WAIT! Don't Stop Yet! - Exploring Through Ugly Stages in Watercolor Painting.

Don't be afraid to explore or be spontaneous for fear of messing up a watercolor painting. Facing down the ugly phase is a natural part of painting. Don't miss out on some of the best learning experiences of all.
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[@johncitizen3361]

Oh yes this is so true, don’t give up on a painting because even your good painting will go through an ugly stage. This is something I had to understand to stop myself from trying to put in details too soon. There’s a strong impulse to make the painting look like the finished product as you go and this can easily lead to overworking if we start putting in details and darks that should be left until later.

[@anjapinkau3737]

Thank you for this valuable lesson! And I LOVE the second painting! Those greens! The definition! Will check out the video where you show how to mix those greens! Thank you!

[@blueviolets2022]

Steve, you literally could take a bucket of paint, throw it on the canvas and something beautiful would show up! Lol Awesome, thank you so much for your encouraging words, skillful teaching, and kindness.

[@mindofwatercolor]

I wish, but thanks!

[@claychick100]

I have a stack of loose backgrounds that I don’t know what to do with. This has motivated me to get them out and explore! Thanks so much for the very valuable lesson!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Go for it!

[@melindacurrence3463]

This was right on time for me! I know I need to push through ugly stages and try new things and work with the paintings as they develop. I struggle with being spontaneous, afraid of ruining a painting. Both of these paintings had stages where I would have thought they were not able to turn into something good, but then you pushed through and they are both beautiful paintings!! I especially love the color palette of the first painting. Thank you so much for this inspiration 😊

[@paulineshelley4421]

You’re right, of course. Do I always listen? No. But I will try in future, not to be too judgemental about my work, too soon. Thank you for this video, you explain the process so well and with humour.

[@scottmcgonagle3102]

I look forward to seeing your painting and lessons every week Steve! Thanks for all you do for this community of want a be like Steve painters!!! I appreciate you and your Bible verses as it is a highlight !!!

[@carolatchley3797]

Thanks for the encouragement!

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Steve, I have enjoyed watching this crop of videos that you have created recently. I remember when I was trying to learn how to work digitally. I had the most difficult time, in fact I gave away my watercolor palettes and even my tubes of paint! I failed so much with the computer and I kept going back to the paper! By eliminating that crutch I was forced to keep learning the digital path! I was able to eventually use both but only after I got a job at a design firm that used only computers. I was able to go home and paint for joy and that is what I am doing today. I am still learning and I believe that if you want to be an Artist you must keep that attitude of learning, growing and discovering new to me techniques. I doubt that I have discovered an unknown technique. But new to me you betcha! Thanks Steve. Have a lovely day!

[@mindofwatercolor]

"paint for joy." What a great phrase!

[@heatherjohnston5427]

I love how as you keep painting it begins to take more shape, more expression & depth. I really love both paintings!! 😃

[@barbaragemin5117]

It certainly did inspire me Steve, thank you. especially in this moment where I’m feeling I’ve stopped advancing suddenly and so a bit discouraged.

[@angelabyker1587]

I did 2 paintings this weekend that I'm not too thrilled with. But, with this lesson I can now say that I like certain elements on each and really love that I learned SO much. Thank you for this perspective. I always look forward to your videos each week.

[@watercolorpaintingintheaft9142]

Thank you, Steve! I'm just learning to keep painting. Sometimes, I admit I ball it up and toss it. But I'm trying to get better about that.

[@denisestover2416]

I wish my ugly stages were as beautiful, lol! I was a watercolorist, but I was an awful watercolorist and, oddly enough, that made me a better silk painter! I use your advice and experience towards my silk painting and, through you I've learned soooo much! Thank you for all you share with all of us, whether we pay or not you're still so generous! Thank you, Mr. Mitchell! 🙂🙃🙂

[@en2336]

how did it make you a better silk painter? can you elaborate? :o

[@gitte5281]

So amazing how you transform scribbles into an amazing little painting! Thanks for the inspiration!

[@melitalyell6915]

It we t from the ugly duckling to a gorgeous swan! Amazing😊 I better go get all my failed paintings out of the trash😂

[@Ann-ey1tw]

So many good tidbits in this one!!! Thanks so much Steve!

[@kathleengarness1660]

yes! We call it 'the messy middle'

[@tattooyu]

So true. I experienced this with a charcoal/pencil drawing of a cat sitting under a 🎄. I just could not get the spruce needles on the branch right, but I kept going, trying different techniques, and am very happy with the results!

[@user-nn1ej4my8o]

Great video. So been in the “what have I done” mindset in my watercolor journey so many times. Thanks Steve!

[@judynash2794]

Thank you again for another inspiring insight. I continue to learn more from my mistakes and "wanderings" than from my few successes.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Exactly!

[@ninner196]

Excellent advice! I used to throw away what I considered a dud until my mom picked threw my trash( if she only knew I was writing this) then I hear her wrestling with paper and my complete name stated with emphasis. I threw away a negative painted poppy painting several years ago and she was very upset because she liked it. Normally we’re pretty much passé about looking at most paintings because there are others in the family but I got the chewing out of a lifetime and I understand why. I always doodled every phone book in my childhood so we usually asked for four yearly copies. But there is something that does happen when we can see the forest through the trees so to speak. Those ugly stages are so difficult to get through when trying to organize something amongst the doodles or calligraphic shapes. I do have ways of loosening up on cheap paper but honestly it is very difficult still so I hang this little note that says ugly stage in progress to just say it like it is. I don’t have to associate any feelings whatsoever with what it might be and I just keep at it. I attack compositions in sections because I don’t want to go through sheets of paper but in smaller ways it makes it less stressful, usually things can be arranged to a point where I can jump to a larger piece. I still remember my mom’s voice just being so upset and it taught me something else. It is good to have someone who is not afraid to say what they think and are very able to honestly appraise one’s work and suggest don’t do this or maybe to throw it away. Humility can help us immensely. By the way everyone doodles differently and sometimes I think it is a way for our brain to start to get into the zone and move off other issues like a routine and your spontaneous painting is a great routine similar to intuitive painting. Thank you!😊

[@king3340]

And, as a past watercolor teacher said, “if all else fails, all watercolor paper has a backside.”

[@ninner196]

@@king3340 Did my aunt teach you too? :)

[@aleidadiaz2261]

The second one looks great

[@rajaadawalibi2004]

I think we should paint and practice a lot of realistic landscaping before reaching this point of yours ; because we need a lot of imagination to creat a pleasant looking painting of random strokes; thanks for sharing your years of experience and hard working with us ; I’m learning a lot from you.

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Ohh wow yes, just keep painting! That’s been a great mantra that I have used to keep telling myself sometimes when painting. I have had to watch this about 2-3 times before I finally figured out that yes the transition is what makes it a better painting from the scribbles. I was also noticing that as you were painting loosely at the start by the way you were holding the brush at the beginning, you can actually see when your painting went through the transition phase because of the way you changed your grip on the brush and how close to the feral your grip was as you did both of these paintings. Not sure if you did that on purpose or if it happened subconsciously. I do appreciate your sharing about how this happens to everyone even professional artists & that unless you try things out for yourself while exploring with each painting session you won’t know how it goes. I definitely am finding out that I am continuing to learn things about watercolors. Thanks so much for sharing this encouraging video with us!

[@mindofwatercolor]

I did change my grip and approach. I realized it wasn’t going to work as originally conceived so I switched to a more comfortable mode.

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

@@mindofwatercolor It’s inspiring & helpful for me to see that it is fine to switch to another approach for success when you realize that your first approach is not working like you wanted it to go. I usually quit when this happens to me. 😊

[@tbefilms]

I think that just makes you a better artist, point blank. Your definition of discovery is so important to hear as a writer. I like painting for fun, but I hope to truly be a great writer some day. I'm certainly not writing anything that hasn't been told before, but I'm blazing that trail for myself, as you said, and it had been incredibly rewarding this past year to have these experiences of discovery. Thanks for helping me put that in perspective.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks for listening

[@Blick_Art]

Great encouragement! We think if you're not occasionally (or even frequently) uncomfortable with your work, then you might not be pushing the limits of your ability, and pushing the limit is how you exceed your limits!

[@mindofwatercolor]

So true!

[@rlross49]

Love watching you paint! You inspire me to try new things. Thank you!

[@judyhammond3181]

I couldn't agree more!

[@juliewilliamsnewzealand818]

This was really cool - very different to your usual work but exciting to see and learn from :) xxx

[@cindyhorton6980]

Really interesting to watch. Amazing to see you work the oainting i to something beautiful! Thank you!❤️

[@VanmeterFL]

Great video. I have a few works I've put aside because I couldn't see beyond the ugly stage. I have ever intention of going back and finishing them. I love your T-shirt! It made me think of a friend of mine who mooned everyone in our cab from his taxi window late at night in DC! I have crazy friends, though. They were likely overserved as well. 🤣

[@dougmoench9233]

Great lesson. Truly. TFS.

[@awatercolourist]

3:33 I love your sketches 🙂

[@mikepetersen7319]

It's just like the famous words from Bob Ross: There is no failure only happy accidents 👍

[@karenjohnson6487]

Love the Hobbit reference. I was thinking that your first painting reminded me of hobbit countryside. “ keep painting “ great advice. I had a bookmark was gave up on and tossed in the trash. A few days later I spotted it and thought it wasn’t sooo bad and rescued it and made it into a bookmark I was happy with. So absolutely don’t give up. Thanks Steve.

[@betsyulbrich7362]

Thanks Steve!

[@julieduncan1996]

Thanks for the inspo! ❤

[@DMannionArt]

Excellent information and inspiration! Thank you!

[@followyourbrush]

I need to watch this a few times. I messed up because I tried to “think”.

[@needle.thread.watercolor-jloh]

Good advice. I need to remember.

[@gaylecewpie5012]

Great words of wisdom for all of us.❤

[@paintlady2268]

Always appreciate your words of wisdom ❤

[@Aydeet2]

What a great video...thanks so much, Steve!😍

[@ChantelleArts]

I could never get the hang of spraying water with paint, you've got some really fantastic effects here and it's making me want to give it another try ❤

[@darleneelizabethanna]

Love your art! Thanks for sharing💖

[@michedaisy]

Loved this. Thank you. Keep teaching us.

[@ericakauffman5786]

Spontaneous painting is something I have yet to explore. I see the beautiful landscapes you create and I do appreciate them, but my style is much tighter and controlled.

[@joanschmidt5522]

Your talent amazes me.

[@OkieSketcher1949]

Really interesting video. I’ve pretty much followed the idea one needed a sketch before painting. Not any more.

[@annevickers3307]

Love it. Thank you.

[@siennaonthenet2127]

I watch your videos to learn of course, but also to relax. The edit with the woman yelling BOO made me jump. Did not see that coming! But that aside, I still learned something, thank you.

[@petusgomez7807]

Cómo me gustan sus videos, gracias😊

[@lucooper8166]

Thank you for the inspiration.

[@alisoncross2399]

these are both lovely!

[@jessicataylor3819]

This is really cool - thank you for this video!

[@TheLeahsKitchen]

Wonderful video - thank you

[@janenewman6601]

Loved this so much!

[@awatercolourist]

11:54 OMG! I was thinking of that since the beginning of your video 😂. When you first said, “just keep painting,” all I could think of is Dory saying, “just keep swimming,“ 😂😂😂

[@Nathalieroy2624]

Really liked this video. Thank you

[@ewwwobbie]

This was very interesting. I don't usually do anything spontaneous, but I will give it a go.

[@robertmansell3667]

TBH I’ve never been truly happy with any of my paintings,there’s always something I wish I’d done differently or not done at all.sometimes I push through the ugly stages and occasionally am glad I did but most times I just file them under B for Bin 😂

[@mindofwatercolor]

Don't miss the part where I said results are less important than knowledge. Pushing through ugly stages won't magically create something wonderful. It gives you permission to problem solve without the pressure of results. Always judge a piece by lessons learned not as merely a success or failure. Otherwise you've wasted your time, creating a never ending loop of non-improvement.

[@simplelife9020]

Thanks for the vid! Very encouraging and inspiring. The paintings you ended up with were beautiful and it was fun seeing how flexible you are with your style🎉

[@vaughnemett4545]

Just the pep talk I needed, Steve. Started a painting two weeks ago and it turned ugly on me, and it's been staring back at me every time I walk by it....scolding me, laughing at me, begging me to keep going on it. Gonna go back and finish it right now. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Awesome! I sometimes think of an ugly painting as permission to try something I might not have tried on a painting that was going well.

[@esk8er900]

I’ve been painting since I was a little kid with all mediums… started off with acrylics as I was too young for oils but quickly went into oils inspired by my man Bob (who I got to meet 2x & signed my Joy of painting book!!) then transitioned to watercolor which I’ve been doing ever since. I can’t say how many times I’ve been disappointed with what I’m working on especially following tutorials then came back to it much later. But the real tricky thing is being a lefty for some reason it’s just more difficult when u gotta rest ur hand on the paper so it almost like working backwards from right to left.

[@thaniastefa4308]

🎉🎉FANTASTIC, amazing work I like so much, thank you very much for sharing your wonderful painting 💥💥👌👌

[@juliebromfield1865]

Love these 🤩

[@petesuchon7340]

Thanks for the video.

[@pamappleby1400]

What an awesome tutorial! Thank you Steve for the encouragement to just explore. BTW the cut-aways were fantastic, we share a love of the same movie genres.

[@craftergin]

Your paintings always amaze me. In the best way! 😁Thanks for the inspiration!

[@PaulaScardamalia]

I so admire your spirit, heart, and humor as a teacher and creative. I've learned so much from you. Just learned about Saul Bass this week as I was working on my newsletter. Did you know him/study him? Some of your words make me think of something he said about working hard in the creative process, that everyone struggles in the creative process.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks! No, not familiar with Saul.

[@PaulaScardamalia]

@@mindofwatercolor Here's a link to a video podcast where two artists talk about the creative process and one shares an excerpt from an interview with someone from Strathmore. He started out as a graphic artist and ended up doing filmmaking as well, advising Hitchcock!

[@mindofwatercolor]

@@PaulaScardamalia cool, thanks.

[@kellydanson2121]

I had one of those today and you came to mind. I finished that painting and learned a little more! Thank you for teaching 😊

[@awatercolourist]

8:08 I love the painting. It’s relaxing and very inspiring 🙂.

[@joyfulldj]

I need to get me a sketcchbook for just pencil drawings.just for scaling practise. to take pressure of it needs to be watercolor. It just needs to be fun and rand raster I van transfer. My downfal is when I do this in my regular wc sketchbook as I did, I get blocked when drawing needs to get painting that is what makes pressure up :P

[@diannehanby1855]

I would love to see the painting that you eventually create from this watercolour sketch.

[@haraway987]

One of your coolest videos, Steve! Just the kind of exercise I can use when I'm too tired to paint more literally. I've recently returned to painting and drawing, using watercolour as less space-consuming & mess-making out of necessity. Gave myself a time goal to learn as much as possible in order to create images that could inspire some activist friends in the area of endangered Orcas and Chinook Salmon. I'm slow (Long Covid) but really enjoying a few pieces I've done so far. Your light-hearted approach and broad range of topics bring me back to enjoy your tutorials, and actually learn something! Oceanic and underwater imagery is quite different than landscape painting. Have you ever worked in this vein? And if not, would you consider giving it a try in your videos? 🖌🐳

[@mindofwatercolor]

I haven’t. Most likely not a genre that’s in my future.

[@haraway987]

That's OK, I can see how they're oceans apart. Seriously, I'm still getting a lot out of your expertise. Thanks for sharing that with us. @@mindofwatercolor

[@Bearwithme560]

So true: "keep on painting". I keep my ugly paintings to experiment with or improve upon and have learned soo much from this, including the uses to which other media such as coloured pencils can be applied, *thanks to you*. Which makes me wonder why watercolour has an "ugly stage" - l don't believe I've heard oil painters lament this fact of life. 😎 Edit: Before l forget to ask, l have a friend who is a well-respected Canadian oil painter, who once advised me that "green doesn't sell". Have you ever noticed this to be the case?

[@mindofwatercolor]

No not really. Maybe too much green or dull, uninteresting greens don't sell. As for oil, painters have more control from the beginning. A "mistake" is easily removed.

[@jameszarembka8168]

You're amazing as always. Any chance of doing a neurographic watercolor? I think what you could do with that would me terrific.

[@awatercolourist]

Unfortunately, my ugly stage is when there are too many strong colours so there is no way to bring back highlights 😕. Maybe if I take up gouache painting then I can use them to explore fixing watercolours by adding opaque highlights.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yep. A valid way to keep on painting.

[@awatercolourist]

@@mindofwatercolor Thanks!

[@kimberlycardin5236]

Definitely at 💩stage

[@helenechouinard3473]

Good advice. That's so tempting to just try something else when it does'nt go the way we want, but since there is often, not to say always an ugly stage in each painting… we have to push ourselves. I have one question, I don't know if you have a video on that topic. What's the difference betwen muddy colors and nice neutral colors ? Maybe it is obvious, but it is not for me… 🤔

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yes, perhaps this video will help clear things up. There is often a disparity of terms. Muddy can mean different things. How to Avoid Muddy Colors in Watercolor kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5ummqehfK2Fmdk

[@OldTess]

Hello from Sweden, I've been struggling to find but, I just can't get hold of good paper. I have FABRIANO cold pressed and hot 25% cotton and acid free pressed. I have a problem don't know how much water to use on Fabriano, both cold press and hot press.. Love your channel tess ❤🎨

[@mindofwatercolor]

Water ratio is simply a matter of practice and experimentation. It will never be the same. You often need to change water amounts frequently depending on what you're painting. kzbin.info/www/bejne/roTTY6SEd9uAidE

[@OldTess]

@@mindofwatercolor Thank you so much

[@danemeow8]

Sorry if someone's asked this before, but what pencil/lead are you using when you're automatic/one-line drawing? It looks so soft and easy to switch from thin to thick marks! Please I'm super curious if anyone else knows! Admire you Steve!

[@mindofwatercolor]

I think I listed it in the description so check there. There should be a link to purchase it.

[@danemeow8]

@@mindofwatercolor thank you so much I think I found it, it's the Faber castel emotion mechanical pencil right. Do you still use the Faber castel lead? Thanks for answering!

[@awatercolourist]

First non-Patreon 😊

[@somacarr7528]

I have been taking a class that used carbon paper to draw what we were painting. How can I get back into sketching my ideas on my water color paper without it looking awful?

[@somacarr7528]

Hey Steve to you have a suggestion for a pencil that accommodates arthritis in my right thumb and wrist? I looked at the one you used online and the shape looks too wide possible for me. My drawing skills are crappy, any tips? The last 5 years I have been doing a class that uses graphite paper. Thus, we aren’t doing any sketching or free drawing at all.

[@mindofwatercolor]

I don’t know of anything. Sorry, wish I did.

[@joanneklassen4637]

QUESTION - does it work to mix brands of watercolor on the same page? Or do I need to stick with one brand at a time for one painting?

[@mindofwatercolor]

Mixed is just fine.

[@joanneklassen4637]

Thank you!