TOP Tips for Loose Painting

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Today I want to talk about how you can achieve greater looseness in your oil paintings. No matter what subject you want to paint, when painters aim for looseness but struggle, it often comes down to the same few problems.
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B O N U S C O N T E N T
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C O L L E C T O R I G I N A L A R T W O R K
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F O L L O W
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[@daikayll1897]

Try starting a painting from a photo or photos. Then after 10 minutes , put the pictures away and try finishing from memory. But for only a further 10 minutes. In 30 minutes you may have a painting but it will definately encourage you to speed up WHEN you go outside.

[@jerrychan1471]

I absolutely love your shared thought processes behind your beautiful paintings. Fantastic video, keep them coming!

[@andreabluegreen7530]

Really clear and helpful. I appreciate your thoughts on thinking the painting through before hand and understanding what will continue to be compelling to you. It seems so obvious, but someone had to say it for it to be so. Thanks!

[@deannak1841]

Monet discovered that light changes every 6-7 mins which resulted in pieces like his Hay stacks, working on them simultaneously, switching out his canvases every few minutes

[@daikayll1897]

And art has learned that Monet had an eye difference also. He saw things differently too. I wondered why I was unable to see nature in a similar , Impressionistic , way as the first exponents did . Plus , not enough attention paid to the instance of tubed paint. This enabled artists to venture outside more easily.

[@urbanpioneer5326]

The advice on figuring out the composition alone was worth the time. Thank you Chelsea.

[@KathyBrooksArt]

Loved seeing the real time and all of your commentary. Thanks!

[@bryonyjordan4692]

Such useful information, wonderful brushwork, beautiful oil painting.

[@AnthonyCZeccaSr]

Thank you for sharing your process…helped me get in better touch with the experience.

[@chriscallen6897]

I’ve been locked in with my vintage cars for so long , sometimes it’s difficult for me to paint really loose. I did paint a little 5x7 yesterday and just doing that , it was a nice change of pace. The painting is almost finished . Usually it takes me weeks to finish a painting.

[@willowbendstudio]

Great demo. I love the paint sample suggestion. Going to try that for sure.

[@charleswebster2682]

After watching your video, I realise I should paint more thank you, I like the single placement of brush strokes without to much fussing around.

[@lovesalt8613]

this is GOLD. thanks so much:) really informative

[@psterud]

A lovely video. First time on this channel. I think much of what you said can be applied to all media. Practice, learn from mistakes, get confident and deliberate. Great painting. Oh, and I'd recommend plein air (going out into nature and painting directly) for any artist who feels locked up. It's invigorating.

[@jdbate]

BTW. for those without an Edge system, to use stick on velcro tabs ...and the same on a sheet of firm board or, as I use Coreflute, is a similar outcome, works for me.

[@fedeabascal]

I love this painting. Very inspiring and useful tips

[@carolynpaints]

so good!! I love your channel I have learned so much from you ❤️

[@gusposey8218]

Beyond your obvious talent, you have a real warmth and a kind of thoughtfulness that's all too rare these days. Thank you for sharing that with us. I hope you are recognized as extraordinary in the categories you inhabit.

[@stanlee2200]

Noone like a kiss-a$$

[@wildoutdoors24]

New subscriber here, from the moment I started watching your vid I knew I'm at the right place. I can really relate to all you've said about this one😊 thank you so much for the tips. Will definitely go through your list👍

[@GayanthiPereraArt]

Absolutely mesmerizing ......truly enjoyed watching your process :-)

[@pleinaire8698]

refreshing and fun and very informative!! thank you!

[@cyndykated358]

I love the texture in this style…all the colors overlapping…it’s beautiful.❤

[@jess65963]

I love your pallette and composition. Thank you.

[@helgaleifsdottir5191]

So beautiful, Chelsea. A great artwork painted loose. Thank you for an extraordinary teaching.

[@Agape-kn1wx]

Eighteen minutes and Thirty six seconds well spent today learning from you ! Watching from Hong Kong. Thanks for the gift, much appreciated.

[@sketchninja7005]

super nice, thanks for showing your process

[@rajatshanbhag]

wonderful demo. Thanks for sharing your valuable insights on loosening up to paint! :)

[@darkeverythingbagel]

Thank you thank you so much for this lesson. I am a beginner painter and still trying to learn the fundamental techniques and seeing this real time demo is truly valuable. I also appreciated the insightful and honest commentary. I'm looking forward to more of your videos. 💯

[@wenchen2553]

Thank you for this Chelsea! Found your channel just a few days ago and I already feel like I've learned so much! You're a great teacher thank you ❤️

[@inceptor_arts]

Me also exactly same... nothing difference

[@LondonBridge99]

Watching your videos always inspires me. Thank you ❤

[@bodawei425]

Not only talent in your work: lot's of cleverness in your approach and process. Thanks again for sharing it with us all~!

[@cindyrobidou7028]

First time viewing a video of yours. I enjoyed it! I learned one of the reasons why I gravitated to a certain subject matter over others. Thank you.

[@andrewfaulkner7313]

beautiful painting. Thanks for sharing! Could you share what colors you mixed for the initial underpainting of the foreground area and the purple sky wash?

[@mimigarritydenman2896]

Great video. I also use the eye dropper tool on Photoshop. I'm often very surprised at the actual color. Thank you for sharing your expertise

[@vktwins6645]

We found this channel just now🤩 and loved all your painting.. your Presentation....everything.❤❤. & subscribed✌✌

[@philipcoleman8184]

Love the bright yellow and orange sky!

[@emmanuelpower2439]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you😊

[@lisastuper1120]

Hi Chelsea. Your explanations about the painting process and psychology behind art really resonates with me. Could you please recommend any books you might know about regarding the psychology of art or painting or the psychology of the artist? Thank you so much for all you do!

[@pollyester6627]

Excellent information, thanks! That unconscious patting habit is a great point, the mind is tricky bugger indeed.

[@TriniRoyQuiReyes]

Your tips really motivate one to work from Life , and I so much appreciate it. Quite an insightful upload friend ❤️ Thank you so much for sharing 😘

[@africo9104]

Thanks Chelsea that was really lovely. I look at your tutorials over and over, do you dip your brush into your Gamsol first and then pick up the oils next. Does that not mess up your oils, or do you have two pallettes ?

[@azimegultekin1408]

Thank you soooooo much, it's so good lesson👌👌👌👌👌

[@Artistmaninderdandiwal]

Thanks for the video 'really helpful for artists

[@user-xq9cw4ss6u]

Thank you for this video, really informative

[@pauleliot6429]

perfect colors and they justify what you do, nice.

[@sainithya3833]

Hi Chelsea. Thanks for the information. Can you make a video on how you edit your reference to bring the desired effect ??

[@PaintAndDrawTogether]

So beautiful Chelsea :) I have been painting watercolor lately but watching you is making me want to take out my oil paints :) 🤎

[@jadetobin]

Loved this video :) I know absolutely nothing about oil painting but love your art and your helpful videos so thats why I subscribed as soon as I found your channel a while ago. Like I had no idea oil paint could go on so watery...well, obviously medium or oil I guess, not water, but you get my point. Very cool. I'm using our kitchen to learn so haven't wanted to get into solvents and things...but maybe one day if I can get better and also a better set up :) But this advice is awesome for helping me loosen up in acrylics and watercolor too. Drives me crazy how hard it is to loosen up!! I'll feel like I'm being loose, and before we know it I'm up close, tensely holding my brush doing too much detail :/ or obsessing about what I'm doing wrong...which is probably a lot😳 but I'll start with the intention of 'just for fun...loosen up!' but always fall back into overworking it or overthinking it and ends up too tight or too stressful. So....I'm just teaching myself as an old lady, so not like expecting amazing, but it us frustrating to have these things in my head I need to get out only to have them not be at all what I intended. I'm also impatient and in a lot of pain always so that adds to the impatience 😊 so....just trying to also teach myself to slow down and breathe and not get as mad at myself....though I also suck at that! Aaahahahaa anyway, love your channel and advice and always look forward to your videos :) Thanks so much for taking the time to share them!!!

[@dfw6773]

Very helpful - thank you. Do u mix your colors beforehand or are u mixing each stroke as u go?

[@9jmorrison]

Pearls of wisdom, thanks

[@hilbertotrujillo9612]

Thanks for the willingness to share this loose painting. The type of style I like. I would like to paint a portrait of my children.

[@wtsmedalla2008]

Hilberto: try to paint other people's portrait first, the most dificult are your own children. Best of luck.

[@petersenesac8102]

Great tips. Thanks . If you answer questions I have one about the color mix you used in the first wash. A beautiful gray that looks like magenta ,ultra , and b sennia?

[@janerogers5717]

Lovely piece of art. Would be good to see your ref photo and your palette and colour choices and mixing

[@evanwilson6405]

How did you mount your canvas or paper? How does it stay secured in that spot?

[@pamelabrowne3684]

Beautiful!

[@morvenb7759]

Love your style and the colour palette is really lovely. I signed up to find out what it was but there was just a large list. How can I find out what colours you used for the initial sky and the sunset yellows and peach tone please?

[@arcuda2001]

thanks so much , chelsea, for another wonderful video, and some great tips!! i paint in gouache, and watercolors ( norakag ), and i find so many of your tips snd thoughts applicable and helpful to me, regardless of using different mediums .. thanks so much for your generosity in sharing .. be well and have great weekend 👍👍

[@trinket2fine]

The clouds look like they are exploding out of the tree. LOVE your color palette.

[@grounded9623]

I love it. Thank-you.

[@philsmith7398]

You are very eloquent...and a great artist! THANKS! Sub'd

[@attechoutdoors5893]

Great work. By watching kids paint and viewing their work I find one must paint with a kids mind on one thought to keep things loosely… Your work will help me get away from the to tight painting.. Thanks for video and I subbed you. May God bless.

[@PHVCE]

Fantastic video. Thanks for sharing.

[@Toqueville2023]

That easel is fantastic..

[@dawnmillett4875]

Thank you. What is your studio set up? Is this a pochade? Lovely painting. .

[@cthulhuhandluke8026]

Great video . Can you please share the colors used?

[@taosfamily]

Great lesson, TY..

[@gracejones2831]

I just have to say I love the way you speak. Your tone and pauses.... may seem like an odd thing to compliment, but I really noticed it.

[@coopart1]

Lovely painting . It’s stands on its own.

[@petermorffew9851]

I make a small sketch of what I might want to paint. This will be out side and only work quickly. This is what I will work from to ensure I don't get bogged down with detail. If by chance I do work from a photo, again I make a sketch. This is some times a large A1 size sheet of paper. Another way to work from a photo is use software that can blur the image.

[@ArtActivePk]

Amazing painting

[@erlingandersen8008]

very informative thanks

[@daikayll1897]

Great vids , thanx.

[@johnslawson3917]

Good painting lesson, but I feel you should talk about the colours & how to apply them !

[@Attitudeofart]

Awesome 😎 painting 🖌️🎨

[@maciejszkudlarek5340]

Pretty col results!

[@scootmcgoot570]

My paints are way thick and dry. What do you mix w yours?

[@alanFconrad]

that was great

[@rosiethebear300]

I'd love to make sense out of your easel or the board you have your painting on.

[@janemcgeough3152]

Great & beautiful! What mediums are you using??? You didn't say. I assume a gum turpentine/solvent with paint to start, but you add what medium to make it run so nice?

[@taosfamily]

How do you hold that canvas to the easel? TY🙏

[@fantashio]

Keep it up, bro.

[@kamrankazemi]

Very very beautiful... 👍👍👍👍👍

[@slimbuttermilk]

Thanks for all the sharing of experience you’ve given in this tutorial. Working through or around these impediments and challenges take a lot of effort and time. You’re a blessing and I look forward to following your work.

[@GloriaQuintaglie]

what are you using to make the oil paint so loose?

[@jdbate]

Somebody used the word eloquent, yes. very inciteful, and need to say more but a thank you will suffice. I use Acrylic's but many thing are common with oils. obtaining average values and not blending or hundreds of smaller brush strokes would be useful to me. but never the less, you are helping immensly. Ta

[@jaysondronaarts]

what medium did you used in that violet background

[@Toqueville2023]

Chelsea, you once mentioned a book on alla prima painting. The best I can remember it was written by a man named Cameron? Is that the authors name?..The painting a day for 30 days is a goal. And the idea of not mixing on the canvas but on the palette is very helpful.

[@lindseyB_33]

Alla prima is written by richard schmid :)

[@JVPaints]

I like plane air painting too.

[@martinramson1479]

Turneresk. Brilliant.

[@edgardorozcocampos]

The combination of strokes with material difference is interesting. It would be better to have mentioned the palette you used, although it can be inferred. Thank you

[@augustasilvis297]

Thank u

[@retiredpainter259]

How many coats of gamvar

[@Eva-iy6vy]

Very good ...

[@dallasokelly2951]

Can you show your pallet while you paint please?

[@thalaagdal2457]

Je vous découvre et je suis surprise de tant de simplicité ! J'aime beaucoup ce que vous faites. Dommage que je ne comprenne pas ce que vous dites et il n'y a malheureusement pas de traduction en français. Pourriez vous l'activer svp. Merci pour le plaisir que vous inspirez.

[@gathercreatelivewithleslie8340]

Thanks for all the info, I haven't started oils yet, trying to learn basics first. QUESTION- why is it necessary to varnish an oil painting?

[@sketchingjohn1678]

It helps protect the painting. Also, it evens out the sheen of the painting. With oils (and often acrylics) you'll often get passages that are shiny and some that are more matte. A varnish gives it an even look. Hope this helps.

[@bonsaitomato8290]

The point of varnishing an oil painting is first to unify the surface quality and bring back the depth of the color, particularly the darker colors. As oil paint cures it can become matte and lose the depth it had when it was wet. I say “cure” because oil paint doesn’t actually “dry” or evaporate, it oxidizes when exposed to air. Varnishing brings the painting back to the state of freshness that it had when it was first painted. Secondly varnishing adds a layer of protection over the oil paint. Over the life of a painting it will be exposed to dust, soot, dander, and general grime and having a protective layer over the oil paint ensures the paint will not be compromised by these things. After many years as the varnish ages and is no longer a benefit to the painting it can easily be removed by gently applying solvent to the surface of the painting. This will reactivate the varnish and it can be lifted off with soft cotton cloth or cotton swabs. Then new varnish can be reapplied bringing the painting back to the state it had when it was new. I’m a painting conservator and I have had to do this to oil paintings many times. It’s wise to varnish your paintings just use caution and make sure the painting is ready for varnishing. Premature application of varnish can interrupt the curing process of the paint and that has a whole host of issues itself. Generally wait at least a month for safety, two weeks can be enough provided the paint was applied thinly. If you must varnish a painting for a show and you’re not sure if it’s fully dry I suggest applying a “retouch varnish” . This type of varnish gives you the unified surface of a fresh painting but it still allows the air to penetrate so the painting can continue to cure. I hope this helps.

[@claires9100]

If you are just starting oils, check out Paint Coach. (He referred me to Chelsea) But he is good for helping people get started. Answers lots of questions like you just asked.

[@HondoTrailside]

@@bonsaitomato8290 And this is special varnish for this purpose. If you put on boat varnish, it is not going to lift off when the time comes, as well as being too thick and generally a disaster.

[@bonsaitomato8290]

@@HondoTrailside Yes , use only artists grade varnish. Nothing for furniture or boats. The traditional varnish is damar varnish but I've found that it tends to yellow quickly. I've seen paintings only a decade old come to me covered with an amber darkened appearance because an inferior damar varnish was applied to it. Pretty much most of the varnishes sold in reputable art supply stores will offer a quality that is sufficient for it's purpose. For first time painters I would steer clear of making your own varnish from damar crystals. The ratios and temperatures needed for making your own varnish can be too particular for inexperienced painters to deal with. In this day and age there are many better options and the quality of ready made varnishes have gotten much better and are more archival than they were just 50 years ago.

[@salbarracca]

I don't like painting outdoors and the hassle it entails. I only work from photos. To paint looser don't use small brushes and take your photo and place it further away so you can't see the details.

[@safir2241]

do you really only have 15 mins when painting plein air? I usually strategically go outside in the midday so the angle and color of the light doesnt change much

[@jaysondronaarts]

How can you put trees over a brighter sky without going milky?

[@luciminettea.3520]

Great video, thank you. I have a question certainly stupid : how long do you wait before putting your gloss ? Thank you again.

[@LearningPleinAir]

she said that if she is using Gamvar, its a couple weeks after she paints it, but as I understand it, most varnish manufacturers recommend 4-6 months for your painting to dry fully, before varnishing

[@luciminettea.3520]

@@LearningPleinAir thank you so much

[@LearningPleinAir]

@@luciminettea.3520 my pleasure

[@chaitai2533]

left lower corner was my fav 😢