Elevate Reference Photos with Innovative Watercolor Backgrounds

[@iumporn]

Such a really good idea. I love yr thinking processing.

[@ChantelleArts]

I tend to do the blurry wet on wet backgrounds because they're so easy and fun 🥰

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Love those, too!

[@gailcartee2100]

I need to make myself do thumbnails in spite of my impatience to create a finished painting. I think it will pay off.

[@mjpete27]

I recently took a class done by Alain Picard on soft pastels. He stresses that planning out your painting is the true key to success. He has several steps and a complete method for doing this but thumbnails are an integral part of this process and my work has improved because of it! Lay it out, thumbnails, color study, these are good starting points!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

It certainly can’t hurt, right? ❤️

[@attorneycarissa]

Same.

[@MrsBarnabas]

Hi, Emily! Thanks for focussing on a much-neglected step in our art. I love playng the "What if..." game, with supplies and with sketches, paintings, etc (actually with anything!). The What if I do this?", or "What if I leave that out / change that colour / move this or that..". "The "What if'?" game opens up possibilities we might not see otherwise, and why thumbnails can be such a happy journey of exploration! I liked the composition you went with as soon as you'd done the second, 'misty background' thumbnail, but over all, I'd have chosen the reference photo with your gull looking out to sea at 9:45 . For me, it has more life. The gull's slighty turned towards us, but ready to take off over the sea to do some fishing. But then I guess it wouldn't have done for your project here, with its perfect balance - bird slightly off-centre and a beautiful background of rocks and sea. 😄 BTW, your "seagull" is a lesser black backed gull. The name _"sea"_ gull is a misnomer, as many gulls follow the plough, too, or live on inland waters. They are simply "Gulls". Self-proclaimed 'proper' ornithologists or very serious bird-watchers (of which I am not either!) - can get very annoyed and even aggressive when they hear them called seagulls! (True ornithologists and keen birdwatchers of any level will explain because they love to share their passion) I digress! Thanks again for tackling this topic! 😊

[@Katrina.for_art]

this looks like so much fun! I never thought to try different aspects. So freeing!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

It really is!

[@joykruczay]

Thanks ever so much for sharing your process and thoughts as you work; it was very insightful. Despite reading and being taught to do value sketches, I rarely do. It is also suggested to use tracing paper to repeat the main subject, or print a drawing of the same (the gull in this instance) on drawing paper, using multiple small images. They can be used for pencil value studies. If one wants to use up a cheaper or black watercolor (anything with a dark value), that can be used for value studies. As you explained, we only see the finished products and many famous works have had a lot of planning involved. Likely you already know of "Great Art Explained", here on YT. It discusses great art in 15 minutes and is incredibly fascinating. Many non-artists enjoy it, also. Hopper's "Nighthawks" comes to mind as a painting that had quite a bit of planning and was really a captivating episode.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Great tips!

[@jacquilikvan1105]

I like the fuzzy palm tree!

[@jajakaborge]

Ah this is so helpful! Perfect timing! I was just trying to figure out why my paintings fall so flat and it’s def. the literal paintings of the background. Thank you!

[@lsovik5487]

So interesting! This was really helpful! Thank you!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@melindaavila498]

Great tutorial! I have for so long be painting along with tutorials. Thanks for reminding and demonstrating that thumbnails matter!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Great to hear!

[@dianeo]

This was super helpful! I often have problems adding backgrounds that will support and not distract from my subject matter and this helps clarify that. Thank you!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I'm so glad!

[@Monardadidyma-g5q]

Great - thumbnails and considerations of composition in action. Thank you.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Airbrush208]

Great Video Emi, backgrounds are always game changers, this helped me with my Airbrushed T shirt backgrounds as well Thank You..

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Happy to help!

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

I’m going to be giving thumbnails a try before doing my paintings. I have never given them a thought before and I see exactly how they are very beneficial in making a great painting. Thank for your helpful advice & suggestions Emily 🥰!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Have fun playing! 🙌

[@trisht5064]

great demonstration thank you its given me confidence to play around with changing parts to suit me and hopefully achieve a successful result 👍

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

My pleasure!

[@Ereena.Brushstrokes]

I love the concept behind making thumbnails, because you’re absolutely right - it’s almost impossible to create a masterpiece with just throwing down paint and hoping for the better 😅 the problem I personally have is that when I keep painting the same thing over and over again I get so tired and bored of it, that I don’t even want to paint it anymore… so I’m thinking maybe doing some quick digital thumbnails would work for me? I think it would be quicker and probably would get me more excited to paint (once I like my composition). Do you do digital thumbnails?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I do often play with images in Photoshop, but I haven’t done any actual digitally painted thumbnails. It’s a great idea!

[@AlexandraStafford-p5r]

Definitely going to try more of this, also what is that nice brush you're using?

[@droshiroable]

Really insightful. Thank you!

[@georgelee3588]

Nice craft , love it 😇

[@sannevanzwol3573]

Curious to know how long your painting?

[@marymccaslin1690]

Injured foot…did you notice him limping. Kinda troubling, but I understand he posed nicely for you…beautiful rendering of him!

[@Lulu.G-61]

I’m going to try this technique the time I paint from a photo. I always try to include as much as I can, but you’re right, I can use my imagination. Also, that looks like La Jolla, am I right?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

It is!

[@dejavulaverite9086]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🌿

[@dupeit007]

Me me but then ..I won't call myself an artist