How to paint the bokeh effect - 12 easy ways in watercolour (including a cheat!)

Have you heard about bokeh? Or seen the lovely blurry circles of light in the background of a painting or photograph and admired it? Bokeh are out of focus points of light and they are great fun to paint in watercolour.
Bokeh is seen very often in Christmas subjects - the twinkle of lights etc, but bokeh is not just for Christmas. It can represent light breaking through the new leaves in spring, or glinting off water in a lake.
I have come up with 12 different ways to achieve the bokeh effect. They can be mixed and matched to achieve exactly the look you want. I even share my quick cheat method, which I am particularly fond of! You can apply these to any subject of your choosing and you will soon be creating beautiful blurry stars of light.
If you enjoy the film, please like and subscribe. I aim to share a new tip each week. If you are looking for more in depth courses, please head to www.lizchadertonstudio.co.uk. These are pre recorded allowing you to go at your own pace and repeat classes as often as you like.
#lizchaderton #bokeh #watercolourbokeh

[@stephs759]

The rinse aid one looked like a sea of jellyfish. This was so helpful! Ty.

[@LizChadertonArt]

yes…lovely for underwater or for galaxies too

[@kathleenthompson1569]

I lve the way you encourage experimenting. You are really inspirational.

[@LizChadertonArt]

thank you!

[@catherinelauda6948]

Will put that one in my concertina booklet! Thank you.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@pbbrewer-martin6960]

ABSOLUTELY one of the BEST bokeh technique lessons EVER! Thank you, Liz!!!

[@LizChadertonArt]

thank you so much!

[@psyflyhunter8543]

Rinse Aid seems to have the most potential.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I like it simple because it’s magic. You can use it in underwater painting, constellations and as dried seed heads in a floral or landscape.

[@MadRushMusic]

Really thorough breakdown, Another one is reserving your circles with oil pastels or candles before you paint .Thanks for all your hard work Liz! Deni

[@LizChadertonArt]

yes! I didn’t think of that one. the only problem is once they are there you can amend them.

[@shirleygreaves9650]

Lovely vlog thank you. X

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@camelamiller6147]

Just discovered you. One of my favorite things to do with my camera is to "take my 50 for a walk" - a 50mm 1.8 lens makes wonderful bokeh behind botanicals. I found another way to make it in watercolors - I cut out circular pieces of kitchen sponge with a pair of sharp scissors. It's easier to grip if you use one of the thicker sponges although harder to cut. But once it's done in a couple different sizes, they just wash out so you can reuse. You can use thinner sponges inside a paper towel, similar to coins.

[@LizChadertonArt]

nice idea! Thanks for the tip

[@Bearwithme560]

Thank you! The magic eraser was just the ticket to salvage last night's painting. ❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

phew! Glad you saved the painting!

[@HeatherValentineMsFoodie]

That coin trick is FUN!!!!! Thank you

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you liked it!

[@janicebleasdale7140]

Great ideas thanks

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you like them!

[@wendygogan3825]

Coin method is new to me. I like it

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you like it! it’s useful for lifting out a sun in a landscape too, as long as you have the right size coin!

[@btraylor1]

I am learning to paint fire and this is soooo helpful!! When the sparks fly, they do make bokeh. Thank you!!

[@LizChadertonArt]

glad it helped!

[@albertkline1731]

Hi Liz, started using coins for bokeh effects just this year. Thx for sharing your different techniques. Making varying colored bokeh is a little more challenging.

[@LizChadertonArt]

yes, you’re right!

[@amandasymon4363]

Love the coin idea particularly 🤩 very helpful video - I have recently bought an eradicating brush - This would work well .

[@LizChadertonArt]

Great idea! have fun

[@mariakapatos9545]

Most interesting, new way of creating/cheating love it and thank you Liz😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're so welcome!

[@DianeAntoneStudio]

Thanks for this thorough video Liz, very interesting to see the different techniques. I like using the lifting out with a stencil myself, preparing a bokeh background before painting the subject over the top.

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome! Yes, I like the stencil too, but it is good to have different options for different situations.

[@jeraldbaxter3532]

Thank you!😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're welcome 😊

[@magical571]

the coin was a great and simple idea

[@LizChadertonArt]

someone else suggested a small flat button if you don’t have a coin of the right size

[@maylouisemoskuwich5984]

Wonderful explanation and demonstration-I’m so excited to try this!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@courtenay4130]

Thank you! These are great techniques.

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome! glad you enjoyed it.

[@carolbaird3741]

Another useful technique to improve out painting. Thank you

[@LizChadertonArt]

My pleasure 😊

[@Julieoolums]

Thanks Liz I'm really enjoying giving this a try!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Have fun!

[@corinnemarneffe3286]

Super, merci beaucoup Liz!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Mon plaisir!

[@k-star9957]

Love your analysis on bokeh before teaching how to paint it.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you. I watched a few of the popular KZbin films and no one seemed to do that. I find it useful so I hope others do.

[@tatjanaloncar1163]

Thank you so much! I really love your tutorial!

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@miwagardner1353]

The coin method looks the best! Or it could be the color used for it too 🎉

[@LizChadertonArt]

I think every situation is a bit different, so this should give you plenty of options

[@lyndamitton4496]

Love it…and think you are terribly thoughtful in Sharing these techniques with us! THANKS!

[@LizChadertonArt]

It's my pleasure. It stretches my brain to think of different techniques

[@rowenawhiteford1928]

Thank you Liz! I really appreciate the time you take to share these tips. All very useful, depending on the effect you are looking for.x

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome! yes, I think mix and match is the way to go

[@janwelsman]

These are really helpful. Coins were great idea. I use cash less often so have a few coins knocking about to keep for this job.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@HBFaulkner]

That was awesome! Thanks!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you liked it!

[@susancook1617]

Thank you Liz, this was a great tutorial. I love the way you go through lots of different options. I particularly liked the cheating alcohol one, very pretty.

[@LizChadertonArt]

since this someone else has suggested using round sticky labels to mask and white wax candles. so it should be 14!

[@groovyyaya737]

Thank you very much

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are welcome

[@pattycyr8662]

Great thorough video - thanks so much.

[@LizChadertonArt]

My pleasure!

[@valeriegehling4358]

As I have no masking fluid will try the other methods first. Also have no gouache but, have colour pencils & deck white, which I ‘ll try with. Thanks. Interesting.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Have fun!

[@janetfrancesco9820]

Thanks Liz. I really enjoy your KZbin videos.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I'm so glad!

[@marionwigzell7334]

Thanks Liz, yes Bokeh is very popular at the moment. I like the lifting out method best (-: Marion

[@LizChadertonArt]

it certainly is popular. I like lifting out with coin and the dish washer make me laugh. they look best when they are mix and matched for your project

[@melodycrites3145]

Thank you for sharing!

[@LizChadertonArt]

My pleasure!

[@1171]

Thank you so much I really appreciate it.

[@LizChadertonArt]

glad it was helpful

[@silvercharm9507]

Going to try the coin trick. Thanks so much.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Have fun!

[@lauramarshall1082]

most informative !

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@windywednesday4166]

❤ Thank you for the great 'all-in-one' breakdown of different methods for Boca! I will skip the masking and try the others along with a couple more techniques. I think negative painting might work well for this... using gouache on wet watercolor is similar to alcohol and I want to try using color pencils (wax base). Bon voyage.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Have fun!

[@kathrynlehotsky2815]

Love this one. Would this be a way to create a sun or moon on a sunset/sunrise? Awesome, Liz Kathryn

[@LizChadertonArt]

Yes, absolutely. I used the lifting out with a coin for suns/moons. so quick and easy. as long as you can find the right size coin.

[@sds9418]

Oh Wouah ! Full of surprises !!! All are very interesting , except with pastels. But perhaps if we apply rounds with a special surface ground for pastel, in a very very fine lyer. Dishwasher offers surprising effects, it's my favorite ..But for being interesting and rich , creations need to be differents. My 2 = with soften edges, it's sensual, i like that very much too ; My 3 favorite = with gouache , i like this atmosphere who can be created ..sensual too with discreet bubbles . I did'nt believe at all when you was applying gouache Lyz . Less interesting with Lift Off, It's nice and well but the paper under which is stright away visible..Not terrible

[@LizChadertonArt]

I think different methods will work in different paintings, and combining several gives a great result.

[@tatjanaloncar1163]

Hvala!

[@LizChadertonArt]

hvala lijepa!

[@idaliamarchesini2104]

Molto molto bello

[@LizChadertonArt]

thank you!

[@elisabethhansen7547]

Tak for super spændende tip. Kærligst Elisabet Danmark

[@LizChadertonArt]

my pleasure!

[@sharonmcmann-morelli4896]

i really like the effect of the gouache…..it seemed to be the easiest, maybe not. the cheating was great, rubbing out wet is nice.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I think they are all useful in different circumstances. Have fun!

[@kathyhascall2943]

Just in time,, I’m doing a sky scape!

[@LizChadertonArt]

phew!

[@Nugnat]

Great tutorial! Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@davidmolloy126]

Hiya Liz, Bokeh (Bo-KAY), is a Japanese word meaning blurred and comes from the Japanese, Pinboke. Thanks for another really interesting video. Take care. David.x

[@LizChadertonArt]

so it’s meant to said like a bouquet of flowers - but bo-kay, not bookay? oops! good to know! thank you.

[@Bearwithme560]

Thank you! My computer defaulted to "bouquet" because l misspelled one letter, and l was led to a flower site.

[@wes8869]

thanks

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're welcome!

[@kimrose1053]

❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

😁

[@NancyJackson]

Instead of coins you could use various sizes of small buttons.

[@LizChadertonArt]

that’s a good tip!

[@amaracardamine3837]

Very flat buttons of course.

[@LizChadertonArt]

😄Naturally!@@amaracardamine3837

[@suzilici]

Could you use a pipette to create the bokeh with the dishwasher method? Also, I have seen someone using pure alcohol on watercolor yo create some sort of round spots, that resemblance the bokeh in my opinion. Your methods are amazing and can't wait to play with them myself 😁 Thank you for sharing! 🙏

[@LizChadertonArt]

Alcohol (or even concentrated perfume) gives the circular mark too and I reckon a pipette would be great. Have fun experimenting!

[@suzilici]

Great! Thank you! 🙏@@LizChadertonArt

[@karindw6384]

Brilliant! Does the rinse aid have any long-term effects on the paper or pigments? I know it contains surfactants which is why is pushes away the water but wonder how archival it is? Thanks.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I’m sorry, I don’t know the long term effects. If I had litmus paper I could check the pH but I don’t. I can’t imagine it would be any worse than salt, but that is a guess. If I find an answer I’ll let you know.

[@katecindy414]

Thank you for putting it together! So creative! Can you please put the camera on a separate tripod, cause it shakes when you move the table

[@LizChadertonArt]

Sadly I can’t have an independent overhead tripod. I know it shakes, so I try to keep erasing lines to a minimum as it gets wobbly.

[@katecindy414]

@@LizChadertonArt Sure, I can totally relate. Your tutorials are amazing even when it shakes!

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@katecindy414 I’ll try to keep shakes to a minimum!

[@suel4269]

Your rinse aid circles look like jellyfish. I’ve seen Jenna Rainey use alcohol for jellyfish. Thankyou for experimenting

[@LizChadertonArt]

yes, I have used them for amoebas etc. they are good for constellations too and even seed heads in the background of a floral or landscape

[@jeanettespary2615]

Inpi

[@jeanettespary2615]

Inspiritational😮thankyou❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

Inpi did confuse me 😆!

[@sueallen952]

Hi Inktense is ink not watercolour

[@LizChadertonArt]

True