Painting Ugly & more - Ep.7 Oil Painting Q&A with Mark Carder

[@marthaslater6936]

I just have to tell you I've been studying art my whole life - in between making a living and raising a family - and I have learned more in the few weeks since I discovered you on KZbin and on your website than in all the classes and workshops of the past 50 years combined. I am overwhelmed and so grateful you can't imagine. You are the answer to a prayer, and I will continue to go through your classes and videos. What a wonderful service you have given us. Thank you.

[@marymary5494]

I so agree Martha Slater.

[@anna-jz6eq]

This same here

[@benjie4702]

I agree. Mark’s generosity in sharing is really appreciated.

[@dgrizzley]

Painting "ugly" best advice ever

[@vanzweedenart]

Fully agree!!

[@misaelortega653]

You just have to get those values right!

[@redangrybird7564]

I always paint ugly, and the paintings remain ugly 😫😲

[@miehiiep]

Oh my god finally someone mentions Repin, I love him so so much!!

[@jessican.6150]

The thing I struggle with most is not picking the hell out of a painting and smoothing everything within an inch of its life. I’m really trying to break myself of that habit. These videos are really helpful.

[@jonilisa2254]

Ugly paintings are absolutely beautiful!

[@PaintingandExercise]

I just found your channel and have learned so much about letting go, backing up, and not agonizing over the minute details. It has been very freeing to realize that there is so much more to painting than tiny brush strokes.

[@heidiweiland3289]

I love watching these videos in the morning when I am sketching, they help me feel like I am in a classroom environment, even though I'm actually alone in the basement!

[@rojothe2nd]

im 8 minutes in and the way i look at paintings has been completely changed

[@marlborogorila]

Morandi the master of painting ugly, his compositions are the most beautiful thing ever, and I love how he resolves everything in the eye and not in the shape.

[@estheban]

I'm loving these videos. Very well made and full of useful insights. PS: amazing portrait by Klimt

[@1976kinan]

thank you mark for the amazing site and free videos...great valuableinformation

[@thatsmeeh]

I have gotten so many answers to my question marks through your videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@AI-xs4fp]

For the gentleman who asked about excess waste paint: Put it aside in a jar and mix it all up and keep sealed tight in freezer or under layer of water. The greige neutral produced is a perfect choice for an underpainting or all over underlayer...

[@polarbearsrus6980]

Great lesson, thanks for sharing. These are so helpful.

[@capslkctrldelete2055]

Only great painters know what the eyes want to see. It takes a combination of audacity and finesse. At some point a painter has to ask himself whether he's going to be an artist or a copy machine. Either way, I've recently purchased a set of your oils and I look forward to putting them to work. I've been on an artistic hiatus for longer than I want to admit and I'd like to thank you and your videos for pushing me back into place.

[@roxannedriedger7561]

Love the way you communicate your thoughts. You're a wonderful teacher!

[@PaulVernonHooper]

Thank you so much for helping me with colour theory. You are the most generous person. Was totally lost Now thanks to you I slowly see some hope

[@claudiosaldivia5646]

Hi you just mentioned something so real for me...and it's about the technique that's working in every field..no just art....and it's it's the practice... constantly.. practice and focusing in what you doing... I heard a sentence from my grandpa.."practice make a Master". ...if you doing the same everyday for sure you gonna master and found your flow... observations self critique it's gonna help you to improve your art work... thanks for a brilliant and nice classes...

[@kamlikachandlafineart]

Excellent examples of paintings and artist work. Thank you.

[@jjroseknows777]

Great lesson! Thanks so much.

[@dianapasley2182]

I totally agree with you about learning to mix your own colors. My first art teacher who was a wonderful artist and an extreme realist (he used to do the illustrations for Life Magazine when they would have special editions on historic events...such as the Russian Revolution.) and he started me out with a very limited palette. I don't think it was quite as limited, but nevertheless, you are really learning to paint when you miix all your own colors. Thanks Mark.

[@Tooradj]

I am inspired, motivated and educated at the same time. Thank you. P.s. Thanks for introducing me to Abram Efimovich Arkhipov. Can’t get enough of him.

[@franceshanna3724]

You cover absolutely everything! I have read so much and studied art for years and I am still learning so much more through your videos. So full of insights that come through a long experience of painting. Thank you

[@brzpicnic]

Thanks Mark, I am starting to really look forward to Thursdays (actually it's Fridays where I live). Another great lesson!

[@josephtermeer4595]

After I learned about values, this has helped how people expressed how they saw more vibrancy in my paintings. Thanks Mark, you help in so many ways.

[@farmerfox3332]

Just discovered your channel. Loving it. Thank you for your service to the art community.

[@allenvoss7977]

Thank you Mark for all your teaching! I learned so much ! your palette is my workhorse and it was nice to find this and learn about the essential palette . now my focus can move to other things.

[@andrew98115wl]

This video is gold!

[@vickycurtin5622]

I appreciate your reply so very much. I dearly want Geneva paints and look forward to being able to have them shipped to New Zealand before I get brain damage hahaha. Thanks again. Your advice is gold.

[@ingridcarmak4268]

You always give great advice..thanks Mark

[@amrobidoux1]

Thanks for teaching us what is real, at least in painting.

[@yonirit8]

Dear Mark, I would like to thank you for your time, You are doing an excelent job. thanks a lot, Yoni.

[@2stansfield903]

Thank you , your advice is awesome x

[@jenniferhumphries9298]

Great lesson on ugly painting!

[@jacquelinebenoit-larsen6151]

I love love love looking at brush strokes up close and it truly is amazing that these jigsaw undetermined brush strokes eventually become a beautiful thing from afar. But is it just smoke and mirrors with color? A magic show with paint?

[@davegordon6737]

This video us incredibly correct!! Thanks very much.

[@calvancandy8384]

I was really struggling with making the work look good up close - thanks for this

[@tariqsiddique1383]

Excellent tutorial.

[@keesdekkers1293]

Fantastic advice! Thanks!

[@defin99]

Learn so much from this chap.

[@linabajandooh]

Thank you for all the valuable information, I admire you so much!!

[@raymondbyczko]

I enjoy your videos. Good job! I finally learned a few years ago, that in painting on my easel, I needed to frequently step back and get it in my mind what 'viewing distance' was providing. And for me, it made world of difference.

[@thebudkellyfiles]

Another grreat lesson! Thanks so much for putting words into an idea that has been brewing in my mind. Got it!

[@tomcuff9971]

Hello Mark, I have the tendency of trying too many painting and drawing techniques. So it's hard to narrow down what style I want to pursue. Have you ever had this problem? If so, how have you disciplined yourself to stick to your method?

[@DistractedDaisy]

I learn so much from you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@julieknudsen6297]

This video is exactly what I needed. Thank you!!!

[@anikindarji875]

you & your teachings are a master piece!

[@rutbrea5140]

Great teaching, great advice, an inspiration, a great realization. Awesome! I am learning a lot from you. I would like to look into your page and see if I can purchase some of your material. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I am very grateful. Blessings in your life.

[@christopherherterick1681]

Awesome channel, Mark. Arkhipov's work is brilliant. I need to look into some more of his work because it may be some of the best I've seen yet. His colors are absolutely stunning.

[@Thesamurai1999]

What do you think about William Bougereau then?

[@ericchitvillegas25]

Am really learning so much. Thank you.

[@anviban2]

..excellent lesson

[@babba7117]

You sir are a blessing to the art world! May I ask you to talk a bit about Caravaggio please?

[@hanswurst6394]

Oh, hi, anyhow, Mark, i still like you, didnt know you have a youtube channel, but i love you for sharing youre knowledge. I dont paint anymore and i dont really know why, but i saw youre paintings and was so excited about what i saw and you made me and showed me how to paint and now i have about 20 paintings and my wall that i really like. Hope you all are well and god bless you. TY. Oh sorry i forgot, if you like to know, my forum name was iwillpaint. Loved the forum and hope all are well. Now lemme watch the video to the end please. XD

[@zepto5945]

That's how our world is. To see its beauty, you have to zoom out.

[@lisengel2498]

Very inspiring to listen to your art talks

[@lowellhanson5800]

A suggestion on the wasted paint issue. When my paint begins to increase in viscosity I remove from the palette and combine it with the colors that are in the same condition. I thin the amalgam with a bit of turpentine, then put it in a tube. Even though these are random mixes, they are very useful in future works. I only do this if there is perhaps 10ml or more paint.

[@williamronne699]

I began oil painting at 7. I learned to tint canvas and do underpainting by thinning with turps or mineral spirits. I am now in my 70's and very intolerant to those solvents. I now use oils for cleaning in various containers and paint with walnut oil. Will I be breaking the fat over lean rule if I thin my underpainting with oil instead of a chemical thinner? If so do you have any recommendations? I love your knowledge and your kind sharing of it.

[@TKMINES1]

What you call painting ugly is impressionism and its my favorite style and shows a mood or feeling and the artist has left something of his or her self on the canvas more than hyper realism that is a skill not a feeling . If you want something that looks like a photo then take one . Just my thoughts .

[@lowellhanson5800]

I can't agree with you more on you're view of photo/hyper realism.

[@carpophage1243]

MINE RAT PRODUCTIONS Velazquez, Rembrandt and Titian were not Impressionists.

[@TKMINES1]

Carpophage : Who said they where ?

[@carpophage1243]

MINE RAT PRODUCTIONS You did by stating that "painting ugly" is Impressionism. Velazquez, Rembrandt and Titian "painted ugly" but weren't Impressionists. Understand the logic?

[@TKMINES1]

You think they fall into that category of ' painting ugly " ?

[@RoenaKing]

Mark, Fridays are the day I look most forward to now because your new Q&A will be out! Thank you for doing this as I am so inspired to take my art to the next level you speak of......no more over blending and getting my values right. My question is concerning the white. I have a huge tube of Permalba white with Safflower Oil as the vehicle. I read on the DMP forum that the white we use with your slow dry medium needs to be Lindseed oil as the medium. I bought some. But if I use the Permalba with Safflower oil in the toning of the canvas brown.........and it dries. Will that be OK for me to then use paint with Lindseed oil on top for my painting? Thanks Mark for all the things you do to help us paint realism. Roena

[@DrawMixPaint]

Roena King Yes, that's fine. Safflower whites are fine, I just personally prefer linseed oil based whites because they form stronger paint films.

[@worldalvin]

Thank you so very much for your insight and knowledge. Very valuable and I will be ordering something from your website simply for your effort to help us.

[@3wetpaint]

How did the old masters achieve the soft subtle reds & blues in their portraits and figures? When I try to apply red & blue glazes on my dried flesh tones, my glazes are too rich in chroma - creating a very unnatural look. Could you break down the glazing techniques of the old masters in how they were able to apply those soft blues & reds?Thank you Mark for keeping the traditions of classical oil painting alive with all your informative videos.

[@Rayxl1]

This reminds me of when I was a child being frustrated by not being able to paint a nose on a prorate. I gave up in the end and just painted the shadow of the nose and a bit of reflection on the tip. When I looked from thirty feet away I was staggered by the appearance of the nose yet as you say from two feet away there wasn't even a nose there.

[@starforged]

Thank you again.

[@clayhendrix2042]

I understand what your saying 100%! I have struggled with it I don’t like hyper realism I have some that I done.

[@j0nnyism]

The Holbein painting is of a merchant of the steelyard. A German ghetto. It was painted before Thomas more introduced Holbein to the royal court

[@davegordon6737]

I need to buy your Geneva paints. The listed palatte approach has really helped my work. Question. When you're doing finer work like hair..how to you get the dam paint to flow wet on wet? Am I using crappy brushes? I wash them with soap and water..is there a better way?

[@Nazareth434]

two quick points- a great tip i learned from peterson (photography), which goes right along with what you teach about subtleties, is to try to avoid what he calls 'crying babies' - something that 'isn't right' (whether tonal values, hue, chroma or whatever, that stands out like a 'sore thumb'- and immediately draw your attention to them- they 'command you attention' (like a crying baby would)- it could be anything, like going too abruptly from bright light into shadows- the values being all wrong- color clashes that just don't work, highlights that are too large and far too bright and detracts from overall work- etc- If we can learn to spot them and fix them, it will help a lot- Second, i have terrible problems with values and hues- I've seen paintings done in very wild colors, but they 'looked right' because the values and hues were 'correct'- One thing I've picked up from you which is very valuable (I've only just started watching your videos) is to tone it down- our minds try to 'paint too light, and too dark' in an effort to try to 'increase contrast'- or to 'make htings pop' like highlights- or, drawing lines where they should just melt into the painting instead- I'm very guilty of this- So much to learn, so little time to learn it :( - looking forward to more videos from you- very informative- and i love the 'paint ugly' teaching- I would love to do this- but obsess over blending unfortunately- I'm trying to break myself of the awful habit by doing digi 'paintings' in artrage so i can just keep trying different methods of laying down the paint- but it's still hard-

[@アケビ-g1q]

I am using Holbein water-mixable paint right now, but I have to add a lot of medium to make it usable for alla prima. Therefore, I am considering to switch to Geneva paint because it looks like I can paint straightway out of the tube. However, can you elaborate about the downsides of water-mixable oil paint? Or maybe you can recommend some of your videos on this topic?

[@BryanCoombes]

Thanks Mark, inspiring lesson.

[@marthaslater6936]

What kind of pencil do you use to draw your subjects on the toned canvas?

[@wesleyriggins2921]

Hello Mark. I have watched just about all your videos, and you have been tremendous help. I know I have a lot of questions to ask, but I am just going to ask one question. Your limited palette consists of 5 colors that allow you to paint 99% of all colors that exist in real life. The colors that you choose allow you to do so, but you avoid colors (like cadmium red) in your limited palette because it is so overpowering. Thomas Baker is another great artist on KZbin, and he uses 6 colors to make his color charts (cadmium red, cadmium orange, cadmium yellow, ultramarine blue, viridian green, and manganese violet.) Thomas Baker uses strong colors like cadmium red in his limited palette. I know the both of you have different methods of painting, but is there an advantage to using one palette over the other? Thank you

[@douglasriddle6447]

Regarding wasted paint, I have 3 methods I use to save left over paint, based on the amount and how soon it will be used. 1. if you have a large amount of left over paint, put it in a condiment cut (available on AZ), and then put water on top. Because the water is between the paint and the air, the paint does not dry out. When ready to use, pour the water off and add paint to your palette. Refrigerate until needed. 2. if you have a small amount you want to save, put it in a small, zip lock snack bag (dollar store). Put it down into one corner (sometimes turning the bag inside out when adding the paint helps), then squeeze out the air and seal. When you are ready to use the paint, clip off the corner of the bag and squeeze out your pain. Refrigerate until needed. 3. Mix your remaining paint into a brown or gray mix to use as a base later. Use method 1 or 2 to save until needed. Disclaimer: I did not invent any of these methods, but learned them from other painters.

[@muhlenstedt]

This video has opened my mind to the modern realism with awesome examples and information. I admire the wet in wet masters and try to paint this way but I dislike it thoroughly. I love wet on dry painting an feel very attracted to the works of Holbein and old dutch masters and I try to apply their approach, conscious about this anachronism.. I do not sell my paints therefore waiting time for the dying is not a issue. My question - would do you still recommend the Geneva Paints for painting wet on dry with delicate brushwork, eventually in glazes? In this case, should I add more oil or solvents ( I hope not!) to the paint? Perhaps you have already mentioned this point here, excuse me if this are repetitive questions. Best greetings and thank you.

[@cathyserafinowicz6374]

Thanks Alex, I think I was using the oil paint far too thickly,I was shovelling it on,so will go back and be more frugal with it. Will get back to you after my next effort.

[@chrisgriffith1573]

I used to have that problem of overworking detail, but now my eyesight is getting worse, I find I can make a line with edges, not actual lines. I sometimes cannot see the panel because I am going farsighted, so I need to back up to bring it into focus. After I have finished, I put on my readers, and see the mess up close. It's like magic. I have suspected many of the Masters had some visual acuity problems that led them to paint that way they did, getting further away from the canvas not because they wanted to see the canvas overall, but for the fact that they could not focus when they were within two feet of the canvas. I have a question for you that is foremost beyond all that I ever desired to know about art itself: How did you learn, figure out, divide all that you know about the technical aspects of painting? I have read books, talked to other artists, professors, been to colleges, in art groups... none of them have ever given details to work methods and technique that you know in depth...

[@polayochum7107]

I'm interested to purchase Geneva paints, the color checker and the proportional divider. I have some questions. First, thank you for your work, and the videos which clearly make sense. I understand the Geneva paints are looser than other oil paints, this gives a flatter brushstroke? The luminosity of mediums within the Geneva paints do they have the same properties within different quality of paints? The combination will it give a blotchy shine to my work? What should I thin a different paint to be compatible within its luminosity, and other properties of Geneva paints? How can I correct or even-out patina? Seldom although sometimes, I may need to use a different brand of paint, depending on the color needed for my subject matter which Geneva doesn't carry, can you recommend a brand of paints that paints well with Geneva, also with high pigment, that paints without damaging my work? I just fixed my studio and am super-ready! Soon I'll be purchasing paint, and I need to be comfortable in my mess. Thank you for your commitment to the Fine Arts and your amazing works!!!

[@nadya279]

Thank You! Great lesson!!

[@genobambino]

I love all those guys but I love Holbein too.

[@leeroest3890]

I am wondering about the archival qualities of the Geneva paints?

[@penbowler]

Hello Mark, I'm very grateful of your selfless work in teaching. Your videos have been my single biggest influence as a growing artist. The one thing I struggle with the most is getting my values right. I mostly work on medium value stained canvases, but I use pure white tear-off palettes. What are your thoughts on how the color of your palette affects your painting and would you suggest investing in a neutral palette?

[@RoenaKing]

penbowler Hi, Not sure what Mark will answer, but I use Plexaglass for my palette and I have painted WC paper a similar color to the one on my canvas. For instance my paper under my pallet this time which has a near black appearing background ..... the paper is black. I think when you mix on a color that is near the color you are fixing to touch on the canvas it helps a person judge the mix better. Anyway, that is my idea I use.

[@penbowler]

Roena King Thank you so much for your input! I think this is a brilliant way of doing it, since you can switch up the palette color whenever you want. This'll definitely come in handy! :)

[@crypticart508]

when you start paint what do you start off with

[@christophermatthews638]

I saw a video tutorial recently where instructor said using baby oil is a good and cheap solution for cleaning your brushes. The jar that you clean your brushes in, if left, will see the pigment and the baby oil separate out and you can drain off the baby oil (reuse it) and toss out the pigment in the jar. Have you tried it ?

[@DrawMixPaint]

Christopher Matthews I didn't have time to get to this in Episode 9 but I might answer it in a future episode.

[@cathyserafinowicz6374]

I really love your videos,and am following your advice,painting ugly,single strokes,no fiddling etc,and seeing real progress,but I only work in acrylics.Do you ever use acrylics? I tried oils and it was taking 8 months for the paintings to dry,ha!

[@alexfoltz1364]

Cathy Serafinowicz I wonder if maybe it was the paint you were using, or the medium? I've been oil painting for 4 years, using paint straight from the tube and just a tiny bit of linseed oil as needed, and all of my paintings have taken about a week or two to dry. I found using firm brushes with just a bit if give helped as well. there are also oil mediums that can speed the dry time!

[@lantanalanta1709]

Minute of 2:58, this great painting from which artist? I can't understand the name.

[@baumzger]

The artist is Repin

[@judyjudy51]

Great to see the Streeton :)

[@barts1011]

I admire your art work and wonder if I was to look close at your paintings will it look ugly as you mentioned in the last question session.?

[@DrawMixPaint]

James Barton If you were to look at a lot of my older work, yes. There are some areas of a few of the paintings on markcarder.com that if you were to get in real close they would look "ugly", but most of my work is not on my website. As my career progressed I tightened up a lot because it was just easier dealing with clients… when someone's parent is looking at their portrait, they have a very critical way of judging it and I painted more to please the clients. I don't think this is what you should do, I think you should paint the way you want to paint, but if I'm being honest that's what happened and why my brushwork in earlier paintings is somewhat different than in later paintings.

[@yidahexposito9256]

Love this video!!!thank you!!

[@FrankDeruyck]

What do you make of Van Dycks brown. I often use it because it is available here in europe and very good for large dark patches.

[@joannavandeneijnden7185]

you add stand oil when doing a glacis and if so how much or do you dilute with a thinner? Can you do a glacis on already wet on wet paint which is dry?

[@ianswabey]

Learning alot. Thank you

[@MrSetkaStudio]

Hello! Great videos! You said that there is too much detail in old masters paintings like eyelashes or hair so I wanted to ask you what is your opinion about photorealistic and hyperealistic style?

[@DrawMixPaint]

***** When I say there is too much detail in some old masters' painting, I'm just talking about it in relation to my method and what I teach, I don't mean it in an absolute way and even in my own taste there are many exceptions. I like some photorealistic/hyperrealistic work a lot and there are some people on the Draw Mix Paint Forum like Pedro Glez who have a style which is extremely tight and detailed, and I love it. So there are no absolutes, I was just comparing the "old style" to the style I most admire, generally speaking, like the work of Sargent and Repin and so on.

[@MrSetkaStudio]

Draw Mix Paint Thank you for your answer. The reason why I have asked about that is that when I look at realistic portraits or any other paintings like Repin they seem to be more "alive" than some of photorealistc/ hyperrealistic paintings. Simmilar situation is with old masters like Netherland masters whose paintings look more stiff in a way. Of course I admire them all but there is something about realistic style which is more loose that makes it unique. Once again thank you for your answer, was just curious about your opinion.

[@inkedblessed7904]

Do you have a video up on how to paint from start to finish such as the basics of painting? Just Wondering.

[@lillianaperezalvarado9961]

I love your videos, and your teaching and explainings. Is therer a site (website) where I can find more of your teaching videos? Thanks!!

[@DrawMixPaint]

Lilliana Pérez Alvarado Thank you, and yes! All my videos (and much more) are on drawmixpaint.com

[@lillianaperezalvarado9961]

Thanks!!

[@demej00]

Can you make acrylics look like oil paints?

[@anitakhan9182]

Your lessons are invaluable! Can’t thank you enough! God bless.

[@danahcox8308]

hugely interesting, inspiring and entertaining....thank you Mark.

[@monicaperez2843]

What do you think about staining my canvas gray, as that is a neutral color, too?

[@satchelyork]

Yes i use grey ground for landscapes as i live in Ireland. But you probably wouldn't want it for a portrait. Also make the grey from your colors to make it richer and not dead looking, also black takes an age to dry which is why brown is used also they are the fastest driers

[@anitasy111]

In your Advanced Photography Guide you indicated that we should choose Prophoto RGB as our color space. Do we need a high end printer that can handle the Prophoto color space to print our photos? If we don't have a high end printer, would choosing Prophoto hurt the quality of the color prints?

[@DrawMixPaint]

Anita Sy David (who wrote the guide) tells me that the ProPhoto RGB space (actually, a special version of it called "Melissa RGB") is used internally by Adobe Lightroom and, he thinks, the Adobe Camera RAW plugin for Photoshop. This extra-large color space is best to use while working because it preserves the maximum amount of colors. The other two commonly used spaces are Adobe RGB and sRGB. Adobe RGB is smaller than ProPhoto RGB, and sRGB is even smaller than Adobe RGB. As explained in the guide, when you save something for the web you always convert to sRGB first, but you do that as the last step when you're about to save the file, not before. The printing parts of the guide were written for the Epson printers recommended in the guide, and you may or may not run into color space issues with other printers - we just don't know because we don't have other printers to test. David recommends trying to follow the guide as close as possible using your printer, but if you don't get good results, the first thing to try is to use a different color space, probably sRGB as that is the most widely-used standard and what many printers expect to receive. If this still doesn't help, the next thing would be to see if you can find any printer settings regarding color space and trying adjusting those. But ultimately if it doesn't work, the ideal thing is to get a good printer, and I highly recommend the Epson printers we recommend in the guide. If you have one of those and follow the printer settings portion of the guide to the letter, you will get fantastic prints. Every important setting is covered in the guide. The printers are not cheap, but ink refills over time cost significantly less than on most cheaper photo printers, and it's just a sacrifice you have to make if you get serious about making good prints.

[@anitasy111]

Draw Mix Paint Thanks for your prompt response. I have been using Adobe RGB but will give the Prophoto RGB a try.

[@lisengel2498]

I love working wet in wet - and it sounds really Logic to put in the Clove oil to make everything open for about a week - but I also like to work alla prima and using palet knife - and I wonder whether Geneva paint is too " soft" ?