5. Painting a Watercolour Landscape - Demonstration

Painting a Watercolour Landscape - An Introduction for Beginners
My apologies, there was a slight audio problem with the first and last stages of this demo (I forgot to plug the external mic into the camera!) but it's not too bad if you adjust the volume........anyway..........
In this video, I demonstrate how to paint a simple landscape in watercolour from start to finish. I have broken this down into 5 stages for you to follow and practice, giving you an insight into how to construct a successful painting and demonstrating my thought process as I work through the painting. I have painted the scene from memory, from my knowledge of Studland Bay - needless to say it is a place and subject that I have returned to time and again over the years.
Points to help you when you practice this:
1) This video focuses on the painting process, not the initial 'artistic' decisions that I make and consider before I start a painting. That’s because I want you to focus specifically on the stages, techniques and processes that I use; I deliberately haven’t included a reference photo, to remove any distractions relating to interpretation of the scene.
2) Don’t worry about copying every single brushstroke I make. The nature of watercolour is such that your washes and brushstrokes will make different shapes than mine, and you will need to respond to those. Allowing yourself some freedom will not only be a more satisfying experience but will inevitably lead to a better painting - you are expressing yourself!
The original painting is available for sale through my online shop - I like to make demo paintings and studio sketches available for less than my larger gallery paintings. Here's the link www.ourlandscape.co.uk/online...
The equipment that I use to paint this scene is listed below:
Daler Rowney Aquafine Range - Jacksons Art Supplies geni.us/8bXMGe
Daler Rowney Aquafine Brushes - No. 6 & 12 round - Jacksons Art Supplies geni.us/oYL7Foy
Daler Rowney Langton - Jacksons Art Supplies geni.us/BT5u8S
Daler Rowney Table Easel - Amazon geni.us/qZICp4
Jacksons Goat Hair Hake Brush - Jacksons Art Supplies geni.us/i5sLoCs
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.

[@soosangles]

Oliver this is such a great tutorial. I so love people like yourself who are so generous with free tutorials. Painting is so rewarding & so learn about this wonderful medium because someone like you has been son kind and put this on u-tube, is a great gift. Thank you from me and so many others. I will let people know about you. Sue from Sydney

[@muireannin09]

I find it always extremely helpful when the reference photo is kept up next to your painting otherwise I have no idea what you’re trying to create or reflect. Thank you.

[@teresamitchell-banks2286]

Thank you for spending so much time with us beginners. Thank you also for treating us seriously. Many of us want to really learn to paint and not do “quick and easy”. You are a wonderful teacher and gifted artist. This was a beautiful luminous painting and I loved watching the scene come to life. Thank you again🇨🇦

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thanks Teresa - helping beginners is far more important to me than joining the self-congratulatory circles of the experienced artists and their mutual appreciation societies. All beginners should be taken seriously - it's a difficult medium and well done to anyone that prepares to take it on!

[@carolfillmore6533]

I agree!!

[@user-oz7bu2jp4k]

I am an art teacher who has been teaching for many years and many of my students have gone on to do their own degrees and are art teachers in their own right. However, I do teach all mediums, but water colours have not been a favourite and this is why I looked at your painting and thought that is good. So you have a student here in me, now retired always keen to learn. Your demonstration is excellent and i hope you do get many more students ..good luck

[@user-oz7bu2jp4k]

I forgot to add I am a sculptor and printer too but again we cannot be good at everything so I am looking forward to learning a great deal from you and should you ever need any advice on any other subject in art I would always give any knowledge I had. I am now very old but never to old to learn

[@patsmith2542]

10:36

[@pamstecki911]

I'm so excited that I found you and your videos! I've been playing with watercolors for the past year and you are by far the best teacher I have found on you tube. Thank you.

[@cynthiamoon4315]

I'm not a beginner but as an intermediate painter I was feeling like I needed a bit more discussion, I've felt like I was missing a few nuances or needed some of my assumptions validated. This was EXCELLENT. Thank you so much.

[@Stinkielee]

I love love love that you have the finished painting visible in the upper left corner of the video. In these tutorials it is SO HELPFUL to see that when following along because we are not mind-readers, and sometimes when some brushstrokes are made we wonder, "what the heck is that for?" or "where is he going with that?" Thank you!

[@KW-eo8qt]

By far the best watercolor channel on KZbin. Every element, color, brushstroke is explained in detail and throughly. Beginners are treated neither patronizingly (and skipping over basic explanation) neither like children (with “quick and easy” projects).

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Really appreciate the comment - thank you!

[@patriciadougherty7533]

Besides your artistic talents (obviously).. you posses the "communication" gene. Excellent " mumblings" You convey your thoughts and process REAlly well. Very helpful! THX.

[@alinserea4179]

I love ❤️ the amount of information you give 💓 in this interesting💓💞 video thank you for the💞 beautiful💕 video💓 you shared 💗with all of us, a big hug and good luck in what you do. thanks for sharing stay tuned,,.,,

[@valeriegold7190]

Wonderful careful result many thanks

[@muireannin09]

I absolutely love how long your videos are and how methodical they are. Perfect for beginner like me. Thank you and I hope you keep producing a lot of videos! I will be tuning in every day.

[@garypuckettmuse]

Wow, that was a fantastic demonstration! Just looking at the original I wouldn't know where to begin. Brilliant the way you broke it down into doable areas and a cohesive color palette. Thank you so much for your patience and putting yourself in a beginner's mind. Cheers!

[@joannecoulton4011]

Hey Mr. Oliver, I am watching this video for the third time whilst I’m painting some botanicals. At this moment I am working with watercolour and gouache. I’m enjoying your methodology so much! I’m learning so much! It is very inspiring! I hope one day I will actually have an opportunity painting with you on location. I’m 67 years old. I hadn’t painted for 20 years. This feels marvellous! So much so that I am working as part of a group of artists hosting my first second show in June. (The Apple Route Studio Tour is showing out in Trent Hills, Ontario, Canada.) All the best to you, Thank you.

[@ttjasi98]

This has been the most wonderful painting lesson! Taking what looks like a most daunting and beautiful painting and breaking it down into stages that seem like manageable steps. I love that you talk us through all of your color choices and each technique and explain so well that it inspires confidence that this is doable. Thank you!

[@alinserea4179]

I love ❤️ the amount of information you give 💓 in this interesting💓💞 video thank you for the💞 beautiful💕 video💓 you shared 💗with all of us, a big hug and good luck in what you do. thanks for sharing stay tuned,,.,,

[@billinrio]

Truly instructional - so different from countless KZbin watercolor creation videos that are without narration, use plenty of time-lapse, and from which you leave with no more knowledge than when you arrived.

[@user-qg3tr3vx3y]

Thank you so much Oliver. I’ve been hoping that would do exactly this type of tutorial and am so grateful for this. Within the first few minutes, I could see exactly where I’ve been going wrong with my skies (too much saturation, too much paint and too large a brush). As you said, consequently my skies are always too dark and the luminosity is lost. Thank you also for doing the demo with affordable products. Wonderful!

[@lindasteger7207]

By far this is the best tutoring video of a challenging genre

[@tavenchristensen3157]

I like to stop the video many times as I am watching. It gives myself time and helps me learn the most necessary steps I need. I really enjoyed this video‼️ 💥Thankyou!🎨

[@MadeWithGlee]

I discovered you and your amazing channel and talents through this video and I'm in awe of your art and style. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, as a hobbyist painter with all mediums, I find your approach and tips helpful regardless of the medium. I look foward to binge watching all of your videos. You'll be at 100K in no time!

[@ykken]

How I wish I found you channel sooner. 10 minutes into the video, already loved what you are doing along with the explanations. Appreciate such full length tutorial like this. Regards from Penang, Malaysia.

[@mahakranga7093]

A one hour tutorial is all I needed for a Sunday lonely afternoon. Thanks a ton from Singapore.😊

[@carolray3637]

Oliver your generosity is remarkable. Thank you.

[@ginaschissler9887]

I have absolutely no vision whatsoever. I couldn't see it - I was so blown away by the amazing result. It is magnificent.

[@marijkeschellenbach2680]

Wow!!!! I learned so much about the whole process and it is so encouraging, especially for someone who is just learning at the ripe old age of 84!

[@tiahnnatossi8908]

I could just listen to you talk all day, but amazing painter and tutorials. My favorite watercolor artist on youtube! ❤

[@unaholdsworth4870]

Oliver, thank you so much for your videos. I have watched them all and have learned so much. Thank you, thank you.

[@cynthiaward1539]

Hello, was interrupted during an earlier video, to say: having seen you again after a long time - did happen at the perfect time for me ! You are an excellent teacher and I needed to hear all you have to tell in your wonderful series. I've been paining for years with soft pastels however due to a combination of arthritis issues now only able to hold my water color brush and no longer, pastels (lifting my hand/arm). Also never did have wc lessons. Just seemed to have come naturally to me many moons ago. Without further ado...thank you so much for your very fine teaching.

[@tezoodle]

Absolutely fabulous to watch you paint again, and listen to your advice on breaking down a painting into smaller chunks. Thank you Olly, I always learn so much from you 👏

[@vladimiryordanov7712]

Thank you so much for your lessons. I am leaning a lot from them. I would say these are the best online watercolor tutorials I've seen. I love your paintings, style and vibrant colors. My initial intention was to do more ink and watercolor urban sketching but after I have seen more of your paintings and videos I am getting more into watercolor landscapes. Your channel helped me re-discover the beauty of the watercolor landscape.

[@carolehenderson9185]

This was so helpful and enjoyable to watch. Thanks for the demonstrations of the little details that bring your paintings to life.

[@wendytaylor3714]

Thank you so much. I am learning a lot from you and learning to enjoy watercolours. You are such a good artist and teacher.

[@pammcreynolds]

I am so thankful for this video and how you broke this down into sections. I am unable to stay on a painting from start to finish due to my life circumstances. I never know when I'm painting when I will have to stop. I have a barn scene I was working on that's been sitting for a week now. It's already not a great painting due to my inexperience, but I had to stop and I've wondered if I could go back to it. You have made me see I can lightly rewet areas and I can to the roof as it was one part not done at all. I have not found anyone on here who teaches as thoroughly as you. Thank you for encouraging me with this video.

[@janninedaniel1691]

Thank you. You are undobatably the best teacher of watercolour painting that I have come across.

[@ygm_dom6702]

This was the best painting lesson I have ever had. Thankyou so much. The limited pallette, mixing the paints, testing the colours, application of water onto painted surfaces. Just wonderful!😊

[@salauddeensyed5295]

Amazing and outstanding tutorial for beginners... Your soft voice and detailed explanation are simply awesome. Thank you very much Sir, for making it easy for the beginners like me. Please continue to post videos for beginners... Thanks once again.

[@vee35233]

Thank you so much for this lovely demo! As I was a bit late, I am delighted that it will be here to watch over and over! This is almost as good as having you here in person - thank you again for this beautiful tutorial, Olly!

[@lesleyfox6934]

Thanks Oliver outstanding lecture. You are a natural teacher and it’s wonderful to see you demonstrate all the various aspects of the previous studies you did. I have learnt more from you than any other teacher, thanks once again can’t wait for the next one.

[@marbballz]

Thank you for this guide, I have given it a go, can't say it's as impressive or effortless as you made it look, but I got through it to the end and I'm happy with the result

[@iincredibledible]

thankyou ! Ive been painting for a few years now, and this video showed me where I am currently going wrong. Love it.

[@shelinahetherington4661]

Brilliant tutorial. Thank you so much. Really helpful. Please keep doing more!

[@observationprocess5844]

Watching your watercolor demonstrations truly makes a huge difference for me. Thanks so much for all the effort you put in your content!

[@monahli1597]

Thank you for doing this! For some reason I didn’t see the painting it was supposed to become, so I just followed your instructions as good as I could. Now that I see your painting, I can see mine is nothing like it at all. But I still learned a lot. And I like my sky

[@nhmcgowa]

I so appreciate how you articulate watercolor techniques, very nuanced. Love watching your videos, almost ready to sit in front of a fresh sheet of paper.

[@phyllisharries2742]

Thoroughly enjoyed your demonstration, pure magic! Thank you.

[@judicollins1779]

An outstanding teaching video! Thank you for breaking the painting down into steps. Very helpful. J. Collins. Georgia -USA.

[@LH_ore]

Thanks for this video. Such a steady and clearly explained process. Your knowledge really comes through.

[@jaruwangehrig3092]

This is the most helpful video I have ever come across,thank you so much to share your precious knowledge,it is inspiring me to try. I have learned so much from this video.

[@heavanaart4049]

Thank You for this Oliver. Your beginner watercolour lessons are exactly what I need right now. You have such a calm professional teaching style. Looking forward to the final lesson

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Hopefully ready for Friday - it's filmed, just need to edit it.

[@pamelabozzi239]

Thank you Oliver. This series has given me "permission" to approach my painting in manageable stages. Always enjoy your videos.

[@kathsoulsby873]

This is a fantastic demonstration and as usual I have picked up so many tips from you. I have really enjoyed this series and look forward to the next video…thanks so much!

[@peci6864]

The most outstanding of all channels on this topic. Thanks a lot for this!

[@susanyoung6632]

I have just discovered your channel and I am gobsmacked at how well you paint and how mesmerising it is to watch. I will subscribe for sure.

[@1msfit]

Thank you so very much for doing this series for beginners. It is the most helpful I have come across. I will definitely give this a try. I usually consider each painting to be a learning exercise and may do it 2 or 3 times. I date and number them and refer to them as my Bad Painting Series. With notes recorded on the back of each it is really helpful to look back through them-also encouraging when I see progress. As long as I learn something and gain experience I consider each to be successful-no matter how bad it is. 😁 By the time I have completed 999 I hope to produce a fairly good one! Thanks again for your excellent tutelage.

[@jillianpayne8710]

Oliver, fabulous, my sincerest gratitude. What an enormous help and so easy to understand. Thank you for your generosity so deeply appreciated. You are the very best.

[@kimcorrigan676]

I can't thank you enough for your time and dedication teaching beginners the art of watercolor. I'm learning that I have a long way to go, but with practice, practice and your instructional videos, I'm off to a good start. Looking forward to lesson 6 once I get these techniques under my belt. Many thanks to you from across the pond.

[@user-jw3we3ym6i]

Thank you for your very easy to follow teaching - a great pace for learners & wow what a beautiful painting

[@rommelyazon9097]

I have found an excellent teacher! I have been studying water color painting the last couple of months. You demonstrate that your painting is actually so realistic.

[@sherrym.2413]

I really hope you will do more step by step paintings like this one. So informative to know your thought process as you make a painting. I also noticed that you modified your palette paint pools as you went along. Taking the same mix from cool to warm and back again. Great instruction, well done!

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

There will be more to come in due course Sherry. The beauty of a limited palette is the ability to simply adjust that mixes this way.......makes things very easy and flexible once you get the hang of it, but it takes practice!

[@irreverentbard7322]

These tutorials are incredibly valuable. I’ve focused on stylistic florals for so long, I needed a back to basics landscape tutorial. These will drastically expand my skill sets. Thank you so much!

[@nifty1337]

Hi Oliver, you inspired me to start watercolour painting after I was diagnosed with cancer last year and your videos are helping me tremendously whilst I still face some health challenges. I find your presenting manner to be hugely relaxing, informative, helpful and encouraging to me as a beginner. I’ve been painting more consistently in the past couple of months and just invested in more professional materials, following the affiliate links on your website. I’ve watched this video many times and the way you paint the grey next to the green (on the cliffs) and allowing them to mix beautifully on the paper is just a joy to watch. I am so hoping that I improve over the coming months and years because unfortunately, at my current skill level, it looks like a cauliflower farmer has planted this year’s crop on top of my cliffs. 🥴 I can’t seem able to manage the paint consistency conundrum … I believe there may be some dark arts or magic involved. 😁 I would love to see a video of you painting one of your main artworks, perhaps even a sped up version from overhead, without commentary (for simplicity of filming) to see how you tackle the crazily complicated yet beautiful paintings that you create. I sincerely thank you again for all you have given us and I dream of being able to paint at least half as well as you do in the future. Take care Greg.

[@bythehandofbob]

I love everything about this presentation. I have it on while I am working. Top notch.

[@atelierthhun1165]

What a joy to see an excellent demo using students materials. Thanks for another good video.

[@markdonovan1540]

This was a superb demonstration tutorial that was just the right pace to follow along. Mind you, I had to use the drier to speed up the process. I ended up struggling in some areas, which is normal for me, but the overall result was quite a lot of fun and it's a beautiful scene to paint. Thank you for your great explanations, tips and seeing how you mixed the paint too.

[@adrianekaori]

This is the best watercolor landscape demonstration I've seen on youtube. I've learned a lot, thank you so much!!

[@saraquattlebaum7519]

I'm a fiber artist but love your thinking. I fully subscribed today and will pass the word!

[@margett__]

Thank you so much for the lesson! I painted step by step following your example, so many interesting techniques and ideas!

[@mharris7832]

You have given me so much inspiration ......Thank you...Im one happy beginner ....love watercolor!!

[@jmmondalausa6984]

I am watching a video and fall asleep and I woke up and this video of yours was been watched full even your recent video

[@kathywilden7702]

Hi Olly, I have watched this video all the way through…I intend to try painting this scene soon. Thank you for making it easy for us to try. You make it achievable which is needed for us beginners.

[@jillkent6134]

I have just found your channel and am so pleased it’s exactly what I need to know and your paintings are beautiful.

[@andrecardon2141]

1 hour !!! Yes but he's so captivant and he explain so well with a motivational way of learning, that I decided to be a follower.

[@margaretmorgan3693]

Beautiful painting, this is a great tutorial for revision as I haven’t done any painting for many years. So now I shall have a go. Thank you.

[@joycetrabattoni721]

I did the seascape along with you. I paused several times to dry my paper and catch up with you. It was great fun and I’m proud of what I did. Thank you Joyce

[@gailcheck8611]

Excellent demonstration of technique. Breaking it down into “chunks” was a wonderful way to help us understand how the various techniques are used within a painting to arrive at a finished work. Thank you so much!

[@MB-kf3yx]

Thank you for posting this detailed instructional video. It was very helpful to see your approach to the painting and to watch how you manage edges. Love the luminosity.

[@jelly8594]

Loving the full length, in depth demonstration!

[@mizninepatch]

This was a really excellent exercise. Thanks so much Olly.

[@Barbara-ex3ge]

Wow. What (another) fabulous video that pulls together everything from your other ‘beginner’ series. I love hearing you share your thinking - especially why you do things, how you change your mind etc. Many thanks from NZ.

[@tmsouth1]

I haven't really wanted to do landscapes until I found you. I love the peace and harmony in your painting. Unlike other things I have been looking at. Thanks for your instruction.

[@jennytellier631]

Just finished my first go at this painting, really enjoyed this tutorial. It was so helpful to paint along with you as I was able to clearly see where I can make improvements (colour saturation and just the right dampness of the paper for certain techniques). Thanks so much, this series has been so much fun!

[@Thanks-md8vo]

All of your painting works clearly show the boundary between photography and painting. So I support your way of expression and learn a lot. Thanks !!^^

[@Ron9894]

Really nice job. Finally, a southpaw to watch paint. Cheers.

[@marcydrake9159]

It is such a joy and a revelation to watch you paint and hear you explain what is driving your decision along the way. I’ve been following for less than a week and I feel like my understanding and painting has already progressed years because of your teaching style. “Thank you” doesn’t begin to cover it, but it’s all I’ve got, so, THANK YOU! 🙏🤝🙌

[@joyceblenkinsop1634]

I love your painting ,and the way you teach ,.having a go at watercolours,went to art school at age 15 .my course didn’t inc watercolour painting .did lots of drawing though and learnt to lay washes and stretch paper.your clear teaching is inspiring me ,I’m 76 so have lots of time to enjoy the learning curve .thank you .

[@hughsommer9563]

I am 80 y/ o and painted in watercolor since I was 14. I love your explanations and techniques. Thank you so much. Good luck in the future.

[@fabiolabanks4936]

Thank you so much!! I love the way you explain you painting technique and how you break it down is stages .Makes it all more manageable . So very much appreciated !!

[@Suspect42]

The more I watch this video, the more I'm in awe of your knowledge and mastery. You know the actual landscape so well, pointing out individual bluffs, knowing that something off the page would cast a shadow that would be visible here (54:10). You've composed a painting that a beginner can reasonably tackle but still looks great. Your explanation is so incredibly clear as you tell us why you're doing what you're doing and how you're making decisions.

[@carloszenteno]

Thank you. This is simply brilliant. This is the first time that I have seen an artist paint a watercolor from beginning to the end showing us every-single-step of the process. Very educational, interesting and it is very appreciated.

[@thisischris5351]

I love all your videos! Thank you for the help!

[@Nancy-tr5fi]

Best teaching painting yet. I am going to paint along with you.

[@EdoHannema-Watercolour-Art]

Incredible good demo Oliver! even the underwater sound at the end was invented wonderful! ;-) No kidding I paint for 35 years and still see hints, tips and tricks I never saw before! really unique!

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Haha! The first video filmed on the sea bed! Typical......buy expensive mic and forget to plug it in! DOH! Thank you, though - it's why watercolour is so much fun, every painting brings new challenges and new opportunities to improve and try new skills.

[@lauriecrosby2906]

Thank you for this demo as I found some great tips and suggestions I've not heard before. Been painting on and off for a few years and am humbled by the suggestion this is a beginners tutorial, lol! It's not a bad thing to go back to the beginnings, so much to learn. I really appreciate your step by step discussion as you paint and the thinking behind what you're doing. Beautiful work!

[@roxammon5858]

As a Poole resident I recognise Old Harry in your painting !

[@leojablonski2309]

Thank you, Ollie. Admire your painting style. Your communication is on point.

[@helenkim8395]

Thank you very much for your time, it’s a great lesson😊 I followed step by step to finish my painting, really enjoy it. Wish meet you earlier. Not many artist do as well as you do. Appreciate ❤

[@markjones5623]

What a fantastic tutorial! It’s very generous of you to share so much of what you’ve learned over your years of painting, and in such depth, and with so much patience. It’s been a long time since I’ve learned so much in an hour and fifteen minutes. Thank you Oliver!

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thanks Mark - you're very welcome

[@Anikanoteven]

As a beginner I’ve learned so much! I appreciate it when you say it looks easy but it’s not easy. Sometimes I get so discouraged when I attempt things that “look” so easy but my attempt is seriously sub par.

[@CamiloSantiago-uw1vs]

Thank you very much for sharing your talent with us and it's a great opportunity for us to grow from a beginner to a better artist in the near future.

[@ranjanachand9306]

Beautiful. I love the sheerness and purity of colour in all your paintings 😀

[@user-kz8jt1wt1y]

Watching your thought process as you paint each section is incredibly instructive and helpful. You are a teacher!

[@trishbrown3285]

I so appreciate the clear defined steps and hope to try them soon. I found them illuminating and inspiring and hopefully doable. I think I have been trying to do too much too fast and this gives me permission to do more in steps. Thank you so much for your time and clarity of instruction.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

I get that Trish - many online videos just show experienced painters painting their way and that's often difficult to achieve. Working in manageable steps is important.