How To Plan Your Watercolor Washes 4

PLANNING WASH SEQUENCES AND MANAGING EDGES
Video 4 - Adding Light Tones

This is the fourth in a series of videos where I will show you how I paint a complex scene in watercolour - the River Arun in Sussex. As the series progresses, you will see the painting develop from start to finish, demonstrating how important it is to plan your wash sequences and learn techniques to help you manage the edges of shapes and elements in any watercolour painting.

In this video, I approach two different areas of the painting separately—the lightest tones in the middle distance and far river bank and the sunlit mooring jetties on the right-hand river bank. Using wet-on-wet washes to establish these pale tones in the painting, I keep the edges soft, allowing for further definition as the painting progresses. In the video, I also demonstrate a technique for softening an edge that has already dried.

[curtismurphy]

You're one of the very few artists on YouTube who actually teach really well. All your videos are great, and I particularly appreciate this series! Thank you for your work.

[radhikar]

I binged all 4 of your videos in this series in a single sitting! You're an incredible teacher, and you've given me so much courage to pursue my landscape painting dreams. I'm also absolutely in love with your style of watercolour – the paintings have a tranquil beauty that's truly captivating.
Thank you so much ❤

[TammiGauthier]

Your videos have absolutely changed my idea that I would never be able to paint with watercolor! You are very good at making your viewers feel confident in this difficult medium! I have been struggling for three years trying to understand what I was watching. Thank you for offering your talent to people like me. I appreciate you!!

[kathymaree]

I’ve been watching this series sitting on the edge of my seat like it was a murder mystery drinking it all in LOL. I can’t believe how much I’m learning. Thank you so much for this incredibly useful, well thought out, extremely well taught series. As a teacher you’re very good at your job.

[julliettecarignan]

Love this series, Oliver, I'm excited you've released another episode. I've begun working towards being able to paint all the lights in a single big wet-in-wet wash, but just as you said, it's challenging and even stressful, especially if there are a lot of hue changes and lights to preserve. I love that you're offering a less stressful way to work up to that goal as skills gradually develop.
And I've heard no other instructors teach your "single edge" key principle, and it's briliiant. Thank you!

[humanexperience]

You're a fantastic artist and teacher.

[debsarellis]

You’re a true fine artist Oliver. Thank you so much for your precise instruction.

[joythornton]

As always some revelations and aha moments in there for me. I didn't really understand Peter Cronin's approach to washes and now I get it. I really appreciate your clear, concise explanations. Thank you!

[maryannegunter]

Thank You Ollie, I've been enjoying your videos and learning. I have to really structure my time at home because I just want to paint all the time!

[alantaylor]

Thank you Oliver. I am thoroughly enjoying this process.

[catherinegill]

Really enjoying this series of tutorials Oliver - thank you so much! It is very useful to be encouraged to slow down and consider - I have been painting for a few years now and have learned a great deal from other YouTube tutors. I feel I am ready for a little more now and is is it.

[vbplu]

Thank you for your generosity in sharing so much.

[Adoratek]

Oliver, I keep trying to buy your book on Amazon, but it seems to be perpetually "out of stock" LOL. Perhaps one day when the money meets availability, I will definitely own it. In the meantime, thank you for all you do in your teaching. I really enjoy your analytical approach. Many "tutorials" on YT are more of a "watch me paint loosely"... But, you have the ability to translate the why as well as the when as well. Thank you as well for videos done in real time, with real time dialogue. Much appreciation and God bless you in all you do.

[alexandrabroadbent]

I am learning so much from this series thank you so much

[marywilliamson]

Thank you, Maestro. Can't wait for the next lesson!

[antonellaszilagyi]

Thank you for sharing, it was very useful!

[heronalvarez]

Vamoooos! Gracias Maestro! Esperando con ansiedad

[johnlanaghan]

Thanks Oliver, really appreciate your step by step approach, will we see the finished videos and when is your book available, might be a nice Xmas present to myself 😀

[cristinatort]

Dear Oliver. What a pleasure to have your lessons, are you also on Patreon???
Thank you for the great teachings. I also live very much your paintings. Blessings 😊

[alang]

I don't have to do my wet into wet washes in one go? mind blowing