How to Paint from a REFERENCE PHOTO Watercolor (10 QUICK TIPS)

[@TheDevonArtist]

What is your preferred method for viewing a reference image? *Leave me a comment,* I would love to know. If you would like to search for good quality artist reference photos, this video should help: bit.ly/3LUcNz4

[@GhadaCakeDesign]

Thank you very much Paul for the video tutorial, it’s very helpful 👍♥️

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad it was helpful Ghada. 🤗

[@michaelorourke399]

Thank you, Paul. Great information

[@TheDevonArtist]

You're welcome Michael 🙂

[@kate4986]

What a quality video - thank you for sharing your knowledge. I'm just starting and I mostly follow youtube floral tutorials. This video will help me when I find a picture to work from by myself. Thanks again!

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you so much Kate, that's very kind of you to say. I'm glad my video is of help to you. Paul 🎨

[@sandragiles1028]

I use a Light Box mostly but have used graphite paper, if I want a larger image I use the Slices tool in affinity photo and also work on tone and colour adjustments at the same time, having prior photography experience helps. 😄

[@TheDevonArtist]

I will have to look out for Afinity Photos Sandra, not one I've heard of before. The light box is a good idea, I have one here, but only ok when using a single sheet of paper. I use a block pad of paper, you know, where the pages are glued down all around the edge, just to prevent the need for stretching. Thank you very much for the idea, I'm off for a Gogglythingymebob now. 😁

[@toni-tz6bt]

Top tips 👍 thank you. I make it hard for myself and try and paint straight from my tablet, but I will be using your ideas from now on.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you very much Toni, I'm glad I've been some help to you. 😊

[@gigikat333]

I felt insecure about how I would trace the general outline and placement of things such as eyes to get the spacing exact with my pet portraits, it's nice to see that what I am doing is a valid technique for getting realistic! I did photography before I ever did painting so I always clean up the color tones, contrast and values, etc in photoshop beforehand too! I find using the sketch filter in photocopy in photoshop is a great way to see the general shapes to follow and areas of values

[@TheDevonArtist]

I've ways considered buying Photoshop due to the variety of things you can do Grace, but have always stuck with Paint Shop Pro for many years now. The sketch feature in P/Shop sounds good though. Thank you so much. Paul 🎨

[@kristinadjurovic]

Great video!

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thanks you very much. 😃

[@PaulRansonArt]

Its amazing how many techniques we share in common. Your video should help many folk who find working from reference photos a bit daunting. 😃😃

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi Paul, thanks for that. Yes, hopefully it will help many budding artists out there. 😀

[@LovinLnCottage]

Tip: when painting really fine detail, use a dip pen and put a drop of paint on the back side of the nib using your brush. ❤

[@TheDevonArtist]

What a cracking tip, one I will certainly try, thank you. 👍👌🙂

[@LovinLnCottage]

@@TheDevonArtist Thank you for all your wonderful videos. So glad I could give something useful back. ❤️

[@bonnieg4076]

I prefer tracing paper as well, however, I make dots instead of solid lines. That way I can make them look scribbly later if I want.

[@TheDevonArtist]

A brillant idea Bonnie, thank you. 😃

[@nancymaine4917]

I didn’t’t realize how many watercolorists traced their image. That would not help me improve my drawing skills. If someone asked me If I drew it myself I would hate to say no. I don’t think people ask a pro this question but people I know still ask if I really did it “all by myself.”Maybe because they can’t believe I can draw at a decent level.🫤

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi Nancy, yes I do prefer to trace my images for my tutorial videos, mainly because this just simply allows my members to get straight to the painting process, which with the type of style I teach can take many hours to complete. Tracing out an image is one of those grey areas within our art world, so everyone has their own preferences. I also have members who don't wish to learn to draw and just want to paint. Yes, to be able to know about freehand drawing would be a big advantage, but this helps them learn more about colours and painting techniques first. I still like to freehand draw for my own work when time allows, and practising that hand-eye coordination is very important. Learning to 'see' the shapes/angles/depth and working out the proportions for a subject you are working on. I do very often get asked this question, and my answer is usually yes. Paul 🎨