Bringing Flat and Boring Paintings to Life

If you've ever felt disappointed by a painting that feels flat and boring, this video is for you! In this video we'll talk about common pitfalls that can leave your work feeling dull and lifeless.
Whether its muddy colors, dull looking skin, or just portraits that lack depth, we'll cover it all.
Enjoy my videos? Consider becoming a patron. All funds from there go directly towards making these videos! / miriamhoffmann
Thanks for watching!
0:00 Introduction
0:31 Common Mistakes
1:14 Big Picture Form
2:30 Say Bye to Lines
4:08 Color and Form
6:25 Internal Forms
7:36 The Eyes
10:04 Increasing Drama
11:18 Reflected Light
13:15 Wrapping it up

[@edsoncarvalhoart]

I don't know if you've ever doubted the KZbin channel, but if so, I want to tell you how important you are, how much you help others. I'm an independent and self-taught artist, from a very small town in the interior of Brazil. You really help me learn and feel better about my art (especially now that I'm depressed). So I just have to THANK YOU. Stay strong! ❤

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Wow thank you! I needed that today 😊🤘🏼 I’m so glad you like the videos. I hope your days start to feel lighter and brighter. I started painting to help with my anxiety and bad days. Art is a wonderful thing to latch onto in those moments. Cheers!

[@Aleczanderm]

This video being free, and shorter than all the art schooling I’ve done. You have a way of explaining things that are to the point and without wasting words. Thank you

[@McKurdi]

All this she is saying is actually some of the first things you learn when you want to start drawing and studying the theory of realism on an academic level. For the artists who want to learn it before ruining many paintings, it’s better to start drawing and study the theory about shadows, mid tones highlights etc. . I am a tattoo artist and painter but started drawing before I went into those 2 businesses and the improvement is going really fast, compared to those who don’t even know how to draw properly, especially in realism which is the most difficult part even in the tattoo industry.

[@joannamarieart]

I love seeing another artist with a process similar to my own! It seems almost all artists I come across sharing their process online work mostly one small section at a time. I'm also one who bounces all over the canvas the whole time I'm working! I have to work on the painting as a whole - focusing on one section at a time doesn't make any sense to me until I'm in the very final detailing stages 😂

[@allexiapassos3490]

Not only you’re a great painter you’re also a great teacher! It’s incredible how you make everything so easy to understand. Thank you!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Wow, thank you! I really appreciate the kind words. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@amandalynnfarrey9102]

I just have to say - showing us your hand and that yellow pad against your neck was a WOW moment for me! I kinda felt like crying, because I guess I'd never realized how intense it was before! Game changer, thank you so much.

[@someone2447]

Makes me want to dig up my old art and paint over it....

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Haha I do that all the time!

[@cathysheffield4346]

Thank you! Especially helpful for us self taught artists. You demonstrated what I’ve been trying to understand perfectly!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

So glad you found it helpful!!

[@ladydamemarvelous-micynyc7265]

Like that you said lines don't exist unless it's a stylistic choice. Yes many painters include line in portraits. One is not better than the other, just a choice. Thanks.

[@shiggydiggy6847]

I have a vague recollection of James Gurney's book stating something along the lines of white light having the full spectrum of colour, so shadows will look more saturated in comparison. But it's very relative and takes a quite a bit of practice to get a good feel on how large the differences in saturation are when it comes to different materials. Rendering skin is a very different beast compared to rendering metal, since both the value and saturation scale gets wider the more reflective the surface is.

[@Handotr]

I watched a video of yours about a week ago. In that video you talked about saturated shadows. I immediately applied that to a portrait that felt dead to me. It helped a lot! Excellent teaching and instruction. Thanks!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

I’m so glad it helped!!! Thanks for sharing. You’ve made my day!

[@jekalambert9412]

Thanks for breaking down the steps to achieve more life like portraits.

[@Miriamhoffmann]

No problem!! Thanks for watching!

[@JAsisterti]

this is amazing, thank you !

[@CAZZIEK321]

Thank you so much. That was such an awakening. ❤

[@larissavannynatten4671]

Extremely helpful advice!

[@rahulsarkar1171]

Mind Blowing ❤

[@MoniqueBourgeois]

Reflective light section blew me away 😊 thank you ❤

[@rachealgetscreative]

You are SUCH a good teacher, explaining things in a way I've never heard before - and it's so helpful! Thank you!!!

[@mienchennn]

Thank you very much for the amazing tips. Love your work

[@spaguetti290]

My God, this was spectacular. Thank you for sharing!!

[@manashkikiiwe7455]

Wow.....Thank you! Taht was down-to-earth helpful. 🤩

[@richardsong8]

Great teaching!!!

[@sleyaraze8916]

Thank you! Much needed

[@jetsonjoe]

Thanks...this is really helpful...appreciate the sharing...excellent

[@angelgreenland2858]

Thank you this video has truly changed my life ✨!

[@user-uv6ns8ui8c]

Thank you so very much. You have shared some big and helpful ideas!!!

[@javiermartinez6295]

that was an amazing transformation

[@meimeihung4804]

You are the best teacher I have ever met, this is rare honestly......thank you for sharing.

[@jessicamaisonet917]

Wow thank you so much for explaining this. I just subscribed to your channel so happy that I found this video ❤

[@Jose-ik2pu]

I am just getting into painting and this video explains so many things vividly clearly and digestively, thank you so much.

[@valeriebecker5108]

This was a very informative video! Thank you so much

[@joshaw3753]

What an amazing video! You totally nailed it, Miriam! Very grateful for the time you spent producing this video to share.

[@alisonpaige7807]

Best video I have watched on paining tips, this helped so much! Already seeing an improvement thank you! ☺️

[@nmganse3]

I just want to say thank you. The saturation in the shadow tip changed my work significantly. Much appreciated!

[@ACGUIMARAESMZ]

Thank you! i love you

[@shannondreadon2335]

Hi Miriam. Yet another high-end video. 🤙I have said it in a previous comment, I have ditched other artists (with 500k,1m + subs) and have rested on your channel. Your way of explaining the process of painting (especially showing us the tools you use, while actually using them in the video) is magic. Please keep up the great work👍

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Wow, thank you! I really appreciate that feedback! Thanks for watching!

[@edsoncarvalhoart]

Exactly! I hope she becomes one of the biggest here. The quality is outstanding!

[@khaledfaisal5192]

This is impressively informative, even for digital artists.

[@davidvl3533]

This video has been so incredibly helpful! Thank you!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Im so glad it was helpful! Cheers!

[@ginn2363]

Omg I needed this so badly. I’ve been struggling with a painting and this video was exactly what I needed to complete it. Was having artist block because it’s been a while and I’m kind of rusty. Thank you for posting this!!

[@Ran_G]

This video was incredibly helpful and a pleasure to watch. I really appreciate the breakdown into stages. You're an excellent teacher. Thank you!

[@4zh3rR4m36h]

This was actually so helpful and well put. Thanks!!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

So glad to hear that! Thanks for watching!

[@kaicat207]

I'm so happy you've been posting so consistently! It's been motivating me to paint more. I usually get bummed at how my painting looks at Stage 0 that I abandon it and don't push it further. So it's nice to see your process :)

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Thank you! Yes don’t get discouraged at stage 0!!! Push forward!! If you ever have any questions just let me know!

[@UrsulaDorada]

What a gem of a channel! Thank you so much for the video!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Thank YOU for watching! 🤘🏼🥰

[@chriskoo4166]

u have such a great way of explaining things, and ur mannerisms and delivery is so captivating! I wish u were my personal art teacher (or fun aunt)

[@lisafred1362]

Thank you for making a video that I don't fall asleep watching. Your voice is beautiful, your painting is beautiful and this has come at just the right time as I transition from drawing to painting. Subscribed!

[@jimicwhite]

Wasn't expecting much, but this was a great video, actually useful easy to apply concepts. Love it

[@Miriamhoffmann]

So glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@lynnmazzoleni]

Wonderful tutorial, Miriam!!!!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mynameisjustj]

As an artist and a teacher … I loved this vid. You have a new subscriber.

[@johndoe-rq1pu]

It took me about 12 years to stop making mistakes like these, but it was surprisingly easy. I just had to stop painting.

[@rodeastell3615]

Great video, I really enjoyed it. Thank you for posting.

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@agathalynx]

thank you, it was very helpful. finally the portraits i paint will stop scaring me!😄

[@zaldum386]

Nobody can be such a good teacher and so beautiful, you must obviously be an AI

[@Anna.Borowski]

This was incredibly helpful! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Love your art!!🌼

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Thank you so much!!

[@juliaonwuegbule1628]

Wow The painting kept changing 👏🏽👏🏽 I hope I get to this level of skill someday

[@theneverwas2835]

Love the video, thank you.

[@Miriamhoffmann]

So glad you liked it!!

[@katmcd_ART]

Amazing info! Thank you!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

So glad you found it helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@jahidshumon6609]

Helpful video 😮After correction end product is good.

[@Walkingtalkingprayer]

I love this video. Funny that i stumbled upon it just today after i started my first canvas ever with a similar portrait (same perspective and the head has no hair yet). This helps! I tend to overblend my hard shadows, i dont know why. Looking forward to warming up my shadows also, i chose cool ones until now because i do that in makeup, but skin is a canvas that carries warmth within itself. Thank youuuuu

[@BlackKara]

I am so impressed with not only the art in this but the way you teach and show things is extremely helpful. Thank you so much. I'm happy to have clicked and now I'm subbed.

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Thanks so much! So glad you connect with it!

[@elconsultoriodecandida7304]

Great content, Miriam! Thanks from Spain.New subscriber😊

[@noteasybeingweezy]

Loved this breakdown process. I just subscribed and am looking forward to your back catalog and future videos. 😊

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Yay! Thank you! Welcome!

[@nofaultinthis]

this is form! this is what i was missing! this video is what i needed! tysm i finally have a good understanding of form and how i can implement it into my potraits❤❤

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Glad it helped! 🥰🥰🤘🏼

[@eleaftha2008]

Thank you

[@Miriamhoffmann]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@richardkohlhof]

I am so glad I found you because I have problem and it's not uncommon and it's like I don't know how far to go and I don't know when to stop and you're kind of my life ring on a rope and you reel me in when I get hot and bothered and sweating and I'm not sure where to go and before I ruin an oil painting have to wipe it down I just have to look and there you are thank you

[@Ad_DOOM]

a vast improvement and some wonderful advice i'll take with me into my own painting. thanks

[@Miriamhoffmann]

You’re so welcome!

[@Bombur777]

Awesome stuff! Thinking in terms of form instead of symbol is such a hard lesson to learn as a beginner but you make it look easy. Very informative video!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Thanks so much!

[@DusanPavlicek78]

Great video, pointing out specific mistakes and showing how to fix them is a great way to learn and make progress quickly 👍😊 Also yours insights about light, colors and creativity in general were very useful.

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Glad it was helpful! And thank you for the wonderful feedback!

[@j_fenrir]

We're moving onto a portraiture unit in my art class, so this came at a perfect time!!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Awesome!! Cheers 🥰

[@jijijinie]

wow first time thanks to the algorithm and thanks to you too great video !

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@sandymonicanunezbassuk8685]

Thanks so much Miriam! I’ve watched many teaching videos (even from high end schools) and I’ve got to tell you , you are becoming my favorite teacher! Simple and clear explanation with great examples alongside, I really appreciate your teaching! You have certainly inspired me and given me some solid skills to improve with! Thank you!! Amazing work too 😄!!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Thanks so much! That means a lot to me!

[@mimobase]

I've been slaving over a very ambitious portrait painting that wasn't resolving itself, this might be the answer I need. Thank you so much, explained it effortlessly & beautiful painting!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Thank you! So glad you found it helpful!

[@mariannemcginnis7274]

I am trying to forget everything that was taught in art school! I swear it ruined me. I was pretty naive about what would happen there, at PAFA. I would learn to paint in a very very very academic way. And I did not excel at it. But I do consider myself a portrait artist. The work of Alice Neel is the ultimate in portraiture to me, and some others. I love the way she leaves the viewer knowing that she understands the form she’s making but she leaves it enough to make the work interesting, mysterious and exciting. She doesn’t try to get it “right”. She was a master. I hope to just improve and improve year after year. That’s my plan. I find videos like yours very helpful in that I get to see a different approach to the portrait. Thank you for taking the time to make them.

[@GreenlifeFin]

Wow, such a great video again! Even if I don’t paint oil, I find these extremely useful for all medium. And I think you inspire me to try acrylics again.

[@Miriamhoffmann]

You are so welcome! Cheers!

[@DutchCreekRanch1]

Lovely!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Thank you!

[@lauriecook3015]

This is a great video!! Bravo, I’m a subscriber. 🎉

[@sarahenders6482]

Lovely! Cant wait to start with oils and binge watch your tutorials lol

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Let me know how it goes! 🥰🥰

[@nicholasthompson1993]

Hi Miriam, these videos you've been putting up are incredible, thank you! I was a longtime fan on Instagram and now I'm learning a ton from watching you. Can I ask one question about this video: you highlighted the importance of painting soft edges, especially around the features of the face. How do you do that, technically speaking? Do you paint a color and then drag a dry brush across the adjoining colors? Or paint one color into the next? Thanks so much!

[@EarthToIndiaa]

I’ve been wanting to paint recently (colored pencils are my main medium) so I’ve been intimidated to just start since I’m beginner level. I instantly subscribed because you explained everything so well & i feel motivated to just start painting. I had NO idea about saturated shadows & thats seriously going to help me a lot, thank you for this video!!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

So glad you found it helpful!!

[@timsimmons7916]

Smoothing out the lines versus attempting to be more like John Singer Sargent is my current struggle. At 10:53, you started getting "chunky." At around 11:45, you started adding hard edges and smoothing, and adding more. This "painterly" creative idea of when to leave bush stroke edges and when to smooth is daunting for me.

[@mehrabahmedhasam5998]

you're a great teacher

[@Miriamhoffmann]

That is the best compliment! Thank you!

[@mehrabahmedhasam5998]

@@Miriamhoffmann most welcome

[@erinbumble6049]

great video.. thank you

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Thanks for watching!

[@mienchennn]

Awesome

[@williambo5989]

very good sharing thanks. if in doubt burnt sienna the shadows and add some green to light halftones

[@lisafred1362]

Thank you for this. Not sure why green.. because it is the opposite of warm red?

[@Vancssa]

ty this really helped :)

[@coryrain3937]

We will keep liking and commenting so KZbin takes notice and you get the distribution you deserve! Keep at it!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

You’ve made my day! Thanks for watching!

[@RyanFreemanAU]

are you waiting for each stage to dry before continuing? so glad i found your yt

[@hondo7028]

The best painting teacher on KZbin. You single? ❤

[@leniruess1719]

great video!!!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@HeavyArtTalk]

Excellent video, just subbed. In terms of the color picker tool/ color sphere shadow…what tech are you using for that?

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Thanks so much! The color picker tool I showed in the video is just the native one in the photoshop app. While I'm painting, I use a different color picker tool part of an app called Pixelmator. I believe its a one time purchase of $5 but in my opinion has been WELL worth the price. Ive used it for every painting the past two years :) Hope that helps!

[@lourensmaritz2334]

Why is this one video better than my art school?

[@JoelWrightArt]

You’re really good! Great teacher and great artist!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Thank you!! I truly appreciate that !

[@davidlugo24]

this is great , did you use a photo reference ?

[@oOSonnikuOo]

Hi Miriam, how do you avoid muddying your painting when you go back in to darken shadows? I'm told to work dark to light to avoid this, but I see you often go back to darken already painted areas when needed. Do you wait until it's dry?

[@user-ji1ow4gq8z]

I really love your videos, youre becoming one of my favorite art channels, if you have a patreon I'd definitely support it!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it. I do have a patreon if you’re interested 😊 the videos are the same but I do q&a videos over there as well. The $5 a month cost on Patreon goes directly towards making these videos. Cheers! www.patreon.com/miriamhoffmann

[@user-ji1ow4gq8z]

@@Miriamhoffmann Thanks for the reply haha! I subscribed to your patreon 😁

[@Miriamhoffmann]

You rock! Thanks for the support!

[@genevievedolan1288]

Are you painting from a model, or a photograph or prior knowledge of how shading works? I have a couple paintings that were begun in class with a model and would like to finish them, but with nothing to work from I am afraid of spoiling what I was able to capture during the sitting. Curious if you have any suggestions in this regard. That transformation was amazing!

[@eatingpeachesrnbye]

I just saw your video on tiktok!

[@Miriamhoffmann]

🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼😊😊

[@synrandcommunication5526]

Well explained! That sweater though, you almost had me doubt my sense of colour - it doesn’t look red to me 😊.

[@Miriamhoffmann]

haha i guess more of a burgundy color :) Youre right!

[@synrandcommunication5526]

Burgundy, that’s it! Sorry for being such a hue geek. Keep it up!

[@nicolab1708]

It purple! The purplest purrple that ever purpled. 😅💜

[@synrandcommunication5526]

@@nicolab1708 you had us! But at least it’s not red: www.google.com/gasearch?q=purple%20vs%20burgundy&tbm=&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5#vhid=cqNWOH1W8WKprM&vssid=l

[@chazsutherland]

@11:48 Red?!? RED?!? Stop messing with me! .... Subscribed.

[@Miriamhoffmann]

Haha. Sometimes I get flustered when I talk 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🙈

[@LoveBhagavan]

Miriam, being boring or not boring painting has nothing to do with how deep or good the artist conveys the depth effects or how convincing the life like representation of the subject. It has to do with idea, context and execution, the deed. Good luck

[@jennamurphy9614]

Do you always do a full painting and then paint over it with shadow and highlight?

[@fortnag]

I always think about sodoku when I render from a reference.