Paint Amazing Special Effects With Watercolour

A natural sponge can create some amazing effects with watercolour. In this lesson, I paint an atmospheric river scene with trees and reflections.
The sponge can paint trees and foliage in seconds !!
Give it a try....
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[@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”.

[@roseart17683]

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 😊

[@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

[@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 !!

[@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

[@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

[@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 😊

[@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

[@frandongignac6256]

Just beautiful. You are so talented 🙂

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thank you so much 😊

[@ralphherrick596]

Fantastic as always....!!!

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks Ralph

[@ShoshiPlatypus]

Stunning!

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks so much !!

[@lindabrown4485]

Brilliant thank you !!! 👍

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks Linda 😊

[@craiggross9629]

FANTASTIC

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thank you !!

[@user-cj6yw5fu4l]

Really enjoyed this tutorial,great picture thankyou😊

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thank you Pamela 😊

[@deborahjohnston2808]

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

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@deborahjohnston2808 Thanks so much

[@clariolaelx]

Thank You very much from Spain 🌻

[@ChrisStephenArt]

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

[@jerryaubill163]

Love this technique.

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@jerryaubill163 Thanks so much, glad you like it

[@user-xz2nc9wh2x]

This looks amazing

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thank you so much

[@kathyyost18]

Really love this!

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks Kathy

[@rainbowfox1934]

Very nice affect!

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@rainbowfox1934 Thanks very 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

[@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 !!

[@mariasusanafernandez7483]

Superb!!!

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thanks !!

[@gaylecewpie5012]

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

[@ChrisStephenArt]

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

[@Dreaminsightswithvaun]

Brilliant - and thank you for mentioning the colour mixes.

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@Dreaminsightswithvaun Thanks so much, glad you liked it

[@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

[@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 😊

[@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

[@JohnArnoldPhotography]

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

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thank you. It’s good to experiment !!

[@user-oe3sf8kl1o]

Stunning thank you for sharing ❤

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@user-oe3sf8kl1o Thanks so much 😊

[@marionakerstrom7]

Thank you so much for this great and inspiring video🙌

[@ChrisStephenArt]

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

[@micheleleech8128]

I enjoyed your video. Your painting looks great.

[@ChrisStephenArt]

@@micheleleech8128 Thank you, much appreciated

[@connieostroha8423]

Lovely! Thank you!

[@ChrisStephenArt]

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

[@christinerolf9348]

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

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Fantastic !! Glad you liked it

[@juliadean2473]

Thank you very much❤

[@ChrisStephenArt]

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

[@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

[@MelicentMcpartlin]

❤

[@ChrisStephenArt]

Thank you

[@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.

[@user-ws3gs3fc6o]

❤❤❤❤

[@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 🤩