The Best Watercolor Demo I Ever Saw! How this simple demo changed the way I paint in Watercolor!

KZbin channel: @DonAndrewsAWS
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[@michaelratcliffe7559]

70 now - used to paint watercolour when I was in my early 20’s and had what I would say was moderate success with 3 paintings that friends and family framed and keep to this day. I stopped though because as I grew a bit older I found I was ruining my work with too much detail and did not have a solution. Frustration and vanity stopped me cold. This video has been a real eye opener and I feel I am with you at that demonstration you attended when the doors opened the blinds went up and the light came in. I’m not going to run out and start painting again but I feel you need to know how terrific the experience you have passed on is. If I do try again it will be because I feel this tutorial has been so valuable. Thank you so much.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Michael,,,, heartfelt thanks for your kind words,,,, I don't tell this often but your comments remind me,I was teaching in California and visited Robert E Wood (Bob) just before he passed, I tried to clumsily tell him how much his teaching had ment to me,,,,he said, you can thank me by passing it on! I guess that's what I'm trying to do! Thanks Michael,,,,friend Don

[@janbarriault4494]

pick up a brush! you know you want to!! and you should!

[@Cijbra]

Hi, I am 73 and started this year in february. Go on!! You can do it, make yourself happy!!

[@1bizjets]

Trying watercolors. What a wonderful video. Learned so much in such short time.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Gene,,,,thank you,,,I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@danthomas6587]

I love those little aha moments when all of a sudden understanding comes up and hits you in your noggin. It's so rewarding and that's why I love painting in watercolor most of all. Thanks Don for the knowledge.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Dan,,,I so agree,,, all I know about painting someone gave me, showed me or I stumbled upon it,,, continues to make painting fun! Friend Don

[@sharongates4699]

Hey Don. I’m a former student, former fellow Fairhopian, and forever fan. Your years of experience as a great artist and teacher really shows in this exercise. Glad I found your KZbin channel.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Sharon,,,,,we're glad to have you with us and thank you for your kind words! Friend Don

[@hfarms5779]

Great demo. Less is more and let the viewer fill in the details.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi hfarms,,,,,thank you I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@CynthiaTrombley-jz9dh]

Wow! This technique appears to be very do-able and might just be the trick I need to improve my painting overall. Thanks!. I really like your personality as an instructor.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Cynthia,,,we're glad to have you with us! Friend Don

[@ellenpham4834]

Thank you :) I’ve been hesitant to try faces, and now I can. I’m a long time beginner, and I can’t look at a face and paint it, but I can start here. I’m relieved! So you can see, I really mean the thank you!

[@1bizjets]

I can't paint faces to save my life. I hope to change that with your videos

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Ellen,,, yes, you are welcome! Friend Don

[@jamieluce5808]

I drew a portrait from a model recently. It was a very moving experience. I began to feel such appreciation for the human form.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Jamie,,,yes, i agree there's nothing like it and the more you do it the better it gets!

[@suemclean2670]

I taught art and am always learning. Thanks for this video. Just a suggestion to help those people who can be negative, I wrote on the whiteboard at the start of a lesson what the topic was. Then participants could see that it was an experiment in for example “Softening edges”. I would suggest that they put their finished work in a prominent spot, perhaps even frame it, to see it differently over a few days to help identify mistakes and also to see if they found the style to their taste aesthetically. They could then see we were experimenting with techniques. Hope this is useful as your video is very informative and helpful.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Susan,,,thank you so much! Great suggestions! Friend Don

[@lorenknowles1521]

I was an illustration major at CSULB in the mid 80s. Being in my mid 30s and having drawn all my life, I had a figure drawing class and my work was better than most. We did a final portfolio of work from outside of class. I did more work than most of the class and was given a C for the project. The following semester I asked him why I only got a C, and he said “Because it was way below your ability”. Definitely something I remember 40 years later.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Loren,,,, now that's a compliment! Friend Don

[@cku235]

Don - This is fantastic!! I love this method ! Thank you so much !!! Love your work , such great color and values dead on .

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Ron,,,, means alot coming from you! Friend Don

[@Valen_Wolf]

What a lovely painting!! 🤎 Love the colors!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Valen,,,, thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@robhead22]

This lesson lifted me right up !! Beautiful beautiful BEAUTIFUL!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Rob,,,, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@rondamiller3126]

Fascinating! Just when I’m trying to paint more loosely. Perfect. I’m subscribed now. ❤

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Ronda,,,,we're glad to have you with us! Friend Don

[@lmm046]

I'm looking forward to giving this a try. Not only with portraits, but also landscapes, florals, etc.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi @Imm046,,,,yes, by all means,,,I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@lisengel2498]

🙏great demonstration and exercise of finding and loosing the form …. And Yes indeed I too love that loose style too - and your fine demonstration of the practice to paint on a wet paper and showing in process how to paint the shadows in first and from there feeling the form and like magic continue into a blissfull glittering of the dancing of light and dark 🎶🩶🖤🎵🐦‍⬛

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Lis,,,,I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@sheilawilliams6282]

Thank you I really enjoyed this

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Sheila,,,,I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@MHasnaM]

Thank you for this 🙏🏾🙏🏾🌺

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi @MHasnaM,,,,,I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@xJazzyAppy]

Never stop painting. You’re so talented and I really enjoy watching your work ❤

[@JB-1490]

Hi, Don! I am very fortunate to find your KZbin channel. Love your unique style of WC painting. Promise you to watch all your demo videos and click 'like' button. Already subscribed. Thank you for sharing your experience and techniques. So helpful. Hope to see you in the offline workshop sometime in the future. Looking forward to seeing more episodes.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi JB.....we're glad to have you with us! Friend Don

[@SlySkippy15]

So glad to see you back again

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Skippy,,,,, thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@carynpercell8979]

Thank you so much!! I struggle with getting tighter and tighter, and TIGHTER!! This is going to be a new exercise daily for myself!!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Caryn,,,, thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@jamieluce5808]

Me too!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Cary,,, from your lips to God's ear!

[@MaudMargretheRex]

Greatest Watercolour demo ever 😮😮😮😮 in total love - my next Watercolour try out

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Maud,,,I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@patvalenzuela5105]

A good lesson for me. I mostly paint landscapes but I can use this there too. Thank you.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Pat,,,,yes, the concept applies to all subject matter! Friend Don

[@michaelacurran-cox528]

Thanks so much for sharing this technique, can't wait to try it

[@laurainel]

Wow!! ❤ loved this!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Lauraine,,,I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@user-ly6io1kb2b]

Fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Debra,,, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@ramaehamrin]

This helped me so much. Thank you!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Ramae,,,,,so glad the demo helped you! Friend Don

[@user-tg8wh7uz3j]

Truly super. Thank you.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi @user,,,,,thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@anick6265]

Wow, thank you so much!💕🙏

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Anick,,,, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@user-td7ei9gr7i]

Great expression of loose painting thanks

[@barbarajohnson1442]

Awesome!!!!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Barbara, we're glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@laurengouldman9683]

This is amazing❤

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Lauren,,,,I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@heidikarpa2278]

Thank you! I’ve been struggling with edges and vagueness - I’m so inspired. It’s 9 at night and I’m gonna give this a try.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Heidi,,,, yes, by all means give this a try,,,, the big mistake artists make is applying too much water,,,,,use a damp brush for soft edges, wet brush for lost edges,,, practice makes perfect! Let me know how it goes! Friend Don

[@liviariviello9474]

Bellissimo! Grazie per la condivisione 😍

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Livia,,,,I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@Rapture.ready100]

I love this so much- thank you for sharing with us! I always try to get so tight throughout the painting as well

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Amy,,, yes,we all want to loosen up,,,,,try this approach, it's fun! Friend Don

[@margmcgill1645]

I really like this technique. Thank you.😊

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Marg,,,, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@MiraTulic]

Izvanredno...❤...hvala

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Mira,,, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@janebridge1325]

This is really helpful, thank you so much for sharing this! :))

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Jane,,, you are welcome! Friend Don

[@SomethingImpromptu]

Really great advice. Very insightful, & the approach really makes sense to me. You might find this other very heterodox, but in my view extraordinary watercolor artist, Shahanoor Mamun. When I watched this one video of his (I’ll link below, but if the link doesn’t work, it’s called “Experimental Watercolor Techniques | Abstract Landscape Painting With Watercolour | Shahanoor Mamun” & was posted on his channel a year ago), that was similarly a MIND-BLOWING, eye-opening experience for me, as far as seeing how radically differently one can approach the medium & still end up with AMAZING results like the piece he makes in that video (this huge abstract expressionist piece. Basically, he does almost everything in the opposite way compared to traditional watercolor standards (the way people still often paint tight landscapes or portraits)… They would ordinarily start with very dilute paint; he starts with this powerful, concentrated mix (seeing such saturated color from the very beginning really makes it an engaging session to watch). They would probably start dabbing little bits in wet into wet, or else just wetting one or two shapes at a time to block them in; he is pouring pretty big cups of concentrated paint onto the paper (it’s definitely well-stretched, fairly heavy, 100% cotton paper, or it would be buckled insanely) straight away, from the first. They would start with lights & gradually work their way to darks. He starts with a pitch black (probably Ivory or Mars, I’m not sure which). And then he adds various vibrant colors, & starts blasting them with quite a bit of water to perturb them at the edges in various ways, & let’s them blend a bit… There may be other such stark distinctions that aren’t occurring to me. But he pulls it off! I’ve seen a few experimental watercolor pour pieces, & they can be really cool… But I’ve really never seen anyone else do anything quite like what he does there, & the piece he makes in that video even ends up being one of my favorites in the medium, as novel & experimental as it is! I still haven’t mastered his process to where I can get reliably desirable results (watercolor isn’t my strong suit at this point anyway), but I’m fascinated by it. Doing a lot of abstract expressionist stuff, mostly in acrylics, dabbling in oils. As someone who is clearly observant, at a point where you’re plenty able to learn from watching others without needing constant commentary, & open-minded/curious about alternative approaches rather than being very dogmatic about doing it just so, I think you’d appreciate it as I did (unless you just really aren’t into abstracts, which just falls to personal preference- but I do think maybe even someone interested in more representational art could potentially put some of his idiosyncratic methods to use in a creative way, to get extremely loose & expressionistic/otherwise stylized). It’s a pretty wild ride for a watercolor process! But watching you demonstrate this technique was also really interesting! I’d be surprised if there’s nothing valuable you can take away from that one! Shahanoor is crazy with it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXm0qnSPnbxmj9Usi=sgO_amTLM_-Jjjj-

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Matthew,,,, we're glad to have you with us! Thank you also for introducing me to Shahanoor Mamun,,,I see what your talking about, rich, gutsy washes,middle values and darks, definitely not for the faint at heart! Love this guy! Friend Don

[@arturosolisquintero8765]

Muchas, muchas gracias, Don !!! Un saludo con cariño para ustedes desde Patzcuaro Jojo Jo !!!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hey Arturo,,,my old amigo! Good to hear from you Martha sends love! Friend Don

[@jeffolsen4983]

Thanks!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Jeff,,,,,I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@deba417]

This was an excellent demonstration! I found it more helpful than many of the books I own. I must check out the books you mentioned.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Deb!,,,,, yes, I'm pretty sure you can get Ed Whitney's book "the complete guide to watercolor painting," at Cheap Joe's Art Stuff! Friend Don

[@mrgend3730]

Very inspiring, very cool and brings back memories of the past, greetings from 🇮🇩🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Mrgend3730,,,,I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@dsmith9572]

Softening edges allows the viewer to "put the edges" where they want them. Loose approach "fixes" things.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi dsmith9572,,,, yes, you are so right,,,,,it invites the viewer to fill in the blanks,,,,to participate! Thank you! Friend Don

[@jamieluce5808]

This makes sense. I can’t wait to try. I’m not getting anywhere with the watery messes I am making now!!!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Jamie,yes, the biggest mistake artists make when trying to soften edges is having too much water in their brush,,,,,try a damp brush!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Jamie,yes, the biggest mistake artists make when trying to soften edges is too much water in their brush,,,try using a damp brush!

[@SaraStevensonArtist]

Light bulb 🎉

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Sara,,, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@sttarch5150]

When I started this, I thought that the video would never live up to the title. Turn out that it was true. This is a real eye-opener. I'll be thinking about edges a lot now.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Sst arch,,,, thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@aj0y537]

If you don't mind, what was the chief insight you got from the video

[@lr0000]

thank you for this Don! I recently bought the figure painting book of yours that you mention and am trying to learn from you as your style speaks to me. One thing is that I struggle with softening edges - I seem to get blooms along the edge when I try. I use 100% cotton paper, good paints and decent brushes as far as I know. Your edges in this demo seem to be staying workable for such a long time! I wonder what I’m missing, any thoughts?

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi lr0000,,,,,thank you,,,, yes,getting blooms is a definite sign of too much water in your brush when you soften the edge!Hope this helps! Friend Don

[@marcushaliwell7340]

Could be argued that as the lower part of the face isn’t shaded the light source isn’t “implied from above”. While the contrast here is extreme, in any light the lower lip creates a shadow and the upper lip is always shaded. Van Gogh didn’t bother much with tonal variation either. Picasso and Munch not at all, Nor did….. nor did….. nor did…..To say you don’t like it is your right but whether you like it or not matters to no one else in the entire world . To say it isn’t very good is meaningless because there is no obligation to conform to your preferences which you imply are universal values and standards. The aim was to show a way to paint more loosely’ to free us from the ‘need’ to be precise and literal. I think it achieves that very successfully. Am hoping it will help me because I’m unhappy just copying Ron Ranson when the big brush is dominant. This demonstrates a different perspective. (Literally) You don’t have to like that either but no one cares.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Marcus,,,, so well said and much appreciated! Your words are more eloquent but you remind me of my grandfather's old southern manner, he once told me as I was heading out in life," don't let the ******* get you down!" Thank you! Friend Don

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hey again Marcus,,,,,I just reread your comments, ha! It gets better every time! Friend Don

[@sharongates4699]

Well said.

[@Lance2094]

You ripped me off on a dvd

[@Psalm_27.4]

I’m a total beginner. And I have OCD- I tend to take things literally. I would have zero ability to represent someone in this manner. This is beyond me. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Mar L,,,, I wouldn't either in my beginning phase, but paint awhile and it starts making sense! Friend Don

[@mesolithicman164]

It's not very good. There is no tonal modelling on the facial features. The hair looks soft and and a bit 3D but the face looks like a bleached out high contrast photo. With the implied overhead light source the lower half of the face would be in shadow. Topographically this face doesn't make sense.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Mesolithicman,,,, perhaps you misunderstood, the lesson my demo illustrated was on how to create a looser watercolor statement,,,,not (topographical) facial structure. And one question for you,why is it that negative comments are always 100% anonymous? Kinda creepy! Please go bother someone else!

[@mesolithicman164]

@@DonAndrewsAWS I notice how you evidently love everyone saying its so great but a word of criticism is too much to bear. The head has a structure that can be interpreted loosely but some attention needs to be given to it's form. What you present alongside your landscapes which I think are excellent in colour and design is an incomplete lesson on something that needs more explanation. I literally mean some suggestion of the lower part of the face in shadow, to be consistent with the lighting scheme you've implied. I don't know why you're ego is so resistant to a simple observation of fact. And my name is meant in a self debunking way suggesting my views are of a traditional flavor.

[@AFAskygoddess]

​@mesolithicman164 , when you start out a comment with an insult, why would you not expect to be dismissed by the recipient of your rudeness? There were about 1,000 ways to critique this video in a civil way. You opted for snarky. Unless you are the juror of an art competition, your opinion of this gentleman's painting is only meaningful to you.

[@mesolithicman164]

@@AFAskygoddess The significant point is Am I wrong? The answer is No. It's like painting a tree in a soft impressionistic manner and giving it a hard shadow. The two things are inconsistent. "It's not very good" isn't snarky, it's a statement of fact because from an experienced artist it is not correct. If you are going to put a hard shadow under the nose there is an implicit suggestion that a strong overhead light is creating it. A knowledge of the planes of the head tells you that the lower part of the head will be in semi shadow. Planes facing the light will be illuminated. An example of loose but accurate is someone like Charles Reid.

[@AFAskygoddess]

@mesolithicman164 , I truly pity the people who are forced to associate with you. Fortunately, I am not one of them. So, I'm just going to mute you now and enjoy the sunny Florida day. If you choose to respond to me again, you will just be talking to yourself. I imagine, due to your hubris, that this happens a lot to you.

[@marcushaliwell7340]

The above was intended to be a reply to Mesolithicman164.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Thanks again Marcus! Friend Don

[@AzrinWatercolor]

Enter Islam n success1

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Sorry Azria ,,,,,my boss is a Jewish carpenter!

[@AzrinWatercolor]

@@DonAndrewsAWS prophet Isa peace be upon him is Allah's slave and messenger. He invite to the worship of 1 God, free of partners and none is worthy of worship but Allah

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Azrin,,, probably best we agree to disagree and part ways, I wish the best for you!,,,, Friend Don