My 10 Best Oil Painting Short Cuts

[@blossomjewel3522]

1. Burnt sienna and ultramarine blue: good for sand, rocks, etc. (also depending on how much white you add) 2. A trick to know where to put the color in the eye- put it on the opposite side of the little dot of reflected light. 3. Paint it small first- if doing a big painting, try doing it small first. 4. Don't go to white too quickly. If you need to lighten a color, don't just add white to it. 5. Branch off from colors on your palette. Start with a motherpile of color, and then branch off from that (make variations) 6. When blocking the lighter parts of a painting, start with the DARKEST light. You want to be able to build lighter color on that. 7. Go extreme with composition. Make very strong decisions, especially with landscapes. 8. Tone your canvas. 9. Photoshop is totally worth it. 10. Try painting on linen. TIMESTAMPS FOR EACH TIP 1. 0:04 - 2:40 2. 3:06 - 4:02 3. 4:03 - 5:33 4. 5:33 - 6:37 5. 7:51 - 9:08 6. 9:19 - 10:14 7. 10:14 - 11:36 8. 11:36 - 12:53 9. 12:54 - 14:39 10. 14:39- 15:41

[@hermancroix9241]

What a Coach! Teaching what he learned from his own mistakes. It cannot be a better way to teach. My respect and admiration. Thank you Chris.

[@unkemptsnugglepepper]

Agreed! I love how he’s able to break things down and give the why.

[@WheelschairArt]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpDTpmyuoLisZtE

[@smasica]

Great content. I have a natural, built-in 'Blur Filter'. I just take off my glasses and I'm good to go.😊

[@Citroen_2cv]

All killer no filler, your videos. Dependably. [Also, burnt sienna + ultra used full strength make a profound black]

[@alex24mamba]

If you add a splash of cad yellow it turns into the most amazing turquoise for backgrounds of flowers

[@seanwilliams8833]

Good tips - especially not going to white immediately to lighten! This will help me!

[@paintcoach]

Perfect!

[@chrismofer]

8:30 i just did my first oil painting of a vase, which has an orangey brown glaze on it but with some purple tint. the color was difficult enough to mix once so i made a pile of it and scooped a bit from it to make shadow colors and highlight colors etc. I have much to learn! 11:14 What I know about composition I learned from photography, specifically small formats like instax cameras. the print you get is the size of a business card, so you have to make it count by filling the frame with the subject.

[@mrsnrub9780]

Great tip off re: sienna.There seems to be a trend in avoiding earth tones, which I think is completely unproductive. ANY of the PR101 pigments can easily replace a primary red (the most expensive colour in the world for some reason) in a wide range of situations . Caput mortuum violet - especially, can be a worthy stand-in for Alizarin Crimson. Sometimes a better stand-in, because it's dirty and works well in realism and portraiture. For plein air, I'm actually tempted to start using an all earth palette like Sargent did. Earth tones offer a wealth of possibilities. I just wish that I could justify buying a tube of lapis lazuli. Micheal Harding would say: "that were wasted on thee lad"

[@angie.666]

what's the primary red? cadmium?

[@mrsnrub9780]

@@angie.666 Fair enough, I'll give you that one.

[@sophia9015]

I recently started oil painting after a few years of gouache and your videos have been SO much more helpful than anything else! I was very intimidated at first but you have set me way more at ease and made me more confident. Thank you thank you for what you do.

[@FernandoRodriguez-ij6kv]

Tip #5 seems to be directed to me! My palette is usually a disaster, a bit of everything everywhere and indeed there is no organic growth when I'm branching off. Then when I need to go back to a color, I spend a lot of time trying to find that pile in my palette...again, as it's everything everywhere with absolute no reason or logic. Thanks for the tip! will try in in my next painting :)

[@cheryrobertson2735]

I agree

[@RatusMax]

These tips will help a lot of people! Some people think they understand the fundamentals, but I see questions all the time asking how to do something, and it's rooted in the fundamentals. Trust me I know this firsthand. To get over my own resistance of revisiting the fundamentals, I simply tell myself I don't know everything, and I am not ever going to be perfect. This always allows me to be open in going back to the fundamentals. I realized that there are always interesting things about the fundamentals I didn't see the first time, second time, third time, 4th time around. I didn't see them because I didn't have enough experience at the time to understand it. I recently took a painting break and took a detour in cinematography. Some of the stuff there opened my eyes to composition and color theory. Seeing paintings with composition and color theory is good, but there was something about telling the story and how I want to make the audience feel when they look at the scene, that really clicked something in my head. I think it is when I realized that movies and even news stations don't randomly get those live shots, it's all a choice. We can choose what to place and remove from the painting. It doesn't matter what was there in real life. I can remove a whole house if I wanted to if it will sell the message I want to convey.

[@NarsilRenewed]

You kids have so many interesting tools these days, like Photoshop. Back in my days [screeches and shakes cane in the general direction of 'em young whipper snappers] of studying art, all we had was our own eyes. The training of the eye is at least 50% of being an artist. The ability to _SEE_ what others don't is what sets an artistic person apart from everyone else.

[@thenoodleman182]

A good alternative to photoshop would be at apps like procreate and clip studio paint! It doesn’t have exactly the same features as photoshop, but you can adjust brightness, contrast, hue, saturation, and edit composition extremely easily

[@mydemon]

Or Krita

[@Emefak]

The three mentioned alternatives (Procreate, Clip Studio Paint and Krita) are painting/drawing tools, so they are very oriented to that purpose which can also be useful for most people here. But for a more all-rounder photo editing software I would recommend Affinity Photo. Way cheaper than Photoshop and you have a very usable iPad version (they also sell a combined license so you can have iPad + Mac/Windows). Also, GIMP can do most of the things that regular people need from Photoshop for free.

[@melissamorgan476]

I’m new to your channel and I really appreciate your style of instruction. Thank you for all you do! 😊

[@paintcoach]

Thank you so much!

[@RatusMax]

I've learned a LOT form this channel, I went from cartoon looking paintings to decent ones all thanks to his information.

[@kevinhawley4992]

watch them all... he covers the important points for a strong "foundation". from there, it's up to us! he has a TON of great info.

[@grandmajan6]

Wow! Thanks for teaching this granny !

[@thewildlife-animalsnaturea3356]

Thank you for these great tips. I love your videos and I improved my painting so much within the last year 😊

[@paintcoach]

Happy to help!

[@AngiBrasil-k4c]

I struggle with composition so your tips will help me! I’ve just started toning my canvas to see how things will turn out. Thanks!!!!

[@klace803]

The idea of people starting new colours instead of branching off from the existing mixed colour is crazy to me. I’m so lazy, I will find a way to use every last drop of the colours I already mixed rather than mixing a new colour from scratch 😅

[@crisalidathomassie1811]

Excellent, to the point, educational, clear and very inspiring tutorial. Chris , thanks so much for the great work and information you put in each video in a short time. I truly appreciate it. Each video is a fountain of wealth. Amazing use of ultra marine blue and burnt sienna. Blessings and take care. I wish you the best and more for 2023. Whatever you put out, you will get back one hundred times more. ❤❤❤

[@joseager5533]

I’ve been teaching myself oil painting for a couple of years, and your videos have helped so much. Thank you.

[@karenwhite6140]

Another great video, Chris! Question - what's the small spiral-bound paper tablet you're doing your small studies on? And are you painting in oil on that paper? Thanks!!

[@d.johnson1811]

@ Karen White Click on more in the link of his supplies list there's one for the book

[@JazzLassie]

Hi Chris, thanks so much for all your tips and tricks, it's no overstatement to say that your videos are the reason I am painting so much more. Oil painting isn't so scary anymore with Paint Coach around! Just out of curiosity, what is that little kraft-coloured pad that you paint your practice paintings on? I am always looking for cheaper practice surfaces and I am very intrigued. Thank you!

[@jennifercocharan4526]

Purple redish is nice.

[@hjisagirl]

I just tonight found your videos on KZbin. Wow!! What a great teacher you are!! Can’t wait to do my next paintings with your ten tips,in mind.

[@shirleyfargo455]

Mr. Fornataro, your videos are so much fun to watch along with great teaching and learning. Thank you.

[@paintcoach]

Glad you like them!

[@abero9336]

Hi Chris! Thank you for all your videos. I am an art teacher and all of things you speak of are things I talk about with my students! However, you explain in a way that is much more concise! You help me to find words to concepts that are otherwise difficult to explain! I am super curious about the sketchbook and have been looking for one that I don't have to "prepare" first. Do you gesso in this sketchbook before you paint? Thanks again!

[@ab-kh4hm]

Yes, please give details of the sketch pad

[@WheelschairArt]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpDTpmyuoLisZtE

[@EyeLean5280]

Great video! Thank you! Also, in our house we had that exact same hellofresh taco meal kit this evening. It was yummy :)

[@jillkidd60]

You are so right about Hello Fresh. We get that too. Thank you for the advice. Don't use white to lighten. Because that's what I've done and it really doesn't look that well. Oh, and the sand colors. YES! I like to do beach landscapes.

[@FrancoiseBrindle]

Definitely my favourite paint teacher, brilliant and generous advice, really makes you want to go back to your canvas, thank you!

[@catgray1]

I recently purchased the Munsell Student book of color 2nd edition, and I was matching a color chip to a photo I am painting. Turned out, what I thought was grey in the photo turned out to have purple in it. It proved to me that my eye doesn't necessarily see colors just right. And I agree, grey is usually used with another color. That's why I bought the Munsell book, so I can paint with much more accurate colors. Thanks for the tips. Love your videos.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

That was great. What toned notebook do you use for the small oil studies?

[@miasmic6368]

This has quickly become my favorite channel. The way you explain things just makes sense to me. Great stuff!

[@xXLunatikxXlul]

If you do not already have a video covering painting materials for specific types of paint, I would very much adore a video covering this very topic! You have such insightful knowledge man. Thank you for all the information and teaching!

[@kaybrown8493]

I've bought some oil paints to try out. It's taking me some time to actually get down to using them. Your tutorials are so helpful, and I'm not quite so frightened to try them out now. Thank you

[@mareneaufrance5096]

The composition short cut was perfect for me. I want to add all of these ideas, which makes me hesitate and put off painting anything. I wanted to try different trees, because I usually just do birches. I thought about adding waterfall and a house and it's all too much.

[@dougg1075]

This is gold man!

[@larissaquon4720]

What is the sketch pad you use to test your smaller oil paintings? Or do you have a pad/journal you recommend? Thanks!

[@taketimetoseait396]

Wow, finally heard it ! Big shapes, value map, layers, branch off, don't go 2 white....so much in this video will watch it again and then mayB again. Been watching ur channel for a long while ....ur consistently... repeating finally got me 2 understanding so much more about why I have alot of failed art sittin' around.

[@melissalacombe1824]

Ok. I am pretty successful with watercolor. I can do a good job with acrylics. I can draw. Why am I just sitting here with all my newly purchased water based oil painting supplies afraid to start? Feel like I am about to jump off a cliff. help.

[@Citroen_2cv]

I said the same thing to a teacher of mine when I was in school: he said he envied it. He was a prolific painter who showed and sold really well, and he'd been at it a long time. He meant, it's a gift to be so into it that your emotions are noticeable -- a different way to look at it, right? Somebody else (Elon Musk, maybe? ugh) said "adrenalin is rocket fuel -- you can use it to fuel the rocket or blow up the rocket. Your choice". I play that in my head when I get the off-the-cliff moments.

[@keylandro7450]

You just need to keep painting, A LoT. You can be told the fundamentals and process but everything else is up to you and how much you want to assert yourself

[@theresafrazer3999]

It might be helpful to take the pressure off producing something fabulous by just playing around with the paints first. Give yourself permission to check out the paints and what they do and don’t do. Use canvas paper instead of a canvas. It can be really hard to have a beginner’s mind again once we’re successful at one media, but I think that it might help you. Also, watercolor is the hardest media as far as I’m concerned! Oil is much more forgiving! Hang in there! and have fun.

[@melissalacombe1824]

@@theresafrazer3999 thanks. I'll try.

[@melissalacombe1824]

@@Citroen_2cv thanks for the feed back.

[@great-garden-watch]

The extreme tip is so good. When most people take photos they miss that idea. Im usually thinking…what is this a picture of? Great video! Ok still watching. It gets even better!

[@paintcoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@karenvilleda888]

Oh man! I cringed when you mentioned the segregated pallet ugh! I do that because I fear of running out of space. Never thought about keeping them close together. So helpful 🙏🏼 thank you

[@paintcoach]

I hardly ever run out of space bc I reuse colors already on my palette. I just shift them to the color I want 👍

[@TheKahota]

"One star of the painting" Very helpful advice for landscapes especially.

[@albrightfs]

Thank you so much for these videos.. They are so very helpful as I strive to get back into painting after almost 20 years off. You are an excellent artist and teacher

[@princevesperal]

Regarding the Photoshop tip: actually, everything mentioned in the video could be accomplished with Paint and Microsoft Word.

[@damianwin3269]

Thank you for the supply list! Very helpful

[@o_2731]

That little anatomy session about the eye was super informative!

[@catherine9774]

Thank you…I struggled with sand and couldn’t get it until I ran across your video.

[@annalouise6438]

I work in acrylic and watercolour but this has been very useful, thankyou!

[@nagridgecreative]

Another excellent video. I love every one of those tips.

[@paintcoach]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stephanie.kilgast]

This was very helpful, makes me want to paint immediately, thank you!

[@millienexu5684]

Can you delve into painting eyes??? Especially with photographs or animal / dilated pupils, so hard to pin them down!! Would love to hear more tips & tricks on this :)) love your work!!!!

[@isabella-zx2dc]

This was an excellent video, as always. It touched on something I've been having a problem with for some time, and that is "chalkiness". I have a good understanding of painting with values, however now I struggle with keeping my colors saturated, especially when I need to lighten them/add white. Do you have any other tips on lightening colors beyond your green example? Thank you sososo much.

[@TravelswithLucky]

Great....love your easy natural way of talking. Thanks for all the tips!

[@paintcoach]

Thanks for watching!

[@coolartsybabe]

Hey! Looks like you’re a Steelers fan! I’m originally from Pittsburgh. And yet, even though I’m now living in Portland, OR, I still bleed black and gold. It’s good to know that all that black and gold mess cleans up nicely with a Terrible Towel. Good video with fantastic color mixing tips.

[@shawnbansemer8876]

What sketchbook is that for your studies? That looks like such a perfect piece I need to finalize my journey to begin

[@jakecavendish3470]

I bang in all the darks first, then all the midtones and often by the end I find I don't need to use very little white anywhere, but I also only do landscapes

[@victoriasoteriou7576]

Thank you so much. This was truly a helpful video. I’m off to use these hints.

[@OFBCyclingWorld]

I am so glad I found this channel. Super helpful, thank you.

[@markjenkins7058]

As for his tip of painting on linen, I have personally used a linen product from RayMar. This family owned company offers primed linen on panels (rigid support). RayMar panels come in a variety of sizes (including custom sizes) with linen, cotton, etc. They have starter packages so one can try any of their products and combinations. I have tried several different panel and surface combinations and, to me, the quality is notably better than more commercial items. Yes, this does lead to a higher cost vis á vis Centurion, Frederix, et al. Generally, imo, the “extra” $2-4 is well worth it. (I am in no way affiliated with RayMar other than as a customer)

[@minnahumble2294]

There are so many good suggestions in this video period thank you for posting period

[@ascricco987]

Very helpful tips (as always), but that was the best plug for HelloFresh I’ve seen!

[@paintcoach]

hahahah glad you liked the ad

[@noxiousbaz]

Invaluable advice as always! Many thanks sir. Absolutely couldn't agree more with using Photoshop as a painting tool. The colour picker is an instant shortcut for identifying what colour something actually is...always a surprise! Grid, rearranging the composition, using the artistic filters to distill images down to their shapes and tones. PS...maybe the most useful painting tool outside the paintbox.

[@kyrie0033]

Excellent video, thank you Chris!

[@nadaalshehri5327]

You have no idea how much your videos helped me! Thank you so much. Can you please talk about lights? I always struggle with the light and i really hope you can recommend a good light to put on the easel.

[@brocktoon8]

sooooooooooooooooo helpful

[@NarsilRenewed]

Really nice to hear the explication of all the reasons I do things without much reflection on why.

[@Cbozflorida]

These are great tips! Good for beginners and good reminders for experienced ones. Thank you!

[@MonicaJamesFineArt]

Chris. Love your tutorials. Would you consider creating a “photoshop for artists” tutorial? I just want to understand the way that artists use it.

[@KodiLove]

Thank you!!!! Very informative and helpful!!!! Have an awesome day!

[@carolynmacaluso4957]

The eye 👁️ tip was very helpful. Thanks!

[@stacyVision01]

Super helpful video! Thank you for making this one!

[@stardustgirl2904]

I learned more in this one video then I have in watching all of the years on KZbin

[@dianecharest8365]

Thanks again. All of your information is so valuable.

[@IrynaBoehland]

Thank you, Chris, for the tips! My fave was to paint small before you paint big and the use of filters in Ps. Now, I need to see if you showed on your channel how to make those clay fruit with planes. )))

[@clarasaghafi6370]

Thanks a lot for sharing your knoledge about painting.

[@livefreeallways]

Thank-you so much for all these tips. You are a talented artist.

[@AnnaYV]

I am sooooo happy I’ve found your channel! Your advice and tips are absolutely invaluable, Thankyou 🥳🥳

[@paintingsofwaves_mikewoning]

Thanks for another great one Chris!

[@paintcoach]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jandjartcreations5545]

Dude that eye light was a fantastic tip!

[@chrisbergin99]

Can you show us more of the sketchbook you paint those studies with? I’ve struggling to find a sketchbook to work with paint, especially a smaller one like you showed

[@ascricco987]

I was wondering the same

[@alastrina88]

About the digital software, you don’t have to stick to Photoshop. The Affinity Photo is much cheaper (one-time purchase) and have a lot usefull features for a painter. There is also a free alternative such as a GIMP.

[@callmedeno]

Can anyone help me, I'm looking to try using the Kraft paper, I haven't heard him mention the type / brand / weight, is there one in particular that's good? And I know the purpose is for quick sketches but I wonder will the paintings last? It doesn't need gesso primer? I'd be interested to hear how people found it.

[@magnusgranskau7487]

These were very good tips! Thanks and greetings from Norway

[@PAKDETONDO]

terimakasih telah memberi tutorial yang sangat bermanfaat...

[@Paint-and-plants]

Could you do a video on using (digital/paper) reference? I dream of plein air painting all year but I can’t handle the -40c temps for long in winter :p I’ve been finding myself endlessly saving “reference inspo” pictures but never following through on them bc they feel so flat. How do you add depth without having depth? Thank you for your videos!! You’re an excellent paint coach ❤

[@Paint-and-plants]

Also would love to know your take on spending time learning to draw VS using grid technique to draw complex subjects (ex. A table full of food)

[@shivamtripathi2622]

never missing your videos, is the best decision I take. I mean so damn helpful tips, my favorite was the paint small one. Could've saved ALOT of effort in my last painting, man. THANKSSS COACH!!! ❤

[@hmshmshms8240]

You taught us two things: oil painting and simple cooking with Hello Fresh.

[@evelyndominguez4757]

Great tips!! Thank you 🙏

[@scootmcgoot570]

Great lesson! Thank you for sharing knowledge with us

[@paintcoach]

My pleasure!

[@rachelpieters784]

Thank you for sharing these links to books and products. :)

[@sashacalicat3977]

Very helpful stuff!

[@kevinhawley4992]

Hey!... when you're using the linen, do you ever gesso it? Read both "schools of thought" and curious what your opinion is. (I mix my paint to a similar consistency as you do...)

[@valeriebecker5108]

This is fantastic

[@zina6581]

So helpful! Thank you so much!!

[@misspetite9285]

I needed this video! Thank you!

[@crazytrain2254]

So glad I found your channel. Wow

[@xXAlice4everXx]

Wow, you tips are truly helpful and practical! Thank you very much for this video, you seem particularly observant and this really increases the usefulness of your advice. Can I ask, what do you think of cardboard canvas for beginners? What can we expect/are any adjustments necessary when moving from it to actual canvas?

[@the_inner_oracle_333]

Such fantastic tips 👏👏👏 thank you

[@artwithmycoffee]

Great video! Lots of useful suggestions. Well done.

[@paintcoach]

Thanks so much!

[@charliearmiger1999]

How do you print your reference photos out do you use a normal printer or have them professionally printed in photograph quality ?

[@evanlane1690]

Krita is a free alternative to Photoshop that has all the features you mentioned.

[@johmu1255]

Where did you get your brown sketchbook? I love it ❤️❤️