Landscape Painting in a Loose Style - Full Demo in Oils

This landscape painting is adapted from a live demonstration in my studio. I have added a full commentary and more painting tips. Hopefully it helps you to paint your own landscape in a loose and painterly style.
This approach is based on my online course How to Loosen Up Your Painting. You can get more details about this course here: bit.ly/LoosenUpYourPainting
Art Materials:
- Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set: amzn.to/2sLyeQh
- Artists' Grade Gamsol Oil Color Size: 1 Liter: amzn.to/2tsbQve
- Oil & Acrylic Paint Brushes Set. 100% Natural Chungking: amzn.to/2QJPs8F
- Palette Knife Painting Set: amzn.to/39Isac6
- Artist Paint Brushes - Top Quality Red Sable : amzn.to/2rU0oYQ
- Brush Cleaner: amzn.to/2QoLN0R
- H-Frame Artist's Easel: amzn.to/2Fn2UtK
- Canvas panels for practice: amzn.to/2Fmuuax

[@cindypeyton4596]

Have enjoyed your Podcast immensely! Now your video, thank you for sharing your talents and experience.

[@bobcopple1581]

looks like a lot of freedom and fun. im gonna try it! thanks for your knowledge sharing.

[@davidvardy8516]

I think you are just great. You create the natural feeling of the artist that comes from within in a simplified way. I am so tight and I have this great energy screaming to come out of me. You have made your loose painting technique so simple to follow and I thank you. I will start tomorrow. Regards Dave a very happy artist to have seen your video.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you so much 😀 Enjoy!

[@renato4583]

Agradável, simples, livre, ...técnico...uma lição espetacular. Excelente!

[@theponderingpilgrim4342]

What a fantastic landscape painting & demonstration Malcolm. The tips on brushwork, are much appreciated. I love the textures & earthy colour palette of a desert region, it has such a unique beauty about it.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed this one.

[@alaudinosman7102]

Thanks for sharing Malcolm. And with such good examples of brush strokes and paint. Regards, Al

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Alaudin

[@qingliumichael]

Just discovered your channel and love it. Thank you for doing this. Very helpful indeed.

[@ballyantonia]

So generous.So helpful.Lovely.

[@sallyalter864]

After watching your video, I started painting again after a long hiatus. I have never tried your thick paint method but it is now working. Thanks, Sally

[@MalcolmDewey]

Excellent - good to hear.

[@melizawoolner4824]

This is an excellent tutorial , thank you very much. I find it inspiringly beautiful. You're gifted indeed.

[@MalcolmDewey]

I'm happy you enjoyed it, thank you.

[@Corrie-gk4go]

Wow I love the freeing aspect to this approach. Really takes the pressure of painting something quite daunting. I love this style, and the carefree application really is a thing of beauty! Well done

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you - glad you like it.

[@annmarie3520]

A whole new way to paint for me! I’m so tight in my paintings, my downfall! Love the warm against cool! Thanks!😊🎨

[@MalcolmDewey]

keep going 👍 it gets easier!

[@RibeDaniel]

Muy bonito.Brilliant.

[@richardbennett5744]

Love this painting and demo, excellent style. Thank you.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@suzanneroberts8784]

I have been struggling with my paintings becoming too tight . You have inspired me to loosen up and look for shapes. This video is excellent and your painting is beautiful! So grateful for your teaching lessons.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Suzanne, glad you like them

[@claireblizard652]

Perfect

[@Eva-iy6vy]

I enjoyed this demonstration very much. I like th e way Malcolm paints and the result is excellent.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you very much!

[@pennyhenley6452]

loved watching you paint....you make it look so easy

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks so much 😊

[@sallyalter864]

I loved this - and now feel inspired.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you

[@andrewansaldiiii7441]

Really excellent demonstration and explanation. Enjoyed this much.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you very much Andrew

[@marieaalseth8999]

Really appreciate your time and knowledge very inspiring. Thank you

[@MalcolmDewey]

My pleasure, thank you.

[@pintorazer6006]

Thank you !

[@SerenitySam]

This really is like the bible of good practices and rules within art as a general! I’m definitely going to have a go at doing a landscape of the lakes here in England with all these ideas and techniques!!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Happy to hear that - Go for it!

[@gailrees7703]

Thank you so much it's appreciated

[@deborahrizzo7526]

very nice !

[@sameehakhaliq8327]

Oh my God. I just wished today for your free full demo as I can't afford buying your paid stuff. and here it is. I'm planning on to do my exhibition and your tips really helped me. Thanks Man

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@flintgahan4815]

Thankyou for sharing your loose style

[@MalcolmDewey]

Pleasure - thanks for watching.

[@flintgahan4815]

Just to say magic

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@Ashtonlad]

A great lesson!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you very much!

[@mafa251972]

Love it

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you

[@zareekhan7313]

Wonderful ❤

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@francoforleo4971]

Both you and Carla Bosch have very similar painting styles… so beautiful! 🙏🎨🙏

[@MalcolmDewey]

Wow, thank you!

[@love2knit-draw-travel]

I am taking your Learn to paint with Impact. You make this look so easy and you are so delicate with the brush! I start thin and try to build it up like you but invariably I muddy it up. Sigh. I will keep trying though! Thanks for the demonstrations!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks Angela, you will improve quickly once you have the idea in your mind.

[@love2knit-draw-travel]

I hope so!! It's very satisfying when I get a couple of good notes, LOL! Hopefully I will get more as I practice more.

[@DeeTee79]

Lekker!

[@pandurangkherodkar4388]

very nice work sir

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you

[@towardsthelight4919]

Thank you I love your painting it’s beautiful !... does it take a long time to dry as it’s so thick? ....Also how do you prime your MDF panel what thickness do you use ? How many layers of Gesso, do you need to sand in between layers etc ?...I was told that even with gesso that MDF is prone to warping and retaining moisture ? Could you please make a video on this thank you 🙏 in advance

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you - actually in our warm climate (South Africa) drying is quick. About two weeks for thick paint and I can add retouch varnish. Two coats of gesso on MDF is fine. No sanding required unless you put it on unevenly. MDF should not get any moisture on it. I have never had a problem unless it gets water on it directly. Heavy damp conditions may cause problems. But a good idea is to gesso all sides and edges if you have these conditions. Even canvas gets mould etc. Always keep paintings in a "cool dry place" :)

[@nebulonB]

Thanks Malcolm for the great video! I'm just wondering why did you need to paint the base layer in blues and white...to get the tonal study....and then overlay with the greens etc... Can you just paint the greens directly, skipping the underlayer part? Any pros and cons to this?

[@MalcolmDewey]

It is good practice to get the dark mass shapes in with a monochrome. Ultramarine is good for this, even with a little burnt sienna to make it darker where required. The green can be applied over this without any difficulty giving a deep, dark shadow color. Do not commit too quickly to full color as this may contaminate other colors should you change your arrangement of mass shapes.

[@dihan7574]

Thanks very informative , can you use that technique for a forest

[@MalcolmDewey]

Yes, absolutely

[@robertduncan4109]

Thank you Malcolm, this is what I would like to do, exactly in this form. I am a way off, but going in the correct direction. I have enrolled in one of your courses, and there may be more for me, as I can afford then. Thanks again;

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Robert

[@lisafred1362]

Loved it.. Did you use your signature as a component of composition? It seems like it needed red there as a leading line into the painting... am I correct? The shadows are a path into the painting too, but my eye wants to enter where the signature is... it jumps to the "shoe shape" to the bush, then to the brick pink shape.. then up into the foothills. How are you sure your name isn't too distracting? I know it doesn't have light near it but it still captures my attention more than it should. Can you elaborate on this?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Interesting question - I have come across other artists getting similar comments and it bothered me for a long time until I decided the hell with it - I will sign my name in red and that would be that. I am happier now 😊 Some like it others don't, but I will always remember an older artists saying that the signature is a label, logo and statement. Don't hold back.

[@anasuya55]

I find it challenging to make the shadow in the foreground sit down. Could you give some tips on this particular area? what should we bear in mind? Thank you.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Keep the shadow cool and dark compared to the warmer color ahead. Also avoid any busy details in the shadow. It must be calm and not attracting attention.

[@youareamazingyesyou5880]

Hi Malcolm, do you size your wood panels first, before applying the gesso or primer? If yes, may I ask what is the best product I can use for sizing, and should i give it 2 coats? And do you think mdf is ok for them, and may I ask what thickness I should go for? Thanks a million!. I'm thinking of making my own panels for oil painting.I want to make some that are just wood and others that have the canvas stuck on to them. I do like the thin canvas mdf panels from the art shop. I buy them and put 2 layers of good acrylic primer over them, but I still feel dubious about how long they will last for, as I doubt the wood itself is sealed first. Probably the only sealer they get is whatever glue is used to stick the canvas to it. thanks again

[@MalcolmDewey]

Hi - I seal 3mm MDF panels with acrylic primer front, sides and rear. If you a really worried about moisture you can seal them with a wood sealer that penetrates the fibre (not varnish) and then prime with gesso. But I am happy with just the acrylic primer.

[@sallyalter864]

Heh, Malolm, I have just finished the loose painting above. Not as bad as I thought. I would love to ask you what brushes you are using - are they synthetic? My bristle brushes don't spread the paint smoothly. I bought the new Sennelier paints and don't think they flow like your paint. Thanks, Sally

[@MalcolmDewey]

I do use bristle almost exclusively. None of these brushstrokes are smooth which is a good thing. Sennelier are excellent so persist - if they are not buttery then perhaps a little touch of linseed oil before mixing them with a palette knife, may solve the problem.

[@sallyalter864]

@@MalcolmDewey Hi Malcolm, thanks so much for your answer. I bought lots of lovely new brushes yesterday, some more supple than my old ones (bristle). I shall take your tip with the paint. I am looking for another of your paintings to paint now. I found the web page of your courses and thought I would take one for returning to painting - then the page disappeared and I couldn't get it back. Any suggestions? Sally

[@MalcolmDewey]

@@sallyalter864 I will look into that and message you.

[@lolitakaloustianyoung7787]

Hi Martin, I am enjoying your video demonstration- and just had to stop and ask if you have a preferred brand of oil paint and do you typically use the palette of colors you are using on this video? Thank you for the demo and for taking the time to respond.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Yes the palette stays much the same. For student excellent student colors try Maimeri Classico. For artists quality I prefer Rembrandt.

[@lolitakaloustianyoung7787]

@@MalcolmDewey Thank you, Maritn.

[@AZIMUTS52]

Superb work as always! Are you still using water soluble oil paint or getting away from it?

[@MalcolmDewey]

I use both types. Water soluble is also good for outdoor painting for convenience. I'm still looking for the perfect brand though.

[@alexmonev8279]

Hello, would you please explain the difference between temperature and value?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Value is light and dark. Temperature is the relative warmth or coolness of one color compared to another color.

[@Nienpet]

So could I do your course if I use acrylics? Maybe a dof question but there it is. I recently started painting after being fascinated by “Landscape artist of the year” on TV. I bought a very useful little online course but I need some more guidance to get “loose” with my acrylics.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Yes, absolutely - I have a course called Acrylic Painting for Beginners, more info here: www.malcolmdeweyfineart.com/acrylic-painting-for-beginners.html

[@brownton5649]

Biutifful

[@lolitakaloustianyoung7787]

Hi Malcolm, (I just joined as art student, not clear what the difference is between student and master membership) I have been painting for years but absolutely a beginner with oils and need the basics. Please advise which level you recommend for me. And, also have you used Rembrandt Transparent Oxide Red - if so, how in your opinion does it compare it to Burnt Sienna? Thank you. Lolita

[@MalcolmDewey]

Hi Lolita - with master membership you can enroll into my Artist's Live Channel for monthly live classes. You can also find this in my art school website art.malcolmdewey.art/LivePainting if you want to sign up directly from there. Transparent oxide is best for skin tones, but for landscapes I prefer the more opaque burnt sienna.

[@lolitakaloustianyoung7787]

@@MalcolmDewey Thank you, for your color comparison and clarification of membership level -I will upgrade my memebersihip so that I may enroll in you r monthly live classes. All best.

[@DiscipleofJesus312]

Do you make use of the golden ratio in your work? It seems like some artists use it instead of the rule of thirds.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Pretty much think about the rule of thirds.

[@ddreboldt]

Thank you. The only thing i we can't see the picture you are copying so can't follow how you're progressing- please allow the pic to be in the frame as well as the painting?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Hi Diana - the composition is loosely based on the photo shown around 2 minutes into the video. I have not copied directly but taken elements from the reference to make something new. For instance one tree inspires the focal area. The rest of the painting is a concept based on many other paintings I have done from this region.

[@ddreboldt]

@@MalcolmDewey Oh ok. Thanks.

[@kellyfrancis2700]

Why didn't you tone your canvas beforehand? Thanks

[@MalcolmDewey]

It is always optional. If I'm using a heavy paint application then toning is not necessary. Sometimes the white may add to the vibrancy of transparent paint.

[@henriettahuneycutt2156]

What is the rule of thirds ?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Divide the canvas into thirds vertically and horizontally. Ideally the focal point will be at one of the intersection of the lines.

[@janetmetzner2949]

Did you say ‘wine spirits?’

[@MalcolmDewey]

white spirits. The wine is for later 😊

[@kayekaye251]

So Africa looks a lot like So California.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Yes these areas are very south western in character.

[@gabrieldepanay4621]

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw