An Impressionistic Watercolour Painting of Colinton Bridge, Edinburgh

I didn't need to travel far from home for this great view of Colinton bridge crossing the Water of Leith.
Fabriano Artistico 140lb NOT paper 20" x 14"
Here is the video of my usual watercolour plein air equipment
• My Watercolour Brushes...
If you have enjoyed my channel and would like to support it, 'buy me a coffee' is the perfect way to do so! All money donated goes back into making new videos and adventures in our van. Many thanks.
www.buymeacoffee.com/jamespotter
I use Winsor and Newton artists quality watercolour paints.The colours are (L-R)
Raw Umber, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Ultra Marine Blue, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Cadmium Yellow Pale, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red, Veridian, Hooker's Green, Permanent Alizarin Crimson, Cobalt Violet, White, Ivory Black
Winsor and Newton Artists Quality Paints 14ml Tubes
Raw Umber amzn.to/3RbTsOp
Burnt Sienna
Burnt Umber amzn.to/4a80GeP
Ultra Marine Blue
Cobalt Blue amzn.to/47IwSEh
Cerulean Blue amzn.to/3RuYS8A
Cadmium Yellow Pale amzn.to/41d0IxW
Yellow Ochre amzn.to/4a22mqx
Raw Sienna amzn.to/47Z5Bh3
Cadmium Red amzn.to/4a5Gn1P
Viridean
Hooker's Green
Alizarin Crimson amzn.to/46Ny2x1
Cobalt Violet amzn.to/3Tkbfp8
Chinese White amzn.to/485cBZi
Mars Black amzn.to/4a81mAT
Prints of all my paintings done on my channel are available from my website
Contact me if you're interested in buying an original
www.jamespotterart.co.uk
/ jamespotterpaintings
www.buymeacoffee.com/jamespotter

[@lyswn7052]

Spot on James. Thank you. Amazing the difference a little Gouache brings to a painting.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Lyn, I always find it amazing how the white paint just brings the whole painting together. It’s the most exciting part to paint. Best wishes, James

[@chriscooper4579]

Terrific painting session . I learn so much just watching how you go about creating a picture. I love how you emphasise that watercolour needs an “attacking” approach when plein air. I’m certainly inspired to do more. Thank you for sharing you skills and knowledge. Wonderful.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Chris, I’m so pleased you enjoyed that one! One of the benefits of outdoor painting is you are time restricted. So you need a way to interpret the scene differently, otherwise you won’t finish it! Hope you manage to get out and paint Best wishes, James

[@noelnicholls3622]

Awesome painting James. The little dabs are just right to finish it off. Stepping back, the whole thing comes together beautifully

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Thank you, Noel, glad you liked it. The white paint at the end is the exciting part of the painting for me as the bringing together of everything Best wishes, James

[@DarciBarker-lu8gi]

I loved hearing the river. Gorgeous painting!! Funny story for a fellow rock lover: I took a watercolor class in 2017. Four hour round trip to the nearest city. We took our own reference photos and it was basically just a group of people painting together. Each week the “teacher” told me “you and your blasted rocks!!” 😂 Still love rocks! Watching you paint is such a treat. No driving and you’re very good at teaching. Thanks to both of you!

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Darcy, Glad you’re into painting rocks, I think they do add to a composition Funny about your attempt at finding Watercolour lessons. I think you had a very common experience! 😂 Thanks for watching, Best wishes, James

[@roberthoward3723]

Liked this James, there are so many remnants of Victorian engineering about, abandoned railways with majestic viaducts proliferate where I am. It was pleasing to see how you tackled the subject. I was taught never to use white paint but since I’ve seen you use it with effect I have readjusted my thinking with success. Thank you.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Robert, Glad that you’ve found white paint, it’s really useful, funny how it’s frowned upon so much! That would be a good idea to paint those Victorian masterpieces. They are complicated at times but just hang in there! Best wishes, James

[@maryrichinick7287]

Your style of painting reminds me of John Singer Sargent! One of my favorite Sargent paintings is "Muddy Alligators". Your painting gives me the same feeling of light and color. This video was thoroughly enjoyable with the sound of the river and watching your process. Thanks for sharing this experience.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Mary, Hi praise indeed! Sargents watercolour paintings are amazing, as are all of his paintings. His alligator paintings are wonderful! Glad you enjoyed the sites and sounds of this painting. Best wishes, James

[@user-bi7lu2tr7m]

Inspiring stuff again James, many thanks👍

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Robert, Glad you’re inspired, I I hope it will help you in your own painting! Best wishes, James

[@GrandmaMuggy]

Beautiful painting! I do like white paint as an accent at the end. Like the water it adds a sparkle and shows movement. Thanks!

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Thank you. I do like white paint now. As you say, add the sparkle. Best wishes, James

[@veronicagreen6180]

Beautiful!, love your videos..

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Thank you, Veronica. I’m so pleased to hear that! Best wishes, James

[@clairebradbury11]

Wonderful, I love the way it all comes together at the end. Simplifying scenes like that is a challenge.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Claire, Glad you enjoyed it. It really does take awhile for it to come together and for most of the time it doesn’t look great then those final touches make all the difference. Hope you can give the simple way a go. Best wishes, James

[@ArmbrusterCompany]

So enjoyable and informative to watch you paint the arched bridge, James. Love the strong geometry and the rocky stream foreground. Your recent videos encouraged me to get my 15mm flat mop out of the drawer and put it to work. Very pleasantly surprised to see how versatile it is! Thanks. Best wishes, Bob

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Glad you enjoyed that Bob. I enjoyed the rocks the most in that painting. Glad you’re getting your mop out. I’m very impressed with it and it has replaced my large, much more expensive squirrel mop. Best wishes, James

[@ArmbrusterCompany]

@@JamesPotterAboutArt I agree. It is also replacing my very expensive squirrel mop, which always seemed to hold too much water and paint for my quarter sheet (15”x22”) paintings. It was difficult to vary the color in a wash when so much paint flowed from the mop. Thanks for identifying which brush you are using as you paint. For a beginner like me it is very helpful. Big difference in brush sizes between your landscapes and the vase of flowers. As I understand more and gain experience, I am going back to watch your earlier videos another time in order to learn more from them.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

I’m really glad you’re enjoying my videos. What are the best things in Watercolour to improve is to have realisations, figuring out which way to go? Best wishes, James

[@tiklingrikit]

this is really very helpful: the thinking process, how to start, work in blocks, see images, paint values. keep it simple! thank you.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Bing Glad you enjoyed that and found it useful. My main message is to keep it simple and not over complicated things. Best wishes, James

[@kathyleveck267]

The pops of blue and bright greens are set off beautifully by the neutrals! Love watching you paint! Inspiring!

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Kathy, Glad you liked the painting and that you’re getting inspired. It’s great to feel enthusiastic about painting! Best wishes, James

[@Louvre2012]

Enjoyed the loose, spontaneous brushwork. Great final result. Thank you for taking us along.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. It’s always exciting to come to the end of the painting and see it all come together. Thanks for watching, Best wishes, James

[@williamw7847]

That was really well done. For me, the water and stones was just a little more engaging. And to think I used to go over that bridge most days when I was at uni at Riccarton. So THAT'S what its like over the sides!

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi William, Glad you enjoyed the painting. I love rocks in a picture. Funny that you know the bridge so well, it’s a very beautiful river, maybe next time you travel over it you’ll get out and have a look Best wishes, James

[@zipsterone]

Super! In regards to white paint, I think it is useful, especially if working very wet or on a complicated subject. It seems very difficult to account for every white spot on a picture such as this. It also really adds a pop to the dimensionality. Hard to imagine why it would be disliked?

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Zip, Nothing wrong with white paint! I didn’t always use it because of traditional advice, but now I find it essential. Hope your painting is going well. Best wishes, James

[@jaclee6]

Such a joy watching how you interpret the scene. You have been an inspiration, I try to go out and do a plein air session every Friday morning, it’s surprisingly enjoyable.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

I’m so pleased that you have been inspired to paint and to get outside! Once you get over the first few times of painting outdoors, it does become more normal. Keep going! Best wishes, James

[@jimsmith3653]

Great job James of a lovely scene. I particularly like the way you handled the rocks and water. Thank you

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Jim I was particularly pleased with the rocks in this painting, I thought it made the picture Many thanks, James

[@charlesblom2707]

fast and...simple........really works in such a busy composition well done like it

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Charles, That’s right fast and simple all the way! When you paint outdoors is the only way to go. Glad you enjoyed it, Best wishes, James

[@user-myDeus24ever]

Very beautiful what a joy to watch .

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Robert, Glad you liked the scene and the painting. Thanks for watching, James

[@user-le6fd8bj4c]

What a beautiful location.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Phoebe, It really was great . I will be going back there again! Thanks for watching, James

[@victoriaharris6091]

I find it hard to paint brown water. I liked the way you mixed brown with some blue. Thank you

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Victoria, It is strange painting brown Water it goes against your natural instincts. However, it is what it is. Luckily, the light from the sky was reflecting on it and giving a nice blue, which contrast is it nicely. Glad you enjoyed the video. Best wishes, James

[@aggiemed]

Can you comment on your painting board? Did you make it and if so out of what? If you’ve answers this before feel free to point me in the right direction. Your work is incredible and your commentary is approachable and clear.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi, Glad you liked the painting boards they really are great! Yes, I do make them myself and I have them in a few different sizes. I did do a video on them and my painting gear about eight months ago, so have a look at that then maybe you could have a go at making one yourself. Best wishes, James

[@ArmbrusterCompany]

I used some polycarbonate corrugated sheets to make my boards and frames. Very lightweight and stiff. In North America the material is used for small exterior signs (for sale, realtor, politicians, etc.). I had some left from another project.

[@hotspursam4972]

Wonderful yet again James, many thanks for this. Is that white gouache you use or white watercolour please.?

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Sam, It was a great setting, and I’m glad you enjoyed the painting Are use gouache paint for the white. Although I’d be happy to use watercolour paint as well Best wishes, James

[@luckyhiker3434]

Really nice composition and nice method. Your value choices had me wondering at first but in the end they were just right. Is that a tin palette you use. Where did you get? Robt

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Lucy, Glad you enjoyed the composition. Values are such an important part of painting Watercolour, the really dark ones you have to build up a bit. It’s a brass palette that I use, it’s amazing . I did a video of it about seven months ago, if you want to find out more, have a look at it. Best wishes, James

[@martyncozens5654]

Is the brown water in Scotland something to do with the peat in the ground ? Anyway wonderful painting, yes I like the white paint I think it helps to define details, also it defines your painting as done by you

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Martyn , It’s either the brown water from Pete or maybe iron, I’m not sure. I thought you’re right, the white paint does define detail which is so important. Glad you liked it. Best wishes, James

[@tattyfowl]

What burnt umber do you use? The ones I've tried go rock hard, shrink and crack or is that normal for this colour

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi, Tatty, I use Winsor and Newton professional watercolour paints in tubes. Painting regularly helps the paints not dry out too much but left too long. They will dry and crack. One idea to keep them soft is to put the Palette into a sealed bag and put it in the fridge Hope that helps. Best wishes, James

[@tattyfowl]

Thank you. I use the Mijello 18 well palette and it keeps everything fine except burnt umber. You can paint with it but aesthetically it looks horrible

[@lenamccubbin1068]

The only problem with white paint is people who don’t like white paint without considering the occasion. It has uses.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Lena, I think your right, it definitely has its uses but is frowned upon by many. I will always use it! Best wishes, James