Christmas Painting

[@RafaNieradzik]

Wonderful, delicate impastas :)

[@SirPrancelot1]

Another great painting.

[@jtpaar1732]

I very much enjoy watching you paint, Alain because in the beginning - honestly - I'm cringing trying to figure out HOW you're going to make a painting out of all these apparently random marks you're making. Low and behold, it all comes together like a puzzle with a painterly style, bold, sometimes unexpected colors and a realism that is a true genus! Thank you for the great videos & instruction! And a Merry and blessed Christmas to you and yours! Take care.

[@SirPrancelot1]

He's great isn't he? Merry and blessed Christmas to you too.

[@debras1503]

I agree, I have pastels and I have learned so much!

[@marthasimon1277]

Love your gentle instruction snd explanation. Sweet countenance. Thank you.

[@AlainPicard]

You are very welcome Martha! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@hedonisticmind]

Very nice abstract values in this Pastel drawing. Would look great near my fireplace

[@TocTocTrax]

Very impressive pastel! Vibrant, fresh and lively composition. Thanks for sharing!

[@AlainPicard]

You're welcome Too Too Trax!

[@margaretnelson2285]

Thank you for sharing joy!

[@AlainPicard]

You are very welcome!

[@lucillefemine2339]

Nice. I love that free style.

[@AlainPicard]

Awesome thanks Lucille!

[@dulcieogilvie5786]

Gorgeous!!!

[@maxiloulink6971]

Thank you , Love the Christmas cheer, Stay safe, see you , Merry Christmas.

[@sabaterarte]

Thanks a lot for this besutiful demo, God bless you and your family and l hope you can have a happy and nice days of Christmas plenty of peace and healthy

[@AlainPicard]

Thank you Elena, that means alot, and Merry Christmas to you as well.

[@madamrose1965]

Lovely ❤

[@ranjanachand9306]

Beautiful.. Merry Christmas

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Ranjana, Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@jirinapavlikova4762]

Dear Alain, love your art and this flower has brightend my day🌹💋 so beautiful🙏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@AlainPicard]

Thank you Jirina, that's wonderful. All my best!

[@Dony3791]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful demo. I'm looking forward to the painting challenge.

[@MrNele99]

Love this, but my color sense is puzzled! You keep mentioning pink, when all I see is red and orange. But a beautiful result! I'm going to try this for my Xmas card.

[@AlainPicard]

Oh no! Well, It's a reddish/pinkish/orangie/glorious color. I like those fucsia's and reds that lean toward an orange/pink. Use whatever suits you best and enjoy!

[@joannschoenleber813]

Wow sooo vibrant! I need to wear shades, haha. . .incredibly beautiful! Thank you Alain

[@sophiereinecke8659]

Dear Alain. Thank you for the lovely video demo. I joined you and enjoyed it tremendously AND I now have a Christmas Card to send electronically to everyone I know. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

[@elisagladkowski2330]

What a wonderful gift it is! Thank you.

[@AlainPicard]

You're very welcome Elisa, thanks for appreciating! All the best

[@alicebeshay1744]

I think the beauty of this work is how abstract the color strokes are! Amazing how fresh it looks🌹👏

[@peterkotlowski4613]

Thanks for sharing. Wonderful loose style with such vibrancy

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Peter, glad you found it inspiring, all the best!

[@annethomas717]

What a science of the right place for the right colour! Il's a pleasure to follow your way through the painting. Merry Christmas to you too!

[@AlainPicard]

Thank you Anne, that's kind. All the best!

[@andrearhoda2802]

Thanks again for a GREAT DEMO!! I prepped my board as soon as I finished watching this lesson and tomorrow I'm doing my own version of your gorgeous poinsettia........Have a Warm and Wonderful Holiday Season..........

[@debykalush9199]

Loved how you pulled that triangle shape out to begin your sketch. I have your floral dvd and I'm in cultivate. Love your work!

[@AlainPicard]

Hey Deby, great to see you here! Glad you enjoyed, it's always good to find the abstract shapes!

[@aliciamolloy5948]

Beautiful! Looking forward to the next challenge.

[@AlainPicard]

Yeah, so glad you are up for another challenge, Alicia! All my best

[@alanesteinacker9556]

Thank you for this video - so great, and so grateful! Looking forward to the 30-day challenge!

[@susanthrom3092]

Thanks Alain, amazing way you use color and value,A very Merry and Blessed Christmas to you and your family. Since I took your course I have been working and continue to work with pastels and mark-making,I think if I didn't do it,I wouldn't have the comfort I now enjoy...Love the sparkle.

[@jonlord1038]

You truly inspire me to paint! Continue uploading new pastel paintings. Love your landscape tutorials!

[@AlainPicard]

Thank you Jon, I'm glad you are inspired, keep painting!

[@carolkoonin1180]

As usual, that was wonderful to watch. You make it look so easy!!! Such a beautiful flower painting. Can't wait for the next challenge.

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Carol, you are kind!

[@marcyshannon2607]

Merry Christmas. Thank you for the joy you bring to us.

[@AlainPicard]

You are very welcome Marcy, Merry Christmas to you too!

[@julieannemason4877]

It was so fun to paint with you. I am not typically as bold but this was so good to go bold! I love it!

[@AlainPicard]

Yeah! Glad I encouraged you to go bold, that's exciting. All the best Julie!

[@kristanicholas2936]

Thank you for sharing the demo of the poinsettia. Yes, it added joy to see the painting come alive. Merry Christmas!

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Krista, you are so welcome!

[@melaniebettridge8943]

Thank you for sharing this, what a fantastic painting. I will certainly be trying this. Have a peaceful Christmas 👏🤗

[@AlainPicard]

Wonderful news, Melanie, I'm glad you'll give it a try! Keep painting

[@marionwigzell7334]

A stunning painting Alain. Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy and safe Xmas (-: Marion

[@AlainPicard]

Merry Christmas to you as well, Marion, that's kind!

[@elisagladkowski2330]

Your painting is wonderful, as well as your talk about creativity. Happy Holiday Season and also Happy Winter Solstice to YOU and your Family!

[@mitchellart1]

As always, gorgeous. Excited about the upcoming challenge! I’m in. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.

[@AlainPicard]

Thank you Claudia, so glad you enjoyed, and i'm thrilled you want to join the upcoming challenge!

[@alexiscelis6851]

Alain, the previous comment is from me Alexis, don't know why my name doesn't show. Excited about the Christmas project. Yours truly: Alexis Celis from Mexico.

[@markmuhlemann3482]

a year late watching but truly inspiring how mark making and colour transition brings the poinsettia to life...off to paint mine now..thanks Alain

[@catherinevogel]

You’re like a Maestro! Beautifully painted. Thank you for this!

[@luciennecruvellier5981]

This was so beautiful and helpful! Thank you Alain! Merry Christmas to you too!

[@AlainPicard]

Blessings to you Lucienne! Merry Chrismtas

[@billwesterman4583]

Thanks Alain, and a Merry Christmas to you and your family. I will pass this on to our artists at central Ohio Plein Air.

[@AlainPicard]

That's great Bill, so glad you can enjoy it together!

[@carolhestand2561]

Absolutely glowing! thank you! Can't wait to see your challenge.

[@AlainPicard]

Thank you Carol, all the best!

[@miguelesteinmetz6019]

Thank you Alan !!!!Merry Christmas to you and your family

[@sandradonofrio413]

The “red petals” are leaves. The flowers are the very center parts. Look at the entire plant. The leaves change color, to green, on descending the stem.

[@AlainPicard]

Thank you for the education! While I may not know the inner workings of a Pointsetta plant, it is great fun to plaint them. Hope you will too!

[@jancarlton6674]

so beautiful ! Merry Christmas to you and Mirjam and your whole family!

[@ColleenM61]

Oh! Beautiful piece and so helpful for a newbie like me. Thank you for all you do.

[@AlainPicard]

Great news, and keep painting Colleen!

[@cynthiaheinz3537]

Explosion of brilliant red... uplifting symbol of this holiday season! Thank you!🎄

[@AlainPicard]

You are very welcome Cynthia!

[@denisegrossman3840]

Yeah so exciting!!! Thanks Alain!💖

[@AlainPicard]

Hey Denise, glad you enjoyed!

[@MrMenmo14]

Thank you for the great demonstration Alain, and a great work for Christmas. Have a Merry Christmas!

[@AlainPicard]

You are very welcome Moises!

[@tel5891]

Thank you so much Allain. I love your style, your delivery and your paintings. Please keep up the excellent work

[@AlainPicard]

Awww, thanks Tel, that's kind. I'm honored. All the best!

[@victorialewkow5730]

Lovely! Thank you for sharing your technique. Happy Holidays!

[@AlainPicard]

Thank you Victoria, all my best to you!

[@janetrawlings9050]

I did one too! Thanks for the demo and encouragement to paint one myself!

[@Ron-wf1tt]

True artist !

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Ron!

[@alexiscelis6851]

Hi Alain,I'd love to follow your project. When is it starting? Are you going to paint snow? Snowed trees, landscape? When do we start?

[@mjpete27]

Well Alain, another truly amazing painting and a lesson we can all learn from too! I love how you painted the RED leaves of the plant with the flowers nestled deep in the center! Thank you and may your holidays be bright. All the best to you and your Family

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Michael, you have kindly corrected my vernacular, it's a plant! The red leaves are such fun to paint. All my best!

[@nikielmore2474]

Gorgeous! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[@AlainPicard]

Thank you Niki, all the best!

[@birgitblume4980]

Thank you Alain!!!! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!

[@AlainPicard]

Hey Birgit, thanks, and Merry Christmas!

[@sman7099]

Hi Alain, another beautiful painting! I did watch your video on different brands and I have a couple myself. I noticed on some of your videos like this one and the orange slices there are some pastels that are so vibrant they almost look like neon - which pastels are you using for these great colours that pop?

[@constancearnold9367]

Adore your mark-making! As always. As a floral designer and gardener I happen to know that the red part of the poinsettia is actually a bract or modified leaf. The little yellow things in the center are actually the flower!

[@AlainPicard]

I knew someone would set me straight! So it's more of a plant that flowers, but it's beautiful!

[@reneekroyer5104]

I started a poinsettia today and this has helped me a lot, Alain. Thank you so much for this demo. I have a hard time keeping my marks loose and I plan on painting along with you to see if I can achieve that same look. God bless you, thank you for your time and talent and for sharing them with all of us. Merry Christmas!

[@AlainPicard]

Hi Renee, so glad you gave this a try, keep painting and Merry Christmas!

[@bradharper5397]

Hi. Very nice of you to provide this training, so Thank You! I have a general question about fixatives. Does anyone use them? Do they darken the painting? Thank you all in advance...

[@patsnellingweiner8740]

Thank you! Merry Christmas! Can't wait to see what the 30 in 30 days brings!

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Pat, and I look forward to sharing more with you

[@debykalush9199]

I'd love to do the 30day challenge! Looking forward to it. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@ulul4973]

Love your art! Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@AlainPicard]

Thank you so much, that's kind. All the best!

[@sandrabiddlecombe6233]

Beautiful tutorial thank you. Look forward to hearing about the challenge x

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Sandra, and you are welcome!

[@ellenpillersdorf2986]

Love watching you and seeing the painting develop.

[@AlainPicard]

Thank you Ellen, that means alot! Keep painting

[@DJoyceBird]

Hello Alain! I'm new to your youtube channel AND to pastel. During these difficult times of isolation, I'm finding art-making is my therapy. Thank you! I have a request. You talk about doing greyscale thumbnail drawings so I was wondering if you could make a demo on that specific subject. Do you use a grayscale photo when you do your study? Looking forward to seeing more of your videos. Best, Deanna NH

[@bobgenet598]

BEAUTIFUL , GREAT TUTORIAL. YOU HAVE BRIGHTENED MY DAY THANKYOU. HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

[@AlainPicard]

Wonderful news Bob, thank you!

[@karenstowe1108]

Thank you, Alain, and Merry Christmas!

[@AlainPicard]

You are very welcome Karen!

[@rang9880]

Lovely

[@suzanneowens8914]

Beautiful, Alain, as always! Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us!

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Suzanne, glad you enjoyed it!

[@lisarico1213]

This is great Alain! I'm going to paint a poinsettia today as a result!

[@AlainPicard]

Fantastic Lisa, that's great news!

[@janetvisser8522]

You are my mentor great work Merry Christmas

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Janet, keep painting!

[@veronicavankregten9758]

Looking forward to the challenge!

[@AlainPicard]

Yeah! So glad.

[@toniagrantham160]

I loved this tutorial! Thank you, Alain! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year!

[@AlainPicard]

So glad you enjoyed Tonia! Appreciate it, and all the best

[@beckycirkovic4942]

Is it OK for us to use your photo? If you haven't already, please show us how you take the photos of your subjects. I am so happy to have found you- besides being a great artist, I can actually follow what you are doing!!!

[@sueg8624]

Great inspirational demo as always and with a Christmas theme, what a wonderful gift you've given us, thank you!

[@MarinaMarina-fc8vk]

A matepiece!

[@lilybowers9395]

I love this and am working on painting it. Your marks are not showing paper through them. Is this because of the paper or are you pressing very hard. I was using Uart400 and the paper shows through until I get quite a few layers on. What paper are you using? And again, thank you.

[@AlainPicard]

The underpainting covers the "white" of the paper, and then I use very soft pastels like Terry Ludwig, Schminke, and Townsend. Hope that helps!

[@roxannekeomaka4754]

Gorgeous? Can’t wait to see what you have in mind next week

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Roxanne, excited to share it with you!

[@meetagoswami3539]

Thank you for a beautiful demo Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year to you and family Meeta Your student at PSA Manhattan

[@AlainPicard]

Hi Meeta, thank you for the lovely note, and Merry Christmas to you as well. So good to hear from you!

[@Engelhafen]

Alain, did you have a pastel injury to your hand? 😂. Merry Christmas - looks like you will be having a very snowy one.

[@AlainPicard]

Very funny! It gets dangerous in the studio.

[@reneekroyer5104]

@@AlainPicard It probably happened when you were sharpening your pastel pencils. lol Those craft knives are beastly! lol Merry Christmas to all.

[@mehrnazmoussavi]

What brand of soft pastels do you use/recommend? The ones you’re using look really high quality :-).

[@wardm4]

He has a great video called something like "What pastels should I use?" It's been awhile since I saw it, but I think you'll find the answer there!

[@AlainPicard]

Definitely watch my video, "What Pastels Should I Use?" for the best answer here!

[@mehrnazmoussavi]

Also, will you be using fixative on this after this painting is done to seal it?

[@AlainPicard]

I like to use Lascaux Fixativ as a final setting layer, but it's not necessary.

[@sandradonofrio413]

Pssst, you left out a petal! The one just below center, foreshortened. I expected it to become a slash of bright red. You had drawn it in but lost it in the process. Otherwise I really like the way you handled the painting.

[@debykalush9199]

Is that an alcohol wash on your paper?

[@AlainPicard]

Yes, I did an alcohol wash in blue-green

[@carolkoonin1180]

Alain it is called a Poinsettia....pronounced at the end...eea. Hope you don't mind me correcting you.

[@marsbeads]

Both pronunciations are acceptable. 😊

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks!