Pushing Through Frustrations & Challenges in Watercolor Painting

Рет қаралды 86,487

Күн бұрын

Painting is not always a smooth relaxing experience. Sometimes its fraught with frustrations and hard to solve challenges. Being patient and keeping a positive attitude towards learning from those challenges will help you get through it.
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Пікірлер: 273

@ThomiBMcIntyre Жыл бұрын

It’s SO EASY to overwork and get muddy. And I’m realizing that some of my favorite colors in oil are my worst enemies in watercolor. Yellow ochre, I’m talking about you!

@flickaJay Жыл бұрын

I'm sure many people have already said this but I really like this very colorful painting. A new idea to 'Don't throw it away. It's still watercolor paper.' will not go unheeded. Thanks.

@condorreades2148 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing frustrations, sense of getting it wrong, and pushing through anyway. Great lesson. And when watercolor is totally dry, if I don’t want to throw away the work, I can gesso over the whole thing and create a new painting. Which amazes me frankly. Yay for gesso.

@faithisrising Жыл бұрын

I really appreciate you sharing how you were challenged and how you fixed things. The finished painting is very pretty!

@Rubbereyes Жыл бұрын

Love the distant trees and trunks that add believable detail.

@allanfink7816 3 жыл бұрын

Hm, myself, I think the ability to salvage a crashed painting is an aspect of professionalism, and demonstrates a high level of craftsmanship. Sticking with it through the rough patches til you get it just right is like the artists version of endurance. Keeping your head and trusting your training, experience, and your work process when you can't see your way out -- finding a way to find your way when the choices are not clear; tbat makes you the guy that can handle the really hard stuff.

@rogerrohm5043 5 жыл бұрын

Showing problem solving is so valuable. It frees us from the perfection that is debilitating.

@mbader9273 6 жыл бұрын

It's so important that you did this. Most beginners are clueless how to fix our mistakes, and at the beginning there are a lot of mistakes.To hear problems from a professional has such an impact. Thank you.

@matthewmcmann7109 3 жыл бұрын

After a 20 absence from doing any form of art I thankfully started drawing again last year. Well now I've started to attempt watercolor. Its only been about 3 weeks. And I didn't now about cotton verses pulp paper. Needless to say I'm binging all of your material. You are a great artist and a wonderful teacher. I got my arches and am ready to go. Thanks for this episode!

@julien_o_67 2 жыл бұрын

Those trees are just beautiful.

@redbeard365 5 жыл бұрын

Ahh I can't focus on work. LOL. I start one video and it leads to another.. and then another. I keep learning. You rock Steve!

@PattisArtInnaVan 6 ай бұрын

This was really timely for me to run across as I am working on an old silo barn with trees at the moment and was about ready to give up. So tomorrow I will go back and see what if anything I can salvage. Thanks Steve for the words of encouragement!

@mindofwatercolor 6 ай бұрын

Best of luck!

@KittehNow 6 жыл бұрын

What a joy to watch and LEARN! I'm a beginner...i have not painted a painting yet, still just getting to know color theory, color, mixing colors, ....all the baby beginner stuff. I want to try to paint this. TY STEVE!!!!

@artbyduck-darlenegillet1935 6 жыл бұрын

I great way to show how to turn things around from something that wasn't looking so great to a wonderful picture good enough for framing. Cheers.

@XtianApi 3 жыл бұрын

Those tree trunks up front are great. I gotta practice that.

@flightofthemagpie2603 6 жыл бұрын

Wow, you really did save it. Thanks for the lesson/example/reminder. I find sketching on location, for example at a burger joint etc, helps you learn to deal with things that aren't turning out exactly perfect. Just go with it, adapt to what direction it's going, see what it might end up being.

@enquery 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this one. Pushing through is important. Love the finished piece.

@andreapripps3465 6 жыл бұрын

Of my hundreds of KZfaq subscriptions you are my ABSOLUTE favorite. I enjoy your intros and humor (like Reece looking outside at the snow). You brighten my day but even more I learn so very much from your videos!!!! Thank you so much!

@krishoffer8984 6 жыл бұрын

This is one of my favorite vids! Its like "Bob Ross goes dark..." it was very useful to hear how you cope with a painting gone bad...which, looks beautiful to me. The use of white gouache at the end was a great tip.

@Juhani139 6 жыл бұрын

I know you said you didn't like the bright colour on the wall facing us, but I loved it. That bright orangey colour was nicely off-set by the dark foliage around. And if it wasn't as bright the bright green tree would have stolen the show. So true what you said about not over-detailing brick, it's all about suggestion. Overall this came out very well! I learned so much from seeing your process and seeing how you fixed things. What I love about your style is that you add extreme detail in some areas, while leaving others loose.

@johntahquette6158 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this,I finished a piece that I thought was ruined but I found that using this as a learning oprutunity and relaxed and was able to salvage it ,although not the best or something I'd share to my friends ,I learned to utilize my white ,which I've hardly used ,thanks for your channel I've progressed beyond my expectations

@amalbensaleh 6 жыл бұрын

Your failures would be my greatest success, love your art and KZfaq channel

@shellh4880 6 жыл бұрын

This was awesome! Knowing that an artist of your high calibre shares similar frustrations was so reassuring. But seeing how you were able to persevere with the painting and demonstrating some tips on how you saved it was great. Thank you! Not often do artists share their "errors" and I really appreciate that you do.

@TwoTewToo 6 жыл бұрын

I have to agree with Amal Bensaleh- you're failures would also be my greatest successes. I think this one is stunning. Love all your painting- you make it look so darn easy! You've been a great help to me( as a beginner) Thank you Steve.

@mindofwatercolor 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Appreciate the kind comment.

@izzytheamazing 6 жыл бұрын

Fear, and pushing through, has been such a topic of my life this past few months. It was a hard, but freeing when I learned the lesson that the only way to get past fear is to move through it.

@Ieat2much 4 жыл бұрын

My landscapes looked hideous and I shy away from them ( don’t even attempt them ) now I know I don’t know how to fix those mistakes. Will go back and try and rectify them. Thank you as always.

@brianpayne6381 6 жыл бұрын

I do believe that most if not all paintings can go through an "ugly duckling" phase until more contrasts, layers etc. are added. Thanks for encouraging everyone to stick with it and appreciate the process not just the end result.

@paulcentrone1951 4 жыл бұрын

I appreciate your encouragement to just "push through", and to hear that even professionals like yourself get frustrated.

@adelehammond1621 19 күн бұрын

Sometimes i find references especially fields and what not very flat and dull And not sure how to make it lively and interesting i even fond this with high quality reference photos

@megancrouch 6 жыл бұрын

I am very thankful that you took the time to show your failures as well as how to overcome them and learn from them. Very informative and I think you came out with a good piece!

@teresaleathers6773 3 жыл бұрын

This is beautiful. You’re way too critical of your work. I learned so much. Thanks for sharing.

@mindofwatercolor 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Just understand, critical analysis is important for me as a professional. It's how I improve!

@_GreenSkies_ 5 жыл бұрын

I will always appreciate an artist's video of them thoughtfully critiquing what they are doing as they work. Thank you for sharing all the valuable little thought-nuggets

@Ajax98 3 жыл бұрын

Wonderful advice. Thank you for sharing this, allowing me to learn the value of the sometimes very frustrating process of learning through practice!

@kriscarlson9540 6 жыл бұрын

Great video! Thank you! Especially for the tips about focusing on one area and practicing techniques even if the rest of the picture may be a loss. Every brush stroke is a learning experience.

@julienielsen3746 Ай бұрын

I really like how it turned out.

@loricalass4068 5 жыл бұрын

I love when you tell how, even as a professional artist, you have had to do a lot of rescues, so I don't feel bad when I have to do them. Also, I love how you don't cover up do-overs, but let us watch and learn from them.

@sylviadeklerk6268 2 жыл бұрын

This turned out beautiful!

@ricardofranco7419 6 жыл бұрын

I like it!! I agree that watercolor can be frustrating and unforgiving! I don’t have a whole lot of access to art materials (specifically masking fluid or gouache) so watercolor has been a particular pain in the butt for me. I learned to paint starting from digital, then charcoal, pastels and acrylics. Strange order, but I picked up habits that are disastrous and opposite in watercolor painting. For some reason though, I’m a sucker for challenges and I haven’t given up on watercolors. I’d like to see more videos on how you save paintings! Thank you for the vid!

@parrishriddle7945 6 жыл бұрын

Nice. I did enjoy it. Pressing through is an important lesson, indeed!

@chantelmcskimming6633 2 жыл бұрын

WOW!!! Lovely 👍😊 real enjoyed hearing the internal monologue. Excellent tips.

@dianabritton7465 6 жыл бұрын

This video comes at a very propitious time as I have been struggling recently. I have not been well and have been discouraged with my recent attempts. Seeing a professional work through difficulties has motivated me to persevere.

@mindofwatercolor 6 жыл бұрын

Excellent Diana. Glad to hear it!

@artieross9537 6 жыл бұрын

Oh my gosh, I love your picture. It's wonderful.

@marymcconalogue6438 6 жыл бұрын

hi from Ireland . Just started painting . Thanks for being authentic. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and skill in an authentic manner. Felt really connected with you.Learnt a lot as l observed you paint . Thank you.

@JackieL7474 6 жыл бұрын

Acceptable? That painting is absolutely beautiful! I'll take any mistake paintings you feel you make. You should see "my" frustration paintings. But I'm learning through your videos and I appreciate your instructions. And I love your humor. And I just love trees and leaves and apples!

@mindofwatercolor 6 жыл бұрын

I do understand. I've been there believe me. My frustrations now come with unmet expectations and putting pressure on myself to achieve certain results.

@attadudepc 6 жыл бұрын

Not only are you an amazing and talented artist, but you are a very gifted teacher as well. Love your work and your teaching process. Thank you and God bless you.

@staceys5308 6 жыл бұрын

The gouache trick! Yes! I’m ordinary today! Thank you! Great save!

@lornamiles-baum7035 6 жыл бұрын

I am grateful also. I find trees my biggest hangup. I hate my trees. I just got a lot out of that painting process as I have created paintings that I loved until I added or finished the trees. Anyway I found this a big help.

@chrisr5362 5 жыл бұрын

Great video! Thank you very much! I straggle with watercolors but it is always inspiring to watch your videos!

@xargothunter5746 6 жыл бұрын

The acrylic guache trick is genious! Thanks for the video.

@salliewhitney5889 6 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed this vid. Then I scrolled through your others. I’ve watched most of them at least once. After this one I looked at the one where you tell us that in order to maintain color luminosity/brilliance, one can create contour by using the base color or analogous colors. I have been struggling with the use of complementary colors or Payne’s gray/neutral tint with “disappointing” results. Today the lightbulb went on! I got it! Thank you!

@mindofwatercolor 6 жыл бұрын

Excellent! Always glad to hear that!

@donnaobrien6259 2 жыл бұрын

I think it turned out great. Thanks for being so frank.

@kevinheller1145 6 жыл бұрын

Your style is always so evident in your work...”even if it does not measure up to your high standards”. Thank you so much for sharing your struggles with this wonderful art form. You truly are an inspiration and a wonderful teacher and communicator. Merry Christmas Steve!

@mindofwatercolor 6 жыл бұрын

Very encouraging to hear, thanks Kevin!

@lesliel9975 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you for uploading this and doing an explanation of the thought process of working through the rough patches and solving the issues that come up. It's so important for non-artists to know and artists to remember that a piece of art doesn't come fully formed from start to finish. It isn't without struggle, but it isn't impossible to push through and get to a result.

@mindofwatercolor 6 жыл бұрын

Well said, thanks!

@Vic101able 6 жыл бұрын

This was very helpful, knowing that it is possible to find a way around is or look like a mistake, does help a lot.

@veaudor 6 жыл бұрын

Interesting video. And, I do so appreciate your raw honesty.

@thatfineartguy1991 6 жыл бұрын

13:58 Hi glasses! I love how you problem solve, and how you chose when to fix things and when to hide them. it speaks volumes about your maturity and experience in painting.

@ZarahMcIntosh 6 жыл бұрын

Honestly I'm grateful for all the challenges you worked through, for all of the insight you've shared on this video. I think your intuition was spot on for an educational video that is definitely a HUGE help for me and countless others. Thank you!!

@mindofwatercolor 6 жыл бұрын

So glad to hear that. I was hoping it would be!

@c.shakeshaft2582 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you. This had helped with overcoming a big slump. I like to hear your thoughts as you paint. It helps to understand the process

@fotoladyvb 6 жыл бұрын

Steve I only wish my allures look as good as this. Great explanation for a few issues I seem to have. Enjoy this beautiful day.

@fotoladyvb 6 жыл бұрын

Oops. “failures”

@nettie4750 6 жыл бұрын

Your techniques are helping me improve so much. I never throw out something that goes wrong and I always find a way to revamp it into something else. Sometimes a landscape gone wrong is changed into an abstract design.

@samanthaglorioso8440 5 жыл бұрын

Sometimes, when all else fails, I find, cut up, it can make nice bookmarks. I've done that to a few. For some reason, people tend to think they are great, hand painted gifts. Go figure.

@lindasmith8625 6 жыл бұрын

Just getting back into watercolor painting after years of raising my children. You have a wonderful, easy way of teaching that is non-pressured and reassuring at the same time. Really appreciate the tips and the refreshing honesty at what you, an artist of 30 years, view as mistakes and then how you go about fixing them. It definitely gives me the feeling that I will be able to fix my mistakes...certainly not to your level, but increasingly so over lots of practice. Your videos make me even more excited that I have decided to get my old Rembrandt Watercolour Paints and Brushes out again. Watercolor really is a fantastic art form and I feel like a kid again with excitement. Thank you Steve!!

@mindofwatercolor 6 жыл бұрын

Yay! Thanks for that encouragement for me also!

@lindasmith8625 6 жыл бұрын

Well deserved!! :D

@EddieBsB 6 жыл бұрын

Steve, my Arches papers and Mr. Graham paint, also brushes you suggested purchasing just arrived ! Now it's time to return to my favorite watercolor painter on youtube !!! Cheers from Brazil !!! :)

@karenowen7854 6 жыл бұрын

You are the boss, Steve ! Everything you impart is a jewel of art knowledge. Thank-you for sharing!

@sanneholm2010 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this channel. I so enjoy the videos, and always find them very useful. Greetings to you from Denmark 😘

@Gwendolynwatercolors 6 жыл бұрын

I'm going through the same frustrations at the moment but not with a painting as complexd as yours, just the shading of leaves. But its good to know confirmed artists like you go through the same challenges! Thanks so much for this, its very encouraging.

@danakolpin1289 6 жыл бұрын

What a great painting. Dana

@plekang1 6 жыл бұрын

What a great lesson! If I have one downfall (for which there are MANY contenders! ) it is just THAT ... getting frustrated with a painting early and abandoning it. Also - your use of the gouache to mask with the intention of adding color ... GREAT use! Thanks for it all ... and Merry Christmas to you and your family!

@mindofwatercolor 6 жыл бұрын

Merry Christmas!

@jhimlybaruah5233 3 жыл бұрын

Love your tips n how you make it friendly n doable

@helenforrest2259 6 жыл бұрын

Great video and so informative. Love the Bible verses at the end of the videos - inspiring.

@samanthaglorioso8440 6 жыл бұрын

I am with the person who hates her trees. I did watch your tree shape video, but would love some more tree tutorials. When I am finishing my trees, the look less and less convincing and more stilted. Love your finished fort painting!

@radharcanna 6 жыл бұрын

Steve, I would love to have your ‘failures’! A beautiful painting. Thanks for the tips.

@lindathaxton1994 4 жыл бұрын

Amazing & inspiring! I learn many things from each video - thank you

@rickfinney7894 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this very good video. I often get disgruntled with a painting and end up throwing it out. I'm going to try harder next time that happens.

@FranfromFL 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting this! You are such a great artist that I figured every painting was easy for you and you never face any struggles. It's good to know that you too face frustrations sometimes and just keep plugging away even if just for the learning experience. I am encouraged that you don't view all of your efforts as perfect.

@mindofwatercolor 6 жыл бұрын

Oh my goodness no! I don't have any perfect pieces actually.

@FranfromFL 6 жыл бұрын

You could have fooled me! They all look great!

@hayan0930 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you Steve!

@samiakhan961 6 жыл бұрын

Loved all the demonstration, thank you.

@nanagaga2001 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video, it's a great inspiration for me. Especially when you encourage us to "press through" with a painting we think is rubbish, if only for the practice. Usually I just get fed up. Your comments on your process are really helpful too.

@kjellkanin 6 жыл бұрын

This was very useful! As a beginner I often feel like I'm just pushing through my paintings. Only once have I given up and not completed it. So it's nice to hear your insights on this, and sort of comforting that it still happens to more experienced artists. I think you did a great job salvaging it, and I took some great tips out of it.

@cherylberry1613 5 жыл бұрын

Great lesson! One of the things I really like about painting is the constant problem solving. It helped me a long time ago when one of my profs told me that painting is always a journey without a destination. In other words you don't paint 20 paintings and from then on do perfect paintings the rest of your life. Enjoy the journey!

@maryanharrell5642 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Steve. Since you taught me so much about using gouache, that Japanese white ink, and the other Bleed-proof white that I use, plus now I have Daniel Smith's watercolor ground, I rarely have to throw away a painting. Oh, I forgot to mention your video on scrubbing and erasing and lifting with water. I have learned so much about correcting mistakes, I try to push through the frustrations and use each mistake as a learning experience. That is thanks to you!

@mindofwatercolor 6 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear it Maryan!

@lauradrumwright7824 6 жыл бұрын

Really appreciate the time you take to help other artists. I learned from this too. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

@mindofwatercolor 6 жыл бұрын

Merry Christmas!

@pilidiaz7856 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Steve, I learn so much from hearing your thoughts and seeing how you fix a painting. You are to harsh on yourself, great painting.

@bettyjose8240 6 жыл бұрын

I so enjoy learning from you your lesson on trees is very helpful thank you from Austrlia

@JSheetzArtwork 6 жыл бұрын

The more challenging something is in life the more joy we have from overcoming it. Thats why i try different medias in art. Improvement only comes from failures. I may not be able to draw figures or objects that are realistic but i try anyways. The challenge of it makes doing other types of art that much easier. Without challenges we cannot develop our skills,thus we become complacent In our comfort and lack of challenge. You dont have to be better than anyone else. So dont compared yourself to others,just be the best you can be.

@mindofwatercolor 6 жыл бұрын

Well said!

@Bridgton1 5 жыл бұрын

I love this guy!

@nancygasser7491 6 жыл бұрын

Nice save, Steve. I find myself giving up on a painting due to trying to "fix" a particular element which leads to overworking. Thanks for the reminder to keep going on the painting as a whole to use as a learning experience.

@Vic101able 6 жыл бұрын

That was awesome how you painted the stones in and what is mine blowing is the job you did on the woods in the background and foreground wow.

@thawsitt 4 жыл бұрын

Such a valuable lesson for watercolor beginners like myself. Thanks Steve!

@TheLeahsKitchen 6 жыл бұрын

thanks - learned a lot from this. I liked the way you rescued to foliage overlapping the house. Good tip!

@barbaraknuth8095 6 жыл бұрын

I so needed this today I have been struggling with a painting for several months. Just wanted to give up. Tomorrow I will get right back at it!

@bobbietharrington6690 6 жыл бұрын

Hello from North Carolina! We only got snow that didn't stick.. BOOO. Anyway...this painting, in the end, turned out really nice! In my watercolor painting, I tend to want to give up in the middle of a painting that doesn't turn out like I had hoped. My friends always tell me that I am way to hard on myself. This video has given me a new mindset to press on regardless of the challenges that may "go wrong". This painting is proof that it is worth it to keep going. Thanks, and Merry Christmas to ya!

@kimleon-guerrero9980 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Steve, I appreciate your encouragement on not giving up and continuing to push through. I think the painting turned out really lovely. 💞💫

@ProfBlue1 6 жыл бұрын

That joke at the beginning really caught me off guard and made me laugh really hard. Thanks.

@mindofwatercolor 6 жыл бұрын

Haha! Yeah I 'm surprised, so far no one has mentioned the song its based on.

@sjk7995 4 жыл бұрын

If I had produced that "failure", I'd be doing a happy dance.......... hallelujah ! ! !

@christinemose7308 6 жыл бұрын

Its gorgeous. I'm going to pick up some of that white gouche for sure. Also, I'm avoiding the latest attempt at a painting and this gave me the push I needed to get back at it. Lighten up and, if nothing else, use it as a learning experience. Thank you.

@mindofwatercolor 6 жыл бұрын

Make sure its acrylic gouache. Regular gouache does not dry permanent.

@1violin1minor 6 жыл бұрын

You got snow where ever you're at, too!

@mindofwatercolor 6 жыл бұрын

Upstate SC. Early for us typically.

@JamesPliny 6 жыл бұрын

Very inspiring as always. Reminds me of a story. An famous artist was asked to give advice to a beginning class of w/c students. Without looking at their finished paintings he/she said, "add more value to your paintings". I almost always wind up doing that at the end of my paintings. Add to the contrast, range of values and the intensity. There is an idea, you could do a lesson on value and intensity and show the difference and importance of the two.

@mindofwatercolor 6 жыл бұрын

Value is the most important factor, thats for sure. Its always so different given the case you're in, but its something I hope to get into.

@sandyzando.7854 5 жыл бұрын

Steve, you are so amazing! I am so grateful for you sharing all your wonderful knowledge and talent. I have learned so much!! I can't get enough of the videos! Such a joy to watch you!! God Bless you!!!

@carolyndyle5501 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your clear, detailed exlanations. I found this very helpful for advancing my understanding of my own frustrations and how to achieve better results.