Sargent’s Watercolors and the Visual Order

[@axleochidae2853]

Great video sir. Sargent was the finest painter our world has ever produced. Whoever doubts that, just attempt a master study. You will will quickly realize that his flamboyant style is anything but random. It is the result of the most precise vision combined with the highest sensitivity/ hand feel. Watercolour is the most difficult medium and that is why Sargents watercolours are so far above anyone else. With oil you can sculpt away your mistakes, watercolour demands the ability to hit it and leave it alone. His mother started him on watercolours at a young age, which no doubt made the transition to Oil very easy. God bless Mr. Sargent 🙏🤘🏽

[@PaulIngbretson]

:)

[@marcoss6212]

Agree 95%, there is not a "the finest painter concept", beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. He is on my top 5 artists of all times, is a matter of knowing color values, perception of space or 3D sensation, etc.,. At the same level I would tell you that there is a few artists, my favorites of course, Velasquez, Rembrandt, Vermeer and if you want to check one of my new favorites from Russia, Nikolai Blokhin, check him out. Yes, watercolor is a difficult medium and he does it with finesse for sure and yes, one of my faves but not the very best, such thing doesn't exist, much respect towards you.

[@M0odyBlue]

Oh, how interesting! I can see myself spending hours watching your channel. I’m a painter and watercolor is my first love. Sargent is the absolute master.

[@PaulIngbretson]

:)

[@querenstewart9944]

Thanks for your videos just found you and I'm at number 12 and catching up fast. Enjoying them emensly and getting a new way of thinking about how to look.

[@PaulIngbretson]

For your/their amusement I tell my students "If you want to paint like me you have to look like me!" They're not so sure they want it that bad.

[@davidaaronartist]

Thanks you, am a fan of Sargent watercolors🌈🙏🎨💞blessings from Cancun Mexico 🇲🇽

[@PaulIngbretson]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@christophedevos3760]

Stunning works and very interesting explanation. Thank you for uploading.

[@PaulIngbretson]

You're very welcome

[@Pixiepuddingxo]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video, Paul! I appreciate your technical breakdown of the visual order of watercolors. I'm a relatively new watercolorist, and found your video incredibly helpful. Happy to have found your videos, you have a new subscriber!

[@PaulIngbretson]

Welcome aboard...and your welcome!

[@jackdaly4258]

Wonderful stuff, watercolors seem to be beneficial, and the skills rather transferable. Zorn took to oils easy as he was so damn good at watercolors and drawing.

[@andyc6521]

Hi Paul, I was wondering if you could discuss the visual order/hierarchy of effects within a painting and the role that chroma/saturation and hue contributes to the hierarchy of effects? Through your videos I have understood value to be the most significant player in creating the hierarchy of effects however through my own experimentation in paint I am struggling to see and identify the impact that saturation and hue is contributing to the effect. For example how would one create a hierarchy of effects in a low minor key painting where your value range is restricted so you must resort to the other players of color (hue and saturation) to create a hierarchy of effects.

[@PaulIngbretson]

Good one to focus on, Andy. Let me try in a bit.

[@andyc6521]

@@PaulIngbretson Thankyou, look forward to your response. I believe in one of your videos you make a comment along the lines of saturation playing a more important role in creating effect compared to hue. Sounds like an interesting discussion!

[@MFDOOOOM]

Did he make a vid about this ? ​@@andyc6521

[@Ilya-woodenlipstick]

I was out of town so I'm just watching now - thanks a lot for the talk!

[@suemills8834]

I loved this talk and found it very helpful. I have felt being a watercolourist must be harder than an oil painter (which I have never tried!) However the things you pointed out have made me consider it in a different way. I am learning so much watching your videos. Thank you!

[@PaulIngbretson]

Great, Sue.

[@michellepollock9804]

I love these videos. Thank you!

[@PaulIngbretson]

So glad!

[@hannehanneart8605]

Oh wow, I’m learning so much. So glad I found your channel! New subscriber here.

[@PaulIngbretson]

Welcome aboard!

[@paulr904]

Love these videos !

[@TobermoryCat]

Got to say my first site of a big Sargent watercolour exhibition in Edinburgh in the flesh was surprising. The use of wax crayon or candle to give broken effects together with his use of body colour shows visual appearance was more important than pure watercolour.

[@PaulIngbretson]

He is remarkably skillful and knowledgeable at it. I had never see that blocking method before seeing his work.

[@oldmalayawatercolor849]

Sir, could you explain to me what you mean by "visual order"? Looking forward to hear from you :)

[@PaulIngbretson]

Would you mind looking through the video list, for that very subject first and get back to me. I will do more with it if necessary since it is the meat and potatoes of the visual impression both in its data and even providing a way of working.

[@oldmalayawatercolor849]

@@PaulIngbretson insyaallah i will check it now right away sir

[@michaelbonanno7476]

I think Mr. Hunter said that when you start an oil painting, you put in the colors of your subject that is least like the color of your canvas - which you would call “the darks”. He would say that it was a continuous process of bringing in the “back straggler”… until there was nothing left to do. On occasion, he would use a toned panel, but for the majority of his starts, he used a white canvas.

[@user-bt3nb7xd2l]

You have helped me very much!

[@PaulIngbretson]

Always glad to hear that.

[@danielsauerbrey7054]

It seems the alligator scene has been manipulated , it’s a full colored scene in the original

[@PaulIngbretson]

Yeah, try to watch out for such things online.

[@katif1254]

Paul, what do you think of Anders Zorn’s watercolours? Would appreciate your comments, as he is one of my favourite watercolorists.

[@PaulIngbretson]

What he does visually in oil he also does in watercolor. Yes? Will point this out in a video.

[@katif1254]

Thank you, Paul.

[@carlosdommar]

Love the videos, Paul! However I still wonder how is that watercolor as a medium was/is not more popular among impressionists and colorist, being such an immediate means to paint on location and having such a luminous quality to it.

[@PaulIngbretson]

It really must be the limits of what you can do with it, limited value range and workability in particular. There are great reasons why oil is still best. The way Sargent did it suggests real nerve, confidence, too, which most people lack.

[@friedricengravy6646]

I enjoy watercolor painting. No doubt that we build our darks…..but, we can also remove color to create light. Its a beautiful way to do so. A very different look than leaving white paper areas clean & then attempting to protect them throughout the process. I prefer to paint loose & painting ‘around’ shapes is too stiff for my taste. Anyone who is intimidated by watercolor, trust me when I say, a lot of what u heard prior is just myth making. If an artist cannot edit their work in any medium, they will not b able to let go & explore. Yes, u can edit watercolor, there is no need to start over every time u make a mistake. The real trick (if there is one) is to start with decent products. 300 g paper cold press at least or take that description & add 100% cotton. Paint? Ehh, more importantly a soft brush….at least one wide to cover large spaces & a smaller point for fine lines. Since most viewers here paint already, just in oil instead, I dont find it necessary to fill in the details between. Once u get started, u will find ur own needs. Also, u need a flat surface to tape ur paper to. I use a recessed plastic frame with black paper behind the clear plastic. Something smooth & a surface that can b cleaned easily. Then, prop it up on a shoe box or whatever. U will want to move between a slant & flat & side to side, depending how u would like the color/water to flow. The best watercolors come from a blend of control & remaining flexible to what the water prefers to do. Best of luck! Oops! I almost forgot! U need a trusty little one finger water spritzer to re-wet areas & to create effects.

[@PaulIngbretson]

Thank you for this good contribution, fried.

[@friedricengravy6646]

One thing I have in common with oil painters, I prefer neutral color or colors that have been grayed down. I have no idea why so many watercolorists use such gaudy bright color? Its a preference & certainly not necessary. Im not the only one either, there r others who prefer their colors mixed with a compliment instead of straight from the tube to the page. I also enjoy a monochromatic look mixed from Ultra Marine Blue & Burnt Sienna. U can always add a little Burnt Umber or Black to move darker, but basically u adjust between the blue & orange to change the temperature, warmer or cooler.

[@PaulIngbretson]

Hmmmm!

[@friedricengravy6646]

Sargent’s grandson gives lectures regarding Sargent, his work & life. He claims that Sargent painted watercolor for his personal enjoyment, this was his down time. Oil painting was his ‘job’ or career. He & Turner both expressed a personal joy from watercolor.

[@PaulIngbretson]

Seems evident...he didn't paint from them like Pleissner.

[@jokevanijzendoorn-konijn8507]

Intressant,mooi,sfeervol.

[@PaulIngbretson]

:)

[@christinairaca2616]

Ever see anyone put pen and ink to work through the visual order?

[@PaulIngbretson]

No one immediately around me but keep thinking about Zorn's etchings or the Hugo heads by Rodin which look like they could have been inked. You should attempt it and get back to me. Love to see that.

[@querenstewart9944]

Hi Paul Comment back to your's I would if I could to paint as well as you do! But the beard would be a bit of a problem? From a life long student to a life long student my we never stop learning. Sheila

[@steverys6811]

You admit to not knowing transparent watercolor and compare it to opaque oil techniques. Pontificating for your Boston school method at all costs shows the flaw in your understanding and intent.

[@PaulIngbretson]

The visual impression isn't limited to oil painting, or opaque vs transparent methods/mediums, Steve. Surprised you think that.

[@FML2610]

my God, and talk and talk and talk and to say nothing?

[@MFDOOOOM]

^^ Low IQ alert.