Granulating Watercolour Painting with Mixed Media: Full Process, with Reference Photo

[@amandahodgin9316]

I could watch you paint all day. Everything you do is so very lovely. I went to Prince Edward Island(home of Anne of Green Gables) for a holiday last week and made an attempt at plein air painting at the beach. I was having a hard time and I thought, “I wish Helen was here, she’d help me with this mess and she would absolutely love these huge sand dunes and red sandstone cliffs.”

[@helencryer]

Oh wow!!!! I loved those books/programmes so much!! Thank you for thinking of me!!

[@angelika3260-l2p]

thank you so much for the work you put into sharing your art - the process videos and the other videos where you visit places and pain em plain air- all so fab to watch, should be available on NHS prescription - so creative, calm and instructive (esp. in terms of mixed media). Love those granulating paints in this context. Really appreciate your honesty and how you share what you feel hasn't quite gone right and amending it etc. Could also watch you all day if I didn't need to work! 🙂 Thank you so much ♥

[@helencryer]

That's so nice to hear - I really appreciate it, thank you!!

[@Flora-v6u]

That’s really beautiful, Helen. I loved the delicacy of the watercolour only, but you gave it so much more depth with the pastels & pencils that I loved that too. I am envious of how you can just lay down paint & it looks like it’s supposed to!

[@helencryer]

Haha, thank you!!

[@elizabaum]

This is beautiful. It was almost magical watching the process of each color building the image.

[@helencryer]

Thank you!! ❤️

[@annedurand3136]

Oh wow. I am speechless. I am sometimes getting a bit bored of watercolours these days because my attention goes a lot towards artists doing mixed media work, and THIS looks like the perfect balance. A watercolour base, texture through granulation, and "correcting" and adding details with oil pastels and coloured pencils. Brilliant!! Thank you Helen!!

[@helencryer]

I'm so glad you like it - thank you!!

[@rubyfisch5077]

Fantastic! This is where granulating colors really shine. I love the addition of the oil pastels (you're braver than I am) and the colored pencils. It's very, very nice.

[@helencryer]

Yes, the granulating paints are so perfect for some things, and a joy to use! Thanks!

[@twisteddyekitchenmyfiberjo4577]

Well done, Helen! I would have stopped where you were for the original and now to see where it ended up, bravo for the bravery!

[@helencryer]

Thank you! 😁

[@teekierudite5108]

My favorite bit is always when the color pencils come out, the details make the painting spring to life and I love it! Keep up the wonderful work!!

[@helencryer]

One day I might get good enough at watercolour to be able to just leave it as a watercolour, but probably won't happen any time soon 😂

[@teekierudite5108]

@@helencryer the colored pencils are part of the magic that is your art. The layer upon layer, adding those splotches of color then the details on top is mesmerizing. I am a big fan of your work!

[@helencryer]

That's lovely, thank you!!

[@wyloecksketches]

Wonderful! I absolutely love how delicate and precise those white lines/spaces are in between the various sections - Gorgeous! They really bring the piece to life.

[@helencryer]

Thank you!!

[@FaithAnnNB]

Love how this turned out! It’s so much fun getting out the granulating paints for a landscape 😊. I really like the effect of leaving thin white lines between different areas (even if the original purpose was to avoid drying time lol).

[@helencryer]

Thanks! It just makes me so happy painting with them, and that paper was a treat too.

[@jomassey4207]

I loved the addition of pastels and pencils. Just right.😊

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@jude6752]

Gorgeous Helen! I love this style, it suits you so well and you certainly didn't need the pencil sketch - I love it 🥰

[@helencryer]

Thank you!!

[@zenlife1200]

I love your granulating colors they're moody and interesting and made a really nice underlayer for your texture. Until a couple of days ago, I was painting out of what I called my desk/storage palette. It's the biggest tin, the one that holds 52 colors and I had all my paints at my finger tips. But that tin when unfolded takes up a lot of real estate in a small space plus seeing every color gives me a bit of decision fatigue. So I bought the next tin size down. It holds 26 but you can squeeze 37 into it if you really want to. I popped in a mixture of my favorites and some new colors and to me it seems very bright. I blame that on the new colors I bought for my daughter's flower palette. They aren't my usual taste at all but I want to try them and today the sun is out and the cherry blossoms and kowhai flowers are blooming and I can see lots of signs of Spring. My palette is from Bower Bird and has a floral pattern on the outside so maybe my new smaller desk palette and the colors inside suit the new season. I also bought the small floral Bower Bird palette to put my daughter's paints into. It holds 20 colors. I now have an urge to declutter things so I guess Spring is here 😊 🥀🌻💮

[@helencryer]

Your new palette and environment sound absolutely charming! I saw a palette from Bower Bird for the first time last week, and it looked lovely! Happy Spring!

[@Paintspotsandpaper]

Hi Helen, gorgeous painting! The white edges on the hills gives the look almost of batik or silk painting, it’s really beautiful, thankyou for sharing! Take care ❤❤

[@helencryer]

Thank you! A happy accident of not wanting my paint colours to mix!

[@vishneva2000]

I enjoy watching you work in mixed media. Inspiring.

[@helencryer]

Thank you!

[@PaulaScardamalia]

This is so beautiful and delicate, and transparent, all the magical aspects of watercolor. Thank you for sharing.😊

[@helencryer]

Thank you!!

[@reedebrown6006]

Great video. I really liked the painting with just the watercolour, but absolutely love the finished piece.

[@helencryer]

Thank you!!

[@thefrostedblueberryart]

I absolutely love this painting Helen, in fact I would love to buy a print of it. You shouldn’t be self conscious leaving reference photos up - if we were looking for like for like replicas then we’d be photocopiers, not artists!!!

[@helencryer]

Haha, thanks!

[@zenandink3531]

You have such skill with sketching and composing your scenes…really like this! 😮😊…love granulating colors too-

[@helencryer]

Thanks so much!

[@SAP64]

Adding the details in the end really makes this painting wonderful. Really liked seeing the photo you used for reference.

[@helencryer]

Thank you very much!

[@katebagley8234]

Love the watercolour, lovely and crisp 😊

[@helencryer]

Thank you!

[@firdyk]

Love your lovely wc painting and the mixed media bravery.

[@helencryer]

Thanks!!

[@TheBeverleyann]

Fantastic ! Love the fact that you used oil pastels as well , *as I have some & only used once, now I need to pull 'em out *smiles* Beautiful work my Dear & Thank you for everything you do x

[@helencryer]

Thanks so much! Yes - you must pull them out and have a good play!

[@somepinkflowers]

Makes me feel happy to watch you paint. ☺️ Thank you.🙏🏽 🌸🌸

[@helencryer]

That's so nice - thanks!!

[@catherineengland1275]

You are so talented and such a lovely person. ❤

[@helencryer]

Hi Catherine!!! So are you 😁

[@lisaharner3720]

You have a lovely style, no matter what techniques you use. Enjoy your company!

[@helencryer]

That's really kind, thank you!

[@ChantelleArts]

this is brilliant, I always love to see a full process ☺☺

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@zoewhiteart7676]

Beautiful mixed media piece, wonderful!🖌️🎨💜

[@helencryer]

Thank you!

[@cheesegoddess1]

I absolutely love granulating paints. This was lovely. ❤

[@helencryer]

They're wonderful aren't they?! Thanks!

[@jeanetteanderson3912]

Absolutely gorgeous 😍 thanks so much for all your help and hard work 👍 ❤️ I just love it. I must use up what I bought all ready but I see the value in better quality paint and paper. I have one good paint block but I am afraid to use it so I better get practicing on my cheap paper and paints like I said I am 68 I had better get the perverbial kick in the butt and get a move on. Thanks again for all your help ❤️ 😍 🙏👍🇨🇦💝love from Ontario 🇨🇦

[@helencryer]

This is me telling you to do it!!! 😁 Get some stuff out today and play!! Thanks ever so much!

[@jam4441]

Really enjoyed this ,particularly because of your no fuss technique. The 100% cotton cold press is my fav for granulating water colours.

[@helencryer]

Thanks very much!

[@derwood206]

Gorgeous delicate painting! Love the colors you chose and i JUST got Jade Green from Rosa Gallery in the mail the other day so was nice to see in action. BEAUTIFUL Granulation! and so fun to watch the process with the oil pastels and gelatos!

[@helencryer]

Hi! Thanks! I really am impressed with Rosa Gallery's granulating release - hope you enjoy the Jade Green!

[@tdelphia1]

I like the white lines...I think at that phase it had a sort of woodblock print look. That Szmal color for the sky and water is fantastic!

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@pagewhite61]

It’s beautiful! Thank you.

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@megbowyer6436]

Brilliant I love this one too. ❤

[@helencryer]

Thank you!

[@sharonling-LetsArtToday]

Beautiful ❤

[@poppyllulu]

Just lovely! The painting and the video! I thought the painting was gorgeous after the watercolour stage, but the mixed media just added so much depth and texture! I would love to try adding mixed media to my (mainly botanical) watercolours, just need to get over the fear of where to start and with what!! 😁

[@helencryer]

Thank you! I mainly started using mixed media over watercolour because I could see where my watercolours were lacking (often with lack of contrast). I think using coloured pencils is a nice gentle, controlled way to start.

[@termite7790]

I really, really like this painting. I like it both ways with and without pastels. I want to try to do something like this composition I like the look of the painting just before the pastels,the separation looked cool. Appreciate you,thanks

[@helencryer]

Thanks so much!

[@sandjune2753]

Thank you helen you have inspired me to buy some paul ruban oil pastels and do some pics of my holiday in Devon. Although I am glad you admit you cannot get good precise detail with oil pastels, I do like the idea of mixed media for landscaspes I will have a go. 🙂

[@helencryer]

That's great!

[@1487marta]

It’s beautiful!

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@jessicastrideart]

Beautiful Helen.😍

[@helencryer]

Thank you!

[@agentxp0749]

Lovely painting!

[@helencryer]

Thank you!

[@SMCCRADY2]

Beautiful!

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@WolfmanWoody]

I like that one, very much!

[@helencryer]

Thank you!

[@Samantha_tookey197]

Absolutely beautiful ❤

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@foxykc]

Inspirational

[@debsllewelyn230]

Fab, has a look of Ravilious xxx

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@karenirving7088]

Impressive

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@valeriegehling4358]

Love the granulating colours so effective on the cliffs. The greens are gorgeous. Do you use any fixative when pictures are finished? I’ll look up your new system though I’ve always found what I need of yours. Thanks.

[@helencryer]

Yes, I just loved all the ones I used in this! I don't use fixative usually. If it's in a sketchbook I use deli paper between the pages, but this one I will probably frame.

[@Maria-lleriuqs]

Helen, this looks gorgeous. Beautiful work and I love the way you use colour. I didn’t know you could use oil pastel on watercolour paper. Have you ever had an issue with it sinking into the paper?

[@helencryer]

Thanks! I've not noticed any problems with it!

[@K.ART_vlog]

nice😍

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@awatercolourist]

First 👋

[@helencryer]

Hurrah!

[@awatercolourist]

@@helencryer Huzzah! 😂

[@beejayem42]

🐨👍

[@caroles5258]

What was the colour you mentioned for the green tinge to the sea? isoros eternal summit??

[@helencryer]

Sorry, I forgot to link to it - yes, Isaro's Eternal Summit: www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=79140&awinaffid=1662469&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jacksonsart.com%2Fisaro-watercolour-paint-7ml-eternal-summit

[@maria.3649]

Do you fix oil pastels?I like them but they never really dry

[@helencryer]

I have some fixative, but don't use it much. If I use them in a sketchbook, I just put sheets of deli paper between the pages. This one will probably get framed behind glass.

[@awatercolourist]

0:05 so rather than book you decided to paint?

[@helencryer]

Cook? I did most the main cooking earlier, and the dessert was already chilling. Just a bit of a mad scramble setting the table etc!!

[@awatercolourist]

@@helencryer Efficient!

[@awatercolourist]

Your style is a bit different this time. It’s still very beautiful, though.

[@helencryer]

Thank you! I absolutely relished putting down that first watercolour layer!

[@selmag5819]

what a beauty! i am so grateful to you for these process videos! you are so generous, i am learning a lot. that session with Sketches.n.Scrubs must have really inspired you. or maybe it gave you an additional feel for your own audiences needs or wishes? whatever it is: thank you so much, dear Helen!

[@helencryer]

That's great, thank you! Actually, it's more the case that I usually paint in landscape, so there's not much space on the screen for the reference photo, without making the art process quite small. It's easier to have both sides by side when painting in portrait.

[@selmag5819]

@@helencryer ah, i see! makes more sense, too, since you have always taken us along the process with you. i'm a little foggy in the head region somethimes:D