Let's Paint Bokeh | Watercolor Painting Lesson by Sarah C. of Let's Make Art (Watercolor Background)

[@pamogren5707]

Possibly saving this tutorial ... forever. Thanks so much. Using the bokeh effect draws me into a painting ... even my own beginning watercolors. This is exciting.

[@tarahall1025]

I use round makeup pads (cotton/soft) to remove excess- it’s less abrasive than paper towels and like the effect.

[@katewalton6350]

Hi Sarah and Keenan, I so love your oath! If I was to listen to my thoughts I would never even start. I have to honestly say that voice does not have much volume anymore. Thx for your teachings .

[@LetsMakeArt]

Hi Kate, thank you so much for being brave and painting along with us. We are always here to cheer you on!

[@ruthherring6035]

I did the bokeh with the bleed proof white, I loved it

[@arttherapy237]

I just love the oath part so much!!! And the way you said "use whatever you have" that's a progressive attitude

[@LetsMakeArt]

Thank you!!🥰

[@fazestorm4441]

48:39 I really enjoyed this thank you I thought it was something like Bohemian art of some sort

[@ladeanaburton6863]

Really fun Sarah 💗

[@HaileyAndTheArt]

I'm new to your channel and your oath made my heart happy! I'm now binge watching all the watercolor videos.

[@LetsMakeArt]

Welcome!! We hope you enjoy binging all the watercolor videos!🥰

[@normanmerrill1241]

Thanks…great technique…unlimited possibilities…be safe…

[@carolvoellinger6541]

I was walking in the park today and saw some queens Anne’s lace that I wanted to paint. This totally gave me an idea of how to do it.

[@LetsMakeArt]

Awesome, we love hearing this. Happy creating!

[@donnamcneil6748]

Love this great lesson I used None staining paint made it much easier

[@carolekratzke9500]

Excellent work and excellent teacher.

[@LetsMakeArt]

Thank you so much!!❤️

[@helanna9843]

Thanks for this video. Your teaching style is so forgiving and encouraging. Your flowers look like Queen Anne's Lace.

[@thewoodman6039]

Love it, thank you. I just stumbled on your channel. Cool! I like the Christmas lights idea... oh yeah

[@Afzaaldrawing]

Nice 👍

[@LetsMakeArt]

Thank you!!

[@jopetersen542]

I have watched several other videos of this type technique, and I really like this the best.

[@LetsMakeArt]

Wow, thank you!

[@beverlyweaver899]

I just love watching you.

[@LetsMakeArt]

We're so glad you enjoy tuning in with Sarah and Keenan. Thank you for your love and support!

[@adilmeer8737]

Hi I am Adil from Kashmir and I liked this video specially the way you do your art with water colours, I would like to see more videos of the same like wet on wet techniques and more, thank you for providing us such a beautiful and easy techniques. God bless you

[@LetsMakeArt]

We're so glad you enjoy our tutorials. We totally recommend browsing our watercolor playlist for other tutorials that feature the wet-on-wet technique along with other great ones!!

[@heidirachaelpieterse5109]

Wow thank you so very much. You are a genius! I loved watching you work and hearing you're reasoning.

[@Michiyo65]

I tried this tonight with liquid latex. It worked so well. I made a couple of flowers and few tiny buds. It was so much fun. Thanks for the fun tutorial.

[@artwithmamafairybreadd]

It’s beautiful

[@LetsMakeArt]

Thank you!!🥰

[@sucynnechelim4859]

I always loved bokeh effects on photos.. now I get to paint them! Yey for me! Thank you Sarah and Keenan! Super fun project indeed! 😁😁😁

[@LetsMakeArt]

Yayyy!! Thank you for tuning in and painting along with us. Now go have the best time creating beautiful bokeh backgrounds endlessly.

[@abbyladera4421]

I love how you emphasize the love of creation 😍😍

[@helendilley420]

Love it very unique.

[@buttercupsandlegobricks]

I love this! So glad I found your channel. ❤

[@trinagonzalez219]

So fun. Not loving my colors but it was so fun. Can’t wait to try again. Thank you!

[@annehebert6959]

This comment is not related to this video - although it is gorgeous. I wanted to say that I recently bought a couple of the monthly boxes that were on sale. I live in Canada & while the cost of shipping was 1/2 the cost of the boxes I ordered & with the exchange rate - I was thrilled when I opened them and found such great projects, paints, paper, etc. Well worth the money spent and I am so excited to crack these babies open and start painting. Thank you so much - I just love your channel & your products.

[@LetsMakeArt]

Hi Anne! We cannot thank you enough for taking the time to leave this incredibly kind comment. Your support of our small business means a lot. We hope you have the best time working on the projects you bought. Happy creating!!

[@sarahrubyart]

Hi Sarah, just love how you teach. Thanks for sharing it with us. That’s very beautiful. Promised 🎨❤️

[@LetsMakeArt]

Thank you for taking the time to leave the kindest compliment!!🥰

[@juliec.]

Oh gosh I love this so much👍👍

[@bhavyajoshi327]

Wow so so beautiful ❤️

[@DottieStanley]

Gorgeous! I can't wait to try this one! Thank you so much for sharing your skills with us. Love your videos!

[@irenehynes7536]

Thank you for the great explanations of Bokeh!

[@janetchen959]

This is so beautiful, I will try tomorrow morning! Tq for showing the step by step tutorial Sarah 😊

[@LetsMakeArt]

Thank you! We're so glad you enjoyed this tutorial. We hope you have the best time painting this project tomorrow.

[@elizabethmaceachern5653]

You were correct that your flowers should resemble something from nature, they look like" Queen Anne's Lace" very pretty!

[@rondabergeron4414]

This is great! One way I do this is, half close my eyes and look at a scene, most of it will be out of focus and then I get the true values, ta da... have a great day.

[@LetsMakeArt]

Thanks for sharing your tip with us! Happy Monday!!

[@jenniferspotten915]

Nice presentation! I’ve watched several other artists demo this, but didn’t say where this ‘look’ originated, or where this idea came from. That it is a photographer’s term! I think it really helps with the design goal, as a person paints! Thanks for sharing this!

[@dyutighosh198]

It's nice and I like to try it .From India

[@LetsMakeArt]

Thank you for tuning in! We're so happy to hear you enjoyed this tutorial. We totally hope you'll give it a try. Thanks for creating along with us all the way in India how cool!!

[@patlatour2465]

I have used q tips to do my circles works pretty good.

[@mjgenualdi22]

Love this project!!! Especially your instructions at the end: Sarah: "Try some where there is just a few (in the dew). Try some where there are a lot (next to a pot). Try some where they are all the same size (on a rise) and try some where there are different sizes (she advises). Try some with multiple colors (or others), try some with one color (next to your mother).....Sam I am"

[@gwensimmons_gigi1629]

New subbie here! Love your mantra, « Be Kind to yourself! »… will try this with watercolors. TFS this technique, beautiful paintings! 🤩👍🏾😃

[@LetsMakeArt]

Welcome!! We're so glad you're here and that we now get to be part of your creative journey.

[@mariaantonieta7724]

Hola Sara. Te he descubierto recientemente y estoy encantada contigo. Me ayuda mucho tus tutoriales. Muchas gracias por estar ahí

[@LetsMakeArt]

❤️❤️❤️

[@lyndamitton4496]

You go girl! I love your creative freedom!

[@v.mishrasart43]

Excellent work👍👍

[@elizabethvillarreal4975]

Sarah you are an awesome teacher❤️

[@darlingdivadurelle]

Awesome ….thank you so much! This is perfect for the project I am working on now!

[@LetsMakeArt]

Yayyy!! This makes us so happy to hear. Happy creating with the project you're working on.

[@annetaylor9625]

This was so much fun to watch! I'm going to try this today. My Mom loves Queen Anne's Lace, so that will be the look I'm going for!

[@tonisumblin2719]

👍🏼. I always love Queen Anne’s lace. Your mom will be happy.

[@phionella7]

That's what it reminded me of as well.

[@super_easy_art]

Thank you for this tutorial! You made the process quite easy to understand 😊 amazing video!

[@annamariabignardi6640]

Brava. Grazie ❤ Un saluto dall' Italia

[@CCLinGameOnABC]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I enjoy the semi-causal and “real” time style of this video clip. It is just like hanging around with some artist friends in their studio, listening in to their conversations, and learning at the same time. Thank you.

[@sudharao1700]

Glad i came across this tutorial, Sarah 👌I'm definitely going to try this ❣️ thank you so much

[@LetsMakeArt]

We hope you have the best time creating your own version of this project. Happy creating!

[@sudharao1700]

@@LetsMakeArt , thank you ❣️

[@gillminshall3231]

I rally love this technique Sara and I rally feel the spots look like a virus in a strange sort of way X

[@panther5031]

Awesome💜🌹

[@LetsMakeArt]

Thank you!!🥰

[@Kateseyes]

First time I have seen your videos, I loved this one and I’m going to try it! I love your enthusiasm, it is contagious 😷. I have subscribed and liked and look forward to watching more of your videos. Thank you for sharing your talents.

[@joannesarlo518]

Love this! The little flowers and stems looked so dimensional against your background. Fun project!!!

[@mmelendrez79]

So excited just bought this art box! Excited for July's art box coming out too!

[@LetsMakeArt]

Yayyy!! We hope you have the best time creating the projects featured in both the Waves of Change box and Wanderlust box. We cannot wait to paint with you over the next two months!!

[@cathyphegley7414]

I have never seen this done and it’s so cool to watch. I will be trying it myself a little later today. Also I have never seen that type of watercolor paint. Is it similar to the tube and palette paint? Just discovered your site this morning. You two are a hoot together and also very sweet. Love your oath.💕Cathy

[@LetsMakeArt]

Welcome!! We're so happy you're here and that we now get to create with you. We hope you have the best time trying out the Bokeh project. The watercolors featured in this tutorial are our in house liquid watercolors. You can check them out here :www.letsmakeart.com/products/dandelion-paint-co-15ml-watercolors?Social&

[@griffmic10]

I loved this, Sarah! 💚

[@cherylprindle5421]

Hi Sarah, Thank you for the beautiful thank you card I received yesterday. I’m glad you liked your little art journal. Would love to see something you paint in it sometime. So glad to see that you have this wonderful site. I’ve subscribed now and look forward to learning some new techniques.

[@barbararivera2380]

thank you

[@TaraSueSalusso]

I love that you did this now. I’ve been seeing this more frequently and want to incorporate it into a couple of watercolor and ink paintings I have coming up soon. I am going to have to do a practice run. Perhaps this example well be a give me inspiration.

[@LetsMakeArt]

We're so glad you enjoyed this tutorial. We totally hope it does inspire you to create something that you've been dreaming of doing. Happy creating!

[@nadjettenena7403]

extraordinaire

[@claudinejones7894]

Love this technique! Thank you. Can’t wait to try it . Clever Lady !

[@TheSebiestor]

So simple but amazingly effective, beginners will love this as it will get them a very attractive painting easily. Inspirational.

[@BlueberryLover617]

The Bokeh Christmas tutorial you mentioned is probably by Maria Raczynska: Day 3 of 12 Watercolor Christmas cards | Real time video Day 2 of 12 Watercolor Christmas cards | Real time video or Karen Rice Art: Bokeh and Baubles - Christmas Card Idea Thanks for uploading such a fun video!

[@lydianewcomb]

Can't wait to try this out! Once again, another beautiful project! You make this so fun!

[@Julialuli1000]

I had to look up the pronunciation on Merriam-Webster (don’t ever use Google as a pronunciation source) because I’d never heard the second pronunciation. It’s BŌ-kā, accent on the first syllable. So cool there’s an audio guide. I won’t ever say it wrong again😊 and now I’m going to paint bokeh!

[@LetsMakeArt]

Happy creating!🎨🖌

[@wendybaker9122]

Love this! One question could you use gouache white instead of the white you used?

[@cynthiastandridge5230]

I love this project!

[@danieljamesbinderystu2968]

100% cotton paper won't pill or degrade under soaking wet work, or lifting techniques. As a full time professional artist and Bookbinder, and I also teach private art/binding lessons...I always teach people to cheap out on your paints, BEFORE you cheap out on your watercolor paper! I make my own custom line of luxury watercolor sketchbooks, made with Italian and French goatskin leathers, Hardbound watercolor sketchbooks with all of the options of the professional artist grade 100% cotton watercolor paper brands. Saunders Waterford is my absolute favorite, but Arches, Canson, Stonehenge and Fabriano Artistico are all great choices as well. I'd rather paint with Winsor and Newton Cotman paints ( which I absolutely hate ) on 100% cotton Saunders Waterford... than paint with all my professional brands of Artist grade watercolor paints, on cheap wood pulp papers! If you can't afford 100% cotton paper... Saunders has a brand called Bockingford paper, that is made from 100% woolen felts, and its not made from cheap wood pulp. It paints very similar to their 100% cotton Saunders paper, and its EXTREMELY RESILIENT and tough!! It's much better than cheap wood pulp watercolor paper, and it's extremely cheap. Buy professional 100% cotton artist grade watercolor papers in imperial sheets or in industrial rolls ( I buy industrial rolls and imperial sheets ) and not in pads or blocks. Pads and blocks of professional 100% cotton papers cost the absolute highest prices possible. You can buy a imperial sheet of Arches ( 22" x 30" ) from Blicks for 5$ each, and can cut it to any size you wish. You can cut 8 - A4 sheets ( 8 1/2" x 11" ) from 1 imperial sheet. Also, if you buy more than 5 sheets @ $5 each... there is a discounted price, and it drops to @ $4 a sheet. A pad of Arches that is A4 size will cost you 20$ and it only has 15 sheets. You can buy 2 imperial sheets of Arches @ 10$ and cut 16 A4 sheets of the same exact paper! This goes for every professional brand of 100% cotton papers at Dick Blicks, Jacksons art, Jerry's, etc etc. And if you love the blocks of watercolor papers, you can buy a cheap bottle of Padding Adhesive ( gummy flexible glue that is used on pads and blocks that allow you to easily tear off the sheets of paper without damage) on Amazon for $7. You can cut down the imperial sheets to any size sheets you wish too, then stack them in a pile and sit something heavy on it... and glue them on the edge as a pad or block for more than half of the cost! And if you need help doing this, search for instruction vids on KZbin. There are many vids on here to show you how to do so. Again, cheap out on watercolor paints...BEFORE you cheap out on the paper. The paper is just as important, if not MORE, than the actual paint. Hope this helps someone out, and have a great day 😀

[@BingusFodder]

I have some 22 x30” sheets from khadi and they are absolutely amazing, beautiful papers

[@SylvanSadie]

I...did not expect to have all my questions answered about paper in a youtube comment, yet here we are. THANK YOU!

[@melissaedwards2332]

You rock! Thank you for the info!!

[@haleyhansberry5493]

Sarah uses dye based paints. These don’t always lift as well on 100% cotton. If im using the Dandelion liquid watercolor paints, I prefer Canson or other wood pulp papers.

[@blazenadzurjanikova9173]

Hi Daniel. Is it possible to make my own 100 % cotton paper for WC? Ive read someone uses hand made one. Thank you.

[@Chirrup18]

I know I'm very late to the "bokeh party," but I wanted to tell you that yours is the best representation of actual bokeh I've ever seen in watercolor! And I also know it's very late for this comment, but I think everyone I've seen doing this technique is overthinking the pronunciation. I've been a professional photographer for many years, and until I watched these videos I've never heard some of the painters' pronunciations! 😂 Every photographer I've ever known pronounces the technique simply bow-keh'. It's pronounced exactly like it's spelled. 😉

[@debbywawrzyniak3166]

Hi Sarah and Keenan! Loved this project! It packs a really incredible visual punch for such a simple technique! I am amazed by this! Thanks so much for such an interesting project.

[@nancymaine1137]

Is it better to use hot press paper for this? I tried cold press but absorption is so fast. I wet the paper first. It still dries so fast in Arizona. I could never take as long to do this as she does. If you rewet you ruin the circles.

[@maremagoo8140]

It was a joy to see your enthusiasm for this technique! So much fun! Question: When you did it with Lavender flowers, did you use the liquid H2o's for the flowers. or guache, or bleedproof white mixed with a violet??

[@LetsMakeArt]

Hi Mare! We're so glad you enjoyed this tutorial with Sarah. We reached out to her with your question and here's what she said "I used a masking fluid pen and painted the background, and then I used cake watercolors for the lavenders. Maybe Bleed Proof White for a highlight here and there." If you click the link below you can check out the masking fluid pen she used. www.letsmakeart.com/products/latex-free-drawing-gum-marker-4mm?Social&

[@kellysturgeon6727]

The fishlens idea I did in a sketch many years ago. It has to do with multiple points of perspective. Something that can be mapped out easily.

[@mandypittman1154]

I tried Keenan's idea with the masking fluid. I painted a light wash, then painted on some masking fluid. Then more paint in a darker color and then masking fluid. I think I did 4 layers of paint and 3 of making fluid. I don't know yet which I liked better, Sarah's way or Keenan's way.

[@LetsMakeArt]

Ohhhhh, we LOVE that you tried the masking fluid. That's awesome. So, so fun.

[@debbieschultz9768]

I love what you said he kind to yourself. I need to work on that. I sub because I can learn something different from you

[@LetsMakeArt]

We're so glad you enjoyed Sarah's message. She is filled with great wisdom that we're so glad she shares with us. Thanks for allowing us to be part of your creative journey!

[@flippinrisky]

Oh, wow-great tutorial! Will this technique work for acrylic painting, particularly acrylic on paper? 🤔

[@lyndamitton4496]

Gauche….is that same thing as bleed proof white? If not, where do you find it?

[@tonyarodgers-beute8537]

Will you be feathering the right side? Making the change in light less obvious? I feel like there are a few inches on the right that need to be changed? It is bright without a smooth transition like the picture on the left.

[@chamagnerodriguez9862]

Excellent project! Fyi, Karen Rice uses the masking fluid technique with some of her bokeh tutorials. Works beautifully. I love your version!!

[@Gypsyhearte]

could you use this technique to paint sun dappled water?

[@LetsMakeArt]

Ooooh! That would be a great experiment! If you give it a try, we'd love to hear how it turns out. Happy painting! :)

[@susansieber6189]

Pretend, it's Queen Annes Lace. Butterflies benifit from it in the outdoors.

[@takochikhradze4555]

Hi Sarah, it was very interesting video as usual. The only colour that i can't get comfortable is red. Can you do red themed painting for future project?

[@LetsMakeArt]

Hi Tako! Thanks for tuning in, we're happy to hear that you enjoyed Sarah's latest watercolor tutorial. We will totally pass your project suggestion along to Sarah.

[@vickicrosson2640]

The only way I could prevent blooms on the circles was to put down water and pick it up with paper towel from the OUTSIDE INWARD! If you start on the boundary you can grab that extra pigment before it settles in...just in case anyone else is struggling like I did!

[@avanellehansen4525]

Yes. The brush needs to be thirsting than the paper.

[@paintingbymarzi]

😍❤️

[@TicTocRobotSnot]

I wonder if round Stippler sponges would work well for this.

[@LetsMakeArt]

We totally recommend experimenting with them and letting us know how they work out!

[@janetchen959]

May I know what is the watercolor brand you are using? The name Berry blue, Emarald green... its so beautiful

[@LetsMakeArt]

The paints featured in this tutorial are our liquid watercolors, Dandelion Paint Co. You can check them out here: www.letsmakeart.com/products/dandelion-paint-co-15ml-watercolors?Social&

[@lone982]

Great....

[@LetsMakeArt]

Thank you!🥰

[@elliewithg]

The best oath!

[@LetsMakeArt]

We're so glad you enjoy the watercolor oath!

[@kathylovesmk]

Really cool effect, I'm not familiar with this term. What if you used a circle shaped foam dauber?

[@LetsMakeArt]

Bokeh is a really cool technique that we're so happy Sarah combined with the world of watercolors. You can totally experiment with the foam, just be careful not to rip your watercolor paper.

[@conniemorrison]

How do you know when you're done?

[@sherryscoloringandpaintingcorn]

sarah do you mind if i share my version of this lesson on my channel? Its awesome. I wil of course let them know where my inspiration came from so hopefully that will drive a little traffic to your channel also

[@LetsMakeArt]

Hi Sherry! If you email [e-mail] we'll be happy to chat with you about potentially sharing your version of the Bokeh project on your channel.

[@nikkijohnson7332]

😂 My daughter said these look like cucumbers and now I can't unsee it.

[@LetsMakeArt]

That's awesome!!

[@barefacedquestions]

Can bleed proof white be substituted with white gouache?

[@LetsMakeArt]

Absolutely! You'll just want to make sure your painting is totally dry before adding the details that require the gouache.

[@ArtDreamPainting]

😍😍

[@christinegelormino5594]

Painting around a subject - negative painting?

[@gwensimmons_gigi1629]

Yep!!

[@rebeccap.simmons4244]

The Christmas lights bokeh tutorial was Ellen Crimi Trent.

[@sabinelloyd8532]

Can I use gouache on top of watercolour?

[@LetsMakeArt]

Yes, you totally can. Depending on the look you're going for you may want a thicker layer of gouache so its not as transparent. Just experiment with the supplies you've got and have fun.

[@elainewood2947]

I love the quote behind you, however I think it also should add ‘and to everyone’

[@almasmith6457]

❤️

[@paigehunger7681]

Does anyone know what tape Sarah uses? I'm sure she's mentioned it before, but I have no idea which video.

[@LetsMakeArt]

Holbein Soft Tape.