Painting a Grassy Field in Watercolor - Masking Fluid Technique

I dive a little deeper into using masking fluid techniques for light grassy elements over a dark tree-line background. A great way to get tons of intricate detail surrounded by delicious, contrasting, deep color.
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Colors Used:
Prussian Blue
Phthalo Blue
Ultramarine Blue
Dioxazine Purple
Nickel Azo Yellow
Azo Green
Sap Green
Red Iron Oxide
Using Masking Fluid - • How to Use Masking Flu...
Music by Epidemic Sound (www.epidemicsound.com)
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[@matthewchavez8]

I've learned more about how watercolor works from watching your spontaneous paintings and trying it myself than from any formal technique video. You really showcase the importance of painting with value in these demos, as well as teaching us flexibility within the medium. Please keep making these.

[@annegordon9487]

I like that you keep painting and don't stop until you are truly sure you are done! All the extra little strokes of color enhance the atmosphere of this painting. Makes me want to be there! Thank you!

[@lks460]

You are my best internet teacher and this painting of you is my favorite. Please keep making your tutorials.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thank you, I will

[@sondramoore9996]

Love watching you. You’re an inspiration. Love the background music as well.

[@dao8805]

I re-watch this from time to time as a "refresher" in your spontaneous painting technique and never cease to be amazed at your ability to making a cohesive and beautiful composition "emerge" from somewhat random splashes of color, much like a sculptor freeing a form from a piece of stone. Very impressive work and you make it look easy. You know where to add and how far to go but also know when to stop; a very practiced eye and a great deal of talent. Thank you for sharing and inspiring. At this date, this video has 202k views - please do not ever take it down!

[@Grannysadventures]

I am a retired HS art teacher from Missouri and I used to have the students splatter and lay down colors in class one day. Let it dry and come back the next several class periods and create a finished painting by using and manipulating the shapes. I just found your channel and subscribed immediately.

[@donnacarraway9182]

I could watch this about a zillion times and still keep learning! Thank you!!

[@maryaltabev5275]

I must be careful. Watching your videos are becoming an addiction! 😄. I’m learning so much... thank you.

[@TracyHutchinsonLifeSkillsCoach]

MARY ALTABEV indeed.

[@catherinelevison3310]

You are the most talented watercolor artist I’ve seen in my life. Thank you!

[@catherineflahr6160]

Amazing how you made the rocks appear out of nowhere! You say you stared at this painting for a few days; you have no idea (and neither have I) how many times I have watched this video! I think I"m in love with the song you are playing, also!

[@lisalange4922]

Wow...I just found this one! Its the cover photo in the course! I love the trees!

[@annsowers4591]

I never grow tired of these type paintings. I love what I see. I see a misty fairway under your tree canopy on the right. I am working my way to surprise my husband with some golf landscapes. I have to try this. Thank you Steve.

[@Kenshin1985jen]

It's a beautiful painting and thank you for all you're wisdom

[@Flowing33]

So amazing! Love the dreamy background so much!

[@stephw1363]

Oh my! You made grass a main focal point! Grass! And its gorgeous?!?!? I guess this means that you do make the rules! Sign me up for the rebel alliance. I want my own rules too.

[@cherigreen4471]

I love the way the ochre colored mound almost looks like photo-realism juxtaposed against that dreamy looking background!

[@radharcanna]

What a beautiful painting. Starting off with just a few broad washes, I never thought you’d get a result like this from it.

[@marianneemig2907]

This was my favorite ! I watch alot of you tube and always come back to you. I relate to your voice. If I don't relate to the voice...I can't watch the video. Thanks ❤

[@mindofwatercolor]

Wow, thank you! Very encouraging.

[@enemeriogalvan1185]

Great Technique and beautiful analogous color!

[@judithschlotman9538]

I am just beginning to paint, and cannot tell you how inspirational I find your tutorials. Thanks!

[@Britgirl58]

Oh, how beautiful and ethereal those background trees are!

[@Roslyngal]

Those ‘last minute’ rocks you added made my day! I love me some rocks. Terrific painting.

[@yahode39]

love your layout...kept looking into the trees for a deer or 2...as that is what I have seen on occasion...What I love is while they are not there one knows that somewhere in those woods are sets of eyes looking back...

[@laZOETje]

I love drawing and watercolour especially for this reason, at about 8:30 I was looking at it abstractly then suddenly it became a bank with dirt and greenery and depth! I guess the colours settled around the mask about then.

[@pate8250]

Don't laugh Steve, but I see animals in clouds all the time and I can see in the blue trees a little poodle on the left and a lion face on the right. I learned a lot watching this video, as I always do from you. Thanks again.

[@elementz018]

I love the music you put in around 14:09. It's really enjoyable to listen to while you make this.

[@Blissfulthings]

I've been practicing my landscapes and they are improving Steve ,I really like how you do the background trees ,so thankyou! Heather

[@nancyrolfe3033]

Words fail to describe the beauty in this painting! I've saved and continually looking at it..colors, hard/soft edges, lifting, blending, glazing, frisket application, etc...I'll use white pen if I can achieve this masterpiece! Lol...You were blessed with God given talent with years of painting! Thank you for so kindly sharing. You are also gifted teacher!! I feel you started teaching on KZbin & continue OUR benefit instead of being simply driven by ego, or other self-serving motives....May God Bless You as much as your have blessed me. Nancy p.s. I know it would be long video but I'd love to watch entire video. I believe it would help me with background trees & details.. I'm missing something

[@rhuechantal6316]

Thank you for this moving and inspiring tutorial. Being able to acquiesce to watercolour, rather than trying to force this fluidic medium, is so important. It also makes the journey much more fun!

[@lindagray284]

Love, love, love this teaching. Being in southern Idaho there are so many scenes with dried grasses so learning to paint those effectively has been a challenge. This instruction and beautiful finished expression is SO helpful. Thank you!

[@ladygwarth]

Thank you, I have learnt more about watercolour with yours, than any of the other videos I have found on KZbin. 😊

[@maryriley6163]

Thank you for his tutorial. I have loved weedy fields and woods ever since I was a little kid. But I can't capture the spontaneity of weeds with colored pencils which is what I have used for 25 years. This is my favorite tutorial and I am looking forward to trying weedy fields in watercolor, which is so conducive to nature pictures. This picture is a gem!

[@dotbalcombe8819]

Excellent demonstration of the use of masking fluid. However, what I liked most was the way you did the background trees, so simple and so effective. Thank you

[@shirleysrussell6235]

Loved the music that began somewhere around 14:14! Good choice for mellowing and watching you paint. Thanks.

[@phdstudios1]

This one is my absolute favourite! It could not be better, now I know what can be done with masking fluid. thanks for sharing these secrets with us.

[@katriencoussement3339]

Wow wow wow!!!

[@MsMerlin333]

Stunning painting💜🌈 thank you.

[@magorzatawisniewska1003]

Wow!!! Beautiful!!!

[@sharonolsen6579]

Stunning! I mean... just off the scale !!..... and yes.. yes I did learn something........... and it is this: I have a LONG way to go! .............. :)

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks!

[@joannuhn7816]

Loved the demonstration on how wonderful it is to use masking fluid in situations as this. Thank you

[@elizabetharchuleta9305]

Thanks. I am pretty sick right now. Your painting was very inspirational and brought me some much needed joy.

[@michellelandvik4009]

This is my favorite of your tutorials so far. Thank you! I learned so much.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks Michelle. Glad it was a help!

[@carlpen850]

Dear Mind... You said... "I make the rules"... that's true... I have only 2 rules... Rule #1 there are no rules... Rule #2 the work must be permanent, my materials must be as archival as possible, acid free papers, pigments that don't fade etc. Rule #3... Rule #1 could be Rule #2 and Rule #2 could be Rule #1 but that means I have 3 rules when I stated that I had only 2 rules which leads me to a dilemma that can only be solved by adding a "sanity clause" to these rules, but again this doesn't work because almost everyone knows there ain't no Sanity Claus.

[@ProgressiveAF]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful painting techniques. I love everything about this composition. The depth, the complimentary colors and the layering of colors are incredible.

[@LironYan]

Beautiful work and great demo (on a much needed topic!). I love the music during the time-lapse too! (:

[@smoigida]

Wonderful!!!! Inspired me to try it! Kathleen

[@susandwyer8878]

I've been looking at your videos for the last couple of hours. Trying to get back into watercolor after 20 years. It has been more difficult than I expected. I love this one. The trees in the back are a fantastic color.

[@annevickers3307]

It amazes me that you can see rocks out of no where and put them in. I would love to learn that and how you put the big trees in the background. This is gorgeous!

[@maryt2887]

Wow! So beautiful! Love the colors and the muted fantasy of the woods as well as the detail of the wildflowers.

[@TheMartinick]

Gorgeous artwork.

[@BarbaraGilbertdesigner]

Another amazing painting and great tutorial. Thanks so much for all of your tutorials.

[@karenfinney5000]

Mesmerising to watch... Beautiful

[@juhmcohanada8773]

Thank you for sharing this video more, I learn a lot watching!!!👍👏🙏

[@xTK421x]

You are 1 brave man. Canson eeeew.

[@elsagrace3893]

I've been wondering how to paint the beauty of dry summer grass. Thanks for this tool. Also the size creating distance perspective is a gem.

[@monaburkard7163]

Steve, this is awesome as usual! A suggestion: you can also use masking fluid to mask out areas that you have already painted. Sometimes there are very light areas or reflections you want to preserve, so put your mask onto that area, then paint on with confidence that you're not going to lose them. I've tried it, and it works. Hope you find this useful. I love your videos, and have learned so much - thank you!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks! Yes, I'm aware you can do that. Not necessary in this case because painting around those established highlights is easier.

[@almadd7904]

This piece makes me want to jump into the screen and walk through the woods! I'm sure I would come across a unicorn. I am a formally trained artist who has had my hands out of it for a while,and your videos have jumpstarted me. I know now that I haven't lost my "touch"!

[@michelehinnrichs3067]

Really loved this tutorial. I tell everyone I am going to KZbin university to learn to paint. Thank you so much for all your help.

[@keithlillie2392]

So much about this composition that I love! I learned a thing or two also. Thanks, Mr. Mitchell!

[@craiggross8176]

FANTASTIC!

[@Hummmminify]

This is the most enjoyable painting video that I think I have ever seen. It gives me all kinds of ideas. Thank you very much sir.

[@OlenkaMish]

It is wow! Very informative video and amazing lightfull, emotional and beautifull picture as a result! Bravo!

[@marlenevincent3354]

That is so pretty Love your wayercolor paintings.

[@andreapripps3465]

Love your tutorials and all of your videos, Love your sense of humor, love the verse at the end. I learn soooo much from you. I thought I was the only one to let a painting sit for a little while to, as I say in my head, "let it cook for a while", then work on it some more with fresh eyes.

[@beaghmne2369]

Wow. Just wow.

[@krismua1209]

Beautiful! Love the colours in this one. Thanks so much for sharing your talent through these videos. You're one of my favourites.

[@jean-lucbarat6182]

Kris Mua de la semaine prochaine pour la suite sur Comme au cinéma 7avec le

[@karenplum9624]

absolutely my favorite watercolor I have seen. You are so talented. Thank you so much.

[@Nadyaboggo]

I fell in love with the painting!! The movement of the watercolours is truly magical

[@goelnarendragoel1057]

amazingly learning and a delight to watch

[@Eirenmist]

You did it again! Thank you!

[@triciabennetts6578]

Stunning!❤️

[@amymbeauty8765]

Always love and am amazed at the beautiful pictures you create. Your videos have helped me greatly improve my technique so thank you!

[@annajordan9058]

Oh my goodness! Gorgeous! Thank you!

[@pollymacleod4411]

Oh my word, you are a genius, this is absolutely stunning.

[@imagineairbrushbillsnegon]

Thanks again for all you do Steve! Your videos are all excellent and you are helping me take my paintings to the next level! 😎

[@julietorrens5327]

Simply amazing. I know there is nothing simple about it. Spectacular.

[@loricalass4068]

Awesome painting.

[@simpleshoes]

So exciting to watch this painting evolve. Thanks again for a great learning experience Steve.

[@hemlockprimaryschool5890]

You are such a skilled painter and teacher. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@katherinesimonds622]

i just love your more detailed tutorials. i always learn so much from you. ty for all your sharing :)

[@FreeSpokenOne]

My favorite times in high school was during art class and the after school hours they allowed me to spend in that room with keys to the art supply cabinet, all alone to do as I pleased. That teacher arranged to skip an English Poetry class where I'd written tons of book reports in advance to do this and one of the things that stood out was when she told me to use any and everything at my disposal to create art. I loved her attitudes and everything about her, even when she dug out one of my pieces from the trash and sold it to teach a hard lesson. It was a piece where she attempted to teach the use of primary and secondary colors, the color wheel and said we were to choose three colors. What she failed to point out was that I could use those colors in any degree of value and so I hated that one piece of work enough to throw it out in disgust. After that she never again made me follow along class projects and said to do whatever my heart fancied. It was like being let out of a cage! At the time the song that was quite popular was White Bird by It's a Beautiful Day which inspired to paint my first rather large work of an albino red tail hawk flying toward a branch with the sun behind while preparing to land. Deep inside there was a muralist trying to get out. I used browns and oranges and white only and it was symbolic of how I felt... free. The teacher liked it enough to call in other art teachers to view and offer tips on how to improve upon the work I did outside the classroom project bubble from a 2X2" black and white photo found in some library book. The original paper was much too small and had extensions on each side for wing tips, but that was the template used for the actual painting. When you said on this video I make the rules it brought me right back to that moment when she said to use anything and everything at my disposal, and that's how I am to this day. Not a purist who feels I have a right to impose on others how they create, and we need to do this for ourselves first because it brings us personal joy, and forgo criticisms. The first thing I tell someone when I show my work is ... don't say if you like it or not, keep that to yourself because it's so much easier to believe when someone doesn't like what they see than when they do. I'm my own worst critic and don't need help. It's when I look at something finished and say YES! that's what I wanted it to look like that I'm completely happy and I won't let anybody take that away. Thanks for sharing your process, I learn a good deal from you and the videos you've shared. I'm seriously grateful as after high school I could never afford art classes or materials. Later on, after working part time and taking classes as a computer science major, still the goal was art... for me, and after getting enough gathered to buy a Wacom tablet turned to digital compositing with Photoshop and Painter. More recently I decided to get back into physical art, but not acrylics like before. This time I wanted to learn watercolor as it touches me in a visceral manner. There are many talented watercolor artists and it's hard to stop looking at it all long enough to make my own! I appreciate your works, they are among my favorites and tell me that this is a media that can become whatever a person dreams given correct techniques, but clearly, it's not for the faint of heart! I'm ready to take those risks, but unlike you... my color values and drawing skills still need work.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks! Great story!

[@danakolpin1289]

A very interesting painting i liked your masking fluid technique on that. The colors were bright and stood out. I will definitely try this painting. Dana

[@kellywest1032]

What a gorgeous painting! Fascinating to watch, too. Thanks!

[@maryalgar8779]

Simply gorgeous. I especially love the look of those background trees (the part you didn't video while you were doing).

[@annieglacken8424]

This is so beautiful and a wonderful tutorial for how to do grasses and weeds! Thank you!

[@rosemarywhite1]

Just learning about masking fluid in my painting classes. This was a terrific tutorial - can't wait to try it!

[@fractaldreamer63]

Simply magically exquisite Steve. Love, love, love the colours.

[@behzad1239]

One of the best tutorials, so much to learn from, please please more of this. Thanks plenty.

[@CatherineSummerfield]

Does anyone else see the two birds in the painting? A huge fuzzy bird with a lighter beak over the right side and a small one facing to the right on top of the clump of trees. Brilliant !!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yeah that was planned...ok... no it wasn't!

[@catherinesummerfield5231]

@@mindofwatercolor lol. Got lo love the way watercolour designs some of it's own nuances!! Should be called spiritcolour !! You're brilliant and inspiring and talk in layman's terms. I have learned amazing things watching you paint and people have started paying me well for custom paintings God bless you richly

[@azzuparis]

Such a gorgeous painting!!!!!

[@barbaramain6381]

My sincerest thanks for this tutorial ... just what I was needing with a painting I’m battling with! Love watching you, you make all things possible with practice. (Love your humour, you’re a hoot!)

[@essietangle9931]

Thank you! At first the tree back ground looked like a storm brewing, but I like the mystery of what is back there in the trees. Most of all thank you the information on making adjustments as the painting develops. I don't have any of the new canson paper but I have a small piece of the Stonehenge paper to try this on. Please keep sharing with us.

[@lyndonvonverga5246]

i learned more from this,,,thank you very for this video......i`ve now excited to paint......

[@alisonlyons4691]

What a lovely video to watch. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, and showing us some of your techniques. lt has been very useful

[@jerrychan1471]

Love the way that the piece came out, thanks for all of the excellent tips and techniques, I'm learning so much from you!

[@jeanbatzellfitzgerald3383]

I'm getting ready to try watercolor and am so grateful I found your videos. Your paintings are so beautiful and your presentation and instruction so very helpful.

[@zmermaid3]

You are such a wonderful teacher. i've been painting in watercolor for almost a year....and just hit a wall of frustration. Watching this demo and trying to emulate your process has provided me a breakthrough, where I think all my learning so far is starting to come together. Thank you so much for your excellent commentary and spontaneous technique demos.

[@chrisreeves4104]

Great artwork! Wonderful control in an uncontrolled medium! Lovely!

[@colleeningham7335]

Love it as always. Love the little touches you add to make something out of nothing

[@l.douglashoffmann9141]

Wow! I love this painting. Thanks, Steve.

[@amybennett4713]

Magnificent!!!