Painting Demonstration - From the Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome

Hello Everyone,
+This is a start-to-finish watercolor painting demonstration in real-time. In this video, I cover intention, interpretation, design, formatting, composition, values, drawing, perspective, etc. I also go into a bit more depth on topics such as solid and void, positive and negative shapes, the natural vs. the built environment, and tips on painting skies, trees, and figures.
+The scene is in Rome - looking away from Michaelangelo's iconic Piazza del Campidoglio - toward the cordonata - the gently sloping stairway leading into and away from the great space .
Thanks for watching!
Tom
+This painting was done on Arches Watercolor Paper - rough surface - 300gsm :
+15x12 inches
+Pigments by Daniel Smith
+Brushes by Escoda and Neef
+Palette by House of Hoffman
+Sketch pencils by Blackwing and Faber-Castell
+Sketchbook by Stillman + Birn
Thomas W Schaller AWS NWS TWSA ASAI AIA
www.thomaswschaller.com
thomaswschaller
twschaller
thomaswschaller
Thomas W Schaller - Artist, Architect, Author
New York City - 2024

[@watercolourkeyes]

Oh lucky us indeed!🎉🥳🎊🎈⭐️🙏 I’m so very grateful to you for all of these full length lessons of late. It’s like being in your studio with you attending a series of master classes. Thank you so much. Your posts are so jam packed with gems. Again and again, thank you 🤗

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks so much Liana - Glad you liked it!

[@paulw9684]

Thank goodness for rain! A brilliant expose not only of your standing as a genuinely world class watercolourist, but also as the most generous, informative and entertaining of tutors. We are so lucky to be able to take advantage of your time and experience to help us to understand and improve. Thank you Thomas.

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks a million Paul - I appreciate it

[@adriennesaracen6525]

Really thrilled to see a tutorial centred on Rome from you. Your paintings of Italy are amongst my favourites. I’m gaining so much inspiration from your philosophical discussion. I had never thought to apply a more theoretical approach to what I paint. The notion of ‘artistic vision’ always carried a mystical quality that didn’t apply to amateurs like me. Thinking of it as a theoretical underpinning seems more accessible. You’ve reignited a passion for deeper learning in me that I had lost. So grateful for your exceptional teaching.

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks so very much Adrienne - Yes, I absolutely agree that how we approach painting depends more on our inner life and attitude than upon the depth of our technical expertise. When we approach any new venture with a clarity of intent - while allowing ourselves to be open to change - we can learn and improve so much more quickly

[@user-wx4wy6um2t]

Спасибо!!! 😍🔥🔥

[@dalekern9022]

Thank you so much for another great lesson! Beautiful work! Your paintings of Italy are always evocative, bringing back wonderful memories.🙏💙

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks so much Dale

[@c.reyesc.6709]

fascinating. I enjoy it so much that just one time was not enough. Thanks too for giving all your attention for the best of works without minimizing details

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks so much

[@louisepansieri3230]

What a treat! Can’t thank you enough for your generosity! Hoping for more rain in NY!

[@thomaswschaller]

:)

[@Suzannefischer]

So helpful. Subtlety and yet direction. Thank you!

[@thomaswschaller]

thank you!!

[@rossthomsonartistaustralia1215]

Awesome tutorial. Thank you very much. I love your style and am learning so much from your excellent explanations.

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks Ross

[@shingen217]

The pencil drawing alone is already a masterpiece and illustrates in a very striking way why we shouldn't rely too much on a reference photo. It conveys emotion, beauty and I can feel the communication between the different subjects. What a shock it is to look at the photograph after seeing your drawing 😆. When I first heard you saying that we should not rely too much on the reference I didn't understand. This statement has always been lingering in my mind. When I started painting over one year ago as an (almost hyper)realistic painter it was very puzzling to me. My style changed over time and I now understand better and I am enjoying your art more than ever. I started looking forward to the weekends for your videos 🥰. Thank you so much! You are having a deep impact on how I see art and help me to express myself better.

[@thomaswschaller]

After I sketch it out, I usually hide any reference photos

[@carolannefisher1516]

I love it when it rains in New York. It means more Tom for us! Thank you!

[@thomaswschaller]

❤

[@mchris1020]

Loved watching you paint this one-especially interested in your method of wetting the light areas before adding color to keep a softer edge as in the clouds. Beautiful luminosity.

[@thomaswschaller]

Glad you liked it - Thanks for watching!

[@ganarseunacre]

Thank you very much again Mr. Schaller, not only are you a great artist, you are a great communicator, for me and for many people who are great fans of yours and of watercolor in general, we do not have access to these types of demos, for free, you are great help, his passion is very inspiring, his way of conceiving a work from the beginning to the end, emphasizing everything important, composition, values, color, is priceless. I reiterate thanks.

[@thomaswschaller]

Many thanks Jose - I appreciate it

[@joythornton8797]

It's fascinating to hear all of your thought processes throughout every stage of the painting. Not just the hows of watercolour but the whys. You voice them so well. Very informative and inspiring.

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks very much Joy

[@patirving705]

You bring out the magic in watercolor! You have made me inspired to paint again. Thank you!!!

[@thomaswschaller]

That's so great to hear! Thanks

[@mysticriver9420]

J'adore ❤

[@phillipstroll7385]

Beautiful indeed

[@thomaswschaller]

thanks so much

[@atl17isfast]

Thank you for sharing your artist style and knowledge. Beautiful work.

[@thomaswschaller]

You're very welcome ! Thanks

[@Anna_Mals]

Thank you so much! The most precious in learning from Masters is to get to know their inner thoughts while painting. Thank you for being such a generous teacher!

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks very much - I appreciate it

[@tomrohr3861]

Fantastic demonstration. I cannot express how much I appreciate you sharing your talent, which I will hopefully incorporate some elements into my future paintings.. Again, thanks much.

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks

[@jackidonovan9182]

Thank you so much ❤ We are so lucky that you had a rainy day to paint. Love your work

[@pascalgalvani2840]

thank you for sharing your practice !

[@lynnfargo4094]

Lovely colors and setting! I love Rome as well.

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks

[@sarahbellenger437]

One take away is the yellow ochre and violet combo and another the french washes. Two things for me to practice! Thanks Thomas, loved this session

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks Sarah

[@shirleycovey7309]

I remember the 'typewriter' building in Rome and the security guard (?) making sure tourists didn't sit on the steps. He was comical to me and I did a quick watercolor of him 'guarding' those precious steps! Thanks, Tom, for spending your time posting these demos....it's as good as standing beside you watching!

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks so much Shirley

[@jcline147]

Thank you for sharing this with everyone. What a fabulous lesson. I learn so much each time you do something like this…a blessing for so many …I’m sure.

[@thomaswschaller]

Thank youi

[@MissKats13]

Thank you so much for this new wonderful video and finally I could see how you paint clouds! 😄

[@namratashah9888]

Hi. I love your artworks. I recently purchased your book and am enjoying reading and practicing using it. And these demonstration videos are even better to understand your thoughts and your process. Thank you so much for sharing your art and process. All these resources are immensely precious for learners like me. 🙂

[@thomaswschaller]

So glad to hear it - Thanks !

[@fransymes3924]

A wonderful tutorial. Thank you for addressing the reasons you are choosing a color and/or a value, leaving the lights and placing the darks etc. - in other words for explaining/demonstrating the principles we likely all have heard in such a vivid way.

[@thomaswschaller]

thanks so much

[@ermalbino7715]

Fabulous!!! Very revealing. Thanks so much. Never stop.

[@thomaswschaller]

Thank you

[@nercanb]

Incredibly helpful, thank you so much! I love colors, well….and the composition and well, the entire painting as a whole!

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks so much !

[@dianerose4469]

Hi Tom, BRAVO!!! This is so beautiful. I appreciate you starting by discussing your intent and the various considerations you've thought thru for your composition. It's really helpful for me to get a grip on these things. And watching you paint is tremendously informative and enjoyable. These demos are such a godsend! Looking forward to the next one. BTW, when I lived in NY and it rained I usually headed to a good bookstore, maybe Rizzoli to browse for something cool to read or own. Pearl Paint was another favorite haunt but it's long gone. boohoo. Looking forward to your demo! Big thank you!

[@thomaswschaller]

Oh there is no shortage of places to go and things to do in NYC - But when it rains, I'd rather just paint - (Even when it doesn't rain :)

[@BeeCeeCreations]

... Just watched it for the second time, ... and yes, finding the or an or my intention for a painting isn't indeed not as easy as I have thought 🤔 Probably it would be indeed a good idea for another lesson 🙏🏻

[@thomaswschaller]

I will, but I do discuss it in all my demonstrations. And it isn't really a thing I can tell you - You already know what you think will make a good painting - - what you do not - and what speaks to you. That's where you'll find your intention.

[@mbuluc]

if I could draw like you.

[@cantabile2829]

I love seing the whole process 🤩. Thank you very much for showing us this!

[@suel4269]

Thankyou for this very detailed demo. I love your sky.

[@BeeCeeCreations]

Thank you very much for giving us your time and such a detailed live lesson🤩. I really appreciate that you share your thoughts on composition, design, intention, etc. with us. That's what makes your lessons so unique and valuable. I bought your book yesterday and can't wait to read it. Even though I'm only just starting out with watercolor, thanks to you I've already found lots of good ways to approach my paintings beyond brushes and paint. Thank you! I hope I was able to express myself somewhat clearly... Google Translator is my best friend 😅. Best wishes and a huge thank you from Germany 🙏🏻

[@thomaswschaller]

That means a lot - Thank you! When I was studying, my biggest frustration is that almost no instructor even told us "why" he or she made this decision or that. So I determined to teach differently - and at least try to explain what was going on "behind the curtain"

[@thomaswschaller]

Und wenn Sie auf Deutsch schreiben möchten, ist das in Ordnung. Ich spreche nicht fließend, aber ich kenne die Sprache ein wenig und kann sie normalerweise gut genug lesen. Danke

[@marionbik2022]

I’m learning so much about shadows… that they can be subtle and translucent… not necessarily just dark. I also don’t worry about seeing pencil through the washes. I think the pencil can add depth and shape. I really enjoy listening to you while you paint. It’s soothing and mesmerising. Thank you for sharing 🙏🏼🎨✨💕

[@thomaswschaller]

@@marionbik2022 Thanks so much - And yes! Shades and shadows are anything but dark and gloomy - They are where all the light lives and goes to rest

[@user-yb2og2pd3l]

I love your videos. When almost everybody is making Shorts or shortening their videos, you take the time and the trouble of filming and explaning the process of a painting in a 2:20.24 one and you post it for free. I love every second of them. Thank you for that and for your amazing lessons. BTW I'm Francisca, from Spain.

[@Northumbergull]

Another fabulous painting, sir, and so well narrated, too. Just one quick question, might I ask which DS shade of violet you were using, as there are rather a lot from which to choose?

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks - I use Daniel Smith Imperial Purple and Holbein Mineral Violet

[@jeanpierredeldyck9873]

Bonjour Pouvez-vous me dire où je peux trouver votre palette s’il vous plaît? (France) Merci

[@Wootwootwooton]

Do you use the original Alizarin Crimson, or the Permanent version?

[@thomaswschaller]

Mine in by Daniel Smith - of the "lake" group, lightfast and permanent