How to Paint an Abstract Landscape Watercolour

New Watercolour Landscapes for Beginners Course Available Now! 75% off
www.scottswins...
This is a pretty long video but it has a lot of detail in it for those who really would like some help with their watercolours. It has quite a few processes that are good to know and become familiar with if you would like to paint on a larger scale and in this style in watercolour.
Happy Painting!
This was painted on a half sheet of Rives BFK etching paper by Arches, 280gsm, white, 56cm x 38cm
The colours used were:
Yellow Ochre
Raw Umber
Cobalt Blue
Burnt Umber
Mix of Cobalt Blue and Light Red
Mix of Winsor Blue (red shade) and Light Red
The Brushes used were:
2 Inch Hake Brushes x 2
1 Inch Hake Brush
Pure Kolinsky Round Sable
Fan Brush
Rigger Brush
Series 7 Round Sable
Other:
3M Magic Tape
MDF Board
Spray Bottle
Razor Blade
Metal Ruler
Hair Dryer
Tissues
#watercolour
#abstractwatercolour
#largewatercolour
My website where you can buy original artwork: www.scottswinson.com
Instagram: / scottswinson
Facebook: / scottswinsonartist
Tony Smibert’s Books for Sale:
Turners Apprentice: A Watercolour Masterclass: geni.us/Turner...
Painting Landscapes from your Imagination: geni.us/TrlbvxR
How to Paint Like Turner: geni.us/PaintL...
How Turner Painted: geni.us/HowTur...
My Four Most Popular Videos on KZbin:
Large Abstract Watercolour May 2020: • Large Abstract Waterco...
Freely Painted Abstract Landscape with No Plan: • Freely Painted Abstrac...
Large Watercolour Abstract Step by Step: • Large Watercolour Abst...
What to Know When Starting Watercolour (2020): • What to Know When Star...
Paints
Winsor and Newton Artist Quality Tubes:
Cobalt Blue amazon: geni.us/Winsor...
Yellow Ochre amazon: geni.us/Yellow...
Light Red amazon: geni.us/LightR...
Winsor and Newton Cotman Tubes (student quality):
Cobalt Blue amazon: geni.us/cotman...
Light Red amazon: geni.us/cotman...
Yellow Ochre amazon: geni.us/cotman...
Tape
3M Scotch Magic Tape amazon: geni.us/Scotch...
3M Scotch Removable Tape amazon: geni.us/Scotch...
Brushes
Round Sable - Size 12 round kolinsky sable from amazon: geni.us/SAAKol...
Imitation sable - amazon: geni.us/Escoda...
Holbein Hake Brushes: geni.us/Holbei...
Equivalent Hake Brushe 2” amazon: geni.us/Winsor...
Nylon Flat Brush amazon: geni.us/NylonF...
Travel Brush set with covers amazon: geni.us/travel...
Mixing Brushes and other effect brushes amazon: geni.us/HogBri...
If you just want two hogs bristle brushes then the best thing to do is to head to your local art supplies store and buy them there.
Watercolour Paper
Arches 300gsm medium cold pressed pad amazon: geni.us/ArchesPad
Arches 300gsm medium cold pressed block which is glued on the outside so you don’t have to stick it down on a board amazon: geni.us/Arches...
Rives BFK etching paper. Probably best to source this from your local store so you can look after the paper and not have it posted unless you are buying a large amount of paper and it will be looked after. There is nothing worse than getting hundreds of sheets all with a indent in them. Having said that you can actually source this paper from amazon:
geni.us/RivesBFK
Some people have been extremely happy with the state of the paper when it arrived (and some not!)
I love this paper it is soft and lights are lifted easily from it.
Equipment Used to Film Each Episode
Camera - Canon 6d mark II with 24-105 lens amazon: geni.us/Canon6...
Iphone 11: geni.us/iphone...
Rode Video Mic Pro amazon: geni.us/RodeVi...
I also use: Rode Wireless Go Mic: geni.us/rodewi...
Aputure LED Lights from amazon: geni.us/apurtu...
Aputure LED Lights with stand from amazon: geni.us/aputur...
Mac Book Pro for editing: www.apple.com/
Friction arms
Manfrotto friction arm short one amazon: geni.us/Manfro...
Manfrotto magic arm longer one so my camera can be closer to the page from my overhead rig amazon: geni.us/manfro...
Neewer Friction arms cheaper than manfrotto and good for lighter things like lights from amazon: geni.us/neewer...
Hard Drive for storage WD 4TB amazon: geni.us/WDHard...
Hard Drive for projects Samsung T5 500GB SSD amazon: geni.us/Samsun...
Manfrotto Tripod and Video Head amazon: geni.us/Manfro...

[@patriciajaroslawski402]

Very cool! I love the technique.

[@RobertHopkinsArt]

I really like the idea of pulling out and off the pigment after re-wetting an area (of the water). Brilliant!

[@ScottSwinson]

Yes it works well and even better if you have used non staining pigments leading up to that point! 👍👍

[@lena-ericafredrikssonposte1348]

Best tutorial I ever seen. Love it. I am a bit of a beginner. Tanken you❤

[@lindajordan1030]

Beautiful work

[@emilyadams6194]

I was curious about this video and am amazed at how beautiful it is. It kind of shakes loose with the secret of watercolor. Wonderful video!!

[@sarahnorthrop9823]

Beautiful 😊💖

[@tanyafuccio7947]

I feel so fortunate to have "accidentally" ran across your video. I enjoyed it immensely and found it so informative. You use water so fearlessly....☺️

[@k8marlowe]

Fearless is a great word for it.

[@Tugboat-R-Us]

Hi Scott, I just subscribed to your channel and I love your setup in your studio. I would like to try Hake brushes and was curious if you had any suggestions on what brand and size to start off with? By the way I absolutely love your painting. I absolutely love doing extreme wet. It’s absolutely freeing and there’s something that is truly wonderful about letting the colors do what they want to do and trusting the process

[@oldmummaroo1576]

So love sitting here watching your art, so beautiful & relaxing ...... Question: I don't have all the paints you have (by name) is it ok to substitute or mix colours together, kind of, to match .... I'm just learning and I'm a little concerned on things like this :) Cheers Hope your eye was ok & no damage was done. :)

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Old Mumma Roo! Yes totally! Use what ever colours you have. Just make sure you use a limited palette for a while when you are starting out. 👍👍

[@oldmummaroo1576]

@@ScottSwinson Awesome Thanks Mate :)

[@MrPolkadotbeetle]

Gorgeous! Ps it’s ha-keh brush, not h-ache brush

[@kimoliver8096]

Refreshing Your style amazes me with each video you post and I love your colour choices

[@leonardorepeti]

would stone paper assist with the paper buckling?

[@barbarachristensen9034]

I have never seen anyone paint as you...Thank you for teaching us how to be so free with our watercolors. Your use of water both spray bottle and freehand leaves me in AWE. Please repeat the use of the colors you use when adding on, I think this would greatly help your students. USA

[@sylviaeder4639]

Very inspiring! Beautiful painting! Great technique!... like your hairstyle, too. 😊

[@avanellehansen4525]

Excellent! New subscriber.

[@triciashaw1973]

Wonderful video, tku so much!! Can you please advise a really good rigger for painting fine tree branches?

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Tricia! It really depends on the size of the paper you are painting and from that the size of the branches in terms of size of rigger. In terms of brands. I really like Winsor and Newton's pure sable range of riggers. They hold a good amount of paint and deliver that to the page over a long brush stroke. Hope that helps! they are not the cheapest though! Cheers Scott

[@ERH-ph5gb]

A wonderful job with the first washes! Very inspiring and I will copy that technique since it's truly the unique quality of water color to let it run and move and create these awesome landscapes. Unfortunately, I must say, you ruined it just a bit with the very dark foreground in the right corner. It hurt a little to watch it. I apologize if that critique stings but since I paint myself I want people to be honest with their judgements. Thank you for sharing your art.

[@gicir19]

This is really beautiful! Thank you so much for showing the process.

[@nicoleperron3315]

The painting is beautiful but I'm curious why you used student grade watercolor paint for three of your colors, cobalt blue, red, yellow ochre. Won't the color fade? Isn't that the difference between artist and student grade, how light fast the color is? It would be a shame to watch such a beautiful watercolor fade away..

[@markdonovan1540]

Merry Christmas Scott. I wish you well in 2023 and beyond. You're one of the mist inspiring abstract landscape artists on KZbin. Thank you for all your uploads on your channel.

[@krisabshire7588]

You are so kind and sweet, sharing your gift, Scott. Thank you. I agree with "know when to stop". We are not trying to duplicate a photograph. It is enough to *evoke* what the viewers might see themselves through the emotions you express on the paper. ; )

[@JHM30fan]

I just love this. Your work is amazing, such a great style.

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi JHM30fan! Thanks! Simple landscape with hopefully a lot of feeling!

[@erinmcdonald9020]

I’ve just discovered your tutorials and I’m watching them all! It’s wonderful to find an artist that I have a similar abstract style and appreciates the beauty of watercolor. Thx!

[@sheenashe8]

That was exciting. Thank you so much.

[@claraedouwesdekker6389]

What a delightful tutorial. Thank you. Love the way you share your thought process, and teach at the same time. Truly gifted artist.❤️🇿🇦

[@heikeborowski4787]

Great work! It's impressing to see, how you work with the water.I could not imagin the result at the beginnend.

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Heike! I do love free, loose watercolours! 👍👍

[@elizabethpears307]

Please don’t apologize for helping a friend!! Lovely work and inspiring!

[@sheenashe8]

And you don’t look odd at all!

[@Rockymtnbloom]

I am wondering what your theory is to chose etching paper with so much water used?

[@vickylaw659]

thanks again 🙏，I learned a lot from you 👍👍👍👍👍🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Vicky! All good! 👍👍🙏🙏

[@k8marlowe]

I spent some time in the Blue Ridge Mountains, in the southern U.S. this week, and had turned out a gorgeous watercolor landscape… until I touched up this and added that, and continued until it was completely ruined. ☹️ Restraint is often the name of the game when painting abstracts. So, you were right to stop when you did. Stunning work, as usual!

[@ScottSwinson]

Yes I have done that lots of times myself! It is hard to know when to stop!

[@letslistentobooks894]

Another lovely piece ... also love the music ... :)

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks so much!

[@jacquivanzyl9027]

Hi why are you using the water spray? Beginner;)

[@wendysamples9156]

You can do a lot of special effects with a credit card. . To scrape

[@isabellebouchard5612]

Freedom art never looked so beautifull ! Thank you

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Isabelle! 🙏🙏

[@rebekkabirgirsdottir2137]

So beautiful 😍 and inspiring. Greetings from Gothenburg Sweden

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Rebekka! Thanks! Hope things are good in Gothenburg! Cheers Scott

[@venusreels9953]

I’ve learned more from you…in 2 videos than in a full year with a teacher….thank you..this has been awesome 😎

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Venus! I am so glad! Watercolour can be difficult if you don't understand it! Good luck with your learning! Any questions just ask! Cheers Scott

[@amberdreams_0]

Just found your channel - fascinating to watch how the landscape takes shape almost on it's own at first. The final picture is very Turner-esque and so beautiful. My conclusion after trying loose watercolour like this is that I'm too timid and don't use anywhere near enough colour. PS your hair is quite mad in this vid, made me chuckle.

[@GayanthiPereraArt]

Really enjoyed watching this piece come to life. Currently trying to learn Watercolour techniques and I find watching your videos really helpful :-)

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Gayanthi! I'm really glad you find the videos helpful! If you need more understanding I have done many more videos around understanding watercolour on Patreon. All of that info will be here in youtube if you sift through all the videos. Happy painting. If you have any questions let me know. Cheers Scott

[@adnaanbagwan8459]

whats the name of the music starting at 3:16

[@susanpotter4688]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. WHAT A LOVELY EXPERIENCE TO WATCH YOU PAINT!!

[@kj3dots]

I watch these....love them.....when I paint it is completely different but I know you are teaching me......another fine painting....Thanks!

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Kathy! It’s all good if it’s different! Just work on the feeling or atmosphere you want to achieve. That’s the main thing! You will always learn if you keep painting and keep experimenting and then reflecting! Have fun! 👍

[@artsymargo]

Thank you for tutoring advanced watercolor painting. Very few on YT do that: most are beginner.

[@plb991]

Beautiful

[@ScottSwinson]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@DollyRider]

May I ask, what more will I learn by taking your class vs watching all your KZbin videos? It’s not the money, it’s what I find myself doing by starting projects and losing interest and never finishing.

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Dolly, the course has structure. A beginning, middle and end. A gradual progression of skills and tools that build on each other. There is detail in the course that you would eventually get from KZbin, it would just take you a lot longer (just my opinion). Might see you in there! Also very soon I will be doing live Q&A sessions to help anyone with issues = priceless!

[@inejapmiddelbos6939]

Thank you for this beautiful art.👍

[@ScottSwinson]

You’re always welcome Ine! 👍🙏

[@brendasuppa4239]

Love this it’s so beautiful, I look forward to trying this one

[@ScottSwinson]

Enjoy branda! Hope it all goes well! 👍👍

[@mariellasmith-masters4697]

Fantastic! You make it looks so easy which isn’t the case for most of us but encouraging!

[@triciashaw1973]

Wonderful video, tku so much!! Can you pls advise the best rigger you use … I’m trying to find one that is good for fine tree branches.

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Tricia! I just replied above! Hope that helps! Cheers Scott

[@guizachristiane4824]

Sweet. Perfect. Lovely. Great stuff. Great Art. Thank you for that. You make my day happy and heartwarming...🥰🥰🥰🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺👍👍👍

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Guiza! No worries! Glad you liked it! Some nice movement! 👍👍🙏

[@janettepolt2815]

Like the "do".

[@beccasbeans]

It's actually magic what you do!

[@riffsandpics]

Awesome effect with the light!

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks! I do love painting light! Cheers Scott

[@allanpennington]

Could you please do a video on aspect ratio and how it relates to composition for landscape painting. I have bought some Arches 20" x 14" block. Not sure whether this fits into a golden ratio or how it might relate to the rule of thirds. However many great looking landscape photographers are pushing out to 16:9 or even 2:1 aspect ratios to get very impactful looking landscape shots. So is there method in Arches madness when it comes to sizes of their Blocks, pads or single sheets. Is it traditional, is it with composition in mind? Would love to see a video discussion on this subject. Thanks.

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Allan! I could do a video on the aspect ratios that i find appealing and that have sold quite a bit over the years. It is a pretty individual thing though and there are not really any rules as it depends on what your painting is, the mood you want to create and also of course the wall it might be going to be on. There is no one aspect ratio that is the best. In terms of the blocks they are pretty standard most of the time and potentially boring! If you were looking to create interesting art I would always buy full sheets of paper and then that gives you full freedom in your ratios! Hope that helps! Cheers Scott

[@GKganesan]

Thank you so much. Educational.

[@edvardaskartanovic3732]

✌

[@Karlena_Lewin_Studio]

I painted this and think I nailed it off to paint different ones mm might add a crow love the colour combo many thanks watercolour friend

[@GKganesan]

Excellent! Thank you

[@letitiagossage]

Hello there! This is my first time watching you paint. Absolutely Beautiful. I'm going to give it a try.

[@claudiehourcau6191]

Hello Scott. C'est très beau😍💓. J adore tes aquarelles. Merci pour ces beaux paysages. Ça fait rêver💭

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Claudie! You are always welcome! I'm glad you like them! I love letting the medium be free on the page! Any questions let me know. Cheers Scott

[@fatherburning358]

Brother. I stopped even trying to watercolour, too damn hard. Been having fun with loose acrylics. I love loose painting, its freedom. But this is inspiring. Its like have at it. Im gonna give this a burl and have some fun. Who knows might even be able to sell a painting eh. Definitely going too look at your course if i find im excited by this style. Im anticipating i will. Thankyou for the demonstration. Love the finished product bro. Im in lake macquarie nsw so plenty of beautiful scenery to paint. 👍

[@elizabeththurlow5993]

Beautiful light and love the tree detail. I got a little involved and tried to blow your scrapings off.

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Elizabeth! Glad you liked it! Ha that is funny! Imagine if it was with virtual reality goggles! lol

[@CathyJohnson-cq9um]

I'm an impressionistic artist Scott. Do you also instruct using acr y lics and other n edits like heavy body a cr y license paints and inks. Would love to get instruction in heavy body abstracts with heavy body paints besides ianolopolis jm lisondre a nd rami beneath. Much thanks for your reply on this. Cordially yours, cathy Johnson Washington state

[@patticook]

I took your course after I heard you were a student of Tony Smibert! I own his Painting landscapes from your imagination! I'm happy that your hair style has 'toned' down since LOL. fabulous! Tx I highly recommend his watercolour course for those interested!

[@eastmeetswest3330]

Beautiful! But how did you flatten out your paper? With it being taped down…

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi the paper was just taped down using 3M magic tape on all 4 sides and then when it was wet it did buckle up a bit while I was painting but then when it was dried between each layer then it would go down flag again. When finished I stored this under many pieces of paper to flatten it completely once it was 100% dry! Hope that helps! Cheers Scott

[@agnetahallberg9845]

Very nice to see you paint, relaxing and inspirering. What kind of table do you have...a palette-table😊?

[@lyndasteimer2830]

Love this one your colors jump off the page! Just found you will be watching more! Also love the music you have! I always paint with music!

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Lynda! I used to always paint to music! Not as much these days as I’m recording!!! Lol! Glad you liked the video! 👍👍

[@MilliePat]

My painting looked bad. I used the same colors but probably placed too much water on the paper.

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Milie, this is not an easy painting! It looks simple in many ways but takes a while to get to know the medium and how it behaves on the page! Don't be disheartened! Work smaller and simpler for a while than have another go! Good luck!

[@MilliePat]

@@ScottSwinson Is it the water spray? Are you using a mist sprayer? How wet is the paint when it is placed on the paper? I sprayed on the water and the paint ran off in drips. I am using Fabriano Artisto 140 cold press paper and Sennelier paints. I repeated this lesson three times and never got the paint to slowly blend down the page.

[@lindahelliar7021]

Beautiful, reminds me of JWM Turner colours.

[@ScottSwinson]

I give free hugs to anyone who says that! lol Thanks! I do love his work and have studied his paintings over many years! My work is much more simple but aims to have some of that atmosphere is he was amazing at creating!

[@eveshaw7673]

Love all your videos, I tried the loose landscape using a card but ended up with a muddy mess....I am a total beginner so unsure if the paper, W&N 300 med, is not good, the paint did not seem to stick when I added the water...anyway I will have a good think and try again.

[@patsymccown2766]

Such a great lesson!!😊

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Patsy! Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SuzetteG316]

Beautiful painting but it is not abstract. It is Atmospheric. Abstract by definition is the absence of any identifiable objects within the painting.

[@normanmerrill1241]

Nice painting…thanks…

[@ScottSwinson]

No worries Norman! Happy new year! 👍👍

[@petersoakell6950]

thanks for knowledge. subbed.

[@wendysamples9156]

He does re erase watercolor painting. He could add some rubbing alcohol to the water to cause even .ore beautiful effects.

[@Moi1522]

Really like what you're creating. Please don't lose the granulation.

[@barbriley583]

I’m tired of watching….imma going to take the damn class! See you soon!!!!❤

[@helenamelind6401]

Thank you Scott. This one I will give it a try tomorrow. Ita so beautiful.

[@ScottSwinson]

Sounds great Helena! Enjoy! Just make sure you just work with what happens on the page rather than copy my painting! It will be more enjoyable and the end product with be better too! Have fun! 👍

[@joellesetia8915]

j'adore votre façon de peindre et le résultat est superbe merci d 'avoir partagé

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks! It is a very moody painting! Glad you liked it! Cheers Scott

[@normangale3159]

I love the randomness that abstract watercolour has and even in acrylic where it can be less abstract but Katie Jobling of KZbin fame keeps saying that nature in general is random. The patterns are unique and all different at the same time. I think I will use this to do my first practice with as it ‘abstract’ but yet startling in its representation

[@jackiepeacock769]

Hi Scott Still doing the beginners course, however, inspired now to do "Lone Pine". My grandfather was an original ANZAC, returned but damaged. This would raise his spirit if he were here. I'm doing it beginner or not! Thanks for the inspiration...

[@CathyJohnson-cq9um]

Never done a watercolor abstract. I love how you do it. I'm excited to try this. I'm used to acrylics, oil crayons, pour painting. Looks great Scott. I and my art c husband ronny love your art. Many thanks for us both Scott. God bless you very a bundantly.

[@mollab1]

I noticed that you make bowls of watercolors. How do you store them when you finish a painting? Hope to take your class soon.

[@ticalinda64]

Greetings from Costa Rica. That painting is simply amazing!!!!!

[@annestarkie4312]

Amazing paintings you create, looks sooo easy. Thank you x

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Anne! Thanks! I do love moody and atmospheric!

[@wendysamples9156]

When using a lot of water I would also implement the use of rocksalt it causes blooming cool effects.

[@odeadelmar5636]

Bravo de France🇫🇷 C’est magnifique !❤

[@michellequinnstudios]

Wonderful to watch this!

[@ScottSwinson]

Glad you liked it Michelle! 👍👍

[@louisscenti3813]

Thank you Scott. Amazing and helpful, as always.

[@ScottSwinson]

No worries Louis! Glad you liked it! 👍

[@Kathydieting]

Hello How are you doing today?

[@barbmclean1722]

Lovely! Thanks for sharing!

[@elainejarvis1863]

I really really loved that thank you. Always looking for lefties as I make a mess of all my paintings so its nice to see how you do it.

[@awatercolourist]

Thanks for another nice and insightful video :-). Regarding the Rives BFK paper, do you find that the colour of the first layer rubs of easily when you paint subsequent layers?

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi A Watercolourist! Glad you liked it! In terms of the Rives and layers rubbing off with subsequent layers it mainly depends on the pigment I put down (staining or not) and the amount I dry it. If I leave a layer for a week or dry it really really well with the hair dryer then the layer is much more stable and harder to disturb with subsequent layers. Colours like Yellow Ochre are more easily disturbed than winsor yellow as it is granulating and not staining. But again if you really dry it heaps and heaps it is much easier to paint over if you have a soft touch. cheeers Scott

[@awatercolourist]

@@ScottSwinson Hi Scott! Thank you for your insight. I use Canson Gravure, which l understand is a printmaking paper, but l find that paint is very, very easily disturbed, even after drying with a hair dryer and even when using staining pigments. This limits the techniques that l can use; l paint in two layers only and I have to be very careful with the second layer so that I don’t disturb the first. This usually means using very little water in the second layer and using a squirrel or goat’s hair brush.

[@ScottSwinson]

You might need to try a different paper and see if the same thing occurs. Arches cold pressed 300gsm should be able to take many layers. good luck!

[@awatercolourist]

@@ScottSwinson Hi Scott! Thanks for your reply. The paper I used before that did not have this problem, I only face this problem with the Canson Gravure.

[@Richard-ou6uw]

Great tutorial Scott fabulous watercolour painting 👍👍

[@jackgraff4132]

Wow ...magical ! Thanks from France

[@socratesthecabdriver]

Your eye looked just fine 😁

[@ScottSwinson]

It was sore and that afternoon I got metal removed that had lodged in the cornea. All good now though! 👍👍

[@debbieborden7651]

Just beautiful! Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see more.

[@lillan1960]

I really like Your technique 😁

[@justinesimone5343]

Thank you. Remarkable!

[@HélèneatFrenchscape]

Sobinspiring! Thanks! ❤

[@rebeccavalicoff1581]

Wow! Absolutely mesmerizing!

[@guillebastreannie1964]

I love see you painting and talking! I learn a lot. Thanks a lot!