Handling Paint on the palette | Beginner's Watercolor Tutorial

Beginners Drawing Course: bit.ly/2Gn4rOIDrawYT
My Art and Creativity PODCAST:
goo.gl/uGLjdk
Instagram: / lironyanil
My books on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Liron-Yankonsky...
Snapchat: LironYan3
Hi there, Liron here!
Today I have a very basic tutorial for you, on handling watercolor paint on your palette.
This is a very basic subject, but I have been getting several requests to cover it.
🎨 MY PALETTE 🎨
The palette I'm using is a Mijello 18 wells palette. It's my current favorite for painting indoors.
I got it on Amazon (affiliate link): amzn.to/2JANzXR
Just to emphasize - it's not as good for working outside, as it doesn't have a thumb ring / strap. But it IS wonderful for working on a table inside (:
🎨 IT ALL BECOMES INTUITIVE WITH PRACTICE 🎨
If you are a beginner, some of this may seem overwhelming, but I want to reassure you.
It all becomes 100% intuitive with practice. So I wouldn't sweat the details. I'd just put a lot of emphasis on practicing a lot.
I can attest that it took me at least 6 months or so to start feeling more comfortable with, and aware of what I cover in this video.
So give it a go, and I wish you lots of success!
- Liron
** MUSIC CREDITS **
Music by Joakim Karud / joakimkarud
Music by @joakimkarudmusic
#watercolor #painting #tutorial

[@brianparnell2256]

The thing is Liron I find everyone of any level can gain a few pointers from your videos to expand their knowledge.

[@angiewright-artist8246]

Agreed completely, I so had to add this to your comment xo

[@LironYan]

Haha so happy to hear 😊🙏🏼 Then my work has the impact I want it to have. Thank you so much (both of you!).

[@Jancass5]

It’s like Liron is answering the questions in my mind!

[@edytau6193]

As a super beginner, I want to thank you for these videos! They are so very informative and educational. Your art is simply outstanding BTW.

[@LironYan]

Thank you so much!! 😊🙏🏼

[@Kallinaan]

this is the basic explanation ive been looking for

[@LironYan]

Happy to hear! 😁🙏🏼

[@flychk1229]

Thanks so much For this video! I’m am totally new to watercolor and one thing that has frustrated me is that watercolorists on You Tube don’t often show their palette as they do tutorials so it is a challenge to learn paint/water mixing and handling. Great video for newbies!

[@LironYan]

So happy to hear 😊🙏🏼 I don’t always have a good shot of my palette, but I try to show it as much as possible! (: Thank you so much!

[@hrt2art]

Thank you for this! I've been painting in watercolor for several years and wondering why I don't get a strong enough color from my palette. Learning the qualities of the different brushes was really informative. I never realized that a "thirsty brush" is sometimes what I need and other times I need a more synthetic snappy brush.

[@gingertea3778]

Liron’s clean palette era

[@beckyraver7959]

The point in your video, that helped me the most was when you dried your brush off to make the wash in the pallet darker value. Thank you for that I always just added more paint to the wash to create a darker value. I didn't know I don't need to do that.

[@davidrachlin3557]

You are terrific. I'm so glad I discovered your videos. I'm a beginner and need to learn useful techniques.

[@LironYan]

Thank you David! 😊🙏🏼 Happy the vids are useful

[@ardeet]

Exactly what I was after as a beginner. I liked the pace and the level of information that you packed in. I see I will need to practice my water to paint ratios. Thanks.

[@LironYan]

Thank you! So happy to hear 🙏😊 I always fall down very niche and specific (sometimes advanced) rabbit holes haha I need to do more of these straight forward videos for beginners.

[@trisht5064]

Thanks liron this has been very helpful i didn't realise i was using too much water and can use much less for the results im after. I love washes and end up with soaked paper. Im always hearing juicy brush and plenty ready mixed in pallet which i think has lead to toooo much water problem and now i can try practicing what you have demonstrated here so fingers crossed 😂👍

[@LironYan]

So happy to hear 😁🙏🏼 Thank you! Yes - this can go both ways. I’m the other way around - always have to make sure there’s enough water. It’s much easier for me to neglect this

[@caritasdecaro8019]

Thank you for being self aware of how far off your mind is vs us beginners. You REALLY helped me learn a lot with this video. I appreciate you

[@LironYan]

My pleasure 🙏😊 It's hard to remember how things were once they are ingrained intuitively. But I can still remember really well how I felt doing wet in wet and completely messing up the timing etc...

[@jonnettemaslowski258]

I’m teaching beginner watercolor classes. This was a great help because there is so much information to show/explain to students that it helped me organize my plans. What warm and cool primary colors would you suggest to start out with? I love your painting style and your work is amazing! Thanks for all your inspiration!

[@mzbuzzy]

I'm on a Beginner-Beginner level. Thank you for this video

[@LironYan]

So happy I could help 😁🙏🏼 thank you!

[@Angelwrites]

Brit's College Life have you progressed?

[@phyllisappleby6259]

I am not a beginner but I always find value in your videos. For me today, it was keeping a pool of color on the warm side separate from the cool side. Many times you give me wonderful reminders of things that I knew but forgot. Thanks for being one of my favorite artists to follow.

[@soniazawacki5459]

Thank you Liron! You are honest and real with your viewers and it’s so refreshing. Thank you for making these videos for those of us who need to learn about watercolor. You’re very helpful and kind.

[@cazkiwinz4300]

When his test page still looks better than anything I’ve ever managed to paint.... 😂

[@chantelmcskimming6633]

This helped! Specifically, the way the different brushes behave. Also, the behavior of damp vs wet brushes. ☺️ Thank you!

[@MooseMcDowell]

Thanks for the beginner videos. Almost two years on and I feel like a never-ending beginner! These videos always help.

[@LironYan]

Welcome to painting 😉🎨 I feel the same haha

[@lindathaxton1994]

Good teacher - thank you for the basics - can’t wait till this is all automatic! I’m getting much better, thanks to you, but love watching the basics again.

[@frogskocinq]

Thanks for showing your palette and how you work. I am setting mine up (same product) and have my colors arranged. Having a cool and warm mixing space and cleaning were a bonus.

[@chloeforthright837]

Thank you Liron. These are very helpful beginner videos. Good reminders. 🎉

[@Nikatronixx]

this was super helpful!! There aren't a lot of videos out there that give such clear instruction on water vs pigment

[@lindathaxton1994]

Watched this again, you teach so well. Good refresher for me. Thank you for sharing your skills.

[@lynda8852]

Thank you just what i needed. I was wondering how to stop the bubble of paint Now i know less water and dab the brush onto a towel I would never have thought of that it works very well

[@treesapgrl]

Wow. Thank you. I didn't even know what my paint and palette questions were; pretty sure you answered all of them in this rad video, though. You make it click for me, and I'm eternally grateful. Thanks again, Liron!

[@samara1676]

As someone who just got their first watercolor palette this helped a lot and I feel more confident in starting to work with this medium

[@monopinion8799]

I l learn every day your on. Your an inspiration to me. I stop anything I do and it’s my time with you, and I paint. Nobody dares to interrupt. It’s my refuge spot and my salvation to paint. Time goes on and I don’t réalisé! Thank you so much.Take care.you are very important to us and we are proud to learn from a such talented artist. I’m honoured.

[@LironYan]

That is amazing! Being able to carve out that time and have it clean and uninterrupted is a really important habit (or shall I say - ritual!) ^_^ Thank you so much for joining me and watching the videos 😊🙏🏼

[@COCOChatnails]

Ever so basic, and yet sooooooooooo useful (quite a beginner here). Luv' ya!

[@margaretmartin6620]

This is a great video, Liron. I'm sure it will really help a lot of us. Two of the things that were a challenge for me in the beginning were: 1. Mixing enough paint to cover a large area and, 2: Getting the paint-to-water ratio right with the rigger. I still have to remind myself sometimes. :) Thank you so much. I don't have any problem with your voice "moving around". I like the new setup. You're doing a great job!

[@LironYan]

Haha, thank you so much 😊🙏🏼 Yes - we’re very similar in those regards. Had the exact same issues. What’s so funny is it took me SO LONG to figure out I wasn’t mixing enough paint 😂

[@stephaniesanchez5266]

OMG THANK YOU thank you. i’ve been looking for this basic stuff for such a long time. i’m grateful. 😀

[@mchlhrwd50]

I would like to thank all of the Subscribers for the questions that prompt this type of video. Liron, as usual you Rock!

[@marilynhallman8248]

Very excellent video. Especially helpful w/water to paint ratio, but all the information is great. Thank you.

[@shadowyxpgames5506]

This video answered every question I had when I searched for this topic, thank you so much for your work!!!

[@sandrahammond3089]

Excellent video! I learned how to make sure to have plenty paint so I won’t run out and realized how important that is. Thanks so much!

[@MaryGadsby]

I really enjoy and appreciate you tutorials, complete beginner here, thank you!

[@lindadyjak2653]

Thank you so much..I have watched lots of videos but never one that covers this NEED TO KNOW top!

[@toffylikesgames]

Thank you, Liron!! This is the kind of stuff that newbies like myself question and that you can never find online. A lot of helpful info, even if basic :) I really struggle with using my palette, getting frustrated and turning all my paints into mud lol. Thank you for making this! Time to practice :)

[@pauldelaney2239]

Fantastic Liron really great explanation

[@annmarieteneicken5486]

Thank you so much. This was very enlightening. I retired and want to pick up from where I left off before life got crazy and I couldn't paint. Products have changed greatly and it's wonderful to be able to connect electronically and reawaken what has been put on the backburner for way too long.

[@kayaspden3135]

I really enjoy your videos, and rely on them alot in my watercolour journey, so thankyou.

[@LironYan]

So happy to hear, thank you 😊🙏🏼

[@tyfal07]

The thumbnail is beautiful 😍

[@charlottemcinnis1069]

As a beginner, I loved this video and learned a lot from it! Thank you. I plan to watch it again and again. Very helpful

[@LironYan]

So happy to hear, thank you 😊🙏🏼

[@jka2525]

I get so much information from your videos. Keep up the good work

[@dartnallfam2026]

This was an excellent tutorial....I am a beginner this answers so many questions....thank you so much

[@danielmuenchau9006]

Thank you. I really needed this information. I’ve been struggling with this.

[@LironYan]

So happy to hear this helps! 😊🙏🏼 thank you

[@lindathaxton1994]

Excellent - good review - your lessons always help me!

[@whqat6232]

Omg thanks i now know how to use water colors! Subbed and liked, you deserve it

[@marilynhallman8248]

I have watched this video @ least three times. Feel certain I will again. Very valuable information for beginners; easy to understand. T. Y. for presenting it.

[@leonietrevor3801]

This was amazing. Thank you.

[@RicheUK]

Much appreciated, great video!!

[@agold1702]

Wonderful- great instructions!

[@michelfries1429]

Thanks for pointing to this crucial aspect of watercolor painting. As a beginner, it is a challenge - when is it too much water and when not? I will start now using an old sponge tissue as well, very handy! Thank you for the great job!

[@claudiacm1146]

This video was a godsend for me, a beginner. Thank you!

[@AnitasDreams]

Lots of good tips. I have been away from watercolor for a while & trying to get back to them

[@LironYan]

Happy this helps, wish you a fun return to this very fun medium 😁😊🙏🏼

[@MohammedAnsariRiz]

I liked the difference you pointed out between hard synthetic brushes and soft naturals; how hard brushes pick up more paint from the pans. That was something new I learnt today. Great engaging style you have. :)

[@LironYan]

Thank you 😊🙏🏼 So happy I could help!!

[@babetweirdgirl4103]

I am a beginner and have mostly been teaching myself. Watercolor is a new medium for me, I am used to being able to precisely control the amount of color going on the paper with colored pencils or pastels, but was having difficulty understanding how to get enough of a given color from the pan, deposit it on a clean spot, get a new color from the pan and create a new color. Once I get the color I want sometimes I run out and have to mix more and doing the same color twice is hard for me

[@LironYan]

Yes, watercolor is a completely different beast (: The challenges are totally different, but it also comes with its unique gifts. I remember when I got started, almost a decade ago, the very REASON I was so motivated was the fact it elluded me 😁 It does become much much easier (and FUN) once the basic technique becomes more intuitive.

[@shadowstone13]

This was EXACTLY the info I wanted to know! I know this is basic, sure, but as someone who has never painted before (besides as a kid with those crayola paints), I have no how to actually handle paints more effectively. Thank you!!!

[@LironYan]

This is EXACTLY what I needed when I got started! And I don’t see nearly enough tutorials of this out there, so I had to make one 😉 Thank you for watching 😊🙏🏼

[@drrnsaikia]

Thnx Liron. Really very informative and helpful 👍

[@birgitblume4980]

Thank you Liron!!! 👍

[@LironYan]

My pleasure 😊🙏🏼

[@mchlhrwd50]

Love it! Third time watching, will probably watch this three more.

[@LironYan]

Wow, so happy to hear this helps 😊🙏🏼 Thank you!

[@rdrobertssr]

Keeping warm and cool colors separate on the pallet. Another good tip from Liron. I just mix it all together. Oops. Thank you

[@LironYan]

Haha! Thank you 😊🙏🏼 I sometimes get them really mixed up too on some palettes - not the end of the world (:

[@jakascott]

Great video, very helpful !..Thank you!

[@nicasia3867]

Fantastic video, thank you so much! 😊

[@mrspock2al]

Thanks for this video Liron. I'm not a beginner, but this info could have saved me a lot of frustration when I first started. I like the tip at the end concerning mixing a big pool of paint. I often mix too little and regret it.

[@LironYan]

Thank you 😊🙏🏼 happy to hear. Mixing too small a quantity is something I used to struggle with on the daily 😂🎨

[@northernbirder7351]

I have a question you may want to address in your videos. What is the significance of warm and cool colours with respect to colour mixing? For example, if I want to mix a warm colour, do I mix a warm with a warm? If I want to mix a cool, do I mix a cool with a cool? And then what about mixing a warm with a cool?

[@LironYan]

I simply treat this as a scale (: If I want a warm result, I’ll have to mix at least a 51%-49% and above (where the 51% is warm). And then, if I want to warm it up more I’ll just increase the percentage of warm. And vice versa. Warm colors are red and yellow. Cool is blue. And that’s pretty much how I see it in my mind (: Let me know if you have any follow up questions. I can also do a vid on the topic if it gets too complex 😊🙏🏼 Thank you!

[@MoMaryR]

@@LironYan I'm a Beginner and find that is the most confusing aspect of painting. I know what is warm and cool but don't know if I should be mixing all warm together or warm & cool? I really liked this video thanks.

[@hennybrunner8939]

Pls excuse me.. I want to join this conversation. I am also a beginner. As a beginner I don't have much material yet, I mean my pallete color is limited to the basic color. In my opinion for sure we always can mix any color, warm and cool. We can mix red with blue to get violet. More blue will get deeper violet and more red get purple. Also we could mix red and viridian. More red we get brown and more green than red plus little bit yellow we will get more olive green. There's no limitation in mixing color. In my first process of learning color I did a color chart wheel. To knowing what color I can get from the material I have.

[@maebybaby56]

This answered all the questions I had, thanks!

[@LironYan]

Amazing! So happy the video was helpful 😊🙏🏼

[@janiceshepherd4873]

Excellent!

[@emmyc9333]

great pointers, and also, i even like your demo painting! lol

[@trisht5064]

Hi watching this video again which is brilliant..easy to take in the information..kept short and simple. I wonder if you would make a short video showing this information in action with a simple painting showing warm cool light dark. Values info. Starting with a clean pallet so we dont miss any Which we can see being mixed then applied. I love your colour choices but rarely see you mixing. The brush turns up like magic from off screen 😂 . So we cant see what you did to make the changes . Hope this makes sense 😜 maybe people could vote in favour if they would like to see this and you can decide if its worth you producing it Thanks liron

[@LironYan]

Thank you! Will definitely try and show more of my palette in future videos (: In the last few painting processes I actually show the palette action fully, so I hope they're a little more helpful! And maybe a slower tutorial, showing the palette while painting something basic - is a good idea ^_^

[@trisht5064]

@@LironYan and what it is your mixing and include the wetness ect.. dont want much do i ha ha thank you liron 👍 have a good day

[@yasmintan8379]

Great helpful video thank you! What was the Princeton brush with bounce?

[@annekelly717]

Another great video - thank you! What easel do you use plain air?

[@davidkreitzer6712]

Very helpful video - well done. Could you tell us which brushes you used? You mentioned the Princeton but there are many different Princeton models. TIA

[@victoriamayes1070]

Yr a life saver...thank u so much😁

[@maryannperkins6000]

I am still a beginner after 10 years painting I have never understood the difference between softer and firmer brushes and how they absorb paint and water Would love to see more about these brushes Thank you

[@imaxinebrown694]

Thanks for sharing 🙏🏿

[@michaelannfitzgerald8742]

Great tips! I'm still learning to try to mix enough paint, I always tend to run out lol! Thank you 😀👍

[@LironYan]

Haha - this was a big issue for me 😁 It’s all about breaking our own patterns and “bad” habits! Thank you 😊🙏🏼

[@nathaliahiatt4366]

thanks. very helpful.

[@sandraandrews3803]

Very helpful!

[@petergriffin8899]

Thanks for the tutorial! And sorry this is so late-

[@rajuk.g.s1975]

Can you make a video showing different sizes, material of th e bristles ? artificial animal hair, best choice. Thank you

[@sanjeevhappy99]

Which book you suggest I should start with to learn the watercolor painting ?

[@barbaraverser1056]

I love your videos, Liron. And thank you for this one, as I am new to watercolors. I have trouble with 2 things- 1- getting the paint to release from my brush to the palette and so 2- when I'm mixing colors on the palette, I feel like I rinse (waste) so much paint out of my brush before dipping into the next color. If I scrape the brush along the edge of the palette it helps, but it looks nothing like what you're doing. Thanks.

[@LironYan]

Hmmm, interesting. Not 100% sure what you mean, but it sounds like you may actually just need to use more water and more paint. Like - MORE in general (: When I got started and I was a little timid, I had similar trouble. The more confident I became, the more I easily dipped my brush into the paint, and also brought a lot of water into the mix. I hope this helps. If you meant something else let me know and I’ll do my best to help 😊 Thank you 😊🙏🏼

[@jaimeanderson9238]

Is your palette new? He mentions in another video the way new palettes bead until you break them in. You could get a ceramic plate and compare so see if it does the same thing.

[@christinemunro5924]

I’m loving your videos Liron. My question is about paper. You talk a lot about the ratio of water to paint, but I haven’t seen anything on how wet your paper is. Do you prewet, or paint on dry paper?

[@DanseMarthe]

Thank you! I'm a new subscriber, and find this very useful as a beginner. Using pans, I have a problem preparing bigger washes, like for a sky or big background.. It feels like the paint will not release enough from my brush onto the palette for mixing. I always run out of paint.

[@LironYan]

My pleasure 😊🙏🏼 Happy you found this helpful! Sometimes what you mention will depend on the brand. With Schmincke, for example, I found the paints in pans rewet VERY easily. Same with St. Petersburg's White Nights. Sometimes specific colors will also behave differently. And sometimes you just have to work a lot in order to prepare a large enough quantity of paint, and there's not other solution (:

[@hennybrunner8939]

I just found this old video which very interesting because I still have problem in controling how much water in my brush. Actually I have a question about paper. I think every paper has different character. Could you show me how to manage the amount of water in our brush for different paper, concerning to get different tone and color value.

[@user-wo3xh9ow3w]

what number of princeton brush did you used? and the big one?

[@jytte47]

dear Liron where did you get your watercolour box ?

[@dejuan4967]

How do you keep the paints in the different wells from being contaminated with other colors ?

[@kristalliamia765]

Thanks a lot❤

[@ebujvt65]

This is an eye opener for me. How do u protect the color map on the mixing side? Is pallet plastic or metal. I think scotch tape would lift .

[@anitassamsunggalaxy8853]

Can you use watercolor from a premade watercolor pallet to mix and set up an empty pallet, or do you have to always use tube paint. I have bought myself a set of Melang watercolor from Asia and I want to blend my colors and save them for a few days for a day or two because I am disabled and it will take a full day and night to regain the strength to paint

[@agnieszka4925]

One question - can you put paint at the top of wells so that the excess water stays at the bottom of wells? That video was SO helpful, thank you!

[@kidneythief91]

This helped 👍

[@ruthryser7777]

Liron Yanconsky, thank you for this helpful video. I am a beginner :) I have a question: I hear that when you are paining with watercolor its necessary to go from a lighter to a stronger value. How can I manage that on the palette? Thank you so much!

[@DavZell]

Liron, you reference the brand and size of your brushes, and then their performance characteristics. I think this might mislead the beginners. You need to mention the product line, or better yet the brush material, as that is what determines the performance characteristics. For example, the third brush (I think) you say is a #12 and soft and Carrie's a lot of water. Most likely, it is a natural brush, possibly a squirrel or sable.

[@LironYan]

Yes, that is true, it's important knowing what the brush's hairs are made of. I believe the rigger and Princeton are the only synthetic ones I have. Thank you for pointing that out (:

[@barefacedquestions]

How do you avoid color contamination in the wells? For example, you mix red in the mixing area, then pick the yellow from the well to add to the mix. Do you need to clean the brush before picking up yellow? Or is it not important to keep the colors in the wells pure?

[@michaelterry3958]

I just ordered a Palette like that one. What is your preferred paint order and why?

[@chanelcreadora6570]

What paints do you use Liron?

[@clairemoore2753]

thank you for this Liron. Do you have a video on doing a flat wash in a smaller, irregular area like a big leaf please?

[@LironYan]

Hmmm, I don't have one exactly on that, but you may find these helpful (: How to get an even wash - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaS7mKKffK2KmZI Painting using this technique for more complex shapes and details - kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4vKn4KoorOmj8k

[@AKRamachandran1971]

Nice video helpful. Thanks