Dark Studios, Drawing with Projectors & more - Ep.17 Oil Painting Q&A with Mark Carder

If you have a question for me, post it in the comments below. I'll answer as many as I can in the next episode. Here are links to each question answered in this video:
00:36 - Do you think painting loosely surrounding the focal point is a learned attribute, and should a painter seeking to be better at realism first learn to paint without this abstraction?
03:44 - Which solvent would you recommend to rework an area that is dry without damaging the canvas?
04:47 - Some colors, like Winsor & Newton's Terre Verte don't hold their body when medium is added and become too transparent. What are your thoughts on this issue?
05:44 - You teach drawing using a proportional divider, but other methods includes the use of grids, projectors, and optical devices like a camera obscura. What are your thoughts on these methods? Is it "cheating"?
08:06 - How do I learn more about painting backgrounds? A poorly chosen or poorly painted background can ruin an otherwise good painting.
10:36 - As a left-hander, I've occasionally blocked in using my right hand, finding it looser and more accurate than left-hand blocking. Have you ever tried painting left-handed?
11:31 - In your "how to set up a still life" video you talk about taking a bunch of "junk" and just putting it in a shadow box at random until you arrive at a grouping you like. What are your thoughts on starting with things that have some relationship to one another?
12:56 - Why is it called "Geneva" Artists' Oil Color?
13:30 - How do you sign your paintings? Do you add any other info to the back?
14:39 - Sometimes I have difficulty getting in "the zone" when starting artwork. Do you have any warm ups you do before starting a painting?
16:59 - I use Winsor & Newton oil paint and after I finish a painting and it dries for several weeks, I can see shiny areas and dull areas. Does this happen with Geneva paint too, and can I mix Geneva paint and Winsor & Newton paint together on my palette and on my canvas?
19:31 - Do you usually work in a completely black studio like in your videos? Is it necessary? I think I would prefer a happier, bright, cheery studio, but I understand there might be glare issues. Can you talk more about that?
24:10 - It is easy to copy life itself on a canvas after years of practice, but how does one see value and color when copying from their imagination?
27:22 - When you are painting, how do you when you are "done"?

[@DrachenPrime]

Finally found a good teacher! You are phenomenal, a true artist!

[@conyxconyx]

I wish you to be healthy and full of achievements. From Romania with love.

[@tammygilchrest]

I would love to see an example of values being off...or not quite right. Is there a possibility of you painting up two identical studies (something very small of course) with one having dead on values and the other showing off values...then placing them side by side? That would be an awesome learning visual.

[@joesquat2891]

yes id love to see this

[@roseryan1542]

I have been watching your videos for a while and subscribed, but I think this is the first time I've commented. You are very informative and I like the way you deliver the information. Your painting demonstrations are superb and you deliver the technical aspects of painting in easy to understand language. We aren't all at the same level and I appreciate someone who isn't talking over my head. Thank you so much for taking the time from your busy schedule to make these videos available.

[@kevinmanning3753]

The best teacher on KZbin thanks!

[@LorraineHatrix]

I would love to know how to paint gold objects.

[@eyeonart6865]

Wow! You look 20yrs younger. Way to go! Your teaching is the best whether teaching wood working or painting. I feel you really want us to learn the process. Thank you so much.

[@victoriapage8815]

I have never heard anyone speaking so... right. It‘s just the right topics, the right questions, the right answers, all said with just the right words. Crazy. When i play one video i end up watching another and another, can‘t stop. You are just the right teacher. Thank You!

[@LosoIAm]

I learned to copy using the grid system, then it was too slow for me. So I learned to draw free hand - with more successes than failures. Now I used a projector to get the subject n composition right - time n energy are very precious to me, esp energy! I don't think I am cheating; more like "very lazy" n the end results are more important than the method. This is what happens when one gets old, I guess. Great video n thank you, sir!

[@jaardesign]

I love how you link your FAQs directly to the time point on your videos! Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks with us! I paint with Acrylics but have still learned so much from you.

[@j0nnyism]

I definitely prefer for objects to have a relationship with each other. Painting with left hand and concentrating with value with the right is a really interesting experiment and it may help for abstraction

[@angelafleak7440]

Please keep doing what your doing, everything you post is absolutely relevant, even back to basics it’s just how you present the material too brilliant... please keep them coming...!

[@tcausley]

Another great video Mark! These videos sure help me understand painting. Thanks again!

[@ronhochhalter3491]

I've just started painting this year, I really enjoy your videos. Your method of teaching is very comforting, it's not overwhelming. Thank you for the lessons you provide on this channel!

[@hayharbir]

You are a very good teacher. I have been taking classes for a little while, but I like your detail oriented style the most.

[@saffyshubobo8180]

I absolutely love your paints, the best I’ve ever used

[@AlBerto-ph6bu]

Thank you Mark !

[@repeatdefender6032]

I meant to comment on your last video, the way you explained values during that one finally clicked in my head and I had a breakthrough in understanding how to leave my strokes abstract. I don't know why it took so long but it's nice to finally get it. I'm super glad I found your channel, it has helped immensely with my understanding of realism. Thank you for that!

[@j0nnyism]

If ur painting landscapes from life then date and time is a very good idea on the back. The natural world changes week to week particularly in spring. Setting an alarm when u start painting is a good idea to help keep focus I think

[@tomcuff9971]

Congratulations on the success with your Geneva art supplies! I'm happy you're staying so busy

[@CALLOUSMANNER1]

Thanks Mark, really good Info.

[@RonSwansonIsMyGod]

Man, I really like that landscape at 25:06. Very dramatic looking.

[@darlenefeezell834]

Thank you for this video. I learned a lot with the questions and answers.

[@tomasnittner2765]

david leffel, a painter i very much admire said regarding the setup of stilllifes: " take something light, something bright, something dull, something dark" i tried it and it worked for me! kind regards to your little daughter geneva :-) tomas

[@corinaursu3003]

Great video! It helps me a lot with my paintings!

[@sharonmiller9138]

excellent wealth of information thank you

[@girlanachronism88]

I rembemberd James Gurney when you mentioned dinosaurs in the woods. Thank you for an excelent video :)

[@jetsonjoe]

love your videos. I did try your recommendation of painting studio dark...well....yes it was great to reduce glare...but the feeling in the space was less then pleasant...somewhat depressing...repainted a lighter gray...much better and a nice compromise. like very much this video on abstraction qualities...so very important...thanks...very helpful.

[@jinxieclark884]

where has draw mix paint been my entire art life? i just found you yesterday and have learned more in 24 hrs than i have in almost 2 yrs.

[@barts1011]

I'm on my second batch of Geneva oil paint and see a marked improvement in the consistency. I love the pigments and find my work looking better with your paint, thanks.

[@ToriKo_]

James Barton how long did they last you?

[@chavruta2000]

Happy new Year, MC. we missed you.

[@wadehawkins872]

Regarding the question relating to painting from the imagination, what I do- and this works to varying degrees- is just Google up for example "face with shadow, light source upper left," or something along those lines. You don't always get a plethora of appropriate images, but generally I get at least a few usable images that give me a fairly good idea of how to proceed with my shadows and highlights. I can also pull up images of other paintings with similar parameter requests that hit close to the mark. Hope this helps the person with the original question. Like your work and shared info. Thank you!

[@chrisgriffith1573]

Even today, after drawing for years and years, I still have proportional issue with drawing from life. The great thing about drawing from life is not my ability to do so, but the way I find a proportion of life within my work that would not be conveyed by a projector or gridding off a photo.

[@chavruta2000]

what are your thoughts on palette types? I have been experimenting with wood vs glass vs dark vs light vs lenolium. etc. my original thought was that the palette might help me more if it was the same as the tone ground or background color. or maybe use glass with construction paper underneath to simulate the same color as my background. - Ezra

[@Sumarluco]

John Singer Sargent was a master of abstraction,, making him one of the greatest portraitists of all time.

[@anitadavis5430]

Hi Mark. Loved this last Q and A. thanks. I am wondering if you could discuss more about setting up a studio. Specifically I would love to know your opinions and preferences for a placement of your palette, (to the side on a table, in front of your canvas, etc.) which considerations are most important, etc. Also why lighting your still life set up from above rather than the side is your preference. And finally, any thoughts, advice, preferences for framing or using gallery wrap or painting on a solid panel that doesn't need framing. Thank you in advance.

[@debragag1238]

Love everything about you

[@oorakoora]

thanks for another great video mark. Do you clean the surface of your painting between sessions? also - have you any tips on how to avoid tiny bits of dust and particles getting stuck onto the painted surface ?

[@ShonnaBeastmaster]

Great questions! Thanks Mark for your down to earth approach and generosity. Any idea when Geneva paints will be available for purchase internationally. I am in Australia.

[@bryanmcc8834]

Hi Mark. I have been enjoying your paints and videos for the past year. I have completed a still life with the Geneva Paints and I wish to apply a uniform umber glaze over the entire panel. What medium would you recommend for use with your paints?

[@_JoyceArt]

I wonder if you've ever visited the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. I'm so certain you would really like it, it houses the Nachtwacht (Rembrandts Nightwatch), amongst other Rembrandt paintings and other Dutch masters and varied artists.

[@artistamenarugebrabey2086]

A hoarders shelf?, LMAO I guess it bothers People with severe OCD. LOL Love all your work

[@tube8854]

I agree, the artists mind always tend to challenge pre-conceptions, art is a very personal form of expression, but also, in my opinion it’s best quality is the challenges that it triggers the appreciation by the viewer. It makes me cringe when art critics or artists themselves, start to EXPLAIN THE “MEANING” of THE WORK

[@hmacquarrie6500]

You mention in your teaching about values that youshould paint in a room with museum lighting .would you explain what type of light that is.what lumen strength, cool or warm etc?

[@BelindaPort]

Mark, would you consider interactive teaching? It means a student can get feedback from you by mailing the piece to you and you reply with comments - using Screen CastOMatic for example. KZbin is great, the downloadable videos are good, your website is fantastic, but one on one mentoring is allowing you - and your team - to stretch worldwide.

[@tamidefenderfer7127]

I just watched your video on how to varnish a painting. Is there no need to clean the surface before varnishing? I've heard of painters using a small amount of windex on a soft cloth to clean the painting. What is your opinion? Thank you. I am very appreciative of all your free teaching videos.

[@TammyRose751]

What is the solvent used to cover a black canvas so I can paint bright colors on top .

[@naxbk0]

under direct light, the patchy effect of mixing different brands/mediums is most apparent, especially in the face. I like painting in thin layers, so I've done away with medium and have been using mineral spirits, sort of watercolor method. Is oil medium absolutely essential? Also, which do you think is more important: a perfect sketch or painting technique. thanks.

[@nickglenn6123]

what brand camera do you use that is attached to your spectacles, and I paint at home of an evening and I was considering buying a daylight lamp for my easel or should I just use my halogen warm room lamp that I have.

[@Contemplative-thoughtsBlogspot]

when using a photo for painting is better to have color or black and white photography?

[@naxbk0]

what chemical processes are at play with all the thinners, mediums, varnishes..etc. the dos, the don'ts and the whys

[@meerabakshi2676]

Hello Mark, Thanks for the video Q A. It is very informative. I have a question about my recent portrait painting. I finished and now it seems the skin tone is darker. It looked ok when I was working on the painting...but when the colors dried I feel they are on darker side. It would be too difficult to change the skin tone. So how do we know what shade of the color on canvas would be after drying? I would appreciate your reply.

[@meerabakshi2676]

No, I do not know about lacquering the painting.

[@naxbk0]

one more question, can you 'set' a painting with varnish that is not completely dry and later paint over it? I've seen this done with the Flemish technique.

[@fredrickmendelsohn606]

What is the medium that is included with Geneva paint? Will thinning with stand oil cause problems?

[@jreid764]

Mr. Carder I have been painting for a few years and enjoy it very much. My problem is with motivation. I just fell out of the habit of painting and just cannot seem to re engage myself. I dream of doing a painting but when I set down in front of my canvas, I cannot put brush to canvas. Any ideas? Jim

[@darlenefeezell834]

I’m in the same boat. I want to paint but just can’t get started.

[@TheMiziko]

Hi ! I'm new! I'm new to oil painting, and I have some questions. Do I need turpentine or mineral spirits to use oils ? or can I use them thickly from tube ? And in which step do I use it ? on a pallete with paints, brush, or add to the water ? I don't have a well wentilated room, so I'm conserned about toxicity of painting with oils, can you give me some tips on that ? And what's the difference between canvas, or cardboard/ panels for oil painting ?

[@donmoore9605]

+Divine Kataroshie - Divine - If you watch Mark's teaching video's (free) at www.drawmixpaint.com all of your questions will be answered

[@MrHugogeerts]

I love the painting with the golden helmet as seen in the thumbnail picture. Who painted that one?

[@DrawMixPaint]

+MrHugogeerts No one is really sure who painted it. www.google.com/culturalinstitute/asset-viewer/the-man-with-the-golden-helmet/NgGTJY5DC_fR5Q?hl=en

[@yoheff988]

I'm seeing a lot of good artists making endless amount of charts, what's your take on that

[@JBreit007]

Can you fresco paint with oils rather than egg tempura?

[@rxz4140]

I would like to prepare my own canvas and I need the canvas to be tight like a drum. Any time I use gesso and or acrylic paint to seal the canvas, the canvas ends up becoming loose after the water based application dries. The only tight canvas i've ever stretched was when using rabbit skin glue. I dont really like using rsg because its an animal product and some people say you have to treat it with formaldehyde spray to preserve and protect from bacteria. Do you recommend using rsg for tautness? Is there a comparable alternative? I've damaged supports and ripped canvas trying to achieve a taut canvas using only acrylic gesso and canvas pliers. After you seal the canvas with rsg, can you paint oils directly onto the canvas without a ground? Can you use acrylic paint on a canvas sealed with rsg as well or only oil paint?

[@DrawMixPaint]

+rxz4140 I need to a do a whole video on this as there is a lot to explain and answer, and I'm going to try to get to that soon. Don't think I will have time in this next episode.

[@ubergeraldine]

+rxz4140 You could try wetting the canvas first before you apply gesso and letting it dry in strong sunlight or even using a hairdryer on it. In effect you need to shrink it before you apply the gesso.

[@applestrudels]

Don't avoid rabbit skin glue! It's what the old masters used. Tradițional, NATURAL product are always preferable because their long lasting stability has been proven throuh the ages. Acrylics have been with us for 70 years just. For example, animal glue like rsg lasts fine as a primer and binder for chinese painting after 2000 years with a minimum amount of natural preservative like 1% alum salt or none at all. For you, you don't need to add formaldehide (it's way to strong an overkill). Food preservatives will do, or you can even do without any preservative. What is important to get 2000 years lifespan is dry and ventilate environment for the finished work, and If that is not the case even formaldehide won't do the trick.

[@zackunderwood8625]

You have said that you use linseed oil in making the Geneva paints, including the titanium white, because it yields the strongest paint film. I've noticed most other manufacturers use safflower oil in whites because it is less prone to yellowing. Is the linseed oil you use refined or processed in a way to keep it from yellowing or do you simply find the issue of linseed oil turning yellow to be overblown or exaggerated? Also, in your personal experience, have you ever used paints made from poppy, walnut, or safflower oil and noticed any cracking or other defects? Thank you.

[@DrawMixPaint]

+Zack Underwood I'm going to use this question for an upcoming Q&A lesson because it's a long answer and I want to cover it thoroughly, but in short, yes I think it's overblown by some people, it's generally not an issue at all, when it is an issue it can be fixed easily, and yes we do use refined oil for Titanium White, but for an unrelated reason (refined dries significantly faster than cold-pressed and Titanium White is a naturally slow-drying pigment).

[@karisteer5548]

Draw Mix Paint m

[@celiayounger9202]

thank you. I didnt' see it.

[@DrawMixPaint]

+Celia Younger If you mean the question you were asking earlier about whether Geneva paint can be mixed with other brands of oil paint, the answer is yes, and I talk about it at the 17-minute mark of this video. :)

[@celiayounger9202]

+Draw Mix Paint thank you.

[@jbeihl1]

There are certain people who can paint from imagination out their head but they are freaks of nature, Frazetta comes to mind. But even titans like James Gurney advocate for using reference and life drawing.

[@GaryYoung-eq1ph]

Drapery very abstract, and snow the least .

[@barbduimstra254]

Can you tell me the best low budget projector?

[@howlingwaters2741]

An episode of "Hoarders"?? Send that one to the Dutch School. Search "Vanitas" Start with Pieter Claesz. Or...just try IKEA and coffee mugs 😉Sorry, Mark...

[@JBreit007]

Do you, or can you, glaze colors with oil paints as your first glaze probably won’t be dry?

[@beagustafson2666]

what varnish do you use?

[@DrawMixPaint]

+bea gustafson Winsor & Newton's gloss varnish - I have some videos on varnishing on drawmixpaint.com

[@KathyBates123]

Do you still sell color checkers?

[@DrawMixPaint]

Yes we do! Here is a link: genevafineart.com/collections/all-items/products/color-checker

[@namthan95]

About imaginative realism, look at james gurney, he's very good at that and has a book on it

[@nuekola5903]

Do you have any book of teknology.of painting for sale

[@juliannewins8977]

In episode 17, you wrote that you would include Drawing with Projectors, but you never did. Did I miss it ? Can you please explain it now?

[@3monet]

Hi. You should translate your videos. You will reach many more people.

[@Antmanwald0423]

Someone said he’s done when he not annoyed with his painting anymore.

[@antoniogriffin7135]

I'm BATMAN I don't mind dark caves I mean dark studios.

[@roman14032]

if your not cheating your not trying