Light or Dark Background? - How to Paint a Butterfly in Watercolour 

You are simply the best. I can’t believe the effort you put into your videos , from your shirt, to your drink, to your jokes, to the layout of your paint to coordinate with your subject. You’ve really help me up my game. Thank you!

Thank you again Paul. You are just amazing. Such a talented artist. I love this tutorial and can't wait to have a go at it. I pick up clever little hints from every one of your tutorials. Thank you so much for your tutorials. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.

Oh My Paul, butterflies are my most favourite. 💓.. when I reconnected with drawing , I painted a lot of butterflies. But not with watercolor. But with watercolor pencils. ! Love your tee shirt. And your tutorial with such great techniques explained in detail. Love the dark background. And the way you made it so wistful and magical. It's beautiful. Just like these pretty fairy like creatures. Thankyou so so much. Motivated to paint watercolor butterflies.. Have a wonderful day. Tc till next Wednesday. 🎉🎉🎉 💕💕💕💯

Thank you, Paul, for a lovely video. I appreciate it immensely!!!

Thank you I really like how you explain things.

I"m new to your videos and I love them. I'm learning a lot as i learn about loosening up and having fun with the process. Thank you for the time you put into every video.

Very beautiful, love butterflies they're so colorful and graceful! ❤ great job. Thank you!

Thank you Paul ! What a beautiful tutorial to wake up to on Watercolor Wednesday ! I always love the bit of education you always bring to the table ! I can’t wait to get started on this one ! Thank you for all you’ve taught me and all you do for this group ! 😊

❤love this Butterfly Painting!! Hope to try it!!

Hello mr paul, fantastic topic! have a nice spring

This time: It is so very beaautiful, amazing, and informative. tTanks so very much.

❤wow. This is amazing, beautiful, and you make it look so very easy. And i love the teo previous tries to show us different looks. As its autumn here in NZ i might change the colours to have a more autumnal feel...maybe 😆. Thank you Paul. My favourite day of the week 😄

Ohh gosh I love 💕 doing butterflies 🦋 but I’m torn between the light & dark backgrounds. 😁 I think I do like the darker one but I struggle with my greens getting them dark enough. Adding the Payne’s Gray might be the secret. Thanks for sharing this tidbit & this fun tutorial! 🥰

The movement effect is genius!

Beautiful

Pretty pretty! I prefer a dark background too. It really shows vivid colour on the “flutter-by” 😊 jim.

Good morning Paul! I love your butterfly Tshirt! Thanks again for a wonderful tutorial.

I love watching your content. Your narration is so on point and you give the" why" that others leave out. I'm learning how to not expect a one and done attitude with my work but rather, walk away and return to reassess. Thank you for all the detail and explanation.

I prefer the darker background; l see most of the butterflies in my area in the shady parts at the edge of the woods. I have tried to paint them before, and was never satisfied with the result. I learned a few new things, watching this, that I can not wait to try. Thank you!

Love this butterfly 🦋

Thanks❤

This is great, I love the colours of the butterfly. 😍

Wow!

Beautiful Paul!

So beautiful! Thank you very much

Such skill Paul. It’s awesome. I’ve been watching you paint for years now and learning so much, but don’t believe I have seen you have a half time tipple of champagne. What sort of painting might tempt you to a glass of bubbles?

Yet another beauty! Thankyou! ❤ XXX

So lovely 🌹🤩. I love the guidance that you give us and the patience that you show. Recently I am adding watercolor to my arsenal. I'm a pencil artist predominantly and I used to paint in oils although I can't anymore because of my health. Now I paint in acrylics on occasion. In pencil I'm able to achieve photo realism in acrylic I cannot do that as of yet. It can be a bit frustrating for me to feel that I'm falling short of the quality I know I'm capable of. Adding watercolor to my art world with originally just to assist backgrounds for the animals that I do. Now however I'm finding a love of the freedom that it provides. I'm actually doing practice pieces of things in order to create a realistic although impressionistic at the same time piece for my dining room. I would love it if you could do something to this effect so that I can get some guidance in color and technique from you to add to the guidance I received from Kristy Rice. Although your techniques are very different, because of my goals I feel that guidance from both of you would be very helpful.

I love this...inspires me to try! Can I please ask what masking fluid you use? I have huge problems with mine going too thick and clumpy.

Incredible Paul. Really enjoyable & educational to watch. BTW It might just be me, but can you paint while enjoying a cup of tea? It's just that is not long before I start dipping my brush in the tea instead of my jar of water :)

💖💖💖💖 L💖ve it! Which brand dioxazine purple did you use please Paul? It is Really vibrant 💖

Hi Paul, love this one and I think it will be good background practice but I have a question. When I try to “soften with clean water” I always get a backrun. Can you please explain that one a bit more? Should the area be drier or very wet when I work on it or….? Thanks again!

May I ask you to elaborate on a more dry matter: Copyright? AFAIK I can use any painting as long as the artist is at least 70 years dead. And newer ones? How much have I to alter that a painting is unique enough to not violate a copyright? What about painting buildings? Does the architect has the copyright on it? Is it not allowed to paint it? And photographs? Some stuff is already photographed a thousand of times (eg: head of animal . . .)? Is this a copyright violation ? ... and to whom, if there are several 'originals'? What about if a still living painter paint a classic painting of (eg) vanGogh. Does the copyright 'move' to the new painting/painter? and finally what are the best sources to get copyright free inspiration (eg: pixabay )?

backgrounds make or break the painting. I'm finally getting that and much happier with my work. Thanks Paul for lovely butterfly. Sherry

Lovely Flutterby, the name we children used to call it, which when you think about it makes a lot more sense. You don't really want it landing on your butter no matter how beautiful it is. 😊

Precioso un gran artista . Me inspira mucho ver tus videos y aprendo mucho gracias....

You always make the best t-shirts relative to your videos. I'd really like to know how many you have so far? Hopefully, they aren't taking over her side of the closet. Lol. 😊 Thanks for another great video. Much ❤ from Nashville,TN USA 🇺🇸 😎

Hello from Texas Mr. Clark! I photographed a very similar butterfly on my front porch two weeks ago. Was wondering what it was. Looks like a very close cousin to yours. Happy spring! Cheers!

Beautiful as always!! Quick question. What brand/company makes your signature Paul clark brushes sets? I've got your brush set and I've been trying to find a dagger brush with similar characteristics to go with them, but not having much luck

Luv this … although my butterfly looks nothing like your lovely creature . But I did relax , create ampnd did my own thangggg 🌷🥰❣

What's that? No video of the artist chasing paper butterflies armed only with a saucepan or a motorbike helmet … as a net ha ha ha??? A butterfly! What a butterfly! I can't even paint it: I'm not (yet) comfortable enough to let the paint do the work. So I watch your video, several times. Like a film. My favourite scene is when you apply the dark colour to the wings. 😍 I'm going to watch that sequence a lot: life appears! Thank you, Mr Clark 😉

The darker background is my favourite. You chose one of UK’s most beautiful butterflies. Thank you so much for the detailed tutorial. 🌾🦋

Watching you paint in real time is so helpful. Your brush strokes are much more deliberate than they appear otherwise. Thank you for that, beautiful painting.

Love how you make things so clear. And by the way if the art thing doesn’t work out you could always do voice overs. 😂You sound like David Attenborough!! That’s a complement. Love your voice!

Thank you for this wonderful painting. It's snowing here in Lake Villa, Illinois, US, so this butterfly reminds me that someday spring and summer will show up. My great niece is all about butterflies. It was unicorns, but she's on to new things. She's 4. I'm giving this a go. If I get 1 to be good, it will be a great gift for her. Thank you, Paul. You light up my mid-week ❤

This is so brilliant, what a wonderful tutorial ☺☺

Good day Paul. Your butterfly painting is gorgeous. You've drawn and painted it in a simple yet wonderful way. It is so amazing. Thank you.

Wednesday is always my time to enjoy your painting great stuff!!🎉

I lost my painting mojo because I got busy and then tired. Your videos are my wind-down therapy at night. Thank you for making them. The editing is stellar. You make watercolor so approachable and the music in the video is relaxing. Thanks Paul (and Margo). I can't wait to share a beer with both of you one day;)

I also have a question -- you used white gouache and why not a white pastel pencil. What's the difference here to choose white gouache instead of white pastel pencil. ?? Thankyou

I can do portraits but I can not do landscape do you know?

LOVEADUBADUBBLYDOO!!! Thanx Paul…..this looks Butterflyishous!!! Can’t wait to give it a fly….i mean try…..👩‍🎨👨‍🎨👩‍🎨👨‍🎨👩‍🎨👨‍🎨👩‍🎨👨‍🎨

Beautiful. Due to the lighting or the slant of the paper, l noticed how wet you paper was (that I have not noticed before). Did you wet the paper more than usual or the same?

A beautiful butterfly Paul, thank you for showing how to bring it to life.

Love this butterfly. The darker background is wonderful.

Simply stunning, I definitely feel inspired to try it. And it’s very relaxing watching you paint. Looking forward to your next video.

Very beautiful art work!

I really love this, and thanks for explaining everything so well. Your butterfly shirt is a riot!

Love butterflies,❤ loved your T shirt but really enjoyed the freedom of colours in the background... Actually, great freedom overall! My mum says you should be a Shakespearean actor.....very expressive and emotive!

Дякую вам за цей чудовий урок. Сьогодні був дуже важкий день, настрій поганий. Аж ось ваше відео, та ще й про метелика 🦋. Тож одразу з'явився творчий настрій і бажання малювати. Дякую, ви мене вилікували. Дякую за підтримку моє країни, кожен раз радістю коли бачу наш прапорець, це як "Останній листочок" в оповіданні О'Генрі

I was searching to see if you had full length tutorials available. I am a beginner who unfortunately cannot go to Sussex to take your classes. I would however pay a monthly fee on a site like Patreon, or wherever, to get in depth, long tutorials taught by you. Have you considered that, you are awesome! Thanks for all you do to share your gift with us.

Good morning Paul! 🦋I pray today is a blessing to you. I’ve been going down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories this morning and completely lost track of time. lol 😝 Maybe I should just stick to watching happy painting videos like yours. Oh and btw I painted a butterfly in my video Monday but with gouache and mixed media. Bits of torn paper, punched out flowers, gems. And a bit of oil pastel. Have you tried mixed media? My style is a little bit like abstract expressionism in that. Of course I still love watercolor and loose realism. Thank you so much for this beautiful painting. So joyful! God bless you and Margot. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

The smudged left wing edge is dead clever, that little "trick" works very well.

Today is Wednesday and we are running to this excellent RU-vid Channel. Thank you Mr. Clark! 😍

I love that you showed this with 2 different backgrounds!!! Truly appreciate all your work to bring us beautiful art to brighten our Wednesdays!🎉😂❤ With love and gratitude from a California Gramma ❤

Simply gorgeous, beautifully painted as always. Thank you so much. You add joy to Wednesdays.

Beautiful as always Paul. And you make it look sooooo easy!! 😀😁.

Lovely, I love butterflies, I have never seen that one up here in the north. When you get fed up with that t shirt, I can find it a home lol

I loved your first background. Am going to try both ways. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us!

👍👍👍👍👍💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓

Love it 🦋🦋🦋 thank you 😊

How appropriate…a butterfly at Eastertide. Thank you Paul for the lesson in backgrounds. Your butterfly is exquisite, especially the softness of his body and the wing fading into the background. It‘s another Wow Wednesday.

A fun tutorial. Using pastels towards the end to brighten the background was brilliant. 👍 I'm looking forward to trying this with a lighter background too. Thank you for another enjoyable Wednesday. 🦋

Thank you so much!

Really beautiful!!

I've found you! Subscribed. Thank you for your videos. Please let me just say you're quickly my favorite watercolorer on RU-vid so far. You're down to earth and execute what you intended and teach what you know. And a bonus, your paintings are BEAUTIFUL. You remind me of a neighbor I would have and would befriend. Have a great day

Really beautiful, Paul - the butterfly is so alive! Thank You for another brilliant lesson! 😁🤩😍

Oh that’s just lovely, thank you Paul!

Ha ha, brilliant and timely Paul. I have a thing about sheep, who'd have guessed, but they do run off by the time I've hobbled anywhere near on me stick. Anyway I've just this week invested in a camera with a big zoom to try and capture some wildlife for painting. First however I have to take myself (rather old) and the mother (bloody ancient) to the post office and Aldi, then background and value experiments on your butterfly for the rest of the day, hurrah!...unless I get distracted by the technical wizardry of this terrifying camera.... spring joy to all!

Dear Paul. Loving it so beautifully done. I’ll hope to getting some good results when trying out this project. Kind regards GJ

This one is lovely, and really clever. It's such a difficult balance of delicate, vibrant and subtle. My attempt was a total failure, but I'm going to try to learn from my mistakes and give it another go. Thanks so much for your inspiration. Greetings from italy!

Pure magic! The way you created the butterfly's wonderful colours with your brush strokes and smudging the paint to obtain the wonderful final effect is absolutely magnificent! 😍 You did succeed in creating that effect of movement also thanks to the very loose background. I'll dare give it a go sooner or later, too curious to experiment and see what my outcome will be.☺ Thanks for this tutorial. 💖

Thank you Mr Clark for your channel and instructions. You may have covered this once before, but how do you archive your paintings you sell? Do you spray them with a particular protection? I’m confused on what is used to protect watercolor work. Thank you.

Newly subscribed! Love this! Thank you for sharing your gift!

Superb as always, I think that you got the background spot on. Did you use an old brush to apply the gouache? I look forward to giving this a go. Thank you for showing us how. Cheers Brian.

Thanks Paul. I often painstakingly paint a subject and then stress over how to go about painting.in a nice background. You have addressed this issue very nicely with this painting. This will help me greatly. Many of the instructors on RU-vid demonstrate how to paint a subject and fail to paint in a background leaving the student to struggle. Well done!

I needed help with backgrounds and your tutorial is so helpful!! Beautiful painting and can’t wait to try!❤

Paul, i love butterflies 🦋 thank you for this tutorial 😊👍🏻 i enjoy to look and listen to you 🌸 greetings ✨Tanja ✨

Another super demonstration , you have such a good way of explaining every detail clearly to the viewer . Thank you Paul I love the beautiful butterfly , I am going to try it out myself , with your help of course ! Many Many thanks !

Wait. No 'off we go!' when you started painting? I can't start without 'off we go'! 😆 Beautiful painting, Paul, and I love the looseness. Can't wait to give it a try.

Great inspiration. I just visited a new butterfly house here in Missoula, Montana. I took many photos. This tutorial is giving me the courage to paint them. Thanks

Gorgeous butterfly, I loved how you painted the wings first with the gray looks so real and fluttery, then adding more color such a beautiful painting. Thank you so much

What alovely painting, lm still plodding along with the colours,had sometime out from practicing, as health reasons, 😊

Thank you for sharing your skill and sketches! And at no charge! I appreciate it all! Inspiring!

I like both backgrounds. The darker is first choice. With the added guache and pastel, would it be considered a Mixed Media painting?

😊😊😊😊

Thanks Paul. Hope you are doing well. Dark background is stunning. ❤

Love it!

Enjoyed watching yet another wonderful techniques.👌

All the splashes went on the butterfly and like almost no splashes are in the background .