Michael Holter: Watercolor from Photos

Learning from Michael is your chance to acquire  completely new watercolor skills.  You can use your new skills to  paint outside en plein air… Or paint inside and  relive your memories by painting from photos.   Once you can paint from photos, all of this is possible.  You can paint any landscape your heart desires — any time you want. Paint along with Michael Holter! If you’re an artist who: Desires to paint scenic landscapes in watercolor Likes to explore with your camera in hand, ready to find inspiration  Is challenged by landscapes and wants to improve Wants to take several photos and combine their best features Likes to capture the light, shadow, and emotion of a scene Loves the looseness and freshness of watercolor …then exploring the possibilities of painting from photos  is perfect for you. You’ll learn how to design your painting and improve the composition, even if the photo isn’t tops. You’ll also find out how to  reinterpret the scene  with color, depth, and loose brushstrokes. You’ll feel inspired , capture  scenes you love , and  express yourself  with Michael Holter’s art video,   Watercolor From Photos Michael’s deep love for watercolor, art, and the creative process makes it  deeply enjoyable to learn from him.  No matter if you are a beginner or a seasoned watercolor artist, Michael’s workshop will get and keep you inspired.  What Is  Watercolor from Photos  About? In this course, you’ll follow along with Michael Holter’s  step-by-step process.  You’ll create  two paintings  — a picturesque farmhouse and a scenic lighthouse — and you’ll learn exciting tips and techniques while painting them. The lighthouse painting,  Lighting the Way , demonstrates  how to tell a story with your brushstrokes  and how to  unite more than one reference photo . Michael also explains how to make adjustments in a scene to  get the best composition and the best results. When painting  A Day in the Life , you’ll continue to  add elements and figures  into a painting to  create a story that will engage the viewer.   Plus, you’ll also discover: How to paint stunning scenes from any photo (even if the photo is not tops) How to blend shapes, perspectives, and scenes from different photos into one coherent painting A simple technique to capture the atmosphere, depth, and distance of a scene What impressionists truly mean when they say, “I paint the light and shadows of a landscape” How to find inspiration in front of your doorstep The simple way to reinterpret a scene — add bolder colors, depth, and emotion to your paintings How to make your art a natural expression of yourself (without getting frustrated or too tense) Insights into Michael’s decisions and thought process while painting (he’ll even let you in on the mistakes he makes) And so much more! What Michael does is  based on two core techniques:   How to  set up your composition , and how to break down a painting into  steps that can be repeated. Equipped with these two techniques, you’ll be able to: Design your scene before you start painting Know exactly where to put focal points Create depth with light and shadow Paint scenes that touch the viewer’s heart Repeat the process again and again, any time you want Course Outline:  Introduction -  Materials Demo 1: Painting Demonstration: Perspective & Design (LIGHTHOUSE)   Chapter 1 Learn to  review your photo  and how to  combine, remove, or add elements to your design Chapter 2 How to  prepare the emotion and mood of your painting The  crucial first step  (always start your paintings this way) Chapter 3 How to create  balance and emphasis  in your composition Simple techniques to  create depth Chapter 4 Why you  shouldn’t always use the colors you see in photos  (and what colors to use instead) How to mix  neutral greens Chapter 5 How to change the photo’s composition  to better lead the viewer’s eye through the painting A simple technique for  strong focal points Chapter 6 How to paint an  ocean wave rolling onto wet sand The easiest way to  drybrush waves Discover  when you shouldn’t follow the photo reference Chapter 7 How to  add details in the distance Michael’s top  color and value tips  to lead the viewer’s eye DEMO 2: Painting Demonstration: Shapes & Shadows (FARMHOUSE) Chapter 1 Learn how to  add elements to your composition to tell a story  (even if the elements aren’t in your photo) Chapter 2 How to decide on the  mood and emotion  of your painting Chapter 3 Discover how  adding people to your painting improves depth, distance, and believability How to create an  illusion of motion  (simply remove this one thing) Chapter 4 The value of shadows —  why is one shadow blue and another golden? A simple way to  tame elusive watercolors Chapter 5 How to  adjust elements  in a photo so the painting looks more interesting Add interest to  shadows with color variety (that isn’t in the photo) How to paint shapes of shadows that  look real Chapter 6 The easy way to  mix and paint greens The one tool you need  when you paint with watercolor Discover why, once you add dark colors, you  usually need to add more Chapter 7 How to  define your buildings Take a deep breath and  paint what works for the painting — not what’s in the photo — you’ll be glad you did! When and where to  add detail that matters Chapter 8 Adjust colors and values if needed  (and how to find out whether it is needed) Why  white opaque paint  should always be in your toolbox After learning from Michael Holter, you’ll understand  how he approaches each new painting.  Every painting becomes a  unique adventure in which you want your viewers to engage. Watercolor From Photos  Also Includes These Bonuses BONUS TIP: “Tips for Painting Skies” The sky is an important part of any landscape painting — and there are different ways to  create a breathtaking sky . Have fun experimenting with these techniques. High Speed View (Fan Favorite!) To fully grasp what Michael is doing and what you’ll paint, watch this high-speed video of the demonstration paintings to  get an overview of the process. Exhibit of Works Michael’s passion for creation will move and inspire you.  In this video, you can see some of his best work. Insights From the Artist It’s not only about what you learn,  it also matters who you learn from . Sit alongside Michael as he discusses his approach and techniques on a deeper level. Plus, his story is guaranteed to inspire you.