How to Paint an Abstract Watercolour

[@ShamsAs3ad99]

Been trying to teach myself spontaneous abstract watercolor, it’s honestly much more difficult than I imagined. This painting is just beautiful, exactly what i would imagine myself to create in a perfect world. Great video!

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Alien Sharns! I agree it is not easy and over the years I have produced some terrible abstracts! I have very little training in historical abstraction and any particular composition ( I should probably learn more at some stage!) but I do know what I like and don't like as I paint so I just go with that! Good luck! Cheers Scott

[@ShamsAs3ad99]

@@ScottSwinson thanks! I guess practice plus time makes a huge difference! You gotta start somewhere 😃

[@suzannelieb6347]

Thank you! Beautiful illustration and final result✌🏻

[@scottpitner4298]

I’m late to the party here but this was very inspiring for whatever reason. Makes me want to try more and discover things along the way. Also I like the idea of painting something larger sized and using a small frame or finding a smaller PART of the work I like best and then cut it out to frame. I think it can feel tough to love every bit of a work but finding an interesting part to show seems like a fun idea.

[@patsymccown2766]

I, too, am learning to really appreciate abstract painting. I totally agree with the orientation you chose. Not meaning to be dramatic…when you turned your painting, It felt completely different! It’s beautiful!

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Patsy! Abstraction is harder than it looks especially if you start out with really not much of a plan it can pretty easily with watercolour turn into a mess with no structure. This one turned out well in the end. I'm glad you feel the same way. I just trust my gut when it says what is right. Cheers Scott

[@brigitteruhl9281]

Wundervolle Kombinationen mit sehr wenig Material Bin inspiriert und folge den Ideen.

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you Scott, I really really enjoyed watching you create this beautifully stunning piece. And it’s even more amazing when you got it framed. It draws the eye more than anything else.

[@takinastabatit]

This is an extremely satisfyingly video, and that is a gorgeous painting. I took up watercolor a couple months ago, and CANNOT WAIT 'til I can get some proper paper that doesn't dry in 30 seconds flat. Also, I love the way you used the dryer and spray bottle to further manipulate the paint. Liked and subbed!

[@jaynedough130]

watercolour after my own heart, thanks scott!

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Jayne! Me too! I do love abstraction! It is just so different to landscape painting! I think because there is not a definitive subject in the literal sense that is ends up giving a more wordless visceral response! Cheers Scott

[@christineanderson4755]

Today I spent time looking at the weather forecasts. There are currently two hurricanes happening in the Atlantic . The weather maps looked like abstract art. I might try doing something with that. And then I saw this video! Isn’t life funny.

[@Magical_Forest-077]

Last night I decided to take on a little project for my group our fun monthly project or challenge is to paint something abstract so I ended up having so much fun while I was painting with the watercolors it turned into a landscape and it wasn’t really as abstract!! 😂 but I guess it was still a learning because I’m still learning how to manipulate watercolors moving the canvas around spraying it with water using salt etc. it’s just that it turned into a landscape which, there’s nothing wrong with that but I kind of made it more non-abstract. Watching your videos is really helping me to understand how to manipulate the pigments!!! Thank you for posting them

[@karenrosa1161]

You paint with such authority. I envy that. Tonight I am tired of trying to paint pretty little flowers and like the way you use everything --even the blow dryer!!

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Karen! Thanks! And yes I hear you! I really love the medium and watercolour and I think it should be respected along side oils and acrylics rather than being the poor cousin! I hope you enjoyed the process. It takes time to learn how to paint with watercolour in this way! Cheers Scott

[@evapalaciosh]

You are a genius, I’ve enjoyed too much watching you working. Greetings from Spain 😊

[@marijadika6444]

Abstract with watercolour really is unique! I like it a lo!

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Marija! 👍👍

[@thalaagdal2457]

Je viens de vous découvrir et laissez moi vous dire que j'ai retenu mon souffle jusqu'à la fin pour enfin découvrir une merveille ! Merci pour ce moment très intense et magique. Je m'abonne avec plaisir.

[@margueriteaye6181]

Hi Scott I love to watch the fluid gestures you use to make your brush marks. Will try this video and move my brush along with you you to loosen up my arm a bit. Yes your paintings and your process always create some feeling of relaxation and expansion or even wonder. The feeling element is such an invaluable component of your work. Your videos are a joy. 👍🤗Marguerite

[@ScottSwinson]

I agree Marguerite! It is all about the feeling! For me nothing else matters! 👍👍👍

[@mick5408]

Fascinating to watch you work and then see your painting framed and on the wall. It certainly has the wow factor... I love it!

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Mic, thanks! It always helps to see the end result on the wall! Thanks for watching! 👍👍🙏

[@alisonlyons4691]

Lovely. l have a big leaning toward abstract theses days, and this was great to watch Scott. l just got watercolour paint, and paper for 2 grandchildren to explore abstraction. l bought good quality materials and they loved the difference their new paints made. Thanks again Scott for your inspiration

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Alison! That is great! Yes my son (5) the other day was in my studio while I was painting and he was so excited by the colours and was enjoying helping mix them! I really should get my kids involved more but I mostly paint when they are asleep!

[@carolfulton4467]

Lovely to watch - great result Scott!

[@bharatartbox7457]

Hiii dear Artist Your art work is so beautiful. You are giving something to the world. You are preparing other artists with your art. So you and your art are great.🌹👌👌👌

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Bharat! Thank you! Very kind! I’m glad you enjoy my videos! Cheers Scott

[@fathomingfables9211]

When I try to paint in a more figurative style it never seems to work tends to look staid and lifeless. So I’ve given up. I must say I enjoy the feeling of allowing the paint and marks to lead the way. It’s so exciting not knowing what effects will emerge. Learnt so much from your videos many thanks! Interesting to see how the dryer impacted the finished work.

[@ScottSwinson]

Glad you like the videos! Yes the hair dryer combined with the salt changed the painting completely! 👍

[@susanelliott7728]

Thank you, Scott! It's great!

[@gonnyquist627]

Gonna try watercolour how nice this is thank you…..its more difficult than what i normally do with oil.

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Ginny! Watercolours do take a bit of getting used to! Good luck! I’m not great with oils!!! 👍👍

[@gonnyquist627]

Scott Swinson Thank you for your answers….gonna follow you and try pfff

[@nancytrejo8621]

Beautiful painting Incredible teacher!!

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Nancy! Glad you found it helpful! 👍

[@machelleshappyhobbies4977]

Love your work. Thanks for teaching me.😊

[@gavinMeldrum23]

Awesome video, I learned so much thanks this will help me to get past my block, cheers

[@Kathydieting]

Hello How are you doing today?

[@guadalupevivas1]

Pure Magic.

[@anyagodwin5197]

Hi Scott I’ve just found your channel here and I’m really enjoying it thanks a lot for that process about abstraction.cheers

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Anya! Welcome! Thanks for tuning in! I love abstraction!! It is harder than it looks but the results can be just gorgeous! Happy painting!!👍

[@kimchikidbear]

Oh yes please! I have a sketchbook and I wanna do these so badly

[@ScottSwinson]

Have fun! 👍👍

[@helgaleifsdottir5191]

I love this, thank you Scott Lovely color combination

[@barbararivera2380]

I'm here for your accent lol! Seriously, I love what I'm seeing

[@ScottSwinson]

No worries Barbara! I’m glad you like the accent and the art! 👍👍👍👍

[@watercolourmark]

Nice work. And I agree, love and hate are equal when it comes to art. You want an emotional response that is real, and not a 'meh'. I like to say indifference is the enemy of art.

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Mark! I agree! A sting response either way is better than plain! 👍👍

[@connieostroha8423]

Soooo beautiful Scott! I absolutely love it!

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Connie! I do too! The textures close up are beautiful! Do you want me to upload onto Patreon the full video with no time lapse? It would be pretty long! Cheers Scott

[@staceywilkins5920]

Trying to find your list of supplies. I really like those brushes and I didn’t understand which colors you used

[@youngpilgrim5]

What is the lovely song that plays while you use the dryer?

[@robynfisher4455]

Painting with hair-dryer 🤣 brilliant, love it!

[@ScottSwinson]

I know! Moving everything around! Lol 😂

[@ChanniMondal]

Awesome ❤ Which kind of fluid used for painting

[@millygit]

Hi Scott just found your channel, loved watching this, great to hear a Aussie accent, cheers from Canberra

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Michelle! Glad you liked it! Hope things are going ok in Canberra! Good time for ordering art supplies online and painting! 👍 thanks for watching snd commenting! 👍

[@millygit]

@@ScottSwinson I got a little too keen on ordering art supplies, so it’s now definitely time to use them😀

[@ScottSwinson]

That’s always good! I get a bit obsessed at times wanting more things! But these days it’s around equipment to make the filing better quality!! 👍👍

[@renaudgass3146]

Incredible!!!

[@mariajoseferreras]

Es simplemente precioso.Gracias

[@ShatteredRippleBooks]

I really like it!

[@manonpiche8652]

Beautiful ! I am a beginner in watercolor. Do you leave the salt on the paint ?

[@janicecosenza1812]

Absolutely beautiful and inspirational. ❤️. Xo

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Janice! Thanks! Abstracts are pretty amazing! That’s what I have on the wall of my house! 👍👍👍

[@lenoresalzbrunn2754]

Just found you. Looks really good!

[@barockeuse]

clever ! Thank you. Do you really use watercolor ? And is your paper waterproof (like, for example, yupo sheets )?

[@lilianajanethdavila9260]

Hi Scott, I paint abstract watercolours myself and I love it so much. I love your artwork and watching your tutorials. I always wonder though, how you don't get the water marks (cauliflower) when you use that much water. Is the paper more than 140 lbs? I often get the water marks and I use arches 140 lbs.

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Liliana! That’s great that you also paint abstracts! I would love to do more of that! I do get watermarks at times and I actually like them in some paintings. If I don’t want them then as it dries I might re-wet it with the spray bottle as I did in this painting or come in with a loaded or damp hake brush. Hope that helps! Happy painting! 👍🙏

[@monicaarmas8584]

Lovely

[@ScottSwinson]

Monica! Thanks! 👍

[@Ari-il6iq]

Beautiful! Love your experimentation process. Do you know if the the salt might bleach the pigments over time (years)? 🙏

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Ari! Thanks! I think table salt (sodium chloride) in its solid form is neither an acid or a base so it should be ok. I should look into experiments though. I have artworks that are 20 years old and have not been effected in any way by the passage of that sort of time but I really don't know if anyone has done any archival experiments that might emulate hundreds of years. Good question. If you find out any information on this I would be all ears! Thanks for watching! Cheers Scott

[@tonyvilla6189]

Good Job.

[@margaritasilva708]

Beautiful 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@ScottSwinson]

Thank you! 😊

[@watercoloracademy1083]

Loved it

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks! 👍👍

[@romanowskiart]

Yes, pretty nice.....

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Paul! 👍

[@charlesfarran1717]

Please explain the purpose of salt.

[@eastmeetswest3330]

Striking!!! Did you scrape off all the salt though? Is that how it lightened up?

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi East Meets West! Yes I scraped off the salt but I did it off the desk so it was not recorded! I did it at the same time as using the hair dryer to blow it off the page and onto the floor of the studio! And yes, removing that removed quite a bit of the pigment that had been soaked up by the crystals.

[@malaramaart4947]

Love!!!

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks!!! 🙏

[@vermiliongamboge155]

Love it.

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Vermilion Gamboge! Nice name by the way! lol

[@ТатьянаСмолич-ч1з]

Thanks ❤

[@bsmith5404]

I like it landscape but the other way up 😍

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks! will have to have a look at it that way up too! Cheers Scott

[@patriciamartiniere6113]

I don't speack inglish but i like your paint. Merci😅🎉

[@sylvialin6453]

Ive no idea wht is etching paper. I went to check but still dont know wht paper it is. Can i use drawing block for this?

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Sylvia, it is Rives BFK etching paper 280gsm, 56cm x 76cm, white by arches. Google it and you will find it. 👍

[@sylvialin6453]

@@ScottSwinson Thank you for info. I will do so Love ur creation.

[@lourdescarballo5117]

beautiful iovely

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Lourdes!! 🙏

[@nabil19861986]

Thank you

[@ScottSwinson]

You are always welcome! 👍

[@jesuschristppbuh4564]

✨ Thank you very much 🌻✨🐳

[@kimbirch1202]

I want to do more abstract or semi abstract work, but its not easy to produce .

[@normanmerrill1241]

Thanks…

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Norman! No worries! 👍👍

[@marymary5494]

👌💕

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks! 🙏

[@socratesthecabdriver]

🙏🌊🔱🌪🌪🌪

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Socrates! not sure what the three black emojis are at the end......

[@larsetom1]

Helen Frankenfauler.

[@nikkit5863]

получилась шляпа дикая

[@panderichthys_rhombolepis]

Dude, you really need to be more organized with your supplies.

[@ScottSwinson]

No worries mate!

[@loriladbon3326]

Dreadful. Awful colours, too much chat and a muddy mess.

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Lori! Thanks mate! You just made me laugh out loud! Thanks for sharing your opinion! Cheers Scott

[@JustSaying-d2y]

Fascinating ❤