PAINT TALK: 5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Was A Beginner Painter

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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.
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

[@Loenthall88]

What a lovely pair of coconuts.

[@greengumgrows]

It's just 1 coconut 🤨

[@Loenthall88]

@@greengumgrows we don't actually know that for sure. For all we know they could each be halves of two distinct coconuts. Just sayin'... :)

[@greengumgrows]

@@Loenthall88 still one coconut in total

[@lisacurtis8162]

It's a joke. He knows that there's just one

[@Loenthall88]

@@lisacurtis8162 thanks. Someone got it. :)

[@lisa-gayle9939]

What I love the most about your way of teaching is that you don’t “sugar coat “ information! Just shooting straight and sharing your experience when learning how to paint is just the best way to present it! So now I’m gonna “Go Get Painting “! Thanks for the valuable information!❤️

[@giovannisiano574]

Welcome to the world of the self-taught. However, let's remember that some of the most famous painters are and were self-taught :) The disadvantages are exactly as you said, taking years to understand by yourself what could have been explained and taught in two/three years by an instructor. Reality of life...but thank you for sincerely and open mindedly reassuring everyone to keep going ahead, and keep painting!

[@johannebeerbaum1546]

I agree totally, had I had the opportunity to go to art school, which was my love, instead of being mandated a medical degree took me ten times the effort and time to learn....not until retirement did I have the time to spend hours every day to develop finesse....but it has made me cherish every difficult hour of time I spent through all my years creating art.

[@giovannisiano574]

@@johannebeerbaum1546 I hear Johanne, very much same case here!

[@Cheddrrr]

I agree. My friends asked my to teach them some basics and since I’m self taught and go by my intuition, not a specific set of rules I am stumped at what to tell them

[@yvonneschwartz3929]

@@Cheddrrr You can tell them you are not a teacher. I take many classes online like this one, but not every person likes to teach others. They say if you want to master something go try to explain how to do do it, to other people. So trying to teach might help you to learn as well. It is a challenge! I have enough challenge trying to be self taught.

[@yvonneschwartz3929]

I hope you are wrong! I feel what you say makes total sense, but I have seen artists develop quickly and many of them claimed to never had proper training. Now maybe they are not telling us, they have indeed taken classes. I think many artists have mentors and that could be a huge advantage. I really hope hours of practice can make any artist as skilled as those who are trained!

[@Polecat54941]

I think you talk a lot of sense, A natural teacher.

[@karenmedley7864]

I have been a professional visual artist and teacher for several decades. After listening to your instructions to viewers, I am proud to say you are very intuitive, and as most good artists, are self made and not taught, as true talent is polished, not created. Congrats.

[@zuhairroomaney10]

This is going to be my new favourite channel

[@changemymind06]

Well I guess I found my one teacher lol. You really are a natural teacher and you're so easy to understand. Straight to the point, no BS - love it. Thanks SO much for deciding to teach!

[@ivogranatasigns4267]

Top notch teacher here Stop look no further if you want to oil paint this is the easiest way to learn from a smart talented guy ! SIMPLE DIRECT

[@anyaconda3155]

I wholeheartedly agree with your point of trying to stick with one tutor/teacher. It's less confusing (and cheaper) in the beginning. 👍🏼

[@terrykslater6743]

Chris, I've got to say your comments are spot on. I've been at this painting process for 6 years, and have experienced every frustration you point out. For newbies out there, do yourself a favor and take Chris's advice.

[@janecooper288]

Like your delivery - no ego or stupid mannerisms.

[@ashahirschfeld1554]

As an Architectural Designer (which is now a computer based profession), it’s easy to go through long bouts of not drawing or practising skills. Outside of work I am a self taught (amateur) painter and it’s incredible how you lose your skills when you step away from it, however it’s so amazing when you start to practise again you realise how much knowledge you’ve accumulated and then apply to artwork. Consistently exercising skills and physically putting brush/pen/pencil to paper is the only way to maintain and progress your knowledge. These videos are incredible and so helpful for validating and understanding what I know and what I would like to learn. Thank you for your content!

[@whitneybuxton9610]

A big help that my professor told me in regards to drawing and how I got better at it was lots of contour drawings, and blind contouring!

[@handznet]

This is definitely true, drawing is what holds me back a lot. Being able to draw what you see is the most important.

[@allylovesu14]

Okay I found this SO helpful because I’m just getting back into painting after not having painted for 8 years and something that gives me anxiety is texture and watching this made it so simple

[@Bikewithlove]

Thia is a great channel. You’re touching on the profound step of becoming aware of the guilty fear of the amateur to concede that using tools and techniques isn’t a sign of an inability to paint - it’s a way of approach. It’s all about how you get there.

[@KathrineJKozachok]

I'd rather learn from a great TEACHER than a great painter. Thank you for communicating your skill to us in a way that is both enjoyable an effective.

[@danam6087]

So glad I found your videos. I like the simplicity and the clarity of your style and tutoring. Einstein said "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough". So thank you for understanding it so well and sharing it with us. I used to fantasize about growing up in a family of artists. I thought I would be a better painter if this was the case. Yet another excuse.. I see now how important it is to go back to basics.

[@kimranson4775]

Thank you for being so clear and concise. Although I do not paint with oils your advice and info is very helpful.

[@lionrugissant]

This advice was GOLDEN!! Thank you for this!! God bless you!🫶🏾

[@haniezare4386]

You are perfect teacher, tnx u a lot for sharing your gold information 🙏

[@relinde1980]

I do portret drawing. When I was a teen I did it often. 10 years I didn't do anything with it. When i was 30 I picked it up, and without trying my drawing was so much better.....just by taking extra time and look, look, look. It amazed me.

[@isabelamacavei8418]

I wholeheartedly agree that if you have the primary colors and white in the beginners' kit, you'll learn how to make the "Voronetz blue" on your own. Great lessons.

[@annettephillips721]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make all these videos. I am enjoying them immensely. I have a degree in art, from about 50 years ago, focusing on painting with acrylics. Every painting student should see your videos, take notes and recommend them to their painting friends!

[@siren3147]

I prayed to my future self to come to me with guidance about my art . And then I stumbled upon you , every word of your advice is GOLDEN! Thank you and this painting was sex to the eyes to watch😂

[@nunyabusiness164]

You're spot on about drawing. I learned to draw from my stepfather, who was an adjunct at U of H. He gave me the same advice, and it works.

[@lisafroment856]

I love how well you see the subject! Watching your adjustments as you identify colors that need to be altered. The painting is wonderful and you are a great teacher.

[@Maggiewuvsrufus]

I’ve been watching maybe 4 videos so far and already improved my painting soo much

[@johnnyBG1]

Thanks Chris/fellow artist. I'm self taught. I started painting out of a need to communicate my thoughts and my growing philosophy of life and nature. I had a small gallery in San Diego, California many years ago. Long story short, I've gone through many experiences of life, both good and bad over the years since then, but ultimately have grown into the contented and mindful human being I am today. I chanced upon your video as I've been trying to motivate myself back into painting. I appreciate your apparent honesty, authenticity and knowledge in creating art. Your voice speaks volumes of the goodness in you. I've done different styles in oil, pastels and watercolor. I prefer oils, and like you, prefer to lay it on thick and natural. BTW, I too am Bi-coastal. NY - California, north and south, and now here in LA. Anyway, nice to know there's people out there such as yourself. Take care and keep inspiring people & keep painting. 🎨

[@shepdoganimations6360]

Excellent. You're a fine teacher. Nice coconuts also.

[@kgant6581]

Very much appreciated your candid and clear expressions Chris.

[@abiiiiii6100]

HAHA the shoelace thing is so true. It ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ME. Both my parents tie their shoes differently and they both tried to teach me at the same time…. Didn’t learn how to tie my shoes til i was 10😂

[@dianamilne2372]

Concise, practical and well taught. I’ve made all of the errors you mentioned in your videos! Thank you Chris 🎯

[@Tanubabai]

Loved your last point...teaching is the best way to understand the subject better

[@jodydouglas]

This so helpful. Thanks so much. I haven't panted in awhile and am eager to get started again.

[@sahananarasimhan825]

I've been self learning from KZbin for around 9 months. I skipped the fundamentals a few years ago , and moved towards a commercial line. And now I'm back to the basics.! It is super important and I see the difference it makes! This is Most valuable information I've heard so far squeezed into 13 minutes!. You're an awesome coach! :-)

[@ianbrowne8871]

Another fine tutorial full of common sense combined with a demonstration of skill! The other great advantage of 'drawing' with the brush and oil paint is that if it looks a disaster you can either correct it as you go along. It is is a real disaster you can take drag to it with turps and whip the who thing clean and start again. Not so problematic as working with pencils, inks or watercolour!

[@JayDouglas01]

I really love this painting! You nailed that subtle coconut meat color! Great lesson!

[@adiibismail911]

This was the realest "things I wish I knew as a beginner artist" video on this platform. Very much needed, thank you so much!

[@thedraft115]

Your chanel helped me so much to improve my work and I've only just started to learn to paint recently

[@dorisriddle9212]

I found you about six weeks ago. You are truly inspirational. I had put off trying oil painting for a very long time because of lack of knowledge about the process. I am now painting! I am sitting in with someone on their online class with an instructor that takes forever to get out any information. You give so much information, so quickly, and in a very concise manner. Thank you!

[@Heidi.M]

I just discovered you and have to say your channel is one of my favourites. I was given oil paints and never used them until I watched some of your videos. Thank you for your awesome advice!

[@Buttered_Bread]

Mate I found your account a month ago while searching for rock painting tutorials, and ever since I can’t get enough of your videos! Thanks so much for putting out the awesome content man, I’ve taken a lot out from it

[@naturejelisabeth]

Thank you for sharing your experiences and tipps + the process of🖌🥥! When you've put down this big grey shape in the🥥 my brain was shouting "NOO! That's wrong!!😵🤯😖" Find it so valuable to watch!!👍🏻👍🏻

[@coloradomark2159]

Brush mileage is far more important than making your own panels. My favorite panels are 'Senso' from Jerry's. They are really quite inexpensive. Linen and clear coated. Glad I found them. Thanks again Coach! My paint is Golden OPEN's. An acrylic that stays open for hours. Dry by the next day usually. No smell. I have a very confined area and smell is not an option. Was using Cobra water/ oils. Great oil paint for sure. Not smelly, but the same thing I find I hear from other oil painter is they try to accelerate the drying time via solvents, i.e. Liquin, waaay smelly. My confined home area just won't tolerate oils much less solvents. Have left my wet brush out overnight with Golden OPENs and washed them out the next morning. A good solution for me.

[@StorytellingHeadshots]

Thank you! This comment is so informative and useful for me!

[@TheArtistsMoon]

Thank you for putting this out there. I also fell into the idea that I had to make my own panels, invest in better paints, brushes, and all the oil mediums.. It made oil painting so much more complicated. Looks like I will also have to start a channel to document the journey. 😅 I have wanted to do so for YEARS.

[@crankman88]

Wow you really let me know what I shave wasted time on but more so what I should focus on. Thank you for sharing and all your efforts 🌻

[@freddieguillemard4229]

I only discovered your channel one day ago…and I love it. Very comprehensive and energetic. You mentioned the possibility of a monochrome study, would love that as well as a moonlit night study. Thank you.

[@kimlanoue2033]

What you are saying here is so right! I have to say. Out of all of your paintings. Something about this coconut, it is my all time favorite!

[@annfoster1980]

Just found your channel and really enjoying your way of teaching. This video was meant for me, ie: too many tutorials is just confusing. "KISS" is the way to go. Thankyou

[@kwantylion]

The perfect video at the perfect time for me. I've just realized how much time it takes to make my own canvases. I stopped painting because of that. And the end of this video...about YT...u read my mind. I have this idea of starting a KZbin channel for several months now... in polish, coz we have so poor painting content in our language. I think, i should take this idea an make it happened. Thx.

[@angelabarnes03]

So glad you enjoy teaching because I enjoy learning!! Thanks for sharing your talent!

[@bcarl37d]

Excellent points regarding learning to draw to progress in painting. I was so frustrated with painting and partly cause I could not draw, I didn't paint for almost 10 years. I now work with oils, watercolors and work on drawing. I have seen improvement in my own work.

[@gbons23]

We need another five things I wish I knew video. Now!!!! 😄

[@charlottephillips8486]

Another awesome video. I have a student that wants to move to using oils. Great advice to start out with basic primarys, a few good brushes, & maybe one medium. Thanks for your videos!

[@sp1cyn0va35]

I’m so glad I stumbled across this video, I felt the exact same way about the foundations of art when I was in college because it was boring in class and they never explained it in a way that was interesting but I never realized how important they actually are. I have problems with my drawing before painting because I never feel like it is good enough to start painting, I have a hard time with perspective sometimes.

[@Rachel90007]

I'm so glad I found you! Thank you for taking your time to put these videos out!

[@johnhoffmanpaintings8512]

I must admit when I started my channel during our first lockdown I did find it focused my mind on what I wanted to paint and made me make up my mind on what I wanted to paint with, as I was somebody that just had to be able to use everything, and this is a sure fire way of not being able to progress properly. love your videos and the no nonsense approach. I agree that a good drawing with good tones throughout will be 90% a good painting a bad drawing with good chroma will still be a bad painting.

[@salemhailu11-11]

I am a beginner artist and i recently, have began sharing my practices. Thank you for your valid advices.

[@danchaloner1357]

Yes. Look .Look and look some more.And then realy loook. For years. Turnacity pays off.Keep it simple and have fun. X

[@jocelyndafruit]

i really needed to hear this because i literally thought drawing didn’t matter

[@bhargavartworks]

I am self taught, I do portraits. And Each word from this video taught me a lot. Thanks coach.

[@gilbertorego2195]

Beautiful artwork! Congratulations!

[@roserousan6411]

Making shades with white is always tricky But the result Looks amazing🥰❤

[@jenniduck3467]

Yes - what you said about practicing drawing is so true! I went through the exact same thing last year and now I try to keep up with my sketching. I'm also beginning to put my artwork out on KZbin now. Thanks for the advice 😊 That coconut painting is beautiful!

[@studiokevart]

Thank you for this video this really helped me…. Your an incredible teacher

[@Budspencerization]

This guy is an absolute star.

[@kerenamselem6518]

Thank you soo much, !!you are an amazing teacher, you are helping me a lot with the oils 💕💕💕💕

[@Anthony-gq7dk]

wonderful finished work , well done.

[@josephcote7405]

You were the push to get me to invest in some basic streaming gear. I've never painted with oil, but I have plenty of experience with oil pastels.

[@lindacarrasco1157]

I really like. the way you teach. You make it very interesting

[@gregclark228]

Thanks a lot for the videos. I've watched a quite a few now and I really need this advice. Especially the one about stop jumping from one instructor to another. I've been following 3 or 4 diff artists, who use different materials as well, and trying to copy their styles and it's taking way too long to adjust and I always end up disappointed with myself. So far my best work has been through sticking to one particular style.

[@roj499]

I relate to the being stubborn and not understanding fundamentals so much. I only took the intro art classes in highschool and then took a random beginning painting class in college, but it was with a bunch of art majors who had much more of a foundation to painting. I ended up changing my major to art after that class but I do feel like I missed all of the basics of painting such as layering, building up texture and detail, etc.

[@dmanzenpaintings]

This is very helpful for self motivation.. Thanks for inspiring ...

[@amysbees6686]

Very interesting! I just assumed your parents taught you! I fully understand the frustration of being "self-taught"! I fumbled around with watercolors for 20yrs, learning from books (pre-YT). Nearly a decade ago I was introduced to oils by a neighbor who was pursuing her BFA. It was fantastic! She taught me quite a bit, and I then fumbled along on my own again. I quickly realized what made my late grandmother and her brother such accomplished professional artists was TRAINING. They both attended the Art Students League (NYC), while my grandmother also studied at the School for the Art Institute of Chicago. They had what we refer to as classical atelier training, and boy did it make a difference! I realized modern art education was grossly insufficient to become a truly well trained fine artist. Fortunately, the atelier movement has since emerged and spread throughout the world, offering the same training my grandmother received over a century ago. I am a terrible draughtsman. My rendering skills are pitiful. I am dependent upon photos. I know my paintings are just awful. I hope to possibly some day pursue atelier training. Fundamentals, foundational skills, are essential, regardless of your medium or approach. I feel keenly my lack in this.

[@txartchick5594]

Chris very nice so realistic.👍THe thought of using just 5 paints ,very intimidating😁😳Im technically challenged as well..Your a great teacher👍😁

[@paintingswithkay6151]

Love your advice to get out there and show your progress even when you are just starting out because I struggle with that. Having patience is definitely a virtue as an emerging artist. Great painting now I want to go buy a coconut 🥥 to paint 😂

[@wilma-gv9ff]

Very helpful advice. Thanks much!

[@jessicamaisonet917]

Thank you for this video ... encouraging words ... your videos are very helpful!!! Much appreciated.

[@franceslazu1784]

Thanks!! Great coconut!! So real looking!!

[@hotlineoperator]

True talk, me like. Also you're painting is really nice. The best way to learn something is to start teaching it.

[@simonsteven1427]

Catias Freya you can't teach a subject that you have yet to understand - that's why the masters teach the student not the students teach the master - thats crazy.

[@hotlineoperator]

@@simonsteven1427 When you have to advise another on how something works, it first forces and motivates you to learn it yourself. Another model is to learn together with others.

[@mogalcat3091]

Great to see your channel growing! You had about 5K subscribers when I started watching you not so long ago.

[@LovelyDollsAndToys]

I Love Your style of teaching painting. 💖😍🌟

[@ak_pmrjs]

Thanks for this, I realized and learned something from this💖

[@saltlifegull4091]

What colors did you mix to make the black? Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine blue? It sure looks black. Excellent video, great painting!

[@jultolentino7515]

Thank you sir for sharing us your knowledge,it's a gift.TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS.ALHAMDULILLA

[@TheBuldog2000]

So true if you want to Learn! Teach👌🙏👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻⭐️🌞

[@هالهزخاري]

You are great thank you for your helping

[@bettyjwhite9315]

can you please talk about brush strokes, types of brushes & handling the brushes?

[@joleenanance1214]

Thank you for sharing and for the tips!

[@WhatDadIsUpTo]

I have a trick. I have been painting photorealistic landscapes for over 50 years, but it wasn't until just recently I got this great idea. I take my photo reference down to Kinko's and have them blow it up to the size of my canvas or whatever I'm painting on and then I put vellum over the photocopy and Trace the sketch. Next, I use carbon paper on back of the vellum and transfer the sketch to my canvas. Now I can block in very intricately if I want to, but even if I don't, I have an accurately-enlarged representation of my photo reference. Works every time. BTY I'm pretty sure I know what your reply is going to be to this suggestion, but I'm an old dog. I don't want to learn how to draw. I've been trying that for 70 years and my drawings still suck.

[@christianhalteman9388]

I do the same thing

[@singlemomsniper]

Thanks coach!

[@maple5703]

Love your honesty Coach. So many of us are embarrassed about our learning processes. I’m wondering, how do we know when we get to the point of needing artist grade paints? I’m finding that the winsor paints don’t always mix well.

[@paintcoach]

Once you start to notice the difference then I would start transitioning

[@mehwishgeorge8812]

Loved this video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!

[@pialehmann9806]

Thank you very much. Such fantastic paintings. Could i achieve a similar result with acrylics?..

[@dalya35]

thank u for everything 🙏🏻❤️

[@davemalt2451]

Yeah Chris, tracing has always been a bug bear of mine. Don’t think you’re a complete artist if you can’t draw. Just the way I feel about it, not that I’m a Monet or Namatjira. Thanks again for another top demo and advice. Dave M ( Australia ).😎🇦🇺🦘

[@KRASJEL]

I'm a self-thought too. And YEP. Zxactly my problems too. I'm close too 10 years now. But. Exactly the same problems....

[@beverlylang2133]

Wow! I just found your videos! I think you are probably the only person I’ve seen on KZbin that addresses the mindsets of what really goes on when your just starting. You really give a lot of people more self confidence by sharing what you’ve gone through as a new painter! Grateful to have experienced your view point because you are an excellent artist!!

[@maggietattersfield2859]

Thank you! Very useful info! 👌🙂