Painting Demonstration: Bridge, Central Park

Hello Everyone,
+This is a sketch-based, start-to-finish watercolor painting demonstration recorded in real-time. In this video, I cover intention, composition, values, and color - as well as interpretation, design, formatting, drawing, sketching, and perspective, etc.
+The scene is an interpretation of a view of one of the many historic bridges here in New York City's beautiful Central Park. This is Driprock Bridge from about 1865 - designed by Calvert Vaux with Frederick Law Olmstead
Thanks for watching!
Tom
+This painting was done on Arches Watercolor Paper - rough surface - 300gsm :
+15x12 inches
+Pigments by Daniel Smith
+Brushes by Escoda and Neef
+Palette by House of Hoffman
+Sketch pencils by Blackwing and Faber-Castell
+Sketchbook by Stillman + Birn
Thomas W Schaller AWS NWS TWSA ASAI
www.thomaswschaller.com
thomaswschaller
thomaswschaller
Thomas W Schaller - Artist, Architect, Author
New York City - 2024

[@rayaru1]

Another great demo. Full of lessons and tips. I’m sorry to hear some one took you to task about your drawing. You do a superb drawing. Thank you for taking time to post these demos, I LOVE THEM, keep them coming. Have a great 4th of July.

[@thomaswschaller]

Thank you so much!

[@EuropaPhoenix]

I really enjoy the way you mix realism and abstraction in your paintings. That's what I try to emulate in my own work. Being "less specific" and more "evocative".

[@joemarieyao3268]

You draw like an architect , your drawing alone is already a work of art . By the way I’m an architect and I love your works

[@adriennesaracen6525]

Excellent tutorial and a beautiful painting. Thank you.

[@thomaswschaller]

thank you

[@paulw9684]

One of those occasions when 'Rainy days and Mondays' never let you down. Another superb addition to your You Tube portfolio for which I am sure we are all extremely grateful. Painting outside would undoubtedly have made you happy, but console yourself with the fact that instead you have made thousands of your followers and admirers, ecstatic!!

[@thomaswschaller]

Thank you so much !

[@rosannako4694]

I'm not an English-speaking person, but your English is so easy to follow and so comfortable to listen to. Love the way you show how the colors were mixed and to learn the philosophy of your painting. The encouragement at the end gives me confidence and strength to try my own creation. Thank you!

[@thomaswschaller]

That is so good to hear ! Thank you ❤

[@DorothyKiley]

Hi, I am an English teacher from Massachusetts, USA. I suggest you use captions with this gear instructional video. You probably know more than you think! In English we have many, many sight words, that you just need to remember. This guy is great.

[@TeriPfaff]

Thank you for all your lessons. Thank you for helping us to "see".

[@namratashah9888]

There's so much to learn from this one demonstration! Thank you for sharing the detailed process.

[@thomaswschaller]

Thank you for watching!

[@carolannefisher1516]

I am sorry to hear that someone "took you to task" about your drawing. I, for one, love the way you make your underdrawings visible, telling parts of many of your final works. So subtle, so beautiful.

[@cosmicranger1]

Thank you, Tom, Each tutorial is a huge gift. Much appreciated!

[@holly_kay5570]

Same here...Tom is such a wonderful and generous artist. I'm learning so much from his drawings and paintings!

[@auraservent7282]

Very beautiful, lovely light!!Thank you 😊

[@louisepansieri3230]

Thank you so much for this lesson. Hope you have a good umbrella because now you have lots of people praying that it rains in NY.

[@rosannehaaland6863]

Thank you SO much for this video - I learned so much from this!

[@thomaswschaller]

thanks so much for watching

[@lizhopewell0507]

I really like the effect you have achieved under the bridge. Another great painting. Liz

[@dharmaofdog7676]

Oh! & THANK YOU for that "under drawing" of the Bridge! there must be 100 Tips in that Drawing - I will feel far more confident tackling such an architectural shape as I can actually see your PERSPECTIVE Lines which clearly, I would have gotten totally WRONG. lol. So again, many Thanks!

[@thomaswschaller]

My pleasure

[@victoriaconto8231]

You ever decide to make a video of how you do a tighter more architectural drawing, i would absolutley watch! You do such beautiful work. Youve been such an inspiration to me!

[@dharmaofdog7676]

TONAL WASHES? that's a first for me & what impact they have in such a subtle way. I've never seen a WC Artist do that in such a direct and intentional manner. I never in a million yrs would have tried that but watching how you do it, can't wait to try. Thank you as well for the Language/Words you use as they are very descriptive and helpful, especially when coupling them with the visual support.

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks for watching. Tonal washes are an ancient, classic technique - nothing new. But they work for me

[@paisleypeacock1001]

This is the first time viewing your videos, and I have really enjoyed your style and instruction. I don't even know what that person meant by their criticism. This painting reads as a mix between watercolor painting and urban sketching. I love it!! Please don't let that miserable person rent space in your head. I look forward to watching more of your videos. I love the sounds of the City in the background. Cheers from Buffalo.❤

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks so much for watching - And not to worry. It's KZbin - where some people just need to be negative . Plus I live in NYC where unsolicited opinions are a dime a dozen ! :) Doesn't bother me.

[@АннаЧеркасова-ш7л]

So beautiful and calming! Thomas tutorials are always like a yoga to me)) Thank you so much for these videos!!!

[@smithdraws]

When we took the family to NYC my son and I got to have a catch in Central Park. It was a highlight! And we were pleasantly surprised at the large rock outcroppings which we fun to climb! Thanks for sharing your art!

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks so much

[@SVNopq]

I've been drawn to your videos as of late. The way that you plan out your paintings and explain to the viewers why you approach the painting the way you do is extremely helpful. You sort of have a 'professor' persona, along with a down to earth personality, which I really appreciate. Thank you.

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks very much - I am certainly no professor - so I don't know how to take that comment. But I just want to try to share as clearly as I can

[@raviknayar]

Hi Tom , I trust you are well , I have watched this stunning painting form it's inception to completion and just wanted to know that , while drawing the left pillar of the arch , have you drawn it slightly leaning to the left or it's a camera distortion. It's a very fascinating element of your drawing and perspective , would love to have your response please , thanks , Ravi

[@bl9531]

Thx for posting… you are one of my favorite water colour artists. I wonder why your paintings are so instantly recognizable. My guess is that it is the strength of your architectural rendition, the mix of warm and cool and the sharp variations in value - usually with the darkest light beside the lightest light.

[@thomaswschaller]

Thank you for watching!

[@nancywentzler6866]

Thank you for your generosity with time and skills. This is so appreciated by all of us. The sketching ideas and process is so simple and valuable. And as always the painting process is a wonderful learning opportunity. Thank you for your gift to us. What a special treat.

[@thomaswschaller]

thank you!

[@seelingtan3317]

Hi Tom, how lucky here is raining too and taking the opportunity to draw along with you while waiting for clear sky. i love to add animals in my work😽

[@rosine2]

Bonjour Thomas, Je suis sincèrement désolée que vous ayez retiré votre précédente vidéo hommage à Paul Auster. J'ai buté sur certains mots en anglais que j'ai recherchés et quand j'ai voulu réécouter dans le nouveau contexte (en ayant tous les mots... c'est mieux😊) la vidéo avait disparu. Dommage.. Vraiment. Merci pour celle-ci très belle aussi comme toujours ...

[@ЛенаЛев-ш4х]

You are the most generous of the outstanding masters. Thank you for your invaluable experience ❤

[@DebOlliff]

Thank you, Tom. I enjoyed this so much. It is so kind of you to share your process. Can't wait for the next one! ;)

[@gaylefriscia7488]

I’m learning so much about how not to be so literal and to depict depth and light. Thank you Thomas. Your demo and comments are invaluable.

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks - It's always a big lesson for me too

[@moonshineblue3468]

Thank you so much for sharing with us your paintings and all the process. Love the way you draw. And I always learn so much. Thanks again!!!!👏👏👏

[@carolannefisher1516]

You do know that you may be responsible for a rainy-climate change in New York…I expect there are a lot of people hoping (and perhaps dancing) for rain in NYC knowing that rain in NYC means more Thomas for the rest of the world. Perhaps you should consider switching things up for to make a few sunny weather visits…

[@nancyvogt1216]

Love your life philosophy-and could listen to you and watch you draw and paint endlessly. Thank you🙏

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeanpierredeldyck9873]

Grand Merci pour ce travail, beaucoup d’informations à retenir selon notre niveau il me faudra revivre régulièrement ce moment très agréable en soit Bravo pour vos commentaires mème si traduit automatiquement sont quelquefois approximatifs Merci

[@lynnfargo4094]

Thank you for all your encouragement and sharing ❤

[@thomaswschaller]

thanks for watching

[@kennethbassett3222]

Thank you for sharing your work and experience. It’s nice to hear different perspectives and approaches shared aloud. It’s very unkind to have someone be critical of your (or anyone’s) thinking aloud for the benefit of others to hear and learn their approaches and thoughts. It would be a real shame if those unkindnesses resulted in someone becoming uncomfortable sharing their thoughts aloud. It’s the same for politics, spiritual matters, etc. it’s just nice to have interactions with others; to listen, share, without casting judgement. The old adage to agree to disagree without being disagreeable goes a long way to making for a better social climate. Keep being you brother. And again- thanks for going to the trouble of sharing your work! I appreciate you!

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks so much for watching - and for the kind words ! Cheers - Tom

[@mehmetsbirlik4112]

"Simplicity" has own beauty! Knowledge is the key to be able to see and understand that! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! You're truly a treasure!❤

[@thomaswschaller]

thanks so much

[@scottenosh4548]

As soon as you said "I find yellow to be a risky color to use", you had my undivided attention. Im partially colorblind and a beginner. Yellow taught me my first "be careful" lessons quickly lol. May I ask what angle(s) you paint at?

[@thomaswschaller]

Haha! Yes! Yellow can be pesky ! In the studio alone, I paint at about a 30 - 45 degree angle. On site - 75- degrees

[@wmbriggz]

Since viewing some of your videos… I have been creating a detailed ( for me ) drawing, creating pre-washes and using wet-on-dry for at least my background….and… this hobby-est is pleased with the results…. Thank you…..

[@ashishjadeja8944]

A Big Fan , Your Mastery on depicting light is awesome, had seen lots of your paintings and always wanted to see how you create magic... finally found this video, it helps immensely for Artists like me, I have started water colours and find it extremely difficult compared to Oils, its unforgiving... so this helps a lot , Thank you.

[@thomaswschaller]

So glad to hear it! Just have fun with it. Relax and Breathe - It'll all be fine

[@thomasyang7077]

Dear Thomas.... I would like to know how to modify the brush which used for painting right side tree. I observed it is cut around the brush. Appreciated if we see close view of your brush. what brush no.? Thanks a lot.

[@thomaswschaller]

No it's not a modified brush. It's a liner brush. I have a few by different manufacturers - they have a larger barrel and longer quills coming out of the top. DaVinci makes a nice one in the Casseneo Series

[@hermineairmine2112]

Bonjour, Merci encore pour ce nouveau partage, je suis toujours ravie quand je vois l'une de vos nouvelles publications car je sais qu'elles me font réellement progresser et apprendre. De plus vous êtes un des rares artistes qui ose prendre le risque de se renouveler, et oser montrer ses connaissances avec beaucoup de pédagogie 😊

[@pfisidro]

every single painting is a master class! we are learning a lot! thanks for sharing your experience.

[@StephenMarkTurner]

Someone in the comment section telling you what you are doing wrong? That's pretty funny. Thanks as always for these demonstrations.

[@thomaswschaller]

Everybody has their own opinion - It's all good . I listen, but like all of us - in the end - I'll do what I think is best

[@AnnaShevardina]

Dear Thomas, I am so happy that you recently decided to post more videos! Sometimes I try to paint alone with you, sometimes I don't dare thinking I would never tackle such a huge project. Either way it is such a joy, such a pleasure, just to see you drawing and painting! Thank you very much for such a generous gift.

[@thomaswschaller]

many. thanks

[@suel4269]

I recently started using Holbein Mineral Violet . Thankful that’s it’s still raining there. 😂 Beautiful painting.

[@JVSwailesBoudicca]

Oh my....what a treat, thank you so much for this video. I haven't got to the end of it yet but it is wonderful to watch you work. The end result is beautiful.

[@Vintagebeautyca]

your my hero! thank you so much for doing these videos for us! is your sepia Holbein or Daniel Smith? Thank you!

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks - I sometimes use Sepia - Holbein. Or Van Dyke Brown - DS

[@LiNa-cn6mu]

This is a lovely surprise Thomas 😁 I'm having a quiet public holiday here in Queensland Australia ❤

[@shahzadqurashi7728]

Amazing 😍😍😍

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks

[@wandawTube]

I love your drawings and planning. Very enjoyable.

[@thomaswschaller]

thank you so much

[@jcline147]

Thank you once again. Taking a few notes…especially noted..the “reflective light” under the bridge.

[@potaxalum9856]

This is so lovely! Thank you so much for doing this. I love that you don’t skip any steps at all!

[@berlindaliu7193]

Thank you for sharing. I’ve learnt a lot!

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@jamesdumars6318]

More amazed every time I see you paint. Always a stunning piece.

[@charlie1872]

Fabulous drawing skills. I was a Draughtsman in another life but the learned skills sticks with me as aI sketch cars and stuff for instagram. I will be doing a watercolour painting of our daughter’s new home, a Georgian style surrounded by trees and behind is a wooded hill. This is inspiring for me and given me sone great ideas on how I should begin and what to think of. Thank you Regards Charlie

[@thomaswschaller]

Thank you

[@MyrriahJane]

Just WoW! There was an entire course of information in this single demonstration. Thanks, Tom.💙 I have a question: if I have Van Dyke Brown in my palette, what advantage does adding Sepia offer?

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks - VD Brown's a little warmer - but they're nor far apart

[@MyrriahJane]

@@thomaswschaller That helps. Thanks.

[@donceltic4631]

Thomas, thank you so much for posting these long form videos! I have always enjoyed your artwork. Now to watch and listen you your comments as your create beautiful paintings helps unlock the magic in your work. It actually produces an even greater appreciation for your work to get a glimpse of your thought process and to watch your vision translated into the artwork. Thanks!!!

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks so much Don. I appreciate it

[@craiglay8481]

I’ve heard you talk about your brushes and paper a good amount… do you always use the same blackwings? Which model is your preference?

[@thomaswschaller]

For sketch pencils, I most often use Blackwing 602 model - But sometime the Palamino, both harder and softer

[@craiglay8481]

@@thomaswschaller thanks. I really enjoy your videos, thanks for sharing them.

[@JanaBailey-ff7uf]

I can hardly wait for tomorrow, July 1st, to join in with you! I don't think I have the words to say or tell you how decent of a person and wonderful as an instructor, drawer, and painter you are! Thank you for you!

[@thomaswschaller]

Thank you so much

[@paul-ericbertaud5507]

Well done Thomas ! And thank you for spending so much time to share and explaining your fantastique work to us …

[@PamelaChase]

Beautiful, Tom, and thanks for including all the planning!

[@mchris1020]

I love your precise. detailed drawings!

[@luckyhiker3434]

Thomas, I really like this composition and your accompanying narrative is excellent. Even without watching there is so much information that I can draw from. Robt

[@morgenmachen2400]

Very helpful to see your assessment at the end. And as was commented elsewhere I do very much appreciate your technical drawing skills. One of your signatures, I'd say.

[@PappapDask]

Can u please do a beginners tutorial

[@thomaswschaller]

did you not see my beginners' video - "the basics"?

[@ganarseunacre]

Fantastic painting. Always learning from her right decisions. The dry brush stroke and the way it is used is wonderful. I'm trying, but even if it's rough paper it's complicated. His videos are a total inspiration. Thank you very very much

[@maryrichinick7287]

Fascinating to watch your process and I liked your commentary, too. Beautiful painting!

[@luisaaronriosmeza8335]

hola bonita pintura, pero estaba viendo la anterior , creo que se llama "Not there", no la terminé de ver, y ya no aparece , que suecdió? Me parecía una de las mejores pinturas que nos has regalado, podrías ponerla de nuevo, aunque solo sea unos dias ?

[@martinullrich655]

Thanks for this tutorial! 🤩 I enjoy to watch all of yours, as they are so helpful for me to learn and I always get inspiration!

[@jobod01]

Bravo Thomas! Tack så mycket! Hälsningar från Sverige

[@MissKats13]

Thank you so much for this video, it means a lot to see how you work.

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks so much Kata

[@holly_kay5570]

Beautiful! I'm learning so much from you.

[@tricianl]

Thank you for sharing! Such an inspiration ❤

[@thomaswschaller]

Thanks for watching

[@matthewswitzer1448]

I notice this a lot about people commenting on content creators. Don't take it personal. Humans get uncomfortable when they can't put you in a box they have in their mind. Human nature. I love this video and encourage you as a fellow artist.

[@thomaswschaller]

Thank you so much - and I agree. Yes! My whole direction as an artist, as a human, as an instructor is to take what I have been taught, what I think I know, what I hear - analyze it to see if it makes sense - keep what I need, discard the rest, and then express myself how I want to. It's really all we can do. Students so often want someone to tell them "the answers". And no one can do that for you. The personal search is what it's all about.

[@pameladarling9115]

This is a profound learning experience - such a privilege being a part of your creative process. Thank you.

[@thomaswschaller]

Very kind of you - Thanks so much for watching

[@jamesworthylake3649]

Hi Thomas I think your drawings and painting are great, I was wondering if you do any plein air?

[@thomaswschaller]

Yes I do - lots of

[@marionoz9980]

As always its a stunning interpretation. Can I please ask if you would list the colours you have in your pallet either here or in your next demonstation. You have inspired me and I have ordered brushes after watching ant cant wait to get started! Blessings from Australia.

[@thomaswschaller]

If you see my video here on "Watercolor Basics" I have a photograph of my palette listing each color and pigment I typically use

[@sherryburnett6088]

Fabulous tutorial. Love your quick mark making. Thank you

[@thomaswschaller]

thanks so much

[@billschaefer9703]

Tom, thank you once again for taking the time to demonstrate and narrate your work. Your liner brush with the fat barrel looks very useful. I'll try to find reference to it in your other videos but if you happen to see this and could comment on the make and model, I would appreciate it. By the way, I just finished a painting of visitors boarding the Governor's Island ferry in NYC. I lived there many years ago and there are some interesting potential scenes for you there if you get a chance to visit. Lots of history and contrasts of older fort structures with the backdrop of the modern city which might interest you.

[@thomaswschaller]

Lots of people make those kinds of brushes. The one used here was purchased somewhere in Italy and has no markings left. But DaVinci makes a great one - A search for Caseneo Series Liner Brush should locate it. Escoda and Neef also make good ones

[@billschaefer9703]

@@thomaswschaller Thank you.

[@meiredeabreu8665]

Beautiful painting...love the light... Thanks!

[@thomaswschaller]

Thank you for watching

[@anick6265]

Wow so beautiful💕

[@bsanjiban]

Lovely painting

[@janpastor5967]

Again, Thank you!

[@damienkearns3654]

Thank you 🇮🇪

[@artistmama7]

Just beautiful!

[@sertov-e3k]

Спасибо!!!👍🔥🔥🔥

[@heronalvarez3600]

Gracias Maestro!!

[@kajanutrius]

Gracias maestro.

[@kathleenwilke5532]

7/28/2024

[@thomaswschaller]

July 28 2024?