Painting Loose & Realistic At the Same Time. Watercolor Urban Sketching.

Join me as I practice some loose urban sketching in my watercolor sketchbook, offer some tips and strive for a simple yet accurate depiction of the subject.
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[@lynnephelps2370]

I'm detail oriented so I appreciate the struggle to edit down to the essence. The reminder to squint is timely! Lovely.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Rorobins]

It’s such a hard thing to do, isn’t it? I keep saying, ok this time I’m NOT going to do it, then I do. Lather, rinse, repeat.

[@ANWFineArt]

Been a realism/ hyper realism artist my whole life, last 2 years been dealing with really deep depression, realism takes a lot of energy for me now it’s almost stressful. I found gouache specifically to be a very underrated medium and began teaching myself using a looser impressionistic style. I love it I never would’ve considered this style for me but having been a realism artist 20 yrs it’s definitely hard to unsee the details ❤

[@SVNopq]

Art helps with my depression so much! I do want to try gouache. Love all of your work, Steve. I live not far from Greer w/my husband. Your tutorials are the best. Love your new studio! Thanks for all you do.

[@Sun-mr8hu]

Love your work and the story you tell all along. A little journey indeed. Thanks and love from Italy.

[@lightwavz]

Really enjoyed this! I am from a big railfan household and it warmed my heart they repurposed the station instead of demolition. You just can't replace great architecture like that.

[@JohnsArtLife]

As they say, 'less is more' sometimes, but it is not as easy as it sounds, but when you get it right, it's a great feeling. Lovely urban sketch.

[@corneliahanel-vogler1579]

Gefällt mir sehr gut. Liebe Grüße aus Germany von Conny

[@OkieSketcher1949]

I like the idea of painting loosely. My plein air sketches and watercolors have to be completed in relatively short order. One does not have time to put in all the details. If you try to put them in with watercolor you end up with a muddy mess on paper. As written by others, time is not on your side, nor is the sun, nor is anyone waiting on you. The hardest part is knowing what to keep and what to ignore.

[@essietangle9931]

We need to see looser, it is what happens outdoors. It also gives an understanding of what to expect and not to give up. Thanks Steve. My favorite old train station/adobe style is Santa Fe. Not to mention you can go in and eat at Tomasitas. We always tell people to get their red or green chili on the side.

[@mindofwatercolor]

mmm, sounds good. I love Tex Mex.

[@ChantelleArts]

This painting is stunning, it’s always fun to create outside 😊

[@jeannerolig6042]

Greer is such and up-and-coming area in the Upstate! You have captured significant icon of this sweet city! Beautiful work! (And that you for the "squinting" tip!)

[@loveandlife4222]

Your work is amazing Steve. I watch a lot of urban sketchers and I have to say that yours is by far the most precise and detail oriented. It looks better than most artists regular paintings with the most perfect painting conditions. I think you must have detail in your DNA. Probably the only way to help with that would be to put you on a time allotment to see what it would look like in a much shortened time. Then it might be more typical of other urban sketchers. 😁😁 You are very good!

[@mindofwatercolor]

It’s definitely trained into me from my illustration career. In commercial illustration you are rarely called on to paint loosely. I did a fair amount of architectural renderings. They needed to be very technical usually.

[@jamesgsr8587]

Simply beautiful!

[@scmarinemom24]

I'm from Greer. Graduated Greer High, class of'83. Live in TR now. Love your videos, I can't find watercolor classes so KZbin it is. Love your style of painting. Was fun to see downtown!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Hey there, thanks for commenting. Downtown is amazing!

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Oh wow you just ask the same question about how to paint suggestions of details without the actual painting of the details? That’s the hardest thing for me to do, because I will definitely sit there & paint the details 😂. Not doing it is so hard. I really appreciate your sharing how to go about this with this gorgeous painting! This video gives me inspiration to drive to town sometime soon & urban sketch the buildings on the square, or the Depot (which is an old train station) here, or even the area churches. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information with us. 😊

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks! You definitely should.

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

@@mindofwatercolor You’re welcome 😉!

[@deborahraenelson]

I love old train stations and trains. We take Amtrak from the tiny Lamy train station, just 20 minutes from where we live. Your finishing detail makes the sketch come together perfectly. Wow! Thanks for sharing. 🖌

[@juliawhite7938]

That first wash of color dried so much lighter than it looked wet.

[@annettehansen6329]

I think we need a plen air group to go there!!

[@mjpete27]

I have been trying to transition to soft pastels from watercolors and they are such different mediums! I chuckled when you said "squint" it is the most often recommendation for new artist to pastels is to use "the squint" to eliminate details and work in an impressionistic way. Just working without details was one attraction I had in going to soft pastels. I believe you did a wonderful job going with fewer details yet getting that true feeling of the building, Well Done! Take care Steve and enjoy your day!

[@mindofwatercolor]

It is recommended often, yet I'm surprised how few actually practice it. It works.

[@elizabethbarnes3969]

Loving your loose style. Beautiful painting!

[@thaniastefa4308]

❤❤WONDERFUL painting, thank you so much for sharing 👌👌👌💥💥💥

[@EasyArtwithMana]

❤

[@petesuchon7340]

Thanks for the video.

[@lisalockhart5154]

Loved this so much!

[@togetvj]

I enjoyed the video exactly as it is. Your painting and the journal look beautiful. Sharing this video on FB.

[@user-tc3qe1qt8n]

What is that wonderful music? I love it!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Starting Again - by Cody Francis

[@dougg1075]

Nice

[@MadebyDawn23]

Thanks for sharing, does this mean you will on local art like James Gurney 😊

[@jhazell5180]

Thank you so much for your vids. They encourage me to keep trying and your techniques are fantastic. QUESTION: I notice you use tube paints primarily. Do you only squeeze out as much as you need? It looks like you've got dried tube paint in the palettes you use. Is it dry? Do you just add more from the tube to the palette when it's dry? How do you manage this? Thanks. I appreciate your work and your Christian heart. Best regards. John

[@mindofwatercolor]

I squeeze out enough to half fill a pan and let it dry. It’s typical to let watercolor dry and rewet it each time. Some artists will use it fresh.

[@ericakauffman5786]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@awatercolourist]

First non-Patreon! 😂

[@kennethroberts3620]

Love your channel! Have learned sooo much over the years. Did you go to BJU? I did in 66-67

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yes, 75-79

[@kennethroberts3620]

@@mindofwatercolor I always though so. I was an art major and was one of the three finalists in the commencement art contest in my freshman year. They told me that would go well towards the sophomore check. Never got that far. Uncle Sam and Vietnam got in the way. Then became a plumber and just got back into my art a few years ago. That’s when I found your site. Praise God.

[@Ann-ey1tw]

Wonderful painting! I loved your comment about “not good shadows”. Your power of observation is incredible. I took your recommendation of the handmade travel easel, (forgot the artist’s name) but waiting for the heat to subside before I venture out. This is terrific inspiration!

[@samanthathompson9812]

Hi, I need help finding a video of yours I watched several years ago and now can't seem to find. It was about the basics of loading a brush with water and then pigment. You went into a lot of detail about how much water should be in it, how many times to wipe it - all the stuff everyone else glosses over. Help!

[@mindofwatercolor]

This one maybe? kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3fIn3tsicmGq9k

[@samanthathompson9812]

@@mindofwatercolor I don't think it was this one, but this one is really good too.

[@GregMillsDotCom]

I’m kind of surprised to see you using the Fuumuui travel brush. Hairs started falling out of mine almost immediately.