Dos & Don'ts | Watercolor Landscape Painting from a Photo

[@alang253]

These are all great suggestions. I'd like to add: SIMPLIFY your reference photo. As a photographer my biggest problem was I was picking very difficult compositions to paint. I now crop a lot and omit lots of unneeded details and objects from the composition. The other thing I noticed is that a lot of 'great' photographs don't make for great watercolor compositions and vice versa. Photography is more about the quality of light, watercolor is more about mood/atmosphere.

[@SuzetteSantori1]

Yes yes yes. She did mention it at the end, permission to edit the photo but yes, one could do a whole video on that point alone!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Absolutely true!

[@ChantelleArts]

I always love when you show both the good and bad tips one after another 🥰

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad you like them!

[@brendahoneyman2527]

One of the BEST videos I’ve seen. You covered so much so clearly in only 8 minutes! I’m guilty of painting like your “don’t” example but am working on following the “do’s”! Thank you!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Aw I appreciate that!

[@pintsizestories196]

Really like the examples of what not to do! The contrast between them and your well-done painting is so striking. Thanks for the very educational video.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@rosemaryhadland7035]

You are such a good teacher, Emily! Thank you for your clear and easy to understand instruction. 🎨

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@barblallier9413]

​@EmilyOlsonArt very very helpful!! You are a great teacher!! ❤

[@shadowguard3578]

An excellent analysis of landscape painting! Thank you for breaking down the processes involved. I’ve been afraid of painting landscapes but your video has given me a better idea of how to approach the subject matter. A huge thumbs up from me!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You're very welcome!

[@crystalheart9]

Lots of really wonderful tips and demos all in one video! Thank you Emily.🥰🖌

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Emily, I believe that this is an excellent do & don’t video! You are truly inspirational and a very knowledgeable teacher. You made a wonderful video highlighting your watercolor mastery class too, well done! I hope you consider dropping the occasional real-time lesson just to feature you and your teaching style. I have found a real uptick in subscriptions for so many artists that are branching out from simple speed painting posts to actual instructional videos. I am excited for you and your success moving forward. Please take care and have yourself a lovely day!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I appreciate that!

[@girlfriday1299]

This is so helpful, because I'm working on a commissioned landscape watercolor, and landscapes are not what I usually do. Many important guidelines to remember! Thank you, and your painting is gorgeous!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@ViVi_McA]

As always, you give us such clear, concise guidance! Thank you so much!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Happy to help!

[@rebeccaburton4122]

Such excellent tips and teaching Emily! Thank you!

[@SimplyOrganizedLLCMadison]

Thank you, this was so helpful Emily. Love the "Don't" examples. I've been painting in small sections. I can see exactly what I've done wrong.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@julieb737]

All extremely good advise Emily . Thank you .

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You're so welcome!

[@sgarnsey]

Wow, this is full of great, detailed, helpful recommendations!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

So glad!

[@joanbauman1571]

You totally nailed what I’m doing wrong in my landscape paintings….. all of the donts. I have learned as I’ve been moving through the challengers etc….. I am going to do this entire landscape in real time if I can locate it. Thank you!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You are so welcome! It will posted on the Watercolor Mastery site later today! :)

[@Tangie0906]

This was great! I'm in Week 3 of 30 Days to Better Watercolor in your WC Mastery classes so these suggestions will come in handy in the future.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Super! 🙌

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Thanks so much for the great tips for making gorgeous landscape paintings. I still tend to use way too many colors in my paintings but I’m definitely understanding how it is very distracting. 😊

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@NancyTipton-u8e]

Such excellent instructional info…thank you so much.😊

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Letsgetcreative314_31]

I Love your Art ❤

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Showing what not to do was very iseful

[@sharongallagher3443]

The examples helped a lot.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

So glad!

[@stuarthector5021]

Thanks I've learned a lot from this video

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad to help!

[@WingedJedi]

I would like to get into landscape painting as well, but I also have the tendency to get overwhelmed by all the details. I also enjoy painting in sections, so I found your advice about this point very insightful. I think I will save your video for later in case I want to refer back to your advice. Thank you for this helpful video! PS: I do feel that the framerate for your video is a bit...low perhaps? It looks a bit laggy to me at times. This particularly stuck out to me around 6:58 when you moved your head forward.

[@janellericker1305]

Great video! Can you tell me about the two main brushes used in your successful version? I noticed a flat one used on the water. Was the one used to ably the orange wash on the rocks a round?

[@Maliika-Art1979]

❤❤❤ amazing

[@nkguenther1]

Great video. I just joined your school last week and am looking forward to learning so much through your tutorials. What is the large flat brush that you are using in this video? I have some large hake brushes but this brush looks like it might be great for smooth washes.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

It’s from the Princeton aquaelite line-listed in the description. :-)

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

It's so important...not to paint fragmented.. Section by section...which I always did and regretted...mainly to avoid speed or rush. I don't like speed in art...as I paint to relax. Emily...how could I use watercolor without speed? Could you do a video on that🙏 ..I mean slow painting

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You might enjoy painting on aquabord! It’s very conducive to a slower style with smaller brushes. :-)

[@fuzzydragons]

i need a big brush like that one you use, keep forgetting to get one, i think it might help me to work looser🙂

[@janetmcmillion3388]

Such helpful tips! What are some of the compositional ideas you consider when designing your landscape?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Mostly asking myself if the shapes are pleasing! 🙂

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Mostly asking myself if the shapes are pleasing! 🙂

[@SuzetteSantori1]

I feel seen😂

[@crisobrador]

I have a question: was your mother a personal trainer with a tv program?

[@kotaku3901]

First my lady...

[@Michael-lq5di]

There is no such thing as DON'TS in art

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

True! You can do whatever you want! 😁

[@Michael-lq5di]

I love your videos and watch them often but value studies are a waste of time just begin to paint and you'll learn what needs to be done your mind will tell you when things are correct 😜