Watercolor Shading With Dry Brush; Drawing Inspiration; Total Eclipse

In this latest vlog, I share a few Eclipse images, then look at some awesome drawing inspiration and talk about the huge importance of drawing. Finally, I give a tutorial on dry brush shading with watercolor.
Colors used:
Paynes Gray
Phthalo Blue
Scarlet Pyrol (used to neutralize the Phthlo Blue)
Neutral Tint
Sepia
Azo Yellow
Indian Yellow
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[@MDCampbell]

What I simply do not get is why people click the "dislike" on videos like this. And not to even comment as to why or how you could address any concern? Weird. I mean, what do they expect, right? Fortunately, what they are missing out on is of total providence for the rest of us who revel in your work. The intro and music are wonderful! Loved the eclipse! The discussion, especially about the glow around the animal is so valuable. But, the real fruit filling of this pastry is the demo and your narrative along with it. For new painters unfamiliar with this technique, it's a whole world of great information. Just hearing about a "starved brush" can open a whole new glossary of ideas for some. So, while some folks speedwatch and click "dislike" because they aren't getting something they want, I'll revel in the Mind of Watercolor and say thank you for another great presentation! Cheers, Steve! Well done! :)

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks Mark! Very kind and generous comments. Its funny about the dislike button really. KZbin counts thumbs down as general engagement which is a positive metric for the channel. Its really just a gimmick for the viewers I guess. I've ignored them now for a while. They don't even have a thumbs down on their mobile apps. Glad this video was helpful and enjoyable for you.

[@Kyomiibrown]

M.D. Campbell It seems to me to be an immature small group of folk that visit the main art channels such as Steve's, Lyndsay's and others because there is usually around 3 to 5 dislikes showing immaturity and jealousy on videos amongst artists. They are best ignored, like Steve says, they help. I do think the dislike button should be removed though, it is negative and if people don't like the content on videos they simply should not watch. Great video Steve, and good advice about drawing! 🙂

[@MDCampbell]

Thank you for the feedback, Kyomii. My channel is new and I only have 1 dislike so far, but honestly, I wondered about it for quite a while. "What didn't they like?" "Why didn't they comment?" LOL! Soon enough, I figured out that it didn't matter, like you said. Cheers & thanks! :)

[@Kyomiibrown]

M.D. Campbell I have subbed to your channel :)

[@mindofwatercolor]

Kyomii I think thats right. There is also a certain group, I call them the "entitlement" group, who thumbs down any video that doesn't address their specific art needs, questions, and expectations. I know because I've gotten the odd comment and email complaint from them as though they had paid for the episode and not received what they should have. Oh the irony!

[@tracys58]

I love all your paintings, but especially your birds. Love, love, love!! Thank you Steve

[@user-tg8wh7uz3j]

Great to be reminded about the importance of drawing and how integral drawing is to painting. I'll keep trying to do both. Thank you so much for your experience, wisdom, expertise, talent.

[@delila351]

Watercolor is so much more than I ever thought. Thank you for your wisdom.

[@mindofwatercolor]

The discovery is exciting isn't it?

[@BrandeArno]

Thanks for showing us the eclipse. In NY we didn't get the full eclipse. The tutorial was excellent and I just love it when your subject is birds.

[@budskillman7510]

Yesterday I was reviewing your videos and noticed I skipped over your secession on dry brush of the yellow rumped warbler. Having feed and followed the birds for forty years I had never Mr Yellow Rump. That is until today as we ate lunch in front of our feeding station! A real treat. Gods good

[@davidhamer434]

LOVE your videos! I'm 58 and recently immersed myself in watercolor painting. Thanks to you and other painters on youtube, I have greatly increased my knowledge and proficiency. Thank you!

[@elledechenestudio]

Thank you for sharing this technique, it's wonderful to watch and hear you explain every step of the way. Also, your encouragement to draw and draw and draw some more. I've just started, the hardest part for me is getting over a lifetime's worth of "you can't do that" messages. I can!

[@vivaldirules]

Face palm! I like drawing with graphite pencil but have been aching lately to add a hint of color and have been unsatisfied with everything I tried. Silly me, when I tried adding watercolor, I was trying to layer diluted pigments but I had very poor control and was unhappy every time. Dry brush! It's like drawing, silly! Thank you, Steve! That was gorgeous and terribly helpful.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Hah! Yeah it can be a bit of a "duh" once you get into it. But discovery is always awesome!

[@vivaldirules]

When I've drawn on watercolor paper I've had to stick with hot press because cold press is too rough for my taste. But I really like to draw on smooth bristol which, unfortunately, is terrible with water. But I'm wondering if bristol might be okay with this extremely dry dry-brush technique. I will have to give it a try. But first I will try on hot press. One step at a time.

[@MarvYulia]

J Warren Hello! I have seen the discussion and now am wondering. Did you try what you intended to? How did it go with hot press watercolor paper and Bristol paper? Thanks!

[@vxinos]

thank you steve for explaining dry brush technique i think i now feel more confident in trying this out

[@JaneArtsyOtternutKirkwood]

Great video, thanks so much Steve. I've learned so much from you already and as I paint a lot of birds, this is a terrific new technique for me to try. As I'm nuts about wildlife, it's so wonderful to see the variety of birds you have over there that we don't here in Scotland. I loved how your wee bird painting turned out...lovely.

[@liliawebb9377]

Love how often you post. If I can't quite fit in painting for a day or two, your posts fill the void. Thank you Steven. I hadn't tried sketching that way in pencil and watercolor and it looks great! The dry brush and dry palette is new to me. I learn something new everyday.- - -we watched the eclipse too with the pin hole and box as well as on t.v. where the eclipse was full. So glad you got to see it!

[@marshahostetler]

I have to agree I have been doing allot of graphite drawings and it is helping with value and drawing what I am seeing.

[@calamityjitt667]

Lucky you, Steve! :) here in Europe total eclipse will be after 2100, no kidding. But your capture is awesome! Thanks for the dry brush tips, love your videos :) always so helpful!

[@rutuparnadashmamuni8993]

Sir you are so multifaceted! Whatever you touch turns to dream

[@tecpjccasey5020]

Steve I love your painting and watch you often. I don't usually comment, but the video and music of the eclipse were beautiful! We were supposed to get an 85-90% view where we are, but the clouds and rain moved in right before and left right after! We got some glimpses, but it was very disappointing. Thank you for sharing.

[@renmuffett]

We also had total eclipse here in Oregon in my yard and yes it was so amazing! Great video Steve and I agree about value and form being more important than color. For me, its really all about value. Many Botanical artists use dry brush with watercolor too. I think it looks great! You draw and paint amazing birds!

[@mindofwatercolor]

+Renee Moles-Marks thanks!

[@bruceosborne1892]

Fantastic technique Steve.

[@whayneneal]

Very helpful. I'm working on some wild turkeys. I was trying to use this technique; however, I'm afraid I've been working too wet. I'll try this when I get home. Thanks again, Steve and ditto on what M.D. said. Why would someone dislike this is beyond me.

[@geelindblom3072]

Steve, thanks so much for this drybrush video. It was an “ah-ha” experience for me. I’ve always had an art crush on A. Wyeth’s drybrush work but haven’t found any sources for understanding his technique. Most instructional references for drybrush show very loose, heavy brushwork, not the exquisite, precise detail of his technique…until your video! I learned so much watching your technique and hearing your excellent explanations.

[@ThomiBMcIntyre]

In some of Wyeths work the dry brush watercolor is integrated with tempera - a very beautiful marriage

[@Juhani139]

Thanks for doing this one. I'm most comfortable with pencil sketches and didn't even realize that this is the video I've been waiting for. Definitely going to try this technique in conjunction with the other watercolour techniques.

[@iartistdotme]

I have no trouble pencil drawing - love it and can make very satisfying pictures. Seeing you do this technique has opened my eyes to a totally new and unexpected way to watercolor. I torture myself trying to watercolor and try to carve the brush into the paper using colors to sculpt what I'm trying to paint. It is a disaster. I can watch all day and understand exactly what to do, but my drawing brainfingers take over. Using this technique there is hope for me and I thank you so much for this video. You described it so well. Maybe using this dry brush style will allow me to learn to watercolor without trying to do everything with washes and overworking the whole mess. THANK you for your help!

[@maryalgar8779]

Awesome effect. I hadn't thought of doing that, but I think it is beautiful technique for birds especially. Also a great way to use up dried up paint on palette. Thanks for sharing this.

[@catherinelevison3310]

Oh my...I’ve been doing this instinctively. Weird. I’m glad it is a known style. I’ve noticed that my water doesn’t get dirty too. It really saves on paint and I like it because detail and painstaking work doesn’t frighten me. Thank you!

[@janmay6455]

Love this idea for shading... going to give it a go!

[@Lori13grace]

When you first posted on FB that this video was coming, I thought it was all pencil except for color. New to watercolor really didn't realize how beautiful dry brush could be. I am so thankful God allowed me to find your videos because they are such a blessing! I am learning so much from them! When I start a new project l look for a video to help me. Thank you for serving the Lord my friend!🙏

[@pottedferne]

thank you so much for your common sense instructional videos!! I love them. Been in mixed media for years and just began drawing and painting with water color after a serious fall and back injury at New Years. It's easy to become depressed when when you have to give up things you love to do as well as keeping a regular job. Now I'm making Christmas cards to sell at craft shows to add a little income. Again many thanks.

[@rosalindduczak2948]

You are amazing, Sharing you God given talent! I look forward to all your instruction!

[@JodiSones]

Thank you so much for this video!! And your eclipse photos are awesome. I have been painting with watercolor for awhile and have gotten pretty good and learned to build up texture and values in layers but have always been afraid to try my hand at drawing, which I so much want to learn. This video, showing how to use a brush like a pencil, has a reverse effect on me. It tells me I can use a pencil like I do my brush! Thank you for that. I now feel I can give graphite a chance. Bought all the pencils, ect. to try, but have been afraid until now. Thank you so much for what you do for us.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yay! Go for it.

[@chichcowainui708]

Thank you so much for this video, Steve. I love drawing with graphite pencils and I'm excited to know that I can "draw" with watercolor as well. Can't wait to give it a try.

[@Solaera]

Beautiful bird study. Had the good fortune to view the eclipse in an area of totality, Stanley, Idaho. It was glorious. Thanks, Steve!

[@nancygauthier1190]

Thank you Steve for your great video, in Montréal, Canada we did not see the total eclipse as you did, this was amazing. I love your technic, I learn a lot and will, try it.

[@rainbowfox1934]

I use Mimik brushes all the time. They are very pointed and hold water well enough for me. I love them and recommend to everyone.

[@KoriandrOfTheStars]

I am determined to try this!

[@IpolaniSmith]

Ahh!!! This is totally awesome! The eclipse was only partial here in west Texas. Thank you for posting this. Stokes of Genius is a great publication. I first heard it from Anthony Dunn a wonderful great KZbinr. I'm going to try this today on a ongoing project of our pet turkey, Queeney, I'm working on.

[@Tessanna12]

Nina Allgood I'll bet you mean *ALFONSO* Dunn. Isn't he an amazing artist and teacher? He and Steve are my favorite you tube teachers. Amazing artists!

[@candytrippiedi1406]

as usual a great video and a great drawing Thanks for sharing

[@willobird]

I love the way it turned out!

[@attabooii]

I really loved how this painting turned out! Almost doesn't even look like a painting at all!

[@LeaGalTan]

What an amazing sketch! You can see how soft the feathers are. Can't wait to try this technique. Thank you for another helpful video.

[@mariadanielamazzolagilio5576]

Thanks for the images of the eclipse! It is awesome! And also for this technique!!!! Excelent!!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@ScribbleFix]

Tbh i think your channel is the most informative watercolour channel on youtube! And you explain things in a way that is easy to understand and really informative, plus you've got a great personality! Lol all im trying to say is, keep it up! 😁❤️

[@mindofwatercolor]

Wow, thanks!

[@gfpd323]

Thank you! I have been looking for a dry brush watercolor tutorial as it was something that interests me. I love the results!! Thank you once again.

[@carolschultz1058]

Great eclipse video!! Thanks for sharing your talent with us!

[@poetreatsartreats2469]

Such a wonderful video Steve, every aspect of it.. And You have such a knack for teaching what needs to be taught! ..and LOVED The Eclipse, Thanks Steve, Tim

[@charlottecanning9561]

I absolutely love your videos. I always learn something new. For instance, that a synthetic brush is better for this technique because it holds less water. Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge and experience.

[@TheAngelblue30]

Stunning piece! Just loved this video and the new technique I am going to try. Thank you,

[@toniritchie6018]

Love it. Love it. Love it!!!

[@elflordsjourneys]

Very nice eclipse shots,I watched it all on nasa tv.Those look like photographs not drawings.I just did some birds now I'll have to do some more and try this technique. THANKS for the tips😀

[@ullaireneeriksen7473]

A big thanks from me too! A really cool technique! I've always worked with pencil and have been longing to do something like this with watercolors. I wouldn't have figured this out on my own! Definetly want to try it, thanks a lot!

[@jeanreiter3175]

Wow, did not know about this technique. Thank you so much, I can't wait to try it out!

[@goat8477]

My cat and I really enjoyed the birdies...! 🙂 Or maybe it's your calm voice, but she was watching from her spot on my desk...

[@spsens]

Thank you for putting this out there. I have a disconnect with drawing and painting, and am versed enough in drawing in Metalpoint, so this technique feels like it will be a great way to bridge this gap.

[@eveeichner3627]

This is STUNNING! Love everything about your videos! Very informative! 🌺

[@rachbontube]

I love drawing and shading with pencil but I want to get more into watercolor. I am super excited to use this technique! Thanks for the fantastic video!

[@larryboecker3459]

Excellent. Will try on my next bird painting.

[@KathleenRenninger]

Great explanation & example of drybrush technique. Thank you!

[@beverley-memawmawclarkwhit5102]

thanks for the eclipse pictures....I didn't have any of the glasses...used homemade box viewer....the pictures are great!!! your bird is beautiful, too!

[@dianequinn1500]

I DO look forward to your tutorials, more than any others. Thank you for this one. I have a 'cat book' similar to your 'bird book'.. I will try the technique there. Your introductory remarks about being able to draw with watercolour struck a chord, as I've been watching Tim Wilmot here in England who paints very loose street scenes. He seems to 'daub' on a messy under painting before seeming to sketch with his watercolour once the under painting is dry

[@mindofwatercolor]

Tim Wilmot's work is awesome!

[@LeonaFraser1]

I absolutely love this technique thanks so much for sharing I can't wait to give it a try - thanks again but all your stuff is good

[@jilld8787]

Your instruction videos are informative and inspiring! Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge.

[@heloisabeatrizteixeiradasi7063]

You solved a big problem for me with this technique, thanks a lot!

[@cavellarmstrong5455]

I loved this technique. I prefer drawing to everything else. I go back and color in with different mediums. I keep adding detail (I am a Virgo and therefore cursed). I will share this with my art group.

[@zeldacheri]

Fellow Virgo here, and I'm right there with you on the detailing... :-)

[@gurujad1533]

Always brilliant in your techniques and loaded with ideas! Enjoyable lesson. Thank you.

[@diannemiddaugh2478]

Thanks for your informative video can't wait to try this!

[@katriter1]

I love how you teach. Thx

[@juliewilliamsnewzealand818]

wow that was fabulous!!!

[@ellenschmidt3005]

Your video was fantastic! Your discussion on drawing inspires me to work on that aspect of art. Super clips on the eclipse. I had to drive to Nebraska to see it, but it was well worth the long drive!

[@lvbailey1]

Exquisite! My favorite! Thank you!

[@patchoulitwentyseven970]

Fabulous video with a stunning end result. This is exactly the effect I am trying to achieve; now I know how it's done I'm going to set up a small palette to dry. Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring videos.

[@zenandink3531]

Really beautiful--very textural this way--wow--so lovely--thanks for sharing the technique

[@tulip2many235]

Thank you for sharing the eclipse and this tutorial. Coloured pencil is my main medium, but I think that this method is right up my street. I will have to break out my watercolours again - perhaps a mixed media piece. Thanks again, your videos are great and you are a brilliant teacher.

[@kathleengarness1660]

I love that you're a birder!

[@nanwool]

Thanks for sharing the eclipse. Too cloudy ⛅️ where I live and the whole eclipse was not visible from here. The bird drawing is fantastic. Really enjoyed watching you doing the dry technique. I always look forward to watching your videos.

[@peggymidtun]

Im so happy I found you... thank you for sharing your talent (WOW!) and teaching me to get my head around watercolor! :-)

[@hankvana2149]

Hi Steve! Been fascinated by watercolor my whole life and promised myself that I would give it a try when I retired - nows the time! I'm so glad that I found your channel, been watching your videos on the basics and following along with brush in hand ☺. My background in drafting and photography is helping with my sketching so I can focus on the painting. I'll check out the books you mentioned in this video. I have an excellent book by Ralph Hattersly called Light and Learning to See that has great chapters on how to compose pictures working with how the eye perceives things. Recently saw used copies for a couple of bucks, though I would mention it to you. Thanks for sharing your experience - really enjoy your videos!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Good luck and welcome to the medium!

[@libbyfuntera8497]

That was an invaluable lesson Steve-with a beautiful outcome. Thank you so much for sharing such a lovely technique. It may be time consuming, but sometimes it's beneficial to extend our drawing and really get into the subject.

[@danemeow8]

This was a really interesting video and great for some inspiration.

[@erins.5420]

I love dry brushing! I actually prefer to do it with a sable brush that is longer with a fine point because you can fan them out. I learned this method from Billy Showell and it's tried and true!! But beyond that for me there is something cathartic when I dry brush. Amazing bird painting! I'm glad you did a video on these topics!

[@lardesouza]

An absolute joy to watch this piece progress :)

[@Vic101able]

This was awesome, very helpfull. Eye openning, l had no idea . . . Wow!

[@annajordan9058]

Great video ! Thanks so much !

[@TTomJohn]

🖒🖒Thanks Steve. As always, informative and enjoyable. You are correct, Draw! Draw! And, Draw! Besides having artistic talent to burn, you're no slouch when it comes to video production. You are also a natural teacher. BTW, also had an excellent eclipse experience here in NYC. Continue your good works!

[@JohannaWerbPieterman]

Wow! Just discovered your channel and loving it! Particularly like using watercolours like this, thank you for sharing! Off to view many more of your videos :-)

[@thrivesurvive]

Beautiful work, as always.

[@celiab3701]

great video and wonderful capture of the eclipse. We didn't get to see it in my part of the world.

[@charlenemunson1082]

Loved this demo - Thank you, and please do more birds

[@delila351]

I have to learn patience..........Thank you for this lesson.

[@sylviacostello2755]

this make every bit of sense to me.this gave me food of thought to go back to the basic of refreshing my drawing skills.thank you so much for this video.going challenge myself with a drawing of a dahlia flower.

[@maryanharrell5642]

Also, we were in South Carolina for the eclipse, traveling up from Savannah to St. George. Got to see 1/3 of it before a huge thunder cloud eclipsed the eclipse! But we did get to see the 360 degree sunset, and the bull frogs begin to croak and the temperature drop. Savannah got nothing but rain! Want to go back to Charleston to the Gibbes Museum to see the Catesby Watercolors from Queen Elizabeth while they are still there--leaving the museum 9/24.

[@essietangle9931]

Thank you for this video.

[@r.b7979]

I wish I was in the us to see , I caught the video though, it was cool ! 😊

[@richardlumpkin4607]

Like you we were in the path of totality. It was as you know really cool but I must admit my photography skills were not up to the challenge. All my photos looked like a star burst. Really cool but not very representational of the event. They were cool though. Now as to the video. You continue to inspire and frustrate me. I have an artist friend who has written on his paint box, "KISS, color, value, shape." It seems so easy for some folks and so challenging for others. Really loved the concept and am going to incorporate this in my practice sessions. Lots of birds on my feeders now and they don't charge me for the model time. Loved the detail and color fading out to the line. Neat concept. As always, thanks for the free education! It is very much appreciated.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Hey Richard. Yeah, sun exposures usually just involve too much light. My shots didn't really work either until totality. The sun blows out the exposure. I had my camera on a 1/4000 sec speed and stopped all the way down and it was still too bright, again, until totality. The shots leading up to the total were just me holding my eclipse glasses over the lens. Hahaha! Thanks again for the kind comments.

[@SebastianTinajero]

Been wanting to paint a bird and this just got me inspired

[@SmokeyBeaner]

Steve, thanks so much for sharing this video. I've heard about this technique but I've never seen someone actually demonstrate it, and so well. Very inspiring! I've even searched this on YT and there is no video out there. I've heard this technique is harder on brushes. Do you agree? Perhaps that's the reason for using a synthetic. And how would you rate the Mimik Kolinsky Sables against the Escoda Versatil brushes. Thanks again so very much for this excellent video, you're truly an inspiration.

[@lisathaviu1154]

Thank you for making this video. I draw from a model at least once a week. When it's not going very well, I now remind myself to reduce what I am seeing to value and then I can usually get something down I can deal with. I have seen a lot of people in some of my classes who think they can sit down and paint without starting to draw and without any drawing practice. It usually doesn't end well. I now keep a cheap notebook and try to draw every day. That having been said, are you familiar with Tom Bohun's channel? No instruction, but it's really a pleasure to watch him work.

[@dgassilem]

Seems like a great technique to use on thin watercolor paper like the one I have in my watercolor sketchbook (135lb). I love both drawing and painting, so I'm definitely going to try it. Thank you for your great watercolor videos, I learn a lot from them and I really enjoy the humor you add to it :)

[@mindofwatercolor]

+Mélissa G.-Dubreuil yes, and it's a good technique to use on cheaper papers because of the light water use.

[@diannekrogers]

Wow! (both your eclipse photos AND your fabulous artwork) As always, thanks for your generous spirit in sharing your talent and knowledge!

[@Michelle-hg3sv]

That was fantastic, Steve. What did you use for your line work at the end? I didn't see it mentioned in the featured items. Thanks for all of these fantastic videos! You've inspired me to spend some time drawing.

[@DrawingWithFire]

Great video Steve! 😁 The bird came out beautifully. I'm glad you got the full eclipse. We only got about 70% & the clouds came in. Though the cleared about 45 mins after the peak time...lol 😃 I hope you are doing well. Tc my friend. 🤗

[@mindofwatercolor]

We've had a couple partials here in the past and the difference was stunning. I think the next one coming through in 7 years might be worth traveling to. Thanks Val!

[@DrawingWithFire]

The Mind of Watercolor We just might travel. I have one brother in Dallas & one up in the Ozarks. Both are in line for total then. At least I wouldn't need a hotel...lol 😉

[@Kitchensurprise]

This really makes for some beautiful texture. I am going to try this. Would you ever use this technique with color like in a nearly solid blue bird?

[@mindofwatercolor]

Oh yes, absolutely!

[@Kitchensurprise]

I can’t wait to try. In the past, I tried something similar, but was too heavy handed and didn’t use a dry brush...thanks so much