How to Simplify a Landscape Painting (full demonstration)

[@21ruevictorhugo]

Wow! I’m a math geek, but I’ve always loved painting, and even won some prizes but I never felt as if I knew what I was doing. You’ve just shown me!!! I’m absolutely thrilled. Stunned! I’ve seen the light! Math as I studied it was not about arithmetic. My niche was abstract algebra. We never actually did anything with numbers. We studied and examined the essence of algebra itself, how it works, the few actual axioms that make algebra work. It’s that simple. I have to approach painting the same way! I can see clearly now the rain is gone I can see all obstacles in my way Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind It's gonna be a bright, bright sun shiny day ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@MalcolmDewey]

Excellent, with your left and right brain gift you will be doing great work! 😊

[@bodawei425]

B.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l! Love the way you use a seemingly very boring picture to layout the basic structure but make it such a vibrant and colorful painting. The color harmony is mesmerizing. 😄

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, I'm getting to like the result more 😊

[@christinerosendo1970]

Thank you for talking about the emotional feelings regarding if your work will be liked and accepted! It is the challenge! I on purpose post my paintings on my Facebook- to overcome this! And to my surprise a painting I didn’t like was my first one I sold! Thanks again ! Very informative teachings!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you. Well done on showing your work - it takes courage.

[@PokerMama55]

Wow! When I saw the reference photo I was wondering how you could make a good looking paintings with not much to work with. The end results was AWESOME!!!

[@elizabethlineham4065]

Thankyou for these wonderful videos. I am trying to break away from realistic paintings and now with your amazing lessons I am confident I can paint in a looser style. 😊 Liz

[@MalcolmDewey]

Wonderful!

[@kriswashburn274]

Love your style and colors!!!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you so much!!

[@sophiereinecke8659]

Wonderful! I can watch you for hours simplifying "mundane" photos and turning them into fantastic paintings. I just wish it will really click with me one day! Everytime I start a new painting I try to follow your instructions, just to get bogged down into details soon after again!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you so much 😀 it will happen little by little.

[@mrsmikster]

Me too Sophie 😁 I’m new to painting and need to loosen up a bit! I have bought one of Malcolm’s courses so hopefully get there in the end.

[@bootiebromley999]

This 10:15 was very helpful. Adding the purples and blues when I would have used greens is liberating for my paintings.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad that helped - its the Impressionists who came up with that idea.

[@sueharper1976]

Hi there like everyone else I’m so impressed with how you take what’s seems like a lifeless, colourless reference and make it into something beautiful. From my learning so far, I’ve got hung up on centres of interest, but I’m going to discard that idea totally. Choosing/deciding a reference should be so much easier now. I think the main thing to look for is the light dark contrast. That’s what I’m taking away from yourself. Now, I can’t wait to try out a Boring bush and drab hillside. Wish me luck😊

[@MalcolmDewey]

Exactly, finding the beauty in the everyday is a joy

[@joannbaumann4028]

Thank you sharing the key! It all makes so much sense now. Rewatching.

[@MalcolmDewey]

It's a pleasure, Thank you

[@sueharper1976]

Me too👍🏼

[@deborahcavel-greant6155]

Wonderful! I've always been daunted by my own slavish devotion to realism, while in the end I was never satisfied by the work I produced and I finally quit painting completely. But NOW I find all these amazing artists who paint so freely, and watching you today, I'm going to pick up my brushes and begin again. Thank you!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Wonderful! made my day!

[@fatoomgierdien2181]

Beautiful to see how much Color value control exists. Thank YOU MUCH

[@gsirsri]

Dear Malcolm. Stunning. My breath stopped when I saw the finished work. God bless you.

[@janey2562]

I love it that you mentioned Thoreau.

[@holyphun1664]

gosh it's lovely, the picture turned out dull next to the painting, i learned so much, thank you

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@pollyjones9253]

Such a beautiful painting from such a simple reference photo! You’re very talented 😊

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Polly!

[@suel4269]

Wow! I would love to know how to apply this to Watercolor.

[@claraedouwesdekker6389]

A lovely painting. An inspiring tutorial. Your use of color is gorgeous. Thank you for sharing.

[@MalcolmDewey]

My pleasure 😊

[@sujithjohn4393]

I need to simplify my paintings...thank you sir..you help me. John from India 🇮🇳

[@MalcolmDewey]

It's a pleasure John

[@sujithjohn4393]

@@MalcolmDewey i am trying to join a master artist

[@MalcolmDewey]

@@sujithjohn4393 you can join on my school site too. Look for Artists Live Channel.

[@janehop]

Wonderful demonstration of loose and colorful painting. thank you, beautiful.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you very much!

[@Shipslaw]

What a vibrant lively painting! You make it look simple but there's a lot - a great lot - of experience in there. I know because I sweat to emulate.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Jacques - I'm happy you enjoyed it.

[@droberts7859]

Brilliant colors! Love the expression and personal vision! Inspiring!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@gwenjames6676]

Thank you for making this video, definitely will help me to paint more loosely. I appreciate your style and pace.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@beachlife2968]

Great explanation and example Malcolm. When i first started painting my goal was to try and get it as close to a photo as possible(realism) but that is just boring and i have totally moved away from that. The work by Tibor Nagy just blows me away. You want the viewer to work things out what they are seeing by using cool and warm colours , small and big shapes, light and dark values etc to make it much more interesting.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you very much. I am also a fan of Tibor Nagy. Also look up contemporary Russian impressionists - some amazing work.

[@jacolineloewen6530]

Thank you for taking us through the steps.

[@MalcolmDewey]

You are so welcome!

[@MadisonBriggsArtchick]

Such beautiful work and great video. This is the first one I’ve watched of yours. I wasn’t sure where you were going to go with the painting and I like your use of color. Thank you for doing this!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you so much!

[@janinem3280]

Your paining is more beautiful than the photo! I love your work. Cheers from US 🙂

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you so much 😀

[@jamesmeyer1325]

Love the texture created by thick paint. I need to be more generous with my paint!

[@MalcolmDewey]

always good to add more paint 😄

[@rezahosseinzadehnasser993]

Thank you Malcolm.This is a much needed subject- how to simplify. Yet I love some details in some area at least.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you. Yes some details finish it off. Aim to suggest details too. Our mind likes to fill in the missing pieces.

[@markcockburn2616]

Wonderful. Thank you 😊

[@MalcolmDewey]

You’re welcome 😊

[@chp21600]

Amazing!!

[@MalcolmDewey]

I’m glad you liked it 😊

[@robhead22]

Excellent lesson!! Especially for me! Thank you!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad it was helpful!

[@margaretsmith9637]

Lovely and Inspiring.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Many thanks Margaret

[@lucasmyint8140]

Thanks for your demonstration. Simplicity but powerful expressive painting.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@fjv8755]

Love your way to simplify a very ordinary photo into a very painterly loose painting, also your way of using colours

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@joannayoung3181]

Lovely video. I shall keep practising!! Thank you Malcolm.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Pleasure, thank you

[@sandrayoung7166]

Very enjoyable 🙂

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you

[@caroleschulz4641]

Absolutely wonderful!!!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Many thanks!

[@christierella]

I enjoyed this demonstration.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@nicolepoumarede2423]

Quel talent et connaissances des couleurs , mdrci de partager vos connaissances et votre professionnalisme .

[@jodyguilbeaux8225]

that is beautiful

[@grozdavranic6972]

Simple. Amazing what you did.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@peterwillems8721]

Very, very nice this simplest possible, delightfully fresh, highly educational sketch. And so fast ! Love it.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you

[@eleanyaotisijezreel7965]

Thank you, between yellow lemon and cadmium yellow deep, which is best used for depiction of light in impressionism?

[@terryh3689]

I love your choice of expressive colors. Do you have any videos on selecting colors like this? I am not as imaginative.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Coming soon! One next week.

[@MrLadyDan]

Stunning painting, small, modest, yet incredibly beautiful. Thank you for sharing Malcolm. The true is that you opened my eyes wider today. I am deeply grateful for that

[@MalcolmDewey]

You made my day! Thank you

[@margarethogan7440]

Thank you. An amazing demo!

[@MalcolmDewey]

So glad, thanks Margaret.

[@anjalikoregaonkar6238]

Its beautiful.. thanks

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you too

[@aimykapllani3096]

Amazing work

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you

[@flintgahan4815]

Simplified truly a fine piece Flint

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you very much

[@annlgs7303]

Malcolm - I would have never guessed the simple photo could be transformed into such a lovely painting. I would appreciate your sharing your use of mediums. Did you use one in the early stages, or did you simply thin out your paint with a Gamsol-type product? Thank you!!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Many thanks. Correct - a little white spirits at the beginning, but no mediums thereafter.

[@andrewlm5677]

I like these paintings and videos and think you have good taste. Don’t agree that this style is inherently any more charming than other styles though

[@ИнтроРед]

Amazing work🙏

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@travelgirl3172]

Wonderful. Thank you!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sttarch5150]

I just discovered your channel. This video is extremely informative, telling us what we need to know without being too long and drawn out. I needed this exact lesson right now. Thank you.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Excellent, glad it helped.

[@mattyrsofar]

Loved how you opened with Henry Thoreau quote, it's so true, I've been trying to weed out all the unneeded junk in my life, both literally and metaphorically, I just want a simple life with a more minimalist approach. And as far simplying a landscape, this is something I continue to struggle with. I either do too much detail, or end up with something that resembles a finger-painting. Not always, but enough times to be unsure of myself everytime I go to paint. You honestly couldn't cover this concept enough as far as I'm concerned. I guess I have a hard time keeping it simple but also giving it some depth and form that brings it to life. The last painting I did, I was about to throw in the towel, but then I started adding subtle variances of color, without disrupting the values in the composition, and that seemed to help a great deal. Thank you for covering this deeply complex subject, please feel free to do as many more as you like!

[@MalcolmDewey]

It is a trial and error process so keep on painting. When it clicks you will be thankful you persisted :) Do you use the notan approach to get big shapes and values worked out first?

[@LindaRUDYK]

Love it! Merci.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you 😊

[@CloakNE]

this is amazing

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you

[@judymills873]

Wow! Beautiful! From looking at the photo, I thought it would be a boring painting but I love it!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Great to hear that!

[@scrappus77]

Beautiful. I tried using these types of strokes with thick paint. I looks great but there is so much glare it's hard to as I build up to the finish, is it my lighting? I've tried many different lighting angles and bulb types.

[@MalcolmDewey]

It's the lighting set up. Too bright, too close probably.

[@tbr.artstudio]

4:45 how do you get the thick color in the foreground? Is this a different color/tube, or just the way you put it on with the brush?

[@MalcolmDewey]

It is brushwork. All the paints are the same.

[@petreccaw7495]

Congrats MD, your painting = way better then the original , rather uninteresting-looking photo. Thát seems to me the real thing about good, genuine painting: think painting, not being 'carried away' by an , at first sight, nice looking or (in this case) rather not so nice looking photo ... See the purely painterly possibilities in an image, find a 'motif' that really works ... things like this Thank you MD

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you. That is good to hear, because it is the expression of the artist that must transform the scene.

[@jaedo71]

Malcolm that is very nice! I can see the background as sky and the white area as horizon.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you

[@elsombrero105]

I lllllove your videos and demos, the shapes simplifying gives me a huge step forward in my paintings, so, thanks a million, sir - and please keep doing what you do. Best wishes from Ukraine!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Excellent. Thank you for watching.

[@stevehaycraft1901]

I love the colors you use here but how did you know to use the reds and blues when they are not in the reference? I love it but I don't understand how you got there.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you. The short answer is that blue is the color of shadow on a sunny day. The reds balance out the greens. They are also rich and warm but dark enough for shadows.

[@stevehaycraft1901]

@@MalcolmDewey thank you! I'll keep trying!

[@StormyGeddon]

This is a gorgeous painting and such a helpful demo thank you. I’m neurodivergent and struggle with being too literal, but I so much want to paint like this. I can easily understand the technical aspect but do your eyes and brain “see” the finished painting before your start actually painting? Maybe imagine is the right word? How did you decide to just do the two bushes and not four? How did you decide not to include the posts? I don’t see the blue reflective light in the original photo that was included in the finished painting, is that something you added from imagination or am I missing it in the photo? I wish I could understand, any insight would be helpful please

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you - your questions are good ones, but could not possibly be answered in detail here. Composition, color temperature, expressive emotions, instinct - so much comes into play. Yes a lot of study of past artists, practice and a sense of fun too. You can find paintings that appeal to you and use them as a guide. Also use a big brush and tools that make BIG marks. Be messy - its okay to explore.

[@rebanelson607]

I'm neurodivergent also. I would advise you to KEEP PAINTNG. It took a while for me but i'm gradually developing my own way of painting what I see. Everything worth doing requires intentional practice, refinement, correction and courage and recognizing improvement. Try to paint as often as you can. That made the difference for me. Best wishes!

[@saharm2454]

Thank you very much.

[@sonsoftheedelweiss72]

Love it. Thk u

[@lindawilson2549]

How the heck you do that I don't know. I would be going about it completely differently and getting bogged down in trying to make it realistic. And yet, your end result does look realistic!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Linda. Just paint shapes and hope it makes sense at the end 😀

[@karenburns1907]

Nice!

[@sameehakhaliq8327]

Great work. What's real painting time?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you. About 40 minutes.

[@sameehakhaliq8327]

@@MalcolmDewey and how much time do you think shall I give for plien air painting? I mean generally

[@MalcolmDewey]

@@sameehakhaliq8327 Anything up to an hour. The scene changes a lot.

[@sameehakhaliq8327]

@@MalcolmDewey but I get intimidated at times when outside. And get all values sane in the end. How to overcome and divide into steps?

[@MalcolmDewey]

@@sameehakhaliq8327 Start with knowing your process from sketch to blocking in very well. Practice in the studio. Then paint where you are comfortable. Even looking out of a window is plein air painting. I have a free guide on Amazon too: amzn.to/2orKxyy

[@lisag3556]

Hi Malcolm - first time watching you work - beautiful painting that emerged! Thank you. Forgive me for asking but what is the 'notan' approach that you refer to in a response to a comment from Matthew Ressler 5 comments further down the page?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you. Notan is a Japanese word which essentially means a painting of mass shapes. I have a free short course on this if you want to learn more on it www.malcolmdeweyfineart.com/painting-secrets.html

[@kogieg7629]

Thank you for simplefing easier to under stand, your sub titles are blocking when you are painting

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks, the sub titles are KZbin's

[@marlenegabler3445]

Tirar a legenda que tampa a pintura

[@nakedanunnaki4432]

hello Malcolm. I'm curious - is (a) the painting purely for demonstration ? (b) did you intend to sell it? (c) if yes to (b) how popular are your loose , abstract(ish) pieces of art? I need to consume at least a 1/2 bottle of Jack Daniels No7 AND be in a hurry to get to an important appointment , to get anywhere loose with a paint brush. I always end up painting too tight and end up somewhat disappointed in my work. thanks for your tutorials

[@MalcolmDewey]

😊 it is sold. There is a market for any style so you have to do what makes you happiest. Then your painting will improve and you will be happy and successful.

[@nakedanunnaki4432]

@@MalcolmDewey hello Malcolm , thanks for your reply , I appreciate. My eyes are red and swollen. every time i watch you do a loose piece, i burst in tears to and cry all over my easel and blank canvas. you make it look so damned easy. You give me hope boet (re market for any style). I want to try get some of my stuff sold so that i can buy and replace materials used. (in my opinion , art materials are unrealistically costly . Not much one can do re costs. One last last Q: are you situated in Knysna. kind regards Brian

[@MalcolmDewey]

@@nakedanunnaki4432 No, E Cape. 👍

[@sontrinh2524]

superlative beauty.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Too kind 😊

[@manjiabanti]

Your voice is balmy

[@MalcolmDewey]

As in "crazy" 🥴

[@manjiabanti]

@@MalcolmDewey no very comforting

[@MalcolmDewey]

@@manjiabanti 😊😊

[@nikk5330]

thakyou for sharing the video but you must make the text small size and not cover the screen!

[@MalcolmDewey]

That's KZbin unfortunately. I just paint.

[@missjo5ie]

“Thick juicy paint” 😛