Mars Attacks! oil painting technique by Fantasy Artist Jeff Miracola

This video shows the creation of an oil painting I created for The Topps Company, Inc. for their upcoming Mars Attacks! Invasion trading card set, which is due in stores Fall 2013.
If you want to get my most comprehensive video ever about oil painting (over 6.5 hours long), you can pre-order it now for only $35 (it will be $49.95 when released to the general public):
www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
Pre-orders end on December 4, 2016 so get it now.
Thanks,
Jeff
Music:
Cut and Run by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Dark Fog by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Who Likes to Party by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
Extra special thanks to Kevin MacLeod for making his excellent music available through Creative Commons License.

[@WackySwackyAdventure]

I seriously watch this video all the time. It's one of the most helpful painting videos I've come across here on KZbin.

[@syurjevic]

You can't possibly know how valuable this is for self taught artists like me...Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Sebastian, That's awesome because that's the exact reason I make these videos. I want them to be of value to all artists, but especially those who are new to fantasy art or self-taught.

[@naniunina]

you have SO MUCH PATIENCE. thats one thing i have to work on. i just want to do everything fast but perfect. which is near impossible to accomplish, lets be real.

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Yes, this is one of the most difficult aspects of creating paintings. You have to have the patience and perseverance to see the project through to the end. Because many times, especially with oil paintings, your painting will not look very good until the end.

[@DennisCNolasco]

This is still the most comprehensive illustration process I’ve seen for traditional artists!

[@jeffwoodworth9735]

Awesome work!!! its nice to see an artist breakdown the work instead of the usual speedrun. very informative. Thnx. ACK!! ACK, ACK!!!.

[@ShitMyJeans]

7 years i have been coming back to this video man..just love it.more painting videos dude!

[@ShitMyJeans]

Still coming back

[@leoalvarado6466]

Your drawing skill are great! Im impressed, seriously!This video is one of the best ive seen.Slow pace n you describe what paint n process you use for everything. Its one of the best .Thank you for sharing it.Its a great skill you have.Thank you😊

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

You're very welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@moxiesaturday]

More gigantic oil painting process videos please! They're my favorite, super inspiring! I watch this and the dragon one fairly often :)

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Thanks Grace. I have more vids in the works :-)

[@moxiesaturday]

awwright!!! super stoked!!

[@richardgreen7121]

This is the best classic illustration technique I've seen so far. Thanks

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Richard Green thanks, Richard. I appreciate that 🙏

[@MrRhoadsRules25]

I love how bright Mars Attacks art always looks, the 1970s pulp sci fi vibe is the best

[@Socialisten]

My personal opinion is just that a calm atmosphere suits a painting more :).

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

This is good for people to see me like that. Now they know just how much work it takes to create these paintings to meet deadlines. Sometimes it means getting no sleep or only a few hours a day. Seriously.

[@darioscomicschool1111]

JEFF you are a BOSS! THANK YOU FOR makin' this vid! Gosh from 2013!!! BOSS

[@madamecurry]

Fantastic work, love hearing and seeing you talk about your process!

[@GulfsideMuralsFL]

Love to see how it all comes together. Your videos and illustrations are great. Thank you

[@musicisbrilliant]

Very cool Jeff, really appreciate showin us your technique!

[@TheDreamyDraw]

Still can't believe it, always perfect !

[@timothythomas7222]

I love watching the process of painting this! I keep watching it over and over. Great stuff. Thanks for sharing this.

[@C4ManMike]

It is always a great experience to see a pro go through his process like a normal guy. I still have yet to break into the field (its my life goal), and I want to thank you and your wife Silvia for makijg these vids. Truly inspirational videos and they encourage me through my own art. So here is my digital hand shake and someday I hope to gift u a piece of my own as a tremendous thanks! Anx please dont stop making these vids! Artist Mike Jay.

[@barrynotlarry]

Magnificent video. Thank you for taking the time to show us how you work.

[@nopseudosleft56]

Just amazing work, your drawings are amazing to start with and then you just make it look incredible in colour. Brilliant

[@coopart1]

Thanks SOOO much for sharing an in depth look at your process! Great work man!

[@trimm3]

Reminds me of art school 25 years ago.... makes me want to get back into it again. Very nice.

[@TheZombiejohn75]

Incredible work as always, Jeff. Thanks for sharing!

[@01duffy]

It was a pleasure to watch, thank you very much!

[@TH3RTYSE7N]

Thank you Jeff for sharing. Your pearls of wisdom save us so much time and offers great insight. Thank you.

[@TheOnlyTellz]

So much ground covered in 25 mins! So detailed and informative did I mention amazing, thankyou so much for all of the tips!

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

You are very welcome.

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Brother Malachai Yes, I actually did a bunch of illustrations for the miniatures game :-)

[@rodrigozarate7637]

Excelent work Mr. Miracola, thanks for you job

[@TanyaMcAlexander]

You are an amazing artist...thank you for showing this. Its so very inspirational and it shows me a lot. I want to learn oils so bad but they scare me and my grandpa kindof refuses to teach me...says its too expensive

[@Pikafriends22]

Awesome Jeff!!!!

[@kheredrain]

Please continue your videos, they are really an inspiration for me.

[@handeye123456]

Thanks for the prompt reply jeff...really enjoying your videos - especially - preparing the board with gesso for painting..Primed my board 6 times now its a joy to work on....keep it up!

[@revzillo]

Outstanding. This is just awesome ! ...... Great out takes too 😄

[@joncoxwellart]

Nice demonstration. Love the Frazetta Conan statue back there too. 👍👍

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Jonathan Coxwell hehe. Always love my Frazetta Conan statue :-)

[@MrRuff-cc3lg]

Phenomenal work! Excellent tutorial! Thank you for taking the time to make this! Hope to see more!!!

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Thank you. And I will :-)

[@antmax]

That was great, I wish there were resources like this to learn from when I was starting out. Back in the late 80's early 90's there was no internet and no one was teaching techniques involving underpainting. Fortunately back then I got a copy of a Boris Vallejo fantasy art techniques book that explained it. This was great, seeing someone else do the whole process with some great close up detail from the lady holding the camera. It turned out great. The Frazetta inspired Conan figurine in the background brought a smile to my face too. Not many illustrators that paint imaginary scenes who haven't got a little Frazetta tucked away somewhere. Thanks for sharing,

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Thanks so much, Adrian. I have that same Boris book and learned so much from it. I still look at it from time to time to remind me how awesome Boris is 😊

[@antmax]

@@jeffmiracolaartist I only recently started painting again after spending years doing 3D modeling and texturing. Already subbed and I am really looking forward to diving into more of your videos. Forgot to mention the background music was cool. A lot of the light percussion almost dubbed your frantic brush strokes. Thanks for responding to my post, was a pleasant surprise.

[@SatelliteSounds]

Amazing work, Jeff, really glad I found your channel.

[@allcustomartbymarte3508]

Thanks for sharing your techniques! Its always great watching other people work and their individual process

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

+Rafael Marte Thanks for watching.

[@milikoey]

wow! Awesome thanks so much for show us your work's process!! I'm a illustrator too and I admire you soo much!! *_*

[@eldad56]

Your drawing skills are flawless and your paintings exquisite! and i really like the last part in your video's. LOL. i hope you'll make more awesome videos and painting like these! thank you jeff

[@melanietruth]

the ending was so cute - nice painting too!

[@misamadrisa1]

man! you're the man, u make it look so simple n easy, wish i was that good

[@ibanez2010]

Big time thanks for your videos! Nobody can say you don't work hard!

[@colindyte2033]

Thank you Jeff for posting these videos and especially for showing your painting technique in real time. It's pretty tough to pick much up in the usual time lapse blur.

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Colin, You are very welcome. Glad you could learn a few things from the vid. I appreciate you watching.

[@TG1GAMEBOY]

You're videos can be very helpful and pretty darn entertaining good job jeff

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Thank you.

[@ozanoguzhaktanir]

I really enjoyed the video. It's great to be able to see your brush strokes. I thank you with all my heart. Nice background music with brush strokes by the way :)

[@stephonolomax7749]

So much of your process helps me with my digital process Jeff. Doing a solid drawing seriously helps the painting phase. Awesome work!

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Thanks, Stephono. Yes, much of this information translates back and forth between traditional and digital. It's just that digital artists get that coveted UNDO feature ;-) I really wish I had that for my traditional work. LOL

[@stephonolomax7749]

jeffmiracola Lol absolutely, you're welcome!. Nothing like reaching for the undo command only to realize I'm doing a traditional drawing lol.

[@TheTonybeasley]

dude I'm a tattoo artist and Ive been trying for years to find a video on here that would help me understand the basics of oil painting and this by far just shed a huge light and just showed me a way better avenue of approach for my paintings thanks man please keep posting awesome painting too!!

[@Davy.J.Y]

excellent painting,,i loved it!!

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Mike, Thanks much. Silvia will be glad to hear your thanks as well. She really does a great job with the filming and keeping me focused. If working in the fantasy art field is your goal, I'm sure you'll make it. I had the same determination many years ago and I worked very hard on my portfolio for two years before I managed to show it around at a convention. I eventually got work with one publisher and it just grew and grew from there. I'll always be making more vids, don't worry about that.

[@gearboxxxrox1]

Awesome work brother!! I am a fan from one artist to the next. You rock amigo!

[@oscarcampos6865]

Unos trabajos maravillosos!! saludos desde España

[@waltersouza1856]

Hi Jeff! I have to say your videos are amazing! When i was young i used to draw but a long time ago i don't do it, and when i see your videos this feelings come back! I'm so sorry if i wrote something wrong! IoI A big hug from Brazil!

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Walter, Trust me, your English is far better than my Portuguese :-) I'm thrilled I could be an inspiration to you. It's never too late to start drawing again. Thanks for the kind words about my videos.

[@jrios662]

Wow....that amazing stuff man ....

[@jcinkc3]

Very informative! i have never done an under painting. I see the detail you can achieve before doing the actual painting. Looking forward to seeing more of your work.

[@bluesborn]

I really dig the Mars Attacks art work.It perfectly captures the whole look and vibe of the golden era of science fiction and the 50s flying saucers.I'm in my mid 50s and used to sit up (in the 1960s)watching late night sci fi and horror double features on Saturday night while my parents were out somewhere cutting a rug.My friend and I (can Johnny stay over? puh-leeeeeeeeeease??) would cower like little girls in our couch cushion fort -peeking out now and then to make sure the Blob or giant women or "theremin powered" flying saucer had cleared off and it was safe to run for a quick bathroom break or snatch the jiffy pop off the stove before the Vampire from Space lept onto the TV screen in full terrifying view before I was safely back at Fort Spineless with my faithful sidekick Chief Johnny Yellow Streak.Anyway you rock pal-keep on creating your brilliant works.

[@franksavage8730]

TOP MAN!! Thankyou for the journey~!

[@MrRevolutionMars]

thats amazing!

[@TuttoHobby]

Very beautiful art!! Compliments!!

[@SOFAKINGdesigns]

i just started on acrylics, i hope one day i can be as great as you. your detail work is awesome

[@mwihongi5925]

I love your work it inspires me to work harder.

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Thank you very much, Mark.

[@LeoNardo-fm4ns]

Why do you not have more subscribers? You're amazing! This is exactly the kind of stuff I want to do in the future, and im learning alot from watching these videos. Thankyou thank you!

[@rodrigocasarez1810]

Great videos and explanation of techniques.

[@ScotCampbellwindowpainter]

Brilliant! Great instructional videos!

[@artbybambi2483]

your awesome man i hope one day i can have as much as fun you have with your art

[@nopseudosleft56]

It's just so much work :o

[@poluxkant]

The best, you are the best!

[@sonkmonk]

Thanks allot, I love these videos,

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

I will, thank you. I'm humbled I could inspire you.

[@razwit]

great video, man. And a stunning painting! I can't wait to try out this technique the next time I use oils.

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Good luck, Preston. Just remember to have patience. That's the one thing that is most important when working with oils. Don't expect immediate results. Have fun.

[@JackHoward96]

So cool!

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

I did this painting on wood. I coated that wood with three layers of white Gesso. Raw canvas is usually beige or tan in color and then they coat it with Gesso to make the canvas white and give it a better painting surface. I just did the same thing, but to wood.

[@jensbasement3862]

Lovely. Saw your work at Illuxcon, truly beautiful stuff. You inspire me.

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Yes, I always wanted to be an artist. But I didn't seriously understand that I could be a fantasy artist until I was shown a book of art about Frank Frazetta when I was 15 years-old. From that moment on, I was focused on one thing... being a fantasy artist. Every bowl of fruit I had to draw always had a dragon or other monster crushing the fruit. For that reason, I wasn't the most liked by my art teachers :-)

[@jeremyelkington655]

Hey! Your videos are fantastic! As an artist myself I really appreciate the level of detail in your work and how informative you are. My son, who is 9 years old, really loves your work and spends a lot of time working on his drawings while watching your videos. He would love to see you draw/paint a three-headed demon. Thanks!

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Jeremy, I'll see what I can do :-)

[@ISCREAMCRONE]

jeffmiracola . I would like to see that too =D I will send a million Wakrungs of alien Metallic currency disks for you to spend on my planet of Wargblug. Thanks!

[@oalternativo]

Amazing.

[@suzannacommander7384]

I have a Mars attacks Callander with this painting in it. It is amazing. Thankyou so much for sharing 😀

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

suzanna commander HA, I didn't even know they printed it in a calendar.

[@suzannacommander7384]

It's full of Mars attacks paintings. Yours is awesome. I'll have to post a picture on Facebook for you. It's from Topps. 😀

[@liamprice9704]

peppa pig

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Thanks so much, Luke. Well you don't water to add water to your oil paints, but I think you meant did I thin them out with turpentine or just use linseed oil. The answer is that I just used linseed oil for this painting. I had plenty of time for this painting to dry, so using the oil was no big deal. It means waiting an extra day or so for the layer to dry, but I had other paintings to work on at the same time to keep me busy while it was drying.

[@Gega315]

Tank you Jeff!!!

[@alyannaasumen6659]

jeffff! You're really awesome man! :D It's cool how much I learn from your videos instead of just fastforwarding what you say. I actually watched through the whole vid! Awesome. Keep it coming. :)

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

+Ayan Asumen Thank you

[@dexskullfox]

wow! just to say thank you for this amazing video who i can learn a very good technic! thank you!

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

You're very welcome. thanks for watching and enjoying it :-)

[@bonniecrews806]

Great video Jeff!

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Thank you, Bonnie. Happy Holidays!!

[@proileri]

Got a lot out of this video, thanks a lot for sharing!

[@ISCREAMCRONE]

you are amazing!!!!!

[@jeffmiracolaartist]

Very awesome. So glad I could help. If you have other questions, don't hesitate to ask.

[@tombryan720]

Great work and video. Man that was a weird movie

[@madmania5080]

Excellent!

[@RokSlana]

Very instructive.

[@nikolass83gianni]

AWESOME work ... AWESOME video ... Big THANKS ... 8)

[@maskedmarvel7869]

I really enjoyed the step by step process in your video. Just Subbed!

[@shirleylinkous799]

very cool and helpful !

[@TheCombatartist]

Very nice!

[@absolutezero300]

Yes sir thats what i meant haha. Thats what i usually use is linseed oil but I havent done oil in a long time but I think you just inspired me to do some! Thanks for the inspirational work

[@myland66]

THX man! you are best!

[@menio8B]

I just fall in love! D: ♥

[@Tattoonouveau]

Awesome ^__^ Thank you for sharing this insight. I'm getting into oil paints...and as i can tell it's a far learning curve, videos like this are helpful!

[@DreamwalkerTenesha]

haha that image transfer method is awesome because I always have issues drawing the same thing twice. Never looks as good as the first copy.

[@dutchwowgamernl8046]

Ty i am your biggest fan :)

[@ZacharyPalmerCharles]

Fantastic video - subscribed!