How to prepare for watercolor painting - 3 questions you need to ask yourself

I asked myself 3 important questions that helped me to change this photo into something paint-able for me. And I encourage you to ask the same 3 questions when you look at the photos you took.
Check out my Watercolor Essential course for more in-depth lessons:
cafewatercolor.thinkific.com/...
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Download the reference photo:
www.dropbox.com/s/mwxl35qniqs...
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All the materials I use can be found here:
cafewatercolor.com/materials
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0:00 - start
00:42 - Intro
02:01 - 1. What attracts you?
02:32 - 2. How to bring it into focus?
03:35 - 3. What to add and subtract?
05:03 - Edit your photo
08:30 - Painting Demo
21:20 - Conclusion
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[@ashiskumarsarkar8678]

You are unmistakably one of the best art teachers on KZbin. Outstanding demonstration ! Splendid explanation ! You're an exceptional artist ! Keep moving on please...we're being enlightened.

[@slobodenka]

I was just about to say the same thing. I haven't found anyone who could explain the thinking behind the choices a good artist makes on their product. You teach people to think like an artist, not just showing off your work. A good artist is not always a good teacher and YOU ARE A GREAT TEACHER.

[@ashiskumarsarkar8678]

@@slobodenka Absolutely true 👍 We're really lucky that Eric is on KZbin.

[@CCLinGameOnABC]

I love when you explained that you would add a car to introduce more depth into the painting. Simply and Add to highlight what attracts us, and to add depth. Very helpful! I can’t wait to try it on my next practice.

[@lindaloffmin9047]

I studied art BC: before computers or cell phones!! You have taught me so much more than instructors with your videos. Thank you for explaining your steps and reasoning for your planning and execution.

[@daleshawn1910]

This is the tutorial I have been waiting for. You explain everything so well and so clearly. I’m so very grateful after buying every book, watching innumerable videos and taking classes. You are amazing!

[@keshavnayak599]

Sometime I get frustrated with watercolor & I want to give up. Again when I watch your videos,the way you paint & explain with an ease motivates me to pick the brush again.Thanks to keep on motivating me.

[@alantaylor344]

Another appealing painting Eric and sound information on choosing the best composition. The value study was equally as pleasing and would not look out of place when hung on the wall. Your star of the stage really stood out, it is a great tree and you captured it well. Some nice soft edges and blended colours in the tree. Looking forward to the next one.

[@anujain8684]

Just found your channel .. and I am addicted to it ... it’s so informative.. thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge and experience with all the aspirants... you seem really generous and down to earth .. you are doing a fabulous job ... love your art work !! Thanks again !! I wish your channel grow speedily because it’s one of the best channels!! Amazing work !

[@nicoleperron3315]

Very good questions, this is helpful, I have so many photos and have trouble with what to leave out and what to add.

[@pennypop408]

So good to know this, I can't begin to tell you how photos I've taken then discarded when I got home because they just weren't what I originally intended to capture. Love the crisp colors and revamped composition you have done. That photo even with the better light I still would have discarded but cropping ect really made a big difference. Thanks again Eric. I might have to go through some of my photos again.

[@anilvinayakan1701]

Very nice tutorial Eric !!!. Showing the steps of editing was so helpful. Thanks for sharing.

[@joice_may]

First of all, I need to thank you for this amazing tutorial. I'm begginer in watercolor art and I'm not be able yet to make this painting because I need a little more of knowledge to make trees, shadow and light... But I'll watch more tutorials in your channel to learn how I can improve my skills.

[@Cafewatercolor]

Thank you. I will also be working on putting out content for beginners! This will always be here as you progress ;)

[@kaygeenair]

Thank you.

[@deannerader6527]

Excellent! Having fun with these small value studies. Great tutorial!

[@shraddhabendre1484]

Thank you very much for an amazing tutorial and the tips. I am a begginer in water colour painting.I like to watch all your tutorials as you explain in detail how to improve in your painting.Looking forward to watch many more tutorials from you.

[@thewanderess]

I actually prefer monochromatic paintings (often value studies) than my colour paintings. As a matter of fact, I liked your value study better than the colour version. Personally, I'm less stressed when I do the value studies, I don't have to worry about colour mixing or getting things correct, or not muddying up the colours etc. And I often am so satisfied with the value studies that I don't want to lose that feeling of satisfaction by painting the colour version and be disappointed. Thanks for sharing these very useful tips and beautiful paintings.

[@coloringwithd]

I just discovered your channel . I’m new to watercolor and find your instruction helpful. I am a person who likes detail and find that my paintings have too much detail and become messy. I’m looking forward to trying a looser style, I hope my brain lets me. Also simplifying my pencil drawing and focusing on my subject will really help. Thank you for your videos. 😊😊😊

[@katherinelawrence1608]

painting goals! I've said this before - love the varied brushstrokes you make especially in the trees!

[@lindathaxton1994]

Excellent breakdown so I know what is important! Thank you

[@ann-marielofberg1159]

Oh man, how many times hasn’t this happened. This video will be in the file with favourite videos. So useful!

[@kellybeyond7061]

I am new to watercolor and have so much to learn. It is hard to remember that I cannot practice what I do no know, and I cannot learn without practicing! Your teaching style is calm and reassuring. I appreciate your encouraging tone!!

[@decaturdon]

I find the hardest part is just getting started! A blank page may stay taped down on my desk for days before I finally just jump in and start, even though I may have several ideas in my notebook of things I want to paint. I find it is easier if I lower my expectations about the end results and just go for it. Your painting is another fine example of taking a plain everyday street scene and turning it into a great painting. I agree with several of the others, you are a good teacher. I bought your course and it has been fantastic, both from a technical perspective and from the encouragement it brings -- with your talent you make it seem so easy! Thank you!

[@therupoe]

This is awesome! Thanks, Eric.

[@davidpohl9406]

Enjoyed it, Eric. Getting ready to start two paintings and this is a great pep talk!

[@peacefultahitti379]

So helpful!! Much thanks, Eric 🤗

[@kingyo9783]

Fantastic explanation,great aquarelle!Thanks a lot☕☺️👍💚

[@MrEmelyy]

I love your videos so much! Thank you!

[@solar979]

It is comforting to know that artist who works hard makes progress.

[@saravasura1076]

Thanks so much. So very helpful.

[@susanhepburn6040]

This is really helpful, Eric - thank you very much.

[@jamesstanley8774]

You really do teach old fogies like me a thing or two! Thank you.

[@judyonody7748]

Great painting, and , as always, so very helpful!

[@pjs3514]

Beautiful and wonderful tips. Thank you

[@cruisebumify]

That was so good.

[@vickielewallen3799]

Thanks, great advice, as always!

[@antonianagykaldi7541]

Thank you! Useful and beautiful at the same time, and that is a rare gem!

[@christinemd5098]

Very helpful! Amazing work! Thank you Eric !

[@christinegelormino5594]

Beautiful

[@aliciamolloy5948]

Beautiful! Love your lessons, thank you so much.

[@rosine2]

Thank you very much Éric. It's nice but to difficult yet for me. I just watch how you do and I learn .. I will try one day in the future..

[@IsabelMourao]

I love your videos! thank you for sharing your deep knowledge!

[@jant4741]

Thanks Eric. Really appreciate you showing step by step, fall foliage washes.

[@sarrigayat6937]

Thanks a lot Eric. Now I started getting ideas and techniques from you tutorial vids.

[@merakitra]

Thank you so much for the video. Excellent teaching.

[@piukaghosh7417]

You have inspired me all times ☺️

[@sujeeshss2014]

Thank u very much for this awesome demo.... 🙏🔥

[@deniselanglois8544]

This is a jewel of watercolor. Love very much

[@nityaramtilak7660]

Extremely informative. Thankyou

[@omarims]

always helpful 🙏

[@barbaramunford5472]

Eric this is a great tutorial! Very helpful to hear your process from photo to your painting subject. Very interesting to see you go back to your value study and add the final darks. Never thought about doing that...will have to give it a try. Thank you!

[@Cafewatercolor]

I actually did the value study in one go, but I think it will be helpful for you to see it in tandem. Thanks to the power of video editing =)

[@jackscat]

謝謝老師仔細精彩的解說示範~

[@tomaszrodak]

thank you very much Eric

[@estefaniacastillo2322]

Thank you so much, your teaching its very usfull 😊🌻

[@joanstorer6370]

I loved your painting and thank you Eric from cafe Watercolour for the video showing us tips on how to do it. This is the first time I have seen you but will certainly look for more of your videos.Thank you from England.

[@phyllisbaird2423]

This video was very helpful question & explanation. The painting turned out beautiful. Thank you 😊👍

[@marciabraganza573]

Thanks for your very good tips Eric. I hope to improve following your method. Cheers.

[@ganesanganesan-ub2sg]

Thank you sir 🙏

[@philipdown3147]

Thanks greatly Eric for your video on scene you want to paint, appreciate you sharing your talent on this problem I find sometimes difficult. Thanks greatly appreciated stay safe

[@fezaguzet4745]

Thank you very much I have addicted to your videos😍🧿

[@PINKDIAMOND4000]

Thank you so much for the tutorial! I always admire the simplicity and value scale of your drawings! I tend the get lost in the details, and when it comes to watercolor mi water control is not that good, but you sure help me a lot and I learn something new everyday. Your drawings have life, they are colorful and you know how to make a composition, I just don´t know how.

[@kathekiel3726]

I so appreciate and enjoy watching your instructions. I too like using my photo shop app to help with composition and values. I look at my photo in black and white to see the values more clearly. Thank you for wanting to help those of us at home trying to learn this on our own.

[@integrityvina]

Thank you very much..I learn a lot..

[@noreenkellett3863]

Love both the value study and the finished painting. You had asked on the last video which was the most helpful, I couldn't decide, I find they are all worthy, so just said Congrats, but I gotta say now I really think this was my favourite one. Lol, got alot out of it. Have not really used much more than the crop tool on my phone, but I might look into the program you suggested too. Thank you 😊

[@DS40764]

Not just helpful, extremely helpful video. I'm trying to paint aspects of our nearby lake park.

[@judypearl3516]

Thanks for these great tips ....v useful for beginners like me......you are an amazing tutor

[@uncleatelier8495]

It's a great work. ~~♡★☆♡♥♥

[@svetlanachadina5338]

Awesome 👍

[@mohiartgallery1969]

Wowww 🤗🤗🤗🤗 you are great

[@BigDomski]

This is very useful, I always struggle with composing, whether that's from life or from photo. Also, your value studies are very nice paintings themselves lol

[@USlifetv]

good technique

[@barbaragemin5117]

Thanks, I need to be more patient Eric and not skip values studies, as I often do. Btw, Snapseed has been a great help after watching your tutorial on it a while back. 👍

[@terryrountree2554]

This is so helpful to me, I always go dark too soon. Can’t wait to do another painting with a value study, thank you!

[@Chriss-do7dp]

Merci beaucoup, Eric, vos tutos m'apprenent des choses essentielles, même si la traduction en français n'est pas parfaite 🙂

[@romaricdablaka2925]

Thank's Éric. The link below is not the référence photo.

[@andyjart5063]

Do you recommend value studies for portraits? Great video, enjoyed it a lot.

[@kaygeenair]

Brilliant explanation.Please mention the colors you mix if possible since I am a beginer.

[@Candyrasgullah7738]

Can I use your reference photo to create commercial art. It's so beautiful I feel like pairing it too. Thank you. Café Watercolor.

[@MariaOrtiz-ww9mp]

Eric, very enlightening video! Question, what’s the name of the photo shop application that you mentioned?

[@Cafewatercolor]

Snapseed, its an app for phone or tablet 😊

[@vijaykumarmohanta1129]

Hello sir, what colour brand you used to do watercolor painting s

[@kaygeenair]

What color u use for reference painting.?

[@shashankhebbararts]

2nd like 😮😮😮😮

[@noragriffin5972]

Ummm, you rock, Mr. Eric!! All hail the Master of watercolor!!!!!!

[@Cafewatercolor]

I don't consider myself a master, but I'm so glad you find it helpful =)

[@normagregory9545]

🙄😌

[@CScottJohnsen]

Was this in the Washington State suburbs? I saw the thumbnail and was immediately homesick for my childhood neighborhood.

[@Cafewatercolor]

yes, it's near where I live in Redmond =)

[@CScottJohnsen]

@@Cafewatercolor Beautiful! You really captured the mood of that environment. I grew up in Mukilteo which has a similar landscape.

[@kauseressaji876]

Hi Eric. Going through your course abd tried to send you the painting I did but the e mail has been returned although I have used your e mail successfully before. How else can I send you this painting?

[@david-oj6yz]

Eric please subtitles in french 🙏🙏 i love your vidéo but i don't understand all english , tanks 😊

[@Cafewatercolor]

I'll see what I can do!

[@david-oj6yz]

@@Cafewatercolor thank you so much !!!

[@Candyrasgullah7738]

Beautiful