Creating Depth in Watercolor (The Three Keys)

If you want to transform flat, dull watercolor paintings to ones with beautiful depth, then this week’s video is for you!

Before you check out this week’s tips, though, it’s good to remind yourself of the goals of the foreground, the middle ground, and the background of your painting.

The foreground should lead the viewer into your scene. You want to create enough interest without making it too distracting.
The middle ground should captivate the attention of your viewer. This is typically where the focal area will be.
The background should be just that - background. It should complement the scene, depict distance, and not distract from the middle ground.

With that context, you’re now ready for my 3 keys to creating depth in your painting! Check out this week’s video for tips on how to cool down the background, simplify, and use less texture and contrast in the background.

I know that there are many places where you can learn about watercolor, and I love that you subscribe to my emails and learn from me. It means a lot, and I appreciate it.

[schragdenker]

In addition to your wonderfully relaxed and very informative videos, I would like to compliment your speaking.
Very well recorded, very well spoken and very pleasant to listen to.
This is an important factor that is underestimated by quite a few YouTube channels and unfortunately often ignored.

[ambidextrousandre]

This is the only video that has really explained backgrounds and foreground and contrast. Really helpful for my work. Fantastic video 😊

[beckyhofer]

This is such a key element. Here’s what I have trouble with: I strive to feather in the edges of my paintings to create a middle ground focal point in urban scenes. I have a hard time understanding how to help those edges just fade into the background. Sometimes they look like they’re cut off; they distract. Could you do a video on something like this? I love the urban scenes and I’d like to be able to do a better job at this. Thank you Matthew you are a gifted teacher!

[barblair]

Thank you for the very clear explanation!

[AmandaNorris-mqdn]

This video confirmed what I thought I should be doing, but have resisted doing. I think I resisted these tips because I got so focused on creating details, which meant that there was no distinction between foreground and background objects. It takes a lot of confidence to let go of that obsessive need to recreate a reference photo with a high degree of detail in every square inch.

[kellydanson]

I did use these tips. Thank you Matt. I love that you give clear and great tips 🙂

[kathyswearingen]

Really appreciate your clear teaching style thank you!

[Dixie-ke]

Thank you clear instructions inspiration in the art

[paulatogashi]

Hello Matthew. Tks for the great content. Could you please teach us how to choose the right reference picture? As a beginner/ intermediate watercolor artist, sometimes I choose complicated compositions and in the end I don't have the skills to go through.

[AmandaNorris-mqdn]

Thank you so much for making this video so clear and brief.

[lynnechin]

Thank you so much for these clear and concise tips! Thank you for sharing your talents with others. 😊

[safaahamed]

This is really helpful, and the other free video as well, thanks a lot🙏🏽

[sadhanatiwari]

A very interesting tip. I will keep this in mind from now on.

[hebas]

Thank u for this rich content it's really fruitful and your english is easy to understand, greetings from Palestine 🌸

[merry]

hi matt thanks a lot you are wonderful and so helpful .

[bmwxi]

MATT, great advice and sensible content. I've made a few basic changes but try NOT to change everything at one time because....painting is enjoyable not a rigid operation with endless rules, right? The simple suggestions are priceless. Thank you.

[reginafernandez]

Que vídeo tan maravilloso! What a wonderful video!

[annevanderwoude]

Thank you for this video it was very helpful I really appreciate

[Biju]

Repeating about the 3 levels in a watercolor helps. we hear it and do not apply the rules. So I'll paint a landscape and use it.
a friend in France recommended your site.

[jellie]

May I ask how do you get so much texture and granulation in your work?