Why Your PAINT Colors are Not Vibrant 🎨 (How to Fix It)

[@Eva-iy6vy]

Hello Malcolm in this video you have pointed out the most important things for achieving a brilliant color. Even though it needs a lot of practice to conquer the color and have the good results you want. Patience and perseverance.Thank you.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, yes practice is key, but it helps to know 😊

[@BillizMuzic]

I use two small containers with solvent. It cleans better faster

[@motlba]

His brushwork is vibrant and pretty. Thanks for these great tips.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@elsawessels3044]

How I adore your wonderful talent and style Your lessons mean a lot to me Thank you so much❤❤

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you so much!

[@theponderingpilgrim4342]

Another fantastic demonstration Malcolm. A lot of important information in it. The idea of using separate brushes for lights and darks, that is a great tip. Colour is such a big subject, so much in it. But your videos help cut through the difficulties, they are the best I have seen on the I/net (I have seen quite a few artists demos too).

[@MalcolmDewey]

I'm happy to hear that, thank you.

[@ilmasfutehally]

Lots of learning packed into 20 min! Thank you Malcolm!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@megaratnamaimunah949]

I love the way you speak. It makes me as a non-native quite easy to understand what are you talking about. Thank you❤

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you! 😃

[@megaratnamaimunah949]

@@MalcolmDewey it's great to find your channel. Hopefully one day I can improve my works🙏

[@Zoeho4]

it's the best tutorial of coloring and demonstration I've ever seen. Thanks for sharing.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you very much

[@conversationswithcanvas]

Each video of yours is loaded with great tips and so much information 😍😍😍

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, Glad you like them!

[@jolantadrzwiecka8661]

Thanks a lot for this lesson . This is what I needed. I try te paint with Cobra artist, up til now I did with acrylics. This video helps me a lot because I always end with the mess and wrong colours. Regards from NL

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@KyOte-l9x]

Clear and helpful. Good vibes Malcom.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@colibrinoctis2130]

I had a teacher say once that white creates mud… she recommended a little light yellow instead to lighten further. Also always have a rag, and a second fountained of cleaning liquid (that is water for watercolors or acrylic so after cleaning, you can clean in second clean water and get residual paint out. You can even have three, one for the blues, greens and other cool colors and one for the reds and other warm colors, and the clean one. Same with oil, second solvent container to clean up brushes more thoroughly and use the rag to wipe it up.) I love your video though, going to repost for others to see it as it’s great for new artists and even some not so new that may have forgotten things they shouldn’t. 😘

[@MalcolmDewey]

All good tips if you have the discipline. Especially for acrylics and watercolor and gouache too.

[@erichayward2235]

Very helpful. Now I know why my yellow green highlights are flat. Thanks so much

[@MalcolmDewey]

It's a pleasure

[@dubs3400]

Thanks Malcolm. These were great suggestions. As always, I appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks, its a pleasure

[@HARDYSFISHINGADVENTURES]

thank you my en plein air painting today went very dark il let it dry and go from there ty

[@MalcolmDewey]

It happens due to bright light outside. Values become very important. Also keep direct light off your canvas and palette. Well done for doing plein air ✅

[@HARDYSFISHINGADVENTURES]

@@MalcolmDewey thanks it does look better now I have worked on since I do enjoy painting. Your loose lessons are great 👍 enjoying your content

[@barbarayeargin6427]

Lots of great reminders! Thanks Malcolm!!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you

[@gerrimulley6147]

Great Video Malcolm. Thanks for the info.

[@karen-mariemondrup4969]

Wonderfull Video. Thanks

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad you liked it!

[@juliegriffiths4272]

Thank you, this is very useful. I shall make notes to bring it into my practice.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@thisisthewronghat2706]

Iv found that when i mixed like this, the cheap acrylic paints i used dried very dark. I think white is a necessary pain for those cheap brands, becuass my other paintings look fine

[@natalykenny2069]

Great tips, Malcolm! Thank you very much for sharing ❤

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@callmesheree]

Thx so much got the tips. I was amazed. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@MalcolmDewey]

It's a pleasure, thank you

[@mona2242]

Thanks Malcolm, there’s a lot of excellent tips here for me to practice . Now in reference to the last tip, ie. adding highlights with thick paint after the paint has settled, would I have to add more white or more yellow or….to create the highlight? That is my biggest problem. I find adding white dulls the colour. Thanks

[@MalcolmDewey]

Yes some white is necessary - I always add a little color back in - white, yellow, more white? if so then another touch of yellow. Always compare. How much lighter do you need to make it to create a highlight?

[@mona2242]

@@MalcolmDewey thank you so very much ! Your videos have motivated me not to give up, extremely grateful for your excellent way of teaching, passionate , concise and easy to understand.

[@mona2242]

@@MalcolmDewey thank YOU once again! 🙏🙏🙏

[@sophiereinecke8659]

Wonderful video and such excellent tips. Thanks Malcolm. Reading the comments and your responses to them also helps a lot.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Sophie!

[@mumtazsamnani1237]

Thanks for sharing this tips

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you

[@lidyseysener1344]

Thanks for the lessson

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you

[@moch.abdulraufkristanto1268]

Thank you Malcolm.

[@igorpiddubnyi3159]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@MalcolmDewey]

You're welcome!

[@jimforan0]

Excellent as usual

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@ZadenZane]

Wouldn't zinc white be a better one to add to bright colours to tone them down without losing too much vibrancy? I've heard it's less opaque [than titanium white]. Haven't tried it; I'd be interested to hear anyone's take on it.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Portrait artists often use zinc for its warmth and less opacity. For landscapes titanium has the strength and is less frustrating. Once familiar with its quirks and also use of warm/cool colour it is just right.

[@lorrainemccormick4069]

Good lesson!

[@melginger3794]

Thank you😊

[@MalcolmDewey]

Welcome 😊

[@vatsalaradhakeesoon3729]

Very informative! Thank you Malcolm!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lorrainemccormick4069]

Thanks for this!

[@MalcolmDewey]

My pleasure!

[@Frances-m1h]

Very helpful 👍👍👍🖌️ from Frances uk

[@christinegoodnough3544]

I enjoyed watching this. I've learned a few of these points by trial and error already (making mud). As to washing brushes, I've wondered if I do too much because I wash my brushes with soap (acrylic paints) several times as I work, maybe even half dozen times if I'm working with a specific brush and must completely change colour. Can you wash brushes too often?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Yes you can. This can break your focus on the painting. During painting a rinse with water is fine. Just change the water if it gets too dirty.

[@michael13419]

I like to keep two jars. Get the lions share off with the first one. Dry it with an old rag ( been using the same one for like 6 months). Repeat step one of lots of paint comes off on your rag. then rinse in a second jar. The first one will dirty quick but the second jar will be take forever to get dirty enough to matter. That my method anyway.

[@hushangakhlaghipoor6131]

Thank yuo it was very useful🌹⚘🖐🏻🖐🏻

[@Allie-ck2lj]

@@michael13419 I save slightly used paper towel or used copy paper to wipe off most the paint from the brush, then dip brush in a bit of water and wipe again before actually putting the brush in the jar of water. I can get almost all the paint off the brush this method and save paint from going down into the drain. Just sharing :)

[@gerriekaychurch658]

WOW! Another fabulous teaching video. I have learned more in the past week then I have in expensive local art classes over the yers. Thanks again for teaching us. Your generosity is so appreciated..

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sharondempsey9329]

thank you so much,this is really helpful!

[@MalcolmDewey]

You're very welcome!

[@louiselavoieparise9416]

Thank you so much!

[@MalcolmDewey]

It's a pleasure

[@connorttt-yc5uv]

what is your opinion on monochromatic underpaintings then? I like to block in things with burnt umber or sienna but this must have an effect on things is it better then to just sketch in with pencil?

[@MalcolmDewey]

A mono underpainting is not wrong. It can be helpful especially to getting the values and mass shapes worked out (composition). Over time you may abandon this approach for an impressionist style landscape. You will start working quicker perhaps and go straight to color mass shapes. I often leave out sketching completely and go direct with big brushes and color. A process evolves and you develop options.

[@connorttt-yc5uv]

thanks very much @@MalcolmDewey

[@gerrimulley6147]

Is Cadmium Yellow Primrose a substitute for lemon Yellow?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Unfortunately I have not tried that color.

[@bdml77]

I have issues w dull color only with acrylic. Acrylic dries so dull and flat, even with medium, and it's usually darker. I'm so frustrated because i love oil but even the water mixable oils give me a headache. What to do...

[@MalcolmDewey]

You can varnish acrylic and that restores the colors beautifully. However use a water based varnish outdoors to eliminate or minimize smell

[@bdml77]

@@MalcolmDewey thank you for the helpful suggestions, Malcolm!

[@rhyannonp8231]

what if you are working in a shadow and can not add a yellow , I am making bluebells and the violet/blues are falling flat

[@MalcolmDewey]

Perhaps a third of the canvas can have some warm light. The foreground can be in shadow with the bluebells a cool blue/violet. More mystery and subtle color in the foreground and some dappled light up ahead is always pleasing. Sometimes you need to design more to cconvey the truth.

[@lyndamurison6149]

great help tks

[@MalcolmDewey]

It's a pleasure

[@tsmit1169]

I don't see you mixing paint with a palette knife. This is one way to pull clean color and put it into another pile of color and not get contamination. In fact, I try (sometimes I forget) to always mix my color with a palette knife. You may want to try it!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Sometimes I do if I want a large pile. However mixing with a brush is preferable during painting as you need the right color at that moment. Plus there are many striations of color that look great this way. No over-mixing. Impressionists mixed with brushes.

[@madelinepettes1917]

When I put on my top coat it changes my abstract art picture what do I do

[@MalcolmDewey]

Sometimes it is necessary to get the big brush and re-establish some of the big shapes you have lost. This back and forth is how you will find the ideal balance between abstractness and representation.

[@madelinepettes1917]

Thanks

[@vickyneville374]

Best way to make colors vibrant is to place them next to grayed out ones of similar values

[@MalcolmDewey]

That's always a good tip.

[@avialbersbenchamo4797]

❤

[@janinem3280]

💓💙💚💛

[@MBADM]

Thank you..lovely tips !!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Excellent, thank you

[@ChannelofRichPierik]

Thank You Malcolm.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Pleasure

[@christinapoulengeris]

Really helpful. Thank you very much!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you

[@markcockburn2616]

So helpful …. Thank you 😊

[@MalcolmDewey]

Its a pleasure!