Oil Painting Things That Would Have Saved Me So Much Time

[@dickbudig6693]

Wanna save real money. Do your practice work on cardboard. I visit my favorite dumpsters and reclaim cardboard, cut it to the sizes I need, seal it with matte medium, and paint away. Cardboard is about the right value so you won't have to tone it before painting. I use my cardboard for quick studies or to work out answers to questions about painting this or that. Once you've solved your problem, you can easily move up to canvas pads, canvas panels or stretched canvas.

[@eggpassion]

this is so helpful, i throw away so many boxes at work

[@andreigiugiuc9048]

This is not about. The fuckijng accident and. Wlnt happn again:))))))))))

[@siren3147]

Thank you! 😍

[@splatterbrain3788]

For sure. Sometimes I find stretched canvases at a local flea market on the cheapy cheap. Lightly sand, re-prime, and I don't feel so bad practicing on 'the real thing' lol.

[@gautambarua8260]

Gessoed ply is also great and cheap

[@carlamoore3814]

A year ago, I wanted a print at a store but would not pay 50.00 for it. So, I went to the art supply section and spent 150.00 on supplies and painted it and many others myself. I am thrilled to have found you for some guidance in myself taught journey. I just turned 65 and am having the time of my life smearing paint on every surface I can find.

[@falxblade1352]

Oh my god, that is a power move beyond belief

[@cantycanvas4150]

For me a a very significant breakthrough was learning to use desaturated colors and allowing myself to loose edges. I was always trying to paint shapes/edges/details that I knew were there but couldn’t actually see. If the thing you’re painting looks like a dark messy blob paint a dark messy blob, if you can’t see where one object ends and another begins, don’t try to clear that up for the viewer - paint what you see.

[@sallyhastings5689]

Great advice!

[@Cavemenandgods]

So…. Yeah… this changed my life. Thanks! 😅

[@JacobDuane]

This is my life right now as I'm just starting out with oils. It's frustrating. Thanks for the tips.

[@paintcoach]

You are so welcome!

[@jrlakin370]

Thin to thick definitely. Big brush to little brush. Confident strokes and less details 👍

[@paintcoach]

Totally agree!

[@jrlakin370]

Yes I set my images to high contrast and it makes it really easy to start your images with the big shapes and the lights and darks. I’d advise anyone to do that.

[@BJones-yw4dd]

Excellent tip!

[@jilliancota8940]

I loved that quote, "value does all the work, but color gets all the credit". I've been doing a lot of value sketches to help keep my mind sharp, and when you said that line, my brain went 🤯 Thanks for the tips and the book recommendations!

[@PHeMoX]

I think my biggest break throughs were 1. not to outline everything, to prevent the cartoon problem , 2. paint lights and darks (values), not features or shapes, 3. use desaturated colours, broken color and limited color palettes, it put me more on track of realism. Ironically, most of this didn't come from paid DVDs or courses at all, but rather from a handful of master studies (Rembrandt, Bouguereau).

[@faisaljaveedtv]

The joker painting behind you is amazing. Can you make a video on it please!

[@zanepritchard6952]

Mine was to be bold and brave with the oil. I used to labour over thin layers and add to it and add to it but one day I decided to go a different direction, put the paint on fairly thick and just be really brave. I ended up with a really rich, stunning looking portrait that took my less than an hour and was a really enjoyable way to work for me. Haven't looked back since

[@janedoe5229]

Something that helped me is to do the brown under-painting. I do the sketch in thin brown and I under-paint the values of everything except sky and water. Sky and water need the white canvas underneath.

[@barbiew993]

Oh my gosh! That's so funny. I thought I was the only one who wanted to squint my eyes...or take my glasses off to see less detail when I paint. 😄 and now I understand, WHY, I'm doing it too. Thankyou🤗

[@patflynn]

Thanks for the tips! Dipping my toes into the world of oil painting 👊🏼

[@paintcoach]

Thanks for your tips! I’m a big fan of your channel and videos! They have helped me a lot.

[@rafaelallenblock]

@@paintcoach FYI I'm looking right at two paintings on my wall done by my dad back in the 1950s on pieces of corrugated cardboard with inexpensive craft store oils. Even practice on meager supplies can result in memories on "canvas" that can provide joy for long after you're gone. Love your content!

[@stevechambers1060]

Most people use brushes 😅

[@baileyodonnell9771]

When I learned how to darken colors using complementary colors I was incredibly enlightened. Thank you to my highschool art teacher.

[@dvango2023]

Wish I would have seen a video like this 20 years ago. Thank you.

[@idontcheckmynotifications]

I’m new to oil paint. Your channel has been the biggest breakthrough, even though I haven’t finished anything significant. Thank you for all your work.

[@nickclarkart]

When you do wash your brushes, use shampoo not regular soap. It's hair Bro, you will notice a difference!

[@WhistleKate]

does this seriously work better than dish soap?

[@nickclarkart]

@@WhistleKate Significantly. especially in how nice they are in their future. I mean how does your hair feel with soap vs shampoo? Dried out and stiff? it's pretty similar.

[@santasiajones6168]

not gonna make a difference with synthetic brushes

[@user-of2su2wv9f]

I'm watching three years on. As a nearsighted person, it's usefull take off my glasses easily seeing those planes, lights and darks, and fuzzing details. Squinting is fine but unnecessary with congenital malformations of the eye. Thank you. 😊🙏

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

Absolutely a beginners brush set. One for painting small and one for painting large. I paint small so I done need size 10 hog brushes, way too large.

[@marvin6148]

Dude, your videos are SO helpful. I know everybody has already said it but i have to chime in. You are advancing me SO much faster than I me going solo. THIS IS YOUR CALLING!! Keep it up and all the best. I definitely want a critique. THANK YOU!!

[@edwardmedina1594]

Yes - It would be awesome to have a brush set for beginners. Thank you so much for these videos.

[@MM-Iconoclast]

These are quality videos. There are people who can talk and there are people who can teach. They are not the same thing. These videos teach. Btw, the younger you can teach - without losing quality - the better and deeper you know your topic. I'll bet Chris could teach these concepts to a 5 year old, without losing the essence of the lesson. That is the mark of someone who knows their stuff cold.

[@sahananarasimhan825]

I was really intimidated when I started with oils, especially because its expensive and I'm a beginner I was scared that I'll waste paint or not make the most of it. So I switched to using a mixed medium of watercolor and acrylic White for practice. It HELPED WONDERS. Especially using this medium On wood , It really gave me an oil feel. Eventually this made oils easier for me. I also feel like choosing the right reference images with good lighting teaches you soo much. I pushed myself to paint everyday and gave myself a time limit so I don't get hung up on one painting. I think its super important that you don't fall in love with one piece so much. But constantly add more Complexity with each painting you make. I actually Started watching your videos at the time when I started. If I watch a video of you of painting a portrait, I paint a different Portrait with you. By doing this I was able to break down the image into forms and understand lighting better. I've Improved so much Just by doing this in a week. You're like an ideal guide for passionate people who pick up things in their own with regularity and practice! Thankyou!

[@destiny8967]

Skill share is a nice way to get more affordable instructions too. And yes u should do the brush set for begineers for sure!

[@hilalalary-7]

100% yes to the brush list!! I have to say, I've been painting with acrylics for 10 years and have finally decided to switch to oil and your videos have helped so much with what materials to get! Thank you!!

[@martamaniulaa]

I would love to see your brush set for beginners!

[@paintcoach]

Will do!!

[@MM-Iconoclast]

I'd love to see you do a vid on real-life vs photo-reference painting. All aspects, plusses, minuses, comparisons, your experience, etc. etc. Would be fascinating.

[@darhenry6407]

Dude!!!! Just discovered your channel and got a lot of information from this video. Also you have talked about most of my difficulty issues I’ve been running into. I enjoy watching you so far and looking forward to watch more of your channel. Thank you!!!

[@paintcoach]

Glad to hear it!

[@bobbytirlea]

I've been drawing for some 27 years to this point. I am now 35. So the basis for all, is a good foundation of drawing. I've found that there are no narrow gateways, no little doors one could walk through to have the thing "nailed" for the first time, when one has not established first the lore of drawing. E.g. at portraits the underlying structure must be solid, while having some or quite deep knowledge of anatomy to achieve it. The second thing... oil paint. Well, I think that it is the most wonderful medium of all! But things could get very eschew, if one does not keep the rules you mention and know so well. First comes a good foundation by drawing, be it in blocking in the head, or proportion of the bodies. When John S. Sargent wasn't content with a structure, especially the head, he had scraped away almost two weeks of work! One could imagine the frustration of the sitter not only the artist's... And after a vast knowledge of drawing, comes the appropriate value (squinting is quite a great tool!) estimation, and laying it on the canvas. One must keep these points in the mind no matter the medium you paint or draw with.

[@adamrauscher4755]

One thing that helped me is thinking of creating the piece as if you're 3d printing it from the background to the foreground

[@mathilda6763]

1. Finished is better than perfect, I learn more from several mediocre paintings than one never-ending project. 2.check several references and analyse the subject with sketches, notes and little test paintings, I should work out a "road map" before I start 3.I should go actively seek out critique, even from non-artists, during the painting process. Having someone less emotionally involved look at my work, helps to identify what's not working.

[@lealarue]

i just discovered you 20 minutes ago and already learned so much i am so happy i found you!!!

[@patrickwelch3274]

Really good information . Great communication skills Chris. All of which I’ve had to learn. Drawing daily is the key. One big issue is planning. What do you want to be when you grow up? Begin with the end in mind. For example I want to be as good as Sargent then back track all the things you need to do to be that good. Painting live , drawing live just with a sketch book. You know how many people you can meet just by sketching and people asking what your doing. How do you build a reputation. One principle I believe in is law of large numbers. More activity you have they more the result. Every no you get means you are closer to a yes. Unfortunately their are no short cuts . You have to experience it. I totally agree on coaching. You need a coach. One teacher I had for years would fly to New York a couple times a year to meet with her mentor, a very famous artist( painted four Presidents hang in White House)in his 80’s. He would critique her work. Gradually he started to put her name out and she started getting big commissions from his word. She walked the walk now she is really good. I could go on for hours.

[@saskiaassink9354]

What I find difficult, is to not be over exited about the color. And the sphere that it breaths. I assumed that I had then copy that exactly, but now I discover that “ a” color rarely exists in a painting, and is build up out of many shades. I don’ t paint with paint by the way, i make images of wool( felt). I also have a handicap, I have blind spots in my eyes and can only see blur. This tutorials help me ‘ see” what I actually did not see anymore. But I remember it from the days that my eyes were normal. So thank you.

[@flodofplants3597]

Wet on wet. Sounds dumb, but I learned from family members passing their craft down, and they didnt believe in a lot of techniques, including this. Also using the correct brushes and what is a warm blue and a cool blue

[@Kaylasdaintydesk]

I have always loved colored pencils on drafting film. Learning Oils, your advice on canvas pads has SAVED ME. It makes it so easy to practice and has taken all the stress out of painting surfaces.

[@skiphoffenflaven8004]

Biggest impact on my oil painting? Taking a drawing course (pencil, charcoal, and ink on brush). And Bacon has been my key painter, for about 12 years now.

[@sherrysholl830]

I find the way you explain things the best I have come across.

[@paintcoach]

Thanks!

[@emilyhill7622]

I need to find the equivalent of you for watercolor painting. This is so informative although I'm not sure if I'm up to switching my medium just yet. You have great videos I enjoy watching them!

[@paintcoach]

Thanks! I actually started out in water colors but once I tried oils I never went back lol I actually think water colors are harder than oils. Once you lose the white of the paper there is no getting it back.

[@gautambarua8260]

@@paintcoach so true (like virginity 🤣🤣)

[@sanjavukovic169]

@Emily Hill have you tried Yong Chen?

[@rayac578]

check out anna bucciarelli! she's incredibly talented and gives a lot of great advice on keeping paper whites, vibrancy, and everything in between. shes my go to for watercolor

[@twinket76]

@@paintcoach you can preserve the white paper by masking it with rubber cement.

[@filipfred1651]

Wow...wierd that I really needed to hear that I don't have to look everywhere for instruction. Pick an instructor and stay there for a while. Real good advice, especially when there is so many videos and instructor's

[@callipygous8328]

Lol talking about painting like pumping iron “get in those REPS!” Hehe fun video

[@meekarii26]

Though I'm using digital paint, I've learned tons from this and your other videos. Many of your teachings are such a game changer to me. I feel more confident and have more fun painting thanks to you!

[@Engelhafen]

My greatest breakthroughs were 1- learning which end of the brush to paint with 2- painting with my eyes open 3- don’t paint on the computer screen

[@NicolasConnault]

If you have very thick eyelashes, painting with your eyes closed can be quite effective!

[@elizabethbirdallgreer2773]

You are a comedian! Breaks up the serious chats! I watched a flick where a woman painted with one foot with the brush between her toes; she would switch up by holding the brush with her mouth.

[@smarterthanawaffle]

I would add: 4. Do not put your paintbrush in your drink.

[@alices7291]

I never even thought about the second one. I feel like I’ll really improve once I start using that Jack tysm 😍

[@cbrown6508]

This is a lot of great advice and I really appreciate how frank you are. I took up oil painting several years ago and let it go because it felt so overwhelming. This has really helped me feel more confident about giving it another try!

[@bodawei425]

Like the honesty in what you say. It's a journey. The road is bumpy. We often fail but try to learn from our failures. Overall, painting is a catharsis a thrilling experience!

[@bunathan2485]

I am trying to get into water color but the tips you gave are valuable even so.

[@lifeismusicparnadonkers]

I get my canvas panels from a hard ware store. They are 4 dollars,they are linnen canvas panels and they are 40x50 witch is a good size for me to practice. I draw first than i paint. Practice many diffrent things to draw😊 i love this video

[@michaelhelenethegirl]

Painting thin to thick changed my life!!

[@paintcoach]

Awesome!

[@monicaraquel7283]

I use cooking oil to dip and clean my brushes i never washed them, they are good as new 😊

[@DCweldingAndArt]

Your outros are great lol prolly one of the most masculine and comprehensive modern artists I've found so far. I don't feel like I'm listening to eccentric arrogance or anything along that nature. 👍 well done my man! Very helpful videos. From pencil drawings, to tig welding metal artist, to beginner oil painter...I've learned alot and understand the extensive amount of knowledge and experience that I need to acquire everyday, for a lifetime, to progress. Which is what keeps me engaged. Same with welding. The learning NEVER ends

[@RobertReg1]

Thanks, and I appreciate you calling out the self-restraint/laziness. Not a popular topic

[@seanmcloughlin3229]

Thank you, mate, for the great tips! I feel they are helping me to become a better painter and I only took it up a few months ago!

[@Anthony-gq7dk]

one great teacher ! well done , keep making them. People have paid college fees for classes that would not match all you said and showed . Born to paint and teach.

[@nunyabusiness164]

Color control definitely comes with practice and paying attention to technique. Painting big works well... I'm an art student, I just finished finals and I guess I can't get enough of thinking about how to improve my painting.

[@BirchBrook]

Thanks for all the down to earth advice.

[@ElPepe-gj2mz]

Great content! I used to paint with oils from my early teens until my mid-twenties. Unfortunately, I gave it up. Not because I fell out of love with it or I was bad, I just didn't have the time anymore. I became a video editor and motion graphic designer and that left little time for other things. Now seeing your channel, it's really itching me to get back at it. Thanks!

[@melaniesmylie2992]

I have started painting with Oils a year ago and I really battle, thank you so much for all this information I am a new painter and love it. This information will help me so much

[@PaulaActeson]

Great video. All the things you mentioned resonated with me. I've done the KZbin jumping around and end up watching all kinds of videos but not putting paint on the canvas. I've gotten rather over-whelmed I guess. I really appreciate your time and your suggestions/tips, actually I've learned the most from you. The brushes? Yes, that would be fantastic! Anyway, thanks again for a great video, now I'm off to paint 🖌

[@paintcoach]

The brush video is underway!

[@myartprocess6003]

Thank you, Coach, for another amazingly inspiring video!

[@barbiew993]

Yes!👍again I agree. Having to clean brushes daily is such a drag 😩. "Brush dip here I come!" Yay thanks again!

[@anovosedlik]

Your advice on brush dip....PRICELESS! That saves me almost an hour each time I paint. The time it takes me to wash my brushes, then wash my sink is one of the reasons I don't paint as much as I should.

[@trentriver]

You give excellent advice - thanks. One last comment that I think is important. Many do not consider themselves as "a painter" until they have sold something. If one is going to become a good painter (and I am still working on that) one has to consider themselves "a painter".

[@leighcutting9747]

Thank you for sharing your painting learning experience with such honesty! Your tips and suggestions will be extremely helpful to many us beginners.

[@indianahoosier5794]

Brush dip... old oil painter once told me to use Murphy's Oil Soap much in the same way... get done painting and after washing out the brush well, dip it in Murphy's and keeps the hairs soft. It also cleans really well. If you have brushes that have seized up over the years due to dry paint up in the butt end of the brush... drop them in Murphy's for a few days... rinse and repeat until they are soft and pliable again. I have recovered so many good old brushes this way over the years...

[@mosermingo847]

Yes would love to have you recommend a collection of brushes. Thx

[@CweenOfTheMark]

The first problem you discussed-- painting wet on wet and things mixing together--is currently what I'm struggling with. It's incredibly frustrating.

[@paintcoach]

yeah it's tough. but you'll get there!

[@classicallymodern6261]

Start using a fast drying medium to mix your paints with like liquin original...makes paint easier to handle n flow n dry super quick, keep a window open though, tuff on the nose .. good luck!!!

[@buttercup558]

Yes to “brush list” !!! 😊

[@paintcoach]

Will do!!

[@thechamp2585]

@@paintcoach agree. thanks

[@michaelmcewan432]

Great video, drawing every day is a massive help, try charcoal you can move it about like oils, to learn portraits or landscape

[@charlesng7942]

Thanks a lot Chris, this episode is seriously enlightening for me. Almost every aspect that you mentioned in this one struck a chord in me. Thanks man!

[@lindab34]

Your anaylsis has really resounded with me. Thankyou so much. Your other videos are a massive help on technical points. Great stuff.

[@jcarolblair5614]

Love your art philosophy! 👍🏼

[@ysmam6296]

It is so amazing that you took time to give us these videos.. so incredibly helpful, cant Express how appreciative I am, you always hit the nail on the head. So helpful and genuine, thank you!

[@arcanics1971]

Safflower oil works in the same way as the DMP Brush dip. But only lasts around 4 or 5 days, but then you can just put them in safflower oil again.

[@Shetan258]

Thank you so much, you are helping me. I paint in acrylics and I am thinking to switch to oils, but everything that is scary about them is why I use acrylics. You have alleviated some of my fears. I have sold my acrylics, but I never win the contests...I guess because they look like a photo...boring. You are right, I need to draw and quit playing free cell.

[@gautambarua8260]

Thanks for for all the invaluable tips. You speak of universal truths in oil painting.

[@home8988]

When I started my very first paintings, they weren’t bad but they were THICK. I eventually learned to paint thin to thick and overall, the quality of my paintings now are way better. Great video,

[@theagespot9717]

Rosemary and Co is amazing! I love their brushes. I've purchased several and they've never let me down. Also M. Graham and Co makes the best oil paints. They're super pigmented and don't cost as much as other brands; they're approximately two dollars a tube less than their American competitors even though they outperform them by miles (no, I don't work for them). They also don't stink because there's no solvent. I paint a lot, like every day almost. I've tried many brands and Graham is the best.

[@siren3147]

A bit addicted to your teachings! .. it helps that you’re eye candy 🥰

[@billpholde4816]

Your attitude is great. The points you make about painting are solid and very useful.

[@gregorythomas4366]

Best teacher I ever listened to

[@juliabunker1036]

Perfect advice Chris , Absolutely spot on!!! I laughed as everything... literally everything, you said I have done. I have recently joined your Patreon site, and enjoy your way of simplifying everything. My greatest breakthrough was seeing shapes and values !!! Once you can see the shapes,darks, lights you realise they create the form, and you can forget about drawing the details. Squinting, practice, canvas pad and make mistakes... learn from mistakes. As you have said also in this video, don't go buying every gadget and brush advertised... use basics until you are comfortable, then you wont feel pressure to achieve a masterpiece. One more great tip that helped me ( as people normally start painting faces that are familiar to them) was to turn the image upside down and look at the image from the neck up. You will then not look at the eyes, nose etc , but you will see them as shapes. Its magical when you realise that you have got something akin to a likeness without actually paying attention to the finer details. Lastly enjoy being YOUR OWN artist !!! You can have a painting that is perfect likeness, but get 4 people to offer an opinion and each one will say something different.

[@callmeacab]

SO much good stuff in your vids. I have been drawing and painting since I was a little kid. Weirdly I started out oil painting and in college when I first painted with acrylics, I was SO frustrated by how quickly they dried. In the long run I wound up developing my own style that I really liked. But now I am wanting to move back to oil. Regarding practice...I go for very long periods of time with no painting at all. A lot of it has to do with finances or where I would even store anything Im not selling...and Im usually not selling. I am really finding your tips about painting small and simplifying very helpful...not easy...but helpful. Thanks for this channel.

[@daveh9521]

This is a very good video (or series of) and the best I've seen to date. Among many things it is the first demonstration that advocates 'thin to thick' in paint! I've been a professional artist for over 40 years; the first 25 as an illustrator, and I now produce works for several galleries. I've always worked in oil. The best part of this presentation is the imparting of a philosophy of painting. A solid approach for beginners and a method that will be built upon with experience. I'll say with 15 years painting, the best is yet to come.

[@mikeb7526]

The good selection of brushes idea would be helpful.thanks for all your other great tips

[@paintcoach]

Sure thing!

[@cd2308]

I am just starting off with oil painting, thank you for the tips! I love your work!

[@DahHar117]

Yes, I'd like to know what brushes a beginner should get. Thanks for your videos. I learn something in everyone.

[@beaumorris5289]

When I was young I used to go to an Art Studio on my way home from school. I Loved The Smell of the place... I use acrylic now but that Smell comes to my Memory Nose and I Go Back to 13yrs Old at that Studio. It's a Comfortable Place in My Mind.

[@kr6302]

Wow this video is really amazingly helpful. Thank you coach!

[@rhiguilmanguilimotan3927]

Paint Coach is the key🔥🎨

[@jrlakin370]

Dude, love it. The best paint channel out there! 👍

[@paintcoach]

Thank you so much 😀

[@fereshmahta6113]

i paint every day since i watched your videos.

[@juancarlosrayo273]

I’m about to start oil painting and your video helped me how to organize myself before I start doing it. I’ve been drawing and finishing paintings in my iPad.

[@leojablonski2309]

Solid Advice...thank you

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

Well, watercolor is my main medium so my breakthrough will be vastly different than the future breakthrough I'll hopefully have with oils. My breakthrough was effectively learning water control. Once I discovered how to effectively control the water on my brush, paper, and in my pigment everything feel into place. Second would be color theory, but learning water control was huge.

[@JpKizzy]

That was such a motivational video, keep up the incredible artworks :)

[@milenadanuletiu9355]

Thank you for sharing the skills and know-hows...it help, especially when you don-t have teachers arround. Good luck

[@sl.is.google]

Great input man, thanks for making the effort to share your learning experience, it's real helpful... 🙏🔥💗🌻

[@RatusMax]

This is on point lol I just realized this when I tried to paint an old man...When I painted younger people it was easy to simplify and see the easier shapes.. The older person I started jumping to the details trying to get the lines down...and the painting came out horrible...The likeness was gone... I was so focused on putting the details I forgot to step back for a while and check...Now I have to turn off my brain like I did for the younger people.

[@miguelraileymendoza7409]

just started oil painting thanks for the knowledge i wish someday i can be as good as you from philippines!

[@paintcoach]

You can do it!

[@tiiulausmaa2427]

One thing I wish I would have found earlier when I first started painting was your videos! I started painting probably around more than a decade a go and I really wish KZbin had been more advanced at that time, it would have saved me loads of time. It's frustrating to think how I made the same mistakes year after year and it was so hard to find good information. That problem's gone now :)