Painting with only 2 colors! How to work with grays

I got many questions about the color that I use. And it is in my fast track watercolor pdf guide. But then some people also ask me exactly what colors that I used to mix a specific color. And that’s not something I can answer because I mix the color with my eyes, not formulas. Today I want to share with you using 2 colors to practice warm and cool.
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All the materials I use can be found here:
cafewatercolor.com/materials
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Why neutral gray?
02:35 - Grays mixing demo
07:37 - Painting demo

[@Alexandra-gk6dy]

Wow Eric you're amazing! I love watching your tutorials, it feels like therapy. I'm blown away by the beauty and excellence you're painting :) Thank you so much for sharing your amazing skills with us. Lots of love from Germany

[@chrish9155]

I’m glad that I found your channel!

[@krisiwasaki9607]

Your tutorials are so calm and succinct, I have learned so much, thank you!

[@stinar37]

Your videos have exponentially improved my watercolor game. Thank you!

[@genevievefiot679]

I’ve only just discovered your channel but feel that you have been able to explain painting watercolour in such simple steps that I might actually be able to start painting better. You’ve taught me more than what I have learnt attending a few courses with professional watercolour artists. You have a great talent. Thank you for sharing!

[@timothybloomer8287]

Fantastic. The detail you put in the right sided building was amazing.

[@vee35233]

For a newbie, this was extremely useful. Thank you very much! Never thought one can achieve so many variations using only 2 colours - very well demonstrated! Keep well and healthy.

[@judyonody7748]

Such a simple explanation for such a seemingly complex painting! You create such depth with your use of warm and cool greys! Thank you Eric for another great video!

[@HalfWarrior]

I’ve been struggling with doing grayscale only (to get values right) for many years; and now I find this video; and this Eric thanks you, Eric, for showing me that I can still work on values even with simple colors. Much appreciated my friend!👍🏻👏🏼

[@juliepinette560]

Excellent exersize Eric. Lots to play with. Doing these kind of tutorials that demonstrate a few concepts to practice is the most helpful by far. Thank you for sharing.

[@ohkart9401]

Awesome video and beautiful painting! Thanks for this, we love watching fellow art channels! Best of luck in 2021, love from Canada!

[@gertieh.5534]

I love the why jou explan the simplistische why...thanks so very mach. ❤

[@cheryld.2808]

Thank you. This was so interesting and helpful! As beginners most of us bought way too many colors. Recently I’ve downsized to a small pallet and am liking it so much better. Too many times I’ve ruined a nice drawing by using the wrong choice of colors. I can’t wait to try this exercise. Thank you for sharing your talent.

[@michelleflick1937]

Love that picture, in my two favorite colors.

[@rhodeislandrose]

I wouldn't believe this if I didn't see it with my own eyes! Great job!

[@claudiapereda1784]

Beautiful!!!

[@anaperezolleros8540]

thank you, Eric. Excellent tutorial

[@saredeome2983]

Wonderful tutorial! Your painting is always super! I prefer a limited palette! But I never tried just 2 colors…this was so fun can’t wait to go paint! Thanks, Eric!

[@anilvinayakan1701]

Excellent lesson ! Thanks for sharing Eric.

[@pollyexparrot3123]

Hiii :D so glad to see you! Hope you and your family are well!

[@DavidMiltonJones]

Great tutorial, Eric. Thanks so much!

[@saharm2454]

Just like magic! Thank you very much

[@carol2742]

You are amazing! I am so inspired !

[@pjs3514]

Such good advice. Thank you

[@brigitteloranger8692]

Excellent tutorial and really love your painting. Hope to see you in BC soon!

[@iarannawanyalolu2526]

Very nice & pleasant, colour mixing... harmonious colour.

[@ginnysullivan5507]

This simplified an important concept beautifully. Thank you

[@hypatia4754]

Thank you! I learned so much from this! Total beginner.

[@irmareitz701]

Thanks ! Great lesson.

[@Giovanni-fz5kx]

I've tried it a few times and can't believe how much this helps. Thank you!

[@trudylau]

What an excellent lesson!! Now I feel I can go back to paint again! Thank you so much, Eric!

[@adelamcgrew7135]

Fantastic video. You're so good and teach so clear. Gracias.

[@mariagemmacabanos5646]

Amazing! Thank you, Eric!

[@andyt4198]

Many thanks for this I found it really helpful

[@jazzman1626]

I love that style of painting. Very nice indeed.

[@annevanderwoude9319]

This is a good lesson thank you

[@christineguimaron9144]

Thank you Eric !

[@danielquebedeaux1835]

Great content and explained very well!

[@DeniseBrooks1955]

Wonderful! Thank you 🙏🏼

[@callywayish]

Excellent example with wonderful voiceover, thank you for sharing

[@sylviahowell7802]

Thanks so much, Eric!

[@aliciamolloy5948]

Great lesson thank you Eric.

[@geraldinemilne5995]

Thanks Eric. You’re a wonderful teacher!

[@dogwhiskers8]

Excellent lesson. I loved your painting. You're very talented.

[@maurasmith-mitsky762]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@rudyadnan1445]

Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge 🙂👍

[@irenegnoel8039]

Thank you Eric, you are a good teacher, explanations are straightforward 😊

[@mcdomcdotv872]

Thanks...for your tutorial..im using zorn palette of 4 colors..and i learn so much in mixing..

[@oldfool2635]

Well presented, thank you.

[@harrietruffy5205]

Well done!

[@funny10sportp65]

Love your tutorials! Hope to welcome you in Canada again! Sending you love and good health from Toronto!

[@GregSloman]

So useful. Thank you.

[@dumsart7038]

Thank you. I will now go get my materials and try to paint using only 2 colors

[@artifexmom3824]

Thanks for sharing this nice technique sir. That’s so helpful for me.☺️👍🏻 God bless you.🙏🏻

[@mcchity24]

After some years I've understood this. Thank you so much, master! This means all for my improvememt as an watercolor artist.

[@sugarcane9425]

Love those two or similar ones too .great VDO

[@mohammadmalhasan1405]

Really this is the best video on watercolor i have ever had...thank you.

[@robot7759]

🙏 to me, this is still your most valuable video, thanks.

[@1fredricka]

jammed pack full of great information. One of the best demos I have seen on neutrals, values and much more! loved watching this one. Thank You so much for the video!!

[@mumtazsamnani1237]

Very helpful thank you

[@jayashrimalondewatercolour9994]

Wow, amazing

[@FaraH-cl8bk]

MERCI pour le partage. Je découvre vos vidéos, génial ! Je ne peins plus mais, j'adore vous suivre et découvrir.

[@yvonnevo5246]

Happy New Year ! Merci pour votre enseignement ! 🍷🍾🎄❤️

[@thatbearlife]

I'm from Vancouver Island, and I miss Victoria too! I haven't been down there now, for two years. Soon though! And thank you so much for your wonderfully explained tutorials. You're awesome.

[@Lafortuneist]

Thank you for sharing 😊

[@sanathks1]

Really great

[@lorraineclark3517]

Good exercise and explanation

[@mygranddaughterstungac7232]

Thank you great teacher.

[@adriennewilliams4740]

This is amazing. I hope to be able to let go and paint this way some day

[@artscience9981]

Eric, this is a great video. When I started painting years ago I was overwhelmed by all the choices with various colors. Eventually I figured out how to simplify like you do in this paper, but a video like this back then might have made my learning curve a lot easier. Totally agree that painting becomes more enjoyable the more you simplify the process.

[@monidipamitra96]

Thank u..so easily u described about grays..and applied only two colors to make a complete painting...very nice 👍

[@Drumaier]

I don't paint since april but this video urges me to do so. Great explanation and thanks for the inspiration 👍. Now that i see you paint this, an extra positive thing about this two colors approach is that you can mix and paint faster than if you have to stop during a wash to second guess what of the 20 colors on the palette you should use. This is very straight forward and there is nothing to lose.

[@paulamorgan8030]

You are a genius. When you start it's flat with the first wash. By the end it's a masterpiece. I find it fascinating how you can come to the end piece by putting paint to paper in that way. Fabulous work!

[@vijaykumarthorat4450]

Many thnx Eric sir...

[@barbaragemin5117]

Now that gave me a push Eric! Just came back from a short trip in Italy where we live and as usual, I get that panic/ confusion with all my photos, especially urban scenes. So.... two colours will at least cut down the worry about colours. Amazing range with these two! Thanks very much

[@yunzers]

Brilliant! I also use ultramarine and burnt Sienna for nice sky grays! Great video Eric, thanks so much! Very helpful!

[@robertaustin6538]

Excellent video

[@mukundalvi9200]

Thanx.very useful for drawing watercolour architectural perspectives. Best wishes....!

[@gerileslie3293]

Enjoy your tutorials very helpful. You make it very informative and easily understood. I always have a problem identifying which colors are cool and which are warm.

[@brendalazellestephenson2319]

brilliant

[@bloo4448]

Hi from Canada, I live in Vancouver and really appreciate your videos

[@dancer4560]

TY- not new to art but watercolor is a hit or miss for me. Love your videos- They are inspiring. I study Jeanne Dobie and her grays based on a similar strategy but there are a million ways for everything. TY for clear explanations.

[@khalidhussain3741]

Brilliant

[@gerileslie3293]

What determines whether a color is warm or cold? Thoroughly enjoy your method of teaching.

[@geoffmitchell6515]

Thank you

[@dr.saradindupal5722]

Thank you Sir ... More videos please

[@DiegoARojas2009]

me gusto Yi Lin!! gracias

[@janiceopie234]

Thank you for painting my previous place of employment....I believe that is City Hall...great advice!!

[@ramkumarsunuwar8408]

thank you sir,

[@Rjbcrone]

Very nice. I can’t wait for the boarder to open also. Missing Victoria, Sechelt, and friends.

[@jytte47]

Very well explayend as always. Thank you very much :o)

[@artieross9537]

Wow!

[@abhijeetdchawan]

Gratitude, Eric

[@sebastianmanera7568]

Great video! Please do more 2 colors tutorials

[@tapasghoshdastidar7334]

Eric ,first of all ,I thank you for such easy demonstration of your works.I am also doing this media as a hobby since last seven years.I am self taught. Few questions do I ask you. A) How to keep the paper while painting horizontally or vertically B) How to preserve these paintings for long? C) I am a hobbyist not professional. D) Finally, What to do with the painting .I never participated in any exhibition. Please guide me.

[@secundaria_tecnica_num._1369]

like a lot your channel, congrats¡¡¡¡ saludos from aguascalientes, mexico...

[@ChristopherSparks]

2 1 3... Great video anyway. Thanks for sharing the knowledge.

[@Cafewatercolor]

Late night editing is not a good idea 😅

[@munirah9020]

Subhan Allah Alhamdulillah Alhamdulillah. You are incrideble

[@paragf17]

👍🏻 nice

[@robertaluchinski1078]

Lovely! What brush are you using?