The best-ever watercolor exercise?
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- čas přidán 23. 12. 2023
- Ever wanted an achievable watercolor workout that allows you to practice the following technical skills all in one?.....
Colour mixing
Brushstrokes
Wet-on-dry
Wet-on-wet
Timing
Managing a wash
Well, have a go at this exercise - it's great fun, quick to do, and seems like nothing more than a quick doodle. But in the video I show you the importance of practicing like this, and how it helps you to improve your technique in the areas above. I have done these for years, and continue to do them regularly; I attribute the progression in my technical skills to this, more than anything else. I genuinely believe it is the best-ever watercolor exercise!
This video is the perfect follow-on to my previous video (The Art of Landscape Looking' • The Secret for Landsca... ) which shows you how to become familiar with your subject. This exercise will help you to grow your skills so that you can feel more confident capturing your moments of landscape inspiration.
If you're a beginner and need some guidance on what equipment to use, or a little more detail behind some of these techniques, then please watch the following video series:
1) WHAT IS WATERCOLOR? - • 1. What is Watercolour...
2) WATERCOLOR EQUIPMENT - • 2. Watercolour Equipme...
3) WATERCOLOR WASHES - • 3. Watercolour Washes ...
4) MIXING YOUR WATERCOLORS - • 4. Mixing Your Waterco...
5) BRUSHSTROKES AND THEIR EFFECTS - • Brushstrokes & Their E...
6) CONTROLLING THE WASH - • Controlling the Wash - Jak na to + styl
Oliver is one of those creators whose videos get a like first, then you start watching the content because you know the quality is guaranteed. Thank you for your hard work!
I literally just started the video, took a sip of coffee and instantly hit the like button because I know I will learn a ton in 20 minutes! 😊
😊 exactly..
I actually subscribed first. Then liked. This is the first time I have heard watched this artist but I already know from the start that he knows how to teach.
I’m glad CZcams recommended this.
Exactly! ❤
I like every video I watch so that I know Ihave watched it. Some people like Oliver I watch more than once
I'm a beginner (at age 80) and this exercise will be good for me break up a bit of "artist's block." It is a perfect for me to just doodle a bit until I inspire myself. I really like it. I have all the supplies and I'm ready to paint. Thank you.
I just did it with 5 colors he mentioned. Amazing.
I started at 70 in my rv
❤❤❤
Well done! Artist's block - amazing how many of us have it. Agree that doodling is a great way for inspiration. Oliver has upped my doodling abilities and removed my second impediment: wasting paper! A productive lesson indeed! Wish you happy days painting or doodling.
Good job, keep at it!
I was given a watercolour paint tin when I was 9 years old, in 1978. I had nobody to teach me, and, after messing around and becoming frustrated I stopped using it. I turned to pencil and then, attending art college began with acrylics - still nobody to teach me any technical skills but I fumbled along. My career was in graphic design, both drawing board and computer-based but certainly no pencil or paints. Now I am retired and determined to crack watercolours once and for all - finding your videos (especially this one) has lifted my spirits and given me the encouragement to 'have a go'. Many thanks for sharing and saying 'just have a go and doodle' - I will 👍
I'm sure you will have more FUN painting than you did when you had to do it. Good luck and God bless.
"don't copy, create!" is the best advice for me to hear!
Oliver is not only an accomplished artist, but an excellent teacher in the true sense.
Awesome exercise thank you so much for sharing, explaining and encouraging, new beginners in watercolor!
This like doodling with watercolor :). I made a resolution to do daily doodle in 2024. My mind is frozen and locked up. I hope doodling can help freeing up my mind to not be afraid or plan too much.
I know the feeling 😵💫
Doodling is so great for that! Aside from Oliver Pyle videos (which are fabulous), YT Diane Anton Studio; she has great doodle video 🎉
Thanks for not just showing how to do something but demonstrating your thinking behind each action.
thank you. opened up a box i had in storage for 30 yrs, filled w/ old tubes & pans. in middle school art class, just given 8 colors & a brush. no instruction. ready now at 65yrs old to find someone to explain the skills needed. this is perfect. will watch all your videos. will practice diligently. thank you again.
64 here, and I am also excited to start painting. This is an excellent lesson and good starting point because it's not at all intimidating❤
Well gosh, I'm a young beginner 😊. Thank you for teaching us!
There are so many truly amazing teachers here on CZcams! Look around and find a few to follow and watch and learn from. Everyone is different and there are people who are happy to show you how to start going in the direction you wish to go! Good Luck!
Me too...60 and ready to retire...need a hobby now but have never painted or even drawn in my life!
Thank you so well done. Learned a lot.
Most often I don't have the space or time to create a finished painting, but I still want to paint! These exercises in doodling give me that spontaneous freedom while learning so much about color mixing, paying attention to the wetness of the paper, brush strokes, all of it!
This makes so much sense! Much like practicing music. No performance just practice.
Fantasy doodle landscapes are not only the best fun ever- but you really keep on top of you watercolour management which is always a boost in confidence. Also a relief from the pressure of having to avoid blunders: blunders here are just opportunities to learn. This video tells me I should get back to more FUN and GAMES. Merry Christmas, squire!
I'm 69 years old and I started watercolor painting just this past year. I'm in love with it all. Thank you so much for this wonderful tutorial on how to effectively practice. I'm about to begin this exercise immediately! Your time and experience is very very much appreciated!
Thank you so much for the wonderful lesson. I’m a retired doctor trying to catch up my childhood hobby and your video was a blessing ❤
I learned more today in this video than in years of structured lessons.
I'm always doodling with pencils and pens, but I'd never really thought of doodling with brushes and paint. This was so helpful. Thank you!
Yes, it leads to the abstract painting....
My aunt, who was a professional watercolorist and artist taught me to doodle with the brush and do that often. This is a good exercise. You learn what makes glowing color or good shapes.
These exercises and comments would be so wonderful in a watercolor sketchbook. That would make it easier to build upon and find one’s own language with the brush.
At 66 a beginner and so happy to have found your channel, can't wait to learn🙂
Out of the hundreds, maybe thousands of videos I have watched over the last four years, this is without doubt the most honest, useful and instructive one I have seen. Cant wait to get cracking on this and see just how in control I’m not lol. Thank you Oliver and merry Christmas to you and your family.
Thank you, Oliver!
I like to do something of this sort when I'm deciding which blue, which red and which yellow I aim to use on the limited palette I will use to get the hues I want in a particular painting.
It's a great way to make those pigment choices.
As a lefty, it’s inspiring and useful not to have to “transpose.” Thanks.
Utterly brilliant! I feel I’ve learned more about the interaction of thick/thin/wet/dry in this one video than in all my (admittedly limited) study. And, I had no idea about holding the brush vertically to get a thin line. Bravo! I’ll be watching all your videos.
A man after my own heart. I love to doodle with a gel pen. This exercise will help me immensely. Thank you Oliver. I truly appreciate sharing in your wisdom. I’m nearly 82 years old and have discovered that my quest for wisdom continues on CZcams. I’m loving it.
"Create, don't copy!" That phrase is just what I need in my journey! I'll be doing these exercises and look forward to the observations. Thank you, Oliver! Happy New Year!
That was one of the most helpful painting videos if not the most helpful one I have ever watched. Thank you so very much!
This is so playful. What a fun way to practice without any pressure. Thank you for sharing.
Been dabbling in watercolor for years. Remains a mystery but these exercises will help tame the forces of water and color.
I didn't know Hugh Jackman had an equally handsome brother! And talented!
Miss your new videos you’re such a great teacher, hope all is well and you’re just super busy….
it’s hard not to be inspired when you tell us from the beginning it doesn’t have to be this and it doesn’t have to be that just let your brush flow and then you look back and you see how beautiful it all looks even though it’s not supposed to be anything at all other than practice… That is inspiring in itself.
Thanks for sharing. The best learning comes from experiencing things for yourself. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.
This is the best watercolor tutorial I’ve seen. Very detailed, clear and helpful. THANK YOU!
Thank you for the great advice and tutorial. I’m just getting started with watercolor painting and very excited to start doodling. I appreciate that you also experience panic while working on a painting. So happy it’s not just me!
Really enjoyed this. Great fun way to practice!
I’ve learned a tremendous amount from watching your videos this past year Oliver and my paintings are showing the improvement … Thank you for your dedication and hard work. Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season.
Oliver, I have watched this video many times! It’s the most helpful watercolor video I’ve ever seen. (And I have watched many!)
He’s doing what I learned when beginning watercolor painting many years ago from an excellent teacher: warms in your cools, cools in your warms. Never forgot that because it made such a difference in my art. The second thing I was told that made a huge difference? “Just see what happens. There are no mistakes.” Excellent advice. Excellent exercise.
A valuable lesson! Thank you for mentioning creating versus copying. Your teaching style is clear and understandable.👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Thank you, I’m also an elderly beginner, and now can’t wait to go and ‘doodle’.I so enjoyed this video!
What a great workout! A chance to feel the paper and the brush and the colors! Thank you so much for your interesting lessons. I always watch them with great interest . Merry Christmas to you and your family dear Oliver! Have a warm and blessed Christmas weekend!🌲☃🎀
This is the first time that I have seen one of your videos and I have already clicked on to receive further videos. Thank you for a very informative tutorial and I will certainly be practicing over this festive season. I look forward to your next video.
I hope that you and your family have a great Xmas and that 2024 is excellent year for you all. 🎄☃️🎁
Exercises like these give me such a sense of competition and enjoyment. They seem quite meditative. When I go hiking I always carry a portable pallet and will sit at a picnic table and experiment painting color chords. They take the frustration out of painting and replace it with enjoyment.
Create, don't copy! So glad to hear someone take that approach. Thanks for this video, it was just what I needed to get unstuck!
Thanks, great fun!
Super, super helpful tutorial. Thank you for making practicing useful and fun.
Thank you once again for a thoughtful and exremely helpful video. So much appreciated.
Thank you for sharing. ✨🌨️🎄❄️🌠☃️✨
Tack för alla fina målningar du visat!! God Jul 🎅🎄🌺
Och ha ett gott nytt år
I can see this will help a lot!
Wow! THANK YOU!!!!!
I have always struggled with waterclour but you Sir are the best tutor. Thank you very much and Merry Chritmas.!
No need to put a question mark on the title " Best watercolor exercise?" No question about it. This is by fat the best watercolor exercise I have ever found.
After 1 week i am seeing improvements in the quality of my work.
Thanks Oliver.
This was excellent, Oly. I always struggled with “what” to practice and this now gives me a plan. 🙏🏻 thanks
Merry Christmas and thank you very much for your dedication
Love the concept driven ideas as they relate to the end goal. I think you’re very right in what you say about the YT tutorial space, this is far more valuable than a paint-with-me video. It’s sometimes difficult to know and understand these crucial techniques, AND be able to express them in a digestible way for others. You manage it without confusing or contradicting, which speaks much of your mastery of them and how they relate to each other.
Pure gold! I started out just copying tutorial videos, and though satisfying to produce a decent looking painting without too much effort, your videos explain (with great clarity) the skills I need to truly `create`.
Oliver, watching this tutorial as given me the kick start to open my paints and get painting thank you ,
Thanks for this excercise, Merry Christmas to You too
Thank you, Oliver, for posting this! I’m inspired and can’t wait to doodle in watercolor. I doodle in pen all the time, but I’ve always loved the look of watercolor and wanted to be able to create beautiful watercolors myself. I’ve already got my art table set up, but have felt blocked. I appreciate your view that all four table legs can be taught at once, instead of having to be linear. That frees me up. Now I just need to ignore chores and doodle.
That was great. Just having fun and learning. Great exercise! There really are a lot of tutorials which make you just copy stuff instead of creating! Thank you!
TY, Oliver! Beautiful reminder that PLAY and exploration are necessary for understanding, learning and growth!
Thanks a lot! It's a very useful video. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Olly. Thanks for your dedication.
Much Thanks as always ☮️💜
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Wonderful video and such a great idea which I will try. I'm living in Hong Kong and only started playing with watercolour a few years ago aged 73 and really enjoy it. You're the best teacher I have seen on You Tube and when I am able to find the link I will subscribe to Patreon.
I don't often have space and time to paint, but I did this afternoon and just doodled. First, it is SO relaxing playing with the paints, mixing, picking up beads, and, of course, messing up! Loved every minute of it. Ollie, you are an inspiration. Thank you!!
Great exercise - thank you!
Wet on almost dry is a very underrated technique used by watercolorists such as myself especially for botanicals so that the edges if blossom veins aren’t so harsh. Overall when one understands water control and color theory or effect of certain pigments on each other then it is just pure brush mileage that will train one despite all the tutorials. Another huge whole in CZcams tutorials is for advanced and intermediate wcists sharing of ideas. So sorry to say, there are so many just newbie tutorials when there are so many of us that would love to collaborate with advanced techniques. Thank you!😊
Thank you dear Olly for this beautiful rainbow free exercise during Christmas time ! Your sensitivity is always a precious gift. Have a good holiday :)
Thankyou Ollie,your video’s have been a great help for me.Merry Christmas and a healthy 2024 🎄
Hope after Christmas to do this important exercise as I need more control over paints & brushes. Thanks
Thanks Oliver. Great lesson. I will certainly work on this. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas Olly! Thanks for this video. I've started a watercolor journal with your exercises from CZcams and your Patreon. This is a great way to pull all of those things together. Thanks for all you do.
What a Christmas present!! Thank you very much! This is the best video on watercolor practice that I've seen!
Merry Christmas!
A very well explained exercise, many thanks for all your sharing, your experience and practical tuition
Thank you,, Oliver. Happy Holidays!
Can’t wait to put this to pratice what an excellent exercise. It makes so much sense to practice with the paper you use for finished works. I tend to worry about wasting paper over a bad result which is really limiting my skill development. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you , wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
i like the fact that is instruction is challenging and not the typical beginner stuff found elsewhere.
Great video 👍👍
Thanks Oliver, I will practice this on Tues. Merry Christmas!
Very, very helpful. Many thanks.
Merry Christmas Oliver. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing this information ... very very helpful
indeed, the best-ever watercolor exercise ! From the beginning till the remark at the end : start creating instead of copying. Thank you for sharing.
This is the most useful watercolor video I have seen. I started learning watercolors during the pandemic, but this was so helpful! I wish I would have had these ideas and techniques when I started. I will definitely try practicing these ideas and seeing just how the paints and water and brushes react differently. And my paintings are sure to get much better. Thank you!
Merry Christmas Oliver! Thank you for all the videos throughout the year. I learn so much from you. Enjoy the holidays and looking forward to 2024 videos!
Thank you for some great exercises that will be so helpful!! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Thank you for uploading a Christmas treat! Merry Christmas and a happy healthy colorful 2024🥳
I watch this later for sure!
Thank you Oliver. You are the best. All my best wishes to you and your family.
Thank you Olly for reminding me to do this! I have got out of the habit, and you are right, you learn a lot from it and it helps to exercise your creative muscles. It's also a useful exercise if you hit a creative block, and you really really want to paint, but the subject matter eludes you. Please can you add a Buy Me a Coffee or Donations cup to your videos, I would happily drop in some pennies! Wishing you and yours joyful and festive Contrafibularities 💖💚🥂
Thank you, Oliver . Happy Christmas!
Thank you so much for producing your valuable videos.
Happy Christmas to you and your family Olly, and best wishes for the new year!
Merry Christmas and a productive, healthy New Year to you and your family 🙏
This is actually genius advice, thank you!!!!
I'm so happy to have found your video. It's just what I needed to get me painting again after a difficult 2 years in my life. Thank you.
I finally get it! Thanks for sharing….🙏🏿
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us Oliver. Love watching you paint. You make it look so easy!
believe it or not for last one year i have been searching/looking for an ideal "exercise" for water color during my idle days. here i ended my search. Thank You