Beginners Painting: SIMPLIFY a photo & Paint a Tonal Watercolour Study Landscape Watercolor Tutorial

I used Davidson's Pigments in indigo and sepia, these are not yet available at the time of posting as they are still undergoing tests. You can of course use any colour for this, and any brushes that you are comfortable with, My paper is 100% cotton Saunders Waterford, cold pressed, 11" x 15"/28cm x 38cm. Thanks for watching, and happy painting!

[grahamnash]

Without throwing an opinion on this painting.
I can say that you being the creator of painted images are fully in charge of what you want viewers to see. Let me put it this way, a news writer can paint an image with organised language, putting an image in your mind with manipulated vocabulary and twisted phrasing. And using our medium of portraying images, we can make a boat look like either dream or a nightmare. That's why I hold back on opinions about colour vs tones. This painting here can either be on a bright or dull day without colour, but it's still complete. You could've cluttered the image to make it look very busy, or left it even more open than this with only the boat to look at.
A great demonstration of those values, and how to use them effectively. Thank you Lois.

[AmandaBucklow]

Wonderful! I love tonal painting as I love black and white for photography. It is the juxtaposition of indigo and sepia that works so beautifully. Thank you!

[lynseychandler]

Tonal values trump colour every time. Fascinating tutorial! Yhank you.

[suel]

Your videos are appreciated! Thank You!

[gloprn]

Brilliant tutorial, tonal value I feel is the base of many paintings, the color is the icing on the cake 👍🎨🎂

[marialunatorres]

thank you very much is very original.fantastica

[julieboyle]

Great video - tonal value is certainly an added bonus when painting or taking photographs.

[sherimoore]

Your work is so helpful. You are also so humble and pleasant to listen to!

[artgeometrix]

What a beautiful painting. So well done with these sleek lines

[joeMaxDegroot]

Excellent tutorial - Love the transparency in your watercolours - it’s magical

[margaretmartin]

Lots of good information here. Very helpful.

[touranassar]

Thank you for your very helpful description of tones and shadows.

[ruthfulton]

Love it but I need to learn more about tonal values. Like the minimal colours you use. Thku for sharing.

[dougrutherford]

I love tonal studies. I usually, at the least, make a second copy of my reference photo in b&w to see the tonal changes in the colour version.

[delphinewood]

If you publish a book with your artwork, you could call it “Something and Nothing.” I relate to this way that you describe your impressionist mark making. I love all your work and the handmade paints I have purchased from your Etsy shop. Thank you for posting. 💙🌵🌵🌵🌵🌵

[electrichen]

Lovely sketch. I think tonal value is the most important part of art. A value sketch can help you alter areas to give impact in your final painting as well as planning. They can be a piece of art in themselves. It is said you can use any colours in a painting as long as you get the correct tone.

[eyeonart]

Love it. Please consider Seascapes tonal value.

[getsomecolourinyourlifedav]

I do enjoy monochromatic works and these 2 colours are a really nice choice indigo and sepia. Thanks for sharin, always wonderful Lois 👍👍

[joantenenbaum]

Great video and painting, Lois! It’s amazing how those tiny details brought the piece to life!!

[paulineshelley]

Thanks! This is a very helpful tutorial. I’ve always been quite good at composition, particularly when I take photos, but often ignored the importance of tonal values in painting, mainly because I’ve confused it with colour. I find that doing pencil sketches helps to raise awareness of tone, however I love your study in watercolour. It will be a valuable exercise in mixing the light medium and dark tones without having the confusion of colour. 🙂