How to Paint an Abstract Watercolour

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I thought everyone might be interested in how I might go about painting an abstract watercolour. I think watercolour wet in wet lends itself towards abstraction. One of my favourite paintings is an abstract similar to this that we have in our dining room at home.
This was painted on a full sheet of Rives BFK etching paper 280gsm white (56cm x 76cm)
The colours used were:
Winsor Red
Winsor Blue (red shade)
Mix of Winsor Blue (red shade) and Light Red
And some alizarin crimson in the yoghurt tub
I had not mixed the pigments up in the bowls properly so that is why I had to work the brush with the water sometimes to re-charge the mix.
As you could probably see I used a lot of table salt which soaked up the pigment and created some lovely textures on the page.
I used 2, 3 and 4 inch hake brushes for this painting and a few kids yoghurt tubs to tip the pigment onto.
You could also see that I used the hair dryer to move the pigment in certain directions and cause certain drying lines as I went. If I didn't like something then I sprayed it out again and then continued drying.
Hope you enjoyed this!
I actually really like the end result!
Cheers
Scott
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/TurnersApprentice
Painting Landscapes from your Imagination: geni.us/TrlbvxR
How to Paint Like Turner: geni.us/PaintLikeTurner
How Turner Painted: geni.us/HowTurnerPainted
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/WinsorNewtonCobaltBlue
Yellow Ochre amazon: geni.us/YellowOchreTube
Light Red amazon: geni.us/LightRedTube
Winsor and Newton Cotman Tubes (student quality):
Cobalt Blue amazon: geni.us/cotmancobaltblue
Light Red amazon: geni.us/cotmanlightred
Yellow Ochre amazon: geni.us/cotmanyellowochre
Tape
3M Scotch Magic Tape amazon: geni.us/ScotchMagicTape19mm
3M Scotch Removable Tape amazon: geni.us/ScotchRemovableTape
Brushes
Round Sable - Size 12 round kolinsky sable from amazon: geni.us/SAAKolinskySable
Imitation sable - amazon: geni.us/EscodaRoundSable
Holbein Hake Brushes: geni.us/HolbeinHakeBrushes
Equivalent Hake Brushe 2” amazon: geni.us/WinsorNewtonHake
Nylon Flat Brush amazon: geni.us/NylonFlatBrush
Travel Brush set with covers amazon: geni.us/travelbrushset
Mixing Brushes and other effect brushes amazon: geni.us/HogBristleBrushes
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/ArchesWatercolourPaper
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/Canon6dMarkII
Iphone 11: geni.us/iphone11pro256gb
Rode Video Mic Pro amazon: geni.us/RodeVidMicPro
I also use: Rode Wireless Go Mic: geni.us/rodewirelessmic
Aputure LED Lights from amazon: geni.us/apurtureH198light
Aputure LED Lights with stand from amazon: geni.us/aputureledlight
Mac Book Pro for editing: www.apple.com/
Friction arms
Manfrotto friction arm short one amazon: geni.us/ManfrottoMicroFriction
Manfrotto magic arm longer one so my camera can be closer to the page from my overhead rig amazon: geni.us/manfrottofrictionarm

[@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! 👍👍🙏

[@Sasad99art]

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

[@Sasad99art]

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

[@suzannelieb6347]

Thank you! Beautiful illustration and final result✌🏻

[@carolfulton4467]

Lovely to watch - great result Scott!

[@helgaleifsdottir5191]

I love this, thank you Scott Lovely color combination

[@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.

[@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! 👍👍👍

[@machelleshappyhobbies4977]

Love your work. Thanks for teaching me.😊

[@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!

[@susanelliott7728]

Thank you, Scott! It's great!

[@evapalacios787]

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! 👍👍

[@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

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@mariajoseferreras]

Es simplemente precioso.Gracias

[@jennifermilligan8424]

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

[@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

[@nancytrejo8621]

Beautiful painting Incredible teacher!!

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Nancy! Glad you found it helpful! 👍

[@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!!👍

[@renaudgass3146]

Incredible!!!

[@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?

[@ShatteredRippleBooks]

I really like it!

[@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.

[@kimchikidbear]

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

[@ScottSwinson]

Have fun! 👍👍

[@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

[@guadalupevivas1]

Pure Magic.

[@margaritasilva708]

Beautiful 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@ScottSwinson]

Thank you! 😊

[@vermiliongamboge155]

Love it.

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Vermilion Gamboge! Nice name by the way! lol

[@watercoloracademy1083]

Loved it

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks! 👍👍

[@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! 👍

[@tonyvilla6189]

Good Job.

[@malaramaart4947]

Love!!!

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks!!! 🙏

[@staceywilkins5920]

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

[@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! 👍👍👍

[@robynfisher4455]

Painting with hair-dryer 🤣 brilliant, love it!

[@ScottSwinson]

I know! Moving everything around! Lol 😂

[@monicaarmas8584]

Lovely

[@ScottSwinson]

Monica! Thanks! 👍

[@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!! 👍👍

[@user-ws3gs3fc6o]

Thanks ❤

[@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

[@youngpilgrim5]

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

[@lenoresalzbrunn2754]

Just found you. Looks really good!

[@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! 👍👍

[@jesuschristppbuh4564]

✨ Thank you very much 🌻✨🐳

[@ChanniMondal]

Awesome ❤ Which kind of fluid used for painting

[@JesseJamesGames1]

Fascinating ❤

[@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

[@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! 👍👍👍👍

[@manonpiche8652]

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

[@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! 👍🙏

[@barockeuse]

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

[@nabil19861986]

Thank you

[@ScottSwinson]

You are always welcome! 👍

[@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

[@romanowskiart]

Yes, pretty nice.....

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Paul! 👍

[@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.

[@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.

[@lourdescarballo5117]

beautiful iovely

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Lourdes!! 🙏

[@marymary5494]

👌💕

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks! 🙏

[@normanmerrill1241]

Thanks…

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Norman! No worries! 👍👍

[@socratesthecabdriver]

🙏🌊🔱🌪🌪🌪

[@ScottSwinson]

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

[@larsetom1]

Helen Frankenfauler.

[@kimlove2072]

Just give the paint to the kiddos 😂

[@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