How to use Watercolor Loose Painting Techniques for Beginners

New Watercolour Landscapes for Beginners Course Available Now! 75% off
www.scottswins...
I would just love it if you joined me on Patreon! The link is below!
/ scottswinson
This is a very loose watercolour! Working wet in wet with mostly hake brushes I attempt to paint a stormy seascape! It evolves over time and this will be the first part of two as I later decided that it was not finished and kept going! The part 2 will be up next week!
I would love to know what you all think of the different versions especially after the second video!
You have to be careful with any whites with watercolour that they don't get in your bowls of wash and that they don't generally turn your painting to a muted grey.
Hope you enjoyed this video!
Paper:
Rives BFK etching paper, 280gsm, white, 100% cotton, acid free by Arches
Paints:
Cerulean Blue
Cobalt Blue
Mix of Cobalt Blue and Light Red
Mix of Winsor Blue (red shade) and Light Red
Raw Umber
Ph Martin's Bleed Proof White
Brushes:
2 inch Holbein Hake x 2
1 Inch Holbein Hake x 2
Pure Kolinsky Round Sable
Flat Nylon
Tooth Brush
Spray Bottle
Series 7 Round Sable Winsor and Newton Size 0
Other:
MDF Board
3M Magic Tape
Spray Bottle
Tooth Brush
Paper:
Rives BFK Etching Paper by Arches
geni.us/RivesB...
Below are some alternatives that are cheaper.
Alternatives to Rives BFK Etching Paper:
Saunders Waterford Watercolour Paper Sheets 300gsm cold pressed 100% cotton from your local art supplies store. Or the links from amazon below.
Sheets of 425gsm:geni.us/Saunde...
Hahnemuhle Etching Paper Sheets 300gsm (75% cotton 25% high alpha cellulose)
geni.us/Hahnem...
I can get Hahnemuhle sheets (53cm x 78cm) for $11.50 Australian from my local art store when buying them one at a time. This gives me 16 sheets of A5 which is much cheaper than buying a pad. If you can afford to buy 50 sheets at a time that can save you a lot of money!
Paints:
Cotman Student Quality Paints
Cobalt Blue amazon: geni.us/cotman...
Light Red amazon: geni.us/cotman...
Yellow Ochre amazon: geni.us/cotman...
Winsor and Newton Artist Quality Paints
Cobalt Blue amazon: geni.us/Winsor...
Yellow Ochre amazon: geni.us/Yellow...
Light Red amazon: geni.us/LightR...
Brushes:
Size 12 Round Sable
Pure Kolinsky Round Sable Size 12 - Cornellisen (quite expensive over $150)
geni.us/PureKo...
geni.us/Isabey...
or
Synthetic Round Sable Size 12 - Micadore For Artists - roymac Revolution Taklon - ($20)
geni.us/Synthe...
Hake Brushes x 3-4 (you could also get a wide 6”-8” hake brush if you wanted to)
Holbein 2.5” Hake Brush (my preference)
Holbein 2” Hake Brush (my preference)
Holbein 1” Hake Brush (my preference)
geni.us/Holbei...
or
Ron Ranson Large Hake Brush (about 2”)
Ron Ranson Small Hake Brush (about 1”)
geni.us/RonRanson
Flat Nylon
Long Flat Nylon - Robert Wade Neef 980 Taklon Wash: geni.us/Robert...
Fan Brush
Fan Brush (I own size 1’s mainly and a size 6) - can be any brand really - I own two Winsor and Newton size 1 fan brushes and an Art Spectrum Series 1000FAN size 6.
I would get Hogs Hair Fan Brushes as they make more interesting marks but that is always personal preference. Some cheap ones on amazon are on the link below:
geni.us/Dugato...
Small Round Sable
Series 7 size ‘0’ Winsor and Newton Finish Round Sable (lovely small brush but more expensive than synthetic): geni.us/Series...
A cheaper alternative to the series 7 round sable is: Size 00 Winsor and Newton Cotman Round
geni.us/Cotman...
Other:
Spray Bottle Large Garden One: geni.us/Adjust...
Small Spray Bottle for a Finer Spray: geni.us/SmallS...
MDF Board: geni.us/MDFBoard
Bowls for the paints: geni.us/WhiteB...
Jars for the water: geni.us/GlassJars
Vase for the water: geni.us/Square... or
geni.us/LargeW...
Razor Blade: geni.us/Stanle...
Small Knife: geni.us/SwissA...
Pencil B, HB or 2B: geni.us/Staedt...
Tweezers from a Swiss Card: geni.us/SwissA...
Scotch 3M Magic Tape (Green Packet): geni.us/Scotch...
Scotch 3M Removable Tape (Blue Packet): geni.us/Scotch...
Aligloss - used as my desktop and palette: geni.us/Aliglo...
Tony Smiberts Books
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...

[@lindat1078]

What an amazing artist you are, Scott! Your brushwork speaks volumes. Love to watch you paint!

[@gretelstonebridge2323]

Enjoyed watching how organically this happened but you knew what would work

[@ScottSwinson]

I just painted what felt right and that would be different for everyone!

[@gayelee1559]

Love that pool of light water. Very interesting thank you so much

[@phyllisroderer3603]

So very painterly beautiful

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Phyllis! 🙏

[@user-tr8sd7qk5p]

Dear MASTER!!!!

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Matoula! I'm no master! I still have a life time of learning ahead of me! Thanks though!

[@User_PC_Loadletter]

Gorgeous

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Zion! Thanks mate! And thanks for joining me on Patreon! If you have any questions or would like me to do a particular video for you just let me know! no people or pets though! lol

[@whatapull]

Just started watercolour painting myself for the first time at Christmas. Love your style and use of bold colours 👍🏻

[@andrewfrost8866]

Oh mate, this is awesome!!

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks so much Andrew! I really appreciate that! It's a bit messy but its an attempt at some energy, movement and atmosphere. Cheers Scott

[@rohi881]

This one is really great!! I love the most that it doesn't look like watercolour! Wow, I hope to find some more of those in your channel.

[@ScottSwinson]

Yes quite to different to many of my other paintings! I do like it though!

[@alisonlyons4691]

Hi Scott, just watched this again, love it, thank you Alioban x

[@ScottSwinson]

Yes pretty cool abstract (ish) seascape! 👍👍

[@annawozniak6807]

thank you for this demo....love to watch your work in action

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Anna! No worries! It is pretty crazy! 👍👍

[@lynnrussell467]

Part 1 is stunning! Making prints is possible, right? Even tho you update and change the final results?! This is excellent! Thank you for sharing yourself so generously, brings us joy!💕

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Lynn! Yes I could do prints of this if I had of photographed this version or scanned it but I didn't. So I'm left with the finished product you will see next week if you tune in! Thanks for watching and being subscribed for 1 year! Cheers Scott

[@awatercolourist]

Wow! The difference that the birds made is amazing! They really give depth and dimension to the painting. I didn’t notice them in the thumbnail when I clicked the video. Really nice!

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks! Yes I think they do add a comparison to the seascape and because I made them quite small it makes (hopefully) the ocean seem quite large! That was my intention any way! It is amazing what you can't see in the video unless I zoom in when compared to the naked eye. I have recorded myself scraping out a dot on a white expanse that no one can see! lol

[@susie8800]

Followed along with this while I was painting- very interesting to sweep and swish the colours on like you do. Learnt lots. Thank you

[@louisscenti3813]

Wonderful Scott, the movement and sense of turbulence really grabs hold. Thank you.

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Louis! Thanks! I just paint what I'm inspired by! Just wait till I get to spend more time by the coast Kurt Jackson style! Cheers Scott

[@GoblinSlayer43]

Gorgeous!

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Stacy!

[@anadelgado1946]

Stunning! Thanks for sharing.

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Ana! No worries! Glad you liked it! I like the part 2 painting you will have to let me know what you think when I upload it next week. Cheers Scott

[@lindat1078]

So beautiful!!

[@paulamingolelli3902]

Stupendous!

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Paula! 🙏

[@maggieinsc1967]

Just wonderful. Love watching your loose and free painting.

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Margaret! 🙏

[@jadetobin]

One of my favorites :) though I tend to say that a lot in your channel :) love the end result!

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Jade! I don't mind you saying that more than once! lol

[@jadetobin]

@@ScottSwinson that's good because you probably have loads of notifications as I've been devouring your videos!! Aaahahahaha! Such beautiful work!! Thanks so much for going through so much effort (especially in the heat!!) to share it with us!! :) Hope you and your family are doing great :)

[@PixieFroggyPrincess]

Beautiful!

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Pixie Froggy Princess! 🙏🙏🙏

[@mariahegdal5384]

I really like your work wet in wet. If you could make a video about how you make those trees and paint those smal birds I would be really greatful :-) Sometimes a detail like a tree or a bird makes half the painting.

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Maria! I will happily do a video how I might go about painting trees and small birds. Glad you like the videos! And yes i agree sometimes those details are the subject in the painting and very important!

[@mariahegdal5384]

@@ScottSwinson thank you for your answer and I will look forward to that video as well as the other you put up 🙂

[@awatercolourist]

The Winsor Blue RS and Light Red mix is beautiful! I love it’s inky blue dark tone.

[@ScottSwinson]

yes I have to thank Tony Smibert for introducing me to that mix and to the even darker mix of Winsor Blue (red shade) and Light Red that I also love! I would be lost without those two colours. I really love the dark mix just mentioned so much more than paynes grey as it has so much more life and you can take it towards more blue or towards more red so much more freedom!

[@awatercolourist]

@@ScottSwinson I’ve never tried Payne’s Gray before; I’d love to try it one day, though. For deep, inky blue-blacks I mix PB15 with PR176; you can get a Payne’s Gray hue from that mix. I like your mix for the greenish-aqua undertone, its really pretty.

[@awatercolourist]

I made a mistake in my comment above. My dark mixture is PG7 (not PB15) and PR176. It actually creates a blue and in its deepest, most concentrated form is a near black. For those who are interested, you can create a black from PB15 and PR149. I Use Van Gogh paints.

[@ScottSwinson]

@@awatercolourist Thanks! Some dark mixes are always a lovely thing to discover!

[@javierfas]

@@awatercolourist And the names of PG7 and PR176 are.....?? thanks!

[@eleniphotos]

So funny! "Sorry if that offends you!" ...I did like you finally: I painted some yellow & left it to dry overnight! Another fabulous seascapes!

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Helene! I know! I am always a bit self conscious and a singlet is not everyones taste! lol. But is really hot in Sydney at the moment! Thanks! I'm really pleased you liked it. Cheers Scott

[@naaraahu1050]

Ohh this work somehow made me a bit teary. Been stuck in a rut in my painting journey and this painting speaks to me, especially the stormy look. Thank you for showing the whole process.

[@ScottSwinson]

It is good to break out of a rut! And it is also really great to go back to small studies that are fun and for many more relaxing! I’m glad it evoked an emotional response! That is what art is all about! 🙏🙏👍

[@rebekkabirgirsdottir2137]

Love love love ❤ Ihave done something similar to this months ago. Maybe I should put down som birds in it 🤔

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Rebekka! This sort of painting does have a lot of energy and movement! Very cool that you were painting in a similar style! I to like these sort of gestural paintings but to be honest I don't do them that often. Thanks for watching. cheers Scott

[@artdavisstudios]

Brilliant! !!!!!!

[@walterreansalley3410]

Mesmerizing! Another beauty. Great job. Thanks. ❤🎨

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Walterrean! Thanks! 🙏

[@suemarkwald159]

Thanks so much for showing us how you work. I love the energy conveyed!

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Sue! No worries! 🙏👍

[@oorshoo]

I love it. It's a beautiful water color. Well done Scott 👍

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Rikke! It is full of energy!

[@oorshoo]

It sure is

[@karolfrench5816]

So inspiring. THANKYOU. Terrific colours

[@ScottSwinson]

I'm really pleased you like it Karol! You are always welcome! Cheers Scott

[@alisonlyons4691]

Hi Scott thank you so much for responding to my comment, you are very helpful. I think l will try the etching paper. Yes vest 😆We have our thermals on here !! Skye is wonderful, so glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Alison! No worries! It is lovely paper and cheaper than Arches cold pressed watercolour paper. Ha lol! the best vest! Yes I bet you are in thermals up there! Yes I loved most of Scotland! I lived in Falkirk for a year in 2003 and got to explore Scotland in any time off!

[@patsymccown2766]

I love this!!! Awesome tutorial!😊

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Patsy! Glad you like it! 🙏🙏

[@socratesthecabdriver]

🙏

[@ScottSwinson]

You are always welcome Socrates!

[@MiraTulic]

❤❤❤

[@jenniferbell4925]

I love this, Scott. Just wondering what I can use instead of bleed proof white. Thanks.

[@alisonlyons4691]

Oh l really loved that Scott. So much energy in the painting. I live by the sea here in Scotland and look at it every day, this could easily be a scene l look at. I'm interested to know why you choose etching paper ? I've never used it. I think I'd like to use the bleed proof white, I've been using white gouache, but I'm not always happy with it. Thank you so much for your video. Alioban. Loved the best btw 😄

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Alison! I love the coast in Scotland! So many watercolours waiting to be painted! I loved the Isle of Skye all those years ago that I visited! I use Rives BFK etching paper because it is very white and so that shines through and creates vibrant watercolours. More white than the normal Arches Cold Pressed or the Saunders and Waterford cold pressed papers. The other reason is that it has less sizing and so doing multiple layers is easier to do without disturbing the layers underneath. That's mainly it. Water does move on the page very easily because it is quite smooth and so you can create those really soft skies as well. Yes and I am quite a new comer to the bleed proof white but liking it. It still has that issue of turning any of your lovely colours to muted ones but once dry it is easier to paint over with watercolour.....Loved the best btw? did you mean vest? lol

[@owens711]

Braw Scotty

[@barbriley583]

Messy marks! 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣❣️

[@awatercolourist]

First to comment! This comment never gets old 😋

[@ScottSwinson]

good work! I've never been the first to comment on anyones video! I'll have to try it!

[@awatercolourist]

You should! I was luck yesterday, I was the first to comment on 3 different videos! I always write the same comment: first to comment! Very childish, I know, but it feels oh-so-good 😄

[@ScottSwinson]

@@awatercolourist lol!

[@suel4269]

Exciting painting! How do you know when to dry stages? I already asked in the Patreon group.😬

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Sue! Yes it was not an easy question to answer actually! It is obvious in lots of paintings when to dry as you need to move on to painting detail or you want to paint a hard edge or you just don't want to keep disturbing the current layer you are working on. I could have not dried it after that first layer but I wanted to almost cement in those lovely natural water movement aspects that I love about watercolour before starting to dry brush. I also dried it when it came time to put in the birds. In part 2 I dried it each time I did another layer so I could see what that layer would look like dried then decided to have another go at it. Multiple times. It should have been a simple answer but it isn't in lots of ways! Thanks for your support on Patreon Sue I really appreciate it! Cheers Scott

[@user-tr8sd7qk5p]

How do you make the liquid paint?

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi there, I just squeeze Winsor and Newton watercolour paint out of the tube and then mix it with water. I let it dry in between sessions then just wet it with a spray bottle before each painting session. It is really easy and works really well for me! Cheers Scott

[@socratesthecabdriver]

😀🙏🌊🔱🌪🌪🌪

[@ScottSwinson]

🙏👍

[@kmngkkim7124]

Are you left-handed.If you're right-handed, you have to turn left and right for the audience's convenience

[@leilaskye8143]

Gorgeous

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Leila! It’s good to experiment! 👍