How to Paint Light in Watercolor (A step-by-step tutorial)

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

▶︎Free Video Lesson: 7 Secrets of Fresh, Powerful Painting www.learntopaintwatercolor.com/7secrets

[@afzalzak1179]

Love it

[@maurogiorgetti6037]

0

[@Adjagi_SfMfBay_Co3]

Hey there, Matthew. Wonderful video! I had a question regarding the link in the description (8 ways to avoid overworking…/and couldn’t seem to find a better avenue to ask it on YT🤷‍♂️). I submitted my name and email, confirmed email but was not rerouted to the video ! And then upon going to your site, I wasn’t able to log in because I hadn’t created a password, just confirmed my email for the subscription ! I scrolled through the comments but didn’t find anyone else with the same issue. Any advice/assistance would be greatly appreciated as is your wonderful content. Cheers, Adam

[@cindiwoodruff]

I swore to my self-taught self that I would never try painting light again, but now I think I can! Thanks so much for teaching an 80-yr-old some tricks!

[@lechat8533]

@Cindi Woodruff Mam, you`re a hero❤

[@HateKillDestroy87]

never say never

[@yytyyy5329]

What your actually 80?

[@黄晓晓-f2l]

nice

[@sacrebleu1371]

I love your openness to life and learning! ❤

[@Chitragar]

Rare combination of art, explanation and video production quality and summary at the end... No hesitation saying you may be one of the best tutors out there.

[@rosedoucet2188]

I was just thinking the same thing. 👍🏻

[@gideonvanniekerk6418]

I agree with that statement Uday!

[@Zenon-fg4dw]

Great tutorial in not only how to paint but think like an artist. My take away from this demo is to maintenance focus on what is important, color harmony, and not muddy it up with distracting details. Thank you!

[@kurococoro1]

はじめまして。 私は趣味で絵を描いている日本人です。 このように美しい夜景と光の描き方をわかりやすく教えてくださり、ありがとうございます😊 絵の具のオフの仕方によって、光を表現できることが理解できました。

[@konrath235]

The tip for using rose matter permanent as a buffer between the yellow lights and blue sky to avoid getting green in the sky is much appreciated!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

So glad that was helpful!

[@HeatherValentineMsFoodie]

OMG!!!!! I love how you don’t have music ❤❤❤ You talk every second and your videos are truly helpful. I don’t feel uptight or have a headache after watching 💕💕💕 THANK YOU!!!!!! I will be back over and over.

[@marttailta]

+ you tall so calm that even a foreigner understands👍👍

[@llchapman1234]

I agree, he's great. His narration is calm and measured in a natural tone. Some of the other tutorials sound like an auctioneer on amphetamines, leaving me shell-shocked 😂

[@JPPua]

For the first time, I don’t feel tense when watching a watercolor tutorial. You don’t stress me out on the speed needed for wet on wet .. instead, it was a steady languid pace, where there’s time to mix the color that works. Thank you so much, you are a fantastic teacher.. and I’ve watched many others already 😂

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@kathleenrosado6949]

I like your teaching style. Very calm and meditative almost.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad you think so!

[@cooldudesmith6384]

I have been looking for an explanation on this for YEARS THANK YOU!!!!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

So glad I could help!

[@pjlewisful]

I loved this. I enjoyed your calm clear speaking manor.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

I'm so glad!

[@m_therese_walsh]

Also: great voice! Gentle and unhurried - makes it easy to listen and learn.

[@edskodevries]

Absolutely beautiful painting! There is something magical about a streetlamp at night, and you captured it perfectly. Inspirational.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you! I love nocturne scenes. I think there is some magic there too.

[@rosiewillford2212]

I agree something so moody and comforting!

[@janebiancan.8726]

Have you tried black paper...

[@lucianapaes4183]

Matthew besides your talent your English is awesome and so great that even for non English speakers it is easy to follow, thank you

[@simonanebi]

Happy to watch you shine your light .

[@rosiewillford2212]

I love the look of an old fashion pub scene. The warm light a few people enjoying the evening. Perhaps you could do one of those. I am from London, England so grew up to these scenes and often there were families outside running around.

[@debbiemartin9005]

Thank you for the real-time commentary as you paint, describing why you’re doing what you’re doing. I’m grateful for a teacher like you.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thanks Debbie! Very kind of you!

[@debbiemartin9005]

@@learntopaintwatercolor You’re so welcome! Do you have a Facebook group, or a page, where we can post photos of what we’ve done with your instruction?

[@melindaostergren8115]

Well, I’m gobsmacked! I’ve always enjoyed watercolors and have never understood how a picture like this is constructed. I’d heard about layering colors and had no idea what that meant either. It was fascinating to watch you build this picture up, bit by bit. It seems a form of magical reverse archeological dig, so to speak. Thank you so much for sharing your talents.

[@kaistinakemperdahl9667]

How come you have no likes? This is brilliant! And I love how it’s just watching you paint and explain, no music, no distractions.

[@kathykelly2584]

Thank you, Matthew! You are an exceptional teacher and painter. Your calm and clear instruction has enabled me to do what I didn't think I was capable of and watching you create your beautiful paintings is nothing short of magical. The step by step tutorials with various images are particularly helpful and I appreciate that you include specific colors, brushes and techniques used. At the moment, I'm struggling with trees/greenery and not filling every space, slowly learning that less is more-lol. I look forward to each new tutorial and watch them multiple times.

[@Squish_Squash]

I don't do watercolor but the thumbnail is beautiful and I love to learn so this was really fun to watch

[@lameesabourahma6147]

I like that you're showing the picture you're drawing from. It's very helpful to see your starting work and end result. Thank you!

[@riesalipschitz3035]

You are a great teacher…clear explanations and slow pace. 😊 Thank You.

[@melmel599]

It is my first time commenting on a youtube video, this was so thoughtful and easy to watch,learned a lot and thank you for that

[@Samsotired]

I am so glad I stuck around for the almost half hour long video, I will definitely implement a lot of the techniques I saw you use into my own paintings

[@squigglebat]

Thank you so much for this! I’m teaching myself watercolours after years of digital art, where the process is midrange-> shadows-> highlights, so I’ve never had to think about light before even starting a picture. You’ve finally made it make sense, and now it’s time to practice

[@LindaArnot]

This was wonderful !! I wouldn't normally attempt anything like this , but I'm definitely going to now !!!! Thanks so much

[@Germano.Ruggeri]

Always “enlightening” with your classes. More so in this case. I love Venice at night. Next time, I’d like to see how you manage it with fog. Thanks for your videos 👍🏻

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Great suggestion!

[@carolewilliams6177]

Always wanted to know how to paint light, this is a fantastic video and also giving lots of other advice along the way, such as unwanted green sky, thank you so much !

[@tinaari88]

It’s wonderful seeing a master at work! Thank you for sharing 🤙🏼🙏🏼

[@Calligraphybooster]

I loved how you did the moonlight on the big dome at 16:00!

[@eveliendevree3318]

thanks for the comprehensive tutorial, helpful for me to tab into the new territory of watercolor.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

You’re welcome! Happy painting!

[@miriamturner1069]

You are amazing. watching I will think initially that you’re off, but then it turns out to be perfect. clearly I’m a newbie, but am so grateful to have stumbled onto you.

[@kathrynlehotsky2815]

Illuminating tutorial. Thank you truly awesome Kathryn

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad you liked it!!

[@grm65]

Beautiful! You have VERY steady hands. The light in the painting is so convincing.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you! Glad you liked it.

[@kathleenschatz9801]

Excellent tutorial of painting light in watercolor - Thank you!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sablemoreno5095]

Im in a Facebook group and the challenge for the week was streetlights. I hadnt painted lights like that so i decided to join in and do a sketchbook spread of practice ones. You had lots of helpful information and tips im gonna have to work on using for the remaining sketches.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Great!!

[@momijiyamanishi4548]

It is morning and i am having my coffee and i watched your video on painting lights. Relaxing and very instructional. I want to try this immediately.😊

[@nlmelch]

Excellent demo on painting lamps like these. Thank you.

[@lindasplaylist100]

Love watching you paint. I wanted to go to art school but my parents where not having it. I became a nurse but still love art.

[@overworkedcna412]

I cannot believe I stumbled on this channel but I'm _so_ happy I did. EVERYTHING about your teaching style is perfect -- the way you explain what you're doing at each stage and _why_ you're doing it, how you give us the colors that you're mixing (and again, _why_ you're choosing those colors)... this is by far the most helpful tutorial I've found here on youtube. Other painters (who are absolutely incredible artists, don't get me wrong) simply film themselves working and leave the viewer to blindly try and mimic what they're doing, which simply isn't helpful for a beginner. Thank you, thank you, *THANK YOU!!*

[@cjmac9641]

Just found you - this was super helpful! Thank you! You asked about what viewers might want you to tackle… I’d love rolling & splashing tropical ocean waves! Thanks again - your skill, knowledge & ability to teach are appreciated!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gracielarilovignoli8965]

You're soo good teaching!! I'm a beginer( a latin one) thanks for sharing your skills!! Sorry for my english 😅!!

[@annleonard6180]

Beautiful, I always wondered how they got that bright light and glow. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@suhasyadav2754]

I am new to painting and i wanted good guidance, i searched many channel for that and i genuinely think your channel helps me alot step by step ..thank you sir

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

So glad to hear that!

[@denisemossman2904]

Thank you for sharing Matthew, your skill and teaching skills are great!

[@richbrig3]

Excellent instructions and techniques . I would like to see a video on painting reflections in water, both calm and rough seas. Thanks Rich

[@rosasadler1084]

I truly enjoyed your technique and style of painting as well as teaching.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you so much!

[@dorisreeves8513]

So glad this artist is showing him mixing the paint....such a good lesson.

[@artsecret2986]

Was really pleasant to listen to as well as watch the process. Thanks for sharing the knowledge 🤍

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@digitomkku9848]

Very nice demonstration on how to simplify the theme and use values and warmness/coolness of colours.

[@PrairieTownHouse]

So beautiful! I still haven’t mastered being able to keep the paint wet and moving on the paper without creating weird hard edges. I do the front and back wetting like you do, and use Saunders Waterford…but I’m still not working fast enough or something. I know I will eventually get there!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

I hear you. Have you tried premixing your colors? That can save some time and keep you moving a little quicker.

[@PrairieTownHouse]

@@learntopaintwatercolor Yes, I try to mix up a few big pools of color…though they may not be big enough. I also live in an incredibly dry climate with absolutely no humidity in the air. I will continue practicing this technique!

[@lafeharris8471]

@@PrairieTownHouse Using ox gall or watercolor blending medium can help keep your paints wetter longer.

[@samantams]

@@PrairieTownHouse maybe you could paint close to a humidifier so it stays wet longer?

[@thatpianistmoth]

​@@PrairieTownHouseI'm a fellow dry-climate sufferer. I ended up getting an actual air humidifier, but something that helped before hand was actually spraying water into the air, like, with your typical bottle with a spray dispenser (an empty perfume bottle works). Or put a lot of plants in your art room - that also works to make the air more humid.

[@iknownothing-49]

Love your teaching style. I recommended this video to a watercolor class I’m teaching for the weeks we are not meeting.

[@bhingolacson510]

Awesome step by step demonstration. Thanks for sharing.

[@rajsekhar5795]

Simple and effective. Very illuminating. Moving forward great learnings.

[@scottenosh4548]

Dang Matt...you've come a LOOOONG way since your first paintings.

[@sujnannayak1967]

You just make us understand complex things in easy way ...thanks you sir..

[@robertberg8463]

Very nice. Great result. Excellent tutorial. Makes me want to paint.

[@hennybrunner8939]

Thank you for sharing this. Very useful subject I am looking for long time. And I like the way you show how you painting in real time but short enough so we not get bored. Very effective tutorial.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you! I tried to keep it moving along but not cut out anything important.

[@ingridcoke1360]

@@learntopaintwatercolor Excellent job!

[@ibstarboard]

Matthew, you're an incredible artist and wonderful instructor!!! Thank you!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

So kind of you. Thanks!

[@MrJimpaint7]

most impressed with this difficult subject , thank you

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

You are welcome!

[@lalitakumariyer9315]

I'm self taught and still learning- in my 60s- out of touch and scared. You're a great teacher and show rather than tell. Such minute technical points so beautifully clarified ❤ thanks

[@JGalegria]

So you can't say self taught any more lol 😅 I don't know what other way anyone would learn. No one holds the paintbrush for you especially if you go to an art institution. You're expected to be able to experiment, research, observe and practice just the same as you would learning at home.

[@deborahhansen2983]

I love your teaching style! Thank you!

[@christianebehr138]

Thank you ever so much, I enjoyed looking at the Video explaining how to paint light. I was always thinking of how to paint light it was ever so helpful. Many Greetings from Christiane Berlin Germany

[@judeaquino9457]

Maraming salamat po. I just happened to bump into this video and it really got my attention on how to do watercolor painting of lighted lamps. Your viewer and new subscriber from the Philippines 🇵🇭.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Welcome 😊

[@GaryManning-m3n]

My wife just asked me how artists paint "light." Thomas Kinkades style. Im pretty new to being serious. Many people urged me on after they saw just a bit of my 'few and far between renderings' in acrylic, water colors, and different mediums. Clay, Ceramic, pencil. Thanks for this . I told my wife how it works, and you made me sound like I knew what I was saying. And I do now. It's about making everything else living in the darkness or shadows. Artistspeak. You gave me definitions of the art and canvas. I really like water color. This is a great lesson. Thank you. Im on my 7th piece today. I think I will keep at it everyday, now that I have time.

[@elainevechorik2171]

Especially like to hear you talk about the colors you mix -- and why.

[@susancook1617]

So glad I just found your channel Matthew. I love your loose style. Thank you so much for sharing your techniques.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

You are so welcome!

[@lindamcclure8037]

Your demonstration, along with your commentary were an inspiration. Thank you.

[@janegadd1681]

Fascinating tutorial, watched all the way through

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pennyupson6000]

Great video. Love that you showed the reference picture as you painted.

[@lenalouman2776]

SUPER thankful I have found your videos, Matt, and I am gaining in confidence to START. Very grateful for the email newsletter you send out as well. Your tutorials are fantastic, brother.

[@sherylwhittaker6611]

I always wondered how to get that glowing light on lamps. I love your explanations as you paint. Thanks for all of the fantastic tips. This painting is amazing!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@DDartlover8888]

Very helpful,enjoy watching you do the fine details as well as lights

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad you liked it!

[@Dr.IconLogo]

Fascinating! You are very inspiring, Matthew. Your videos are perfect.

[@samirka22]

Fantastic! Great tips and painting techniques. Thank you for your hard work!

[@brightonrosie]

Superb demonstration tutorial Thank you

[@Milzoom]

Thanks for sharing this details with colors you used in this tutorial, as a beginner in water color painting i know the importance of details 🎉 Appreciated.

[@edwardcameron3042]

Thank you Mathew,less is so much more, you have a grate style and a perfect teaching smoothness with painting expertise to back it up.

[@MsLaurasvideos]

I really enjoyed this tutorial and your explanation of the technique and color’s you’re using. Can’t wait to try one of your tutorials. Thank you.

[@crocus5632]

Amazing! So beautifil! Thank you for showing all this! I could watch forever , but am eager to try :)

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you!

[@robertmansell3667]

Using your Artists privilege to simplify and omit much of the background really draws your attention to the light source.really relaxing explanation and excellent production 👏👏

[@melindaostergren8115]

“Artist’s privilege” That’s an excellent phrase, one to keep in mind regardless of the medium. Thank you.

[@lalyrenehan2760]

Thanks - such great tips! Learning to paint watercolour is one step forward, one step back but this video really helped.

[@KayZinThin-r7w]

I had a problem with overworking in my art and your vd is very helpful for me to fix that manner.🥰

[@anndavidson287]

Thanks Matthew I really appreciate the lessons..I am having trouble getting light glowing with watercolors and simplifying the scenes I paint. Used acrylics in past in glazes on large projects. After illness I am just back to small sketches I add watercolors and or gouache to. So different to acrylics!! Thanks so much for inspiring me!! I get frustrated without understanding what I am doing wrong and how to improve!! Maybe more on how to really simplify things for painting and values. Also limited pallet work. I cannot afford as many colors as you used. ❤ and 😊 thanks from Canada 🍁.

[@ulyssesishere]

such a beautiful painting! thanks a lot for your explanation and your calm pace, I am looking forward to try this!

[@vikaskatre7695]

Thank you Sir for a brilliant demo of painting lights....!!

[@shariarnold9649]

I would like to try doing this one…I need to be more confident in my brush strokes. Thank you for all the tips.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

You are so welcome!

[@jacy9806]

I have burnt sienna but you used raw sienna.. How do I uncook my sienna? (Im joking but really is there a difference between raw sienna and burnt sienna?)

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

haha! Raw is just a lighter version. More yellow.

[@jacy9806]

@@learntopaintwatercolor Thanks! I have to be careful cooking my sienna next time

[@MrBilydon]

Finally got the technique, it's so nice how to make sure your viewers see every thing you do, the detail of having the cameras on diferent angles makes it better and easy to learn New sub, keep going Matt :)

[@teresemartinez6215]

Nice tutorial, very clear. Love the painting. Thanks for sharing.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

You're welcome!

[@shannon8315]

Watercolor painting seems like a lot of suggestions and quite a few points.🫠 amazing instructor!

[@plowisonutube]

Rock Star watercolor teacher. Thank you for the techniques.👍😎🇺🇸

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

So glad you liked it!

[@aprildegele1510]

This is a great tutorial! Thank you. I cannot help but notice sounds that are very similar to my husband's gut during the tutorial 😉Not an issue, just noticed. I loved the education on paring down. I'm more of a photo-realistic painter in acrylic and oil, as well as graphite. Trying to be more loose. Put down watercolor 2 decades ago because, honestly? This is the most difficult medium to master. It's rather unforgiving, unlike acrylics, which you can cover and redo, or oil, with which you can fuss for days before it's dry. Graphite is a matter of being able to erase (that's hard sometimes, but you can do it). Never mastered chalk. Decided to pick up watercolor again as I got into travel painting instead of being disconnected from the experience of where I was because I was focused on a picture. Now, I only take a few reference photos and then paint my recollection of the experience. Those aren't always the same, but that doesn't matter. Watercolor is hard.

[@cindylouwhobohl6983]

Wow! Very interesting watching you paint this! You handled it very differently than I would. I see what you mean now about simplifying. Really liked the finished painting.

[@robertweinblatt2018]

This was a great learning moment for me in a few things you said! I appreciate the fact that you are a very kind yet very straight forward with your great info. I really enjoyed watching you work on this one as well as the results you’ve achieved❤

[@gabylopez7453]

I love this video, you make it easy and want me to start painting 🖌️

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Give it a try!

[@cbudzyn]

Wonderful lesson, I’ve struggled with watercolor for years (only a hobby).

[@Lenaboo3]

Wonderful instruction - thank you! Can't wait to implement some of these ideas.

[@juliettedemaso7588]

I’m so glad I found this! So helpful, great job!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AnnKa-i6e]

So good your vidéo. I learnt so much!