How to Paint more Loosely #1 :: Painting Techniques :: Plum Still Life

[@MichaelKingArt]

NEW Painting More Loosely Workshop. Learn more at kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3fVfamHZ9Fnd7M

[@ChrisBreier]

There's a mistaken belief that the harder you work on a painting, the better it will turn out. Less is more! Nice painting 🖌

[@jazw4649]

Lol I thought at first this video was called "how to paint, Loser"

[@PlantKingBoy]

Same. But I thought it was: "How to paint for losers" 😂

[@MichaelKingArt]

🤣🤣

[@chevy4x466]

Got to lay off the pot my man! Lol

[@ΛάμπηςΒασιλειάδης-χ4μ]

Or "How to paint ,for loser"

[@crusader2603]

😂🤣same

[@AutomHatter]

So I found the photo you used for reference online, and gave this exercise a try for myself. It was invigorating! I have never painted anything in oil, start to finish in one sitting! And it only took me about an hour and a half, which blows my mind. I didn't count my strokes, but I was definitely more loose than how I usually paint. Absolutely fantastic experience, I am going to do it again for sure! Thank you Michael.

[@MichaelKingArt]

Damn, that’s fantastic!!

[@Nina-ny4mw]

Hey, could you say how you found the reference picture, I would love to find it too

[@jerzeyzgirl]

I would love to practice painting lose too..looks fun

[@AutomHatter]

Definitely, just search in Google images for Italian blue plum. You will recognize the reference plum as one of the first pictures that come up.

[@Nina-ny4mw]

thank you, i found it! ^^

[@tecx37]

How cute that little plum is!

[@PZooni]

I wish we could see the pic side by side and your pallete while u mix and create colors!

[@CasaDePolly]

I love how regardless of what I'm looking for in acrylics I always end up in one of your videos 🤣 you rock. Thanks for the always inspiring, useful and fun videos!

[@MichaelKingArt]

LOL. That’s awesome!!!

[@timjackfilms]

You've opened a new world to me Michael on how to make strokes the detail. I'm excited about this to achieve a more painterly look in digital art.

[@JayDouglas01]

I see this is seven years old, but I really needed this lesson! Thank you!

[@MichaelKingArt]

Thank you.

[@dorethablunt5452]

That is so life like, it looks so real.Great job thank you for your time and your talent.

[@vp3841]

Thank you for such a great demo and for the exercise idea. One thing I would really love to see in that video would be a shot of the real plum just to give an idea of how much you were simplifying the shapes. I often get lost trying to paint unimportant details.:)

[@MichaelKingArt]

I have to agree. Still going through the learning curve of making videos. I appreciate the feedback!!

[@passage2enBleu]

Great idea. Something I learned from Thomas Jefferson Kitts is to check the color notes side by side on the palette before applying on the canvas.

[@mariecunningham8423]

Thank you! This demo definitely helped me figure some things out! Lovely painting. Can't thank you enough.

[@MichaelKingArt]

Thank you. I’m glad it helped.

[@GirlPaintsArt]

I love painting this way and have only just begun to practice doing it. This was a fantastic lesson! Thank you so very much for your interpretation of how to do it. It is very helpful!!🤗

[@MichaelKingArt]

Thank you. My pleasure.

[@tankaliciousthomas325]

Hi, I've just begun to paint and I haven't had much luck. This video was perfect inspiration and a wonderful learning experience. Thank you very much

[@MichaelKingArt]

That’s awesome to hear. Keep going!!!

[@nickybomont6074]

Definitely less is more. Easy to say, mostly not so easy to do.. thanks !

[@imimifox]

This is really helpful, thank you! I struggle so much with getting my stuff loose, I’m a perfectionist and always feel the need to continuously go over what I’ve done and it loses the natural feel. Hopefully by counting my strokes I can try to force myself to go over my work as little as possible C:

[@duantorruellas716]

You said it perfectly, I need not comment 👍

[@thepochade5992]

Exactly what I've been looking for.. Thank you so much for sharing this technique ☺

[@MichaelKingArt]

+April Palmer You're welcome.

[@marygair3199]

thank you thank you thank you! I've been looking for this kind of demonstration for a long time!! I will try this exercise - I just hope I will use it when I'm not just practicing!!

[@lisengel2498]

I appreciate your inspiring and basic tips and proces - and I would have liked a Quick look on your palet now and then - and your choice of basic colors for your painting

[@MichaelKingArt]

Thank you for the feed back. I will keep that in mind for future videos. It is difficult right now as I only have one camera.

[@StartArtSmart]

This was an excellent tutorial... I will have to challenge myself like this, one day!

[@joeyrosas7435]

There really is a beauty to loose painting. I often find it more alluring compared to a full rendered painting. Loose gesture like painting adds a quality that changes what you see in life unlike Photorealism where it is what it is and doesn’t truly change or alter the physical world. In art you should always strive to alter the physics world.

[@AutomHatter]

Awesome, thank you! It's interesting how it's more difficult to be loose, and easier to paint tight. I wonder why that is....

[@arielceleda4897]

Really amazing color vibration Michael! How much beauty you can find in a simple purple plum!! How cool is that? Thats the real painter job... you can se clearly that simple things, dont imply boring. Remembers me of James gurney painting a pile of snow or a supermarket parking lot. Salutes from Argentina!

[@arielceleda4897]

i forgot to say: Thank you for your time! I appreciate that. My best regards for you!

[@MichaelKingArt]

Thank you!!

[@sandracarroll6233]

Thank you for for the simplicity.

[@gazing2020]

I'm doing it now. Thank you very much.

[@cathyserafinowicz6374]

Thank you so much,that was great! 😍

[@DSmith-pc9jn]

Thanks Michael, very helpful.

[@MichaelKingArt]

thanks!

[@UConceptPublishing]

Nice looking plum

[@rajatshanbhag]

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

[@MichaelKingArt]

My pleasure.

[@ajnbin]

Brilliant explanation Michael, I like very much the outcome. Thanks a lot!

[@MichaelKingArt]

+AJ NOURI So glad you like it!

[@duantorruellas716]

Coming from a David shevlino video on painting with economy , this was very nice. Both good.

[@ReviewsAndMore9]

Never thought before to count my strokes. Thanks.

[@THESHOMROM]

I thought it was much better before you did the approximately last 8-10 tonal corrections on the plum. Very good exercise.

[@MichaelKingArt]

+THESHOMROM I can appreciate that.

[@rajpereira7280]

Loving touch & strokes.realy it is stupendous.

[@freeandfabulous4310]

Beautiful!

[@MichaelKingArt]

Thank you.

[@edbianchi8839]

Beautiful and helpful work, thank you for your lesson

[@barbaraeastbourne5398]

Clear instructions.

[@MichaelKingArt]

Thank you.

[@felicianoel4880]

Amazing

[@TheSheitz]

learned what I need to do...thanks much!...practice, practice, ahead

[@MichaelKingArt]

+sherri heitz Yup, the most important thing. :)-

[@nancyanderson2313]

Really lovely. I'm gaining some courage to try this myself! I really appreciate your painting style, and would love to take lessons.

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Nancy Anderson I encourage you to try it. Worst case is you learn from it. :)

[@nancyanderson2313]

Thanks for the encouragement- I think I'm going to dive in! Can you please tell me what you'd suggest I buy to start? I have a degree in interior design- and did dozens of watercolor renderings years ago for school- but I really want to try oils or acrylics. I'm willing to purchase whatever you think might be useful. I'm comfortable with color blending, matching, etc, but I know NOTHING of technique or materials! Thanks so much in advance for any advice you can send my way!

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Nancy Anderson Any smooth consistency oil paint like Windsor & Newton or Gamblin. I really like long flat brushes but long filberts can give softer edges. Plus some gessoed panels to paint on. You would also need a pallet for mixing paint on.

[@witchy4486]

Could u do another exercise like this? Its so helpful

[@MichaelKingArt]

That seems like a good idea. I’ll start looking for images.

[@witchy4486]

@@MichaelKingArt Yes! Thank you so much

[@cakec9]

love the idea! I am gonna try it immediately

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Life Simply Rocks Thats awesome!!

[@sunnyboy4553]

Great, great info. Thanks.

[@arrystophanes7909]

Tried to paint my sense of disappointment once & found there weren't enough strokes available

[@attadudepc]

very nice, well presented

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Paul Cairns Thank you.

[@christynelsonmarsh]

Really nice!

[@dbuhler171]

Great video.

[@MichaelKingArt]

Thanks!

[@timrosenthal46]

That was great thanks ..( subbed )

[@vinodrawat6160]

Great

[@slowspectre9612]

gonna try this with digital art

[@MichaelKingArt]

Ooo, great idea.

[@tslilbearshoppe9870]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@charlenedunne9307]

That was so interesting. What colors did you use for us beginners so we know at least what to start with. I am going to try this thank you. What size was this also? It looks like you prepped your canvas with what? I know I am asking a lot of questions but I really enjoyed this. Thank you again. Stay safe during this quarantined time.

[@MichaelKingArt]

Thank you. It’s an 8x8” canvas panel and I think I put a super thin film of linseed oil on it. The colours I use are hansa yellow medium, cad red medium, permanent alizarin crimson, cobalt blue, ultramarine blue, transparent red earth (burnt sienna is fine) and white.

[@charlenedunne9307]

Thank you again for answering me . I’ll post my picture if possible.

[@theartofjosephadams1970]

Great stuff

[@googletoe]

Great!

[@rebekahfisher8585]

Very helpful.

[@ankitprajapati6600]

nice art work

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Ankit Prajapati Thank you. I appreciate that.

[@lieseho2072]

Great tips, thank you for sharing! Do you have a stroke number you're trying to keep under? What's the goal? And if not, what's the point of actually keeping track?

[@MichaelKingArt]

Great question. One could make a goal of the number of strokes if they want but I did not. The idea isn’t so much to get you counting strokes but to make you conscious of the strokes you are putting down. Making every decision deliberate to avoid just slapping on paint and blending it to death. It is an exercise in control to get away from fine details and just putting down what’s is needed. Hope that clarifies.

[@stewartskiba7310]

very good and helpful

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Stewart Skiba Thank you and glad you enjoyed the video.

[@kimranson4775]

❤❤❤

[@AdrianeGalli]

Can you please show us how did you prepare the canvas before start painting? Thanks

[@MichaelKingArt]

This particular canvas was an old one that I had used before and had wiped off. Usually I just paint directly onto the canvas without doing anything to it. Hope this helps.

[@Extremestoic23678]

I would like to see the palette.

[@MichaelKingArt]

Agreed. I now try to add my palette into each new video.

[@nanadrawslot]

Interesting?! I will try counting my brushstrokes when I’m painting loose

[@starbucks1971]

If you color the first layer and color the second layer on top of it, the first layer paint will be scratched to the extent that the Kenbus surface is visible. What's the reason

[@MichaelKingArt]

No intentional reason, it’s part of the process. This randomness of give/take ads a variety to each area thus providing more interest to the painting. More interest and variety is a good thing.

[@moosasanani]

Nice

[@LittleMew133]

How come when I make charcoal marks like that, I can still see it underneath my oil paint? Is it because I use student grade oil paint with low pigment load? It seems to only happen with the warm colors like yellow, orange, red.

[@MichaelKingArt]

Without seeing your charcoal sketch I would have to say it may be too heavy handed and really embeded into the canvas. That reminds me, I am working on board as well which is smoother and doesn’t hold charcoal as strongly. That said, I would suggest soft vine charcoal for sketching. It is softer and more powdery. Also, keep a light touch. Hope this helps you out.

[@LittleMew133]

@@MichaelKingArt Thanks! I used cloth canvas so that was prob why. What is the best way to combat the charcoal showing? So far, I just paint over the warm colors with opaque white and hope for it to dry before reapplying the colors. But idk if that would work or the white would mix and create chalky colors.

[@MichaelKingArt]

@LittleMew133 After the charcoal I’d suggest blowing or gently wiping off excess charcoal. If you are dealing with it already, letting the paint dry first is a good solution. If working on a new piece you could try smushing the paint into it as you paint to get it to come loose and mix with the paint.

[@jclar5239]

can you make a painting video on how to paint more tighter?

[@MichaelKingArt]

Not really. I’ve spent years removing myself from being tighter and have no interest in going back. I hope you can find what your looking for.

[@ArtbyLysa]

This was incredible! And the colors are so vibrant and juicy! Is there any way you can tell us what colors you used?? I'm in awe...

[@MichaelKingArt]

Thank you for the kind words. My colours are: Hansa Yellow Med, cad red med, permanent Alizarin Crimson, cobalt blue, ultramarine blue, and transparent earth red.

[@ArtbyLysa]

@@MichaelKingArt thank u! I cant wait to try it!

[@harrymonk6]

Taking ecstasy while painting has always worked for me

[@MichaelKingArt]

I would imagine that would be freeing.

[@scottydont7904]

Time to be more direct with my strokes instead of overworking all the time.

[@Michelle-hg3sv]

HI Michael, how did you get the texture on your board? Is that just gesso? Also, are you using a medium to loosen your paint? Loved the video! Great lesson.

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Michelle 224 Thank you. For texture, I used a brush to apply the gesso and just left it to dry as is. For medium, I’ll use a 50/50 mixture in linseed oil and mineral spirits.

[@Extremestoic23678]

How many brushes are you using?

[@MichaelKingArt]

It’s been a long time since I made this video but I think Iwas just using one and I was cleaning it in between. At most there was two.

[@lisengel2498]

Very fine tutorial and itreally puts value to painting as a bodily feeling of each stroke as a touch and as a specific movement - it seems to make the painting look very vibrating - beautifull, raw style of painting. By the way do you ever use Gamblins gel medium? And did you sketch with charcoal? And if do you then spray it before painting to avoid smudging the color ?

[@MichaelKingArt]

Thank you. I have tried the gel medium but find it doesn’t suit me.

[@MichaelKingArt]

I missed your question about charcoal. Yes, I sketch with charcoal and most times do not spray it but I have in the past. I don’t mind loosing the sketch when painting as it is just a guide and I figure if I can draw it once I can draw it again. :)

[@nubiasista9709]

Is this for oils or acrylics

[@MichaelKingArt]

This is painted in oils but the same would apply to acrylic.

[@rnelson0525]

Thank you - I am a very beginner. Used acrylics. Now using waterbased oils (do not want the fumes of oil). What should I be careful about?

[@MichaelKingArt]

So many things. :) But if you’re just starting to use the WSO I’d say Be careful not to thin the paint too much.

[@maireadharkin5124]

Oh yes i love being a loose woman ops I mean a loose artist!! Mairead Harlin in Ireland

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Mairead Harkin :D

[@artfortheheartpainter677]

MichaelKingArtWorks Thank you...looks very nice...this is a wonderful exercise...

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Artfortheheart Painter I would love to see your results.

[@ailsaprimmer3569]

Artfo

[@ileneavery2114]

I'm enjoying your demos, Michael. Curious about the paints you use. The consistency seems very buttery and easy to use. Is there a brand that you more often use? Do you use an added medium? thanks so much.

[@MichaelKingArt]

I prefer Gamblin paints as they have a nice consistency you see in the video. Occasionally I use mineral spirits to help thin the paint in the early stages.

[@joelhenry4643]

The strokes don't really show up though. Shouldn't it be put on with more paint or a lighter stroke to see them?

[@MichaelKingArt]

If you want. Paint thin, paint thick. Dealers choice.

[@HeatherQuaine]

Do you ever paint in acrylic? Can you do this excercise in acrylic and get similar results? And thanks for the video. :)

[@MichaelKingArt]

I have painted in acrylic and yes, you can easily do this exercise with acrylic paint.

[@HeatherQuaine]

@@MichaelKingArt Wow, thank you so much for getting back with me. I am going to do this exercise soon. Peace!

[@TrudieTiger70]

What is Chroma? Thky

[@MichaelKingArt]

Chroma is another word for colour saturation, how much ‘colour’ it has.

[@TrudieTiger70]

Thank you! Your painting demo was so fun to watch. Loved it

[@cartman1365]

With what kind of paint you use?(acrilycs or oils)

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Cartman 136 I use oil paints. However, acrylics wouldn't be too much different if you add a slow dry medium.

[@오잘]

awesome work! how many hours did it take to finish?

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Terry Seol I think this was an hour or so in real time. I would have to check the un-edited video.

[@jerrysetlerr770]

I am just curious why do they call it loose?

[@MichaelKingArt]

Painting realistically, or painting every details of a scene is generally referred to as ‘tight’, thus the use of ‘loose’ as people want to get away from painting tight.

[@SpottedBullet]

When I first started I probably would've done it like this, but now I would do it with a much larger brush in 10 or less strokes. Your brush is too small here in retrospect.

[@demetrakalams1134]

Is this acrylic or oil? You seem to use a clean brush each time you apply a different color.

[@MichaelKingArt]

It’s oil. I tend to wipe off or rinse my brush between colours.

[@MichaelKingArt]

True, but it’s part of the process. Some use a different brush for each colour mix.

[@gavinyates9189]

Small canvas small stroke small brush, big canvas bigger stroke bigger brush? Right.

[@MichaelKingArt]

Absolutely!!! But with a few small brush strokes in the piece for variation. ;)

[@melissalefebvre3476]

Can you please demo a loose chickadee. 🙂 Have you thought of teaching on Patreon? I would gladly pay you for instruction.

[@MichaelKingArt]

I’ll see what I can do. Never thought about Patreon. Will have to look into it.

[@RWJonesAIC]

How do I paint more loosely. My current style is looser than my past style.

[@MichaelKingArt]

I found I had to make a direct effort to make large, loose strokes and not get caught up in detailing everything.

[@sofiaflor1459]

what paint were you using?

[@MichaelKingArt]

+Sofia Flores I use Gamblin oil paints. But any should do.

[@petawilliams8099]

why count strokes?

[@MichaelKingArt]

+peta williams Some painters can't just put a stroke of paint down and leave it, they have to fuss with it and make muck instead. To paint looser I find it works best if students lay a stoke down and count it, mentally forcing them not to go over it again and lose its freshness. So, it isn't really about counting strokes for the sake of counting but counting for the sake of control.

[@petawilliams8099]

ok

[@matthewbunker1007]

If I’m not mistaken this is only an excessive to “practice” intentional brush strokes for the sake of progressing in a looser style. I don’t think Michaelknightart is suggesting we count every brush stroke of every painting we ever do. I use this exercise often to set my subconscious into a loose mood, not for my daily commissions. Thanks for this reminder Michael!

[@ProfessorBraus]

*fewer* :D

[@CharbakArt]

king

[@petawilliams8099]

I think I would go mental if I had to count all my strokes

[@MichaelKingArt]

+peta williams I do as well :)- lol

[@barbaraeastbourne5398]

You’re missing the point. Of course you don’t count each stroke. 😱

[@420bb]

Shout out to the people who thought it said HOW TO PAINT LOSER!!!

[@renzo6490]

Please show the actual plum that you are painting as you are painting it so we will know WHY you are doing WHAT you are doing.

[@MichaelKingArt]

THANKS for your INPUT.

[@renzo6490]

@@MichaelKingArt .. I would have used italics or underlines but caps was all I had for emphasis. I'm only sorry they distracted you from my reasonable and sensible request.

[@MichaelKingArt]

It’s all in good fun. I should have added that I agree with you and I’ll need to put more info in future videos.

[@MichaelKingArt]

Weird statement as I have nothing to sell to the audience that watch these videos. It’s an early video, I’m not a professional video maker, things get missed. Things to learn. It’s been addressed. Not remaking the video.

[@MichaelKingArt]

Yup, agreed.

[@dietmarventzke5327]

You didn’t paint the background. Can’t be bothered ? Too many strokes. Why paint at all. Too much work,time , effort, can’t afford the extra paint. Just write ….with pencil … plum on the support and you’re done , with minimal strokes. Don’t even have to get your brushes dirty .

[@MichaelKingArt]

LOL 😂

[@SteveL2012]

There is no plum in nature that even approximates the violet color on the left side of the plum; it’s practically electric blue. When painting loose, natural color and accurate color mixing become essential. This video completely misses the mark; the underlying assumption that you can demonstrate loose brushwork when the subject is devoid of any relation to nature is absurd.

[@MichaelKingArt]

Painting is about the painting, not how real it is. I suggest u buy a camera.

[@mathilda6763]

Painting loose is partly about abstractions and making deliberate design decisions when it comes to colour and brushwork . If you wanna paint more abstract you need to take a step from your reference, find what you want to emphasise or even exaggerate and whatt you want to simplify or leave out. Colour is a highly subjective thing and a lot of great painters distorted colours to get their artistic vision to the canvas. How you filter and interpret the thing you experience and commucate it to others is what makes you a painter and not a copy machine. Colour mixing and picking the right colours and values to communicate your experience is important but they don't have to be "natural" for the painting to be good.

[@kristinguenev8812]

It’s art dude