The Secret to Creating Luminous Washes in Watercolor

[@terryberke8601]

I studied with Don 30 years when he says, I dont know how I do it, he's not kidding. I sure don't know how he does it, but I highly recommend studying with him if you are looking to losen up and have more fun with your work. The 2 workshops I took with him were memorable

[@Ann-ey1tw]

I love your comment, “I’ve been doing washes for 40 years, and I still don’t know how it works.”That is a perfect description of how I get my favorite ones. I’ve just found your channel too, and I’m so happy I did! Thank you!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Isn't it fun when it works out? I like the unpredictability of watercolor.

[@majrminer]

Instant 👍🏻 Don, you're going to grow your audience! Fantastic instruction. Let it be a lesson that so many KZbinrs are great at producing videos and making the video seem flashy and enticing, but what they lack is your experience and quality of instruction. This is watercolor (and KZbin) at its best. Thank you for sharing your experience, sir. The best instructors aren't just good at being flashy, they're able to use experience to shape others. What today's generation wants is instant gratification. Most of the new-age art 'influencers' are good at using social media (and getting burnt out by it), so they are good at selling their own instructional books and courses... the problem is, they write books that lack foundational skill and core principles as taught by the masters of days past. But they make themselves appear to know what they're talking about. And thus, many of the new generation of artists will learn with a lack of masters input. They will miss the masters at work. Again, thank you, Don and Martha.

[@donandrews3468]

Hi Majrminer,,,thank you so much for your comments!

[@Jessa-RM]

Granulation in watercolor is one of my favorite things about painting, the beauty and spontaneity of it is wonderful

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Jessica, thank you so much for your kind words! It's also one of my favorite techniques! 😉

[@davelester1985]

Took workshops with you years ago, and you were not only a genius, but kind to people and encouraging. Nice video here.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Dave,,thank you, I appreciate it! Friend Don

[@mekkymilliken2564]

Finally, GRANULATION! Don, my heart is heavy with sympathy for those missing out on your legendary Watercolor Instructions! I see only one comment to a masterpiece demo; stay undaunted Don, they will come in droves if you stay the course! And by the way, I have 2 thumbs up (only 1 required by KZbin, unfortunately) for a magical demo!

[@donandrews3468]

Thanks Mekky!! 😉

[@roxym.3933]

Watercolor is so fun ! It helps with my mental health. I just love to paint watercolor❤

[@pridgenwatkins2867]

Don, I've followed your work for decades, so this video reminds me of all the great tutorials you've done. Thank you so much for inspiring me and all the painters who watch your work.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Thank you Pridgen for your kind words!!

[@lindabalz]

Now finally after 60 years, understand what am art teacher was trying to tell us, but she was lacking your courage of wonderful vibrant combinations! Beautiful!!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Thank you so much Linda! I appreciate it!

[@calayajwilliams6567]

Please don't stop...I just found you!

[@donandrews3468]

Thank you Calaya!

[@jammuna1]

Love the commentary and demonstration. Thank you for sharing

[@donandrews3468]

Thank you.

[@vsdnkn]

Дякую за таке чудове відео. Мені дуже сподобалося і ваша робота і ваші пояснення! Обов'язково буду пробувати. Натхнення у творчості! Thank you very much. I'm appreciated for your work and for your explanations. I should try it to repeat in my own way. Inspiration to you in creativity!

[@stanwellback]

I love how you present your excellent video in such a low-key, down-to-earth, unpretentious fashion. You make the art of watercolour look a lot easier than it is, but you inspired me to give it a go. Thank you for sharing your indisputable talent. 🙏🏻

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Duncan,,, thank you so much,,,,,glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@keariewashburn4680]

Love this video 😊 thank you so much!!

[@donandrews3468]

HI kearie,,,,glad you're enjoying the program!

[@Evelyn-tk8mn]

Thank you for this informative video! 👍

[@donandrews3468]

Thank you Evelyn!

[@Bets1202]

I really enjoyed your video. Love the loose style. Loose paintings always draw my eye & that’s how I like to paint.

[@kellystauffer5637]

Thank you. I love the way it looks

[@donandrews3468]

Thank you Kelly,,, glad you enjoyed it! Friend Don

[@derekcutsinger3511]

I recently discovered your work. I am interested in painting figurative art after doing many life drawings in charcoal. I just got a copy of your book discussing this topic and I think it’s the best watercolor book I have. Just wanted to say thanks. Lots of failed attempts but I can feel I’m getting closer. Can’t wait to see all the content and wisdom you share with us 😊

[@donandrews3468]

Thank you Derek! It does take lots of practice but you will find some of the most beautiful colors when mixing on the page.

[@judithwilliams5773]

I love this!!! I live in the desert and can't wait to try these techniques for loose impressionistic paintings.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Have fun! And thanks for the comment!

[@annfoster1980]

Wow! So bright , fresh and crisp

[@donandrews3468]

Thanks Ann,,,glad you liked the demo! Friend Don

[@jaquelinedeponce5251]

Heaven sent! Looking to break from very tight painting. Thank you Don!

[@jaquelinedeponce5251]

I do have a question, what kind of paper? Is it hot press, not also the weight?

[@donandrews3468]

@@jaquelinedeponce5251 hi Jaqueline,,, glad you enjoyed the video, I use 140# arches cold press! Friend Don

[@jaquelinedeponce5251]

@@donandrews3468 I really appreciate your response. I had suspected as much but, it’s difficult to discern on the screen. Lol, I was ready and prepared to try using my granulating pigments on the various papers in my stash!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Very welcome

[@marypartridge5154]

You are one amazing artist. As well as technique you just have the gift

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

@@marypartridge5154 hi Mary,,,thank you for your kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@AngelaStark-hj2xx]

Your art and teaching process are so amazing! Thank you❤️

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

@@AngelaStark-hj2xx Hi Angela,,,,thank you, I appreciate your comments! Friend Don

[@tharwatoday4480]

that is hilarious, waiting for the drip 🤣 thank you for your art and videos. I'm learning so much from you.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

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

[@exceziv3224]

Love this. I need to learn this form of painting.

[@kellystauffer5637]

Thank you so much for your humble tutorial. You are so ready to listen to. And i love your painting

[@kellystauffer5637]

I meant to say easy

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Thank you so much!

[@gloprn52]

Your teaching is helping me tremendously. I tend to paint comfortably pastels shades, but I love the bold color look. I want to be able to hit those bold colors the first time happy painting Don 😊🎨

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

You are so welcome! And have fun with it!

[@keariewashburn4680]

Love your video ! Beautiful paintings ❤ thank you 😊

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

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

[@jjohnson1655]

Absolutely love your teaching!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Thank you so much!

[@ginakelly11]

Beautiful!

[@jefffawver888]

that is so beautiful I love your way of painting Awesome....

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Thank you very much!

[@patsymccown2766]

I’m a late comer to your channel… Just found you! Love this and love the white at the bottom… Looks like a little river running through beautiful mountain range.. love it!

[@hazelhau6576]

Don 是一位大師級的藝術家 可以同時使用這麼多種颜色 但不落俗套 而且令人覺得驚艷 很幸運昨天看到你的频道 感謝你的分享啊

[@intuitiveinspiredart4366]

Google translate says: "is a master artist who can use so many colors at the same time but is unconventional and stunning , lucky to see your channel yesterday thank you for sharing."

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Thank you so much Hazel! I do love mixing the colors on the page but it does take practice! 🙂

[@janickferrari4933]

Merci pour cette vidéo très inspirante ,j’aime beaucoup❤

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Thanks so much!

[@ninner196]

I thoroughly enjoy granulating pigments and lovely bright colors but I personally avoid non lightfast colors but each there own and art is wonderful!!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Jennie, thank you for your kind words. I never have had any problem with the colors fading as long as the framed art is not in direct sunlight, but I respect those that are concerned about it. Old habits die hard!

[@ninner196]

@@DonAndrewsAWS it’s a ok!

[@mirekmontepuro5330]

Fantastic

[@donandrews3468]

Hi Mirek,,, thanks so much! Friend Don

[@patriciaohanlon2823]

Will have to practise this style lpve this.thank you❤

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

@@patriciaohanlon2823 hi Patricia,,,yes,,practice, practice, practice! Friend Don

[@Sophthesoul]

Really helpful thank you 😊

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

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

[@tribalstyle138]

it looks like Croatia :D I love it

[@inMuro]

i love this!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

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

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi I Muro.... thank you, we appreciate your comments! Friend Don

[@Rockymtnbloom]

Very fresh and bright colors. Is the drawing based on a specific scene? Love how you enjoy the process and enjoy what the colors do as they mingle. Sometimes, as watercolor painters, we try to focus on a specific outcome and forget the value of enjoying the process and discovery.

[@donandrews3468]

Hi Debrah,,,yes,you are so right,,, as my mentor, Robert E Wood used to tell me,,, Don, don't prejudge,,learn to watch the page,,,,,,the answers on the page! Friend Don

[@estelleleroux6594]

Wow!!!!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

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

[@dvrh08]

Your work is very nice but I’m confused. Granulated means specks of pigment in the paint. GRADIENT is the color blending flow you seem to be describing.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

When I refer to Granulation I'm talking about just mixing the colors on the page (I paint on a 40 degree slant). It's not just limited to using granulating colors which is confusing but I adopted this term from one of my favorite WC artists from the west coast when I was a young artist. I love it as it really makes the colors glow!

[@mariakapatos9545]

So impressed Don love the whole process will be following more of your beautiful paintings and advise thank you❤

[@fattanemuch8264]

Tank you!

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

You're so welcome@

[@judithbrown6046]

What watercolour paper do you use for this lesson😊

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

I always use Arches 140# cold press.

[@goat8477]

min 14:20 Awesome! It's a demonstration of Murphy's law.... true though. I have tried to catch more low point drips that I dare to keep track of...

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi goat! Same here,,,I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@WendySamples-zl7bq]

Watercolor pigments react differently to different kinds of paper some paper is smooth then some coarse paper some papers are grainy. So when he says grainy I think he's referring to grainy watercolorpaper.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Wendy,,,,I use Arches 140 cold press paper! Friend Don

[@janaemerson3344]

Really well taught- I bought the organizing nature series- Hey my question is what are the paint colors used for the sunny side of the building? The lighter values of the building in the very last lesson (where there was a lot of really beautiful burgundy and dark blue sky)

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi JJE,,,,yes,the light washes on the buildings are made from a warm neutral by mixing the 3 primaries used in this painting, Cerulean, Red Hot Momma (Scarlett Lake) and Aureolin, i wanted it warm so i added a touch more of the red and yellow.Hope this helps! Friend Don

[@WatercolorMama2345]

I just discovered your channel, and I love your teaching style. Great video, great content.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

@@WatercolorMama2345 Hi Ruthie,,, glad you enjoyed the video! Friend Don

[@lindasapiecha2515]

❤

[@patriciaohanlon2823]

❤

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

@@patriciaohanlon2823 Thank you Patricia! Friend Don

[@avvaredkaia5311]

Прикольненько)

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

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

[@janaemerson3344]

What brushes are you using? I don’t see any links

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Jana, my wife has put a link in the description of the video to all the supplies that I use including paper, paint and brushes that I use. I hope this helps, and thank you for watching!

[@janaemerson3344]

Thank you so much!

[@barbararivera2380]

😄

[@donandrews3468]

Hi Barbara,,,,,glad you liked it! Friend Don

[@jerrywilliams5963]

What is the dark maroon red? It’s such a rich color. 4:25. PDT

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

I used to use Alizarin Crimson, but lately I've been using Permanent Magenta which has a bit more blue cast.

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Permanent Magenta!

[@JEANWright-p5f]

B

[@KpxUrz5745]

The secret to great watercolors is to study the watercolor paintings of Winslow Homer.

[@221b-Maker-Street]

I'm unclear how simply looking at a finished piece painted by someone else teaches you how to do it yourself!

[@KpxUrz5745]

@@221b-Maker-Street I think that misses my point, which is that we should seek the very best artists as mentors and heroes. Winslow Homer is one of the best in watercolor. Watercolor is a very difficult medium, and few artists have achieved much of note in this medium. Yet there are countless "how-to" books and videos by unknown (and mostly unskilled) artists intended to teach how to do watercolor paintings. And, can artists actually learn by studying great paintings? Of course they can, and this "method" has always been used by very good artists. I think it's fair to say that nearly all art "teachers" are unable to actually teach how to paint, and most of them are not really skilled to begin with. At best, a good art teacher might be inspirational.

[@markbradley8123]

Great instructions but why are Americans so verbose! ?

[@TheBobbymcd]

whatdya mean? whatdya mean? whatdya mean? whatdya mean? whatdya mean? whatdya mean? whatdya mean? whatdya mean?

[@DonAndrewsAWS]

Hi Mark,glad you liked the video,,,, many students want to hear the teachers thoughts! Friend Don