Paint Amazing Special Effects With Watercolour

[@Ragglesnap]

I am learning so much from you. I've always used paint brushes and my art skills were of a two year old. After watching some of your videos, I can now say I've reached an 8 year old ability and getting older by the minute. Not bad for someone who could never draw or paint.

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Fantastic. It all comes down to practice

[@celsom5692]

Christopher sensational class on how to use natural sponge to create the effect of trees, I really liked it, thank you for your teachings .

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@celsom5692 You’re welcome, thank you for watching

[@karenhardie291]

That is so effective. I have tried this with acrylics and feel inspired to try with watercolour now! Thank you.

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@karenhardie291 You’re welcome! Glad you liked it

[@karenhardie291]

This celebrates the beauty of authenticity.

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks Karen

[@sgv323]

So nice! And almost all with nothing but a sponge! And a great eye, of course. Thank you for sharing.

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@sgv323 Thanks so much. I really do recommend the advantages of experimentation, anything that can make an interesting mark, can be used as a “brush”.

[@annawitter5161]

Thank you so much. I learned lots from this one.

[@ChrisStephenArt]

You’re welcome, Anna. Thanks for watching

[@SillyThingsArt]

Love love love that! Thank you for sharing this technique

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks so much

[@rosiemcloughlin5464]

Love it ....thank you !

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks Rosie

[@stephenbru]

What a great tutorial !!!...I have learned so much from this video!. I am a sub!!. Great job Sir..

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thank you, Stephen. Much appreciated

[@deborahjohnston2808]

Thank you so much!I had forgotten about using a sponge!Such a beautiful painting!

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@deborahjohnston2808 Thanks so much

[@janetm8902]

Just one word - LOVE!

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks so much

[@berniehayes286]

Nicely done Chris.

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks so much

[@haraway987]

I'm always amazed about 3/4 of the way into your paintings. The first layers lay down the foundation so well, but look like not much is happening. Then suddenly the scene makes sense and has such depth! Thanks for your inspiring tutorials.

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@haraway987 Thanks !! That’s generally how I work, the first wash will set the light and once the darker tones go in, the painting takes shape. You just have to keep faith in the process !!

[@leonidasspanos20]

Very nice and simple!👏🏻👏🏻

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thank you

[@dawn4224]

Magical!

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks so much

[@Dreaminsightswithvaun]

Brilliant - and thank you for mentioning the colour mixes.

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@Dreaminsightswithvaun Thanks so much, glad you liked it

[@elizabethsolart]

Somewhere for the birds to fly through.. I remember Franke Clarke, the joy of watercolour videos back in the 90's he would say that.. and "happy little accidents" which was always amusing in his strong Irish accent. Love this effect that's Christopher. 🙏

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Yes, Frank Clarke, I couldn’t remember who said that. Thanks 😊

[@ralphherrick596]

Fantastic as always....!!!

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks Ralph

[@jeanunderhill3868]

That is lovely. Thank you for sharing that technique. I’m going to give it a go.

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@jeanunderhill3868 You’re welcome! Glad you like it

[@lindathaxton1994]

Love watching you paint & always learn! Thank you 🙏

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks Linda, glad you liked it

[@sheilagilleland4312]

Wow! This is seriously beautiful, and such a great explanation of value!

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@sheilagilleland4312 Thank you so much

[@JohnArnoldPhotography]

Wow great results. I have a sponge yet never used it. Now I will.

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thank you. It’s good to experiment !!

[@roberthoward3723]

Wonderful dramatic effect with such simplicity - thanks

[@ChrisStephenArt]

You’re welcome, Robert. Glad you liked it

[@jennyjanesbeauty8216]

I luv it ! I have to try this it awesome, the colours are beautiful too . Thankyou so much for sharing. 😊

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@jennyjanesbeauty8216 You’re welcome, Jenny. Thanks so much for watching

[@gaylecewpie5012]

Fabulous!! Thank you for showing us this gorgeous scene, truly love it!

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@gaylecewpie5012 You’re welcome! Thanks so much for watching

[@kellybishop7238]

I love this and can’t wait to try this on my own, it’s beautiful

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Great, thanks so much !! Glad you liked it

[@lindabrown4485]

Brilliant thank you !!! 👍

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks Linda 😊

[@micheleleech8128]

I enjoyed your video. Your painting looks great.

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@micheleleech8128 Thank you, much appreciated

[@mariasusanafernandez7483]

Superb!!!

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks !!

[@PamelaTitterington]

Really enjoyed this tutorial,great picture thankyou😊

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thank you Pamela 😊

[@frandongignac6256]

Just beautiful. You are so talented 🙂

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thank you so much 😊

[@howlingwind1937]

Thank you for sharing your process the painting is lovely. Cheers from Tasmania!

[@ChrisStephenArt]

You’re welcome!! Thank you so much for watching

[@howlingwind1937]

@@ChrisStephenArt I loved how the painting just emerged like magic it really was lovely. 😊

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@howlingwind1937 Thanks. It’s a nice technique

[@howlingwind1937]

@@ChrisStephenArt I think even I could do a water colour painting using your technique, thank you! Cheers from Tasmania!😊

[@ChrisStephenArt]

I’m sure you can, give it a try 😊

[@jeanp5395]

Thank you so much…..been having a “painter’s block” and this is very inspiring.😊

[@ChrisStephenArt]

You’re welcome, glad you found it inspiring 😊

[@clariolaelx]

Thank You very much from Spain 🌻

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@clariolaelx You’re welcome! Thank you so much for watching 😊

[@lindapaxman7788]

AWESOME !!! Beautiful❤THANKS 😊

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks so much, glad you liked it

[@elizac.9355]

That's beautiful Christopher! I gave it a shot but made a mess of it, but I definitely learned some things. Thanks for the color mixing tips. It might help if I slow down your videos. Best....

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@elizac.9355 Thanks so much. Don’t worry about making a mess, it’s all part of the process. Water control is key to most watercolour techniques, so it’s all good practice !!

[@marionakerstrom7]

Thank you so much for this great and inspiring video🙌

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@marionakerstrom7 You’re welcome! Thank you for watching 😊

[@kathyyost18]

Really love this!

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks Kathy

[@ShoshiPlatypus]

Stunning!

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks so much !!

[@JeriBond-r6v]

This looks amazing

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thank you so much

[@craiggross9629]

FANTASTIC

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thank you !!

[@rainbowfox1934]

Very nice affect!

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@rainbowfox1934 Thanks very much !!

[@jerryaubill163]

Love this technique.

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@jerryaubill163 Thanks so much, glad you like it

[@connieostroha8423]

Lovely! Thank you!

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@connieostroha8423 You’re welcome! Thank you for watching

[@ShamshadAli-x4c]

Stunning thank you for sharing ❤

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@ShamshadAli-x4c Thanks so much 😊

[@jerseyjoe1677]

I use this technique you should try rotating the sponge to avoid repeating patterns. The tree on the right on the left side of that tree has 4 branches with leaves that look almost exactly the same. You just wouldn’t see that in nature. Otherwise excellent work.

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@jerseyjoe1677 Thanks Jersey

[@christinerolf9348]

Great thankyou,have learned a lot,will have a go

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Fantastic !! Glad you liked it

[@Tartaglia66]

You can use the same sponge technique with acrylic and oil paint as well.

[@ChrisStephenArt]

I know, I’ve done it with both. It’s good to experiment

[@juliadean2473]

Thank you very much❤

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@juliadean2473 You’re welcome! Thank you for watching

[@hotspursam4972]

Hi Christopher thanks for this. Can you use the sponge again or is irs use limited by the colours it has already absorbed?

[@ChrisStephenArt]

You’re welcome, Sam. Yes, you just need to rinse the sponge under the tap and it’s good to go again.

[@karensikorski4798]

How would you paint a fluffy white Maltese dog?

[@ChrisStephenArt]

I would probably use negative painting, using light and shade to describe the dog

[@newbeginningsartcrafts4153]

What calligraphy brush do you use?

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@newbeginningsartcrafts4153 It’s just a cheap one, came in a set from Amazon. It doesn’t have a name on it. Sorry I don’t know any details

[@newbeginningsartcrafts4153]

@@ChrisStephenArt I thought I’d try instead a Silver Brush 25155-XSM Ruby Satin pointed triangle paintbrush. They are suppose to be used mostly with oil & acrylic but I thought I’d get one & try with watercolor for the purpose you used the calligraphy brush. Wish me luck!! Love your talent & gifts by the way.

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@newbeginningsartcrafts4153 That’s an interesting looking brush, I like the fine point. I’m sure it’ll work perfectly well for trees and branches etc.

[@MelicentMcpartlin]

❤

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thank you

[@ТатьянаСмолич-ч1з]

❤❤❤❤

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thank you

[@arqalgemiropadilla]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thank you

[@Rockymtnbloom]

I know the sponge effect is great for creating trees. What about if you don't want a white background, and instead want skies or sunset?

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@Rockymtnbloom You can put in any colour wash for a sky, dry it and then add the trees over the top. 😊

[@user-wy3ks1db6s]

😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😄😄😃😄😃😃😃😃

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks ☺️

[@robertsparks7244]

Very nice 👍

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks Robert

[@veselinpopovic9571]

Nothing special !

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@veselinpopovic9571 Thanks 🤩