Golden Retriever Oil Painting | How to Paint Dogs Alla Prima

In today's oil painting time lapse I'm creating a portrait of one of my favorite dog breeds - a golden retriever! I'll be painting alla prima and talking about how I work in this method to capture a canine portrait, and also be talking about how I take great reference photos for portraiture as well as a general pep talk on the artist's mindset.
Do you have a pet you'd love to have a painting of? Comment down below and tell me about them!
NEW - Download my guide to mastering your unique style of oil painting: findyourstyle.chelsealang.com/
B O N U S C O N T E N T
View my full palette used for this painting, see my full list of holy grail art supplies, and download my favorite brushes all within my free guide to mastering your painting style: webinar.chelsealang.com/
Commission a painting like this one: www.chelsealang.com/portraits
F O L L O W
Instagram: / chelsealangart
Facebook: / chelsealangart
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C O L L E C T
Website: www.chelsealang.com/
DISCLAIMER: Some of the above links (those marked with a "*") are third party affiliate links, meaning I make a small amount of money off your purchase.

[@nope4207]

As a dog owner, I tell u that not all dogs even of the same breed look the same, in fact they are VERY different looking!! Butttt, THIS painting of Millie is EXACTLY MY DOG, Joy’s doppelgänger!!! I am soooooo HAPPY !!

[@ChelseaLang]

Oh that makes me so happy! I am so glad you loved this painting. :D

[@aliesyah2920]

Do you have a golden retriever?

[@roygillespie9630]

What material are you painting on....it doesn't look like a canvas it looks like wood and if so what type of wood are you using?

[@user-fn4mx9pq8p]

Absolutely love the way you paint. And what you said at the end was definitely what I needed to hear. Thanks!

[@robinbartky3181]

I loved watching this video, it's your essence and thoughts about painting that come through so strongly to me, and it energizes me beyond words...

[@ainsleyhokanson5207]

How can you just NOT DO A SKETCH?! what a queen.

[@seaofbitterness]

Omg, your advice is literally what I needed to hear. I had a terrible art day yesterday and felt like I was regressing or lost all the progress that I had made. It made me feel like a failure so I decided to take a little break this morning and just rollerblade and watch videos. This truly spoke to me. Thank you so much for including it. I see that I set myself up to fail a lot yesterday. And what a stunning portrait!

[@ChelseaLang]

Maria you are so welcome! I'm so, so glad to hear it helped. I had a somewhat similar thought today -- not the exact same scenario, but I think the anxiety of everything just got to me. Anyway, my art buddies suggested I take a break and just do something fun today, just like rollerblading and watching videos. It made such a tremendous difference -- I hope it does for you too. You got this!

[@laurelleisalisbury1776]

I love your free flowing style and realism, thank you

[@inglishhomeandgarden8386]

SO beautifully captured! Awesome to see and hear your process.

[@julietoffoloart118]

Thank you Chelsea you make hard work feel more logical. I love listening to you while I paint. 🌸

[@jeankubiszewski7115]

Thank you for talking from the heart and giving encouraging words. That, combined with your technical suggestions, has made this a valuable video for me. I will watch it several times to let your words of wisdom sink in.

[@martimajor4766]

Knowing how you think and approach your work, so good. Thank you.

[@JulieProctorNC]

Wow! What a nugget of gold waiting for your viewers of this beautiful painting there at the end. Well said!!

[@ChelseaLang]

Thank you so much 😀

[@judykilger4950]

Wow well done! Nice and loose! You captured his playfulness!

[@huntsail3727]

Enjoyed the video, and the explanations of your thought process. Great job!

[@icandothis1238]

I SO ENJOYED this video! Thank you!

[@katsiggy1]

Beautiful painting enjoyed watching you work. I’ve learned a great deal great encouragement too

[@smkelleyphoto]

So inspirational! Wonderful, warm painting. I love the 'let's go, what's next' expression you captured in this one!

[@ChelseaLang]

Thank you so much! I had such a great time painting her and I think your caption for her expression is just perfect. :D

[@artsygirll2010]

OMG Chelsea! that was so amazing to watch and listen to all your valuable advice. You seem to talk directly to me, as I am sure a lot of others feel too, so thank you for that. I paint in acrylics no where near where I would like to be, but I will continue to practice and learn. You are exceptional as an artist and teacher. Thank you again!!!

[@bgastein]

Love this portrait!

[@colbyganoe7046]

I fell in love with this video! I really enjoyed your narration and really did get a lot of good advice out of this! Instant subscriber and I can’t wait to watch more from you. Thank you for sharing! 😊

[@MaryamPourabdolali-fn2qg]

Excellent work, and I love your works👌💝

[@jayawardhane]

i love this style of oil approach. i have struggled to do the fur , strand by strand. for now thia style comes a bit natural to me. Thanks for this demo. Really wonderful.

[@HomewithNadineFlorida]

It was fun to see this from beginning to end!

[@farrahnobles1049]

wow, this is one of the best painting videos ive ever watched

[@mashietatun767]

That is such a beautiful painting

[@kathyprince1608]

Fabulous. It is perfect!

[@jodieadams63]

Thank you so much for your discussion on mindset - like many others, I struggle with how to see my failures and even the successes sometimes. It is good to hear that I am not alone!

[@ChelseaLang]

You are so welcome! I'm so glad it was helpful to you Jodie. :) I know it helped me even to say it aloud. And you raise such a good point! So often our great paintings can trip us up just as much as the ones where we struggle.

[@arcanics1971]

I think the point about a bad day not being a reflection of ability is an important one. It's so easy to doubt yourself when something doesn't go the way you want it. In the past I have definitely felt that I am a failure at these points instead of just realizing that sometimes we have bad days. I'm getting better at that though. :) Being able to paint from a photo without painting the photo is its own skill, I think. One you clearly have down. It's very easy to do a painting of the photo instead of the subject. At least that's been my experience. I have a phone camera and it took me a few goes before I realised that I was painting the photo not the subject. Now I sketch and make notes and constantly remind myself the photo is only there to remind my mind's eye. I appreciated your unscripted piece at the end. It made me smile. Lovely painting too!

[@arcanics1971]

PS. Good luck with the subs.

[@ChelseaLang]

I am so glad you found it helpful, and I think your articulation of 'painting the photo and not the subject' is such a perfect way to express the trap we all fall into so often! I hope others come down here and see your comment, because it is a great one. And thank you for the good luck wishes! :D Fingers crossed!

[@dangerkin1]

So great. Way to go. Love it.

[@paulinemccabe6664]

Fabulous Painting.

[@jyotisharma-ud5hj]

Ohh this piece turned out to be so beautiful!!

[@ChelseaLang]

Thank you! :D

[@judithgoulden972]

Yes, very informative. Thanks the video has shown me how to loosen up my work.

[@ChelseaLang]

I'm so glad to hear it! Thank you Judith. :)

[@Playitagaindian]

Wonderful!

[@artsygirll2010]

I also loved that you showed the reference photo. It was so great watching you sketch and under paint, before layering colors. Please can you include the reference photos as well in your paintings? Thank you so much for you wonderful words of advice, encouragement and wisdom!

[@paulzarzastudio3927]

Nice work, your teaching style and tone to your video is comfortable to listen to also.

[@ChelseaLang]

Thank you so much! That is such a lovely compliment and I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. :)

[@danielle4392]

Wow, really nice ! Thanks for sharing.

[@brucebissell7626]

AWESOME GIRL!

[@ClarkKent-kg6tl]

another awesome and learning video. Thanks so much

[@ChelseaLang]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you! :D

[@nataliesharples4014]

I have found taking videos and pausing them for the perfect shot really helpful I screenshot and print them off.

[@eleftheriageorgiadouart7156]

Thank you so much!

[@irmawassing140]

Wauw!🤩🎨

[@ARDIJON4466]

Cool

[@myfredandabby123]

Great video. I learned more from this than from a video I paid more than $100 for recently. Thank you for sharing your talent and thoughts about painting.

[@katleneenriquez5193]

I love to paint dogs in oil, acrylic and watercolor for Pawssion Project.

[@debragag1238]

Ya did good! Real god!!

[@wellfeedstravingartist2022]

Beautiful work quick question at the end of your video you gamvar your painting can the brush be cleaned to use again thanks

[@katdakota9467]

Thank you so much for the encouragement. I struggle with the beginning of a painting. Once I get past the under painting I feel more confident. But my under painting gets to labored and tight and I find I don't get the right temperature or value right away....or I have a hard time to decide what color to go with especially with curly haired dogs like labradoodles. Hmmm....I will have to see if I can find you painting a labradoodle. I love your style and approach. Thank you.

[@ChelseaLang]

I hope you found my Labradoodle video! If not, here is a link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYfYc32jf7xmidE. I also have a poodle video on my channel, and both of them really show how I avoid getting bogged down in those curls!

[@christopherkyle9]

Chelsea, I so appreciate your video, your knowledge and your learning process as you paint, and also your encouraging words! The question I have is, how are you able to varnish your alla prima oils? My instructor tells me, I must allow my oils to dry for at least a year before I can ever varnish any of my oils. I paint with Holbein Duo Aqua oils. Any information would be greatly appreciated! I look forward to viewing more of your videos! Thank you very much!

[@evelynbrogli830]

I'm a painter. I wish I could paint like that. Your instruction is always helpful.

[@ChelseaLang]

Thank you Evelyn! I'm so glad it's helpful, and if you're interested in mentorship I'd love to hear from you. :) The link to connect with me is: webinar.chelsealang.com/book-a-call-page-template1618080185703

[@suepidlubny3183]

Hi Chelsea. I just found your channel and love your work. I have started oil painting this year and have been concentrating on landscapes. However, I am going to attempt an oil painting of my friend’s dog (who has recently passed away (from old age). I am curious about the gloss that you use to complete the process. How long do you wait before you apply the gloss? I’m off to watch a few more of your videos before I start my mission of love for my friend and her beloved “Roddie”. Thanks again for your wonderful videos.

[@aliciasavino9809]

Amazing painting .!! im new at this and strugling with the type of background I want...... Chelsea, thank you for all the information. in what part of the painting you add the gloss never saw this before. Would like to get the DVD if you have it. Thnaks!!!

[@jdenneny5965]

Thank you so much Chelsea, I am wondering are you using odourless turps or water or walnut oil or what to "water" down your oils? You seem to treat this like a watercolour which I found fascinating. I have not done an underpainting or pushed paint around like you have here. LOVE it! thank you for a reply.

[@johnmarr9783]

Wow... You have such a tallent.. I'm here as I had just convinced myself to abandon my attempt to launch a pet portraits venture of my own. I'm even more convinced now as I realise how far short I fall on having the vision and confidence to get where I need to be. Fascinating to see you work, thank you

[@johnmarr9783]

Spelling went a bit to pot due to high emotions... I'm sat looking at a box of business cards and fliers I ordered and it seems such a waste 🙁

[@ChelseaLang]

Oof, I hear you on the business cards. I have half a mind to order more but also feel like it'll be ages until I see someone in person to hand them a physical card again!

[@ChelseaLang]

John I hope you will take heart and keep going. I definitely didn't have any overnight transition -- I kept telling people I had work for sale and commission slots for a long time. Once you get your first few it gives you a lot of momentum, but I do believe you have to get crickets for a while before that's possible, and with quarantine that is even harder. I hope you're safe and in a good place to weather the storm right now, but I hope that you will keep painting and learning and gaining confidence. It truly is about confidence and practice putting yourself out there. You can do it. 💕

[@johnmarr9783]

@@ChelseaLang Thank you for taking the time to reply. I've done pastel portraits for friends over the years and felt my efforts were good enough to make a tentative move to making a career of it. Having realised (during my latest project) that I struggle with every new picture.. I keep assuming that with each one completed, I will build confidence and ability... Er, No! Each is like I've started again from scratch and so I reckon I'll keep things as they are.. Doing pics for friends and give up any romantic notions of the career. Only 10 years to retirement age anyway... If they don't keep increasing the age...

[@johnmarr9783]

.. Just watched your clip on how you made the jump.. Inspiring.. Again, just reinforces my decision it's really not for me... You have such a talent for creating truly beautiful pieces and you come across very well on your ability to express yourself to others.. Very accomplished individual.. I wish you every success as your career progresses. Good look with the girl portrait (entered in portrait competition?).. It's lovely 😃

[@Tizaheijting]

Great video. I've just got a commission for a dog (I'm a horse person), so feel quite nervous about it. Your video has helped a lot. Gonna look for more from you. :D

[@caseyeich614]

Do you have a list of colors you used for this? Thank you!!!!

[@trudiatherton7112]

I am interested too know how when painting in one sitting you stop the paint becoming layers of muddy mess, I know you remove paint with Gamsol (I think), but do you do that too be able to add more layers in that area ? I am more likely to do several layers and let them dry inbetween but I would rather not. Many thanks

[@vezotoluvadeo9788]

How long did this pairing take? Or a painting like this would take on average? When Painted in one sitting?

[@akirakusakastudio6103]

It’s a wonderful painting 👍 like & sub.

[@ChelseaLang]

Thank you so much 😀

[@garyandjudywhite5013]

What is the coating that is applied at the end?

[@painterlybrushes4035]

Nice 🐕

[@ChelseaLang]

Thank you! :D

[@amariroos]

Thank you so much 💕

[@lindamclean8809]

I’m not sure the mouth is the same as the reference ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@alinefournier4033]

I have been trying to paint by daughter's dogs which have gone to dog heavan. Sadly I'm just not satisfied with what I'm painting. I can't figure out what I am doing wrong. I've re-started it 5 times. It's a golden retriever (Bosco) and a Shit-Su (Lexi). How do I paint Alla Prima. Hope you can help. Can I send you a picture? thanks Aline

[@evelyneleizour6644]

Superbe !!! Je viens de m’abonner à votre chaîne. Can you give the name of the colors used please ? I’m trying to paint this dog. Thank you🌸🇫🇷

[@evelyneleizour6644]

Je reviens vers vous car revisionne certaines vidéos dont la vôtre qui m’enchante toujours. Impossible de terminer mon tableau sur ce chien, les couleurs sont mal choisies et c’est pourquoi je vous demandais des conseils… mais vous ne répondez pas et c’est dommage pour moi !🌸

[@sylvianblue]

I want to loosen up like this rather than doing photographic copies!

[@azgor6089]

Hi chelsea. this piece is great. I think you did amazing but it would mean alot to me as a student if you angled your actual painting better during the vid.

[@deborahphillips6995]

Do your patrons on Patreon ($5 level) have access to the full videos...not time lapsed?

[@ChelseaLang]

Hi Deborah, right now I only give students in my course access to full videos. In the future I may make them available via Patreon though, so stay tuned. :)

[@shwetashukla33]

U r so true ..in saying .. translation is taxing … mind shudnt b occupied …. Cant even thinkin of puttin on canvas with video … its so much to do 😂

[@shwetashukla33]

Lot less people hav tried panting this baby kinda face and in action . I love this …

[@shwetashukla33]

Can u tell wat colors u used - burnt sienna , umber , white titanium , ….. ?

[@conniehelgerson9410]

all I wanted to know was the colors used in this portrait..I am having trouble getting the right colors..I see a site to click on for the tools, palette, ect..I went there and all I see is taking courses..so it is not what it said..her work is nice but..I guess I go elsewhere