Once I Learned THIS it Made My Landscape Paintings Much BETTER

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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.
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[@nickelazoyellow7360]

I really like the first one. I guess I'm an amateur. But I like when paintings are more colorful than the actual scene. I always throw some red in mine, or aqua. Even if it's not there.

[@tinovfr]

it's just personal taste and life experience, it's not about if you are a professional painter or artist in my opinion. The left one also jumped directly into my face, it has that fresh and colorful look.. I can even hear and feel a fresh summer breeze while looking at it.

[@TheGoodContent37]

@@tinovfr Your opinion is something many artists struggle with. From an art point of view the one on the right is way better, BUT for common audiences that know nothing or too little about art or intellectual subjects the one on the left might look better. That's why many super talented artists struggle to sell their work. The audience that could recognize their ability, their talent is very little. Is not that your opinion or the one people with no knowledge of art is wrong, is just that as artists we tend to oversee that fact. It has happened to me way too many times. I present my work to common people and I show them the most amazing high level pieces but they disregard them and choose the colored ones, the saturated ones, the cliché ones, the tacky ones. Like giving a little kid a choice between brocoli and colored candy. That's why the entertainment industry in general is based not on art but on profit, on appealing to the uneducated masses. That's what makes movies and series suck so much even when they get so popular, at least for people that have consumed high art for decades. Again, nothing wrong with you liking something that is worst in terms of art, just pointing out the reasons behind your opinion and the opinion of many. I'm actually right now developing a series of work based on the taste of the common people to be more profitable. This has been done by way too many artists before (Bob Ross, Thomas Kinkade, Salvador Dalí, Fernando Botero, etc) and even when they were trashed by the art community they got rich by selling their souls, by becoming whores. At least with money one can create more and better so...

[@kimmayleenart6049]

@@TheGoodContent37 Yup, I got that problem too… People mostly complement me on art that looks „like a photo“ and not really on art that actually requires real knowledge and skills… This got so far that I feel bad when someone sais „Woooah your art looks so realistic!“… :/

[@seans4018]

I do like both,, but if I had to choose I would choose the newer one, for one main reaseon,, it has depth. Foreground, midground, background. I like the first ones colors quite abit,, but it feels flat.

[@carolinw.7351]

It's not because you're an amateur. I have a degree in fine art and am constantly learning more and deepening my understanding a decade later. At my level of expertise, I can paint a believable illusion of space, I can use perspective, I can paint something that looks like what I see... but that is the most boring thing a painter can do! I prefer the first painting, on the left, because the colours are heightened and the perspective is flattened creating a more decorative and gratifying composition. That's why painters like Pierre Bonnard, Cezanne, Picasso, David Hockney, Rothko, and the majority of successful painters today were/are not trying to create an illusory space with traditional single-point style perspectives and realistic rendering, even though they easily could. In fact you need to have those skills to be able to do what they do instead. We artists often lament less experienced people not being able to appreciate this, but I think it must be the same in every area of expertise. And I do think that many ordinary people do have an intuitive sense for what looks good, even if they don't know why, or intellectually try to convince themselves that they must be wrong or an amateur. After all, what a lot of artists are trying to do is tap into that titillation switch that excites the human limbic system on an unconscious level and is triggered by certain combinations of colours, forms and ideas.

[@lishapisha002]

I actually like the one on the left a lot more! I see some contrast issues for sure, but overall it has a lot more life. Both great- just an opinion :)

[@tinovfr]

instantly agree with that, it looks so vivid on the left in comparison!

[@beckmannm]

It's a much more interesting painting, grabs the eye and makes you want to look at it more!

[@TheGoodContent37]

Your opinion is something many artists struggle with. From an art point of view the one on the right is way better, BUT for common audiences that know nothing or too little about art the one on the left might look better. That's why many super talented artists struggle to sell their work. The audience that could recognize their ability, their talent is very little. Is not that your opinion or the one people with no knowledge of art is wrong, is just that as artists we tend to oversee that fact. It has happened to me way too many times. I present my work to common people and I show them the most amazing high level pieces but they disregard them and choose the colored ones, the saturated ones, the cliché ones, the tacky ones. Like giving a little kid a choice between brocoli and colored candy. That's why the entertainment industry in general is based not on art but on profit, on appealing to the uneducated masses. That's what makes movies and series suck so much, at least for people that have consumed high art for decades. Again, nothing wrong with you liking something that is worst in terms of art, just pointing out the reasons behind your opinion and the opinion of many. I'm actually right now developing a series of work based on the taste of the common people to be more profitable. This has been done by way too many artists before (Bob Ross, Thomas Kinkade, Dalí, Fernando Botero, etc) and even when they were trashed by the art community they got rich by selling their souls. At least with money one can create more and better so...

[@mikalowahren]

@@TheGoodContent37 Praise to that... :/ Unfortunately.

[@crazydragy4233]

While it's definitely too busy over all but I don't think the fix is necessarily to erase all the details, so only big blobs of 'darkness' remain. The shading and reduction could have been used to make the foliage the focal points and I bet It'd be the best of both worlds. The first one has more character and looks like a slightly different style, the second one is definitely just a quick sketch (possibly a layout for a proper painting; but definitely not the painting to me) It's kind of weird how you guys went all technical (You do realise that even in academical art there's different schools of thought? What's with the, I'm the expert authority attitude?) completely disregarding philosophy here lol. But perhaps I'm missing context of the goals and philosophy of these works and the creator.

[@deny2294]

Okay, at first I was all about the left painting, but after watching you create the other one, now I literally can't go back and unsee how much better the right one is. wow.

[@sharongillesp]

When someone looks to purchase a piece of art, they will be drawn to what first captures their interest. Maybe, of you study one against the other you might find the one on the right acceptable, but if I like the left, I’m “buying” the one on the left. I prefer the left, it’s clear and filled with a sense of aliveness. Don’t let “experts” tell you what to like.

[@deny2294]

@sharongillesp well, in terms of beauty, I think both have their own particular vibes and I like them both. But even now, after 2 years, I see a certain peacefulness with the right one and it resonates more with me, even if i completely forgot everything that was explained in the video lol

[@Gabu_]

@@sharongillesp That's a great way to only ever paint crap.

[@andreabluegreen7530]

Stripping the photos down with the filters was such a useful way of revealing the simple composition behind the paint. Also, seeing the two paintings side by side was very helpful to me. I am definitely guilty of layering on more paint when the real problem began at the beginning. Thanks!

[@Curiouscatnap]

Yes I find taking photos with my phone helps to show the tonal mistakes in the painting

[@uttkarshgupta8805]

The application of less saturated colors for most part in the second painting makes the saturated part even more intense. Your works are always amazing.

[@lilychen4805]

I’m an amateur and wanted to say that this is by far the most helpful and valuable art video I’ve seen on KZbin. Although I liked both of the paintings but I learned what the most important elements are for a good painting. Thanks so much Paint Coach I’m grateful!

[@balaclava__music]

Watch sinix and marco bucci

[@balaclava__music]

U on the right track

[@emily30288]

Your techniques have literally changed how I paint and I’ve fallen back in love with oil painting after years of just feeling frustrated with it. Thank you so much 🤗

[@paintcoach]

That's so great to hear!

[@claires9100]

Me too.

[@e-9227]

I like the second one because it captures the light better, like strolling to the beach on a summer day, it invokes a feeling of an experience.

[@bdml77]

Agree

[@Lissbirds]

This basically comes down to making a clear distinction between figure/ground or subject/background. Nice to know that even the pros sometimes fall into the trap of wanting to capture so much in an image!

[@heterosapien8426]

My entire art school has been, Andrew loomis, Charles bargue, and paint coach. Applying your method of portraiture worked the first time I tried it, after having drawn for the previous year. I even took pictures of the process at each stage.

[@sleepingwhale]

The first one is beautiful, love the vibrancy and colors, feels cheery, but it does seem chaotic and like I don't know where to look. second one looks more mature and much easier on the eyes. loved this lesson!

[@lahaza6515]

That Nic Cage collage painting makes me laugh every time I see it. Love it!

[@Lorrieonline]

I love both paintings, finding that each portrays its own personality. Thank you! Still working up the nerve to start another landscape painting.... it's been a few years.

[@rjsongwriter]

Although I like the addition of the sailboat in painting 2, I honestly prefer painting 1. The dark bush on the right in painting 2 looks sort of funky, like a dark shrub with Christmas tree ornaments on it. JMO.

[@RatusMax]

I love that you are reflecting on your older paintings and coming back to them and repainting them with what you have learned over time. It let's everybody know that skills aren't built over night. That it comes through experience. I know people reading this probably are saying "that's just words people throw around that don't help me" The fact is the thing that stops people from learning something is mindset. Every time I go to learn something new, whether it be mathematics, physics, painting, drawing, software, automechanics, etc. I look at it this way. 1. I want to accomplish something. 2. What are the tools I need to use to allow me to do so. 3. Get ready to run into problems along the way. 4. What can I do/create with the skills I have now? 5. Never expect a perfect product. 6. What have I learned succeeded and failed after trying? Every time it works. My first software program was trash. My first painting was trash. I burned myself doing an oil change. I barely passed my first math test. I FAILED my first physics test horribly. So what did I do? it's all about the damn fundamentals and the tools. I focused on learning what was guaranteed to always work and built on that. In math, the fundamentals are things that HAVE to be known. There is no way around it. 1 +1 = 2 1/X = X^-1 The tools of mathematics would be something like the quadratic equation Integration by parts and so on In physics the fundamentals are mathematics lol.....So if you not standing on decent ground with math...it will be pretty hard to stand in physics. The reason why I failed my first test XD. The tools would be the various formulas to explain the world through math. So how did I pass my next physics test? I went back and opened up the math book and learned what mistake I was making...I realized I forgot simple things like 1/x = x^-1. Of course the original formula was large and needing multiple factoring and cleaning up but it was this fundamental things that got me. The same thing applies to painting....hell even software...usually in software, a problem can occur when you put a=b instead of a==b The first one means that a will be assigned b.. The second one asks if a is equivalent to b... This is a fundamental thing in writing code that must be known. The foundation to which YTs and FBs are created from. This small thing in the code can destroy the whole program. Learning the fundamentals and going back to them and learning them again at a later time will increase your understanding of a subject in a different light. Funny thing is that an exercise YT called Redefining Strength (Cori) said this. "You are NEVER above the fundamentals" It means no matter how well you think you are, ignoring the fundamentals will lead to problems. My other favorite was "Doing complex techniques that you haven't earned" In exercise doing complex techniques without building up your fundamentals will lead to injury. In art it will lead to a bad painting with no idea why it went bad lol. Some people want to try and paint a whole damn world, but have not sat down and really grasped still life.

[@collectorduck9061]

Great video. Lots of people talk about this but you rarely see it demonstrated this well.

[@martyjones5232]

I'm 60 years old. I teach art at a high school and have for years. I'll be honest. If both painting were coming up at auction, I'd buy the first one. I do appreciate the breakdown and educating us on how you go about the process though. Very informative.

[@bellischubert8747]

I love seeing progress in one‘s work 😍 you‘re an inspiration and motivation for me🙌🏼 thank‘s as always Chris

[@paintcoach]

Thanks so much!!

[@Shirumoon]

I wish I was told this before I had my art finals! The fear of having to decide what goes onto the painting might have been the reason why I shyed away from painting abstract art. I get that some people might like the brighter painting more but your updated version is much more elegant in a way, just like how we see the real world.

[@Manimanimoomin]

I prefer the right one. It shows the artist’s own interpretation of the landscape he saw in his eyes. The left one is just merely a copy of what an eye sees in real life like a camera lens, which is just not wrong or bad. But as an art collector, i wouldnt splurge money on a painting that looks just like a photo. I want something unique from the artist’s point of view, which will give me chills and in awe everytime staring at it

[@claires9100]

It's like you are a magician revealing a magic trick. I learn so much from Paint Coach. Thanks for your generosity.

[@yui20062007]

I just started to paint a lot lately and I rarely leave comments on any KZbin channel. But your content is SOOO useful and the way you teach is so easy to understand! Thank you so much Chris!

[@reneelanier3475]

I love the one on the left!!!

[@lciav]

I think your control over brush strokes and shadows/light has really improved. I get why people like the one on the left, the brightness of the colors are attractive to people (as well as the looseness of the strokes). I think for myself I like the shadows to have a little more exaggerated color in them. Overall interesting to see the evolution of an artist’s work :)

[@vcalland]

This is very helpful. Thank you for being straight ahead on this topic.

[@dylanduke9963]

I personally love higher chroma blue shadows (in the first painting this is more the case) but I think the second one is definitely more reflective of the impression the scene leaves on you. I loved the bit at the start about it being dangerous to think that there's no such thing as better or worse painting. Very true

[@rolandbraithwaite1027]

I have kept all may older paintings or pictures of them, so I can see where I went wrong Alway interesting to look back at them

[@chrisheavner-keyboardstrom5616]

Thank you, Chris, for sharing these videos! I’ve been wanting to get back painting, being a musician has taken priority for me. You have posted some valuable information. Chris Heavner

[@Deidroni]

The painting on the left is more colorful and lively. The painting on the right has more depth but it looks like a study versus a finished painting. Either way, Chris Fornataro’s videos are fantastic! He is a great teacher and painter. 🎨

[@harris123shah]

Despite being a digital artist myself, your videos are very useful to me, I somehow can make em work in my own digital ways,thanks for the knowledge!

[@PaintingWithYovette]

You are looking exceptionally nice today Chris! Exceptional tutorial on light to darks. Thank you.

[@willdudley4644]

Really great stuff Chris! I love how you weave a valuable composition lesson into this video. An interesting composition can really shine through by simplifying the subject matter. So helpful!

[@lisahanash7010]

I appreciate your page as I paint and l share your learnings and techniques with others!! Thank you!!!!

[@jessielozanski6423]

I was just about to start a new painting and am now going to incorporate this idea! My subject matter is similar with light in the back and a shadowed forest in the front, i’m definitely going to try to simplify my painting to really enhance the difference in values. Thank you so much!

[@CarlosAM1]

woah, thanks so much! Was doing a digital landscape painting and simply adding a bit of darkness and brightness in some parts made it so much better! Indeed, sometimes doing less or making tiny changes can have huge results.

[@carylpark7192]

Excellent demonstration.

[@nicolemackie340]

Thank you for the tips, Im a newby to painting impressionist style and guilty of adding more rather than less and keeping it simple. I see the second painting is simpler, less detail and focal point stands out more.

[@madmacfilms2995]

Underrated COACH. Videos improving. Very clear.

[@barbwhite6217]

Such a clear explanation! Thank you Chris!

[@selmaabbott7234]

Thank you so much for the demo. The way you show the differences between these two paintings helps me a lot to see my paintings from another point of view and improve my skills!

[@sharongillesp]

Wow! I’m shocked, because the one on the LEFT looks so much more alive!

[@hfarms5779]

Good advise on simplification and focal point.

[@Deem57]

I thought this was terrific: well explained, helpful, and succinct. The big takeaway for me was the two value thumbnail, which I will now incorporate into my planning, in order to develop the basic composition first. BTW, I am a mixed water media painter, rather than an oil painter.

[@dottiekiley2171]

You explain this difficult concept so well. I am watercolor but this applies. Great job.

[@DinamoDeet101]

Much better FIRST ONE...more artistic

[@angelikamaebajao5740]

I wonder why he doesnt have many likes. He is so good at explaining it. 💖💗

[@susannewindhausen7542]

Thank you dir taking a bit slower this time, it really helped when English isn’t 1st language. And a great lesson too. I learned very much about reducing and light and shadow, thank you

[@harmonywhalan4877]

Such a great video! Thanks so much! I'm just starting watercolor painting and landscapes are next on my list...your instructions are going to really help when I start to break down the images I choose to paint!

[@arielallen9478]

thank you for this video! i fell out of painting for quite a while and i am getting back into it...i love floral and landscape paintings but things i did just never quite felt right. it's good to see such a simple solution for me to try out on my next paintings while i find my groove again!

[@dankennedy553]

What a tremendous video Simplified and spot on. Thank you.

[@shimashimmer5081]

thank you for clear and easy explanation! got a new subscriber

[@darcymanwaring1489]

The best! Explain everything so well and makes painting exciting to do.

[@jerrifreeman7034]

Super helpful breakdown. You really have a great way of simplifying the foundational principles that seem so complex and overwhelming when your a newbie like me. Thank you.

[@goblinwisdom]

K.I.S.S. makes things so much easier. whatever grabbed you attention is what is important to highlight.

[@deborahemielita5949]

Love your explanation on light versus dark, that makes the landscape in its basic form work. I’m not an oil painter, I do some embellishment with fabric paint on my quilts but the light and dark elements are integral to both art forms so I find this instruction amazingly poignant! Thanks.

[@reeba4824]

I agree that your remade piece is much better at showing what you want the viewer to focus on. The way the light guides your eyes is beautiful. And Ty for reminding me that less is more. I'm someone who loves adding in tons of small details but am trying to learn about more subtle design since a mix of high and low detailed sections is my favorite artstyle.

[@shinymetalvids]

+1 for the one on the left, all day long. Also they look like the student vs teacher portrait video where he tells us to define more forms and values (the left being the teacher and better). In that context the right one looks more cartoonish. I like the light kinda on the right but far prefer the naive (as in the genre naive) style of the one on the left.

[@gabrielzupero896]

This paint looks like me looking at a landscape without my glasses

[@treesart6914]

This is a very good video. It's so important that you explain that we all have our own sense of what is good or bad and that once we discover what it is we can work to improve our own paintings according to our own standards.

[@alysononoahu8702]

I like the sandy path

[@susandoyle3707]

Glad I came across your video, thank you for sharing

[@danawatts3479]

I innerstand what your doing & saying here..simplify, control light & dark . Great Helps Th Ankh You

[@petermohlman]

Thank you, that was very helpful, especially the part about reducing the composition to simple values first then building up from there.

[@toddswartartist6917]

Good solid advice on simplifying landscapes. I love the discussion of good vs bad paintings.

[@_helmi]

I call these subsequent iterations as self reflection pieces because in life, you should only compare with your past selves in order to find out your strengths, weaknesses, needs and wants. Really, you don’t need to compare yourself with anyone on anything at any given time

[@annemorgan2928]

Excellent, thank you.

[@catholictortillas777]

Thank you for all your videos! I learn a lot from you, you are one of my main teachers! I have only been painting for 6 months. I have one painting that I am going to go back and repaint. It was hard to do the first time but I want to see how I can paint it with the different things I've learned. It's a seascape with a rocky cliff in the background that is a bit foggy but in the foreground there is a lot of different colored plants that are beautiful. I put too many details in the brush and on the cliff I made it too dark and not foggy.

[@PaoloBizzocoArt]

what an ispiring video! thank you coach , every video helps me a lot in my art and my art channel !

[@curtcoller3632]

Chris - the left looks much better!

[@meenakshisanghvi2692]

Thanks ! Seriously this is what I needed , I was struggling with this and your advice is super helpful has always .

[@dlturk1493]

Excellent! I understood the principle you were explaining right away!

[@kathyprince1608]

One of the most helpful demonstrations ever! It so clearly proved the usefulness of a strong foundation in simplified value patterns. Thank you for making this concept so plain to see!

[@sujithjohn4393]

Hi am john from India a beginning artist.. your talks help me a lot .thank you

[@lindasnyder3961]

You also changed the painting proportions in how you divided up the painting areas, which I appreciated in the second effort.

[@miriamlastine1459]

Thank you I needed that.

[@debrakegley9601]

Thank you! This video was very helpful.

[@retrovariable3477]

Thank you my Friend now I have the motivation to finish my midnight sky over the ocean painting almost done with it. 😎🙏😇

[@happigalart1689]

Good reminder!! Thanks so much.

[@AnnieCappuccino]

Excellent analysis!

[@nancybailey2230]

Thanks for this video & sharing your tips ! ❤️ EXTREMELY helpful!!!

[@potomaccrafter]

Thanks! Right time for me to hear this :)

[@ThePhaeriephox]

Love this video- it breaks down an important fundamental rule of composition. John Singer Sargent was a master at this. I really love the adjusted painting. Great job and thank you!

[@vanilla628]

I love the new lightning!

[@imsosmart942]

Like them both very much!

[@anniegooden5084]

love the Nick Cage collage in the background.

[@marcosandreorlando2011]

Absolutely amazing your explanation. Thank u !

[@bbpittorino5428]

gonna be adopting that two tone technique! definitely need it for practicing digital painting

[@rebeccavalicoff1581]

Crazy, good instructions!

[@manuelnestler]

super helpful and encouraging!

[@Nancybelongs2Jesus]

good advice…helpful for watercolor too. thank you

[@trashbug4843]

This is so mind blowing to me, thank you so much!

[@paintcoach]

So glad!

[@gervogdeamakna8928]

same, my paintings always end up too busy

[@kimberlyhannahall3238]

I like the old one. 😊

[@masonleblanc6726]

Thanks this is very helpful!!

[@wsieci4204]

That make sense, Thank You.... I will try to keep It in my mind while creating 🙏🏻 greetings from Poland

[@alicefan5106]

Thank you!

[@alexis5350]

Very helpful. Thanks so much.

[@maxlinesartist]

Good advice Chris Thanks

[@victoriawacome8623]

Excellent video Chris. 👍

[@rajatshanbhag]

wonderful demo. Thanks for sharing your valuable insights on loosening up to paint! :)

[@steveferguson698]

I agree. Its all up to you. As an artist I...repeat...I think both paintings are nice. Neither is bad. Just different. If my style doesn't float your boat it doesn't make it bad. Just different from your style. Some may like darker. Some like bright colors. I actually have done landscapes with fluorescent colors that glow in black light. Some people are awstruck. Some not so much. Isn't that what art is??? Some people will look at a Van Gogh and say Really? I don't get it. Or complain that a Monet is blurry. Horizon is too high, The tree cuts the painting in half, Should have a center focal point. All these rules. Its art. Have fun with it. But if its rules you like. Consider a career in Graphic arts. Been there. Done that.