How Joseph Zbukvic Uses "Overwork" to Paint Superb watercolors

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Hi there, Liron here!
In today’s quick vid we’ll see how Joseph Zbukvic “overworks” his washes in a GENIUS way, leading to a beautiful, detailed & realistic result.
So many people watched the recent overwork video, and I wanted to play a bit of a devil’s advocate against myself and show you how you CAN use “overwork” to your advantage, as long as you follow a few best practices.
Some key takeaways:
1. Plan things out
2. Focus on FEW major shapes (3-5)
And of course, I’m not critiquing JZ’s work here, it’s spectacular and there’s nothing I can say as feedback haha.
I hope you find this one useful 😊🙏🏼
- Liron
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MATERIALS I OFTEN USE
Paints (all Daniel Smith)
Phthalo Blue (Red Shade) - amzn.to/2FCuEvA
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White Pen
Uniball Signo White Gel Pen (easy to find on ebay!)
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However, my recommendations are honest and are always based on my own personal experience ^_^
#watercolor #painting

[@nadjajohansson8569]

A master is someone who can break any rule he wants, because he knows the medium and knows how to make it do what he wants it to do. Rules are for us beginners who are still getting to know the medium and what it can do. These works by Zbukvic are absolutely spectacular.

[@juliadean2473]

Thank you for this video., Joseph Zbovichs watercolor paintings leave me gasping - they're so crafted and.captivatingly beautiful. I can't work out how much is already decided and held in his mind and how much evolves in the paint on the paper.

[@julielevasseur7391]

This idea is pretty encouraging to me because it seems I'm doomed to overwork. Strangely enough a lot of times I'm able to bring it around. Starting loose, going tight, then giving my painting a more false loose look at the end. Maybe each of us has a kind of psychological makeup that is a deciding factor in the way we paint and that's what we have to deal with.

[@jennw6809]

I believe we can learn about ourselves this way! I was also going to say, if that's overwork, then Turner overworked his paintings bigtime, but we still see him as a total master!

[@flyfisherman3649]

I think the value is in Joseph's free style/approach to a painting. When I approach a piece loosely I am happier with the results, but if I am to rigid and thinking about everything I dislike the results.

[@BornAgainFarmGirl]

The second painting really stood out to me, the over work adds the appearance of steam coming up from the boats in the water 👍🏽. Nice points made Liron !

[@paulah317]

I think I saw Zubukvic video and a few other short demos he did and watched him as part watercolor live 2021. He is a master for sure! Your comments made me realize we should just take the terms overwork and cauliflowers out of our vocabulary...Lol! It's all about practice, drawing, having a center of interest, the light, the values, the consistency of the paint, timing, edges and most of all....perseverance. I like cauliflowers, btw, use them to my advantage. Great video, Liron, thamks.

[@masonkanterbury3007]

He sticks to one or two colors and showcases the two or three blues and reds in the foreground. Elegant simplicity, just like Jerry Garcia's guitar playng.

[@suhailnaqshbandi924]

Thanks for this analysis. His paintings are like engaging pageturner books. One look and the painting looks awesome and then you keep on discovering the small details, from one gem to another.

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

The "analysis" in the video is wrong. One can't analyse Joseph Zbukvic without understanding the wider context of Australian Impressionism and Tonalism, where Joseph founds his inspiration. Joseph is using Australian Tonalist way of mixing colours.

[@someshheble1204]

Interesting analysis, Liron. Zbuckvic is a master and surely, he does this intuitively, after 40+ years of painting!

[@rachelsstudiodotcom]

What stands out to me is that he has very light areas against very dark large shapes. When that underlying design is in place you can commit a lot of so called sins, although I think his technique is beautiful and wouldn't change a thing. Thank you for this great video and I love where you're going with your work too!

[@andrewwylie2353]

One thing Z does which I think is unique, and you can see it on his videos, is to drop white watercolour in wet-on-wet. He often does it on grey facades of buildings to get that variation that you are calling overwork.

[@LironYan]

Yes! I've seen him use something like Lavender (not white, but still quite opaque and strong) in one of his DVDs 😁

[@arthurkoopmanswatercolors]

I have a few printouts of Zbukvic' work hanging on my wall and I have been contemplating those shadows a lot the past few days. How timely that you posted this video! Judging by the clip, he uses his fingers a lot for lifting and smudging his shadows. Literally the Zbukvic touch xD

[@brucemckenziefraser139]

Zbukvic's shadows are epic! So long as you get the contrast colours to do their job, invariably you've gained some freedom to be creative 👍

[@LironYan]

Yes! And his colors are on point too 😁 Plenty of nuance in all of those grays!

[@DDumbrille]

@@LironYan His work is outstanding, but I prefer Alvaro Castagnet, who tends to stop sooner, leaving a clearer center of interest. Zbukvic's tends to be, pardon the pun, overworked, compared to Castagnet's...

[@markhumphrey8894]

Yep, the best watercolorist ever in my opion. His books are so expensive. So much emotion, like you are in the painting. You are excellent yourself so keep doing your videos!

[@Fuzzypuppy357]

Expensive books is his signature. He sells so few that he HAS to price them high~!

[@guizachristiane4824]

He is putting really atmosphere in his paintings. Color is the key... always between grey tones and colours.

[@Fuzzypuppy357]

You nailed it! That's ALL of Zbukvic's paintings. Loose with inordinate grey details and goofy looking figures. Can't think of any other painter that makes figures with bowed-legs almost exclusively. The figures look like ambling old people. Maybe it's just an Australian thing?

[@Storysketching]

Superb analysis! The defined shape as structure of a painting is gold!

[@lohikarhu734]

He both inspires me, and shows how far one has to go to even feel that you have done a 'decent' painting... His work is nothing short of wonderful.

[@andrewsart23]

I love your analytical approach to watercolor. It is a thought process involved in planned work loose or not.

[@alisonhendry2928]

Fabulous fun and engaging and informative as always! You woke up my morning. I laughed quite a few times and heaved a big sigh as I LOVE cauliflowers! I did a demo for my watercolour society on how I paint fur about a month ago and had to “confess😂😂” that I “overwork” it to achieve that fuzzy “ let me put my hands in it” texture. To learn that one of the masters did it is a relief! 😂🤣 I felt weird admitting it as it is what we hear all the time. “DON’T OVERWORK IT”. I love how you explained where it is a useful tool and totally ok! Thanks for sharing!

[@martmarriner6793]

Liron doesn't know what he is talking about

[@missdgreat9322]

i love details, i love color popping

[@sarahblam]

Thanks so much Liron, your videos are always so helpful and inspiring!

[@joysblues]

Outstanding job, teaching through Zbukvic’s work!

[@shilardl5933]

Thank you, Liron for introducing this amazing artist. The painting you showed are absolutely great, and I liked the way you pointed out the relations between "overworked" and "loose" sections. Great comments and presentation :)

[@maverickspirit208]

I am super impressed with the work you shared! I'm a photographer and botanical type artist, I find great joy and beauty of the tiny details and still maintain an interpretation - typically in the values and color. I understand it's not your thing, but don't judge us, we are in our zone when we recreate a mirror like reflection of nature and that's the whole point of painting from the soul right?

[@steveharding8965]

I have watched that CIYL video about 10 times,love watching him paint.

[@rachelscottart6908]

Really clear & concise information, thank you!

[@johnwoodcock6468]

Its amazing artwork. Truely👍

[@MrPeterjba]

Spectacular attention to perspective as well!

[@janawatercolor]

In 2017,I got a chance to see one of his larger paintings in person. I was mind blown. The photographs of his paintings don’t do any justice at all. Most of the areas we perceive as over worked are because of the increase / decrease in contrast created by the camera

[@jennw6809]

So true of any paintings!!! Reproductions cannot ever do them justice.

[@anetajohnson8446]

Hellow Liron, Its nice to see you again.as a fellow watercolor artist, i say your analysis of JOSEPH zbukvics work is spot on! i can see why he is truly a master, its all there in all the samples youv shown. perspective, color, balance, unity, interist,he even gets "mood" in there. The 'late, Ted Rose, who specialised in trains,was another who put razor sharp detail in his watercolors .its a thin line between to much detail, or overworking, hows one to know? its a matter of opinion between the artist and the viewer! its like eating at a all you can eat buffet1 JUST ONE MORE PIECE OF PECAN PIE!

[@saraht4973]

Terrific video. Love these. Love Joseph’ s work. And he says “ i am self taught, so i have no one else to blame “. He is kind an i must say you are also to bring us these videos. Thanks

[@shahzadqurashi7728]

Wonderful

[@djheadcandy]

this is really good analysis - thanks for sharing your knowledge, zbuckvic rocks 😍🖌

[@anjadewit8696]

Fantastisch!!!

[@og1kanobi40]

JMW Turner of our time! Relish the man!!! Mr. Zbukvic.

[@Luckylady-fw5iv]

Thanks 🙏 v good analysis

[@ann-marielofberg1159]

Thank You very much, I need to learn that, because I’m a master When it comes to overworked. Learning this and it Will be even better!

[@davidmolloy126]

Thanks very much Liron for a really fascinating video. Take care, David.

[@mypointofview1111]

I used to hear a lot of art teachers saying don't overwork your paintings. However I feel it made me timid in my approach and my work would look good but not great. Having watched a few other artists I'm more encouraged to keep adding more to my work as it gives more depth and interest. Less isn't always more

[@pilucapiluca9735]

Great!!!

[@Jagjit.Singh21]

My favourite and my inspirational master z

[@LironYan]

He's amazing 🤩

[@InfinitaGioiaPatCHesall]

Very interesting Thank you for your sharing 😊

[@ConnorAdventure]

Thanks, your video on overworking really make me feel bad, this one helps.

[@LironYan]

Haha 😂 Happy I could balance it out eventually! Thank you for watching 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@andrewsart23]

I recently did a portrait and I overworked the face and wind up loving the texture..

[@lisajensen1843]

Holy moly! It’s funny, I went to Graham’s page and noticed I’d already watched the video but it was years ago and I was a real newbie so it was way over my skill level…. But not now!! Thank you for bringing this video to us and this incredible artist! Ps.. I also bought the book you suggested on sketching.. by Jack Hamm, fabulous book! You have a wonderful channel, Liron. Thank you!

[@madipacheco]

Great, Liron. As usual :)

[@CharleyWang]

Oh, very good, you are introducing my friend, we have many excellent watercolor painters in Melbourne, I hope you like it! Thanks for your explanation!

[@missom2817]

Great video

[@narmada140]

The thing is that dont want to use to much social media (because addiction and distraction and stuff) but i do want to follow artists and getting inspired by them. Where/how do you keep up to date with artists or new developments in the watercolor art community? Greeting from the Netherlands

[@ogster35]

Hi Liron, i love your shows, and your enthusiasm and taste in watercolour, i am a massive JZ fan, am always curious how they/he make their darks, is it neutral tint, a convenience colour or does he always mix, i am guessing it needs to be fresh paint out of a tube, not some dried lump like i have in my pallets?

[@LironYan]

He has a BUNCH of colors he uses for his grays! (: I’ve seen him use different turquoises, violets, greens etc… From what he says it’s not about an accurate formula, but rather observing the paint and figuring out its temperature (I feel the same). Hope that helps! 😁 And thank you for watching 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@stevesidare2493]

There must be less water in the brush than on the paper in the drying area to enable adding paint without blooms. There's a difference between textural and over-worked. How you feel when you look at it, I think, will give the answer.

[@adolfodelgado5366]

I just paint what I see, don't think all that is over or less y enjoy and I think that guy just do it and enjoy and no complicate, otherwise you just do rules and not enjoying what you enjoy to do, just paint and enjoy and I am 100 % that you do a master piece

[@Drumaier]

Great video Liron! I agree with your points here but not with the wording, since editing the wash while wet is not overworking, is just the only way to achieve what this masters achieve (variety of edges and values in practically one go without layering). For my understanding overworking is insisting with paint and pigment on top of a large dry area...but they never do that (though sometimes Joseph paint a large unifying wash on top of the whole bg!). This video is great anyways, because some people might relate overworking with these valid techniques and is good to be sure that these are "legal" 😂 techniques.

[@trisht5064]

thank you liron once again great vid 👍 I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU i see in the background you have a round light maybe a selfie light 🤔 is this a set up you use to take photographs of your paintings if so please could you make a video on tips of how to photograph work in or out of a frame (glass glare) best colour reproduction ect even marketing to sell work thanks again Trish 😀

[@Ahobbitatheart]

A bit of an oddball comment but he really knows how to paint birds in the sky. They aren’t the token 3 or 4 birds soaring in the sky that looks like an afterthought. If you look at the first painting you’ll see what I mean. It’s the smallest details like that or the messy speckled light or perhaps litter in the shadows on the ground that brings you right into the experience of being there.

[@andy_Acuarelas]

Creo que la acuarela "no tiene reglas" para realizar un buen trabajo.

[@MKOHVIDS]

You may have talked about this on previous vides, but could you please explain what you mean by "charging"? Thanks, Liron!

[@davidwilliams2439]

excellent analysis. Let's make a mess

[@pongpongpongpong787]

Can i ask how to make a turquoise color by mixing?

[@sherrylee6719]

I just wish I could learn how to paint the sky such as the one with the yellow highlights. Can you help?

[@tanyalemma7408]

Look up books and videos of Ron Ranson. He is a master of skies!

[@carlosdommar]

This is great Liron, I really like JZ art. I'll be trying for a while which of his DVDs buy first and tried to get opinions in forums, etc but I've got not substantial info on these. If you are familiar with his material, what would you recommend to get first or do you have any favorite? Best and thanks for keeping up your channel.

[@LironYan]

That's a great question. I don't think there's a recommended order. I feel like they are mostly made for inspiration and maybe picking up a technique here and there. What I did was watch all of them and start with the one I liked the most, based on the paintings he paints (: That worked out the best for me

[@carlosdommar]

@@LironYan thanks for sharing your opinion Liron, I certainly love both of his paintings of that valley and all that aerial perspective in "Watercolour on location" and the water lilly pond in the "Rural France in watercolor". Decisions, decisions... 🤔

[@deannerader6527]

You can't go wrong on purchasing all of his dvds. They are all terrific and you'll love to watch them many times as I do.

[@MUTAghostface]

No Chinese subtitle?

[@fforw]

I think it's not only the shapes. If he overworked *all* of the paintings, it would be an awful mess, no mater how good the shapes. It needs contrasting areas of rest, that are not overworked.

[@jtpaar1732]

We should really stop pretending that art has rules because how could we be creative if we continually stick to what we already know? If art has rules, you can rest assured they've been broken lol.

[@biswaranjanchakraborty9400]

This comments are like comments with animation for children. Painter is bukvic, then what is your role. You are an artist like bukvic.

[@paulwoodford6229]

That overworked technique made me 💦

[@LironYan]

😂😂

[@Fuzzypuppy357]

Absolutely DO NOT OVERWORK! If Zbukvic needs endless scratchy little detail, that's his burden to work with, but for anyone working in watercolor, look at Castagnet's work, who doesn't need to make 'bowl-legged' human figures to capture his audience's 'eye' just superb composition of color techniques. The opening painting by Zbukvic with the super-blown, red orange canopies is awful. Persistence has been Zbukvic's key to success for years now. There's no reason to consider 'overworking' a painting or loading-up the scenes with inordinate details. Sorry, I don't agree with the premise of this video presentation at all. Overworking your paintings will keep you out of the competitive selection in contests and most society collections.

[@martmarriner6793]

only you call it 'overwork' no tricks -you're not very good, Liron, you don't know what you are talking about half of the time

[@anjadewit8696]

Fantastisch!!!