I’m new to your channel. I really appreciate that you pass on tips you have learned from other artists and that you give them credit. Because of you, I have subscribed to another artist’s channel and bought a book from an artist that you recommended. Neither of those artists would have reaped those benefits without your comments. So thank you for supporting other artists and thank you for making your videos. I’m learning from them and enjoying them!
How about this…in art, we should respect everyone’s ideas and by sharing out, and giving credit, you are raising the artist to higher level. It’s a huge compliment I believe. Great video. Thank you.
This is such a great video! It’s jammed packed with so many goodies! When you mentioned that some have complained that you refer to other artists I was perplexed and annoyed that some have done that to you! I am grateful that you share your sources and that you show humility by doing that as well. So I stand and applaud you!
I second this response. Also added an “ how dare they!?” In my head. Obviously closed minded. Nothing wrong with trying techniques or ideas from other artists. LOVED the Picasso reference 😂😂. One of my favourite teachers once said “ It has ALLL been done before you, so learn from it and just paint.” Thanks for being YOu and honest and sweet and funny and so giving with what you learn.
Wow. How you used this stencil in reverse (with magic eraser) was so neat. It added so much to your squirrel background! Thanks for sharing and also crediting the artist you learned from.
The techniques you learn from other artists are expanding my own understanding about how to manipulate the paint to get the effect I hope to achieve! This is wonderful! You have given full credit, and probably even more credit than necessary, to all the artists from whom you have learned/observed a technique.
Every single time I watch one of your videos, I learn something and I’ve painted for 30 years in a more regimented style which is ok but not me. I love love love your free, loose style. I’m going to paint more in your style and free up my brain..😆. Wish I was your neighbor..
Brilliant. Some of the best techniques I've come across on RU-vid. Thank you so much Rachel. And for those who feel you need to offer chastisement, as she so gently puts it, when you reach Perfection you may have gained the right to chastise someone. Otherwise, we should all stick to improving ourselves.
I'm glad you enjoyed it and I just don't understand the mindset of people who chastise. I'm always more concerned with working on my own flaws than telling someone about theirs.
Awesome video Rachel! Thank you so much for the shoutout...such great info all round. And that James Gurney/Rembrandt insight changed my background painting completely (making it much easier ha!)
The 4th tip-the idea of building a painting- was the first thing I learned in art school in the 1970s. I've recently started using watercolor for the first time and have been shocked to see that many watercolorists painstakingly finish sections at a time, even painting in details like the eyes of an animal before they have even applied pigment to the body. Obviously the medium makes a difference since watercolor is so immutable compared to other paints.
This was so helpful and informative. I only know how to paint very stiff and realistic, a very slow process. With all the tips you've given I see how to loosen up, paint faster, incorporate interesting textures, and work the painting, not let it work me. Thanks so much!
I love your shared stencil conept! Thankyou for sharing things you have learned. I also enjoy following James Gurney and Paint Coach. In my view, artists are perpetual students, continuously honing their craft and drawing inspiration from the world, regardless of their level-be it beginner, emerging, or seasoned professional. Much like Pablo Picasso, I believe in pushing boundaries and embracing experimentation as pathways to artistic growth and gaining fresh perspectives.
Valuable! So valuable... I already watched some of the artists you mention here and its great that you all bring their ideas into one bouquet 💐.. Thank You...❤
Thanks for sharing what you learn as you go! It makes me really feel more comfortable with the process of being a growing artist. Do you ever watch Louise de Masi? I think you would like her channel too.
I love watching you paint on your channel. Yes I paused you and ordered the Tim Holtz stencils to use in my watercolor. I have several in my stamping supplies , but never thought about using them in watercolor paintings.
I have the James Gurney book Color & Light - my daughter bought it for me having got a copy for herself (she's an animation studnet). His videos & his immense knowledge of colour theory is mind boggling! I LOVE the tips in this video, I think the stencilling one is my favourite - thank you!
YOu are so nice and talented! Thank you so much! I lost me way since I had to move 7 months ago. I am just coming back now. I am self taught on Watercolor, it always baffled me and scared me! THANK YOU!! !!!!! xoxo
Your video and the tips from your experience and that of other artists is GREAT we need to share our experience there is so much to learn from others, not only in painting but life itself. Just a humourous comment ❤I think your lovely cat was slightly offended that you didn't pet her/him as she posed by your paintings 😊 I am a cat lover from WAY back
Fabulous! Love how you share your art learning journey! And I was so tickled when you mentioned Tom Shepherd and James Gurney! I have two of Gurney’s books and learn so much each time I open them, he is a GENIOUS! ( fabulous sense of humour too). I am going to explore that Rembrandt idea with more thought… and going shopping for stencils!!! Tried making my own a while back and exacto knives are just too scary… sharing with each other is a good part of being human. Thanks again!
Hi Rachel. New here. Tom Shepherd suggested you, so I came in for a visit. Wonderful video. Glad I found you. i’m not much of an animal subject painter, but I love watercolor. Looking forward to seeing more of your videos. Thanks for being here. 👩🏻🎨💕
I have never used stencils for the background, but I have used the texture of paper towel for effect fairly successfully. Most paper towel has an embossed pattern of some sort. Paint your background. Then, while the paint is still wet, carefully lay a paper towel over the wet paint and gently press on it (I use a flat hand rather than finger tips). Carefully lift the paper towel off again and, voila! You have a discreet background texture. I have also used plastic doilies.
Great tips!! About sharing tips - There are no rules in art! You do you and if you share tips, no matter where they came from, all the better! Thanks so much!
This video was in my feed so I watched. Thanks for all the tips and other artists suggestions. I watch the oil painter guy as well. One tip I learned and love came from Steve Mitchell at The Mind of Watercolor. He suggested to let the paint mix on the paper. Don't mix on the palette. It makes the painting have personality. I think the oil painter guy explained that tip as well. Anyway, thanks for sharing.
Thank you very much Rachel - very inspiring. I’ve been using soft pastels for a while now and neglected my watercolour painting but you have given me the confidence to have another go....👍
Thank you for all of these tips andtricks! I'm a super beginner and I always want to learn and improve my drawing and then painting. I do believe that people should share their knowledge with others as it can help and push people to try new things and maybe how to problem solve some issues they may have ran into during a painting or just if they're playing around. Thanks so much and have a great day!!
Thank you for being a good person and giving credit to others. Artists are supposed to learn from other artists - that makes all of us better. And why re-invent the wheel if you can skip ahead and learn how someone else did something. The the stenciled flowers are so adorable in the squirrel painting and that gives the idea that if someone wanted to they could do something similar with a brush.
Great tips! Especially the background insight and using stencils. You are a very talented and amazing artist. Thanks for sharing and for all this wonderful inspiration and insight.
These tips were wonderful, the first three were ones that are new to me. Thank you so much for the video! I'm looking forward to trying these out in future paintings :)
Great video Rachel! A lot of the tips and tricks you mentioned I was already using with out even being aware of it!!!😉 So...interesting how intuitive watercolour painting is!
The "Rembrandt Principle" seems to be that thing that I could never quite get my arms wrapped around that really elevates a painting and brings it all together. It makes perfect sense, I can see how amazing it makes a painting look immediately. Putting into practice will be a bit more difficult, as with every technique. I loved the scribbles. I'm always having a hard time letting loose but the energy those scribbles add is awesome. I came across the stencil technique a few months ago when trying to make beach rocks look more realistic. I was amazed at how much time it saved me to use the splatter stencil I purchased. Like you, I then spent a bit of money purchasing other stencils imagining all the fun I could have with them. The chipmunk painting really broadened my imagination. Denise Soden is one of my all-time favorite people. I adore her and have subscribed to her channel and been a Patreon of hers too, along with Steve Mitchell, and Louise De Masi. You are all so prolific!
Ah yes I'm a big fan of all those artists you mention. Apparently one of my Patreon students found me from Steve Mitchell mentioning me and I was so honored.
Oh Rachel! These are great! I have always admired John Lovetts paintings where he uses a lot of white which would go along with what you were showing scrubbing out or using white to make lost edges! And scribbling! That is brilliant! So far I have only used Circle stencils to rub out white spots to make a bokeh backgrounds but using patterned stencils would be so much fun. Did you spray the back of your stencil with tacky spray? Thank you thank you thank you this was a wonderful video. By the way Ellen Crimi-Trent taught me to spatter with white acrylic ink on a wet in wet background before it gets too dry. It makes a wonderful ethereal soft edge sparkles.
Yes I love Ellen Crimi-Trent too and have mentioned her in past videos. I love her video where she painted the red poinsettas then scrubbed them back out which is right up my alley!
Thank you for sharing and I apologize to all who may find themselves buying one too many stencils! lol - but you can never have too many! Right? Love this video, especially the advice on backgrounds. Just subscribed to your channel and will check out the others to follow too. Thank you again, art is better shared! ❤
Well, well, well! How fun is it that after watching this video I discovered I already use 3 of the 4 advanced techniques. The only 1 missing is the Rembrandt principle. I must say though I do not consider myself advanced at all. I think I’m around intermediate somewhere. I’ve been scribbling from day one having seen Alphonso Dunn do it on his drawing channel. Today, I painted a beach using a stencil brush and the texture came out awesome. I don’t use the stencils themselves though, but I’m not against it. Scrubbing I’ve also been doing for awhile, however I haven’t tried the tape yet. Thanks so much for all the great tips as always Rachel. Blessings to you and for all you do.
I use acrylics and I do this thing with tape too...but it's sometimes madness..😃 But thank you for method about light background on light parts and dark on dark parts. This I will try really.❤👍🏻🥰 Great video, thank you!❤
Ah yes, tape is fun to use with acrylics. I'm doing a few acrylic paintings now and I've been using squeegees to paint with, which of course I saw someone do somewhere on RU-vid.
Great tips with good explanations. Lov ur paintings. Also there is nothing new under the sun. Meaning what you think one artist did first was already done by someone else. No judging to those judgy judges.
Really? None of The supplies I mentioned are expensive. The most expensive supply you need for water color painting is paper and that does get expensive.
Good video. Small note though: Isn’t the you tuber you referred to as “The Art Coach” actually called “The Paint Coach?” I could be wrong, maybe there is one of each. But the Paint Coach matched your description of an Oil painter who nevertheless has a lot of good tips that apply to watercolour and other painting media. Good for you making this great video! You do lovely work, btw!
Thanks for the links; Tom Shepherd is one of my faves! I forgot to ask with my last comment about a RU-vid site you called "Art Coach". Is that "Paint Coach"? I found that site, but maybe I heard you wrong.
I don’t think that you’ve thought about the Picasso quote enough. “Good artist imitate, great artists steal. To steal is to make something your own. Great artists don’t just share other artists techniques; they take them, absorb them, and add their own markers on it to make it theirs (which is different than the imitation).
