Water control IS the single most important aspect to becoming a good watercolor artist. I found out about it in a unusually thorough college watercolor class, until, then it had been a struggle. The class was very technique driven, but my professor promised if we truly learned the "how" we would never forget it. He was right. I can pick up a brush and even if rusty, with some practice- the techniques come back quickly.
i know what you mean. it also happens when you switch between papers, like water color paper to bristol or any other surface, you almost have to remind yourself of what you know
One of the better RU-vid presentations on controlling water when doing a watercolor painting. Too much water (along with impatience) has ruined many a painting. Thanks.
Thanks so much for answering the question I posted on facebook. I found at least one of my mistakes is that I get the paper wet, then I get my paint wet, and I get my paintbrush wet. No wonder I can't control the water! Thanks again! Looking forward to your next video! Lyndi
Thank you for this. It was very informative, and yes. I am a beginner and have seen the dome and i have tried to fix it by mopping up with a dry brush. By the by.....I simply love that cute little two-handed bowl which is sitting on your left behind you!
I'm definitely a watercolor beginner and I have been having issue getting too much water...it's nice to see someone like you give a explanation on how to control that problem. Thanks again :)
Thank you, I really love your videos. Not only are they really practical and easy to understand, I love how visually appealing the video itself is as well :)
Thank you for this very basic tutorial on watercoloring/water. The reason being is exactly what you said about looking for and keeping those happy accidents. I'm tired of that and need the next lesson. My hubby bless him keeps saying that the colors are pretty or that makes a good sunset! But I wasn't trying to make the millionth sunset!!! Lol.
Lately I have been obsessed with the Art Impressions style of water coloring and I know that my biggest problem is too much water. The info from your video that is most helpful to me is the "dome" of water as the signal that the paper is too wet. Thank you! That was a moment when the "light bulb above my head" turned on!
Im just starting watercolor and Ive gotta tell you. Your videos help A LOT! I got everything I need but had not started yet from fear. Thanks to you Im not scared anymore. I cant wait to make my first piece!
I've really been enjoying your videos over the past few days. I tape my watercolor paper to an art board and let it dry before I take it off, so everything dries flat which fixes the "warping" problem. Also, water color paper that comes in "blocks" will help prevent warping. I'm sure you knew that but thought I'd mention that for others as an FYI. Thanks so much!
Very interesting, I often use the corner go kitchen towering to soak up excess and it seems to pull the water up like a straw. Thanks for all your personal experience
Thank you so much for sharing this! I’ve watched so many videos and none of them ever explained this “magic moment” and now I get it. And the angle you used to show us exactly what you’re doing just helps so much more. Thank you again! You’re amazing! :3
Wow, I just "happened" to find you and I'm so glad I did! Looking forward to watching the rest of your tutorials now! This was so helpful to me (beginner)! TFS
I'm loving all of your videos on watercolor. They are so helpful to me as I'm just starting out (for the second time) on my watercolor journey. I'm more of an abstract artist and I have questions about overall composition. Is it best to plan a painting out? I have a lot of trouble with that and just create as I go along. Are there any techniques you can share specifically for abstracts? Thanks so much for your help!
Never have seen a video about this. TY! I am starting my journey because you've given us a lot of great tutorials to know how to begin and jump in! Hugz, Tree
I love your chanal its so fun. iv got a quick tip to help if you ever get a page that starts to buckle, wether through some kind of accident or frustration so you dont have to restart (I have used this with many different art projects not just watercolour) the buckle or dome is caused by the uneven expanding of the saturated fibers within the paper. All we need to do is even this back out quickly and as evenly as possible to return it back to how it was. The best way is to put a very absorbant paper towl on each side of the paper(somtimes 2-3 layers depnding how wet it is), then press it like we would press a flower, this evenly and quickly presses out the water if left for 30 mins to an hour. It reverts the paper to is previous state ie flat lol Useing heat or a brush is uneven and slow and is why then the paper remains buckled. by pressing the papper the fibers dehidrate evenly and shrink back to shape in the same way they expanded I hope that mekes sence im very dyslexic and my written english isnt great lol
Thank you so much!!! I'm new to watercolor, trying to absorb everything I can on the Tube, and haven't found anything this useful yet! Too much water is my main problem (of many :) Love your videos, very encouraging. Thanks again.
@@WaterColorMisfit you know what, it's five years on and this comment is still spot on. They way you filmed the close ups at at angle so we could see how it looked was really helpful. I'm sure it took a lot of time to get the lighting camera angle etc correct but I think it has helped a lot of people. Thank you ❤️
I actually found an overflow of water useful in some cases, like when I paint a galaxy, it sometimes helps me get a random look to it. Other times, I do pretty much the same thing you do :D
Thanks for doing these tutorials. I get frustrated learning techniques but then not being sure when and where to use them in an actual painting. ANy suggestions?
Get a drawing board, coat it with Acrylic varnish. Soak your watercolour paper for about 20/45 minutes, use gum strip to put in on your Watercolour paper onto your waterproof drawing board..... you only need the gum strip to cover about 1/2 inch all around your Watercolour paper, secure it with wet gum strip. Allow paper to dry prior to painting. This will prevent your watercolours from causing your paper to warp/ cockle or buckle. I'm amazed at how many artist no longer soak their Watercolour paper. If you still feel you need to control water use masking fluid, gum Arabic or Ox Gall. Peace.
This was VERY helpful. I've been afraid to try at wet on wet, not knowing the right amount of water. I'm ready to embark on that technique! Thank you. :0)
You can get wire, I find old type coat hanger wire to be best. if you want to prevent it from rusting, you can get heat shrink tubing from radio shack. and you make a ladder or like figure 8's like effects in the wire, the wire can be suspended over your water jar. The brushes can be placed inside these ladder like rungs. This method suspends the bristles in the water, without allowing the handle enter the water. Never put good brushed into a jar of water, Wood Swells in Water, and will crack the paint/ varnish, and damage the Ferrule, and can lead to the early death of your brushes. Wash and clean them immediately and use paper towel to make sure that they are dry. Never lick your brushes to retain the point, this is especially true for Sable and Kolinsky Sable Brushes, some Watercolour paints contain very toxic chemicals... this is especially true if you live in Europe. People should try to buy a books done by a Purist Watercolour painters. You will find great tips in such books. And always keep the little plastic tube that protects the bristles on your brushes. Should you lose one of these plastic bristle protectors, you can try to find a drinking straw of the right diameter to replace the tube that came with the brush when it was new. Peace. And please. Keep Painting.
hey! I really love your videos . i'm still trying to paint with watercolor since a year ago and i'm getting better every day . can you PLEASE make a video with to less water? and how find your style painting with watercolor? thank U so much! blessing, love and peace !
There is an incredibly easy fix for warped paper and it's never too late., The paper warps because of uneven saturation in the weighting in the paper. You can fix this by submerging your completely dry painting for a bout 5 seconds. Just enough time to saturate both sides (without moving the pigment) and then clipping your painting to a board or block on removal. The painting should lie flat now in its saturated state, but if it doesn't completely then go over the rear of the paper with a loaded water filled brush (or spray bottle) to cover the buckling area. Re-clip your paper and repeat if necessary. Problem solved. I got this tip from Jean Pederson.
Wet-into-wet Watercolor by Gail Speckmann and Mastering Atmosphere & Mood in Watercolor are much better resources for learning the different techniques with water. It's a technique to master, not a problem that needs a solution. Neither is there "no control whatsoever" when using wet-into-wet.
Wet into wet is my favorite technique , and these are great resources! I do a lot if my painting at the "dull sheen" instead of the shiny wet stage shown here.
Hi, very useful! Would you pls. talk about 'stretching your paper'? Do you, and if you do, is the water 'dome' or the techniques different than not stretching? Do you have a video on stretching? Thanks!
Thanks for the great tips! I am new to water coloring and just love the happy accidents! You have helped me understand how much water to apply. What is the difference between the tube water color paints and the compressed paint sets? Which is better?
You are welcome! As for your question, make sure to check out my advantages and disadvantages watercolor paints videos. In them I give a really comprehensive overview - much better than I could write :) The better paint really depends on your style :D I'll provide links below Pan Paints - (this is an old video just be warned) :) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-VyhXM4SqLww.html Tube Paints ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-VsR54Ctx_qc.html Watercolor Concentrates ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lN-a2YAb2SE.html
again, so helpful - as I said in previous post -I am about 8 months in - and I need to sort of back up here and just watch and learn. THANKS SO MUCH - I think you will eventually get paid class work etc. like so many others - and also could do workshops as you grow in your profession. You are young enough to create a following...tiny suggestion (not to not do as you are doing - which is GREAT!) - maybe branch out into some different painting styles? Not sure if possible! I am interested in tutorials for art that looks abstract and really good! So far, have not found much in watercolor - tons in acrylic. I get sort of bored painting only flowers...or trees....or a pet...or landscapes or portraits or nudes or whatever - I am looking for inspiration to go beyond the obvious -and I think you are so creative - you could do it. If I felt success at doing abstract watercolor - omgosh - I would be over the moon with joy. I have done some that are so/so - and also have followed some good books of instruction from library - obviously - abstract is very personal...but I just see this huge "empty" market waiting for someone good online to TAKE IT! It's like a brand that just needs to be done and I think it would take off and people would pay to learn it! I am learning by trial and error - could truly use guidance. Just an idea- if not your thing - a ok:) Thanks again!!!! (I am the retired teacher/counselor). Boy, do I love art - never did it in my life. Love it!!!
hi Carrie (#askmisfit) i have a question that in watercolors there are times when you need the dark tone of a color, and you can't exactly get it by using the color wheel, for instance when i need a darker tone of red i end up with brown, so how do you deal with that?
Hello Carrie, Thanks for this little secret, the magic moment, I guess now I understand better how to paint wet on wet, and even more how to determine how much water I have on my paper after applying a layer using wet on dry tehnique. I have a question about what kind of paper do you recommend if I can't get Arches in my city, neither I can't buy it online? I have tried to use Canson 120g/m (56lbs) 1557 Croquis Sketch Book (extra white, brush, pastel, pencil), but this paper seem to buckle even on wet on dry tehnique after I damped the paper in cold water, absorbed the excess water, put it on a wood surface and taped it with paper tape on all its sides, then I blowed dried it and let it dry a few hours, then when I started to paint on it it started to buckle even if my brush was very small and had only a drop of water in the paint I guess (I damped the excess on a towel before I put it on the dry paper. I guess the paper is very cheap so it is good only for sketches. Thus said, in stores I can find Fabriano, Canson, Derwent and Daler Rowney. Thank you so much! I wish the best, I'm lucky to find your channel.
You can also place painting facing down on a dry board of some type brush the unpainted side completely with water...then place a dish towel on top and something heavy like big heavy books and let it dry overnight should flatten ou a lot.
Controlling wet into wet is all about the level of moisture on your page and brush. Test different stages of the water on your page, from wet, to a slight sheen and all stages in between, you can have a lot of control with wet into wet techniques, but it takes practice. if you think wet into wet is only for happy accidents you are far from mastering your medium.
What kind of paper is used for Watercolor?? I need to know the name.. So I can buy it.. And also the brand name of Watercolors..plz And by the way.. This was helpful.. A BIG THANKS... :D
Hi there! I'm having an issue with grainy looking colours in my painting. What am I doing wrong? Am I adding too much pigment? Not mixing enough? Please help!
Hi Carrie, I watched this video 1 month ago because I thought I did something wrong with the water control. However no matter how much I tried, I love wet in wet technique but I can't get my paint to flow. I believe in "you don't need fancy supplies to make art" but right now I just kinda think that because of my supplies. Can you help me find out something wrong with me? Btw, my supplies is Koi and W&n cotman watercolor, artist loft and miscellaneous brushes. And canson XL watercolor paper (I guess maybe something do to my paper). Please help me, because I addicted with those amazing effects that we can get with wet in wet. Thanks
+oceanic 107 I just use a wet brush and softly rub them away (blend it) either before I add color over or while I blend the colour with the colour already laid down. Water is your eraser. I bet she has added this to her future list of videos.
