Easy Watercolor Background (using just 4 colors)

[@Kevjenaust1]

Excellent tutorial Paul. I have learnt so much from you. I therefore make notes that I print out before my painting sessions and am chuffed with the end result. I love your work and teaching style and your one of my favourite watercolour artists on KZbin.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you very much Kevin, that's a very kind thing to say. I'm glad my work on here is well-received and helps other to learn this fantastic medium. Keep those brushes wet, Paul 🎨

[@suzannestanits323]

I am already ecstatic that I found this tutorial! WHAT...I've already learned that I'm wetting the paper wrong and I'm loving learning the background techniques ! Thank You!

[@TheDevonArtist]

You are so welcome Suzanne 😊

[@silverleafmaple]

Ty for this video. You have the coolest brush containers I've seen on YT !

[@TheDevonArtist]

You are so welcome, I do have a blog post on how I made my brush holder if you are interested. 😉 devonartist.co.uk/my-budget-brush-holder/

[@dianakoeppel3492]

Thank you, this was very helpful.😊

[@TheDevonArtist]

You’re welcome Diana 😊

[@TheDevonArtist]

You’re welcome 😊

[@slimjim227]

Thanks Paul, these short videos which focus on one particular aspect of watercolour painting are just what’s needed. Backgrounds are often the way I spoil a painting, now I have a bettered idea of how to go about it, but I’ll take your advice and practice first.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you slimjim, this is also why I very often paint the background first, if it doesn't turn out ok, I use the back for watercolour testing strips. 😉

[@nancyboucher476]

I've learned so much from you . I want to this opportunity now to say thank you for all instructions that you give on KZbin . You are an amazing artists!!!

[@TheDevonArtist]

So nice of you Nancy, thank you for sticking around and watching my videos here. Paul 🎨

[@sherrilltaylor1801]

Thank you for sharing so many tips ! I’ve really enjoyed watching.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad it was helpful Sherrill 😃

[@TheDevonArtist]

Do let me know if you found the techniques in this video useful and don't forget you can see the whole otter being painted here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eme4p6OrqL6iptU

[@judyscrawford]

I like all your videos - I had no idea how to paint the background

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you so much Judy, I'm glad this video helps you along the road to watercolours. Paul 🎨

[@MrSnipper805]

Just started with watercolours, I have painted in acrylics and pastels, I am finding watercolour difficult but you are helping me a great deal thank you.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi Peter, watercolours as you know is a lovely medium to use, it doesn't smell and doesn't have to take up too much room. Have fun with it, and thank you for watching my videos here. Paul 🎨

[@marynancy1187]

I really need this level of direction, I wanted to return to watercolours, I needed a starting point. Your instructions are easy to watch and leave me motivated. Thank you.

[@TheDevonArtist]

That is so nice to hear Mary, thank you very much. Paul 🎨

[@michaelbostock954]

Excellent tutorial. I do a bit of watercolour and just about to paint a curlew and chick against grassy background (not sure about doing grasses yet!)

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thanks Michael, grass can be tricky. If it's behind the subject, mute down the colours a little to allow the curlew to stand out a little more, you don't want the background fighting with the bird for dominance. Paul 🎨

[@kathryncase9253]

Thank you for showing the masking removal.

[@TheDevonArtist]

You're welcome Kathryn, thank you for watching. Paul 🎨

[@shaistaaga9295]

Excellent tutorial. As a beginner i learn how to do an easy background thank you

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you very much, as you can see it's great fun to just simply play with those paints. 😀

[@waynestanley8402]

Thanks Paul for the watercolor lessons.

[@TheDevonArtist]

I'm glad I can be of some help, thanks for watching Wayne. 😊

[@christinachris1166]

Thanks for excellent tutorial Paul!!! Excuse my English !!! Last year l began to paint watercolor and your knowledge helps me a lot!!!!You are a great artist!!!!!

[@TheDevonArtist]

You are very welcome Christina, I'm glad I can help, Paul :-)

[@Mr.S65]

I find your techniques extremely useful. Your instructions are very detailed and clear to follow.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you very much Mr S. 🎨

[@dawnmcarr]

Thanks for the helpful video. I always have problems with background.

[@TheDevonArtist]

@@dawnmcarr You are more than welcome Dawn. Paul :-)

[@theresasuttle711]

Great demo of a background. You really did make it look easy! I have to REALLY be conscious of leaving space! I think I’ll go practice!

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you very much Theresa. 🎨

[@lindaloiselle8251]

You have got me painting again….thank you…..great tutorials

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you Linda, that's a lovely thing to say. Paul 🎨

[@Pat206]

Thank you Paul. Great help for learning backgrounds.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you Pat, I'm glad I could be of some help. 😊

[@evaonody9263]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. This is a very useful video, especially for beginners and background panickers like me 😁.

[@TheDevonArtist]

My pleasure Eva, I'm glad it was helpful to you. 😊

[@crystalheart9]

Thanks so much for this tutorial. I find backgrounds the most difficult and unpredictable to paint. When a background doesn't turn out nicely it puts me right off of wanting to paint the subject.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad it was helpful Crystalheart9. This is also one of the reasons why I very often paint the background first. If it doesn't work out then you haven't wasted all that time painting a detailed subject. 🎨

[@crystalheart9]

@@TheDevonArtist I paint the background first as well so I don't ruin the entire painting if I don't like it.

[@ericabaker9637]

Thank you. Trying to paint a large background and am finding it challenging

[@TheDevonArtist]

I'm glad my video has helped Erica, thanks for having a look. Paul 🎨

[@DS40764]

This is so helpful. Keeping things simple, but interesting in the back-round. I would use this for flowers or birds, or a still life.

[@TheDevonArtist]

You are so welcome Deborah, thank you 😀

[@mariegamber]

Wonderful tutorial Paul.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank Marie :-)

[@maryingram3249]

This is great! Thank you! I’m so glad to find your tutorials.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad you like them Mary, thank you for watching. :-)

[@cherylwalrath-duran2996]

Thank you for the great information!

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad it was helpful Cheryl, Paul :-)

[@karenyates8522]

Thank you so much.

[@TheDevonArtist]

You're welcome Karen 😀

[@paulinelane7316]

I am enjoying you videos. Right now I am struggling t make backgrounds so I am watching all the background videos I can find. I am just a bit scared of putting a lot of water on but I'm trying.

[@TheDevonArtist]

You can do it Pauline, and if you're not sure before you start, test it out on some scrap watercolour paper of the same type first. Paul :-)

[@kascialelonek8757]

Very helpful ty

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad it helped, thanks for taking a look at my video. ☺️

[@rachelsmith8876]

It is very interesting it’s the 1srt time I saw paper stretched like that I can’t rem how I used to keep it downmust have been staples

[@TheDevonArtist]

That's right Rachel, using water gum tape and staples is a very common method and works really well. I just like to be a little different, plus this way I don't need to stick staples into my boards. Paul :-)

[@zaralamb7861]

Thank you very much. I found this most helpful

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad it was helpful Zara, thank you for watching. Paul :-)

[@HrtsforMartyna]

Hello again Paul, From school I got a watercolour set with a big and really small brush anyways lets get to the point could you please try to paint a Sun Conure (Sorry If your busy I just really like them and I would love to draw one)

[@TheDevonArtist]

Great suggestion! I've never painted that particular bird and what lovely colours these parrots have as well. Thank you for that, I will give it some serious consideration. Paul 🎨

[@lisaberry6611]

Thank you so much for sharing this!!! Found this so helpful. I really struggle with backgrounds but this has made me excited to try again!!

[@TheDevonArtist]

You're so welcome Lisa. I'm glad I spotted your post on Facebook. Thank you for watching. Paul :-)

[@shylapr]

Helpful

[@TheDevonArtist]

Glad it helped 😊

[@mariarobinson1361]

I love the background. I am now learning to use water colours. It is hard

[@TheDevonArtist]

You can do it Maria and I'm sure you know that. They take a bit of getting used to, but as long as you take your time and enjoy the learning process you will be fine. Paul :-)

[@ellengreenlund3905]

Thank you! I’ll give that background a try with my next bird painting. Can you please tell me the purpose of the tick marks on the sides of your paper? Do they guide your drawing?

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi Ellen, yes the pencil tick marks are, so I can realign my outline drawing I've already done on a piece of paper, onto the watercolour sheet if needed. Sometimes we can cover up important marks and this is a way to put them back a gain. 😊

[@Rockymtnbloom]

What are everyone's favorite color combinations for backgrounds? Mine is Prussian Blue and Quinacridone Sienna, it is calming. This was a great demo, thanks!

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi Debra, than kyou for your kind words and yes, what a lovely background combination of colour you have there. Paul 🎨

[@lynnrushton7458]

Thanks Paul......I use coloured pencils & don’t do many backgrounds, as it’s not that easy, but will give this a go for my next one 👍

[@TheDevonArtist]

You can do it Lynn, just take your time and think it through before you start, a little bit of pre-planning. Paul ;-)

[@lynnrushton7458]

Wildlife in Watercolour I DID IT! 👏👏👏👍 you inspired me to get my paints out, so even had a go at painting a blue tit 😁 Thanks Paul!

[@jackylegge6039]

Are you going to do a video on all the mediums you can mix with watercolour

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi Jacky, I could do, but I'd have to buy all the mediums in the first place. LOL Still, it's a good idea. 😉

[@yvonnewhite2996]

Hi Paul wow I just love your painting. In lockdown these last 8 weeks watching your videos i have been practicing learning watercolour. I brought my self a present a 45 pan winsor newton watercolour set any tips

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi Yvonne, thank you so much for your kind words. To be honest with you with such a fantastic array of colour, and with my favourites Winsor & Newton, you are spoilt for choice of subjects. I think you may have joined as a free member on my website a couple of months ago, fingers crossed you have played with my Free Members Videos there. Paul 🎨 devonartist.co.uk/

[@kimkain]

Thanks. Question, how do you paint a background when a flower has extremely tiny thin leaves. It seems like it would be difficult to mask.

[@TheDevonArtist]

It would certainly be difficult to mask out, but you could possibly mask out the leaves using a cocktail stick. 🤔

[@paulinelane7316]

I am trying to learn all I can about this. I don't understand how you can put so much water on your paper without extreme warping. Maybe my paper is too cheap? Can you explain this? Thanks.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi Pauline, yes it is to do with the paper needing to be stretched first, or at least use a pad of pre-stretched paper such as a 'block pad'. Usually a 140lb (300gsm) paper can still warp when completely soaked, plus yes, it can also depend on the quality of the paper you use, mid-range upwards would be recommended. You can still flatten your paper afterwards if you didn't stretch it, try my technique here bit.ly/2YWKFFb Paul :-)

[@paulinelane7316]

@@TheDevonArtist Thank you!

[@hamidehjedari7546]

How not to have dry lines here and there?

[@TheDevonArtist]

I find wetting the background at least two or three times first, allowing the water to soak into the paper, keep the paper wetter that little bit longer. That way, I tend to not get too much in the way of dry lines of paint.😃

[@leilasilva9831]

Adorei!

[@TheDevonArtist]

Muito obrigado

[@jeffjames3111]

Ace!

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you Jeff :-)

[@michaelbostock954]

Cannot see where to sign-up...

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi Michael, you can sign up to my school here: www.patreon.com/TheDevonArtist or browse the Freebie Club tutorials here: devonartist.co.uk/free-membership-index/ Either way, I'll see you there!

[@sadariahdahalan9190]

👍👍👍👍👍🌹

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you 😀

[@eduardoalcantara3610]

U

[@TheDevonArtist]

The same to U 2 Eduardo, thank you. 😁