Sunset Watercolour Demonstration

New Watercolour Landscapes for Beginners Course Available Now! 75% off
www.scottswins...
I would just love it if you joined me on Patreon! The link is below!
/ scottswinson
Tonights video was created from a recent visit to Cronulla in the evening with the family. It is such a lovely time of day and the light was just gorgeous! There are a few colours but overall still not that many layers. I hope you enjoy this painting! Happy painting!
Paper:
A half sheet of Rives BFK etching paper, 280gsm, white 100% cotton paper by Arches
Paints:
Winsor Yellow
Alizarin Crimson Permananet
Cerulean Blue
Cobalt Blue
Mix of Cobalt Blue and Light Red then mixed with Alizarin Crimson
Mix of Cobalt Blue and Light Red with some Burnt Umber
Mix of Cobalt Blue and Light Red with some Cobalt Turquoise
Brushes:
4 Inch Hake
2 Inch Holbein Hake
2 Inch Ron Ranson Hake
Pure Kolinsky Round Sable Size 12
Flat Nylon to lift out some lights
Fan Brush
Series 7 Winsor and Newton Round Sable Size 0
Other:
MDF board
3M Magic Tape to tape the paper to the board
Spray Bottle
Razor Blade
Tweezers
3M Magic Tape to tape off the horizon
Tissues
0:00 Beginning
1:46 Start Painting
3:14 Blue Sky
9:20 Horizon Cloud
14:26 Painting the Sea
18:51Fixing the Horizon
20:14 Scratching out some Lights
#watercolour
#sunsetwatercolour
#beginnerswatercolour
Arches A3 Block if you wanted to use that instead of tape to a board:
geni.us/Arches...
Alternatives to Arches Paper:
Saunders Waterford Watercolour Paper Sheets 300gsm cold pressed 100% cotton from your local art supplies store. Or the links from amazon below.
Sheets of 425gsm:geni.us/Saunde...
Block 9”x12”: geni.us/Saunde...
Hahnemuhle Etching Paper Sheets 300gsm (75% cotton 25% high alpha cellulose)
geni.us/Hahnem...
Stonehenge Paper Sheets 20” x 30”: geni.us/Stoneh...
The other paper I use a huge amount is Rives BFK Etching Paper by Arches 280gsm, 100% cotton, white, 56cm x 76cm sheets: geni.us/RivesB...
Winsor and Newton Artist Quality Paints
Cobalt Blue amazon: geni.us/Winsor...
Yellow Ochre amazon: geni.us/Yellow...
Light Red amazon: geni.us/LightR...
Size 12 Round Sable
Pure Kolinsky Round Sable Size 12 - Cornellisen (quite expensive over $150)
geni.us/PureKo...
geni.us/Isabey...
or
Synthetic Round Sable Size 12 - Micadore For Artists - roymac Revolution Taklon - ($20)
geni.us/Synthe...
Hake Brushes x 2
Holbein 2” Hake Brush (my preference)
Holbein 1” Hake Brush (my preference)
geni.us/Holbei...
or
Ron Ranson Large Hake Brush (about 2”)
Ron Ranson Small Hake Brush (about 1”)
geni.us/RonRanson
Flat Nylon
Long Flat Nylon - Robert Wade Neef 980 Taklon Wash: geni.us/Robert...
Fan Brush
Fan Brush (I own size 1’s mainly and a size 6) - can be any brand really - I own two Winsor and Newton size 1 fan brushes and an Art Spectrum Series 1000FAN size 6.
I would get Hogs Hair Fan Brushes as they make more interesting marks but that is always personal preference. Some cheap ones on amazon are on the link below:
geni.us/Dugato...
Small Round Sable
Series 7 size ‘0’ Winsor and Newton Finish Round Sable (lovely small brush but more expensive than synthetic): geni.us/Series...
A cheaper alternative to the series 7 round sable is: Size 00 Winsor and Newton Cotman Round
geni.us/Cotman...
Other
Spray Bottle Large Garden One: geni.us/Adjust...
Small Spray Bottle for a Finer Spray: geni.us/SmallS...
MDF Board: geni.us/MDFBoard
Bowls for the paints: geni.us/WhiteB...
Jars for the water: geni.us/GlassJars
Vase for the water: geni.us/Square... or
geni.us/LargeW...
Razor Blade: geni.us/Stanle...
Small Knife: geni.us/SwissA...
Pencil B, HB or 2B: geni.us/Staedt...
Tweezers from a Swiss Card: geni.us/SwissA...
Scotch 3M Magic Tape (Green Packet): geni.us/Scotch...
Scotch 3M Removable Tape (Blue Packet): geni.us/Scotch...
Aligloss - used as my desktop and palette: geni.us/Aliglo...
Tony Smiberts Books
Turners Apprentice: A Watercolour Masterclass: geni.us/Turner...
Painting Landscapes from your Imagination: geni.us/TrlbvxR
How to Paint Like Turner: geni.us/PaintL...
How Turner Painted: geni.us/HowTur...
Connect With Me on Social Media
My website where you can buy original artwork: www.scottswinson.com
Instagram: / scottswinson
Facebook: / scottswinsonartist

[@holly_kay5570]

I like that you make mistakes and then fix them 😊 It turned out very nice!

[@StevoMculeZ]

Awesome painting

[@carolpenn1155]

Absolutely super

[@chriscooper4579]

So informative to watch how you Wait !!!! I gotta learn to do that. Wonderful painting. I love the light in the sky. Beautiful Thank you for sharing your skills knowledge and love of watercolour

[@MickyBrownEye1]

Hi Scott. I've watched this demo twice now. Just love how it all comes together. The sky composition and colour is so like our north coast here in Ireland. Stunning.

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Michael! Thanks! Yes love skies over the ocean! And Ireland has some great ocean and coast line!! 👍👍

[@janinetapp6482]

I am watching from Cronulla and loving your tutorials 🤩

[@stephanieoneal7663]

The color on the clouds spot on. Gives me early morning beach vibes. Love your videos!

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Stephanie! Me too! Love the ocean! 👍👍

[@claudiehourcau6191]

Hello Scott !! Amazing. Thanks. Have a good day. À bientôt😍

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Claudie! 🙏🙏

[@awatercolourist]

Cheers, mate! I’ve been wanting to paint skies like that for sometime now, so thanks for the demonstration. And thanks g for showing us how to correct tape bleeds 👍🏼

[@annalohning3262]

Love it! Thanks for sharing the process :)

[@tinaharrison9354]

I love this painting and it’s always good to watch you step by step

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Tina! Im glad it was helpful! 👍👍

[@bsmith5404]

Thanks for leaving in the horizon issue and showing how to get around the issue. I don’t mind the sound of the blade, for me it’s the swiping of tissues over the paper that sets my teeth on edge for some reason haha. Love the painting, gorgeous colours as always.

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks! Good to know it’s worth including my mistakes! 👍👍

[@louisegoben7392]

Love it!

[@maryellenisakson6852]

Thanks!

[@ScottSwinson]

Thank you!

[@damianboyle1583]

Looking good scott

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Damian! 🙏

[@suemarkwald159]

Thanks for sharing your process! It reminds me that sometimes you have to slow down and finesse the paint to do it’s thing on the paper. Beautiful!

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Sue! Yes it can be good to keep things simple and work with the paints natural qualities! 👍

[@louisscenti3813]

Scott, that sky is so incredibly beautiful. Wow!

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Louis! I have nature to thank for that! I’m just copying! 👍👍

[@guyhiebert]

I like the way you solved a problem. And show us that errors may and can happen. Just work it out..... Thank You

[@ScottSwinson]

No worries guy! Mistakes happen all the time for me with watercolours! Sometimes that creates the best watercolours! 👍👍👍

[@markdonovan1540]

It's a real joy to watch you paint, I love your approach to these type seascapes and big skies. I've changed my set up lately, to allow me to paint more freely while standing up. It's like dancing with a paint brush! I like detailed work too, such as small urban sketches, flowers etc. But when I want to paint with big brush strokes and really feel the effect of water in the painting, then I do my best to incorporate some of your techniques- despite the fact that I'm nowhere near your level of experience or ability. You have a special way of making your painting process feel amenable. You also inspire me with your passion and love for the quality of your paintings and your way of feeling your way into the painting. It's beautiful and shows real artistry at work. Thanks Scott, long may you continue.

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Mark! Thanks so much! I’m really glad you have tried standing up when it can be helpful! Of course smaller paintings and detail can be done in sitting! You can do what ever you find works for you! I’m really pleased you enjoy my process. I hope I get to continue for a long time! 👍👍

[@vickylaw659]

I am watching your painting again, just so enjoy your painting 💐

[@elizabeththurlow5993]

Another beautiful painting Scott and you make it look so easy. I love the colours.

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Elizabeth! Love skies! 👍👍

[@atlantic2233]

Hi Scott, I love the completed painting and to be honest also really liked the way it looked at ~17:00 because the uneven horizon line resembled trees in the distance. Always appreciate your work, thank you again.

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi dragonflycat! Glad you liked it! I know sometimes something that is a mistake can be the best part of the painting! Thanks for the feedback! 👍👍

[@peterpistor1962]

Scott, the colors are very well chosen. It is worth determining the shades exactly!

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Peter! My aim for this year is to be able to mix colours better to match what I am seeing!

[@grazynamiszkowicz6847]

Great! it is amazing watching you by painting. Thanks a lot for sharing your experience ❤

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Grazyna! Glad you enjoyed it! 👍👍

[@karolfrench5816]

Wonderful. THANKYOU as always

[@ScottSwinson]

No worries Karol! 👍👍🙏🙏

[@poulos801]

Really loved watching your process here. Turned out lovely.

[@LavishHim]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎨

[@ScottSwinson]

🙏🙏

[@jadetobin]

So gorgeous!!! The sky, especially the lower fog area, perfect!!! And I love how you got the look of some waves without painting out a full wave....I was just doing a beach scene in acrylic, I got the loose sky I wanted, and had the ocean in my mind and before I knew it I was leaning down close to it making these awful things that I suppose were waves, but kept adding detail, bit not well...so, it didn't go together at all....I love loose, its always what I'm drawn to...but then I fine myself suddenly over working something, especially bad when doing it in watercolor, by doing too much detail. Drives me crazy!! But these waves are perfect! Love this so much! I definitely loved seeing you think it out...like when you were saying it was fine to not dry it before the ocean...but you stood, brush in hand, and thought it out and changed your mind...I do the same, I'm sure we all do...where you just stop because you know something is off but need to take a sec to make sure. And then also fixing the horizon and especially softening the outer edges to bring the focus to the sharp area...definitely learned something, many things, new :) I was wondering...so your little bowls of color...do you just always have them there and leave it to dry and add more as necessary, or is set them up for each painting session? Also, it doesn't look like a massive bunch if colors, so do you just keep your core colors in bowls always ready, and if so, if you're keeping a basic or limited pallette, I'd love to hear what your core, always ready, colors would be :) Also, loved seeing you do your signature. It's something I definitely struggle with, for several reasons...so, my husband always tells me to sign my work, whatever it is, small or large, good or bad (because he says what i say is bad isn't always bad and is me being harsh on myself 🙄😊) but, I also get embarrassed signing it, as if I'm somehow thinking too much of myself or my work when I'm just still teaching myself in my older age so its typically nothing amazing. Also, I never know where or with what to sign and I don't want to marr a painting just to have my signature on it, again, I feel embarrassed, like who cares what my name is as a beginner and won't it look ugly. I don't feel that way about you or anyone else signing their work, you're professionals that actually sell work and are SO far beyond I'm capable of, but it was cool to see how you did it. I couldn't see it at all, but I'm sure in person its clear. Watercolor throws me the most for knowing how to sign without taking away from the actual painting. Thanks as always!

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Jade! Yes! For me when ever I try and actually paint something like waves it just doesn't work and ends up looking rubbish! I have learnt to just look at shapes and lights and darks etc and try and loosely do those as I go! Or scratch back at the end! I think you should practice signing all your paintings that you think are finished! Its good practice and it does form part of the painting so is pretty important! You deserve a signature! Yes I just use a small number of bowls as my core colours and then if I need to I squeeze other colours out of the tubes and mix them on my table as I go! Hope that helps! I let the bowls dry out inbetween sessions.

[@jadetobin]

@@ScottSwinson yes! That helps a ton!! Especially the signature part😊my husband always wants me to sign them, says it's good work and important, as you said...just my own insecurities, so, I'm working on it, thanks! And your, of course, complete right about the waves,ugh, I always get so mad at myself when I look down and I've done it again🙄 just need more loose practice :) Thanks for the info about your paints too! I also recently went looking through older videos and found one from early on I believe, where you really show exactly how you mix up your paint...I had been curious if it was straight paint filling them up but knew it couldn't be based on the texture, probably not the right word...of the paint when you dipped your brush and put it to paper, but wasn't sure. I really do love the idea of the bowls and not having tiny areas to both grab, loosen and mix colors of paint in tiny little areas, so having the paints how you want in the bowl you can grab and go which is important working wet in wet and fast sweeping gestures. So that video was great help!! And I love your map drawers where you keep them...super smart!! Thanks so much for sharing your art...life changing for me, absolutely :) even with my hands not working well due to my rheumatoid arthritis, I still have days when I'm able to paint and loose is the way to go for me :) thanks again!!

[@reethareid4068]

I absolutely love it ❤ Mesmerizing! Amazing landscape turns into amazing painting) Thank you!

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Reetha! I'm really glad you love it! I do love skies and light etc etc. Thanks! 🙏

[@MiraTulic]

❤...hvala...

[@yunzers]

This really is beautiful! Especially love how the sky turned out. Thanks so much. Hot there? It’s 15* and snowing here!

[@ScottSwinson]

I love a bit of cold sometimes! But summer with a pool here in Sydney is not too bad! 👍👍 I do miss the snow and mountains!

[@LavishHim]

Your ocean looks exactly like ours here … Atlantic. Love the simplicity of your works.

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Danielle! I do love the ocean! 👍

[@eleniphotos]

Fantastic Scott! As far as I'm concern, no need to apologize for too much beach/ sea scene! I paint it almost daily & I live days away from the nearest sea!

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Helene! I just paint what has moved me recently and that is the ocean these days! 👍👍

[@vickylaw659]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻thanks for this wonderful picture! I also interested to draw birds flying on top of water…can you show me how one time?

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Vicky! Yes I could show that to you some time. I’m sure I have a video of painting a waterfall that has a bird flying over the water on it! 👍👍

[@starvingartistscollective]

An excellent demonstration Scott, loved this one! Have been taking sunrise photos at my local beach (Maroubra) and wondering how to simplify the 'essence' of the image rather than getting lost in every little wave. A question: why do you prefer printmaker's BFK Rives paper to the traditional watercolour papers you have listed? GSM, sizing, surface texture...??? Thanks for sharing!!

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Starving Artist! I had no idea you lived in Sydney! That’s great! Yes it’s always interesting to try and capture the essence of a scene! I use bfk etching paper because it is really nice and bright white which makes skies really glow, also it sees to allow washes to flow across the page easily as it’s closer to hot pressed than cold pressed! Also when doing multiple layers it seems to accept them better than normal watercolour paper that has more sizing! Hope that helps! 👍👍

[@socratesthecabdriver]

🙏🌊🔱🌪🌪🌪

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Socrates! 👍👍👍

[@marcstewart9169]

Beautiful as always! My hake brushes shed hairs like dogs in summer! Why don’t yours seem to lose bristles at all?

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Marc! Sorry for the delay in replying! I’m on holidays and it’s hard to find the time to reply! I had a Holbein hake for many years that used to drop hairs al the time! A while ago a bought a new 2 inch Holbein hake and it sheds almost no hairs! I should have got a new one years ago! Lol! So my suggestion is to buy a new one! Get Holbein or Ron random hakes if you can. If the new one looses hairs then take it back to the shop you bought it from! 👍👍

[@Megzamani]

Scott try frog tape instead of that other kind. It works way better.

[@ScottSwinson]

Thanks Meg! It’s a good idea! I’ve never used it with watercolour! Only used it once for a feature wall in my sons room! I’m really interested to see how it performs! It did well in his room! 👍👍

[@barbarajatwater6496]

What would you suggest to use for light red?

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Barbara! Can you not get hold of either Winsor and Newton light red or Cotman light red? 👍👍

[@StevoMculeZ]

I saw the mistake as it happened- not drying before tape

[@labtrainer09]

Hi, Scott. I consider it a privilege to watch you work, so I hesitate to mention ANYTHING other than that. However, because (like me) you use Ron Ranson hakes, you're undoubtedly aware that Ron used clips to attach his paper to his board. That way, if his paper buckled (as yours did in this painting) and threatened to affect the flow of paint, Ron would simply release the two clips at one end of the paper, pull it more-or-less flat, and re-secure it. I suspect that at some point in the past, you decided you didn't like that technique, but I'm just a bit curious why not. Perhaps I should stop doing it! Best, Chris

[@ScottSwinson]

Hi Chris! Thanks for the message and your support on Patreon! I have tried it once or twice. The thing I didn’t like was the clips getting in the way of full brush strokes across any snd all of the surface. I have bee tempted to try drawing pins and have done that for huge watercolours! If you have any suggestions I am always happy to try different ways. Sometimes I use nothing to attach it to the board and like that until I dry it and want to do another layer! 👍👍

[@janetgoldstein7597]

Please get the hair out.