Watercolor Choices - Less Is More

You don't need to buy tons of watercolors. Less is definitely more in terms of creating harmony in your watercolor paintings.
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Materials used:
W&N burnt sienna, indigo, raw sienna, neutral tint, bit.ly/2xl85pX
Silver black velvet flat brush, bit.ly/2WMfYPw
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[@kona6712]

How kind of you to share these tips with us! You have a special gift of explaining things so clearly and with a very nice, pleasant voice. I truly appreciate this vudeo! Thank you so very much!

[@JeanLurssen]

Thanks so much Kona for the nice comment. The feedback is much appreciated.

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

Thank you Jean. That was very nice. I am a beginner so all advice is appreciated.

[@JeanLurssen]

Glad you found the video helpful Terry.

[@barbararivera2380]

💜

[@Bohemian-Nilda]

I disliked and feared watercolors and even felt quite intimidated painting with them until I started watching your tutorials! I’m now painting with a lot more freedom mainly because I’m not stressing over the number of colors I should use for this and/or that and….etc. I’m learning so much more by using just a few colors. Using less colors helps me be able to “play” more with the limited amount and combine some of them to make them more powerful and meaningful and to elicit certain moods. So thank you very much for your wonderful tutorial!❤

[@JeanLurssen]

Thanks so much for the lovely feedback. Using fewer colors creates more harmony in your painting and ties it together. A mistake beginners often make is using too many colors, trying to create realistically what they see in their subject.

[@IHaveNoLaifu]

I love limited color palettes. My gouache palette uses 12 colors: 2 whites, 1 grey, 1 black, 2 blues, 3 yellows and 3 reds. While my watercolor palette uses 8: 2 blue/red/yellow and 1 pink & purple... because pink and purple are staple colors in most of my paintings and I need to save mixing time and paint somewhere. :)

[@zennovice]

lovely again, and useful for this eternal beginner......thnx so much.....

[@katherinenoggle6407]

I'm a subscriber, and I've really been enjoying your videos- I'm just starting in watercolor and am learning a lot! I hope you won't mind me mentioning this, but in all honesty, I am not much of a person for taking courses. I've enjoyed your videos so much though, that I'd really like to support your channel in some other way. Would you consider starting a PayPal.Me account? It's a way for viewers to support their favorite artists/channels by making a contribution through their PayPal account. There's also Patreon, but my debit card won't let me use it. You could provide a link in the description box. I hope you'll think about it! You've put so much time and talent into these videos, putting them out on KZbin for the whole world, that I'd love to sponsor this channel. I hope you don't mind my mentioning this. Thanks so much for all the hard work!

[@a.f8803]

Muy enriquecedora la manera que tiene de explicar ,yo me estoy iniciando en la acuarela y en el acrilico y espero aprender mucho con Vd,lastima que no hablemos el mismo idioma,pero asi todo intento seguirla en sus explicaciones. Muchas gracias por compartir,saludos desde España.

[@morneb2000]

nice work Jean! where abouts in the world are you from? blessings Morne

[@hallöchen9091]

I am so happy I found you! I love your art😍😍😍😍

[@suel4269]

Please tell me more about the hogs hair brush. What size is it? Would it be a chip brush?

[@ellenkhoudari9976]

Excellent!!! Thanks so much.

[@rosarebada4777]

That was very nice. I liked the pattern with the plastic wrap. Also I see your channel page has an interesting variety of projects. I wanted to ask what is it you are calling a neutral tint? I thought I read that tints were just watered-diluted colors, but that does not explain what color you might mean as neutral, so I'm guessing it's something else. Thanks.

[@JeanLurssen]

Neutral tint is a color that is used to neutralize brighter colors. Here is a link to Winsor and Newton artist watercolors and you will find neutral tint alphatebetically on this page. www.dickblick.com/products/winsor-and-newton-professional-watercolor-tubes/

[@rosarebada4777]

Jean, thank you for answering right away and going to the extra trouble of inserting the link. I also read about the product; the notion piqued my curiosity. I have only been painting a few months and use the Winsor Newton Cotman. Still I'm always glad to learn for the future. Looking at your channel page, I was interested in the course you promote to teach about fog and mist, but the link resorts to a page reading: Server Cannot Be Found. I'll try it again in a few days. God bless you, Rosa

[@suel4269]

How do you send the paintings as cards?

[@gerridauer9092]

Thank you. I am learning so much from you! Hope to take one of your classes sometime too.

[@JohnArnoldPhotography]

Wow Jean. Just discovered your channel. Your work is amazing. Love your style 100%. Just signed up for your blog. Thank you.

[@JeanLurssen]

Thanks so much Arnold for the positive feedback and signup.

[@suzanplatzer5416]

this was fun, relaxing

[@sarahnorthrop9823]

Lovely and so simple 😊💖

[@marthiescholer4565]

These tutorials ftom you are VERY HELPFUL. THANKS AGAIN

[@JeanLurssen]

Thanks for checking out my videos. So glad you find them helpful.

[@sagittarianlady]

Marthie Scholer q

[@lucillefemine]

I've been searching for a video to create bright lights on a city street at night. Not just lights but long brushes of colors next to each other. Can't find anything. I have a picture I've been trying to paint, comes out awful. Do you have a video on that?

[@JeanLurssen]

NO I don't Lucille. Thanks for stopping by.

[@LuliLulu]

Oh dear this is one of my problem I have to many paints I bought XD - right now I have 12 paints and I only use 5 of them - Beautiful painting Jean, thank you for sharing :)

[@JeanLurssen]

I think most artists have this problem.

[@DennisCNolasco]

Absolutely agree on everything you mention regarding using a small palette of colors!

[@YashwanthMayasandra]

Thanks Jean for these useful tips !

[@JeanLurssen]

Thanks for checking out my videos +Yashwanth Mayasandra

[@joemenzaart]

Burnt sienna & sap green good tip I tried it and it’s a really natural green like you said. Thanks!

[@dougnickerson]

Great video

[@elpidasitaridou]

Εξαιρετική!!!❤️🇬🇷

[@Artchick1972]

awesome tips! I am a beginner and I ran out and bought every color too...hahahaha!

[@JeanLurssen]

Love your enthusiasm Lisa. Have fun!

[@tziporaneemanfeder1813]

What do you use for your neutral tint? Or is that something special in itself? I've just discovered your Channel and I simply love your colours, your style. Thanks, Jean.

[@carollangman1163]

Learned alot...thank you for sharing x

[@JeanLurssen]

Glad you found this useful Carol. Thanks for stopping by.

[@teresajordao6634]

I really like your color combinations in the landscapes, and the concept of less is more here is evident. Thank you!

[@maureenknight3863]

Fab!

[@gloriaboshinsky-mccullough6357]

Is there somewhere that you list the brushes and colors used so we don't need to grab the info as you teach. This video is fairly good at that but other are so hit and miss. I LOVE your work and your lessons though--never stop!

[@JeanLurssen]

Good point Gloria. I will list colors and brushes from now on when possible.

[@kathandterry2]

I so love your method and yes less is so much more! Thank you very much for your easy to watch videos

[@lindaehemann9677]

Hi again, can I use a fountain pen to draw the trees?

[@JeanLurssen]

Use anything that works for you Linda.

[@barbtemplin7864]

Hi Jean, I've missed seeing your video's as I truly enjoy them and listening to your advice. Thanks!

[@JeanLurssen]

Thanks Barb. Summer is a busy time and I had a lot going on.

[@clairebourbonniere6937]

Thank you very much for your beautiful and well done video. What is the brand name and size of the hog's brush you used ?

[@JeanLurssen]

The hogs hair brush is what house painters use and is available at most hardware stores.

[@clairebourbonniere6937]

Thank you Jean.

[@deborahrech7429]

I appreciate your tips on composition and working with a limited palette.

[@karenhoward303]

Love your method for abstracts. It is the easiest method I have seen Thank you Jean.

[@Novel._.]

Thank you for your help. I’ve found your videos very helpful

[@sperrins595]

I'm soooo glad I found your channel Jean, your work is utterly inspiring, you always manage to keep me captivated until the very end of each tutorial. Can I ask what your favourite palette consists of? I'm intrigued.. thank you I've subscribed, how do I sign up to your blog?

[@LurssenMastering]

I don't have time to run a blog I'm afraid. Colors I use a lot are winsor & newton raw sienna, burnt sienna, Indigo, burnt umber. But I also love Daniel Smith watercolors and use a number of them - too many to mention.

[@ceciliajohansson8923]

Jean..thanks, love your lessons !

[@JeanLurssen]

Thanks for stopping by Cecilia.

[@emilianobre9398]

such good ideas thank you so much Jean!

[@JeanLurssen]

Thanks for checking out my video Emilia. glad you found it useful.

[@sooart5333]

Nice work~!

[@JeanLurssen]

Thank you Soort!

[@sarahguy-levar7955]

Love your simple lessons....

[@JeanLurssen]

Thanks +Sarah - glad you enjoy the videos.

[@miritsas]

Me encanta tu estilo Jean Aunque entiendo muy poco inglés, siempre aprendo. Me estimula mucho para practicar Gracias por compartirlo, Jean

[@JeanLurssen]

Gracias

[@Mr.S65]

The whole thing is that as beginners, we tend to use tutorials that often ask for a lot of colors to paint! Although I knew I could mix some of them, then the task became overwhelming (beyond painting with watercolors) to the point that it was preferable to buy more paints or not paint at all. I have more command of mixing now, a few months later into using watercolors, and I can do a lot more painting with fewer colors than before. It’s a catch 22 :). Lovely examples of a limited palette :)

[@JeanLurssen]

Beginners often run into this problem because it's daunting to know what colors to purchase when you are starting out. Later, when they discover their style of paintng they get to know which colors appeal to them. I went through exactly the same experience when I started painting in watercolors. I think I need to do a course on color theory and color choices for beginners.

[@bellavita2005]

You can cut the tubes and remove it from the WC. Put the WC hunk into a pallet with small openings and put water in them. Just enough that they are moistened and sit in a think "skin" of water. Place a lid on plastic wrap on them. leave . In about 3 days check them and if possible break them up. If not you may need to add a bit more water and continue to allow them to live in a moist environment until softened. It is very easy and your watercolors will again be useable.

[@JeanLurssen]

I have done that sometimes but never satisfied with the results of using the paints. Somehow they are no longer as vibrant.

[@JeanLurssen]

I'll definitely try that. Thanks.

[@joanosborne5053]

Great ideas, thanks

[@森下典樹]

so fantastic, breathless

[@TTomJohn]

Thank you, Jean. 🖒

[@pjc1954]

I'm very glad to have found your channel - I feel as though my painting has plateaued and think your demos might help move it on.

[@JeanLurssen]

I'm glad you found me too. Hope I help you think outside the box.

[@vincefenton]

I’ve been retired for a few months now and I’m so enjoying working on my watercolours - thank you for your videos Jean 😊

[@JeanLurssen]

Thanks for stopping by Vincent. It's great to be able to spend more time on one's watercolors. I go into a totally different world when I paint and forget about time.

[@tziporaneemanfeder1813]

Jean, I read below and see that neutral tint is a Winsor/N. I'll look for that. Anything I can use as a substitute ? Tzipora

[@JeanLurssen]

Not really. It's a very useful color to tone down other colors without spoiling them.

[@tziporaneemanfeder1813]

@@JeanLurssen Thanks for the quick reply. I'll look for it in my art supply store. We don't have Amazon where I live so I'll have to wait until I visit the US next. I had never heard of it and since seeing it on your channel I read about it and MUST have it. Thanks. I'm loving your videos.

[@ТатьянаКочетова-о1и]

Really very, very good! It's true : the less - the better. I wonder, do you paint grisaille any time? Thanks.

[@JeanLurssen]

I only paint with watercolors using lots of texture to create experimental landscapes.

[@ТатьянаКочетова-о1и]

@@JeanLurssen Oh, Jean! Thank you for the answer!

[@sonalimundkur]

i enjoy seeing your painting demos. infant you inspired me to try out a couple. thank you for taking the time to share.

[@suel4269]

I wish I saw this sooner when I started 3 years ago. I have way too much paint.

[@iamnanna]

just found you!!! and I love your style....I'v subscribed, and now will go through ALL your videos. I'm new at watercolor and have been frustrated with it...but your loose style is what i like. Hope you have lots of videos to watch.!

[@JeanLurssen]

Thanks so much Melodie. I also have online classes if you are interested at jeanlurssenwatercolors.teachable.com/courses

[@1stjoshnic]

Hi Jean! The use of the hog brush is such a good idea! May I ask which brand brush you are using here?

[@JeanLurssen]

This is a painters brush that you can buy at the paint or hardware shop for a few dollars.

[@1stjoshnic]

Ahh, thank you so much!

[@mariakellner2221]

What brand is the neutral tint ,as different brands use different pigments,it would be useful to mention pigment numbers,if it's not too much trouble, tfs

[@JeanLurssen]

Hi Maria. I believe I mentioned under the video for neutral tint that it was by Winsor & Newton. Hope this helps.