Simple BEGINNERS Woodland SUNBEAMS Watercolour Landscape, watercolor sun rays painting tutorial demo

Today I'm painting a beginner friendly semi-abstract woodland scene with sunbeams through the trees as the focus, using a limited palette of perylene gree, sap green, cadmium yellow and paynes grey. There's a full 3 part tutorial for this on Patreon, follow the link above if you are interested. Best to wait till 1st of the month to subscribe as you will be charged when you join, then again on the 1st of the month while you are a member.
The idea is to try to let go and paint a wet in wet woodland background as loosely as possible, aiming to keep it really light in the centre and a bit darker in the top corners for the tree canopies, loosely painted and kept really simple. Then the sunbeams are lifted from the wet underpainting. Once dry, the trees are added, lifting off colour wherever the trunks, branches or limbs cross the sunbeams. It looks challenging, but it is a simple and exciting process that will probably take a bit of practice, but is really useful for getting beginners used to the way water and paint can flow on the page, and getting balanced tonal values with enough darks, while keeping things fresh and light.

I'm using the back of an old painting for this experiment, Saunders Waterford 100% cotton hot press 140lb/300g weight paper, 11" x 15"/28cms x 38cms, my paper is taped to my board with ordinary decorators masking tape and is at an angle of about 45 degrees so gravity will help me paint. I use various brushes as demonstrated in the video, but use whichever brushes you have.

[Mirrigold]

I think you're the first person with a Patreon account that I've ever heard mention to potential new supporters to wait until the first of the month when payments go out! That's a really lovely thing to do as it can catch people out who don't realise that their subscription won't start on the day they first pay!
This is also a really easy to follow and lovely relaxing tutorial which I enjoyed a lot!

[bevholbeche-eyre]

I've just started having a go at watercolor painting with no experience whatsoever and discovered your channel. You are definitely inspiring me and already helped me progress. I love this painting and your explanation of various little techniques. Many thanks.

[dorotka_ko]

Wow, thank you for showing how to paint trees in streaks of light. It was the first time someone had explained it so wonderfully🙂🌷

[Venice]

I love the explanation of what you are actually doing

[ladyamalthia]

I love it! Very subtle, but effective. I totally agree. I plan to practice this one. So pretty. The credit card trick is one my grandmother used to use. ❤❤❤❤

[katemccarthy]

The more I watch and look at the result I see more and love the painting

[conniedawkins]

This is enchanting, just the effect that is possible only with watercolor. You are an excellent teacher and excellent watercolorist, and a great encouragement to me to keep trying for this beautiful effect
—thank you so much. Dec 2023

[janeedse]

I love this painting. I like the sunbeams and trees. I will try this.

[karenshilka]

I love the do-ability of your tutorials and the results are fun and satisfying
I'll be watching

[nicoleperron]

Lovely, I like the more subtle light beams.

[delphinewood]

Love when you add your signature Something and Nothing” at 5:28. I wait every tutorial for you to say that! Thank you for sharing inspiration. 🙏💙🌵🌵🌵🌵

[vickiweiss]

WOW... anything you touch turns to gold! Absolutely beautiful 😍

[danielakinart]

I could watch you paint all day. Just love how you do your trees - I'm jealous. Haha. I get a little heavy handed with mine and get carried away mostly with the canopies. Drives me bonkers! This painting is simply beautiful. So simplistic and airy - I really love your style and skill. Thank you for sharing!

[LisaLisa-fqth]

Fantastic! I would love to see an Autumn version of this.

[survivalist]

good water color very cozy good green color

[haroldsimon]

So nice. You mention colors I'm not familiar with, but I'm a novice. Thanks for the sincerity and 'transparency' of your experience.

[lindamcclure]

That was a wonderful tutorial. I believe it is something I can manage, and I think I will. Thank you.

[susie]

Such a simple yet glorious painting!! Your talent and gentleness is amazing. I love watching your videos! Thanks, Lois.

[claudeschmit]

Bonjour Lois encore une très belle démonstration comme à chaque fois c'est super et beau

[lindelgregorio]

This is more easy to follow! Thank you for sharing this technique!