SOLUTION To WEAK Watercolors? Exhaust The MIDDLE VALUE – Montana Grain Demo 2

Hello everyone and welcome back to my studio for the next installment in the ‘Montana Grain series’! In this video we’re going to take a look at the importance of middle value and how to better utilize its potential. We continue using only the limited palette of three primary paints we discussed in the previous video.

Due to the transparent nature of watercolor as a medium, students often fail to utilize the full potential of middle value. Inexperienced painters who are otherwise quite skilled with the brush simply understate the middle value range and end up with a well-painted but ultimately weak, impactless watercolors. So often the student rushes through the middle value phase of their paintings. Yet middle values make up the bulk of most any painting. And through middle value all structure is explained.

To be fair, dealing with middle values can be tricky. Light values are very transparent and easy to gauge, understand and utilize. Even light-middle values are usually well-handled by the beginner. But after that the problems start. Going over already established areas with yet another value may seem counterproductive and hesitancy sets in. Risking ruining a well-painted section or simply not seeing the need to reinforce it ultimately leads to underutilization of dark-middle value range. I know what I’m talking about because I speak from my own experience.

The one thing that can be very helpful in this area is to prepare: make a small value sketch of your subject. It can be done with pencil, pen, ink, marker or watercolor. The point of this sketch is to work out a general value pattern before approaching the painting and during the painting process matching the values to those shown in the value study. Use four values in total: light, light- and dark-middle and dark.

Regardless of how we go about it, the important thing is not to understate the middle value range. There’s no need to adjust your technique or usual approach to watercolor. You don’t have to paint in layers like I do here.

Just make a note, mental or physical before you start your painting that says “Exhaust the middle value”. If you do that and follow through, you’ll be rewarded with much stronger painting. Paint inside the middle value range as long as possible. Build your middle-value gradually. Start with light-middle value, then middle, then dark-middle. Have a variety of middle values because they make up the body of the painting. Lights and darks are very important but they simply won’t cut it unless the middle value range provides the necessary substance.

To sum up: achieving substantial presence of middle value in your watercolors is critical. It results in strong paintings, regardless of colors used. Value is a structural element and assures that painting retains readability. Giving enough attention to the middle value results in the bulk of the painting’s values to be sufficiently defined and refined.

Start with a value study and use four simple values. Or simply note to yourself not to rush your middle value development. I hope you enjoyed this video and learned something to help your own practice. If you did, please consider leaving a like, commenting and subscribing to my channel and I’ll see you in the next one!