Landscape Painting - Bold Expressive Landscapes

In this video you will learn how to make bold marks with pastel and which direction to make them in. We’ll create an expressive landscape painting on black using bold marks and vibrant colors. As we do, we’ll talk about when to blend and when not to, as well as how to make those bold fresh marks in pastel.
Alain's Workshops: www.picardstudio.com/workshops/
Alain’s Travel Pastel Supply List:
mailchi.mp/aada785c1239/trave...
Travel with pastels video:
• Traveling with Pastels
Get seven free underpainting videos here: picardstudio.com/
If you enjoyed this video, please subscribe!
If you found this lesson helpful view more video lessons here: www.picardstudio.com/store/

[@BigDaddy13515]

Alain is my favorite pastel artist! Wonderful paintings and a wonderful teacher! I just bought your book off of Amazon as well! Best $10 I’ve spent on a pastel book! Short and packed with great information.

[@krkabob]

Paint like a maniac.... best advice I've heard in a LOOOOONNGGG... time:-) Thank you Alain:-) Dig It!

[@AlainPicard]

Glad you enjoy Kirk, have fun painting!

[@bobfleischner1824]

You are so very funny while providing excellent instruction. Such an understated style. thank you

[@user-qt6fr3zg3g]

Thank you very much. Your lessons are great. I paint every day. Alan, you are a great teacher and a talented artist.

[@AlainPicard]

That's very kind, thank you.

[@lintoms1087]

In my first pastel class, we did a lot of blending which muddied the colors in my opinion. Later, I belong to an art guild and one of our demonstrators used an alcohol wash and bold color that stood alone. Then she blended. I liked it a step back. Bold color. Bold strokes. I have now married my likes up with you and another pastelis, Tara Wills and am finding my own way. Thanks for all your videos!!!!!

[@stephengreico2810]

“You only live once, let that thing rip, break the pastel if you have to, show it who’s boss”....possibly the best advice every aspiring pastelist needs to hold dearly....most of us certainly get caught up in the beauty of the pastel themselves that we just do more admiring and not using! Lol

[@dslart9576]

Best line in the video !

[@Smurgles]

My favorite line from a teaching artist EVER! LOL!

[@yogibakshi2375]

⚘️🎨beautiful painting. Love the ocher and the lemony colour's in the feild creat's so much depth.😮

[@niranipathirage1414]

Beautiful !! Thank you very much!! 💐💗

[@yaminiayachitam]

You are a great teacher!Thankyou!

[@avrilmaria5776]

I've learned a lot watching this and I would like to see you do cityscapes. Thanks

[@tusharpaintingstudio441]

Hi... Alain your explaining processes is very good.

[@mitchellscott1843]

You've become one of my favorite pastel and art in general teachers. Always excited to see a notification of a new video.

[@Crap873]

Love you work! You are an amazing teacher .Thank you 💕🇨🇦

[@AlainPicard]

Hey thanks, Jan, I appreciate the kind remarks. I'm really glad you enjoyed this lesson!

[@Intothehu]

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your video tutorials. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@rafaelcastro5632]

Awesome as always!

[@MsWriterLyn]

Thank you for this beautiful demo! My downfall is overblending. As I watch your markmaking and listen to your reasoning for each painterly decision, it gives me more confidence to let those bold strokes stand on their own. Again, thank you!

[@yogibakshi2375]

Beautiful painting Alain sir . Love your stroke's and color's . Don't know when I will be able to make such beautiful stroke 's.

[@barbaraschakel8573]

Fantastic video- so helpful as it relates to mark making.

[@AlainPicard]

Glad it was helpful! Keep painting Barbara

[@roxannekeomaka4754]

Beautiful!

[@victoriagadd6831]

Stunning

[@lisaaudit6844]

Gosh Alain , I just love to see you have fun with all those beautiful bold strokes ! LOVE your work !

[@MrsBednar]

Thank you for this inspiring and well expressed instruction. I’m a newby and this advice is invaluable

[@AlainPicard]

So glad you enjoyed, keep painting!

[@potsrme]

Alain, thank you. This is an excellent lesson. It is so helpful to have you explaining your choices as you work. I learned so much from this and I think I will return to watch a few more times to really consolidate the points you made. For me, this is your most instructive video so far.

[@AlainPicard]

Hey thanks potsrme, that is really helpful feedback! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video enough to watch it more than once! I'm thrilled the points made sense to you, and hope it will help you excel as an artist in your own development. I wish you all the best!

[@coletterahal1007]

Thank you sooooo much for this vidéo it’s fantastic

[@janelintern6969]

Hi Alain - really exciting picture - colours just leap out - very interesting to watch and to hear what you think and how you like to blend.

[@tdelphia1]

Another fantastic video. You are a gifted teacher Alain...not just great information, but delivered in such a friendly and inspiring way. Thank you!

[@AlainPicard]

That's very kind Tracy, thank you.

[@mjpete27]

I am still amazed at how you continue to offer truly inspirational teaching moments! You are quite talented and I enjoy watching your videos, I am intrigued by your mark making techniques even on the small size paper/board! I just wanted to let you know how appreciative we are for these videos as so many of us will not be able to attend one of your workshops anytime soon! Thanks Alain!

[@suepymer7233]

Really enjoyed your use of colour and the lack of blending - keeping the colours beautifully fresh. Thankyou.

[@genesampson8401]

Oh, my goodness, what a great teacher Alain Picard is. This video has been worth so much to me. Thank you!

[@vickibrighton9455]

As a new follower, Alain, I am in awe of your style and ability. You make pastel painting look easy, and yet it is anything but that. I am so grateful that you choose to share your amazing gift with us. Thank you for inspiring me, Alain, and for giving me the courage to create using my pastels.

[@lowen838]

Appreciated the reminders about focusing on the negative shapes and creating the impression of trees in the distance - not the need to paint every single tree. As you said in a previous lesson “Leave out more than you put in”. Very helpful!

[@AlainPicard]

You got it! You are definitely picking up some of the painterly concepts L Owen! Have fun and make those bold marks!

[@j.evadostie8642]

Love this video. I think that I am starting to better understand the process. Blending is for the end if at all.

[@andrewansaldiiii7441]

Another awesome video Alain. I learn so much from you and your bold marks. Thank you so much.

[@AlainPicard]

You're very welcome, thanks for appreciating! All the best

[@yvonnefurse5375]

Glad to have watched this video of your lovely, colourful and impressionistic landscape.

[@hollymorris5132]

Love watching the choice of strokes, values and final transformation, always great reminders. Thank you so much Alain!

[@AlainPicard]

You are very welcome Holly!

[@debramoss2267]

Fabuuuulouuus! Thoroughly enjoyed this. Definitely has helped get my head round the blending dilemma and had us falling about laughing, too, thank you!

[@jancarlton6674]

Alain, Loved all the explanations of your thought process as you put down marks.It is an incredibly effective teaching tool ! Always enjoy watching you paint and I appreciate your willingness to share your expertise. Thanks again !

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Jan, that's really kind. You are very welcome. So glad you enjoyed. All the best!

[@ritahudson3970]

When I painted with acrylics I had a painterly style - which I lost went I started using pastels. I became a blender and although I did some nice pieces - I felt that some spontaneity and looseness was missing. I truly admire your work. It has given me new inspiration. Thank you Alan.

[@AlainPicard]

You're very welcome Rita! Glad you enjoyed and it inspired you.

[@ravankahriz2377]

You do play with this color so beautifully, thanks for sharing these amazing moments.

[@jopetersen542]

I just discovered your videos and find your use if bold colors and strokes so inspiring. I have for some time realized that I am timid with my use of colors. I have found portraits to be what I enjoy painting most and struggle with landscapes. I am ready to try to be bolder with my colors and strokes. Thank you for sharing these tutorials.

[@Kaylasdaintydesk]

I (now 30) have always used graphite and colored pencils since high school. Now I’m branching out and am learning soft pastels! You have made every lesson so easy and delightful! Thank you so much!

[@AlainPicard]

Butterfly 0054 you are so welcome. You have a great foundation to build on, it’s going to be great fun! Enjoy the process, and keep sketching!

[@thekmusmanno]

I absolutely love it when you get authoritative with us!!! :-)

[@corneliasequeira562]

I have hardly tried pastels, but always loved Impressionism, I will definitely try my hand more at pastels.Thank you for your warm hearted demonstration. Enjoyed your poetic explanation :)

[@tdelphia1]

Love these demos Alain! It is super helpful as you articulate your choices for colors and marks.

[@AlainPicard]

Awesome thanks Tracy!

[@Dony3791]

This is wonderful and very informative. Thank you!

[@kaybrown4010]

Liked before watching. This exactly the kind of effect I’d like to learn. ❤️

[@AlainPicard]

Awesome thanks Wynona!

[@nancyarmitage9496]

Love....your deliberateness is admirable. Thank you.

[@dech4548]

Oh that was a great video and so much fun at the same time! I can’t wait to get to the easel to give this one a try! Thanks again, always excited when a notification pops up from you!!

[@davidengler3094]

What perfect timing! I have been really struggling lately to make my landscapes bolder as they have taken on a particular sameness and here comes Alain's video with method and inspiration. I am taking out a new board as I'm writing this comment. Brilliant and always inspiring.

[@AlainPicard]

Hi David, this is so encouraging! I'm absolutely thrilled the video inspired you to immediately get to work on a new landscape! You did a great job, too! Keep painting and stay in touch!

[@michaelmcewan432]

You are a fantastic teacher and great help, excellent tutorial

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks so much Michael!

[@JBri5678]

Yes! Another video!

[@MrJairo3259]

Glad to see your work 👏👏👏

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Francisco!

[@sandradodson540]

Your videos are so helpful and I love your expressive mark making. Thank you for sharing.

[@AlainPicard]

Awesome thanks!

[@juliebabb3365]

The new videos rock! Well done, great content & very informative as well as fun. Thanks for keeping them coming!

[@AlainPicard]

You bet, Julie, so glad you are enjoying them. It's so good to get feedback from you like this! Keep painting!

[@mabasrule]

Love your lessons! You are a wonderful teacher and generous with your explanations. Thank you!

[@AlainPicard]

You're very welcome Mary! Glad you enjoyed.

[@arriluce09]

You are so inspiring! I also have enjoyed very much your new video and have learned so much from the way you use the pastels. It looks easier than it really is, but it is also a great challenge for me. Kuddos for you!

[@rungsilp29]

Fantastic

[@stephenoliver572]

Alain, i learn from you and you make me smile, i love your video's thank you

[@AlainPicard]

You're very welcome Stephen! Glad I made you smile!

[@kathandterry2]

Hi Alain Great pallet of super colours bouncing off one another. I loved your explanations of the various techniques, that was so ver y useful thanks great video

[@AlainPicard]

You are very welcome, Kathy! So glad you enjoyed, keep painting and stay in touch! All the best

[@christineessler3632]

Been binge watching your videos - fantastic learning experience it has been. You are so generous with your knowledge and techniques. I look forward to looking at them again, and new ones as they occur. Took a class with you a couple years ago; definitely will sign up for more. Thanks so much.

[@AlainPicard]

Hi Christine, so good to hear from you! I'm very happy to be the subject of your binge watch! that's fantastic. Keep learning and growing, and I hope to see you again sometime soon!

[@HSkyler]

Thank you so much! This will be my first attempt at pastel on a dark surface. Impressive. One thing: I kept waiting for you to make the first tree on the right taller. It needs to be taller! To me, it looks incomplete along with the darker cloud formation above the tree line. JMO!

[@Brontesister1]

Oh yes! Perfect timing as i want to try landscape on some black U art paper and wasn’t sure how to go about it. Thank you.

[@AlainPicard]

You're very welcome! Glad you enjoyed.

[@connievorwald227]

I love your videos, thanks! I appreciate the commentary on the different strokes that you use. I would love a tutorial on color value, cool/warm within each color group. You make me believe that I too can make a beautiful painting!!

[@AlainPicard]

Connie Vorwald I absolutely do believe that you can make a beautiful painting! Thanks for the feedback regarding a future video on color temperature. Appreciate it, and keep painting!

[@margaretbrownhill1193]

Thankyou so much for doing this one, it has helped me enormously to see how to tackle a couple of photographs I have of the English countryside. I have some of the anthracite pastelmat I could experiment using that. I feel inspired all over again, thsnkyou

[@AlainPicard]

Hi Margaret, you're welcome! Glad you feel inspired.

[@arenashawn772]

I’m not a pastel painting but I have to say my oil painting has taken a leap after looking at how Alan create transitions by putting distinctive marks at the edge of shapes to create optical instead of blended transitions... Thank you!

[@mariadagloriasantosdeolive1593]

Seu trabalho são belos

[@bobgenet598]

Wonderful.So informative thankyou

[@AlainPicard]

You are very welcome Bob!

[@aynapaisley]

I just loved how strong your recommendations were: "do not blend", "break pastels, show it who's the boss!" Haha I enjoyed it so much! My pastels breaks often because I press so hard on it to get that bold colour..But videos like that definitely help overcome the fear of doing something wrong and promote being fearless and bold with your choices

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Ayna, that's kind of you to give me positive feedback. It's so much fun to paint in pastel, and my passion for the medium comes through I hope! All the best to you in your work and videos as well, from the US to Russia, I wish you the best!

[@jennifermichelemarus3101]

Hi again, Alain! It is your green-eyed friend, Jennifer here again! I love how you continue to use green in your artwork! You do amazing jobs! Keep it up, Alain!

[@AlainPicard]

Aww, hi Jennifer! Thanks for the kind words, and stay tuned, there's more content coming in the weeks ahead. I love green...as long as I can put some orange and red and pink and violet next to it! All the best.

[@jennifermichelemarus3101]

@@AlainPicard HI Alain! I love pink it's my other favorite color! Pink and green go great together. I can't wait to see your upcoming work! I know it will be a masterpiece as always. Much Love! 😘💖

[@EstebanGuzmanV]

men.. You are great!!

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Esteban, that's really kind. I hope you are inspired to paint some new work!

[@EstebanGuzmanV]

Thanks to you man, I actually bought my first box of soft pastel a few days ago to try out because of you videos. and has been a real joy. Big fan. Love your work. Greetings from Chile!

[@suehoyt-oneill9501]

This is very helpful. I'm still tight with my work, but I'm loosening up in some areas that don't need a lot of detail (backgrounds for example). Thanks!

[@AlainPicard]

You are very welcome Sue!

[@priscillawhitford8318]

Another great video. I am wondering about the distant trees. Even though they appear dark in the photo I am used to hearing that they should be lighter because they are in the distance... When do we throw out what we know about atmospheric perspective? Over adherence and rigid rule following the hallmark of beginners? Going to museums I love seeing the work of the impressionists who threw out conventions and find the conventions have little to do with the emotional response a painting makes. Great video, thought provoking :) Thank you for sharing your work.

[@dslart9576]

I wish I was in Old Montreal to see you teach soon. One day !!

[@AlainPicard]

Hi Dsl Art, we had a wonderful time in Montreal. We will be back! I hope you can join us next time.

[@dslart9576]

@@AlainPicard I hope so too !

[@jessicagrill9180]

Are you putting out new videos? I enjoy learning from you, but want to see more!

[@egomod]

another great video! would love to see your process of creating a value thumbnail.

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll look to share that in a future video!

[@maldoori238]

Hi Alain thank you for your wonderful video. Very informative and inspiring. What make are the pastels you used? I liked the expressive technique

[@AlainPicard]

Maysoon AlDooriaines thanks so much for your kind feedback. I use many brands, you should watch my video, What Pastels Should I Use” to learn more! Love Schmincke and Terry Ludwig. Many others though.

[@SB-qs9zu]

You made it look so easy! Thanks so much for the clear explanations and instructions! One question: How does expressive art differ from impressionistic? Thank you!!

[@AlainPicard]

Great question. I would say that impressionistic art aims at capturing the essential feeling of the moment in time in strokes of color. Expressionistic art aims to interpret the scene with a personal take on color, shape and mark making. An artist's personal expression of the moment. Does that help? Keep painting!

[@GGGG-zy3yn]

Hi Alain, I really appreciate your videos and find them very helpful. I'm going to take some of mine that I'm not 100% happy with and try some of those bold marks. Hey, what have I got to lose? Right?

[@AlainPicard]

That's a great idea, Cindy, you have nothing to lose! Just go for it and treat the exercise as a learning experience!

[@josephineherrera8508]

I am looking for examples of how to paint woodland waterfalls in pastels. Any suggestions?

[@jannepotter509]

How do you fix your board to the wall...sorry for such basic questions

[@AlainPicard]

Hi Janne, I just use some black tape that is taped to the back of the board. I'll have to do a video on how I do this "tape-to-tape" method as it seems to always interest other artists. Sometimes it really is the simple things that help!

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Hi Alan, regarding UART 400 dark pastel paper, why do I get so much of pastel dust....it feels as though it's not holding pastel? I use pastel pencils...I love the paper but I feel it's not holding any layers after 2-3layers....that too only pencils not even soft pastels....please suggest. I'm confused between Pastelmat and UART 400. I dislike pastelmat only for one reason....difficulty in blending...please comment. Any comment from you matters a lot to me please

[@Kaylasdaintydesk]

sujanith tottempudi it sounds like you are filling the tooth of the paper. Pastel pencils are harder pastels than soft pastels so if you break the tooth & fill it with pencils nothing else will stick on it..

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

@@Kaylasdaintydesk thank you

[@robertweinblatt2018]

NO BLEND PICARD🤣😂👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@nathaliebrunbrun5229]

Oh les fautes de Français !

[@jannepotter509]

How do you make up the sanded black board you use?

[@AlainPicard]

HI Janne, I don't make it. UART Premium Mounted Boards and Papers comes in Dark now. So you can just buy it from companies like them. This is a UART 400 grade Premium Mounted Board here. You'd love them, amazing quality and durability.

[@jannepotter509]

Thank you...how do you fix it to the wall without leaving a black border?