Basics #27 - How John Singer Sargent used White in his watercolor paintings

Рет қаралды 44,102

7 жыл бұрын

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Пікірлер: 108

@thea2653 5 жыл бұрын

I find using white in my paintings makes them look somehow special, really like to give them a touch of pastel. White is really underrated honestly. I also love john singer sargent!

@YongChen 5 жыл бұрын

Lysets, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

@maurac953 7 жыл бұрын

I recently saw Singer's watercolors (along with Homer's) at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and was also struck by his/their use of opaque white. No one told these artists that there's "just one way" to do things. They did what they wanted and their work shines, despite "not following the 'rules'." Thanks for decoding the use of white for us, Yong Chen.

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks :)

@zvonimirtosic6171 2 жыл бұрын

There is a LOT of misunderstanding about the use of white in watercolours. Why was there a complaint in the first place? Art history answers that question, and few people know the correct answer. The first complaints come from the early 19th century exhibitions in London. In those days, good paper was handmade and very expensive. Instead of ripping the sheet and starting again, young poor painters eager to show work would use white opaque paint to EXCESSIVELY correct mistakes. They would cover mistakes with white opaque paint, then overpainted. On flat woven or laid paper (which was off-white) such work looks uneven and “patchy”, destroys delicate paper texture, corrections are visible and ungainly. Patrons in exhibitions complained about the "poor look" of watercolours corrected "with white". THAT was the real reason for complaint for the use of white. In time, though, the real reason was forgotten, and less-informed artists and patrons began critiquing all possible use of white. Which is nonsense, because the white pigment is pigment like any other and can be used to the great effect in painting, not in correcting.

@jehovahuponyou 4 ай бұрын

SARGENT PAINTED WITH WATERCOLORS EXACTLY THE WAY HE DID WITH OIL COLORS - MAKES SENSE TO ME, I DO THE SAME THING, WHAT DO THEY SAY; *"OLD HABITS DIE HARD!!!"* - - - LOL!!!!!!! THIS WAS A GOOD VIDEO - WE ENJOYED IT A GREAT DEAL - KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!!!

@stevesidare2493 4 жыл бұрын

Your ending statement was perfect!

@YongChen 4 жыл бұрын

Happy New Year!

@ytmm11 2 жыл бұрын

fantastic on Sargent's watercolors. Extremely comprehensive.

@joanneferguson9297 3 жыл бұрын

I love John Singer Sargent and I was thrilled with your explanation of his work. I appreciate all of your lessons, I have learned so much. Thank you

@Satarupa902 6 жыл бұрын

I like Yong Chens painting more than the other mentioned painter...your painting has influenced me a lot

@PatrickLeyGreaves 7 жыл бұрын

Brilliant talk about the use of white. Will be embedding this video in my members forum they will find it very useful. Thank you.

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks, please share this and other videos if you see helpful.

@amandasymon4363 Жыл бұрын

‘What is the best way to match your emotional experience’ - These words really spoke to me. Thank you 🙏

@kennytowns3309 3 жыл бұрын

Very nice words about john..well done

@YongChen 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you kindly

@kennytowns3309 2 жыл бұрын

Very nice quick in depth study on Sargent. I enjoyed it..thank you

@o8rufus 7 жыл бұрын

Sargent is my favorite artist, just saw his and Winslow Homer watercolor exhibition in Boston . Sargent is truly fascinating. Great video, thank you for sharing.

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

You're welcome

@marsbeads 7 жыл бұрын

o8rufus - Sargent is my favorite too

@mindofwatercolor 7 жыл бұрын

Yes! Very astute observation. Sargent is amazing. Thanks for the video! I want to share this video on my Facebook page.

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@RahmaNHb 7 жыл бұрын

I love the way they leave some details when it is needed I can never decide what to leave and what to keep. when I need to paint tiny people I always try to paint every details just make them smaller but he didn't even painted eyes and noses

@sketchartist1964 Жыл бұрын

Very interesting video on Sargent. Thanks!

@forgu1bl 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this nice presentation. I too love, JSS. Didn;t know he did watercolor. I too struggle with the use of white. I am primarily an acrylic painter, I try to leave white or lift it off, but sometimes I just add white (like making waves). Thanks for your thoughtful comments.

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks :)

@YogaGoa 7 жыл бұрын

maybe you can do a series of such videos of various artists work that you like, its great inspiration :)

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@Dinasaur1921 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome video! Love the observations and how the video format helps us better see the blown up details better than if we were looking at photos from a book!

@thepochade5992 7 жыл бұрын

Well said ! I agree.. There are as many ways to create as there are people.. each one of us has a personal and unique perspective. Therefore we should create using what ever materials feel right and in ways that expresses our individual truth and vision ♡

@EmanuelSpader 6 жыл бұрын

This is a great video! Lots of information. Thank you for sharing!

@YongChen 6 жыл бұрын

@TooleyPeter 6 жыл бұрын

Fantastic lesson as always by the talented watercolorist Yong Chen.

@carolineheydenrychartist9732 5 жыл бұрын

I love to use white in my watercolors. I first hear from Sargents work in Sept 2018. I just love his work. Thank you for your learning channel, I learn a lot from you.

@lindathaxton1994 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you - this opens my mind to new experiments when I paint. I use white but mostly to correct mistakes so far. I love your work & have learned much from you!

@carlosdommar Жыл бұрын

This is so great. I love JSS' watercolor work. Thanks.

@apronhugsingreeenbay 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Yong for this insightful lesson!

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@artetinta2470 7 жыл бұрын

Wowwww! How fascinating! And... I love your videos!!😃

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks :)

@thiagoolive28 5 жыл бұрын

Listening to you is at the same time informative and sorta relaxing. + 1 subscriber

@joanstorer6370 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this article.I found it very interesting. I am a senior and i have painted all my life. I have always been taught that I must save the white areas and never ever use white in watercolour painting so I am delighted to know that a respected artist like JSS used it. I have always understood that to be classed as a watercolour a painting must not have any other medium used and if you did it had to be called mixed media. I wonder how JSS managed to get around those rules. I have never agreed with these rules and the wonderful artist Alvaro Castanget uses watercolour straight from the tube and says it's not what you use but the end result we should worry about and I agree with that. Thank you for your videos, please keep them coming.

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Joan, thanks for the feedback. Actually when I went to see JSS's watercolor exhibit in Boston Museum of Fine Arts, on the labels, it said that "Watercolor with opaque White...".

@susant5722 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you. This information was extremely helpful.

@ChromazoneArt 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this!

@funwithFred 2 жыл бұрын

Sargent and Homer are two of my favorites, and I saw the exhibit of the two in Philly several years ago. I LOVE Sargent, though......and oh, oh, oh.......magical.

@alexandrasmith8868 3 жыл бұрын

This is great. I'm just learning to use watercolour, Chinese style and western, and was wondering if I had to use white. In one video someone showed how to get illumination into a painting and it did seem to mean mixing a little white in to get that contrast. I use to love going into London and the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, to look up Sargeant and Reynolds to see how they used colour. I got within one inch of a Renoir once, fascinated by the 'blobs' of colour he used, before one of the guards spotted me.

@bevroberts8440 5 жыл бұрын

Although JSS is one of my favorite artists, I did not know anything about this, so thanks for this video! Very interesting!

@mapeandrews3951 7 жыл бұрын

I think this is one of the best videos you have ever made. It really moved me. I had no idea you were a true artist. I knew you could draw and paint beautifully but that alone, as you know, does not make an artist. Thank you for this video. I have gained a lot of respect for you. I really enjoy your videos, you are a very good teacher.

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks :)

@danglybit1 3 ай бұрын

Thanks Yong 😎

@melkerart1793 5 жыл бұрын

Very nice analysis

@dianapasley2182 6 жыл бұрын

Very interesting...I am going to try it now myself. It certainly will make life easier as a watercolor painter.

@YongChen 6 жыл бұрын

:) thanks.

@acwatercolors Жыл бұрын

Great analisys

@beaubrummell11 4 жыл бұрын

iI congratulate you for this mextraordinary tutorial.Excellent explained,Thank you

@kareanwilliams 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you, totally enjoyed your commentary and evaluation truly my kind of lecture. I'd like to see mingling of colors and even how to make dark backgrounds. You are one of the best.

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks :)

@lileylilian 7 жыл бұрын

Always enjoy your teaching and learn a lot Thanks!

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@Citizen_X. 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this video. I learnt about the use of White Gouache from James Gurney's Plein air painting videos too.

@soumitrachatterjee1572 Жыл бұрын

Lovely

@susansumnerroberts9617 4 жыл бұрын

I totally agree with you. Thank you

@C.Hawkshaw 6 жыл бұрын

Love your videos! I have read and seen lecures that he used gouache for the white highlights, instead of white watercolor paint, I think because it is thicker and more opaque.

@noeliasart4400 7 жыл бұрын

thanks for the video!

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks :)

@roniregan1379 7 жыл бұрын

I love your vídeo. thank you

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks :)

@larrywakeman4371 6 жыл бұрын

I do something in the same vein: I use white/light OIL pastels by Sennelier over my watercolors (Sennelier also) to highlight, it is really rewarding and effective, try it! LOVE your videos- you are a TRUE genius in art!! Kim

@margomaybe7570 7 жыл бұрын

fascinating!

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@RkristinaTay 7 жыл бұрын

Just goes to show that you should do what you want to do, what works for you. The rules are meant to be broken when it comes to painting. Thanks for the excellent research and study that went into this video.

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Nell, thanks for your sharing.

@MariaDoCarmo-lr6gg 6 жыл бұрын

Nell philpott 0

@MariaDoCarmo-lr6gg 6 жыл бұрын

Nell philpott

@MariaDoCarmo-lr6gg 6 жыл бұрын

Nell philpott

@jitodasilva5996 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your insights. Really interesting. I did not know that he asked bystanders to remain still while he was painting. I assume it did not happen all the time for practical reasons.

@YongChen 6 жыл бұрын

@2lmdi 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Both for the subject and delivery but for showing Sargent's work... a fav of mine too. After 40 years of being an oil painter and having to stop using it due to allergies... I'm NOT going to throw out all my experience just because I'm now working in water color... perhaps Sargent's attitude too? Do I use white?... of course.

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks :)

@ohbli_oh 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting. I’ve just started trying to use white in my watercolour sketches because I have about 4 pans of it that came in sets. I find it can be quite beautiful in pastel mix-washes. Though Sargent’s watercolours shine in their final value and capture of light and not really in making the medium itself look beautiful. I didn’t see any really lovely washes or anything. He painted more like gouache or oil style as you say, how he was comfortable. I’m trying to make white work somehow but keep the watercolour look and not make it look like gouache.

@thefrugalcrafter 7 жыл бұрын

great explanation! I rarely use white watercolor unless I am working on an illustration but I don't think its wrong to. Great explanation of Sargent's work! I agree that people should use the colors that inspire them:)

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your feedback. I will try to share my observation of other artists' work more.

@flintgahan4815 6 жыл бұрын

Wow

@YongChen 6 жыл бұрын

@01fatina 7 жыл бұрын

Спасибо! Красиво, очень интересно!

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks :)

@kendowney7815 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I Agree

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@PeopleMakePictures Жыл бұрын

I knew that. I just didn't realise how much he used it.

@danmccoy550 6 жыл бұрын

Great observations, dude. Most people you talk to consider it a sin to use white or black in watercolor. This is for those people.

@devinmichaelroberts9954 4 жыл бұрын

What you are describing here is the fact that painters of the past didn't worry so much about technique or rules. They simply did whatever they needed to do to get the scene down the way they wanted as quickly as possible. Almost all watercolorists of the past had a palette that included gouache colors right into it. In fact there was no difference, they saw gouache and watercolor the same as one medium with some colors being opaque and some being tranpsarent. Same as oil paint, some opaque some transparent. Too many watercolorists no days are afraid to do this, yourself included it sounds like.

@YongChen 4 жыл бұрын

Devin, you are correct. I don't use white most time, but I use it sometimes.

@roccoliuzzi8394 2 жыл бұрын

Is that Voltaire over your shoulder?

@user-vy2fm9dh5e 6 жыл бұрын

I like this comment of white colour usage .

@MariaDoCarmo-lr6gg 6 жыл бұрын

George.X Zhao

@MariaDoCarmo-lr6gg 6 жыл бұрын

George.X Zhao

@causetherat308 7 жыл бұрын

I have both titanium and Chinese white on my palette. Philosophy and art does not mix. Colors do.

@Drumaier 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot for this great video! I personally find it annoying that for some reason (weird purists that probably couldn't paint 50% as well as Sargent, Castagnet, Zbukvic, Chung-Wei...all of them using white and/or paints that have white pigment in them) there is a need to explain that painting with white in watercolors "is allowed" and "is ok" when of course is OK! We are talking about art which should be freedom first and foremost, and any technique or material the artists feels like he or she wants or needs to use to convey this or that feeling or idea or whatever is his right by default as an artist. This is sooo obvious yet we all have to get out and "give an explanation"...is the silliest thing in the world actually. For the other hand, is a pretty obvious thing that if one wants to achieve a very loose watercolor style, then you can't stop in the middle of a big, fast and juice brushstroke to preserve the damn white of the paper. You just do what you have to do and then you see if you lift some pigment while wet (also extremely valid) or if you go with some opaque white later on.

@VishalNamani 7 жыл бұрын

I appreciate Sargent's technical skill but I don't see story in his work

@ResurrectStr 7 жыл бұрын

although I don't understand English very well, it became clear why I needed white color in a watercolor. coming to the conclusion that I need to experiment more often. thank you very much!

@YongChen 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@TheGoldsholl 7 жыл бұрын

I complment your observation. You are a student of JSS which I admire. What you are missing however is that he would never wast his time masking off areas. He planned his work so that he saved his valuable time. Such that he used white for areas that were performed with honestly rather than unrealistic wasted time to make off meaningless areas which at that would would retain his honesty. that is what you do not understand

@dynomax101 5 жыл бұрын

Michael Goldsholl Rather a healthy sized steaming pile you've dumped on us there.

@Howie47 5 жыл бұрын

Art is a language, not a craft. Use whatever you want to express your message.

@JLPrice-kc2uy 7 жыл бұрын

the candle painting looks White to me...

@moronsmorons 6 жыл бұрын

Why does the video keep jumping?? Its so unnecessary

@friedricengravy6646 10 ай бұрын

Art is best when we stick to a single philosophy: No Rules 🥳 The idea that every watercolor painter must use bright gaudy colors while keeping everything transparent like stain glass with the bare paper as highlights is absurd. There will b people in any & every community that demand to b ruled by authoritarian rigid lanes of conformity. I say, b urself & wave ur freak flag proudly. 😁