Easy Watercolor Background (using just 4 colors)

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How to paint an easy watercolor background which will give a soft mottled effect, this is ideal behind wildlife subjects.
The right background is really important to showcase the bird, animal or botanical subject that is your main focus. With some subjects it has a vital role in enabling them to show against the white paper. For others it can really complement and enhance the colors. In this example I apply a very pale mottled wash which enhances the Asian Otter that I later painted. If you'd like to see me painting the otter - here you go: • Watercolour Step by St...
🕒 Timestamps 🕒
00:00 Introducing how to paint an easy watercolor background
00:37 Preparing the watercolor paints
02:02 Using the colors on a test piece
04:11 The brushes you will need
06:09 Applying the wet on wet watercolor washes
09:46 Removing the masking fluid
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Опубликовано:

25 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 101

@Kevjenaust1 3 года назад

Excellent tutorial Paul. I have learnt so much from you. I therefore make notes that I print out before my painting sessions and am chuffed with the end result. I love your work and teaching style and your one of my favourite watercolour artists on RU-vid.

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

Thank you very much Kevin, that's a very kind thing to say. I'm glad my work on here is well-received and helps other to learn this fantastic medium. Keep those brushes wet, Paul 🎨

@suzannestanits323 29 дней назад

I am already ecstatic that I found this tutorial! WHAT...I've already learned that I'm wetting the paper wrong and I'm loving learning the background techniques ! Thank You!

@TheDevonArtist 29 дней назад

You are so welcome Suzanne 😊

@waynestanley8402 Месяц назад

Thanks Paul for the watercolor lessons.

@TheDevonArtist Месяц назад

I'm glad I can be of some help, thanks for watching Wayne. 😊

@Pat206 3 месяца назад

Thank you Paul. Great help for learning backgrounds.

@TheDevonArtist 3 месяца назад

Thank you Pat, I'm glad I could be of some help. 😊

@ericabaker9637 Год назад

Thank you. Trying to paint a large background and am finding it challenging

@TheDevonArtist Год назад

I'm glad my video has helped Erica, thanks for having a look. Paul 🎨

@sherrilltaylor1801 Год назад

Thank you for sharing so many tips ! I’ve really enjoyed watching.

@TheDevonArtist Год назад

Glad it was helpful Sherrill 😃

@nancyboucher476 2 года назад

I've learned so much from you . I want to this opportunity now to say thank you for all instructions that you give on RU-vid . You are an amazing artists!!!

@TheDevonArtist 2 года назад

So nice of you Nancy, thank you for sticking around and watching my videos here. Paul 🎨

@karenyates8522 Год назад

Thank you so much.

@TheDevonArtist Год назад

You're welcome Karen 😀

@michaelbostock954 Год назад

Excellent tutorial. I do a bit of watercolour and just about to paint a curlew and chick against grassy background (not sure about doing grasses yet!)

@TheDevonArtist Год назад

Thanks Michael, grass can be tricky. If it's behind the subject, mute down the colours a little to allow the curlew to stand out a little more, you don't want the background fighting with the bird for dominance. Paul 🎨

@slimjim227 Год назад

Thanks Paul, these short videos which focus on one particular aspect of watercolour painting are just what’s needed. Backgrounds are often the way I spoil a painting, now I have a bettered idea of how to go about it, but I’ll take your advice and practice first.

@TheDevonArtist Год назад

Thank you slimjim, this is also why I very often paint the background first, if it doesn't turn out ok, I use the back for watercolour testing strips. 😉

@marynancy1187 3 года назад

I really need this level of direction, I wanted to return to watercolours, I needed a starting point. Your instructions are easy to watch and leave me motivated. Thank you.

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

That is so nice to hear Mary, thank you very much. Paul 🎨

@kascialelonek8757 6 месяцев назад

Very helpful ty

@TheDevonArtist 6 месяцев назад

Glad it helped, thanks for taking a look at my video. ☺️

@kathryncase9253 Год назад

Thank you for showing the masking removal.

@TheDevonArtist Год назад

You're welcome Kathryn, thank you for watching. Paul 🎨

@MrSnipper805 2 года назад

Just started with watercolours, I have painted in acrylics and pastels, I am finding watercolour difficult but you are helping me a great deal thank you.

@TheDevonArtist 2 года назад

Hi Peter, watercolours as you know is a lovely medium to use, it doesn't smell and doesn't have to take up too much room. Have fun with it, and thank you for watching my videos here. Paul 🎨

@judyscrawford 3 года назад

I like all your videos - I had no idea how to paint the background

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

Thank you so much Judy, I'm glad this video helps you along the road to watercolours. Paul 🎨

@dianakoeppel3492 Год назад

Thank you, this was very helpful.😊

@TheDevonArtist Год назад

You’re welcome Diana 😊

@TheDevonArtist Год назад

You’re welcome 😊

@maryingram3249 3 года назад

This is great! Thank you! I’m so glad to find your tutorials.

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

Glad you like them Mary, thank you for watching. :-)

@shylapr 7 месяцев назад

Helpful

@TheDevonArtist 7 месяцев назад

Glad it helped 😊

@lindaloiselle8251 2 года назад

You have got me painting again….thank you…..great tutorials

@TheDevonArtist 2 года назад

Thank you Linda, that's a lovely thing to say. Paul 🎨

@lisaberry6611 3 года назад

Thank you so much for sharing this!!! Found this so helpful. I really struggle with backgrounds but this has made me excited to try again!!

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

You're so welcome Lisa. I'm glad I spotted your post on Facebook. Thank you for watching. Paul :-)

@cherylwalrath-duran2996 3 года назад

Thank you for the great information!

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

Glad it was helpful Cheryl, Paul :-)

@christinachris1166 3 года назад

Thanks for excellent tutorial Paul!!! Excuse my English !!! Last year l began to paint watercolor and your knowledge helps me a lot!!!!You are a great artist!!!!!

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

You are very welcome Christina, I'm glad I can help, Paul :-)

@theresasuttle711 3 года назад

Great demo of a background. You really did make it look easy! I have to REALLY be conscious of leaving space! I think I’ll go practice!

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

Thank you very much Theresa. 🎨

@shaistaaga9295 Год назад

Excellent tutorial. As a beginner i learn how to do an easy background thank you

@TheDevonArtist Год назад

Thank you very much, as you can see it's great fun to just simply play with those paints. 😀

@zaralamb7861 3 года назад

Thank you very much. I found this most helpful

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

Glad it was helpful Zara, thank you for watching. Paul :-)

@mariegamber 3 года назад

Wonderful tutorial Paul.

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

Thank Marie :-)

@DS40764 2 года назад

This is so helpful. Keeping things simple, but interesting in the back-round. I would use this for flowers or birds, or a still life.

@TheDevonArtist 2 года назад

You are so welcome Deborah, thank you 😀

@evaonody9263 Год назад

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. This is a very useful video, especially for beginners and background panickers like me 😁.

@TheDevonArtist Год назад

My pleasure Eva, I'm glad it was helpful to you. 😊

@Mr.S65 3 года назад

I find your techniques extremely useful. Your instructions are very detailed and clear to follow.

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

Thank you very much Mr S. 🎨

@dawnmcarr 3 года назад

Thanks for the helpful video. I always have problems with background.

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

@@dawnmcarr You are more than welcome Dawn. Paul :-)

@rachelsmith8876 3 года назад

It is very interesting it’s the 1srt time I saw paper stretched like that I can’t rem how I used to keep it downmust have been staples

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

That's right Rachel, using water gum tape and staples is a very common method and works really well. I just like to be a little different, plus this way I don't need to stick staples into my boards. Paul :-)

@leilasilva9831 2 года назад

Adorei!

@TheDevonArtist 2 года назад

Muito obrigado

@jeffjames3111 3 года назад

Ace!

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

Thank you Jeff :-)

@crystalheart9 3 года назад

Thanks so much for this tutorial. I find backgrounds the most difficult and unpredictable to paint. When a background doesn't turn out nicely it puts me right off of wanting to paint the subject.

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

Glad it was helpful Crystalheart9. This is also one of the reasons why I very often paint the background first. If it doesn't work out then you haven't wasted all that time painting a detailed subject. 🎨

@crystalheart9 3 года назад

@@TheDevonArtist I paint the background first as well so I don't ruin the entire painting if I don't like it.

@lynnrushton7458 3 года назад

Thanks Paul......I use coloured pencils & don’t do many backgrounds, as it’s not that easy, but will give this a go for my next one 👍

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

You can do it Lynn, just take your time and think it through before you start, a little bit of pre-planning. Paul ;-)

@lynnrushton7458 3 года назад

Wildlife in Watercolour I DID IT! 👏👏👏👍 you inspired me to get my paints out, so even had a go at painting a blue tit 😁 Thanks Paul!

@HrtsforMartyna 3 года назад

Hello again Paul, From school I got a watercolour set with a big and really small brush anyways lets get to the point could you please try to paint a Sun Conure (Sorry If your busy I just really like them and I would love to draw one)

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

Great suggestion! I've never painted that particular bird and what lovely colours these parrots have as well. Thank you for that, I will give it some serious consideration. Paul 🎨

@ellengreenlund3905 2 месяца назад

Thank you! I’ll give that background a try with my next bird painting. Can you please tell me the purpose of the tick marks on the sides of your paper? Do they guide your drawing?

@TheDevonArtist 2 месяца назад

Hi Ellen, yes the pencil tick marks are, so I can realign my outline drawing I've already done on a piece of paper, onto the watercolour sheet if needed. Sometimes we can cover up important marks and this is a way to put them back a gain. 😊

@paulinelane7316 3 года назад

I am enjoying you videos. Right now I am struggling t make backgrounds so I am watching all the background videos I can find. I am just a bit scared of putting a lot of water on but I'm trying.

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

You can do it Pauline, and if you're not sure before you start, test it out on some scrap watercolour paper of the same type first. Paul :-)

@mariarobinson1361 3 года назад

I love the background. I am now learning to use water colours. It is hard

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

You can do it Maria and I'm sure you know that. They take a bit of getting used to, but as long as you take your time and enjoy the learning process you will be fine. Paul :-)

@yvonnewhite2996 3 года назад

Hi Paul wow I just love your painting. In lockdown these last 8 weeks watching your videos i have been practicing learning watercolour. I brought my self a present a 45 pan winsor newton watercolour set any tips

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

Hi Yvonne, thank you so much for your kind words. To be honest with you with such a fantastic array of colour, and with my favourites Winsor & Newton, you are spoilt for choice of subjects. I think you may have joined as a free member on my website a couple of months ago, fingers crossed you have played with my Free Members Videos there. Paul 🎨 devonartist.co.uk/

@jackylegge6039 13 дней назад

Are you going to do a video on all the mediums you can mix with watercolour

@TheDevonArtist 13 дней назад

Hi Jacky, I could do, but I'd have to buy all the mediums in the first place. LOL Still, it's a good idea. 😉

@Rockymtnbloom 3 года назад

What are everyone's favorite color combinations for backgrounds? Mine is Prussian Blue and Quinacridone Sienna, it is calming. This was a great demo, thanks!

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

Hi Debra, than kyou for your kind words and yes, what a lovely background combination of colour you have there. Paul 🎨

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

Do let me know if you found the techniques in this video useful and don't forget you can see the whole otter being painted here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-D6UvpusYops.html

@kimkain Год назад

Thanks. Question, how do you paint a background when a flower has extremely tiny thin leaves. It seems like it would be difficult to mask.

@TheDevonArtist Год назад

It would certainly be difficult to mask out, but you could possibly mask out the leaves using a cocktail stick. 🤔

@sadariahdahalan9190 Год назад

👍👍👍👍👍🌹

@TheDevonArtist Год назад

Thank you 😀

@paulinelane7316 3 года назад

I am trying to learn all I can about this. I don't understand how you can put so much water on your paper without extreme warping. Maybe my paper is too cheap? Can you explain this? Thanks.

@TheDevonArtist 3 года назад

Hi Pauline, yes it is to do with the paper needing to be stretched first, or at least use a pad of pre-stretched paper such as a 'block pad'. Usually a 140lb (300gsm) paper can still warp when completely soaked, plus yes, it can also depend on the quality of the paper you use, mid-range upwards would be recommended. You can still flatten your paper afterwards if you didn't stretch it, try my technique here bit.ly/2YWKFFb Paul :-)

@paulinelane7316 3 года назад

@@TheDevonArtist Thank you!

@hamidehjedari7546 5 месяцев назад

How not to have dry lines here and there?

@TheDevonArtist 5 месяцев назад

I find wetting the background at least two or three times first, allowing the water to soak into the paper, keep the paper wetter that little bit longer. That way, I tend to not get too much in the way of dry lines of paint.😃

@michaelbostock954 Год назад

Cannot see where to sign-up...

@TheDevonArtist Год назад

Hi Michael, you can sign up to my school here: www.patreon.com/TheDevonArtist or browse the Freebie Club tutorials here: devonartist.co.uk/free-membership-index/ Either way, I'll see you there!