Wash demonstration from Take three colours Lakes & Rivers

If you have a copy of "Take three colours - Lakes & Rivers", you can see how the graded wash is done in one of the projects in the book.

[@llipton6956]

Thank you for such a clear explanation, especially with how much water and paint consistency

[@susie1216]

That was so very helpful, Steve! I have your book and I enjoy it tremendously. You're a wonderful instructor. Cheers from the USA 🍻

[@stephencoates8165]

You are very welcome Susie and thank you for the compliments. All I do is seek to help people like you so it's it gratifying to know that it all helps. Best wishes, Steve

[@mooshibe]

Thank you for such a great lesson. I wish I could watch more videos from you.

[@stephencoates8165]

You are very welcome. I'm glad you have gained something from my videos. I would make more but I'm really busy with other work at the moment. Best wishes, Stephen

[@CJ1212-o1t]

Just received your book yesterday. Looking forward to doing all the paintings! Thank you! This demo will help

[@elizabethwardrop3917]

I have the book Stephen and have had some success with this painting. However there is no substitute for seeing the actual process. Your demonstration has been very helpful. Thank you for posting.

[@stephencoates8165]

You are very welcome Elizabeth, I'm glad it is of some help.

[@winston99999]

I have just started a watercolour beginners course and struggle with graded washes, your video as given me inspiration to practice a different approach. Thankyou so much.

[@stephencoates8165]

Hello Winston, You are welcome and I hope you find success with your new approach. The most important thing is to get the layer of water even before brushing in the paint otherwise it can drift all over the place. Good luck

[@mirandawingard2920]

Where did you get your palette? I painted this one using your book and get pretty good results. I will try again after seeing the video.

[@mjrtla]

Wonderful demonstration, amazing teaching Stephen. Is your board on a slant? If so, could you tell us about what degree of slant?

[@stephencoates8165]

Thank you for lovely comments. I always work at an angle of about 10 - 15 degrees. This is just enough for gravity to pull the water slowly downwards and prevent it from pooling.

[@doumkatekz]

I want to buy some of your brushes but it looks like the shopping part of the site is down and also I am in the US. What is the best way or do you have alternatives you recommend.

[@stephencoates8165]

Hi, thanks for your message. Non of my brushes are available in the US. It is possible for you to order them directly from me but not through the website. The website is under repair at the moment but it only allows sales to the UK anyway. Please send me an email directly with your request and I can send you a reply with further details. [e-mail] Thank you, Steve

[@hollyw7225]

I have your "Watercolor Enigma" book and your "Take three Colours" book. This demo is very helpful. Thank you so much for posting it! I was having a lot of trouble with the washes for "Red Sail Reflections" (in "Watercolour Enigma", its a very beautiful painting!) . After watching this demo, I think the " Red Sail Reflections" washes must be done using the same method. Am I right?

[@stephencoates8165]

Hello Holly, You are quite right, it is virtually the same technique with two differences. Firstly that I use a large hake in "red sail reflections" whereas I use a mini hake on the demo. Secondly, the graduation is worked in one direction from bottom to top in "Red Sail" unlike the demo were I work the colour in from the top and the bottom. Water quantity, brush movement and paint consistency is identical. Thank you for buying the books and for posting your question. Steve

[@doumkatekz]

What brand of paint did you use in the book? I think my idea of a kidney bean and a pea was bigger than yours. I keep ending up with lots of unused paint.

[@stephencoates8165]

Hi, thanks for asking. I used Cotman by Windsor & Newton. If you are using Pro paint you won't need as much. You should never run out of paint when creating skies and washes so you should always have some left over. Don't wash it down the sink though. It can be reactivated and used again. If you have dried paint left, drop a little water on it 10 minutes before your next session and it will reactivate. It's worth having more than one palette too. Hope that helps, Steve