My Favorite 8 Colors for Watercolor

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Күн бұрын

What watercolor colors should beginners start with? Well that question has many answers. I'll show you 8 of the colors I come back to time and again. There are plenty of other colors that will suffice but at least you can get a sense of my thinking process as I choose and use these beautiful colors.
UPDATE: 10 favorite colors for 2021 and & introducing my new M. Graham 10 color tube set - • My 10 Favorite Waterco...
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Colors Mentioned:
- Prusian Blue
- Ultramarine Blue
- Yellow Green (Azo Green)
- Indian Yellow
- Quinacridone Red or Pyrrol Red
- Transparent Red Iron Oxide
- Sepia
- Paynes Gray
Additional colors usually found on my full palette:
- Cobalt Blue
- Cerulean Blue
- Phthalo Blue
- Phthalo Green
- Sap Green
- Olive Green
- Nickel Azo Yellow
- Azo Yellow
- Transp. Orange Iron Oxide
- Azo Orange
- Pyrrol Scarlet
- Quinacridone Rose
- Cobalt Violet
- Neutral Tint
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Пікірлер: 866

@mindofwatercolor 3 жыл бұрын

In case you haven't seen it, I now have a revised and updated look at my 10 favorite colors and a new M. Graham 10-color Tube set. Check out the video. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/icifmap2rrubg3U.html

@jeanmilhollin5176 7 жыл бұрын

This man is one of the best instructors on teaching Watercolour , he is to be trusted He will never guide you wrong! I have been I think to so many sites and I always come back to him . And yes I have found many artist I love but if you want to learn from ground O to be the best you can be mr mind of water color is the place to be I wish he would teach Chinese painting !,,

@mindofwatercolor 7 жыл бұрын

Wow! Such a generous comment. Thanks so much!

@sengul7443 6 жыл бұрын

Jean Milhollin

@sengul7443 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@neillinneball 5 жыл бұрын

Jean Milhollin 5

@ArtsiRosi 5 жыл бұрын

AGREED!

@marjoriejohnson6535 7 ай бұрын

Back when you were posting this i was painting with you not commenting..i went to an azo yellow rather than azo green and phthalo green yellow shade..i was having the same problem with yellow ochre that you had...muddy..not till using Lirons palette did i venture back but still wasnt convinced. I found that these 8 could lake me afield. No longer able to paint but reviewing as my great granddaughter thinks she wants to be an artist..,,me, i am trying not to overwhelm her with info and supplies, but that remains to be seen. I hope you continue your teaching for a long time..she is only 13, and i won't be here to guide her, but i am hopeful she finds good teachers along the way,

@ColleenM61 6 жыл бұрын

I think these colors are wonderful, perfect for a limited palette. I think M Graham should create a Steve Mitchell set.

@raggedyroad 5 жыл бұрын

I would love that! It's so much more affordable than purchasing the individual paints.

@michelletulumello661 5 жыл бұрын

Thats would be awesome.

@janemiettinen5176 4 жыл бұрын

I would totally buy that, yes!

@cfrates2703 4 жыл бұрын

@@janemiettinen5176 Well...now you can purchase a Daniel Smith Steve Mitchell set. As of May 2020.

@irritatedlibrarian9057 2 жыл бұрын

You finally can! He released a set a few months back.

@Klayleaf 7 жыл бұрын

For someone who cannot afford to keep buying paints to find the right ones, this is the most helpful video ! Your Red iron oxide combo is exactly colors I was looking for. Good watercolors are so expensive and I was getting really overwhelmed with all the color choices, but your video just opened my eyes. Thank you so much for this!

@mindofwatercolor 7 жыл бұрын

You bet!

@Pat206 7 жыл бұрын

Me too! I love this video. Thanks M of W. I also love your delivery. No pretensions, just great advice.

@cjayconrod 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for what you said about just playing with colors at first. I've been beating myself up for not actually making something yet. Glad to know I'm on the right track.

@mindofwatercolor 5 жыл бұрын

Yeah you gotta explore and discover what those colors will do. Best not to do it while you're painting something. 😁

@rubye.6579 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video. Watching those beautiful colors blend inspired me enough that I was able to paint for the first time in weeks. I’ve been feeling down and just haven’t been touched by my need to create until watching this. Thank you!

@monaburkard7163 7 жыл бұрын

Steve I can't tell you how many times I've watched this video and how it has improved my watercolor paintings. After years of struggling (with apparently opaque colors) I have actually done paintings that I am proud to show. Your videos are informative, entertaining and so kind. Please keep them coming!

@maryanntaylor3947 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to produce this video. After attending classes, workshops, and subscription online instruction this is the first time I understood why so many different pallets have been suggested. More than ever I want to have a pallet that reflects the colors and paints that I enjoy working with. Again, thanks.

@brindacockburn4033 6 жыл бұрын

Probably the best video by itself on the craft of water color - I like how he stresses the density of water versus color, many thanks

@katriter1 5 жыл бұрын

I truly appreciate these suggestions as I am just beginning. The idea of playing with the colors will help so much. Thank you.

@scentopink 5 жыл бұрын

i watched this episode 2 years ago and coming back to switch up my palette. Love your chanel and your sense of humor

@mandohoney 5 жыл бұрын

Million dollar lesson here! Thank you so much. Its all about how the colors like to play together and i really like what these colors do to each other. Just lovely!

@leesanchez8432 4 жыл бұрын

Seeing this again, in June 2020, I am impressed with how truly useful and enlightening your instruction has been for me. Thank you!

@georgebernard4983 6 жыл бұрын

At last I have found an artists who knows how to get the message across and is comfortable and inspiring, makes such a difference when I get answers to my problems and they Tick! straight away. Thank you Steve and Happy Painting All ;-))

@zaidalaguna8518 5 жыл бұрын

This is the BEST video out there for anyone wanting to start with watercolors! I'm picking it up again after many years, and this video is the only one I needed to see. Thank you for such wonderful, no nonsense, down to earth advice. The way you explained and demonstrated what your choice of colors can do is clear and easy to understand. I'll be taking a good look at M. Graham colors, because they are absolutely beautiful and so vibrant! Thanks again!

@catherinelevison3310 4 жыл бұрын

I bought these favorites of yours and they have served me very well. I highly recommend them for anyone who wants guidance with their palette. Thank you!!

@pattyleib 5 жыл бұрын

I'm on my 4th time watching this video because it's a great way to learn my colors in general. I've been overwhelmed for awhile now. Appreciate you! Thanks

@lindyashford7744 5 жыл бұрын

just discovered this dec 18, I was not around when this came out, so glad it has now surfaced for me, thankyou so much, I may not lean towards the brands you are using but the colours really take me, and fill the mixing holes I want to fill. Lovely. Many thanks.

@abbystone5738 6 жыл бұрын

This was very helpful. I've just started to dabble in watercolors - more crafting then anything. You did a really great job opening my eyes to blending colors! Thanks so much.

@amyreesor8128 Жыл бұрын

thank you for this... i have watched a lot of the other video types you mentioned and they weren't really helpful. this was and i loved how you showed and explained why they are your faves and how they can be used and other options. thank you!

@haicautrang5304 8 жыл бұрын

I really like that you compared your mixtures to other existing colors. Some colors mixed in ways I didn't expect. Thanks for the vid!

@mindofwatercolor 8 жыл бұрын

Yes, they definitely will. Thats why its so great to play with them and experience your owncolors up close and personal.

@maisiefreeman8597 3 жыл бұрын

Definitely agree with the azo green here - I only began using it about a year ago, but am finding more and more uses for it. My personal favourite mixing partner for it is perylene green. I start most of my botanicals with that mix.

@billdollar6155 5 жыл бұрын

I also like to play with colours and try different things, You are right, that is the way to learn by trial and practice. Thank you.

@connihinkel7295 5 жыл бұрын

I agree w/Carl Pen's comments here - a good starter set'll have a warm & cool rev of each of the three primaries, plus warm & cool 'earth tones' (like Sepia & Paynes Gray, as you have here), with as many of these colors being transparent as possible (just gives you more flexibility). Azo Green & Indian Yellow seem (to me) to be pretty extreme choices for the warm & cool yellows - but wow - when you show how nicely they mix w/everything else to make such a beautiful variety of colors... I'm sold! Your videos are very helpful - thank you!

@mindofwatercolor 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad you liked it. I will hasten to say that I usually have more than 8 colors on my palette. These are just some favorites and not necessarily meant to be a fully balanced and complete palette, although they will suffice by themselves in most situations.

@judithpool8177 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for being always so Cristal Clear the way you teach. It improve my skils so much. Thank you.

@carolynderricks3226 3 жыл бұрын

I have watched this video a dozen or more times! Not sure why, but I enjoy these pigments very much. And also and it’s helped me set up my palette. Thanks, Steve!

@debbyg2899 7 жыл бұрын

Such a vibrant and versatile palette! Thanks for the tips!

@JoAnneMOwens 7 жыл бұрын

Oh my, the earth tones are to die for! Thank you for sharing, now I know what M. Graham colors I want for my landscapes!!!😍

@kathleenallen8859 6 жыл бұрын

Are these windor Newton's

@mariarobinson1361 5 жыл бұрын

I find you are a fabulous teacher. I have a better understanding for colour because of you. Thank you

@vanessaboman8143 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you, I am not a painter but I do calligraphy and am learning to do that with watercolor.. Learning about how watercolour reacts is so much fun...

@pstutor1 6 жыл бұрын

I redid this exercise with these colors. I realized that I am scrimping on paint and need to train myself to make the colors really 'juicy' as you like to say. Onward and upward.

@agrimonyscrafts2089 8 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! For showing this tutorial. As a beginner I was never sure how the colors came together and blended so beautifully, but what you showed here gave me the knowledge on how to blend the colors to get a better and more beautiful color. You are so giving in your talent. Thank you again.

@mindofwatercolor 8 жыл бұрын

+Agrimony 👍

@feliciaeverlyn3744 5 жыл бұрын

Your channel is SO amazing!! Best watercolor teacher out there!

@tinaschmidtsart 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you! This is one of the best tutorials on color combos. I've subscribed! Thank you for sharing your talent and love of painting with the world!

@GabrielleCarbonneau 6 жыл бұрын

Such a natural teacher and encourager!

@margiehogan539 6 жыл бұрын

Hello from Australia. I paint in soft pastels and acrylics usually and periodically ‘ have a go’ at watercolours, generally giving up after a few messy tries. But I have discovered your KZfaq clips now and feel more confident. Many thanks! 👍👩‍🎨

@oreed 4 жыл бұрын

Great demonstration and explanation of the uses of the colors! I've read various things on suggested colors but no one else has demo'd it like this.

@mary.reynolds6391 4 жыл бұрын

You are making it more real to me. Giving me directions of how to and I appreciate that. I appreciate the scripture verses you use. Thank you very much for your ministry.

@hawaiicarolina 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, great instructor!

@dstaud99 7 жыл бұрын

I wanted to upgrade to artist grade paints from student grade paints and decided to give this palette a try. Awesome!!! I love it. Very nice mixes. I haven't found myself wanting something I couldn't mix with this palette either. Thank you so much for the great advice on a basic palette.

@cecileegeorgeson_artist 5 жыл бұрын

Once again Steve am I ever glad to have stumbled across your wonderful tutes!!! now a totally dedicated follower of MoWC

@OrionsRoseNC 2 жыл бұрын

One of the best Watercolor mixing videos ever! Thank you so much.

@chrysanthenan8860 8 жыл бұрын

Thank you again Steve! I tried your combo in preparing for a limited supplies for a summer trip, and am amazed by the beautiful variety of tones that can be achieved with this palette! A fun learning experience.

@mindofwatercolor 8 жыл бұрын

👍

@azbz1z2z75 5 жыл бұрын

I love being a minder. It is so much fun. I also love M Graham watercolors. They are so beautiful. Thank you for this video.

@marleiseturner4689 4 жыл бұрын

Glad I found your site. Great tutorial. Thank you for taking the time to show us what colors mix well to create some great combinations.

@maryriley6163 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for demonstrating how your favorite colors mix to make different colors. My mother left me her watercolors, so I guess I will try those for now. If I can get the hang of watercolors enough, I would like to get the colors you use. I like their transparency.

@YuanJane 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you for recommending azo green! I live in New Mexico and it didn't take long to figure out that azo green and gamboge mix makes a nice warm ground color of high dessert landscape

@Charbythedesert 6 жыл бұрын

Just got the indian summer and prussian blue today. They are both so beautiful!! Love the M Graham brand. Picking up these colors a bit at a time. So nice they are made in the usa. Thanks for your time creating these super helpful videos.

@edwardhisse2687 2 жыл бұрын

Cool blie, warm blue, cool yellow, warm yellow, cool red, warm red, a cool neutral and warm neutral. Yep, sounds about right.

@deborahthomas1617 Жыл бұрын

I really benefit from and enjoy watching how you experience colors

@genigee Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Your color mixing is amazing

@jojojo8835 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic showcase! Glad to find another prussian fan, it’s not a fashionable pigment these days but I started with a vintage set and fell in love. Now I know it’s history also brings to mind a tinge of sadness, faded glory and the horrors of ww2.

@daruleos 7 жыл бұрын

Prussian blue is my favorite color too! It's just beautiful and its mixes are awesome but i definetely rather using it on its own because is just stunning

@kristinegoetsch8009 8 жыл бұрын

Great video, as always, Steve. I always love to see what artists put in their favorites list. I really like the way you show the mixes and compare them to other pigments. Very helpful. When I first started painting, I bought dozens of colors. Once I learned about mixing paints, I realized that many of them I didn't need and never used. An expensive lesson to learn. I think beginners will find this video invaluable. Wish I had had this when I first started.

@mindofwatercolor 8 жыл бұрын

Yes, its a great developmental lesson to learn. Thanks for that input Kristine!

@mindakahn9964 5 жыл бұрын

I just bought myself M Graham paints. I made my palette charts and did this exercise. It’s fantastic and the paint Mind blowing great.

@Cheripie506 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this video. You Saved many people on spending $$$ they don't have on a ton of watercolor paint they don't need. Much appreciated by my pocket book!

@mindofwatercolor 7 жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

@alleeum 8 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing. This is definitely one of the most useful watercolor videos I've ever seen--those clear, vibrant "neutrals" are beautiful.

@mindofwatercolor 8 жыл бұрын

👍 Glad to hear it!

@Rk58917 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you. This video has inspired me to get these transparent M. Graham colors and wow I am a convert. Notched up my color studies immediately....just the combinations that make me happy! Enjoy all your videos! Inspiring! Subscribed!

@bettycotton4323 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely excellent presentation especially for a beginner.. Liked your simplicity and amazing demonstration. Thank You!!!

@calamityjitt667 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for this video, Steve. As eternal beginner i was struggling with choices of colors, especially earthy tones.... RED IRON OXIDE! Omg, that thing is miraculous! No need for umbras, siennas or ochre any more... Now i can comfortably set myself up with just 9 pans. Subscribed and watching for a few months now, keep your awesome videos up, please! Big cheers and thanks from Czech country :)

@marshahostetler 7 жыл бұрын

I am ordering M Grahams tomorrow I can not wait to get my hands on them!!!

@pstutor1 6 жыл бұрын

I got some of my colors today. So exciting. Can't wait til the rest come so I can see all the greens I can get with azo green.

@colleenstone282 8 жыл бұрын

Excellent exercise to get to know what color will do! Thank you. I'm looking forward to playing with the colors I have now. (too many!) And thanks so much for putting your lessons into such nice little bites.

@joshlynn7014 4 жыл бұрын

I love this color information, also the lack of boxes etc, I can never process those these lend themselves to an application. The transparency is great concept for me as a beginner, and the colors are beautiful to me, rich but real mixes, colors that nature displays. I want this palette now is the only problem. I would like to copy this exercise and become familiar with these combinations. I will patronize this artist! Best example of color palette I have found!!! Thanks so much!

@kathleendeutsch819 2 жыл бұрын

After watching the video about making "doodles ", I did one. My work is now a whole new level! Thanks

@Sophie-yy6tc 6 жыл бұрын

Beautiful color mixing and combination. Just bought some of your selection (my first time using M Graham). Thank you!

@tamidolson7384 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you for imparting your wonderfulness on us :) I am new to watercolor now that I have free time (retired USAF) and being black friday and all, just picked up 5 of the 8 colors... I have to pace myself :)

@glenda7921 2 жыл бұрын

Love this method (mixing on the page). Makes such a valuable reference. Thank you

@isalawton6239 8 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this... I appreciate your knowledge and your talent for mixing colors... I always learn a lot from you.

@BornAgainFarmGirl 6 жыл бұрын

Very helpful content Steve , thanks for sharing these beautiful colors and what they do together !

@bevroberts8440 8 жыл бұрын

The color mixes you made have me over the moon! I can envision a variety of landscapes with them, most obviously fall foliage. Thanks for sharing this!

@mindofwatercolor 8 жыл бұрын

👍 Cool!

@katherinebuchanan9350 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent ideas - thank you! I'm planning a limited palette to take to Italy in May and I've been having trouble choosing. This video and the 6 in a peppermint tin have me really excited about how limited I could be.

@Linda-kh6rl 10 ай бұрын

I love watching you because you take your time at explaining an you or so true at telling what each person wants❤

@margaretcarley8167 5 жыл бұрын

What a beautiful demo! Thank you!

@merrycmouse 5 жыл бұрын

I like to mix Payne's Gray and Permanent Rose, it makes a really interesting grape purple color

@SadrStar 2 жыл бұрын

Hello Steve! This video of yours is very useful for choosing the most essential paints at the beginner level. All beginners should be grateful to you for this. Out of inexperience, I bought 3 sets of DS paints at once, a total of 16 pieces, and I got several almost close to each other watercolor colors. If I had known this before, I could really do with 8 colors for a start, according to your recommendations. Thank you!

@EsteeDarla Жыл бұрын

this is the best color mixing video I ever seen love it and love your colors

@margarethanson8330 8 жыл бұрын

What a great video! You really model well what you teach. I agree, playing with color is a great way to learn more about the living quality of water color. One thing I do that helps me as a beginner: on my "play sheets" I will write next to the swatch which colors I've used. That way if I try to repeat that color combo for an actual painting I can look in my "play book". Thanks again for your excellent inspiration, God bless you and your loved ones.

@mindofwatercolor 8 жыл бұрын

Good input thanks!

@jhpark1980 7 жыл бұрын

you are a great instructor. ty i need to test my palette and see how they mix with each other

@bobjuniel8683 Жыл бұрын

Great colour selection and excellent demonstration of colour mixing. Thank you.

@jimyoder9532 8 жыл бұрын

Not surprised to see payne's grey and sepia made the list. It's great to see how all the colors can mix and make new ones. Keep up the good work and take care.

@mindofwatercolor 8 жыл бұрын

Yep, great, useful colors. Thanks!

@TerrieJohnson731 7 жыл бұрын

I'm so happy! Adding M Graham Turqoise to my palette. No way I have found to mix it, got close, but not close enough. I plan to upgrade to all M Graham over a bit of time. As My Van Gogh pand run out, they will be refilled. I love to watch you paint with that paint, and it's a fantasric value as well! Thanks for this video! The Quin Gold is next on my list.

@pjlewisful 8 жыл бұрын

Great video. If there's any really poor or really cheep artists out there wishing to start watercolor work, I started with just 3 bottles of liquid watercolor...red, yellow, & blue. Worked well for me for years!

@mindofwatercolor 8 жыл бұрын

👍

@myartpixie 6 жыл бұрын

I will have to try out your palette... especially the azo green. I was amazed to see how versatile it is. Thanks for sharing!

@wanttolearnreidy4469 8 жыл бұрын

I have just spent several hour this afternoon looking at colour wheels trying to figure out the best colours that I should use for my beginners palette, then I watched your demo ....what wonderful colousr can be gained from 8 ( your 8) preferred colours. Ok, everybody will have their own personal preferences. Great idea to just play with the paint that I have and discover the numerous combinations. Thanks Steve, great advice as usual.

@mindofwatercolor 8 жыл бұрын

+Want to learn Reidy yes, self discovery is so informative sometimes!

@muskndusk 3 жыл бұрын

I've always prefered warm and cool primaries with a few earth colours, such as: lemon yellow, cad yellow, alizarin crimson, cad red, ultramarine, Prussian blue, yellow ochre, burnt sienna and burnt umber. When using gouache, I add titanium white. This mixes almost everything. Your vid opened my eyes to new possibilities.

@bonnieolendorf70 3 жыл бұрын

thank you so much...did not ask this question but I'm so glad you answered it!!

@dianevanhorn1822 6 жыл бұрын

Really enjoying your videos. I'm a stamper who is just starting to watercolor. Your videos have been very helpful. Thanks so much!!

@gr8fng Жыл бұрын

So excited to have found a local source for M. Graham w/c paints.

@evelyne7071 Жыл бұрын

Best color mixing and explanation of transparent colors.

@mindakahn9964 5 жыл бұрын

This was probably my favorite all time video. I use these colors all the time. But I have to tell you I find M. Graham challenging. It seems to have a life of its own. I’m a Schminke gal. But these are THE best mixing colors.

@rubyduby2656 3 жыл бұрын

Does the Azo Green mix the same in schminke? Seems unique to not end up with mud when adding red. Also, the iron oxide with blue? does it mix like that?

@marlamcdaniel7690 5 жыл бұрын

I just purchased these 8 colors!!!!! Can't waite to get started!!!

@suewilkinson910 6 жыл бұрын

Just great. Such a useful video. The last bit is probably the best. Don't wait to be told. Just play.

@Meow_meowHK 5 жыл бұрын

Your colours are so vibrant and pretty!!

@ThatLazyCrazyLady 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this, Steve! These colors look amazing. I'm just about in love with the Prussian Blue and the Red Iron Oxide right now. I think I'll get them when I restock my palette.

@mindofwatercolor 8 жыл бұрын

You bet! Beautiful colors together too.

@reneerose9730 3 жыл бұрын

I loved this colour mixing palette demo. Then I saw the scripture at the end and it was one of my FAVOURITE verses. 😊 my fist time seeing your channel. Definitely going to watch more

@Weebong 8 жыл бұрын

Hey, thanks. I like watching your vids. this one is a great way of exploring the blending ability of the paints. A good reminder to most beginners who are scared of trying out their colors, and a good reminder as well for those who are on a higher level than beginners. That artists have their own set of favorites.

@mindofwatercolor 8 жыл бұрын

Right you are. Thanks!

@ghalone 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!! So helpful. I'm treating myself to some new colors and I was hoping for some neutrals.

@lovecommonsense 7 жыл бұрын

I could probably watch you mix colors for hours. I'm just fascinated.

@mindofwatercolor 7 жыл бұрын

Its a fascinating activity for sure, and very informative when you do it.

@Ngangatar Жыл бұрын

Lovely to see Payne's grey that high on your list, my absolute favorite color from the moment i used it for the first time. Turquoise blue and green are other favorites of me. And as a Dutchie, Orange of course ;).