I slow down, so I can find myself

It’s been a few months since I shared a painting video. So today, I want to share my recent mindset shift, and the process of my recent painting.
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[@Cafewatercolor]

If you create any positivity today, I am proud of you, and I appreciate you. No matter how big or how small you think your creation is, you are needed in this world.

[@TheCombatartist]

I was first a full time designer 12 years, then a full time stay-at-home Dad 20 years, and now a retired ? I understand your priorities. Family first. Painting 2nd. Enjoy the kids, make the memories NOW, while you can enjoy them - PLAY!

[@yijumiller5659]

Joseph Z is great teacher so is you. Thank you for continuing sharing and giving advice on watercolors

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Slowing down is so important in these times

[@RebeccaSB]

And damn I realize how important quality cotton paper allows for different aspects of much as a good brush and quality saturated paint to get a far bigger range of techniques. Thanks Eric.

[@judyonody7748]

Eric, I am so very grateful for you, your talent and your open, honest approach to all you do and say! Slowing down, using care and precision in the details, and yes, even using a ruler…if they are the things that make you happy with your work, THAT is what is important! And it shows! The way you got the light to shine through this painting is amazing and YOU shine through just in observing it. Thank you so much for sharing your evolution with us. It is so appreciated and worth waiting for! ❤️❤️

[@vstanick]

Thank you, Eric!❤

[@rebeccaburton4122]

Your new style is beautiful, and still a wonderful reflection of you! I appreciate your approach to providing videos of quality, not quantity. Good for you for being true to yourself Eric. I also appreciate how you share your feelings about your journey, and what’s happening in our world. May God richly bless you in all that you do, Eric.

[@Cafewatercolor]

Thank you so much!

[@johndufford4986]

I am new to water color, and I feel fortunate to have come across your channel a few months ago. I am looking forward to watching your course adjustment. Your positive contributions are much appreciated.

[@TuckNgun]

Lovely video! I sincerely thank you for this. You are absolutely right about the effect of the "main actors" appearing. That is my favorite part of painting 🙂

[@RebeccaSB]

Thank you so much Eric! Your words are equally inspiring as your craft & skill. Yes slow down to find yourself … be doing slower but more thoughtfully for big growth. Cheers.

[@sherryburnett6088]

I prefer your paintings this way! Great work

[@martymiller9514]

Beautifully done. I love the loose feeling combined with the architectural formality.

[@Rrmhrn]

Thank you Eric for sharing this video!.. Actually, a few days ago my Palestinian friend lost members of her family in this genocide. I couldn't express my feelings in words and tears only, that's why I grabbed my sketchbook and started sketching to remind myself that this is gonna end hopefully soon. Art is a way of healing ♥ 🙏

[@Cafewatercolor]

I am so sorry to hear that... and yes.. I believe art can heal... when the world takes things and loved ones away from us.. we create... nothing can replace what we lost, but knowing that we add something new is a healing process...

[@hornjan8258]

That was an incredibly convincing contribution. Especially the details in the background really make the picture look like an anime background that expresses your personality. That makes this picture very different from what Andy Evansen, for example, would have done with it.

[@karenjohnson6487]

Your painting is beautiful. I love the direction your art is taking. Well done.

[@pattibrougham5030]

Your honesty is well received through this video! Thank you for sharing the honest feelings that make you want to paint differently. I appreciate all that you give to us! Keep doing your videos because there are many of us who follow you!

[@lohikarhu734]

And, we, or I, at least, are here for "quality time" with you, and your work... I'm only at 3:50, now, but even the glimpses of the works impress!

[@Bibianaaga688]

Thank You Eric for this slow down. I just realise that my studio must be place where time pass much solver and i dont need to feel any pressure. I hope word need my art, ... but definitely I need painting to stay myself in this reality. Regards from painter with full time job and two kids. Fact is that as time passes I had more whiles for myself. Whisch you the same. Happy creating with your own tempo.

[@juliadean2473]

I love this painting! The translucency and shapes contrasting beautifully. To me their is frustration in watercolor painting to get results but it is clear to me now that it needs a lot of thought and planning. With results like this it must be worth it❤

[@01bmw325xi]

Sometimes when doing a cityscape a ruler is very handy if you dont make a bunch of perspective references.

[@deborahrech7429]

Thank you for taking us on your journey and sharing your process.

[@Nordseekatzen]

So beautiful! Loose painting was very difficult to me and I learned much from your videos. I once decided to turn back to “my detailed style”. I sometimes need two or three days to finish a picture and the watercolour doesn’t always allow to take the break when you’re tired 🤷🏼‍♀️. For me painting is simply to create something beautiful in a self slowing down and peaceful way. Thank you so very much for your content and the unusual YT-Style. I appreciate following your channel on insta. 🍀🖼️🎨

[@donmorris618]

Thank you for sharing not just your work but your process----- for a hungry new enthuiastic painter it is incredibly helpful verses a snip it of time lapse------ thank you again from a new fan to your channel

[@barbaragemin5117]

Wonderful Eric. Thank you.

[@rayanneedwards8542]

Thank you Eric.

[@wickedbrush]

Quality, not quantity - the way to expand. Your gentle and thoughtful video gives me hope for the world. ❤️

[@brigitteloranger8692]

Love this painting of Vancouver!

[@corallall]

Totally agree with you I'm a Russian watercolor painter 😊 you should do what you really want to do!!!

[@henningwagner1099]

Great Video! I started watercolor painting 2 month ago. Or so… it can be very difficult at times, but your videos helped me A LOT! I just want to thank you so much! Love your style and everything. Thank you!

[@Sueevans152326]

Eric, I’ve been watching your channel since the beginning and enjoy seeing your style emerge. I paint using the direct style, but love cityscapes painted in this style and may give it a try.

[@InfinitaGioiaPatCHesall]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and painting process😊

[@shannonshirreff5945]

What a great painting! It was really neat to see a photo and painting of a street that I’m very familiar with. :) 🇨🇦

[@tomhoang4895]

Learning a lot from you Eric! Thank you so very much.

[@yoshiekoshikawa1854]

Thank you for sharing your inner thoughts in your creative work. It’s so nice to stay connected.

[@subtlevalueart]

Love this video, very relateable. Am in this place where my favorite paintings (watercolor portraits) take me months to produce (my full time job typically requires lots of OT), which doesn't bode well for a youtube channel. It is comforting to know that other watercolorists have that same struggle of balancing quantity vs quality. Your paintings are lovely, by the way.

[@catherinebast4456]

Wonderful painting, I look forward to your next post.

[@esmegelling6854]

Congratulations. You nailed it. It's absolutely mesmerizing. Beautiful ❤

[@nuryviquez6765]

Love your new style. The painting is gorgeous! Thank you for sharing. Blessings !

[@Cafewatercolor]

Thank you! =)

[@ZDD760]

I learn so much from your videos, both art and life

[@danilodonato8401]

Hi Eric, I agree with you, as long as we are able to appreciate beaty we are not lost. Shearing your paintings and your thoughts you help us to carry on

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Eric..Excellent points made as prompts...on top right corner of the video...i loved the point...to endure through the not so sure stage..it really helped me many times

[@virginiarinkel7544]

Thank you so much for this video. I agree totally.

[@natalykenny2069]

Thank you so much, Eric! I fully agree with your thoughts on the world and your own creative process! You bring so much joy, peace, and tranquillity with your videos, reflections, and tutorials!❤❤❤

[@LarryStallings-dk4rr]

I AGREE WITH YOU WITH THE RULER ON BUILDINGS

[@dianebast9714]

I will be staying w you, Eric! The reason I was so happy when I found you was the calm and peacefulness you exude in addition to your style of painting. I so agree that we have to make choices. Go ahead and get off that hamster wheel!! This fan will be here peacefully living and enjoy whatever you offer whenever you do. 😊

[@simpleshoes]

I choose to see what is beautiful in our world.

[@Cafewatercolor]

Yes! let us do that 🥰

[@simpleshoes]

@@CafewatercolorI absolutely love this cityscape, but I always appreciate city scenes. This is a beautiful painting, because where someone else might see the mundane, the artist sees the beauty of the scene, the lines of the buildings, the light and how it falls, and the composition of the scene, which in the photo you took was already naturally good. Almost anyone can look at a rural landscape and see beauty in it and that’s why you will hear someone say, oh look it’s just like a painting. But the artist sees beauty in everything he views because his eye knows how to see it.

[@chloeillustraio5323]

so many thanks to you Eric, I got a lot of inspiration and reflection on myself from your video. : ))))

[@lohikarhu734]

Nice to see you again, Eric! I am so angry with the things that are happening, the huge floods in Libya, thousands dying in Gaza, the Ukrainian situation... It's good to hear your gentle thoughts, and gentle voice...

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Eric...i always felt pull towards your meditative side ...besides art...Excellent vlog 😊

[@darrelltempleton3098]

Relax and try a smile or two. You are a great artist and teacher, show us your love for painting.

[@Cafewatercolor]

😊😊

[@sherylryan7965]

I love watching your videos, looking forward every night to learn something new. X

[@paulhorten2736]

You're improved a lot. My congrats.

[@Cafewatercolor]

I am learning more everytime I paint 🥰

[@SendMeNoEmail]

Well done! ... also inspiring to hear about your philosophy as an artist.

[@lvstewart1737]

So lovely! Thanks for sharing your process.

[@lesleyholmes6724]

I understand how you feel and really hope you find the peaceful place I find in my art and that your positive energy touches others. Blessings upon you x

[@domesti-city]

This was lovely to watch. The reflections on the buildings came alive, the dark trees and shadows draw you into the scene, and the lights have just the right amount of definition. I recently watched a master painter put out a product that looked like all the other cosmopolitan cityscapes I've seen by him, and it was nothing I would want to own. At the same location there was a lovely painting on the wall of a domestic scene with really nice color and it told of a story you would want to know more about. I was surprised to find out it was by the same painter. It wasn't at all like what he is known for painting, but I preferred it far above his famous works. It was not as fast and loose, and it drew you in to a place you might want to find yourself.

[@johnrestucci8269]

Hi Eric , just to let you know how much I appreciate all your videos ! Thank you so much for your method of teaching, which takes out all the anxiety in painting!

[@Ant1matter2]

Good for you to not comprimise your emotional growth..and good for you to choose a path that satisfies the path of your art... I like that you change it up and show that its fine to use all tools available..It's not cheating and it is like using your own fingertips...thank you! I absolutely love it.....

[@Cafewatercolor]

Thank you so much! 🥰

[@DRNunnu]

To me, it is still loose - which is great and beautifully well done

[@skerrie1]

So beautiful 😍 I love it, the work you put into the detail , it really paid off!!❤

[@colleentrotter3656]

I've just found you on my son's reference, love your philosophy on life too!

[@treshaterrell2576]

Wow, Beautiful. You are so good!

[@Cafewatercolor]

Thank you, I appriciate it! ☺

[@richardfowke]

Thank you Eric, for me this your best and most helpful video to date. More like this please.

[@Cafewatercolor]

Appreciate it, thank you! =)

[@howaydaabdelall]

Vous êtes une personne agréable. Human

[@imruzz]

i haven’t been painting lately and still working through your course but i appreciate you not just grinding out content for views or working the algorithm to sell us more stuff.

[@Cafewatercolor]

I apriciate it, thank you!

[@user-xd2ej6rn9l]

Enjoyed watching your video. This painting is different from all your other printings. This one has more details, I liked it very much. 很棒

[@yuyuloveforever]

I love how honest and direct you are. Beautiful. Wish there was more of it.

[@Cafewatercolor]

Thank you so much!

[@deanlove3168]

Great job Eric, and so good to see you paint again. I would find this process far too stressful, fearing that I could ruin hours of work in seconds, but you are obviously made of sterner stuff. It's great that you are producing art which is more "you". Thanks for sharing.

[@jonathonarnold2565]

beautiful painting. i am an old artist who has worked in acrylics since i was 13. I've learned an entirely different way to paint and so much about watercolor painting from you. thank you so much truly i can't thank you enough. these things matter very deeply. p.s. shampoo works way better than soap for cleaning brushes

[@jenniferpeters3702]

Loved every minute. Thank you so much, Eric. I feel peaceful now. Looking forward to seeing more of your work. I thought it was Vancouver. A lovely painting. Appreciate your thoughtful introduction very much.

[@simpleartofhealing286]

so cool!

[@georgehoran8664]

I recognize that many comments start with a thank you, I confess my comment is no different mainly because I don’t believe we are told that as much as we should be. So thank you. As I was getting started it was JMW Turner, Andrew Wyeth and Sargent (and I could add others), because I was none of them and did not have their thoughts (or skill) so as I couldn’t not paint I had to go my own way. Forty+ years on I’m still a student. I am still unsure of the best way to paint. But I do know than the best way to get ahead is by challenging yourself. All the best

[@Cafewatercolor]

Thank you for your comment! =)

[@yarodi]

Great work brother..

[@colour.crushed5449]

Thank you so much for this video I definitely needed this as an Artist. This video is very informative and uplifting I am very grateful to you ❤

[@LarryStallings-dk4rr]

YOUR ART IS BEUTIFUL AND YOUR WORDS ARE KIND, GOD BLESS

[@TheMrDoliprane]

We spend a long time training, learning, and painting the way we think we should, according to what we learned. But it is a very important transition the day you start to paint no how you should, but how you want. You learned all these techniques, now it(s time to make them truely yours ! Congratulations !

[@Cafewatercolor]

Thank you! I am excited!

[@redge9158]

Have always loved your style and method - even more so now. Thank you for sharing and encouraging others to adapt styles for oneself and one's own process! Will look forward to your videos knowing you are pacing for your best interest. 🥰

[@hibikino]

Thank you for sharing your talent and passion. I'm glad that you are instead slowing down instead of speeding up with your newfound success. It is interesting seeing pieces from you where you spend more time on them. I've been trying to do the same with my own art.

[@pradipbanerjee3936]

Thank you,I enjoyed and learnt many important things from this video.

[@RicheUK]

Many Thanks, you are a very talented artist

[@1msfit]

Good for you! Sometimes we have to step back and take a breather. A little R & R for the spirit helps us regain balance and remember why it is that we do what we do. Thanks for discussing this with all of us. It is always good to have a reminder. Also, it is always interesting to see someone in the creative process of developing their own signature work. Best wishes.

[@MollysFineArt]

Thank you for your videos Eric! I've learned so much from you 🙏 I love that you shared your tech set up too!🌻

[@joycedimaggio3816]

NICE!

[@mrklewis]

Absolutely wonderful. I appreciate you talking through your thoughts and the process specifically the fact that this was a new approach for you. I look forward to the impact of these moved into your future work.

[@cwilliamson4261]

😍 It looks extraordinarily beautiful!

[@shirleywhite8245]

Well done for being so honest and open. It must have taken courage to share this, and I admire you for it. Enjoy your new venture... I'm sure I will. Xx

[@user-ws4tw7mx9l]

Люблю Ваши картины, Вы прекрасный художник. Я тоже рисую акварелью. Мои последние акварели: Нижегородские дали, Бигль друг человека, Тобольск, Суздаль.

[@StClair008]

I have been very upset about what's going on in the world for about seven years and it keeps getting worse. We live in a stressful, insecure time. Many of us are questioning our perceptions and worldview. I look forward to seeing how your channel evolves based on your current thinking. I'm sure it will be as high quality and thoughtful as always. The best thing about being a fine artist is that you can do whatever you want -- as long as you can afford it and not break the law.

[@Cafewatercolor]

It's increasingly difficult not to give into the anger when there's tragic everywhere. But I hope to continue create art that brings people joy and peace, and I'm sure many artists are doing the same ☺

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

We can make difference in current world by expressing sharing positivity as much as we can😊

[@sermanifiesto3005]

Grandes palabras de un gran artista . Desde España , saludos 🇪🇸

[@faria60]

Siempre es esperanzador ver como persigues y compartes la belleza que te rodea, gracias por compartirla

[@mjuvxjoh7480]

Thanks

[@VietnamPaintingWorkshop]

so interesting! 😇

[@rmkrystal]

Hi Eric, your talking is very informative and helpful together with actual drawing. It is not easy for me to draw in the similar manner as yours, but definitely worth viewing over and over again to inspire my creativity. Thank you always from Tokyo!

[@Cafewatercolor]

I love Japan! I hope you are well there, and I hope to paint Japan again soon.

[@7rone1]

💚💚💚

[@nikhatbano6272]

Very nice video. THANK U SIR

[@esthers5876]

Eric, what a beautiful painting! I love the light and the reflections on the buildings. Thank you for sharing with us how you are changing and focusing on your own style. I appreciate how you bring positivity to us through your art. I always look forward to your videos. Take care - Esther

[@Cafewatercolor]

Esther, I appriciate your long term support and encouragement. I still remember you came to my one day workshop at Daniel Smith. Seem like a lifetime ago! I hope you are well and I am so glad to be able to continue giving you value with my content!

[@esthers5876]

@@Cafewatercolor Thank you for remembering. That was a long time ago, wasn't it? I am well and I wish the best for you and your family. 🙂

[@cranfordrd]

Love your commentary and painting. I have learned so much from you and some of my favorite moments in my studio are with your videos and trying to replicate them. 4:25 Although my work isn’t anything like yours I hope that one day I can produce paintings as beautiful as yours.

[@audreyconn9881]

Audrey Conn from saskatoon. I love watching this. I like some detail but appreciate you using your usual focus on painting the light, connecting shapes, hard and soft edges, suggesting shapes, and trusting the process. Beautiful!!

[@Cafewatercolor]

Things slowly come together, skill build up on top of each other. And I will continue to work on it!

[@wynnelee1810]

Good for you, opting for quality over quantity.