2 EASY Gifts From Spontaneous Watercolor Paintings. Landscape Painting.

Here are a couple ways to create some easy gifts from small spontaneous watercolor paintings. Included is a simple tutorial on creating those small spontaneous landscapes. If the season is starting to put you in a gift giving mood, this video may give you some ideas.
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[@mindofwatercolor]

NOTE: It's generally recommended that no painting should touch glass. These were intended as simple, quickly done gift ideas on cotton paper which breathes nicely. Where archival and value concerns are great, I probably wouldn't sandwich a painting between glass. It's possible in high humidity situations that the gum arabic in the paint MIGHT stick to the glass. An acrylic sealer, applied and fully cured before framing, could help. That said, watercolor paintings usually don't stick to glass despite conventional advice. Cases exist of watercolors touching glass for many years, even decades with no adverse effects at all. However, as I said, if your archival concerns are high for the painting in question, definitely mat the painting first to provide an air space from the glass.

[@stickerooni]

"Where can I stop" instead of "how much further can I go" ... brilliant advice!

[@Monardadidyma-g5q]

When I watch your spontaneous paintings, more than once and most every time, I see a fantastic animal (or two) and sometimes also a person. So goes the spontaneous painting on the right here - a hooved animal with antlers like a moose, ridden by an elongated human whose head is expressive but small. I have not tried spontaneous painting yet....to see what unfolds. But I do hope to do so. Thank you for upur wonderful talent and patience.

[@louisebacon-ogden5032]

You said SIMPLE!!!!!! You make it look that way! Could watch you paint for hours. Thanks!

[@Jendollla]

I bought some of that paper. I used it once then set it aside. I plan to do cards with it. Guess I better get to it. Lol

[@ИринаВит-ы2ь]

Прекрасно! Языка я практически не знаю, но и не надо. Смотрю и наслаждаюсь картинкой!

[@alisonowen6299]

Thanks! Now I have a name for what I do - spontaneous painting 😊

[@simpleshoes]

And once again I am spontaneously happy!

[@StefanHelldoerfer]

Hi , wie immer sind deine Bilder Wunderschön , ich liebe deine Art zu malen . Liebe Grüße :)

[@craftergin]

I love working on 4 x 6 paper because the finished artwork can be just placed inside a 5 x 7 card. I've sent many paintings to my friends that I used to see everyday at work. Most of them had retired just before the pandemic lock downs occurred so we couldn't get together for lunch and whatnot for quite a while. They were all so excited to get an unexpected piece of art.

[@mizninepatch]

I make watercolor cards using regular watercolor paper and blank cards with matching envelopes from Blick. I use ATG tape to mount the painting to the blank card. Lately I’ve put wax medium on the paintings to make them waterproof. I do little paintings from imagination, birds, flowers, etc. It’s great for practicing techniques and fun for the recipient. Thanks Steve, a great video as always. 🙂

[@FreeSpokenOne]

I’d love to watch your progress in this

[@sped17373]

I'm just starting out with watercolors to do the same--add to cards. I've been painting cards--and the envelopes as well--for years, mostly using airbrushes but also some brushed lettering. Gold leaf and micas/pearls I use as well. I like the idea of small watercolor paintings so I can loosen up and let things happen with the paint...more abstract rather than my usual realistic style with the airbrush. I'm learning a lot from this channel.

[@FreeSpokenOne]

@@sped17373 Making cards is great practice and a good way to work up to larger work. I watched a woman making them and one of the things she says a lot is not to worry about making a mistake, “It’s only a postcard” and this helped realize that it’s easy to treat them as precious, but they aren’t, I’m not selling them after all. Protecting from weather and postal equipment is more my concern. I watched another person using wax medium to protect watercolor postcards. Brilliant, idea I thought because it’s affordable and I don’t want to waste Krylon or expensive sealants on a mailer and it only takes a small dab of Dorland’s wax to do the trick. What I love about the art community is how we share what we know with one another so everyone can enjoy doing these things.

[@sidneybales9062]

I picked up some cards that have a little window cut out, maybe 3x5 ish. You paint your picture, then slide it behind the window. I got mine from Amazon. 50 ish cards and envelopes.

[@angieheitz5466]

Deckled edge is the best! Thank you for all the good that you do. Sure speaks highly of your character!

[@rubyfisch5077]

I love these spontaneous paintings, and I always marvel at the fact that you've been doing them for years, but haven't fallen into repeating what you've already created. Each one is different, and so beautiful! Amazon sent me some of that paper to try, and I really didn't care for it. When you said it was like painting on tissue paper, you weren't kidding! I made a light sketch and had to erase the teeniest little line and the paper came apart. I tried to do a wash, nope. Same problem. Maybe I'll try something like what you've done where you're not really moving the brush across the page too much and see how it works for me. I know I won't be scraping out any rocks though. lol I hate to not use any paper no matter how much I hate it. lol Thanks for the inspiration.

[@trudiatherton1633]

I like to use paper like this/ tissue/ waste paper , and ‘play’ with different mediums and techniques, as a base layer. Once dry I stick them in my sketchbooks and draw or paint onto each piece, layering / combining different mediums on top. Perhaps a still life perhaps a landscape…

[@holly-anne680]

Thank you so much once again......I love the "spontaneousness " of your work.....And each lesson brings fresh and refreshing ideas!......Deckled paper can be very eye popping......another thing you can do to the edges is to wet with plain water and then touch the edge with sepia or another color to give it age.....You Sir are awesome!

[@rmuller366]

“Shadows sink.” Wow, a light bulb just went off. I’m doing more and more of this spontaneous painting to loosen up and loving it. Thanks for all your help Steve. You’re awesome. Blessings to you and everyone!

[@pennywheeler2598]

I'm going to paint on them and paste them on card stock. Giving me an idea to make my own cards.🎨

[@ameh78]

Im coming back to this video a few months later. I saw this video and was very interested in this paper. Ive now purchased my 2nd pack of it in the grey tone. I absolutely love this paper for just quick small paintings. Its honestly not bad! yes it does warp a little but for a quick grab its great!

[@Angie-pl3uw]

Thank you for explaining the process of creating a spontaneous painting. It was wonderful watching the master create! I have so much trouble with landscapes, so I have attempted to paint a spontaneous scene such as yours. I had mixed success, and, novice that I am, I didn’t know when to stop. But I loved doing it and intend to continue my efforts despite its difficulty. Everything seems easy when someone else is doing it! Thank you again.

[@awatercolourist]

Hello all! I was actually practicing spontaneous painting today and I thought I would share with you what I have learned. 1- I use a spritzer that can spit and spatter when the trigger is half pulled. That made a huge difference with me. 2- I like my paint to be fluid so that it would flow easily on the page. The paint will naturally connect the water droplets on the paper creating random shapes and rivulets. I also like to connect some of the water droplets with my brush in some places to make interesting shapes and rivulets. 3- I learned that the first layer should not be dark; only light and medium toned. I can always darken it in subsequent layers. 4- As the first layer is drying, if there isn’t too much contrast, I spritz (again, only pulling the trigger half way through to creat splatter) parts and places of my painting. The water droplets will push paint away creating highlights. 5- After the first layer dries, if it is too light or uninteresting then I repeat the above again. 6- For the detailing in the subsequent layers, I do not use “palette mud” since I do not have any. Instead, I use a weak-tinting paint. Weak-tinting paints do not become dark very quickly, so I can easily control the tone of the painting. The only weak-tinting paint that I have is cerulean. I sometimes mix other paints with it, but in teeny tiny amounts so that the cerulean is not overpowered. I hope this helps :)

[@Mallowolf]

These look like they were so much fun to make. A fun creative exercise, and a beautiful result!

[@jennlizzy2019]

I enjoy abstract 🎨 painting. I believe I will call it spontaneous after watching this presentation. I loved watching you find the elements of this work from color and water. You are a great communicator and I always enjoy your channel.

[@dianahall1166]

Thanks!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks so much!

[@pauladyer9845]

Great ideas…I make a lot of cards..thanks

[@Sherlock2022]

I like the float glass frame. Wish I’d seen this before taking a couple of paintings to the local framing shop!

[@Noniof3]

Always love to watch you paint these spontaneous works of art. I often paint a little watercolor, deckle the edges or die cut a shape, then glue it on a canvas board that I’ve painted with a color (acrylic) that picks up a color in the painting or sometimes gold. I give this as a gift along with a little metal easel to display it.

[@ImGinaMarie]

I've been binge watching your videos the last few days...I make handmade journals and these would be perfect for that use, which is one reason I'm interested in learning water color painting. I love the fact that you can throw down some water and paint and go from there and come out with a beautiful piece..thanks!

[@maryanharrell561]

Loved the small spontaneous paintings. I like to do greeting cards and I will try some this week. Thanks, Steeve.

[@kevinheller1145]

Thanks Steve, have blessed day…your gifts are always so well received…be well!

[@priscillawarren9979]

Thank you for your frame and card ideas. I will suggest them to friends I've sent my plain folded cards to.

[@Pyroific]

oh man thats wild i literally JUST was looking at this kind of cotton paper last night!

[@Goldi-Luc]

oh I've been eyeing that paper now i can know what its like better, perfect! huh i think that purple was a great accident!!

[@eileencollins3126]

I have used used this paper and love it. I am sure it does not work with every style, but is so fun. I have several different things from the Leather Village via Amazon.

[@dawnmolyneux5840]

Fabulous, really great ideas and keeping a good quality. Love from 🇳🇿 New Zealand🦋🦋

[@helentymoshuk6459]

I bought some of this paper too. I also tried ink and watercolor. pleased.

[@annsandberg7575]

Thank you. Wonderful demonstration!

[@marlbboro8091]

At this point in time I honestly think Nature herself looks at Steve’s landscapes and thinks ‘ok let me copy him’. ❤️ going to buy this paper, love the crafts men and women behind this paper. I am a beginner who doesn’t do too much WoW or details but also wish they could bump up the GSM though. I start to get nervous with pilling.

[@cassiescreations9828]

Junk journals are full of unique and thin papers so that paper would "fit" and sheets can be placed on the inside too, so the recipient can sketch or watercolor. Perhaps the paper can be used to make a unique, shabby chic sketchbook for someone. I can see the cover paper done in beautiful florals, especially since the paper is so delicate. I can also see handmade flowers made from it, painted with watercolors or ink.

[@bonnieg4076]

Thanks for this idea, I love the natural flow of these. Creating greeting cards is my favorite pastime.

[@TheBicycleLadyThings]

I just had to share! I just got some Strathmore 500 series (Imperial) hot press watercolor paper and both the Winsor Newton Promarker watercolor markers and the Albert Durer watercolor markets worked outstanding on this paper. with direct colr application to the paper blend(dispersing) worked great totoally dispersed no soaked lines where the color was applied. Also the applied color could sit for a bit and still fully blend out with waster. Take care just had to share

[@ldlcreationsllc]

Lovely idea and wonderful works.

[@MissingSofeeAnna]

These are beautiful and the music you chose was fantastic

[@judihussey5889]

I. AM. IN. AWE!!! I’ve tried this only once before and felt discouraged 🫤 but this is gorgeous! Out with the negative self talk and on with the paintbrush 🖌 Thank you Steve. You always inspire me to go further!!

[@gloriawellington1444]

Both are beautiful!!!

[@OmegaRainbow]

amazing as always, thanks for sharing! ❤

[@artobsessedJ]

Very pretty 😊

[@dianahall1166]

So helpful. Thank you

[@patricias.mastriani6933]

Amazing tips, your art is fantastic, thank you!

[@GradyGillis]

That paper looks interesting. I checked out the link and they have larger sizes plus the gray you mentioned and a "vintage toned" or "antique toned" version. That seems to be popular with some people. I use that finish, along with several other types of paper to make sketchbooks and journals using Chinese and Japanese stab binding and hand sewing. Just one of my (too many!) interests.

[@christinemiller753]

Looks like Indigo paper. I love the texture of Indigo but I find it difficult to paint on. The paper needs a light touch regardless of the weight. Love watching you paint.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Similar yes but not as heavy.

[@agold1702]

Wonderful-thanks for this!

[@lindaknox9908]

Just ordered the off-white paper and the vintage paper. I have to give this a try. I thought I’d paint some Christmas trees with some splattered gouache snow.

[@ralphcrosby9622]

Thank you for this. Your spontaneous paintings always amaze me.

[@barbaramilbradt2188]

Thanks for the wonderful inspiration! I love your beautiful little paintings!! Thank you!

[@paulineshelley4421]

Thanks! I could see a ruin in the left one and was almost screaming but you didn’t hear me! 😁. Seriously, I must have a go at this. If it fails miserably, I could cut out some autumn 🍁 leaves and use them for stringing up as decorations.

[@mikemorris7457]

You are an amazing teacher! you really explain spontaneous well. Thank you

[@karennaturallyartby]

Great ideas! Definitely will be doing this one ❤

[@t2terri]

Sooo inspiring! Thanks for sharing!

[@plants53]

I just love seeing you do this kind of art from start to finish. It inspires me to have another go. Thank you for sharing and they are lovely.

[@nancyrobert2424]

Love it

[@gracehorton770]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Felt like I’d been to a class in art school. I have this paper in the vintage beige, darker edges. It lends well to controlled wet on wet. The floating frame idea was perfect for gifting, maybe even to myself! Thank you!

[@jilld8787]

Nice! Your creativity is amazing as is your instructional commentary. Thank you!🥰

[@river4140]

Simply amazing

[@beryledwards4407]

Absolutely beautiful, brilliant, you make it look so easy, I actually haven't started to watercolour yet but after seeing this I think it's going to be the first thing I will be try, thank you for sharing your fantastic work 😊👍

[@jenniefiedler9854]

Wow, those are fantastic, Steve! Thanks so much for sharing ☺️

[@mymartinez3830]

BRILLIANT!!!!

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

I have been seeing that paper coming up on my Amazon feed as well & wondering just how good it would be to paint. As always it’s great watching you painting landscapes this way. It was refreshing to see how you used these for greeting/birthday cards or quick mini framed paintings. Thanks for sharing this wonderful ideas & hope your weekend is great!

[@dawnchapman3558]

Fabulous! What a lovely card to send thanks for the idea! Will try this if it works great if not its just a piece of paper!

[@dianeblomquist8970]

Great info ... thank you!

[@marleenhigginbotham3242]

Enjoyed this spontaneous way of painting. Thanks for sharing. Am giving it a try. The two paintings turned out awesome.

[@joycesnodgrass7068]

Love it! Thank you!

[@7Spankster7]

I purchased some of this papered and I discovered that you could also put a coat of white gesso on it before painting on it. .That gives the paper a bit more substance and works well with watercolors.

[@mindofwatercolor]

I personally don't like how watercolor interacts with gesso. I would probably use absorbent ground instead.

[@juliebromfield1865]

Gorgeous! 😃

[@heidicook2395]

I'd make book marks.

[@AafkeVultink]

[@capbin146]

I can see things when you do it but tried a few times myself and never happy. Maybe need to get a big sheet of Arches and just go for it. Thanks

[@ljschlag271]

Thanks for this video. I was told to never have watercolors placed up against the glass in a frame. Have you ever found this to be a problem?

[@mindofwatercolor]

Not so far, no. I suppose in humid conditions it could transfer a tad, so a spray sealer like Kamar Varnish by Krylon might be a good idea. Dorland's wax sealer might also work fine.

[@elizabethevans702]

If I may ask, what is the spray mount you mentioned when making the card? Maybe I'm missing it in the description, but I was also unsure when looking on Amazon. Thank you.... also, love these spontaneous landscapes you create.

[@mindofwatercolor]

I usually use either this amzn.to/3sFGmxb or Elmers who also make a decent craft spray adhesive

[@johnchapin6149]

I like watching your loose style. I see fantasy faces. I wonder if you do?

[@mindofwatercolor]

Sometimes!

[@christinebravomom5711]

I have some bamboo paper that has the same fragility problem.

[@marigoldwood8494]

Many thanks for this. A question about the floating frame - does the painting touch the glass if you use this type of frame? I ask because I love the result but I always understood watercolours had to be mounted and framed so that they didn't come into contact with the glass.

[@mindofwatercolor]

No it’s fine. Glass is just to protect the painting.

[@marigoldwood8494]

@@mindofwatercolor Many thanks

[@ralphanderson2603]

I will try SP with abstact structure in combo with my new my bew sdtyle... SECTIONALISM to tell the story in chapters...

[@deetoms8542]

Love these! I ordered some of this paper as well in a bit larger size. I'm ordering the smaller size now through your link. =) Question if I may, when you mount the paper in the float frame is it okay for the painting to touch the glass for long term? Or is there a gap in the glass on the front? I'd like to sell some this way hoping to not get complaints...lol.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Touching the glass is fine.

[@deetoms8542]

@@mindofwatercolor Thanks!

[@pstutor1]

I bought the 3/4 " Silver brush and no mater how well I wash it ( I use Brush cleaner) when I use it it seems to retain some paint just enough to affect the paint (I try to use it for blue skies.) Any ideas why?

[@mindofwatercolor]

It's probably holding some down in by the ferrule. Gotta smash some soap way down there good.

[@awatercolourist]

The paper looks a lot like the Panart paper on Jackson’s. It’s also lightweight and pills easily.

[@dianeknott3655]

Question for you: Have you ever used khadi paper? Any thoughts about it? Tips? I've seen it used by a mixed media artist for collage with paper, fabric and other bits and pieces of materials. I was wondering if it's also good for watercolor?

[@mindofwatercolor]

I’ve not tried it. I’ve heard good things though.

[@kazfarndon4990]

Hi Diane. I've recently painted with wc on a pad of cotton Khadi paper. Its about the same lighter weight and reacts very similarly to the paper Steve used in this demo

[@colorist_tommy4247]

what angle is your board? Looks very high angle.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Around 30 degrees.

[@MissIdolize]

These are beautiful - and my comment is # 1k!

[@pyromancyglassart8975]

5.39 the right one i c someone riding a wolfs head..

[@pyromancyglassart8975]

Hi on that paper on Amazon it has sizes and a count number. If someone could tell me what that means I would appreciate it. TY

[@104Margie]

Been watching you about 8 years!!!!What kind of watercolor paper is best for watercolor pencils? Hot press or cold press?

[@deromilly]

Don't erase on the toned paper from Leather Village. I've got a set of the gold, and while I love it, it takes prismacolor beautifully, and gouache. But the color is just dyed on the surface... it WILL erase off.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks for the tip!

[@vickiecross5379]

Can’t see the link to buy paper

[@mindofwatercolor]

It's there in the video description.

[@marianneemig2907]

I hide a deer or rabbit. Could you include that in a spontaneous painting. Something that is not apparent right away.

[@ibrahimissaiaawad2888]

lol its his only face!

[@an882]

Hobby Lobby, umm, no.

[@mindofwatercolor]

So much yes! Disinformation. Do more research.