5 Things I Learned From Meeting My Portrait Painting Hero

[@patricklynch1962]

When your favourite teacher acknowledges that even at their experience level, they are ultimately still a student forever striving to be better, that to me, is wonderful encouragement for the rest of us on a different part of the artist's path.

[@DCweldingAndArt]

Same thoughts. Love that, the teacher showing himself as a student. Makes me look forward to being 60-80 years old, with decades of experience, and HOPEFULLY a set of skills that people consider "masterful". Not many other things make me excited about getting old 😀 but painting does.

[@pavelsokov]

For losing edges in portraits I recommend doing so in the features that move around like eyes (this also allows you to put a sweet sharp highlight into the eye which I love to do), and the mouth. When you make it sharp edged, it doesn't look alive because we have micro movements in mouths and eyes

[@libertycowboy2495]

As a guy that always wanted to paint, but never knew how, you give me hope!

[@paintcoach]

You can do it!

[@HondoTrailside]

Start

[@KennyGsca]

I am 100% in the same boat too, I've watched more of Chris's content over any other KZbin content EVER. I wish you the best with your painting endeavors too!

[@odissey100100]

Wow, that take about painting from photo is so dissuasive now, that I understand. Everything is crisp in a photo, as opposed to the real view, through our own eyes. I gotta take that into account. Thank you.

[@kpannabecker]

Oh my gosh, I got so much out of this video, like you got out of your workshop. How nice it is to hear that at any level you still deal with the same things with commissions. Also, I loved the way you described how we should look at gestures of our subjects, which will capture the feel we want in a portrait. And, not focusing on wrinkles in a suit, but the important thing in a portrait. I could go on and on. Excellent video.

[@aesaehttr]

I'm always surprised when i don't see thousands and thousands of likes and comments in a day! You're still somehow a hidden gem of artistic knowledge 💎

[@HondoTrailside]

I thought it was ironic that you told the story about your teacher having gotten carried away with his model's sleeve, when you have that Sargent book in the background. As you know, one thought that dogged some of Sargent's paintings, including the one of the cover of the book is that he occasionally got more interested in the dress than the portrait. Lady Agnew is a case in point. The face is beautifully handled, but in some ways the dress is more of a focal point. Not only is it spectacularly painted, but there is a bit of a peep show going on, though I had to have that part pointed out to me in a video of a master copy. (Speaking of Sargent, he had the luxury of being with many of his models over long periods of time. And one can often tell just what he thought of them as people, while also what they thought of him. And the results are not always flattering to either. sargent paints a lot of his models with rather judging expressions, as befit their class, possibly.)

[@LouKYPoser]

Great take. I feel like a lot of people(even myself) overlooks this. Getting into the culture and talking to even your peers is a great way to get a different perspective on things. I tend to get isolated painting so much. 😅

[@bethanyhopkins1495]

I just started oil painting today. You are a great teacher and I am trying to absorb as much as possible. Thank you for making this content!

[@claires9100]

Always look forward to your videos.

[@Tizaheijting]

Great reflections and generosity of thought. Thanks so much, Chris!!!!!

[@fereshmahta6113]

i just called my library and ask to buy it. Michael Shane's book "My Point of View" so more people can read his book!

[@lissam2529]

Thanks for sharing Michael’s stories and these tips, good insights. That might be a goal for me next year, to get to an artist workshop. Sharing one of my own tips: I kept putting off one artist workshop I really wanted to attend until the guy finally just retired 😱 lol DON’T WAIT, these opportunities don’t last forever.

[@simonball1884]

This video was great to watch! I really like how you broke down the benefits of taking a workshop with a great artist. I enjoy your videos very much and when I graduate college I definitely plan on subbing to your Patreon

[@jm7804]

Every time I watch your videos I am reminded that I need to practice more. Artists have the power to transform our experience in this life.

[@ICookAndPaint]

Hi Chris, great channel and indispensable video here. I have studied with many big names like Daniel Greene, Rob Liberace, Henry Yan to name just a few and I couldn’t agree with you more. These workshops are instrumental to artistic growth. You really get to learn about their journey beyond what we see in their finished work. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with Michael Shane Neil. I hope one day when I am in a workshop somewhere, you will be there too! Happy Painting!

[@MrDesmondPot]

I find Chris so engaging and captivating. Seems like a thoroughly good egg.

[@bellischubert8747]

Thanks for your content Chris 💫 makes me want to take a workshop now😅👌🏼 I‘ll have a look what‘s offered around my area🙈

[@SlowPersuit]

Apart from all the excellent portraits from the portrait bloke- that seascape! The brush strokes! Owned dude.

[@fredericsauriol3594]

It was a pleasure to watch this story of your's Chris, thanks man.

[@lisaaugustin5400]

Commitions can be stressful, the pressure is on !!!

[@seapossumsforrest8162]

Wow, what a wonderful video about your experience! Looks like a wonderful workshop. Thank you for sharing!

[@paintcoach]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JesseSteinfort]

What a great video... Thank you for sharing.

[@renatab8293]

Some great stories and insights here Chris. Your videos are watchable, relaxing and informative. You are a truly amazing communicator, and the most relatable of any painting tutor posting videos today. An example to follow in every way. I think it would be helpful to take the corrosive phrase "getting better" out of the videos - it isn't a sport.

[@pavelsokov]

Oh man the story of fixing the mouth months later. I am getting flashbacks because I had to fly into Boston from Canada to adjust a mouth as well. Mouths are tempermental

[@lcarolc03]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. What a wonderful summary of such vital tips in portraiture. This is fantastic!

[@gideonros2705]

Very intresting artist. Thank you for sharing his amazing work and skill.

[@TheToneBender]

the thing about the wrinkles; I was painting a leopard and I diligently put in a bunch of hairs on its chin before my teacher came around and told me to remove most of them because it was too busy

[@melanieopperman6688]

Wow, that is a lesson in humility

[@ShelleyHannaArt]

This looks like a great book. Thanks for sharing about your painting hero. 🙂

[@paintcoach]

Thanks for watching!

[@irinasobachkina1971]

Hi from Ukraine! 🙂 Love your videos and learn a lot from them. Thank you 😘

[@brutalseed6643]

Awesome stuff man, you explain it so well. My painting hero is Rackstraw Downes, I can't imagine what it would be like to sit and talk with him. Every time I think I've nailed a landscape I take out his book and completely humble myself.

[@chukukaogude5894]

ROFL he went back to the house to fix the painting of a customer after they accepted it as done? I would be like. "Once the painting leaves the studio it's final." At the same time, more people will recommend him as he really goes above and beyond.

[@gideonros2705]

To me the primary thing is that the client is satisfied and if changes must be done I don't see it as having a 'difficult' client but a client that values her painting and my work enough for her to suggest changes.

[@chukukaogude5894]

@@gideonros2705 Look, so long as it still sitting at the location I paint, I would be happy to change things. Going to someone else's home getting up on a ladder and fixing it is where I draw the line. You know it could be because I rarely go to other people home in my lifetime. I went to probably a handful of homes. I like to have some control and familiarity in the space I am in.

[@patrickflynn1602]

Thank you so much, a real insight. Ordered the book, now to find workshops ...

[@paintcoach]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@henriquejanuario881]

great video and instructions! thanks a lot!

[@cynthiamarston2208]

Loved his self portrait and yes he is very great. Noticed paper wrapped brushes. I can understand why and new idea. So many brushes! Be careful one hasnt collected dust., loved the visuals in your video and content so valuable. Thanks thanks thanks! Thanks so much! Just think when you have as manyears as he has with your discipline. I have the lowest discipline in my life at this time. Must work that out

[@Nogoingback424]

Thanks for this. I’m just starting and I watch many of your videos. I’m going to try to paint a portrait of my Mom and I was going to try and match the photo. But her dress is a distraction in places and your video of painting all the wrinkles in the sleeve made me realize that I need to capture the essence of the photo and the feeling the photo evokes not the details of how the dress fits.

[@pavelsokov]

When did he do a workshop? I love Michael Shane Neal

[@tamer84hatoum]

the best video ever, thank for sharing 🤗

[@sandyd4271]

Love your videos! 🥰 Can you make a video giving some advice for how to make a successful self portrait?

[@neu-ter]

Thank you coach

[@maduraprasanga6813]

Thank you because i got really better in oil painting portrait from u......❤️

[@thelongpath6896]

dude your a fucking champ. Thanks for all the quality content.

[@shellyenglandart]

Awesome. Thanks

[@peckerdecker]

Great video. What's your fave *film poster design* ? Your _fave movie_ ? Keep sharing.

[@AdaArts]

Amazing works 👏👏👏👏👏😍

[@chellie2023]

Your camera angle now cuts off the top of the Nick Cage painting... is the final face in it now? Is it done? Great content- love all the insights you provide! Thank you for sharing what you gleaned from the workshop.

[@neu-ter]

That's amazing

[@DK-pl8xd]

Hi Paint Couch!

[@xiaoguan1143]

great content...thank you

[@reganbothma5435]

Awesome video mate thanks - thanks for all the tips and artist recommendations. John Howard Sanden - " Portraits from life - in 29 Steps " is also on the same level as this portrait painter - check him out too. His book is also amazing mate

[@joelthornton3508]

I want to use more linseed oil to give my colors more "pop". I know fat over lean, thick over thin and that linseed oil should be used last. I plan on using liguin and varnish underneath: allowing all to completely dry. Question: I have some older paintings that have only liquin on them. Can I use retouch to get them going again and then use linseed oil on top? Linseed on oil colors etc?

[@douglasriddle6447]

Did you get to see and touch Sargent's palette?

[@fereshmahta6113]

this video inspired me to start a workshop. do you advertise for your workshop? i had been to the workshop before. painting is a universal language like music! my dream is that all of your students paint at your workshop in Holywood!

[@ConkerKing]

His real trick is wearing a Saville Row suit whilst painting... 😊

[@RatusMax]

Painting from life feels easier because I am not burdened by living up to the fake expectations of a photo. Looking at things in real life has a different feel to it. In fact I feel like I am in prison when I paint from a photo because the picture is static and my eyes are only fixated on a screen. In real life my eyes can roam the whole scene, bounce around the whole area. Life is moving in front of me. A photo captures a millisecond in time. A painting captures a moment in time. There is just something about sitting there and experiencing the scene with the person, animal or things and having the time go by while painting that gives a different feel to it than a static photo. The only thing comparable is a video. However a video is open to interpretation. A painting from life is an interpretation of what someone processed while painting that is resolved. Commissions are an interpretation of the painter AND the people who the commission is for. it kind of reminds me of when making software actually. The person comes in with an idea on how they would like the software made and the software developers/engineers try to fit that vision as best as they can. We start with initial requirements but that rarely is static. There is a lot of back and forth to make sure it is exactly what the customer wants that changes those requirements. That's why they teach us to make rough sketches of the software gui before making it. Just in case the customer wants to change something major and does not want to feel burdened by that change. (us too lol) I almost forgot what I was suppose to talk about. Ok now those interpretations that a painter has of life is what builds into their style. YOU experience the world differently than others. What you decide to focus on, deem important to identify the person, how you want to make the painting feel to others, how you take in how others perceive your paintings, speaking to the people you are painting, all these experiences you interact with is building your style. Let's talk about hurricanes. A hurricane occurred some while back. Many people spoke about how they were gridlocked in traffic moving slowly. Some spoke about how they lost everything in the storm, some speak about how they helped rescue people during the storm. If all these people could paint the same thing of some place after the event, we would see different interpretations of this same event.

[@judymays2200]

Hi Chris , Love your videos and your work! Do you by chance know what kind of travel easel Michael Shane Neal was using while sitting down in a client's home per your video of him? Thanks !

[@paintcoach]

I do not but strada makes some of the best plein air easels that travel well

[@vm4497]

Could u talk about failed paintings? How often do you not finish a painting? My win/loss ratio has me discouraged 🥵

[@PaoloBizzocoArt]

i hope that one day, we could meet, i like your paintings, your ways to teach art, your editing, that inspiring me for my art and my art youtube channel 🤞🤞🤞 ps: i'm italian, sorry for my english 😂

[@vernonhart9292]

I'm trying to draw from a foto of a face which is very dear to me.can you make a demo.

[@jimqartworks]

amazing, thanks for sharing, in time stamp 13:28, is that is his palette? what are the colors? thanks

[@Tedzee8]

They decided to remove the use of therpentine at school. How the heck do thy can use oil paint without it?

[@mickeydejong8950]

Can you show us how you use photoshop for certain painting

[@paintcoach]

I sure can

[@williambo5989]

looks like he was influenced by Rose

[@redangrybird7564]

Painting from life has the inconvenience that the first day the sitter is looking to the right and the next day to the left and so forth, then the portrait ends up cross-eyed and with the mouth in the wrong place, LOL.

[@chukukaogude5894]

You are right. However all you have to say is, "can you look this way for me?" They usually won't get mad. Also, I was told to draw the things that barely move. Eyes, nose area. The mouth can have many movements. So it's not as important when getting likeness as the eyes and nose. Also the iris placement should be subjective. Meaning unless the person wants it looking a certain way you can control where the eyes look.

[@redangrybird7564]

@@chukukaogude5894 I paint portraits, but I prefer to use photos, as the expressions of the sitter change not only day by day but minute by minute. Before the advent of photography there was no choice but to paint from life, but nowadays I prefer to take advantage of photography and even digital enhancing software.

[@chukukaogude5894]

@@redangrybird7564 I 100% know where you are coming from. I digital paint from photos as well and using Corel painter. I tried digital painting a scene outside and the screen was so dull in the presence of the sun. I took a picture and left to do it at home. It is my hope to become a decent concept artist like FZD. I just need 1/10 of that skill. The thing that painting from life allows me to realize change happens. It help me be a bit more creative and fluid. I use to look at a canvas and draw 1 curve or shape every 5 minutes. They were great but time consuming. I tried it from life and realized I'd never finish drawing lol. I was extremely rigid. I don't traditional paint because I can't afford the material. I bought Corel painter on humble bundle and a Lenovo with a pen on black friday. So you know I am using all the advantages of modern tech. It has allowed me to work on my drawing/painting skills.