Realistic Tree Bark & Simplifying Overwhelming Complexity. Tree Detail in Watercolor

Adding lots of tiny, granular details to your painting won't make it more realistic. In fact, you're more likely to make a painting look convincingly realistic by simplifying the subject and choosing the right details and values. Let's look at how I did that in this watercolor of a complex tree limb.
Derwent Graphitint Colors Used:
Steel Blue
Graphite Gray
Autumn Brown
Cool Brown
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for looking.)
My Amazon Store of Favorite Products:
www.amazon.com/shop/mindofwat...
Derwent Graphitint Pan Set - amzn.to/3tpuOON
Silver Brush Golden Natural #12 Ultra Round - amzn.to/3hsd7LK
Bleed Proof White - amzn.to/3Etj8RF
••••••••••••• Other Supplies ••••••••••••••
Lebenzon Handmade Brushes - lebenzon-paintbrushes.com
(Use code MIND at checkout for a discount)
Find More Recommended Brushes at the Brush Guys - www.thebrushguys.com/shop/ste...
(Use Code Minder5 at checkout for a discount)
Your SUPPORT is Essential and Greatly Appreciated!
Patreon - Join viewers just like you and take a tangible, on-going role in making this content possible. Sign up today - / mindofwatercolor
OR - click the "Thanks" Heart under the video to leave a tip.
OR - you can also make one-time PayPal donations here - PayPal.me/mindofwatercolor
___________________________________________
Latest Uploads
kzbin.info...
Watercolor Basics
• 5 Tips to Overcoming t...
Landscape
• Landscape
Spontaneous Paintings
• Spontaneous Watercolor...
Other Playlists
/ mindofwatercolor
Show Theme Music
www.pond5.com/stock-music/2171...

[@rachelstewart1809]

I see a horse head in both your visit to the tree and your painting ...which means you nailed it. Thanks as always 🙏

[@kstutz230]

Would love to hear more about the paper and your thoughts after painting.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Love it so far.

[@isabellejerome2840]

In Canada, they are buy one, get one free this week. 🙂

[@eileencollins3126]

Thanks for taking the time for all your great videos. I always learn so much. This tree study makes me want to go out in my yard and do one of my own!

[@barbaraonisko7441]

Really excellent… very inspiring…

[@maplestoryftw12]

Stunning

[@mariliarodrigues7137]

It looks awesome!

[@karenturner-cf7vq]

This is a nice demonstration, it's not easy to get the right balance, with trees. You seem to have on this picture.

[@WonnyArt]

Crazy so nice

[@julieduncan4075]

Fabulous! ❤

[@JLONess]

i love this thank you for posting, its perfect!

[@maggiemac52]

I love this.

[@Art-What..]

Great lesson thanks Mind..

[@barbaramilbradt2188]

Wonderful info here!! Thank you!

[@stas61690]

Thanks!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thank you!

[@user-wk1mw9nj3i76]

Excellent video. The theme of simplifying details could work in an entire series of videos. Your painting is beautiful!

[@aligrotts6400]

Bravo!

[@jo-annejacques5400]

I always appreciate how you break things down and explain what you are doing. It's very helpful.

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

This is definitely a wonderfully detailed yet simplified painting of the bark textured branch. I definitely learned & enjoyed seeing your progress on painting this from the beginning to the end. Thanks for sharing this wonderful video. You always make your painting look so easy to do. I really appreciate it!

[@inherjyze1ify]

I can definitely hear that piece speeking to me. Well done.

[@lyndamitton4496]

Wow…you must have ‘magic eyes’….the detail you are painting are incredible! It would take me twenty years to paint that. Thank you for your patience and showing us what can be accomplished if we ‘paint what we see’! Great job!

[@doreenaitken5308]

this paper is excellent!!! ❤ i’m so glad you’re showing this. i’m telling everyone

[@ginaschissler9887]

Loved this one - beautiful ty

[@lorraineclark3517]

What a clever and creative demo with the tinted graphite. The nature of the medium lends a definitive texture to the work. Thx.

[@peters.4263]

A beautiful example of simplification You are very inspiring. I'm so greatfull that you started this channel. Thank you

[@WoodlandPoetry]

Thank you so much for this. I cannot begin to tell you how much I have learned from watching your channel!

[@paulineshelley4421]

Thanks for this tutorial. It is so helpful because you explain your process and thinking very clearly. Sometimes, with complex subjects such as this, it’s difficult to know where to start, but you have explained your thoughts so well😊

[@andreapaulis1481]

Steve, I want to take this time to let you know what great pleasure you have brought me with your videos. I always come away from your tutorials with excellent information and actually knowing that I have learned something. and most importantly, feeling mellow and relaxed. So I thank you, and wish you and your family happy holidays and a grand and healthy New Year.

[@finawatsonart]

I love the Graphitint pallette & often use it for backgrounds in my motorsport paintings.

[@ericakauffman5786]

Great tips for my more complex florals. MY eyes can only handle so much details as I paint!

[@AbraCassandraCrafts]

Great video, lovely painting. Thank you.

[@essietangle9931]

Steve, I didn’t see you lift out any paint. If you did at any point how did the Michaels paper do? Thanks for covering detail and an idea of when too much is too much. Great reference video!

[@mindofwatercolor]

It did fine. I didn’t really do much lifting in this painting though.

[@B1ackDahlia767]

Gorgeous @The Mind of Watercolor! Silver Brush brushes are by far my most favorite & most commonly used brushes. I use the Golden Natural & the Black Velvets nearly every day!

[@bobbiegraham7729]

What a great descriptor of detail work, putting up fences. The clearer limb draws you in and then makes you seek out the detail. This was wonderful. One of the first things I used to draw was trunks with old faces hidden in the bark. Just received the graphtint set and they really soak up water, but I love how they make the sketching lines disappear (duh)😊 And stop showing me new brushes! I have 2 more Lebenzons on the way and I can only justify so many birthday presents to myself. But my son now asks, "did Steve tell you to get this"? And I stick up for you, you only recommended. Thanks again!❤❤ not all artist loft is crap, but they do favor acrylic artists. I will look into the paper, since I do like Fabriano.

[@bobbiegraham7729]

Could you tell me where to find an email address or p.o. Box for you? I'd like to send you a brush to try.

[@larrybrouillette8880]

As always, well done.

[@roxannemaguire9844]

Lovely study, Steve! I really like how you were able to simplify the detail. The finished piece is so attractive - makes me want to try the Graphitint pan paints! Thank you and all the best to you!!!

[@stephaniecorbett5356]

Loved it, thank you so much Steve

[@paulah317]

Oh My! Artist's Loft level 3 100% cotton paper! I bought a block a few months ago and I love it! My working theory is it is re-branded Fabriano Artistico paper. I got the 12 x 16 size and then went back and bought the 9 x 12 size. Always use my 20% off coupon or wait to use my rewards points, etc. I've actually found great professional art supplies there. Now I'll listen to the rest of your comments and see what you have to say!

[@trishsoren3445]

Even with a 30% or 40% off coupon, Michaels is still more expensive than the local art store!

[@Sketchartbymarc1]

Fantastic study! Beautiful results. Really appreciate your insights👍

[@level2ginger]

Always Sunny! I have to try this paper! The painting is beautiful 😍

[@colorfulwater5070]

Inspiring! Thank you so much!

[@rebanelson607]

That was one of the most impressive paintings I've seen on your channel. The textures are beautiful! But all I could see in the photograph was not the TREE but the soft, colorful BACKGROUND! Including the background in the painting would lessen the drama of the bark texture and that would be tragic. Would painting the details/textures of the bark in much darker shades make the detail balance with the muted colors in the background? I guess I'm just a "color junkie"!

[@Tzuriah]

Beautiful! Good lesson. Thanks!

[@bizzybee852]

You really did an amazing job on painting that tree limb. And I loved the natural hues of the Derwent graphic tint palette. I was pleasantly surprised when I clicked on the link you provided, to find that the Derwent graphic tint set was only $25. I was also pleased to find out the brush you used by Silver Brush was only $15.54 for the size 12, even though I don't usually use a brush that large, as I am fairly new to watercolor, and new to painting in general, so I lack the ability to control such a large size brush. But as you go down in size, the price for the Golden Natural brushes gets even cheaper, with a size 6 being less than $10. The first watercolor brush I bought as a new painter was a Silver Brush Black Velvet in a size 8. I was watching a lot of watercolor artists on youtube at that time, doing lots of research trying to find the best products to use at the most affordable price. I found a lot of artists on youtube used the Black Velvet brushes and extolled their virtues. Personally I found the brush to be a bit too soft for my skill level, as I struggled with the softness of the bristles when trying to maintain a point when painting details. And one of the attributes of the brush, its ability to hold lots of water, was in fact a detriment to a novice like myself. But with the extra long point of the Golden Natural brushes, and knowing the quality of the Silver Brush brand of brushes, I am hoping this brush may be the answer I've been looking for. Thanks, as always, for sharing your expertise and recommendations. One of those many youtube videos I watched while researching the different products I would need to begin my watercolor journey, was your video explaining the necessity of using good quality 100% cotton paper, even for a beginning painter, like myself. And I have found that you were 100% correct! You can paint a good painting with cheap brushes, and even with cheap paints, but the quality of the paper will affect how well your painting turns out, more than any other item.

[@adriannabcustomfurniture]

This is simply stunning! 😍

[@christinebravomom5711]

Thank you. Very helpful tutorial.

[@ralphcrosby9622]

Thank you for this content and tips

[@gloriawachel917]

Beautiful with lots od=f tips Thank you

[@albertpietrosanu2667]

Wonderful achievement!

[@latitacolorista]

Yes, your video is very interesting. It has been very realistic. Thanks for sharing it.

[@LeighPogue]

Very nice piece Steve. A fantastic approach to something that can often be either over-simplified or understated. Thanks

[@FreeSpokenOne]

I love the Graphitint also and have added (Boku-Undo E-Sumi Watercolor Paint 6 Colors Set from Japan) which I ran across on Amazon because it has a similar personality of shades to compliment these graphite tints and are relatively inexpensive too. Thanks for the demonstration Steve, I learn something from every video you make! Blessings to you and your lovely family. ❤

[@nattyw495]

Enjoyed video and your explanation of how to go about painting with the derwent palette is really good..learned alot hoping i can practice this painting somewhat...mikelle art mom👩‍🎨🎨✍

[@catherinevangass4927]

Beautiful 🙌🏻👌🏻

[@carollegros8671]

I always wanted to paint tree bark, but it seemed to much detail for me. Thanks for the demo. I am now going to try it.

[@socratesthecabdriver]

Athens is loaded with mulberry trees, they trim them right to the knots every fall right at the knots, some even shape the growth seen one wrap around the corner and right below the wraparound balcony it's lim went thick as it's trunk nearly,,,taverns that have several trees intertwined at the lyms

[@sineadkellyartist]

Thanks for sharing 😊 are you planning to do a holiday gift guide this year please? Really enjoyed the one you did for 21!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Sorry not this year. Maybe next.

[@sineadkellyartist]

@@mindofwatercolor thanks for response 😊

[@katel9378]

Stunning!

[@anna-rexia]

Beautiful textures. My paradolia is working overtime at the moment and I can see a face in the photo of the tree bark! Thankfully not in your finished picture 👍

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

I've got the Graphitint pallette (with slightly different colours), so I will save this video in my watercolour folder for future reference. 😊 I had a voucher for a big art/craft chain store here so today I ordered a few more watercolours, and one of the colours I really wanted was Dioxazine Purple as I love seeing the way you use it and the effects that can be achieved. I can't wait to start playing with it when my parcel arrives. 😊

[@artonthecreek]

You may have said this and I missed it-question on the graphitint: does it try like graphite (I.e., smudgeable) or does it dry more like watercolor? Would you recommend a fixative on it when finished? I think the palette would lend very well to animal fur, which I love to paint, and I love the final results you were able to achieve!

[@mindofwatercolor]

More like watercolor but has a graphite grayness to the color. No fix needed.

[@artonthecreek]

@@mindofwatercolor Thank you! I’m excited to try them.

[@franjames4086]

I really enjoyed this lesson and learned a lot. Thank you so much. I did wonder if you had any thoughts on the paper. I know it wasn't a review of paper, just wondered your thoughts

[@mindofwatercolor]

Loved it actually. Still more testing is warranted.

[@kmeyersvt]

Is that an oil brush? Is it a quill shape? I love how it has such a lovely point.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Silver Brush Golden Natural. Link in the description.

[@jasonmullins6638]

Wonderful! New to your channel so if these questions have been asked too much forgive me..got a favorite synthetic watercolor brush? Ever tried Da Vinci Casaneo? Thank you!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Love the Casaneos yes. Lots of great synthetics to pick from. I use Princeton Aqua Elites quite a bit. I also like the Trekell Protégé and Protégé Plus.

[@barbarafields5652]

Thanks for using utube, helps us a lot---I’ve been looking for the brush you were using half my life- where did that come from-. Barb

[@mindofwatercolor]

There's a link in the description.

[@elflordsjourneys]

Their wood paper is crap bur looks like the cotton held up nice, I'd like to see some wet in wet and lifting out paint to see how well it works 💪 😇

[@moonlightgator541]

I tried Artist Loft regular watercolor paper it was so bad. Hah I didn't know they make cotton paper. I would get Arches or Strathmore, not a fan of Fabriano.

[@andreagriffiths3512]

Very interesting. How long did it take for you to paint that?

[@mindofwatercolor]

Around 3 hours

[@andreagriffiths3512]

@@mindofwatercolor thanks for that 💕

[@elviamunguia8397]

Great explanation! I didn’t hear anything about the paper? Please let me know how do you like it and how it behaves with the graffiti, Thank you! ❤

[@mindofwatercolor]

Loved it so far. Time will tell better though.

[@aremedyproject9569]

I saw a dragon’s head appear early on.

[@fauxshowyo]

Can't get over how bad the face on the cover of the bloc is...there are thousands of artists they could have commissioned to make a really nice cover and they got what looked to be an amateur who doesn't know anatomy.