PAINT TALK: How I Set Up My Painting Studio

Welcome to Paint Talk! The weekly show where I answer your questions on oil painting. If you have a question leave it in the comments section and I just might answer it on the next paint talk.
Patreon - / paintcoach
Easel - amzn.to/3jWAABK
Light 1 - amzn.to/35w3QXz
Light 2 - amzn.to/2O9IHMs
I Pad holder - amzn.to/38M7vU4
Canvas Pad - amzn.to/35fMFsW
Clamps - amzn.to/33cVCpO
Brush Dip - genevafineart.com/products/br...
Air Purifier - amzn.to/2UAT4wg
Books
Carlsons Guide to Landscape Painting - amzn.to/2ZBppWH
Composition of Outdoor Painting - amzn.to/3fFeQHM
Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light & Color - amzn.to/39z7gum
Landscape Painting Inside & Out - amzn.to/3i7rpgy
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
Stretched Canvas - amzn.to/3dGCvqW
Best Brushes Ever! www.rosemaryandco.com
Apron - amzn.to/2xn1EGl
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

[@loganbooker1084]

If this is not your full time job I really hope that it will be soon. I hope your channel blows up soon. I appreciate the work you put into all this 🤙🏻

[@paintcoach]

This with commissions I get by. Running this channel and my Patreon is a full time job. I have big plans for them. Thanks for your support!

[@BlueEyedMatt42]

Hello my name is Matt. About 4 years ago I had a stroke, and lost my ability to literally do anything. I couldn’t speak, walk, or even move. Of course that’s not true anymore obviously. I’m still working on getting better, but I can get by right now. I’m only 33 years old. Depressing talk aside. As I gained more mobility with my arms I tried doing more things. I had bought a basic acrylic paint set, brushes, and the works, about a year or so before my stroke. I wanted to try out painting, but that’s all it ultimately was a "want", and never a "do". That’s where having the stroke changed me for the better. Don’t let things just be dreams. Do them. Anyway I remember randomly thinking about them during one of my therapy sessions , and decided I’m going to paint. What the heck else am I going to do? Low and behold I’ve done about 150 paintings. They just get better, and more detailed. Which finally brings me to my main point. I’m looking into starting oil paint. I’m really thankful for your "straight to the point" suggestions on starting. The thing I want to ask is if you have any videos on breaking down a portrait. Like doing different features. "This is how you do an eye, a nose, the ears, forehead, mouth...etc." I do try to just start with seeing basic shapes. Man, this was a long comment lol. I also just wanted to say I’m really glad I came across one of your videos. I’m really digging your breakdowns of stuff. Very entertaining stuff. Keep doing what you’re doing.

[@paintcoach]

Wow! Your story is very inspiring. I'm glad my videos have been helpful. Here is video on painting a mouth kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5u1cmiahdefjac Here is one on painting eyes kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnzOg5d3iqupbKs Here is one on the nose - kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2fGg4eiYq-Heqs Happy painting!

[@BlueEyedMatt42]

Paint Coach Thank you sir! I’m excited! Very happy I found you. You say just to pick a single artist to follow, and you’re the one. I’ve painted probably 200+ pieces over 6 months. This quarantine is very helpful for the imagination.

[@erols.8800]

I love my Coach. Always Freshen up

[@oliviaharrison2075]

Really hit the jackpot of KZbin I just searched 'painting setup's and got your video. Everything I wanted to know and bonus, the bit on paint thinner. Thank you so much for the video!

[@SuperSarandipity]

I so enjoy your tutorials, your presentation is direct, and informative without a lot of 'filler' talk and what you teach, is what I want to learn. Thanks so much!!

[@kenkayser9587]

I noticed the Steelers coffee mug in the beginning of the video and thought that I need to subscribe to your channel. I am a fellow artist and a life long Pittsburgher, and a like most, we bleed Black and Gold. Looking forward to checking out your channel!

[@72lonewolf72]

Great video. Perfect timing for me too. Thanks so much for all the useful info.

[@paintcoach]

Here to help! Thanks!

[@abstracta_cielo]

Your videos are seriously so helpful. I love them and always look forward to them! Thank you for your tips n tricks 🌿☀️😄🖖

[@paintcoach]

You are so welcome!

[@hilostateofmind]

LOVED the ending! And the air filter concept, oh man! Why didn't I think of that??? That solves a HUGE dilemma for me!

[@SuperSarandipity]

Yeah...I'm looking up the air filter too...I have ones for dust and dog hair..b.ut not nor my studio!!

[@polarcollision]

Fairly certain you’ll need a filter specifically for VOCs to remove solvents from the studio as opposed to a HEPA filter which removes larger particles

[@babba7117]

Thank you! A much needed topic indeed!!!

[@paintcoach]

You are so welcome!

[@BarbrajoanOriginals]

Thanks for this Chris, it answered a few of my questions that I wondered about. The palette clamped right next to your easel. I thought you may be doing that all the time , as I think it’s a good idea. Always find it interesting to see what other artist have in the studio. Tallahassee, Florida

[@paintcoach]

I'm glad I answered your question!

[@zpitfiyer]

Hello Paint coach, For lighting, I use LED strip light that I attached around the picture rail of my room. The light faces up the ceiling and reflects around the room. Makes a lot of difference. Less shadows, no glare, not harsh on the eyes at all.

[@paintcoach]

That's a good idea!

[@jonmahashintina]

thanks painting cooch!

[@mlucand75]

Shout out from New Orleans, you have good taste in coffee!

[@charlenesart2207]

Hi Mr Fonataro, First of all I'd like to say thank you for all your oil painting tutorials - I feel like I can understand your teachings the most and I don't get as confused by all the technicalities as I do with most others. I'm going to give oil painting a shot and so far I have just binged a bunch of your videos to get prepared. Secondly I was curious about the safety of solvents in the bedroom set up as well. Unfortunately I'm also working out of my bedroom and didn't think it was a great idea to have solvents drying all the time on my canvas in my room. I read somewhere you can use walnut oil to wash your brushes with which is what I will be doing. However I'm not sure what I could use as an alternative to thin down my paint with since I suppose if I use walnut oil that would be adding to the 'fat' content for bottom layers which goes against the 'fat over lean' principle. Is there anything that can thin down paint that doesn't have solvent in it? Any help is much appreciated and once again, thank you for your work. Charlene.

[@susanback9127]

Love the lights you use, where do you buy them or do you sell them?

[@tbm7187]

Another great video. Could you do a video on reference photos?

[@koteto999]

Hiiii, thank you for the video, it's great! Where can I find your palette box? I just looked online but everything seems too be catered to watercolor or acrylic paints and I like the silicone-like lid of yours and I havent seen one like that anywhere...

[@40bdg]

Could you explain the difference between the Chelsea Brush Cleaner and Spike oil? Can they both be used in place of turpentine? Thanks!

[@susanwong6471]

Hi Coach, i find it challenging to color match on image in the monitor due to the illumination, is there any strategy to address this ? Also if you are getting TV, get a large monitor that can tilt vertical and horizontally, you won’t regret! Lastly, can you illustrate how to paint a vase of flowers ( not just one large sunflower but a vase full of different flowers)- thank you 💕

[@loganbooker1084]

Idk if you go to the gym but you seem to be getting swole. Nice to see another paint bro 🤙🏻

[@paintcoach]

Hahah yeah I hit the gym a lot. A lot of times when I meet people and tell them I’m a painter they don’t believe me.

[@loganbooker1084]

Paint Coach SAAMMEEEEE

[@user-ok6cx4hc7h]

You can use kerosene to strip the dry paint out of the palette. Just brush it all over the paint surface and burn it, it burns slowly and in a controlled manner. The paint gets like butter for a few minutes and you can just scrap it. Just make sure you do it outside. You could also use paint stripper and after scrapping all the dry paint you can just clean the surface with alcohol, and don't worry, it won't leave any residues.

[@thepetrifiedgardener3144]

Question: I am turning a small guest room into my painting studio, I do both Oils and Pastels. The room does have central A/C but I don’t know if I should have an Air Purifier as well or is the A/C just fine? I looked up the manual for the Air Purifier on your list and it says to not keep in an area with flammable substances or chemicals or chemical odors/vapors? Is this the right machine and have you had any issues with it being in a small room? I’m in the process of switching to Gamsol for my thinners since I used up the last of my Turpentine, I can now switch. I appreciate the help and look forward to hearing from you.

[@jrlakin370]

Nice intro bruh!

[@Thekappa]

i need to find a better painting easel that doesn't wobble when i paint on the canvas.?

[@Omer_Latif]

Have you considered getting rid of the cap?

[@marvellloyd2666]

Ok, when I was a kid in the 70s I wanted to be an artist, but gave it up for strength sports and law enforcement. Im old man now and learning painting, also Own a Gym. What kind of training do you do and how much can you bench press?

[@paintcoach]

hahaha I played football in college so working out is just apart of my DNA. I just lift. nothing crazy

[@Mlefebre]

Fun fact; I think I just noticed that we have close to the same set up for the lights. i have two small soft boxes but I have one of them attached to that metal arm that you showed. I have a love hate relationship with it tho.

[@paintcoach]

I just want to get a studio with high ceilings and perfectly placed lights built in hahah one day

[@ellesnyder942]

Why can't you take the wood palette outside and sand the H out of it with a power sander?

[@Bryanj57123]

can you please go over landscapes again i really enjoy your video's

[@janetc3707]

Instead of paint thinner, I use EcoSolve -- it's a soybean product that works just like turps and mineral spirits. It's completely non-toxic and doesn't have any odor. I use it to thin paint and to clean brushes.

[@40bdg]

That is a shame about your turtlewood pallet. Could you sand off the dried paint (while wearing a mask, of course!)? Thanks for the info. 👍

[@Mlefebre]

Question for next paint talk: tips on selling artwork! Do you recommend making bigger more expensive pieces or smaller more affordable pieces? I just started my Etsy shop (shameless self promo if you wanna take a look: www.etsy.com/shop/monicaacreates ). I've had a couple of orders already with good success on smaller pieces and pet portraits; but also have sold larger pieces on auction and through IG. So I'm torn... what do you suggest? smaller? larger? healthy mix of both? also, do you have any opinions on the best platform to sell said artwork? thank youuuuu

[@Thekappa]

i am not great drawing people or painting one .?

[@danieldavisart]

say "pad of palette paper" three times real fast...