The 5 Essential Watercolor Skills (that completely changed my paintings)

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

You can learn more about Watercolor Essentials here: www.learntopaintwatercolor.com/watercolor-essentials

[@carolinavasquez705]

Hi, Matthew, I need assistance with the Watercolor Essentials - Bronze Level. Where can I write to you?

[@Potsky_]

Why not just post here in KZbin? I don't wanna go to another site than KZbin.

[@33Jenesis]

Watercolor is like golf, looks easy but really hard to master without a lot of time, practice, and patience. I didn’t understand why many started from acrylic when I decided to try watercolor. Quickly I found out how hard watercolor could be (just like after I took golf lessons).

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Yes, there can be good days and really challenging as well.

[@michelinesantucci4474]

watercolor teaches you focus.

[@keepyourshoesathedoor]

Golf looks easy??? To who???

[@mayloo2137]

I do watercolors now, but I started with acrylic paints. I think that's how many people start in painting.

[@aletabarker]

Lol that’s so true

[@naymette]

5. 01:17 simplification. simplify the edges of the painting, save the most contrast and saturation to the focal area; 4. 03:07 creating depth. the further away the object the less visible the contrast; 3. 04:25 color mixing. grey is more present than we assume, don't use paint directly from the tube; 2. 06:20 watercolor timing. two variables are how wet the paper is and how much paint is there on the brush 1 . 08:17 values. consider turning your scene or photo in black and white during the planning process

[@rainerburmeister5758]

Thanks!

[@amanwithoutasenseofhumor7724]

thnx

[@hamfranky]

Funny thing about the colors: for me it was the other way around. I had to learn not to be afraid of adding some more saturated colors. I was afraid of ruining the painting with strong color but the end result can be unintentionally drab that way.

[@siriusblack4245]

I can understand what you're saying but my brain and hands are enemies at the moment. I will admit that ive been afraid to paint for the majority of my life. I only started a few months ago and ive learned so many neat things about watercolors. Everyone, especially the overthinkers, and perfectionists (nyself included)... Don't give up. Actively remind yourselves that art isnt perfect. You'll slowly (or quickly) pick up things here and there, as you continue to practice. Give yourself time, compassion, grace and patience throughout your watercolor journey 💖

[@jackiemcfarlane8605]

Love this comment and needed to hear it today! Thank you 🤗

[@siriusblack4245]

@jackiemcfarlane8605 thank you for commenting. I needed to be reminded of my advice. I'm in a landscape rut and I'm worried about the result when I haven't even begun 🙃 (I've already created some beginner landscape pieces but it's like I'm afraid all over again.

[@Pandabroproductions.]

@@siriusblack4245 If you are afraid to start, start the painting anyways. Let the painting take you on a journey. When you see the painting coming together, feel the excitement. It's ok to make mistakes. All artists do. If you never make mistakes, how do you learn? I've also been scared to start something because I didn't want to waste watercolor paper. Good luck! God bless!

[@jessiestarts6947]

His first painting looking better than anything I've ever done. 👁️👄👁️

[@patisigns]

Agreed! 😆

[@citigirl3238]

Matt, I just discovered your channel. Your #1 tip is by far the most important tip in creating “all” visual art. It really is important whether the work is realistic, abstract, carefully designed shapes on surfaces, or fun exaggerated expressions taken from realistic composed scenes…. It’s so nice to see someone else who gets it and can explain it nice and simply. Terrific gift to students! When I first learned the word “values,” in my art classes in high school and later in art classes, no one could explain to me how to really see values in real life. After taking years to figure it out, I too share the simplest examples with beginners so they don’t have to waste so much time before they really understand what value means in drawing and painting while observing real life subjects… You made me smile today🥰

[@atlantic_love]

To each their own. For me the most important step is depth. We've all seen it. The painting that looks like it was just started, or the one that looks like the painter fell in love with drawing everything in. You can have your values correct, but unless you can selectively place areas of contrast the scene will still come off as lifeless.

[@peggymccann4524]

Things I especially appreciate about this video - topics covered (true essentials), pace and clarity of instruction (not rushed, illustration/examples) and the fact that you were so prepared and wasted no time with irrelevant talk. Thank you.

[@elaineflournoy5022]

good tips for almost any medium

[@jeff_jones]

You are such a good teacher! Thank you for your generosity and the time and effort that you put into your video lessons.

[@noodledagger]

I've been doing acrylic painting for a while, but recently came into some very generously donated watercolour supplies. Tried to figure it out by myself for a bit but watercolour is such a different skillset! This is exactly the kind of advice I was looking for, and it was explained very clearly complete with visuals - I feel much more confident to have a go at it now, thank you!

[@aruproychoudhury7589]

Lot of learning ❤ thanks

[@SuzetteG316]

I am not new to watercolor, but I still enjoyed your video. It went a bit further than most in explaining each of the tips in nice detail. I know this is going to help a great many new and intermediate watercolorists out there. Thanks!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Awesome, thank you!

[@StClair008]

This list is sooooooo true. Thanks! And then there is practice, practice, practice because understanding is just the beginning. It's so frustrating when you know what is wrong and you keep doing it anyway! But, also great to see improvement over time.

[@belluhresto8689]

Such a valuable video!! Also, the value painting with the snow was stunning! The snow was genuinely so beautiful that I'm in awe you achieved that with watercolors. Thank you!

[@susanwelch9087]

I just came across your channel and want to thank you for showing us your first attempts. Gives me hope!

[@alvaroecheverria5630]

You are a great artist with a special teaching ability. Thank you very much for your videos, inspiring and practical. I look forward to them.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you very much! That's so kind of you.

[@jimharperphoto]

Love the insight about values. My photography reached a new level when I started shooting in black and white.

[@SMA78070]

Very well done. It's taken me about a year of starting from the beginning with watercolor to reach the point where I can understand the value (no pun intended) of what you are saying. To your five I would add drawing practice as a sixth. But I definitely agree with your five as indispensable.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad it was helpful! Yes, drawing is key as well.

[@lc4365]

Thank you so much, Matthew, for your painting wisdom! I shall try to incorporate what you've advised as I begin my watercolor journey :)

[@Sunny-pr1qw]

I can see, in the comparison of your old and new, that your drawing got a lot better too. Drawing for me is a real challenge. Good lesson, thanks

[@gingeranderson9701]

Such great information! Thanks!

[@pugger420]

this is excellent - the way that you designed and organized this video is so educational in a short amount of time, especially with all of the visual examples. your effort is clear & appreciated, thank you!

[@dianeoconnor8310]

I’m not a beginner, but your video popped out, and I was curious! Every person starting out with watercolour should start here. Well done!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you, I appreciate that.

[@1Thedairy]

This is really good advice. I wish I had listened to this before I embarked on learning to master water colour years ago. Now I understand how important all these points are.

[@juliorodrigues6929]

Outstanding video, a condensed 15-minute master lesson in watercolor.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

So glad you liked it!

[@RatusMax]

I am so happy you put this on YT...showing the first painting in your life...People need to know skills aren't born with. They are built off of experience. All this stuff I came to the conclusion over two years also while watching YT videos like your own to push me in the right direction. I recently found out moving from portrait painting to landscapes and cityscapes, I negletcted the hell out of the concept of perspective and composition. In portrait paintings, we usually just get the face and the depth doesn't matter. I thought I was so good at painting. I was painting cityscapes from refrences, and landscapes from references and life just like the portraits. They looked bad at first but started to become decent. Then I decided "hey let my set up my own scene and use these references to put in grass, buildings, houses, etc." When I did this, the painting looked flat...like no depth whatsoever. The composition was boring and bland. There was no sense of me peering into the world of the painting. Then for some reason I used grid lines from what I learned way back in middle school when I was sick with a virus and had my homework sent to me. Then ...although it still looked like trash...became more believable. So I looked around and found out the fundamentals of art. Color, Value, Form, Brushwork, Perspective and Composition I was able to build the first 4 from just portrait painting. But the last 2, I had no sense of it. In fact I had to start again with the simple 3D cube and put it in 1 point. 2 point and 3 point. I am still doing it right now it's been a month and all ive been doing is moving around cubes spheres, trianges around the 3D space I crate on a piece of paper. Until I get that FEEL of 3D and perspective. I can now see a bit more about the space and camera/eye looking in that space. For some reason it helped me understand composition as well.

[@MrJsganguli]

You Sir are a Master Teacher. You know the art of teaching.

[@ladyofthelake9667]

Just wanted to say, thank you for being here and sharing your knowledge. I never took watercolor seriously in the past because I was too focused on the result. Your videos have helped me so much and I am now painting with more confidence and clarity. Working on my third painting now and I'm excited to finally have started my watercolor journey ❤️ Keep doing what you do best!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

That's very kind of you to share. So glad you are getting something positive from my video!

[@petragunther4439]

Hi Matthew, I stumbled about your YT channel today, this video particular. I learned more, than in Xxxxhundreds other turorials and books. Of course, I subscribed will have to follow so more of your tutorials first to get used to you and your way and will check out watercolor essentials later. 🙏 THANK YOU

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

So glad you are enjoying the content!

[@jeanbobcam]

Very useful info! Thank you.

[@kes136]

This is so helpful, thank you so much :)

[@tennantsandstella]

Inspiring. Many thanks :)

[@SusanKiggins-fn1fy]

Mathew, I thank you for all you tips, I am improving, slowly! It is easy to listen to you, I never feel rushed or panicked when I listen to you! Thank you so much for your calm demeanor!

[@Robe-x3z]

Thankyou so much, I especially have a lot of trouble with depth, you explained that very well. At 55 I'm just starting out and this video has been very helpful. Thanks and all the very best .

[@beanalog8202]

Fantastic video. Simple explanation. Thank you.

[@savfaithcalhoun]

Please re-paint one of your old paintings, I would love to see how you approach an old painting and make it better! I love your artwork, and you are an amazing teacher. Thank you for taking up space on this platform.

[@lauralowery9303]

I love the wetting of the back of the paper! I never thought of that. Thanks!

[@user8542]

There are tons of “top 5 tips” videos out there, but I found this one to be truly valuable. Thanks for the great explanations and examples.

[@abijahdixon2771]

Wow, if I had seen this maybe a week ago I would have signed up for the class! I have tried water color off and on, and I used to be able to draw a little bit, but I never stick with anything, so that is my biggest problem..Great video and I learned a lot!

[@carolbenson6524]

Great tips! Your video makes me look at everything in a different way now. Watercolor painting is so relaxing.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

I'm so glad!

[@andreawierzbicki9187]

Great lesson! You are a natural teacher- your delivery clear & concise. Too many teachers i loose interest in becausecthey just keep talking unnesarily without giving the information you need in a succinct manner.

[@DanJMW]

Really helpful video, thankyou. Some terminology varies in art circles, so to help other beginners, one might also see the concepts here referred to by other names, eg: Values = can also be called "Tones". Opposite Colours = are also referred to as "Complementary Colours". The effect of depth, where the distance looks less saturated and with less contrast = "Atmospheric Perspective". I'm sure there are more that others here can help with.

[@chukoshenina5326]

You are gifted in teaching. I will be visiting your teaching site more for sure. Thank you very much for sharing your gift and experiences.

[@annelv]

This video is way, way underrated! This succinct explaination simply enhanced my understanding of water colours by leaps and bounds! The information shared is unmatched by any other video that I have watched thus far! And I mean endless hours of videos! Thank you, Michael!

[@MarenGermany]

This is a great video. Thanks so much.

[@lawrence9217]

Thank you Matthew! Learning these slowly and growing.

[@aurorahill9551]

Thank you. This is beautifully explained, and inspired me again after feeling frustrated. 😊

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

I'm so glad!

[@sristirajgupta2205]

Truely a gold video for us. Thank you so much Mathew.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jjroseknows777]

Ah, so glad I found you; this lesson is just what I needed.So often we have an intuition but can't get at it until someone puts it into words and truth resonates. This all resonated with me - now I can keep my pictures from looking too Kinkade-esque - saturated all over, etc. Thanks so much; I'll see you again Matthew White.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

So glad this was helpful!

[@BoBnfishy]

This is such an awesome video. So many tips videos on KZbin are full of stuff like "practice" but don't actually give any specific advice. This straight up breaks down techniques for understanding why things look the way they do and gives specific ways to improve. Thank you so much

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@hearthstorytelling4971]

This is so incredibly helpful. Thank you! I have been learning about values in drawing, but had not applied this to watercolour.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@watermeloncreations6367]

this video was amazing and its helped so much and made watercolour painting process easier

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@solarbabie9087]

Mathew, thank you for making this video. I have watched A LOT of watercolor, beginner, tutorials and in my opinion you did an awesome job conveying the message! I am very impressed! I loved how you broke each skill down, gave an example and a helpful tip. If you haven't already (since I just found you by accident and I don't believe in accidents...lol) Can you do a video on VALUES? I thought your paintings were amazing and that last one looked so real it took me a moment to notice it was watercolor. Great Job Teacher....I also want to say thank you so much for being direct and straight to the point, every word mattered. I can't say that about most. I'm going to watch the video again, just so I can take notes. Great Job and thank you again for your presence! :)

[@bonniehoke-scedrov4906]

This is my first time enjoying your KZbin channel. Great content! Looking forward to hearing more from you! Your video was so informative. Thank you so much!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@francoisederocher]

All excellent comments. It's like learning a new language or an instrument: practice, practice, practice!

[@artanujohanna]

Thank you, great tips! ☀️

[@robynneblissett6510]

Value studies have completely changed everything for me ❤️

[@sinkimed7375]

The pro tio regarding values, is the best advice I ever got, tq

[@shrutivsec]

This was very informative. Thanks for saving me weeks of frustration.

[@Rojo731]

This is insanely helpful! You have a terrific way of pointing out what may not be immediately obvious. I watch so many watercolor videos and have certainly picked things up, but not specifics with reasons! 👏 👏 👏 I am definitely a need to know why type of learner, so this was perfect for me.

[@TheTugboatgirl]

Excellent information, I have used my phone on black and white to find values fir quilts. I never thought to use it for water colors

[@smokeytaboo1756]

Thank you so much. Everything you shared was immediately useful and there was no fluff 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mominsart]

Nice work, Watercolor is the easiest medium to work with if you learn the most imortant factor is the drying time between the washes, it wil simplify the process dramatically!!!

[@Abraham-ih4qy]

good teacher! I do not watercoulour, but even then I can learn from this. Thanks.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@GoogleUser-it3xq]

This watercolor course looks amazing. Especially since you can interact with other members and ask questions that Matt will answer.

[@morgenmachen2400]

Great information here Matt and WOW look how far you've come in your efforts! So inspiring.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you, Morgen. I appreciate that.

[@MRLoveARTdraws]

maan this is no doubt one of the best video out there to understand watercolor.....just the best ,keep working sir, you are doing a really amazing work

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you so much 😀

[@RosssRoyce]

Very good advises! Completely applicable to oil painting as well, these topics change the way we see things vs our work.

[@scottpitner4298]

Great stuff here! Thank you if you all turn on the black/white filter on your phones camera then you can live view your work or value study as you do it and see those tones without having to take a picture and then edit it to check.

[@jody7399]

Thank you for sharing. This was an excellent lesson. As a real beginner, I will keep all these rules in mind! Your paintings are very beautiful.

[@MrStevie57]

Yes,when you see some one who has mastered anything you gotta realize all the work they have put in to get there.

[@paigek720]

your videos are amazing, Matthew! And so is your inspiring artwork!

[@lindapowell5564]

Outstanding instruction

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you!

[@elconsultoriodecandida7304]

Really didactic! You are the only water colour male artist I have subscribed to.Graciad

[@lesleyt1700]

I love these short bursts. I love painting but sometimes feel my concentration can wain…. I’m definitely a candidate for your course. Thank you Matthew ❤

[@cheeo]

I'm doing some painting tomorrow so I'm glad this video before today

[@76endurathon]

brilliant painting; you are gifted!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you so much 😀

[@frappalina]

Such a pleasant person and your tips are very useful. Thanks

[@mom-says-not-today]

LOVE your paintings!! Great video. I have been trying to paint, I am not good but your tips help a lot. Thank you!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you! Best of luck in your painting!

[@annaulas8903]

Very helpful and professional tutorial, thank you for that!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

You're very welcome!

[@dldusdk1978]

Thank you for putting this vid up. Very helpful. 👍

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@raemoye1581]

I haven't done watercolor in years, so I wanted to watch some videos to refresh myself. I think that these 5 skills are essential to any 2D art medium. I would not call them watercolor specific. These are some great beginner lessons for anyone learning art.

[@natalieodisho7264]

Nice growth!! The lights really came on

[@poppyclarke8585]

Hi, thanks for the video it was really helpful. All I wanted to say was your paintings are so beautiful and I love that atmosphere you've created within them.

[@danieldorellazar305]

Thanks for the tips. I ll need to watch this video. And rewatch it 😁😁

[@gracewest8452]

Values: that illusive rascal-- thanks great video

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

haha so true!

[@HurricaneFluttershy]

Crazy. Values was the game changer for me too. My mind was BLOWN at the power of values

[@donnagoode6923]

I love your paintings. Not sure how I never watched any of your videos before.

[@davidjuergens3869]

Fantastic video! Thanks for making this Matthew.

[@dani7000]

Hello. Very helpful are your classes and tips. You're an excellent teacher who knows how to encourage your students. And so beautiful your artwork. Thank you very much.

[@Erinba]

Thank you this is so helpful! Loved that you showed how you have improved 🙌🏻

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

So glad it was helpful!

[@artscience9981]

Thanks Matthew! I appreciate your generosity, good organization, and watercolor wisdom! BTW, what palette are you using? I haven’t been able to find a palette like that.

[@lam6572]

I like your first painting. It's stylistically one-of-a-kind expressive and conveys a particular landscape of your psyche.

[@priyankasalelkar3564]

Super helpful! Thanks a lot for your in-depth study and advice!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

You’re very welcome!

[@estellegrove4853]

Love this it’s so informative and makes so much sense. Your paintings are absolutely beautiful. 👏🏼👏🏼Thanks for sharing Matthew 🤗

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

So glad to hear that!

[@artworld9799]

It's Great And Very very important talking about point of painting🎨🎨!! Greetings from a friend💐

[@susannahkoch]

This is a very useful video! I have a basic understanding of most of the points in this video but seeing your comparisons is helping me identify where i am making mistakes in my painting.

[@e.l.6826]

thank you so much, just trying this out. this is super helpful

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Great to hear!

[@pammoore3447]

Thank you so much. Another great and inspirational video. Your work is so beautiful.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you so much!