How to See Values in a Watercolor Seven Tips | Watercolour Painting Tip 52

A new series of videos that will go over a Tip, Trick, or Technique in watercolor. I have worked with watercolor for 27 years now and would like to share with you to help you in your watercolor journey. If you have a question, or technique that you would like me to demonstrate, please leave a comment below.

My watercolor supplies:
Artist Grade - Daniel Smith (majority) and a few Holbein watercolors
Stephen Quiller 15"x15" palette
Mijello pallete
Guerilla pallete
Silver Black Velvet brushes in a variety of sizes
A variety of other brushes
Gator Foam Board to attach my paintings to
Arches or Fabriano 140 lb paper (usually cold press, sometimes hot press)
Winsor and Newton masking fluid
Scotch brand masking tape #2020

"For I Am Yours' - Children's book I illustrated for Author Pauline Hawkins

[bethw]

The mirror trick is my favorite! Your winter scene with the colorful evergreens and snow is amazing. The needles actually glow green in the sunshine, like they are lit from within. You've captured the backlighting that isn't even in the original. Love these tips!

[ChristineBlackford]

Thank you for sharing your years of knowledge. Love these videos, I thought you'd stop at 50 but so glad you are making more. Thanks again! Another idea would be to turn your paint upside down and it will give a whole new view/perspective

[ThatGirlTatianaH]

Thank you Lorraine very much for helpful tips 😊👍🏻

[maninani]

Thank you so much for your helpful tips : ) I'm so happy that I find your youtube page : )

[heelerjustheeler]

The mirror idea was a revelation! I wonder if looking at it upside down might also work.

[betsycooper]

I was given a red value finder for sketching but did not realize it wouldn’t work correctly with color values in painting. These were great lessons thank you.
I while back I remember one you did on matching colors with paint chips, or magazine pictures ? That would be a good training for us to get the
Right color which is so confusing whether it’s a true warm or a cooler warm. There is so much to learn !

[rebeccapage]

Great ideas! Thank you. I'm interested in learning how to "paint into a wash". I'm other words take a first wash and follow it instead of forcing it.

[lindablalock]

Thank you for all these ideas. Would like to see a follow up on darkening a lighter wash already on the paper so that it correctly corresponds to a similar value in the painting. If that makes sense.

[RATTE]

sometimes between, if the colorwork layer by layer should dry I take a look more from faraway to see better if there is something wrong, are there mistakes, need it less or more colors and so on ... another perspektive helps me to see my own unwanted mistakes. there is very much knowledge to construct a naturly lookinglike pikture right...
where is my light in my artwork, then I know where must be more or less shadow´s in the right darker colors, what should be more in the foreground, or background etc... I like to to play with the colors and create a little bit a 3D effect, with some deepness so good as I can with some crazy awesome selferunning watercolorpigments and the result is very unique at the end in every case.

[salliewhitney]

I’ve found that taking a photo of my piece will provide lots of immediate feedback. I don’t understand why I can see immediately what’s not working in a photo (as opposed to real life) but there’s definitely a difference in perception. That goes double when I gray scale the same photo. Another side effect of these techniques in my case turns out to be overworking. An issue for another day!

[mariakellner]

They also appeared in colour in your life show with Susan Harrison-Tustain, you also appeared in CIYL

[miriambaranov]

Hi! Not sure if this topic has already been covered. I would like to know what limited pallette you use. Especially for portrait as a subject. Thank you so much. Your videos are so helpful and informative. I uber appreciate it.

[cherylberry]

I would love to know how to have the vibrant colors of a landscape without over painting and making it feel heavy and dark.

[mariakellner]

I developed a product, like the red and green that you show, but In 12 colours, I have a web site if your interested , great tips

[barbararivera]

Instead of squinting (for us over 40s) just take of your glasses LOL!