🎨How To Choose Colors For A Watercolor Painting🎨

[@iadenicole931]

You know, you sound like me when I teach my students how to write. I always tell them they have to do their own thinking, they must experiment, that is the only way they will find their voice. Now, I must listen to my own advice which is what I hear you saying loud and clear. Each person must find their ‘colour voice’ through experimenting and not be afraid to make a mess. But it is easier said than done. I really appreciate your presentation. It is clear, and illuminating. I love the examples you showed and how you work through choosing your colours. It is very helpful. I know I will come back a rewatch this to take some notes so as to remind myself there is no magical palette out there that can do everything! Thank you so much for this.

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad you enjoyed lade Nicole! I think if you feel a little overwhelmed you should try a go to combo and maybe switch out one color. Or do a showdown of one color- and pick your top faves from that category. Put all your yellows for example side by side and see which ones speak to you. Make notes, move to next color. Have fun!!

[@AlyonasWatercolourCreations]

Ah colour! It’s such a fascinating subject matter. 👍🏼

[@iritlandgraf]

I think so too!

[@KatheeRN]

I honestly think U should publish a book... your words were perfect...OH my dusk pink!!!

[@iritlandgraf]

Coming soon!!

[@susansacco7583]

“ paint what you imagine and feel “ That’s perfect. As always, beautiful, instructive, and relaxing.💕

[@iritlandgraf]

😊 thank you

[@theonethatgotaway80]

Excellent video. From the wonderfully thought out narration, to the interesting topics covered to the beautiful clips and different color stories. Thank you so much, I think I'll watch it again and again.

[@iritlandgraf]

Thank you Eva ❤️❤️❤️

[@maureendaunt8665]

I’ve been watching you for about 6 months now and love the free way you paint and the joy of your colour choices. I have learnt so much from this lecture and want to thank you so much. I am much more controlled with my art , but that’s ok as that’s my happy place but I truly feel that you have clarified the need to follow my heart with colour and to take others recommendations with caution. 👍😘🤗💓💓

[@iritlandgraf]

Yes!! Exactly that Maureen ❤️❤️❤️

[@coloredcarol8074]

Wow... Absolutely mind blowing... I also started buying all sorts of colours based on recommendations and now I have a overwhelming amount of paint which makes it way harder to choose a colour palette. I love how you showed your experimentation, it makes so much more sense then watching artists naming colours here and there. Love love love the video, very helpful! P.S: love your palettes!

[@iritlandgraf]

Thank you so much 😊 I'm really glad it helped, and I did the same, I have several tubes and pans that are unloved and were bought because I thought it was a must... No more!!

[@kimmierishe5547]

Another great video, Irit! Bravo! 👏🏼 I just found you a couple weeks ago, but I have been intently going through your whole video history. It’s funny that I never found you before considering I have had all the same hobbies as you (scrapbooking, travelers notebooks, junk journals, etc)! Thank you for giving me the courage to be brave and encouraging me to follow my intuition when it comes to my art. Sometimes I get stuck in my own head trying to follow “rules” that others set forth. I feel like our real artist comes out when we don’t listen to that little gremlin (it’s the same gremlin that tells us something is too hard and that we can’t do it)! So thank you! Truly. 🙏🏼❤️

[@iritlandgraf]

I'm glad you're here Kimmie! Yes KZbin works in mysterious ways indeed 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ it's really fun to find our way in art 😀

[@deliacornejo4583]

What can I said - just pure enjoyment listening to your voice and watching your videos. Thank you for being real and inspiring me to choose my own style and histories in my Watercolors path. You are a great teacher ❤️

[@deliacornejo4583]

Seeing your lovely daughter was refreshing ❤️

[@iritlandgraf]

You are so welcome! I'm so glad you enjoyed and find it inspiring!

[@Angie-pl3uw]

What a wonderful "lecture " this is. It is something to watch several times. It takes an awful lot of discipline and the desire for self discovery to do what you do. I have a lot of learning to do. A lot of wheels to discover. And hi to you, Lily!

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad it was helpful Mariangela!

[@rnee1000]

Such a beautiful and informative video! Your voice plus the gorgeous paintings made this a lovely and relaxing twenty minutes. I love the idea of painting what's in our minds and not exactly what we see. I love floral watercolors but not necessarily the detailed style of botanical illustration, although I paint those too. I love the idea of a wide color palette, as my preferences can change in a moment.

[@iritlandgraf]

I'm so glad you enjoyed Renee! I think it's just fun to try different things, and eventually, I believe, if you keep painting and listening to yourself, you find what really clicks and makes everything more exciting and enjoyable!

[@keepyourshoesathedoor]

We have similar aesthetics but completely different art. So cool.

[@nanablooms]

I just watched/listened to this 3x while rearranging furniture and saved it to my watch later list 🤭💛 how wonderfully inspiring.

[@iritlandgraf]

Thank you so much Nathalie 😀❤️

[@kelseywood1582]

Your voice is so therapeutic, Irit! And I absolutely adore your watercolor content. I have been on my watercolor journey for q bit over a year, and have been watching you since you did scrapbooking. I watched you evolve beautifully into more of a watercolor and mixed media artist and I have to say, you have been extremely inspirational to me along the way! I am so grateful to be a subscriber. Much love from Boston Massachusetts!

[@iritlandgraf]

Thank you so much for the kind words Kelsey and thank you for sticking with me through all my adventures 😃❤️❤️

[@susansacco7583]

I’m watching this now and it’s really helpful. I’m going to make some color wheels. Thanks so much Irit! Really nice visiting you on live-stream. ✊🏾💕

[@iritlandgraf]

My pleasure 😊 Was lovely to chat Susan!!

[@ChrissieNicely]

Hi Irit, Sorry I was not here for the premiere! I can see you put an insane amount of work into this beautiful video. I am sure going to watch it again a few times while I am learning about my own colour stories! This being said, I tend to slide back into controlled, true to life, detailed painting... One day, I might get over myself and I am sure, you'll be there holding my hand (in air quotes!). Thank you!

[@iritlandgraf]

Thank you so much Chrissie! Yes!! I am here and we can all go through our personal journeys together! You should paint what makes you happy, and if that is controlled and detailed, go for it!!

[@ChrissieNicely]

@@iritlandgraf By the way, I loved the cameo of your little budding artist, Lilly! 😍🧡🥰

[@jillwiswall5386]

Absolutely love this message! Seeing how you approach color wheels for a limited selection of colors was super helpful, especially when you went through them one at a time to share what the base colors were and what made your heart sing and what didn’t. I haven’t seen color wheels used in this exact way before, but I’m super excited to go and make some for myself!

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad it was helpful Jill!!

[@susansacco7583]

I really enjoyed reading your personal art journey. Thank you for allowing us to know more about you and your life. I’m so glad that you chose art over medicine. Learning from you has been healing and exciting for me. Your art is magical and your empathetic approach to teaching sustains me in good and difficult times.💕

[@iritlandgraf]

Thank you so much Susan for those kind words, means a lot!

[@lismarkmannmller2873]

Excellent video.... I have to repeat in a moment... just love the combination of information and feelings.. Thank you

[@dawnradu5120]

It’s so nice to see you back,after what seems like a long time,I totally see your in the zone when you paint,intuitive is always my jam too

[@iritlandgraf]

Thank you Dawn! It's only been a week but it's been a long week ;)

[@steffy2]

amazing video! love the new style!

[@iritlandgraf]

Yay, thank you!

[@PaintinHiding]

all your videos have been so much help to finding my own painting style/ art style. thank you so much for continue to share your knowledge with us and guiding us in directions we didn't know we can take. i especially love how you emphasize things like "it's not for me, at least not today" and that's very true. i think we can all relate. okay, going to go verbalize my feelings towards my colours now. i think it's going to be very helpful :D

[@iritlandgraf]

Happy to help! We all need to verbalize our color feelings lol! I'm so glad you're enjoying my videos and finding them helpful!

[@hearterin294]

I just love your personality in this video. I watched the colour wheel videos and then came back to this one. It made so much sense. I think I might use that as an exercise when I’m feeling less than creative. Thanks Irit, once again, perfect.

[@iritlandgraf]

I'm so glad! Thank you erin!

[@kanamichelle7404]

So many great tips, Irit. I think I need that book, too. It was fun to see a glimpse of your sweet daughter. Darling❤️

[@iritlandgraf]

Thank you so much! The book is fantastic Kana, highly recommend it!

[@rinavogels2712]

This is so great Irit! I do love your style, your philosophy about colours and how to play with them. You are a great inspirator and a teacher as well. Thanks so very much!💟

[@iritlandgraf]

Thank you so much! How kind. I'm so glad you feel inspired!

[@AnimalArtbyTerraCotta]

Daniel Smith colors ..... oh wow, they are all beautiful and so many are granulating! It'll be fascinated to learn your fav picks!!! ❤️

[@iritlandgraf]

Can't wait!

[@deborahmeyers7839]

I love your phylosophy to art intuitive intelligent and emotionally intune free 🙌♥️🙌

[@iritlandgraf]

Thank you Deborah!

[@adrienneyu934]

Absolutely incredible video! So relaxing and informative, and such gorgeous shots as always :D

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad you enjoyed it Adrienne! I was hoping it would feel this way watching it!

[@ntaylo6299]

Watercolors is world of happiness. Love your color stories. Joy at every turn of the wheel.

[@iritlandgraf]

Yes they are! Watercolors are magical!

[@ShaheenKhan-xv5vj]

I feel like we have very similar taste in shades of colours but until I heard you say it out loud and found myself agreeing wholeheartedly. "I like my pinks bright, my yellows warm and even opaque at times, my semi-neutrals in the peachy coral area, my violets more pink than blue, my blues more red than yellow, my turquoise cobalt, my greens earthy and yellowish, my darks granulating and cool." The only thing missing in my palette are dark granulating colours since they aren't available here. Moon glow is something I really want to buy. Your idea of making a colour wheel with colour favourites is a really good idea. I'm going to give it a try and see what personal palettes I can come up with. Thank you!

[@iritlandgraf]

So glad you enjoyed and found it helpful!

[@jeanettegillings7202]

So many colours! I love them all. But I have tried to do a limited palette and I was quite happy with the outcome

[@iritlandgraf]

I think if the mixes and all the semi muted colors are pretty it doesn't matter that it's limited. And also, granulation for the win ;)

[@OrionsRoseNC]

Thank you. This is one of the best watercolor videos I have seen. I am new and just beginning my watercolor journey. So much good information here. Thank you, Irit!

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad you enjoyed Denise!

[@annemarievanpeer120]

Another wonderful video. I'm absolutely enchanted by every little pop of granulation in your paintings and even swatches 😍

[@iritlandgraf]

Thank you Annemarie ❤️ I'm equally enchanted 😀

[@tessa6307]

Very well said and thought provoking! I bought a large lot of used watercolors on eBay, and I got a little overwhelmed when trying to experiment with all of them. I decided to start making a mixing chart for each color, mixing it with a limited set of my established favorites. It’s been so helpful, and I’ve come across some stunning combinations using colors I initially didn’t like at all. So I recommend at least experimenting with colors that don’t speak to you (if you already have them), since you may find some qualities in them that you love!

[@iritlandgraf]

Absolutely Tessa, if you have a color it makes sense to try and use it. I wanted to encourage people to use what they love and have and not feel like they are missing out on something if they don't have a so called 'must have' color or don't love it 😊

[@Angayasse]

I was thinking about this lately, that your videos are always becoming more and more beautiful to wach, So pleasing just to wonder at them:)

[@iritlandgraf]

I'm so glad! That is really my hope. That they are beautiful and relaxing to watch, just like watercolors!

[@hannahthufvesson]

This was absolutely lovely to watch! Thank you, Irit!

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad you enjoyed Hannah❤️❤️

[@jenniferalthaus1523]

Irit, I enjoyed this video tremendously. I’m still working on identifying the perfect color palette for me and there is so much helpful information here. Like you, I have also added colors to my paint collection that turned out to be colors I don’t love, but it’s all part of the learning process. My personal palette is quite different than yours and yet the things you talk about pertain to me as much as to you. Thank you for this video.

[@iritlandgraf]

You are so welcome! I'm really glad it helped Jennifer. I think we all need time to find our way and what works for us, but it is important to keep in mind no one else knows better than us what we love!

[@pagewhite61]

I’ve watched this video twice now, once maybe a month ago or sound again today. I really like it and I got something different from it today than the first time I watched it. Thank you.

[@iritlandgraf]

So glad it was helpful Page!

[@DMountains]

Thanks for a brilliant tutorial that’s delightful to watch!

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@PoliticalPars]

Wonderful presentation!

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@adorablegodzilla5628]

I have Quiller's book and it's the best art book I have found so far.

[@iritlandgraf]

Agreed. It is my favorite, super informative but not too heavy.

[@eyemakeuplooks]

Thanks so much for the tip about 50% off on classes for Thanksgiving. Saved me a bunch!! Really appreciate it

[@iritlandgraf]

Your welcome Ema! Not sure where I mentioned it, but I'm glad it was helpful ;)

[@stephaniealex1852]

@@iritlandgraf i’m saying, what where wow

[@iritlandgraf]

@@stephaniealex1852 no idea which classes ema meant, not my classes ;)

[@eyemakeuplooks]

@@iritlandgraf sorry I meant some classes in general. Like kara bullock.. perhaps I read it somewhere else. sorry for the confusion

[@iritlandgraf]

No problem ❤️

[@risherry]

The little girl had tears in her eyes:) awww....

[@iritlandgraf]

no she didn't, she was quite happy to take over my filming ;) lol

[@jaimeo2312]

Beautifully informative video. A pleasure to watch and I learned a lot. I'm actually trying to decide on a colour palette for a project at the moment so perfect timing for me, thank you!

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Mariannevieitez]

amazing video I loved this . Thankyou so much for explaining things the way you do . Your so talented .

[@iritlandgraf]

Thank you so much! So kind!

[@eyemakeuplooks]

Love the video! And loved the colors your shared. I am having a bit of a dumbo moment figuring out how to mix the colors in the wheel like you showed

[@iritlandgraf]

Thank you ema! It's just experimenting, it really wasn't accurate. I try to divide each slice of the color wheel to most saturated at the outer edge, then semi muted, then muted then neutral. Sometimes it worked better than others, but the point is just to mix and see the range you can get, it really doesn't need to be super precise or true to a printed color wheel. Hope that helps!

[@gooddollie]

This is such an EXCELLENT video! (I’m working my way through all of your videos.) I never understood the whole lemon yellow thing (not a fan of this color at all) so thanks for clearing that up for me! You have so inspired me to do these color stories and color wheels. I did go with quin rose.

[@iritlandgraf]

Yay! So glad you enjoyed and found it useful ❤️❤️❤️

[@calicohuskylove869]

Wow, I always thought color wheels using the basic primary (red,yellow,blue) triad were pretty boring. Yours is a revelation. The colors are so delicious and appealing. It makes me rethink the color wheel and see how I can personalize it. Do you make a new or look at a prior color wheel for every painting or sometimes do you just wing it with your favorite colors? (Also, I’m guessing you go thru a lot of Holbein’s Bright Rose 😉) Thank you for a beautiful and informative video!

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad you enjoyed it! As I said in the video, I don't listen to my own rules and live to regret it... But since becoming a lot more aware of my color preferences, freeing myself from the notion of having to paint with any paints I'm supposed to use, it has become easier to wing it. Also just painting A LOT helps. But if I'm not sure or don't have a reference I do paint new colors wheels to find beautiful new combinations. Sometimes it doesn't work and sometimes it does ;)

[@TheToolgirl42]

Irit thank you for this video! It really speaks to me. Over the past few weeks with all of the sales going on I've thought about messaging you for advise lol. I feel like the colors you choose are so close to what I would choose.... but I'm very moody about colors. I have so many pallets but I've been wanting to add to them with more Daniel Smith paints. I really like your suggestion about the dot cards and getting a couple at a time. I'd rather get what I know I'd love and use at a regular price than get some on sale that I wouldn't necessarily use. I'm also going to paint my own color wheel with my colors. This video was very useful and I will definitely take your advise. 💖

[@iritlandgraf]

My pleasure! Glad it was helpful! Yes, don't be tempted by a sale, or maybe take advantage now and buy 2 or 3 tubes you've always wanted and you know you will use. Or look at your palettes and see which colors you use the most, maybe you can restock ;)

[@user-zu7gk9ol9f]

Wow! Irit! Your cup runneth over, or mine, with all your wonderful insight and valuable information! I see, it has taken years... and is always changing... I have Stephen Quiller's book you recommend and agree it is great! I also love Jeanne Dobie"s Making Color Sing! Her grays! I will bookmark your video to refer back to many times as I still have much to learn! But I do love color! And colors that shine and make their neighbor shine too...wow! I remember when I first began to paint, and how I felt, the joy, at seeing the wet color on the stark white page. I was so happy!! However, I still struggle with color combos that I feel "sing" and have wondered if the ph of different papers or the difference in water of different locations or in lighting (probably all) effects which colors sing together. I say this bc I can use the very same colors you list and it looks different. So I get it, you must find colors that work for you, that [I] find joy in seeing next to another... That said, I do find much happiness, almost giddiness, in your colors! It fill my heart, and so I thank you!

[@iritlandgraf]

Thank you Lisa! Yes! I also have Jeanne Dobie's book and I agree the part about white and grey is lovely, but in general I just found the book to be very text heavy and hard to get through. So perhaps more suitable for intermediates. I can tell you that yesterday I was sitting and painting and no color scheme I tried worked. So somedays are like that. When that happens I may choose to just go to a tried and tested combo to save the day!

[@user-zu7gk9ol9f]

@@iritlandgraf Ha! I had the same frustration yesterday but today was amazing! It happens... I was inspired by several of the paintings in JD's book, the luminosity of Scottie's Refrigerator, the perspective of Jean Keck's Orchard Memory, quite a few of her en plein air...inspiring!

[@iritlandgraf]

Yay! That's lovely, so great when things work out 😀

[@user-zu7gk9ol9f]

@@iritlandgraf Another book of inspiring palettes is Ana Victoria Calderon's Color Harmony for Artists. Tho, I wish she labeled her colors.: ) I so love colors and inspiring color combos!

[@staciestatam8425]

Beautiful video! 💕

[@iritlandgraf]

Thank you Stacie❤️

[@arielle2745]

💖💗💕Extremely helpful.

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad you think so!

[@jennw6809]

I really enjoyed the close-up painting process you showed in this video! I see why you love the crayons.

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad you enjoyed Jenn!

[@KittehNow]

LOVELY

[@Chickadee424]

Hi Irit, beautiful video! I am a beginner and don't understand how you are using the color wheel template. Do you have a video where you show how you use the template? Thanks!

[@iritlandgraf]

Hi! I just try to match colors to my reference color wheel (linked in info section). It's really not critical as long as it's kinda right ;)

[@Chickadee424]

@@iritlandgraf I see. Thank you!

[@joannaowen6653]

Thanks for the great video 😊. I'm very new to watercolours so I hope this isn't a stupid question. When you do the colour palette, how do you know which colours to put where? Thanks 🙂

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad you enjoyed! I suggest buying a color wheel and trying to match the colors 😀 there's a link to one in the info section, or you can search online and download one.

[@joannaowen6653]

@@iritlandgraf thank you, I'll definitely do that!

[@Lavastorm77]

What brands of cobalt violet are your faves, Irit? By the way, this was my most favorite of your videos! I know I am trying to branch out from Opera Pink and Cobalt Teal blue🤨

[@iritlandgraf]

My favorite is Winsor & Newton (not vegan) and Rembrandt (vegan) , I recommend pans as the tubes are sometimes full of binder ... And I'm glad you enjoyed the video!!

[@Lavastorm77]

@@iritlandgraf I saw a review on cobalt violets and they had to slice open the M. Graham tube. It was solid as a rock. I chose the WN half pan. Loving it! I was mixing Holbein opera with QOR ultramarine blue violet in a half pan (which was close) until I could get to Blick.

[@aishiadhikari6473]

Wondering how do you prepare your pallate for landscape painting having sky, fields, trees, river likewise. Do you go by your favorite colours or you try to reflect atleast a few degree of reality ? Pls let us know .

[@iritlandgraf]

I rarely paint landscapes these days, but if I did I would definitely use colors I love and not try to match the real colors 😃

[@aishiadhikari6473]

@@iritlandgraf would like to know then what's ur favourite colour for sky, tree foliage, ground, river...??? With love from India

[@iritlandgraf]

I rarely paint landscapes so no faves 🤷‍♀️

[@ilustralilian_]

Owww I loved this video so much! I just hate this pandemic lol 😂 The dollar skyrocketed and I’m always having to choose between new paints and medicine. New paints loose almost always. I’m without access to many stores that I used to import. I was starting to import Daniel Smith and Holbein and sometimes M. Graham. I was importing the gouache of these last two brands as well. Now I’m left with options that are okay, like Van Gogh, Rembrant. But even some Winsor & Newton colors are next to impossible to get: like Perylene Green and Permanent Rose (I do have Permanent Rose from Cotman, but I don’t like the Cotman series - the blues are okay). Anyway... We have White Nights also, but some colors are flying from the stores! On my last importation I got Opera Pink by Holbein and Quin. Coral from D.S. Love both! Do you know what’s the difference between the Opera Pink and the Bright Rose from Holbein? I do have the Opera Rose from Sennelier but I much prefer the Holbein version.

[@iritlandgraf]

Of course get the meds!! Paints can wait! Opera rose is more light pink and fluoresecnt, whereas bright rose is bluer and leans more fuscia. Maybe try the Asian brands? Not sure where you are in the world but maybe those would be easier to get than the US and EU ones... Holbein, Shinhan, Mijello... Take care Lilian!!

[@ilustralilian_]

@@iritlandgraf if I always get the meds I’ll never have money for paper 😂 it’s really expensive. And as the meds are forever I need my artterapy as well, or I’ll get crazy kkk. I’m in Brazil. AliExpress of course delivers here. China is always winning nowadays. Oh well... I do have to buy some Mijello Mission to experiment. And the fluorescent and metallic Paul Rubens lol. But they’re really expensive as well. Well... I don’t receive presents but I’ll give presents to me from Christmas and Birthday : my birthday is 01/01. I love Holbein and Daniel Smith. I love granulating colors. So difficult to get them here. But bit by bit I’ll get them. The pandemic is only making worse to get them. And the paper is absurd. 10 pages of Arched is more than 10% of my salary! It’s very expensive. Oh well. I chose an expensive hobby. And I don’t mind. 😍 Have a great week! Love your video! I have an online watercolor class in less than an hour and I need to be prepared. Bye!!!

[@iritlandgraf]

I can imagine it's frustrating not to be able to get the colors you want or having to pay so much... I can suggest maybe sharing with a friend? My friend and I bought some DAniel Smith tubes and then filled a full pan of each color and gave it to each other, so we both had all the colors but half the expense. You could even do that with 3 friends, each buys 3 tubes and you have 9 new colors!

[@jeanettegillings7202]

Hi Irit!

[@iritlandgraf]

Hi Jeanette!! Please go to sleep if it's the middle of the night for you ;) Or get up and paint perhaps ?

[@jennw6809]

Be brave: Play.

[@janinawiegratz8464]

Naaah, you can't replace Nickel Azo Yellow 😂

[@iritlandgraf]

lol Janina!