Painting a Unique Live Oak in Watercolor. Finding Trees Packed with Character.

Have you fully explored the character and magic of painting and drawing trees? Such a varied and intriguing subject that never gets old and is packed with inspiration.
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[@adelehammond1621]

Since you love trees a series about trees round the world

[@louisebacon-ogden5032]

I live among the Coast Redwoods in California. FANTASTIC and hundreds of years old. Come draw and paint here!

[@lorraineclark7455]

Trees are nature's abstracts.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yes!

[@jant4741]

Have a living room with tree motif pictures. They all get along.

[@lindahazel5075]

I knew I liked this channel for a reason. There is a magic to trees!

[@aparnachaudhuri2475]

Agree with every w.. ord you say..trees are magical indeed. Just love your art works..just an inspiration

[@aprilg7679]

I live in Alabama, one of the top states for diversity of tree species. The live oaks and old pecan trees are some of my favorites for artistic interest.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yes. I grew up in AL. Roll Tide!

[@rachelgetsitright632]

Trees are my favourite, love them all. Some that stand out are Big Lonely Doug a Coast Douglas fir, the Fortingall Yew in Perthshire Scotland. Also Mesquite trees for their resilience, and how they help the land they grow on.

[@rcl-crafter8]

Fantastic, as always! You are my favo KZbinr and now my husband is hooked. I love that you are always trying and experimenting. I appreciate your detail and then your ability to do a loose ink and/or watercolor painting. My absolute favorite is how you turn a spontaneous painting into something. Doesn't even have to be totally representational. Super great work!! We went walking the other day to take pix of the local trees as we prefer nature painting. We appreciate your reviews too and what products you find work best for you. Thanks!!!

[@Tugboat-R-Us]

I’m right there with you, I’m so obsessed with trees

[@lynncooper1781]

So glad your doing better and i love all your beautiful videos❤😃👍🤗🖌️🎨

[@forestfamily1]

I would love to see a video on painting trees in each of the distances (foreground, mid-ground and distance) within a painting. Many of my paintings take place in forests and I struggle with how much detail to add to mid-ground and background trees in watercolor and ways to simplify details.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Noted

[@aptwalker2009]

Gorgeous! I can just picture the shy dryad peeking out:)

[@essietangle9931]

I have never heard anyone say they were tired of trees. They are like earthly centurions. The detail in this one is extra special! Now all we need is Mother Nature to bring on the green.

[@joefenech4527]

Sharp eyes perfect picture. Thanks I try to be perfect in my presentation.

[@ralphcrosby9622]

As many trees as I paint in a year. None look as majestic as the one here. Fabulous!

[@jo-annejacques5400]

I must say that I have a fascination with trees as well. They have so much character. I walk daily in the bush with my dogs. I stop and study the knots, bark, mushrooms, shapes and the list goes on. It gives me a very soothing feeling and gives me an appreciation for nature.

[@ericsamuelson5968]

Thank You

[@kerriefearby9542]

I agree with y,ou on trees, especially those with character and a story to tell. My favourite tree here in Australia is an old River Red Gum, Eucalyptus camaldulensis 🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘

[@craftergin]

Another gorgeous tree! I love it and all your trees. I'm a big fan of the movie Sleepy Hollow with Johnny Depp. I watch it every Halloween. That movie wouldn't be the same without the moodiness of the trees and especially the focal tree where the Headless Horseman emerges! That tree has a LOT of issues. LOL!

[@treehuggingbuddhist]

I love painting trees…the more time I spend with them, the more their individual personalities appear. 🌲🐿

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

If you ever come to England, Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire should definitely be on your 'Must See' list. It's lovely year - round, but Autumn is when it's at its most spectacular. 😊

[@julieduncan4075]

Great painting, and so fun to watch it appear out of nothing. Trees are one of my favorite parts of God’s creation. They each have their own unique voice. Thanks for posting this tutorial! ❤

[@pamelaburns1081]

I love your trees and I hadn’t thought to sketch in with a water brush. Thank you

[@vickiarn]

I love trees so much, all my trees have names. Marvin and Harry are my favorite trees. My mother thinks I'm nuts😂

[@mindofwatercolor]

We’ll they named some of the redwoods in California.

[@ggoannas]

There is something elegant and magical in your work. Muted, soft colours and great sense of light. Inspiring.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@karenturner-cf7vq]

Your painting of the tree is nice. I draw trees, and you have given me a few ideas. Thankyou

[@maggs131]

Trees are probably the first subject of a large percentage of new watercolor artists and the majesty never diminishes as the newbies turn into hardened veterans much like yourself

[@gingerbryant2347]

I absolutely love trees. I remember as a kid, I would sit beneath my grandmother’s peach trees and try to draw them from below. I lived near New Orleans for a short time and I loved the live oaks dripping with moss. And, most recently, I was on a trip in Scotland and fell in love with the huge, twisted, magical trees. Did you know that if you put your ear against the trunks, in a quiet place, you can hear them hum?

[@annewhite9502]

This is pretty magnificent.

[@barblallier9413]

Fantastical! You have a way of painting and describing your subjects so very clearly, and it's so inspiring! Thanks Steve!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Glad you think so!

[@cassiescreations9828]

This video and the scripture led me to read, once again, "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer, 1886-1918, KIA, in France, WW1. Your painting is beautiful! I always love your trees!

[@jwilliams5273]

So, I bought the Derwent waterbrush and it's fantastic. Game changer for me. As was M. Graham paints. I get it now!

[@RockyRoadCreationsbyDiana]

You are a master painter. Wow, that tree was so detailed. Where I live, we have amazing oak trees. My camera is going to be busy.

[@mikepetersen7319]

Love it. And I think Tolkien would've subscribed to everything you said about Trees. Got that book from Alan Lee too👍🌳🌲

[@PattisArtInnaVan]

Love painting trees but I always go two ways - either I'm way too generic or I get bogged down in detail. Working on finding a happy medium. Thanks Steve love this painting!

[@barryschreiber5436]

I understand and thank you for your reply. I recently came across an artist who takes a students' awful drawings and corrects one each week, making it into a virtual copy of the photograph. I was amazed. So much of what we see are variations on the same issues, but few artists show us what is possible. I have followed your suggestions over the years - in terms of equipment; light boards, watercolour paper, pencils and now the Silver Black Velvet brushes. Heavenly! May I suggest the Mono zero pencil eraser and the Faber-Castell Pitt Graphite Matt pencils for eliminating glare. It's my way of giving back. lol

[@kazfarndon4990]

LOVE your oak. What a great tip to use up the dried pallette gouche Steve. Must try, just need to find the time and patience next !

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks 👍

[@nancyb.4508]

Beautiful! I, too, am fascinated by trees and each has its own character. I always enjoy your videos, the detail you use, ahh, just so relaxing and lovely. I always appreciate the scripture verse and the end, thanks for that.

[@angelamaxwell59]

Thanks so much for your inspiring me!❤

[@johnstgeorge6993]

Another great tutorial, Steve. The appreciation you have for the subject really shows in the way you craft the painting. See some techniques I can't wait to try. I'd enjoy having you share some of your sketch books in a video or two. Thank you so much for the time you spend on these tutorials.

[@carolatchley3797]

I watch your painting with awe. I admire your delicacy and attention to details, and how the end result looks natural and not fussy. Oh how I wish I could paint like you!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thank you! Keep problem solving. It's the way forward.

[@providencevalleyfarm5270]

Trees are amazing! They bless and inspire and even our Lord paid attention to them as He walked here. He also wants us to be like trees - And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psa 1:3 I guess I also love them because I am named "Tree" Teresa. Ages ago I started to sign stuff Treeza or TreeZ'S

[@providencevalleyfarm5270]

IPS. became a patreon because I love your tree illustrations and paintings & the verses you leave us with each video.

[@Slotzzzz]

Hi 🧠.. another masterpiece, thanks..

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

This was so enjoyable. I could spend all day among the trees. But I’ve been spending so much time on the coast that it’s been a while! Side note: You may enjoy seeing tree paintings by Stepan Kolesnikov

[@mindofwatercolor]

Hey Sarah thanks! I’ll check his work out.

[@catherinelevison3310]

Masterful.

[@22GmaRocky]

I just love trees too😍 Always looking for and stopping to get pictures of them. I just need to spend more time trying to get them right in paint. Thank you🎈

[@borleyboo5613]

Fabulous! I also love trees and want to learn how to paint them. As a tree lover, you should try to come to the UK because, in Scotland there is a yew tree that is 5,000 + years old. It’s called The Fortingall Yew and is in Perthshire, Scotland. I have subscribed.

[@K.ART_vlog]

amazing painting ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@amyblossom7486]

This beautiful video was a mental vacation for me. I feel exactly the same way about trees. Your background music was perfection. Such mastery. Thank you for sharing your art. I am a new patron.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks Amy and welcome!

[@dougg1075]

Looks great

[@lotusphere6]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing

[@Sadie2.1]

I also love trees. Great video, thanks so much. Can't capture nature any better than a tree!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Couldn't agree more!

[@ChantelleArts]

Trees make for really interesting subjects, I love your enthusiasm!

[@tammylanglois2602]

I love trees of all kind

[@mindofwatercolor]

Ditto, obviously! 🤣

[@Shuvah2Him]

Yes! LOVE TREES! You can get cool ideas from bonsais also - I am presently sculpting a life size ringtail, and sculpted a dead tree branch to mont it on - makes me want to get the paints out!

[@dear_prudence]

Being born and bred in the South Carolina Lowcountry, I loved seeing you appreciating and painting our lovely live oaks. I have a yard full of them (complete with Spanish moss of course) and I never, ever get tired of seeing them. Thank you!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Wonderful!

[@pamb2734]

What an awesome tree! I’ve been sketching trees as long as I can remember, but find myself creating them in my mind no from a pic!

[@Calme1918]

Fantastic

[@barryschreiber5436]

I can recognize your painting anywhere, which is my subject. I have long been interested in style and how it evolves. I don't mean how it is influenced by the environment, but how it evolves within the artist, and I've NEVER seen it addressed to current artists, like you. It would be fascinating, at least to me, to see how your style, Steve, evolved over the years. There is a roundness to your work, but I'd like you to discuss it...if you would.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Hmm, interesting subject. My belief is that authentic style is not found. There isn't really a deliberate "how" to it. Style finds the artist. I suppose you can describe an artist's style and how it changed but an artist that forces style and tries to craft it often creates something that looks forced. Style develops naturally and spontaneously through constant exploration and painting what interests them adding their own discoveries and improvements to that process. It's an artist's personality. There are masterful emulators to be sure. Many illustrators fall into that category but even so they will still have a core style.

[@barryschreiber5436]

@@mindofwatercolor You miss my point ,Steve. I'm not looking for an explanation. I'm looking to SEE how your style evolved with examples from your early work to now. And Your analysis of your progression.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Nothing I can showcase I'm afraid. I did only occasional watercolor painting as an illustrator (which defines the majority of my art career). As such my work has been all over the place: air brush, colored pencil, acrylic, gouache and digital. Very realistic, and a lot of industrial work. I don't currently have my commercial portfolio viewable anymore but it really would not correlate. My heavy focus on watercolor came back with the start of this channel almost 9 years ago and maybe a few years leading up to. So any style developments are pretty recent. I don't really analyze it and that goes back to my first response. My style, if I were to analyze it in any way, has been heavily influenced by illustrators and artists whose work I love and study.

[@recoveringsoul755]

I love trees and your depictions of them are among the best. Did you climb trees growing up too?

[@mindofwatercolor]

I did. I loved treehouses too.

[@recoveringsoul755]

@@mindofwatercolor I still want a treehouse

[@judynash2794]

You've done it again! Now I want to try sketching a tree using gouache. What a great teacher does, keeps looking at things with fresh eyes!💞

[@ralphanderson2603]

My current work, LOST LOVE, will incorpororate a dead tree, this may help - tnx!

[@apoptosisz]

This is so beautiful! Was hoping for a root detail too.

[@BornAgainFarmGirl]

You are excellent at painting trees and I’m starting to understand why. First you love your subject, second you’ve studied trees extensively and finally third you paint them very near constantly 😊. Steve, you’ve inspired me for Years but until I started painting every single day (today is day 21) I was at a loss to understand. But today I’m thrilled to say , I get it 🥳!!!!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Wow, thank you

[@BornAgainFarmGirl]

@@mindofwatercolor 😏my pleasure!

[@adriannabcustomfurniture]

Thank you for mentioning how watercolor doesn't always have to be completely transparent. So many watercolor artists (I guess "purists") insist watercolor has to be this and you can't do this or that or yada yada yada. It drives me nuts lol oh and God forbid you use an already mixed black or a white...😱 You committed the worst sin haha. I use tubes of different mixed blacks, but I add colors to them to make them have more life. Oh! Don't use watercolor when doing mixed media, that's another cardinal sin 😂 sorry for the rant. I was watching another artist earlier that ended up driving me nuts and I had to unsub from them because goodness gracious 😂 anyway, thank you for another awesome tree video! Love it! 😊🖤

[@mindofwatercolor]

Well said. They're all just tools. Right tool for the right job my dad always said. A "purist" woodworker can do everything with hand tools if they really want to but...hmmm. Rules for thee but not for me. Applies to watercolor painting as well!

[@adriannabcustomfurniture]

@@mindofwatercolor haha! I love how you said "woodworker". Along with painting, I also make custom wooden furniture and other types of wooden home decor 😂 I agree. Everyone has their way of doing things. Sometimes I do things the "purist" way and sometimes I mix things up however I want. Depends on my mood. It shouldn't have to be one or the other. I was always taught that there are no rules when it comes to art. That is what I teach my 9 year old daughter who is on the spectrum. I homeschool her and we do A LOT of art stuff. She learns best with hands-on projects AND making art helps her when she's having a bad day due to overstimulation. She is an amazing artist and if I ever told her she couldn't do something, she'd be miserable. It's supposed to be fun! I wish others could see that too! 😊 Hope you're having a great weekend!

[@kristavthatsme3178]

Love this painting!! 😍 BTW, have you ever seen or painted the Angel Oak in South Carolina? That is one of the most beautiful trees on earth to me. Definitely worth checking out!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Not painted it, but I have a ton of photos from a visit. Def need to paint that one too.

[@sallywright5503]

I was just looking up reference photos for trees. You can do all the videos on trees that you want to do as far as I’m concerned. I am a huge fan of trees too. The trees in LOR, fantastic! Thank you for another wonderful video.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Good to know!

[@adisaikkonen]

If you like paintings/drawings of trees, please check out Yuichiro Sato. His treatment of the surface textures of trees is beyond incredible. Definitely one of my contemporary favorites!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Will do!

[@lilybelle6495]

New subscriber! Was recommended here by Paul Clark. So glad to have been introduced to your channel! Forgive me for probably missing the obvious... but I can't find the link to the video where you did the live oak in Charleston in plein air. I tried searching your channel as well. Could someone please help me find it. I live on the gulf coast and am desperate to learn how to tackle Spanish moss in trees! Thanks so much :)

[@mindofwatercolor]

Hi, welcome to the channel. Here is the video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWTTpouAZqx4o8k

[@dianeo]

I loved this! Beautiful tree, inspiring video. What is the name of the book at 5:06? There's something so comforting and calming about a tree. Probably reminds me of climbing trees and swinging on grapevines when I was a kid. There's such a graceful, peaceful quality about them as well as strength and resilience. it's no wonder artists love to recreate them on paper and canvas!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Lord of the Rings Sketchbook.

[@dianeo]

@@mindofwatercolor Thank you.

[@tmsouth1]

I need to try to paint from this video. I love to draw trees but find it hard to find really good tutorials that focuses on detailed trees. Do you have a book you would recommend that would cover everything in detail like knotholes for example. I do love those!! Thanks!!

[@mindofwatercolor]

No book specifically. The best way is paint from observation of real trees.

[@carolinewithers1647]

I painted a gnarley tree. I'm pretty happy with the detail of the tree, but I think the colors are too bright. I need to try to tone down the colors even more and make the sky more grey blue. How did you do the Spanish moss over the dark branches? Gouache?

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yes, gouache. Here is the video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWTTpouAZqx4o8k

[@apocalypse_frau]

Have you ever met or painted the historic Angel Oak Tree of Charleston? I could spend months, possibly years studying it.

[@mindofwatercolor]

I’ve been to see it and have lots of photos but I really should do a painting too.

[@sharonmorelli6056]

You are so gifted! Always a great video, thank you ❤️I don’t quite understand how you use a water brush, is it only instead of a bowl of water?

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yes, it is! It stays wet and reduces how often you dip in water. Useful for location sketching most of all.

[@myhanhphan9095]

Hi, i have a question. After i applied paint on a wet surcace of paper, some small and dark dots appear on a paper surface. What i did wrong to make it happen? And i love your chanel. It helps me alot. Thank you

[@mindofwatercolor]

Not sure. Kinda weird.

[@myhanhphan9095]

@@mindofwatercolor i guess because of old paper or to much of water. I am not sure about that. i made reserch but i still can not find clear anwser. And i am thank you for your anwser. i am really happy about that.

[@brendaditommaso4042]

Have you seen the magnificent Angel Oak in Charleston?

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yes, been there and have lots of pics.

[@Brubigo]

Nowadays much of AI art is being used on the fantasy realm subject. And something i have noticed is both AI and photobashing art has difficulty, if not a barrier, to achieve art that relates to mood. For example, you could photobash the grass field on the background of a castle, or you could ask AI to do it, but it will be a very generic dull grass, even more if it goes for realism. Thats where artists bring somethingdifferent, as you mentioned, artist are capable of making a subject transmit mood, and you can clearly see this in your drawing and the examples of different artists you showcased. Artists can subtly approach the background grass in ways that make the castle feel powerful, or forgotten, or prideful, etc.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Great points!

[@awatercolourist]

First non-Patreon 😊

[@ernestocarmona3966]

How do you fill the brush with the paint?

[@mindofwatercolor]

You pick it up off the palette. No filling.

[@ralphanderson2603]

If WC & Gouage are "equal" Why have-use both? - Effect herein? need expansion as my budger is limited - TNX!