Oil painting techniques : Blending and brushwork

In this video on oil painting techniques, for beginners and advanced painters, we take a look at blending and brushwork : I'll try to explain how you can create beautiful transitions in your painting without loosing the vitality of your colors.
Reference : Harold Speed - Oil painting techniques and material.
My website :
www.florentfarges.com
➡ Thank you for supporting me on Patreon!
/ florentfarges

[@jessewaughcom]

This is a topic for which there is a serious lack of instruction - so thanks so much Florent for covering it!

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Thank you very much ! I appreciate.

[@mds525700]

Jesse Waugh definitely one of the best oil painting tutorial channels.

[@cute1035]

Florent Farges - arts bhg f b

[@newyorkcityviews516]

Florent Farges - arts You are great!

[@BoHorror]

So basically don't try and blend by actually smudging the colours into one another but blend by adding a colour in between the 2 colours eg black and white would be blended by placing grey in between them instead of just smudging them together. Please correct me if I'm wrong

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Exactly, it's all about using the right quantity of paint in the end.

[@zzodysseuszz]

I knew this. But I want to know which colours to place between for other colours like for skin.

[@truemamrdi4all]

This is genius. I watch minutes of video to gain a suspicion And you sum up in one sentence, what the dimwit in video Is unable to convey

[@hmacquarrie6500]

Didn’t realize that it was so important to keep loading the brush .Your instruction is excellent .thankyou for your generosity

[@gonzalocastro6032]

First of all, there is some confusion regarding the relationship between shading and contrast. In principle shading by dry-brushing leads to a more neat finishing, but the process weakens the contrast. The solution to this is simple, just apply more contrast before shading(that way, if your intention is a clean transition without texture, you will achieve it without losing three-dimensionality). On the other hand, the second technique is ideal for achieving more expressive brushes. My point is that in essence, contrast and three-dimensionality has nothing to do with your shading techniques. In conclusion, both techniques are valid depending on your style and objective(there are quite a lot of experienced artists in both teams).

[@Mattaphorical]

Always had trouble blending, merci beaucoup! This even applies to digital painters overusing the smudge tool as well.

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Thanks ! You're not the first to say that it translates to digital painting... I had no idea, that's interesting !

[@chubbsmcgee5393]

this is a very late reply but do you still use the smudge tool? I would'nt advise using it at all but instead blend values with the brush you're using to apply the colour in the first place.

[@Geekman333]

"Nothing wrong can come of fun." Beautifully said. Thanks you.

[@blroberts70]

As a beginner painter, I appreciate this excellent discussion of the concept of blending with a very effective demonstration of the concepts. Your point about whether one style of blending is preferred depends on your style. Basically neither type of blending is more correct than the other. What. Is important is to use the techniques without ending up dulling colors or mud.

[@jasonfella265]

I totally agree. I see absolutely nothing wrong with the first way. It's a very logical, natural way to blend two colors together. I see pro's do it all the time.

[@ginadariel]

Just learnt more about oil painting in 13 mins than I have in watching hours of other online tutorials. Never understood before why my paintings all turn to 'mud'. Such a simple explanation, thank you so much.

[@chrisdeal5335]

I’ve been painting for almost forty years and I’ve never heard this explained or shown so beautifully Or clearly! Thank you!!!

[@CanadianMang]

Wow what a difference. Thank you for demonstrating this so well.

[@FlorentFargesarts]

You're welcome, my pleasure.

[@TheArizonaSkies]

Florent Farges - arts

[@citadelofwinds1564]

This was very useful. I've actually done art classes with various teachers, and none of them ever explained anything about applying paint or blending colours. I've gone through several videos by Florent Farges and these are hands down the most useful art instruction videos I've found on KZbin. Thank you so much for providing this treasure trove of important information.

[@bitupon]

Finally I found why my painting looks dull... I watched many KZbin videos tips and tricks but nobody actually mentioned it. Thank you for sharing this.

[@alyannabantok5767]

Finally, I find this very useful I really want to learn alla prima but I keep on blending with dry brush, I wasn't aware . Thank you so much !

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Thanks ! I hope you will benefit from it in your paintings. Cheers !

[@cheemakhaled2092]

I would get the portrait colours right.... then ruin the values into mud. Merci Florent for this lesson

[@Flux_One]

Complete a grisaille layer first and glaze colour on top

[@yeet7043]

My problem is the opposite. Im good with values, suck at the actual colors. Specially skintones

[@C.C-e4n]

Just started oil painting yesterday and I was making all the beginner mistakes you were talking about. The sphere on the right looks so much more lively and three dimensional. Thank you for the demonstration!

[@STFUppercut69]

Am I the only one, who likes the left sphere more? It just looks much cleaner and more professional.

[@Purpleiris444]

Clear instruction on brushwork. This brought to mind what an instructor taught me was load the brush with paint and laid on the canvas with just 3 strokes...

[@huberthanks3007]

Thanks Florent. Very useful advice when approaching my blending techniques, especially those where paints lose intended colors to excessive blending.

[@vanessacarlson2055]

I’m a beginner, but this explains exactly what I realized yesterday. I described it as a “laying down” of color, as opposed to “brushing” it on the canvas. I’ll be back to watch more of your videos! Thanks for this

[@valeriachilders]

Such a good explanation! Excellent! Thank you.

[@adrienneklopack2120]

Thank you for describing what you are doing! So helpful.

[@robhead22]

Wonderful! Thank you! Yes, I watched it twice!

[@Charlie_Toben]

I liked your 2 portraits at the end. You have a great painterly style.

[@rsunghun]

This is a very rare tutorial about basics. Thankyou very much!

[@abhijeetsantra4237]

I remember watching this video long time ago. This really helped me a lot to grow as an artist. 🙂. Thank you so much.

[@WestieKatie]

Brush strokes are one of my favorite aspects of oil painting❤

[@noeprim2184]

Thank you, I was doing the blending has you mention (diluded way), Now, I learn with you, not to blend 2 colors together when mixing two colours but to choose a between color to bring the blending more obvious. Thank you sincerely, for sharing this information and helping other like me, to get a better knowledge & understanding the mixing with oil painting. 👀😃

[@renaissancewoman5373]

Wonderful works of art at the end! Thank you for this great video!

[@ericdraven2219]

i do acrylics mostly , the cheaper liquids i still like your video with oils and inspiration and some of your teachings thank you for sharing your insights and inspiring inspiration and something about this speed guy i never hear of him but you teach me some stuff and i appreciate this .... very much thank you for taking the time to make your video... wow i see what you teach at the end with speeds idea the colors are more bolder and vibrant... i think speeds idea like you said was also because your amount of paints make bolder spots because you can carry that color to other portions increasing your accuracy painting as well as color flows

[@taylorsherrill6110]

I tried to like this twice.its a great video. Thanks!

[@RedSoxKal]

What a great video. Thanks for the effort in painting both styles to show us how it looks at the end. And thanks for the time you've spent taking snapshots with your paintings. Your channel is filled with great information.

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Thank you very much for your support ! It's greatly appreciated.

[@Maria_Lourdes]

Genius! You explained it very well. You're right, blending with dry brush makes the painting flat. To blend with pigments takes a lot of practice but really makes painting more vibrant. It's almost similar to pencil sketches, that it looks more flat when you blend the shades by smudging, rather than blending the shades by controlling the pressure in pencil strokes. Thank you so much Florent!

[@stormcorrosion176]

I’m all about blending!!! Thanks Florent, just bought your nine hour course!!

[@robhead22]

Beautiful demo. Thank you!

[@yasminekataw7329]

Hello Florent, I'm so glad I cam across this video today. Last week I had begun reading Speed's book and I'm half way through it. He teaches so much about technique and perception of oil painting. So it was really nice seeing someone mentioning and demonstrating Speed's teachings. Thank you! I'll go back to painting now :)

[@muhlenstedt]

Thank you very much!There are not many valuable videos about blending on youtube .I was very unpleased with my Blendung without figuring what I was doing wrong.Instead of a painterly style, I was achieving a kind of pastel on velours paper looking painting. It was great also that you translated Speeds affirmations to a more realistic approach.That has really helped!

[@dianaramirez7615]

I love the color result on the speed idea. But it leaves more sharp edges than the more blending method. Thank you for this great demonstration.

[@bobahun123]

Funny enough the one blended by the dry brush looks kind of flat the other has so much more dimension

[@lutze5086]

i think it would have been better if he didnt use a sphere for this demonstration. right only looks better because of the correct value placement

[@darrenporter1850]

This is actually with what I struggle with in my own paintings. Lots of times, especially when paint drys, looks flat and I lose definition.

[@dyetaa]

Not because of the blending but because of the values

[@ivanlievendag9820]

Much thanks for this! As I am practicing in painting with oil - and loving it - I felt I had trouble with my strokes, and yes, now I know what I have been doing all the time. Blending out! I guess it has part to do with confidence, and where the professional painter splits itself from hobbyist. Your simple example in this video makes me want to run to my canvas!

[@corpopunk]

Thank you for addressing this 0:30 its something a lot of people don’t mention when showing this technique

[@LiteOfArt]

I really like these small subjects, think you do much, I hope I can be part of you some years later.

[@stefbru100]

Merci Florent! I am adding oil painting to years of watercolour painting. It has ben useful to use the watercolour mentality of getting it right with minimal brush strokes, to paint in oils as well. Glad to hear you demonstrate it in such a clear and sequential way.

[@makedasylvester]

Gosh! So glad I found you. I need to learn everything!!!

[@sadeyahtareq7171]

This is so helpful. Thank you! Your teaching style is so good and detailed that viewers can understand it better. Thank you soooo much dear!

[@federicomuciaccia9191]

awesome tutorial. thank you!! and the two paintings at the end are both very beautiful

[@kevinqueen6246]

Brilliant my friend. Absolutely. The exceptional teaching here is pure delight. Thank you.

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Thanks for watching, glad it helped.

[@georgepatterson9715]

This is wonderful advice and great demo. Thanks!

[@paecpc]

Thanks, I know why certain painting appear more stylish and some not, so glad to know!

[@PrincessAloeVera]

Wow this is so important! I was doing it the wrong way and I was getting upset for getting mud often. This is going to make such a huge difference! Thank you!!

[@leonryan8895]

Hello Florent, a fantastic and simple explanatin for a subject that I've heard countless people talk about but never explain properly. Really easy to follow few minutes. I'm much the wiser afterwards. Thanks for taking the time to do this. L.

[@emmadonaghyart1954]

Thank you so very much!! This was the video I needed to see today!!! I really appreciate this!! :-)

[@scarabeedor2]

Florent, vous êtes un jeune artiste de talent,un jeune homme intelligent et éduqué et un bon pédagogue. Bravo, continuez!

[@rishabhisthename]

Amazing demo... Thank you Florent!

[@praneetakki]

you are a genius. thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I can see the amount of work that you put in to reach at this level, God bless you.

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Thank you so much for this nice comment ! Knowledge is only worth anything if you share it !

[@praneetakki]

+Florent Farges - arts Absolute true. how many years you been into arts ?

[@FlorentFargesarts]

I'd say all my life, but 3 or 4 years doing this kind of work specifically.

[@praneetakki]

+Florent Farges - arts oh that's great. I'm learning figure drawing as of now. do you have any approximate time in which anatomy will be mastered? I mean how many years in general to master human anatomy

[@FlorentFargesarts]

I think it's impossible to say... if you work on it, and only this, 3 hours every day, a few months, probably. Depends what you learn from and how clear the information is and the type of exercise you do. Good luck with it anyways ! Take the time needed !

[@polinatheone5535]

Fantastic and helpful , really received the points. Thank you 🙏

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@annb1078]

Thank you so much for this illuminating demo! Very clear and lovely gentle style of delivery. An excellent teacher.

[@maestrabloise9254]

Thanks I watched many tutorials but you are a great teacher. Take time to explain slow and precise. I blended acrilic and oil in a paint with the second result.

[@jlmorenorubio]

Very useful. Just what I needed to know about blending... Thanks for the video.

[@sandybeach368]

excellent demonstration, thanks!

[@regallineage6091]

I have taken courses, read books and watched many tutorials. But you are by far the best teacher I have come across! I think it is due to my learning style. I have to understand the concept, purpose, and technique. You are amazing! Thank you!

[@paulineannequilino9284]

I wanted to step out of my comfort zone of using watercolors and acrylics, so i want to try oil paints. Your video was really helpful and how to blend them as precise

[@2annawen]

I can totally see what you mean it can be much more beautiful that way..as i blend much more than i should thanks for this perspective ☆☆☆

[@raduapp123]

I think you make a very good point and your video is very helpful. Although, I would like to mention that the left ball might look dull also because the paint you applied is showing more the background layer, which is eating the brightness. In conclusion, I think each technique might be good for different processes of layering the paint. I suppose you can get the same brightness and tones on the left ball, painting another layer after is dry. Anyway, thank you for the video which is great!

[@jaypistolx]

i’m just starting and i definitely am doing the technique on the left but want to try the technique on the right. thank you for this video

[@tiffinimorgan1867]

This helped me so much. I make spheres for practice and I was doing the first way. Thank you!

[@ravenscott-arbuckle1262]

This was so helpful, thanks for helping us

[@mj_dolman5122]

This is an excellent demonstration and very convincing. Thank you Florent, I have been painting with acrylic all my life but your videos help me to see that getting started in oils might not be as difficult as I thought.

[@fatemaalbalooshi1980]

Very useful instructions as usual. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@moola9755]

The difference is incredible

[@catherinecervas3726]

Great demonstration-I love your videos. Now that I’ve done a little bit of oil painting, what you teach means even more. Thank you so much.

[@neilkennethhernandez5115]

The second sphere was waaaaay more better. You can see clearly how alive the painting was.

[@anne-mariemosse666]

Merci Florent 🙏🏻 cette demonstration est parfaite 🤩

[@moseyape9198]

Happy I found your channel. Subscribed, cheers

[@leandrodallegrave9735]

Im totally plop with that oformatios, really make a HUGE difference !

[@Tedzee8]

I would suggest a 3rd sphere in between the two techniques you've just done :)

[@crystalspang6717]

now i see Speed's point. your demonstration was very helpful. nice protraits!

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Thanks ! Glad it was helpful.

[@guyroy695]

crystals Pang ii

[@SuperPrettyPink101]

Wonderful demonstration! I've only ever used graphite pencils and watercolour paints, but I want to get into oils and this was so insightful! You explain so well and your tone is so calming. Thank you very much. 😊💕

[@zethstahl5923]

Very interesting, I will try and practice your advices; thanks a lot!

[@polarbearsrus6980]

wow, what a difference, I'm sold...thanks for sharing!

[@lovelymargo3963]

Thank you very much for covering this topic. I found it very useful, this is the best video I known about blending. For your efford i put a like and i signed up ))

[@paulmk2290]

Interesting stuff. Thanks, I will try this out.

[@NicoArtLife]

Really great topic and demonstration 👍🏼

[@amothergoddess2774]

thanks, I was intuitively doing right thing but then I was putting another coate which just ruined my painting, I am basically teaching myself but did have beginner lessons for some years, now I need to go to next step, I might look at your course, thans Florent from Sydney!

[@minisaran]

what an impact! heartfelt thanks! love your art style and the sincerity in your voice. subscribed!

[@kev3d]

Wonderful demonstration.

[@shkambj]

the only reason a lot of beginers as you say dont paint with brushstrokes is because they can't find the right value to be put on the right place so that is why it is easier to just blend it with drybrush and get variation of colors. I really love painting with brushstrokes you do really have more fun with it!!

[@FlorentFargesarts]

I agree, and it's also very important to put the right value at the right place. So, in my opinion, blending with a dry brush should be avoided as much as possible for beginners that want to learn.

[@stanmanmedia]

Tremendous lesson!! Love it.

[@pivoinette]

Ouahh. Je désespérais de trouver des vidéos intéressantes avec des tutos faits par des artistes français. Je suis rassurée, ils existent! But ils se déguisent en anglais. Damned! Dieu merci, je vais m'en sortir car vous avez la bonne idée d'écrire, et là je peux gérer. Thank you very much! :D

[@nikkiswenson54]

Thank you, Florent! I am glad I recently found your KZbin tutorials! What I think I have learned is to mix a lot of very similar transitioning shades and tones and place them to gradually lighten and/or darken as the form takes it's shape...I think laying the color fresh not overly blending....softening in between slowly and subtly but not over pressure to blend?? I think not to be afraid of the paint so it can do it's job and the Artists can be more painterly because it can be freeing to not be so precisely concerned with the perfection of smoothness?? I hope my take on this is somewhat right! ??? LOL! Painting is meant to be fun not too tedious but still must be thought out...

[@kevinthomas4710]

An excellent tutorial, thanks.

[@firangele8094]

Great! Thanks, you are so talented!😌🙏🏻

[@genieappel-cohen]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you so much!

[@ProphettessKay]

Thank you, very realistic.

[@Mambo1061]

Thank you for the lesson, this is good info to have :) I’m hoping to find a happy medium between the two, I like the vibrancy and depth of the second sphere but I’m particular to a less painty and more smooth look, unless I’m intentionally going the impasto route. Also I’m super impressed with the pieces you showed us at the end btw 😯

[@Bolaway]

Harold Speed bein' awesome as always

[@tessasxdewet8881]

Thank you so much. This is my number mistake. I never understood why my colours are dull. Thank you so much

[@pattyhall7162]

This is useful I will try , thank you

[@chrisgriffith1573]

I cannot agree more with this point you make. I had not even thought of it consciously until I saw this. Touch paint to paint liberally, do not scratch into the canvas and drag paint into paint, that "muddies" the paint.

[@Bozemancurtis]

Great lesson!

[@markwilliams5346]

Brilliant explanation, thanks!