We're back! Painting at Yellowcraig Beach, East Lothian

[@dianemcgregor6171]

I’m very impressed with how you brought those paintings all together. It didn’t look much when half way through but suddenly you transformed it into a really lovely painting! And in spite of the many distractions. You have inspired me to now try plein air painting. Thank you!

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Diane, I’m really pleased you enjoy watching the painting process. One of the slightly offputting parts of Watercolour painting is that the painting looks so bad for so long! Only at the last moment, does it change into something better. I hope you manage to give outdoor painting a go, I highly recommend it! Best wishes, James

[@sylviahenning3236]

You have explained and demonstrated how to build up layers, add in darks and lights, beautifully done!

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Sylvia, I’m so pleased you enjoyed the demonstration. It’s wonderful to be out painting. I hope you’re managing to get out too. Best wishes, James

[@garrydurfey9700]

What a gorgeous place. Thanks for sharing.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

We’re very lucky here having so many wonderful landscapes nearby. James

[@maryrichinick7287]

I was happy to see this video as I'd been looking forward to watching your next one. Your videos are always so informative and the painting is beautiful. Tanya did a great job with the video, too.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Mary, Glad you enjoyed the video. We did have a busy time recently, so just couldn’t post. It’s good to be back , as we do enjoy getting out in the van. Best wishes, James

[@GrandmaMuggy]

Nice video. Always enjoy your adventures! Beautiful painting!

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

It was really good fun getting out after a little break. It’s funny getting back into talking in front of the camera. Thanks for watching, and I’m glad you enjoyed it. Best wishes, James

[@noelnicholls3622]

Hi James and Tanya. Your travelogue is a most enjoyable part of the journeys you take us on. Here in this part of Australia (Victoria) we are just trying to keep warm. Not much out door painting happening. However, a week ago our family drove us down to the very southern part of the state bordering with South Australia, to a small fishing village called Port McDonnell. Grey skies, but very nice rocks, and lots of interesting grasses and plants with the sea in the background. You have inspired me to get on with the painting (small) of what I observed and the photos I took.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Noel, I’m really glad you’re enjoying the travelogue part of our video. We also enjoy making that part of the videos and I’d like to do more of it. The question I have is the ratio between travelogue and painting. More travelogue and less painting or more painting and less travel.? Our summer here is not impressive yet! We had a camp at Loch lawer Dam and it got down to -1°C at night! It’s great that you’re getting inspired to paint. it’s really important to get your mind right and want to do it. Then it becomes much easier. Best wishes, James

[@carolwilliams3599]

Beautiful painting! I love everything about it, especially the way you painted the foreground grasses. As always I learned something new from your insightful comments. Thank you both so much!

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Carol, It’s always fun painting by the sea. glad you enjoyed the painting and thanks for watching. Best wishes, James. I was pleased with the grass as the grass well.

[@SheilaGP]

Hi James, I love this beach. I have done some snorkeling and it is very pretty under the water as well. I love the way you teach and it has helped me understand how to give paintings a 3D view using different values. 😊

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Sheila, It is a beautiful beach and it’s nice how you can walk along it and arrive in North Berwick. Snorkelling must be fun. I’m very pleased that the videos have helped you , Learning how to make your paintings 3-D is so important. Thanks for watching, Best wishes, James

[@PublishedWriter]

Wow, that initial view from the drone was gorgeous! Well done you two. The drone is a great addition. Loved the painting too. And Congratulations on reaching 10,000+ followers!🎉👏👏👏

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Glad you enjoyed the drone. I agree it does add some excitement to the landscape. We look forward to doing more of it. It’s a surprising amount of fun. Thanks for noticing the 10,000. It was a very exciting moment. Best wishes, James

[@kalaysia77]

I loved that.....I grew up on the ocean in Oregon and love the sea. all your new equipment is making your jobs easier and is wonderful for all of us! Great results! Thank you both. I have been checking and was so glad to see your video today. 😊

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Kalaysia, We finally managed to post again! Tanya had to go away. I was busy and it just got a bit tricky to make a new video. I agree with you the sea is fantastic! Many thanks for watching Best wishes, James

[@Louvre2012]

Thank u for taking us along. Wonderful filming. So much fun watching your videos.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Our pleasure. Glad you enjoyed the filming we did enjoy filming the journey to the sea. Best wishes, James

[@williamw7847]

Well done James. Your finished painting has done the scene justice. And I agree the seed heads added something positive to the overall painting.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi William, Glad you enjoyed the painting. Adding the seeds really pull the painting together and I learnt something from that too. I think taking a last look at the end of the painting is really important. Thanks for watching, Best wishes, James

[@alisonwickett3156]

Hi James and Tanya Nice to see you both back and painting outside Lovely painting, the white paint and the dark patches at the end really lift it That's going to look great in a frame

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Alison, It’s good to be back. It did feel like a long break, although only a week. I do enjoy that last white paint It’s funny the way it brings the painting together. Best wishes, James

[@martyncozens5654]

Hi Both. Great to have you back after your busy spell working on other projects at home. I think my favourite paintings are coastal ones, so yes I really enjoyed this one.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Martyn, It’s good to be back. it was playing on our minds not posting for that week!!! Life just gets in the way sometimes. I agree with you paintings near the sea are the best. Thanks for watching. Best wishes, James

[@sandycols4870]

Hi James and Tanya, Thank you for this new video, the drive to the beach was a nice introduction to the painting. Several beautiful drone shots, especially the view over the water looking back to land. Lovely painting as always.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Sandy, Glad you enjoyed the latest video. We hadn’t disappeared just a bit busy last week. We really enjoyed the drone, it was much more fun than we expected. Hope you’re well, Best wishes, James

[@anamarie8]

THis is such a good video from start to finish. Very helpful to learners! A pleasant place. Thanks for sharing your artistry.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Anna-Marie, Glad you enjoyed this video. The East Lothian coast is really beautiful. I’m always happy when Watercolour beginners watch my videos as I enjoy hopefully getting them on the right path! Thanks for watching, Best wishes, James

[@carolcox7556]

Nice to see your finished painting and sorry we interrupted you on the day! 😊

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Carol, Glad you like the painting. No trouble Chatting on the day. I enjoy it! Best wishes, James

[@jimsmith3653]

Yay, glad to see you and Tanya again. This painting is fabulous and your explanation and thought process is first class. You are so right about being patient and the addition of the boats and seed heads proved the point. I feel,at last, I learnt so much from this video it is one to definitely keep referring to. Thank you so much to both of you.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Jim, It’s good to be back on KZbin again. We did have a busy time of it recently and just couldn’t manage to do a new video. The last bit of the painting was very interesting for me, taking a last look at it and working out whether I need to do more. Glad you enjoyed this video so much. I hope your painting is going well. Best wishes, James

[@victoriaharris6091]

Love the grass

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

It was fun to do James

[@roberthoward3723]

Pleased to see you James , I was getting worried. loved the countryside, not an area I know so all very interesting. Liked the painting and not a muddy colour in sight. Thank you.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Robert, It’s good to be back. We had we had a busy time recently, and Tanya was away in London so it all got a bit tricky to do a new video. The Lothian coastline is beautiful. Glad you enjoyed the painting as well. Best wishes, James

[@roberthoward3723]

@@JamesPotterAboutArt thanks for making the effort

[@stephenfoster1818]

Hi James, I enjoyed the journey into Yellowcraig beach almost as much as your painting bits! I like seeing Edinburgh and surrounding area, you are an asset to the Scottish tourist board! The new drone gave a new dimension and perspective to the beach area which I enjoyed. The painting itself, I am mesmerized by how you add the watercolour to the paper. I love the way the brush adds the water colours merging to create the beautiful picture. You make it look so simple , along with your commentary makes it a calm and enjoyable experience, I like. Your finished picture looks great. Thank you for sharing and educating everyone. Steve

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Steve Glad you enjoyed the journey to Yellowcraig. We both enjoy the travel Vlog part of our videos. The drone was surprisingly a lot of fun and will be using that quite a lot more, hopefully, but not too much! Now you’re home from holiday I hope you can get to grips with the painting, Best wishes, James

[@stephenfoster1818]

Thanks James , yes I intend getting to grips with painting now. I will update you on my progress. Steve

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

@@stephenfoster1818 Excellent. I’m looking forward to hearing how it goes.

[@victoriaharris6091]

I bought your mop brush and love it!

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Glad you bought the brush. It has replaced my expensive mop brush. It was surprisingly not that expensive, which is always a bonus! Best wishes, James

[@petergates7962]

Looks great, may I have a go using your photo. Not sure if I can do it as much justice, but you never know. Loving your work.😁

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Peter, Glad you liked the painting. Of course you can have a go with my photo, or any images on my videos. Let me know how it goes. Best wishes, James

[@artbykcappadona5166]

I think you’re right about when you find the scene just stop and paint that. I see so many people wandering around for an hour and a half trying to find the perfect scene and they never seem satisfied.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi, I’m glad you noticed that point. Finding the painting is one of the most difficult things to do. I think sometimes your expectation of finding an incredible scene gets in the way of things. Perhaps painting is more about how you paint than what you paint Many thanks for watching. Best wishes, James

[@stargazerlulu]

Hi James. Love to see how you handle the dune grasses. Beautiful work. I love your extra-long-haired flat brush (a one stroke?)-- it's so supple. Can you tell me what it is? TY!

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Laura, Glad you enjoyed the painting and the dunes. The brush that I used was mainly a 13 mm professional Watercolour synthetic mop by Winsor and Newton. I think it’s excellent and has replaced some much more expensive brushes. I hope you can get your hands on one. I did do a review on my brushes few months ago if you wanted to take a look at that. Best wishes, James

[@zoeymontoya5379]

Lovely video. Do you like to work with gouache?

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Zoey, Glad you enjoyed the video. I tend not to use gouache that much, just the white gouache at the end. It is a fantastic medium though. I do intend to experiment much more with it in the future, as I think it’s a very much looked over medium. Thanks for watching Best wishes, James

[@awatercolourist]

Pity about Viridian. W&N do seem to have stopped it, hopefully temporarily. Other brands still produce them, though.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi, All very strange about Veridian. I think it must be something to do with supply problems. It doesn’t make any sense just to simply stop one of the most important colours.

[@awatercolourist]

@@JamesPotterAboutArt Indeed! And Viridian has been produced since the late 19th century. It is very odd that that pigment production would cease now.