Landscape Painting Broken Down

If you are an oil painter wanting to start landscapes this is the video for you! In this video I break down the key elements of painting a landscape in oil paint. I go over subjects such as composition, value, atmospheric perspective, color, and much more.
Patreon - / paintcoach
Edgar Paynes Book - amzn.to/2W9VqT1
Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light & Color - amzn.to/39z7gum
Proportional Divider - amzn.to/3dWsyWp
Materials I suggest for beginners:
Arches Oil Paper - amzn.to/3azV9P0
Gamsol Paint thinner - amzn.to/3dyJzWf
Non Toxic paint thinner - amzn.to/39rWVAJ
Linseed Oil Medium - amzn.to/2o1HgGq
Oil Paint I recommend for beginners: amzn.to/2XHOCvL
Titanium White, Cadmium Red Hue, Cadmium Lemon, French Ultramarine, Yellow Ochre, Cerulean blue
My easel - amzn.to/2tEvhRq
Canvas Pad - amzn.to/35fMFsW
Stretched Canvas - amzn.to/3dGCvqW
Best Brushes Ever! www.rosemaryandco.com
Apron - amzn.to/2xn1EGl
Lighting
Ring Light - amzn.to/2QX44S9
light above easel - amzn.to/35w3QXz
Camera - amzn.to/2FMd7QU
Hi, I am the son of two artists and began painting in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia before I could walk. I was a rare combination of artist and athlete so I moved to Los Angeles in 2008 to play football for USC. I left the team my sophomore year to focus on painting and filmmaking, applying the same focus and discipline from my football career to my art. I primarily work in oils, and spend most free days painting "en plein air" in my new home of Sarasota Florida.
DISCLAIMER: Links in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you.
www.chrisfornataro.com

[@mogalcat3091]

You are a real teacher. You know what your students need and you communicate it clearly, without the prideful self-importance and bullshit I see in so many other videos. 10/10

[@paintcoach]

That's what I am shooting for! Thanks

[@RRW177]

I’ve been listening to your video over and over as I’m fixing dinner. Every time I listen to it, something else sinks in. I’ve learned more from you than any other painter on KZbin‘s. I do nearly all of my painting outside and I’ll spend all day long doing it. I’m retired so there’s no rush. I don’t paint in my studio too much, because when I do I tend to go more toward technical and the paintings lose their looseness. all I want to do is get good and impressionistic style landscapes. That’s all I care about. I don’t care about selling paintings, I don’t care about doing any other kind of paintings. Everyone tells me that I’m really good, some tell me I’m getting better my first teacher, from a couple years ago, is amazed. I truly appreciate your experience and knowledge and your developed skill and the way that you present.

[@kathleenalbright3908]

Wow. You covered everything that it took me 15 years to learn. Great Video. Thank you.

[@paintcoach]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@patrickwelch3274]

For a young guy you obviously have a ton of experience and you communicate so well. I spent many years painting live models from Hollywood at the California Art institute. My initial drawing teacher now considered one of the best painters in the world same (age as you now ) could demonstrate but couldn’t communicate it. I only lasted 12 classes with a guy who now gets )$100,000 a painting. I am a big fan of your unique ability to be able to do but also your very outstanding communication skills. Really good job on your growth.

[@paintcoach]

Thanks! Yeah being a good painter and being good at teaching and explaining are two different skill sets lol I also feel I know what it's like to try and learn oil painting on your own from home because other than an intro oil painting class when I was 17 (which was very helpful and taught by a great instructor) I had to learn on my own from videos.

[@lopezelba1]

I love the sense of humor! 😂 Makes my day every single time!

[@paintcoach]

LOL

[@simonrafferty5301]

Excellent teacher, possibly because as a self-taught artist, learning was a conscious process for you. You make so much sense of all these concepts I've heard, but never really understood. Cheers.

[@paulallentaylor6034]

Watercolorist Edgar Whitney taught the scaling of same objects as Momma, Papa, Baby. No two the same size or height and different distance between. He would hold out his thumb, index finger and pinky to represent the three. It works for anything in a painting using objects. 3 trees, three rocks, 3 telephone poles, 3 birds etc.

[@es-ei8ic]

This painting is really beautiful, it looks like you have a window behind you to see a beautiful beach !

[@dianelake7802]

sorry to double post but, wanted to let you know I just found your videos and have been watching them. I am learning so much. I am just skipping around and not watching them in order. That's because every video has something to teach me.

[@fereshmahta6113]

make a video about waves in the ocean please, Chris the perfect teacher!

[@rakshitbhatt3005]

It's just satisfying to see you build your painting step by step. Also I had stopped painting in oils for a while but your videos make me to sit down and paint again and I'm in love with the medium again!

[@marystewarthay6262]

O.K. Mr. Painting Coach, I love how you throw in soooo much info in such a short amount of time. Thank you. One aspect I find challenging is using a variety of the same value color within an area.

[@painterlybrushes4035]

Great tips now I want more landscape videos 🤗

[@niqjaw5009]

Your communication skills are excellent and you transmit the information very effectively

[@paintcoach]

I appreciate that!

[@suzy1252]

You are a fantastic teacher!! Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us

[@atzincastellanos6778]

dood your humor is hilarious. it's awesome to see it sprinkled everywere. it's so awkward and makes me laugh each time

[@yanasolare5147]

That was superuseful and so much to think about afterwards.

[@lhayes9953]

You are awesome!! One of your biggest fans and thank you for responding on Instagram. That means you are attentive and don't mind answering questions or offering help when needed.

[@paintcoach]

You are so welcome!

[@amysbees6686]

Thank you for such a brief yet concise overview on one of the most difficult (imho) genres to paint, especially en plein air. I think a discussion of value/chroma/temperature would be worthwhile. You might even devote entire videos to each one!

[@susanritchie9456]

Thank you! I love your lessons!

[@leojablonski2309]

Well done...always a great communicator, instructor.

[@c.philipmckenzie]

Hysterical intro Chris… thank you.

[@arose110]

Great video, like the humour at the end always makes me laugh 👍

[@mariamalenta6574]

Great video! This information is invaluable

[@gracied7379]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge...going to look into the book you recommended. Love this painting!

[@paintcoach]

Wonderful!

[@marlan6431]

Fantastic video, thanks!

[@lorinsmall5403]

Excellent video, such great info in one spot. Great check list to for self critiques of one's work if you can figure out what went wrong. 😁

[@philadrian7618]

The intro 😂 Reminds of a parody nature walk video I saw. “This is an Aspen tree. You can tell that it’s an Aspen, because of the way it is.” 💀

[@Playitagaindian]

Great info! Thanks. Might try painting a subject from a photo that I've painted before, this time following your tips. Will be interesting to see the difference!

[@paintcoach]

Good luck!

[@jonathan5914]

Great, helpful video, Chris. I hear you talk a lot about “pushing and pulling paint.” Could you perhaps do a demonstration of what exactly you mean by that?

[@paintcoach]

Great suggestion!

[@lotusphere6]

Gud stuff dude. Thanks for the refresher. Keep up the good work!

[@paintcoach]

Thanks, will do!

[@janapeony8561]

excellent vid.,Thanks soooo much!!

[@joshbryant6366]

bro your videos are helping me bring my paintings to the next level so thank you so much! i was hoping to get some advice on how to portray a distant hillside (or mountainside) full of trees. i can mix the right colors but tend to get lost in how to simply suggest a far away forest. thanks again so much for all of your tutoring🙏

[@karleegordon8907]

Your videos are a beginner oil painters best friend!

[@lardo444]

many thanks, again.

[@AndrewMarloweTV]

Good video man, I struggle with landscapes so this was helpful

[@paintcoach]

Glad it helped!

[@sugardancingstar]

SO helpful. Thank you.

[@paintcoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Newlinjim]

Good job Brudda, this was an excellent video.

[@paintcoach]

Glad you think so!

[@ethanrayo3549]

Your my hero chris

[@dorrisgonnawreckyou7111]

Your my hero ethan

[@garysimkins2179]

Hi Chris, Thanks for all of your content. I commonly paint in oils, however there are occasions where I use acrylic. If you have already done a video on this medium, then disregard this , but if you haven't, ( and I will search your channel page for it ) it would be great to have some of your input with regards to extenders or not using them. I really like your channel and you have helped me get out of a rut.

[@grlfromtx09]

GTREAT vid!! So helpful!

[@firefly1013]

Very helpful-thank you! Would love to see a sketchbook tour at some point. :)

[@paintcoach]

Great idea!

[@SuperColleen01]

Thanks again for a very helpful video,. a question how much time do you spend on the detail stage. I get caught up in detail too quickly!

[@bausy2196]

Great video... But to be brutally honest, I didn't even notice the person in the painting until you pointed them out lol

[@kaceycaban6870]

I love the way you explain how to paint! I just subscribed. How do you keep the colors from getting muddy when painting ala prima?

[@paintcoach]

I answered this for you in my new Paint Talk!

[@taiwantutor]

Any chance you do any paid critique or online classes? I absolutley love the way you explain things.

[@FanslerMedia]

I have been asked to do two paintings, each 2 hours of time to complete. Please advise me on size and strategy. I plan to use your blocking technique for sure.

[@ricardofranco7419]

Interestingly enough, for watercolor, we must work from light to dark. Really threw me off when I started watercolor!

[@user-li9hl5vz4v]

Can you do a video talking about shadow (on the ground)

[@Kaylasdaintydesk]

Do you have any other book suggestions? I would love to read Edgar Payne's book after hearing you talk about it, however I can't find it for less then 50$

[@Uglyartworks]

I have trouble with painting the backgrounds. I've heard you should spend as much time painting the background as the foreground. Any thoughts?

[@maggieborjanovic6135]

😊

[@someartist2938]

hi!!! can i start painting just with oil paints and poppy seed oil?

[@justaguywithabible8195]

The opening line killed me 😂

[@jaykay6408]

Nice post

[@sy2.083]

This video is very informative on a lot of things not to do, but u don’t say why these are not good things, for example, how doing the wrong things impacts your painting! Bad a newbie these rationales help me to internalize the don’t do concepts! However, it’s a quick video and perhaps ur explanations can b found in a different video, if so, please direct me to those! Regardless, the info here is still helpful!

[@dianelake7802]

It's funny you say as humans we tend to go with things set out in order like putting skies at the half way point, ect. My mind tends to do the opposite. I have to work on that part and I naturally am drawn to doing things 'a little off center'. I do this in my gardens and always with my drawing. Which is fun with an engineer for a husband where it has to be precise, Perfect lines, ect.' If I ask him to critique a painting or drawing it is always because it is not centered and that kind of thing.

[@felipecoelho1936]

Beautifull painting. Can you make a vídeo about Skyscape? Tks a lot

[@tariqyousufmohammed6588]

Sir you not tell about the name of the colors used???

[@ascendingnightvocals259]

I'm definitely lacking thumbnails! It really does inform the shapes.

[@SBHBLAZE]

I think you forgot to add some links for your other videos in there that were suppose to line up with your catchphrases

[@psalmthyme8192]

Subscribing

[@fereshmahta6113]

1- focal point, the lightest and darkest meet. that book is very helpful. symmetry is not good, varies in shape and form. focal point not in the center of the painting. drawing with burnt sienna, not to draw detail, simplify, big shapes and composition. the further sky, dark to light, thin to thick, value: 4 sky=lightest, mountain, tree=darkest value. black and white,

[@RobertF-]

Can you do a Bob Ross breakdown? Maybe paint along to one of his tutorials and tell us what you think of his techniques? Especially how he painted snow on mountains with a palette knife, and how he would sometimes thin the paint down a little to paint over thick paint and would say "a thin paint sticks to a thick paint". That is really different from a lot of your advice about working thin to thick, and which you're probably going to get a lot of comments on your channel asking about because Bob Ross is so popular and he said that a lot. He had some painting tricks that I think can be interesting to use here and there sparingly.

[@paintcoach]

I've had an idea about doing a video like that but I need to buy a denim shirt and afro wig

[@artsalivestudio]

@@paintcoach And don't forget the pocket squirrel.

[@preethas7710]

Even with a 100 videos I won’t learn about focal points 😢

[@paintcoach]

chipper-knitter-8576.ck.page/62a3ba8f0f

[@dorrisgonnawreckyou7111]

Getting american psycho vibes from that intro lol

[@paintcoach]

I have to return some video tapes