Painting on a Black Canvas... Tips and Techniques!

Hello my creative friends!!!
Today I'm covering a lot of useful info on black canvases, oil painting, varnish and mediums. If you're interested in trying oil painting but hate the idea of waiting for it to cure, I have some helpful tips to speed up that process!
This angel oil painting is a Christmas gift that I started painting 10 days ago. It's already varnished and framed because of a couple of really awesome products.
First of all, I did the grisaille (grayscale) in acrylics. I let two days pass before applying oil paint. With the oil paint, I use Galkyd Gel medium by Gamblin (link below) which speeds up the drying time so it is touch dry in a matter of days. Once the painting is dry to the touch, I can then varnish it with Gamvar Gloss Varnish by Gamblin (link below). I can do this because unlike other varnishes, Gamvar is breathable and allows the painting to continue to cure!
I've also put a link below for a good starter set of colors for those interested in oil painting.
I hope you enjoyed the video and found something helpful!
Love to all and Happy Holidays!!!
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:40 Underpainting
8:00 Oil Painting
15:07 My Palette
16:30 Finished Painting
Gamvar Gloss Varnish
amzn.to/3RQOUyq
Galkyd Gel Medium
amzn.to/41Bgfb5
Eco-House Citrus Thinner
amzn.to/3RTLM4Y
Gamblin Oil Paint set
amzn.to/48MLS4b
DISCLAIMER:
All Amazon links in this description are affiliate links. If you purchase a product using one of the links I provide, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting the channel!

[@Carolinamoonbeam66]

Even just at the face stage, the underpainted greyscale face, im thinking WOW how fantastic a painting - so much better than anything i can muster up. I'd be proud to have painted that good

[@dvmcvaanimalwellnessworld3833]

I have been watching all of your videos girl number one you are very quirky funny and I love it. Number two your art is just breathtaking watching your videos reduces my stress and helps me to start my paintings. Thank you so much for taking the time to do these videos!!!! I know that is also work on top of your art. It is greatly appreciated.❤❤❤❤❤

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you!!! ❤❤❤

[@jerrytaylor7935]

Thanks Lydia! Just got your reply to my question; makes sense! The effect of using the black background has some strong possibilities!

[@kellylea3575]

Merry Christmas Lydia! Wishing you a joyful holiday season. Your painting, as always is beautiful!

[@maitev-p9582]

Simply angellicaly beautiful❤❤❤ so much talent 👏 🎉 Merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year and beyond to you and your family 🎄🎆🎇🎉🎊

[@Dorisita9]

I absolutely loved my gift . I especially loved that I was able to see you create it from start to finishing. Watching your paintings come alive is such a wonderful feeling. ❤

[@kyelesley7498]

So nice to meet you, Doris!

[@evelynstjohn985]

She is so beautiful! She looks childlike and innocent, a young girl coming into her own self. This is stunning Lydia! Thank you.

[@zarasingh3667]

hi angel, you are very talented.very beautiful pieces.i would love to visit your house and view all your work and you look soo young.god bless you

[@ladygwarth]

Gorgeous painting as always and a Christmas tree after my own heart, I love a bit of tinsel and fairy lights. Merry Christmas 🎄☃️🎄

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you! Merry Christmas! I would keep the tree up year round if I could!😄❤🎄🎄🎄

[@Lex-cg3ee]

You are brilliant and I love your personality. Love your work. You are even possibly a genius!!

[@lydiabroderick867]

You are too kind!❤🙏 Thank you!

[@lauriebennett6257]

I think this might be my favorite that you've done so far, lydia. Thx for sharing your talent and creativity with us!💜

[@John__67]

Wow. So small compared to prior works of yours. Yet, no less beautiful. Thank you for explaining in such rich detail the whole process. Enjoyed listening to you.

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you John! 😊

[@catherinevangass4927]

Absolutely stunning 👌🏻🎨, love the piece. Whoever you have made this for will love this angel❤. Thanks for the headsup on the oil medium and curing varnish, definitely going to be implementing it😁👌🏻. Have a peaceful Christmas celebration of our Lord Jesus with family and friends and a blessed new year filled with an abundance of love, peace, health and prosperity 💜💥💖

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you Catherine!!! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!❤🎄❤🎄

[@cathybradshaw6008]

You are just AWESOME!

[@teresamazotti1315]

She is gorgeous!! ❤ I hope your holidays are great!

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you Teresa!!! Happy Holidays!❤❤❤

[@lukedorny]

Came across your channel today not sure how. Thanks for filming and talking through your process. Inspiring.

[@lsenchuk]

You most definitely are magical, this is wonderful!

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you!🤗❤

[@LScottArt]

Thank you! I really appreciate your explanation of your process.

[@bigredfred33]

Working on a black canvas definitely adds a nice punch to the painting… beautiful.

[@larajamieson9163]

Absolutely stunning Lydia! Magical Christmas wishes to you all 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you Lara!!! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!🎄❤🎄❤🙏

[@createwithbarbbl4125]

Lydia, I have been hankering for a sweet beautiful angel painting, and this is just stunning. Your art, your colour mixing makes me happy, I can only dream of painting something this lovely and although you make it look easy, I know it is not. Thank you also for the oil painting tips on products. I wish you the Happiest Christmas and send greetings from Australia. Already looking forward to your next painting.

[@lydiabroderick867]

Many thanks and Merry Christmas to you and yours as well from Massachusetts... So far away, but so amazing to connect. 🎄❤🤗

[@doninis1354]

I usually not so into angels but this looks powerful. I am amaced every time how you put such mimik to your paintings. I really like watshing the process.

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you!!!

[@santoshpradhan6690]

Superb work.

[@StudioGriffel]

Amazing beautiful!

[@vivicorra8022]

Hermoso trabajo Lydia!!! Tambien soy detallista desde el principio cuando pinto y es algo que trato de no ser!!! Todo lo mejor para este año nuevo 2024!!!❤

[@user-hg9ed5nu7c]

Hi Lydia, I like your paintings and thanks for the Tips and Techniques. Theo from Holland

[@louisea966]

oh i love this so much! absolutely stunning. great vid, thanks for sharing

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you!!!!❤❤❤

[@dorydiavelone3531]

Merry Christmas Miss Lydia, to you and all of your loved ones!! Yes did a black canvas ……still playing

[@lydiabroderick867]

AWESOME!!! I hope you are having fun! Merry Christmas!🎄🎅😊❤

[@fredericaongenaert9531]

❤❤BEAUTIFUL!!❤❤ Merry Christmas to you and your Family! 🎉

[@lydiabroderick867]

Merry Christmas Frederica!!!❤🎄❤🎄

[@vish1992]

Amazing!

[@MrArtton]

Really awesome 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻i really love your style 🙏🏻🙏🏻happy holydays 😉can,t wait for your next painting 🥳👍🏻❤️

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you so much! Happy Holidays!😊❤

[@sunshine7789]

Yes, you are magical. She is beautiful.

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you!😄❤

[@claudiafinelle7252]

Its so gorgeous!

[@kaygilbert8773]

Beautiful

[@echohaapala5894]

Beautiful ❤️

[@kellyfitzpatrick283]

I love how you paint lady faces! Just lovely!

[@tracytruhlarik6525]

Hello from Canada Fantastic Lydia Happy Holiday's to you and yours

[@lydiabroderick867]

Happy Holidays Tracy!!!❤❤❤

[@chelseamurray1678]

It’s beautiful!

[@kyelesley7498]

Because of the wonderful Christmas holidays, I just finished this video! Beautiful painting, wonderful, Christmas gift, and you continue to inspire and amaze me! ❤😊

[@kavyan_art]

👌 super

[@janice2992]

Your talent is unbelievable. ❤

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you🤗❤❤

[@stephaniepotterart]

She’s Sunning! A perfect Angel 😇 The highlights & shadows really bring a 3D effect! You’re palette 🎨 is so cool!! Merry Christmas to your entire family and you!! 🎄 Enjoy the season!! Excited for the colorful next one!! 💖🧡💛💚💙💜💖

[@jeanlebaron7628]

Merry Christmas, Lydia! Thank you for a year of inspiration, humor, and teaching. I hope your holidays are filled with love, light and magic. ❤

[@lydiabroderick867]

Merry Christmas Jean!!!❤❤❤ Thank you!!!

[@deanofrankenstein6391]

This is amazing, Lydia... it looks 3-D! She's a beautiful angel. I thought it looked great when it was monochrome, but she really came to life when you added the oil colors. Love the birds around her. The golden arch over her head is a great touch too. Just fantastic work!

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you! I wasn't sure at first if I could pull it off. Sometimes the ones that you're not so sure about turn out better than you imagine!❤❤❤

[@virginiekennedy2295]

Dear Lydia, I'm delighting to watching you paint with so much talent✨ love your personality also😂may your Hollidays brings you happiness and joy! Big hugs from Switzerland 😘😘

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you Virginie!!! Have a wonderful Holiday!!!❤❤❤

[@virginiekennedy2295]

🧚🏻‍♀️🙏❤️🙏🧚🏻‍♀️

[@carolehlinger932]

How beautiful!! Merry Christmas to you and your family! Angels are always the best gift! You are one talented lady!

[@kfergus3662]

Merry Christmas keep up the amazing artwork

[@lydiabroderick867]

Merry Christmas!!!❤🎄

[@sharonwhitfield4160]

Another fabulous piece...i especially love how you got that metallic gold effect. Plus thankyou for sharing your techniques and tips...i havent tried oil paints yet, they intimidate me for some reason 🤔

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you Sharon! Oils do tend to intimidate a lot of people, but they are more forgiving than their reputation let's on.😊❤

[@missmollee1545]

So beautiful! Happy holidays to you!!

[@lydiabroderick867]

Happy Holidays Miss Mollee!!!❤❤❤

[@gratefulcreations]

Knocked it out of the park again !! Hope you had a wonderful holiday as well

[@robynnejaeschke2147]

She is beautiful. Wishing you and your family a very blessed Christmas.

[@kliu3812]

underated!

[@jargongirl]

She turned out absolutely ethereal 🥰 Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas, Lydia 🎄💕🇨🇦

[@SorayaZiziArtist]

I love all your paintings! Incredibly beautiful 👏😍

[@ejpoetry]

Your angel is divine! I worked hard at the pun

[@lydiabroderick867]

Love it!!! Thank you!!!🤗❤

[@izat8598]

If I was able to give 5 thumbs up I would have! Absolutely fantastic. Great skill you have. 😊 ❤

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you!❤❤❤

[@deniselisboa1]

Lydia, your art is WONDERFUL, I love watching the process. You're awesome

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you Denise!!!❤❤❤

[@elconsultoriodecandida7304]

Beatiful! But why not do a black and White version? I quite liked It. It looked like a statue. Feliz Navidad from Spain 😊.

[@rachealgetscreative]

She's so beautiful! Thank as you always for your very helpful tips. 2024 is going to be my year to practice and learn all I can about oil painting, and I know your vidoes will be a part of that! :)

[@Jackie.Lee.Art.2491]

Marvelous, Linda! You just keep getting better and better - 2024 will be a blast! Can’t wait to see your next one. Merry Christmas!🙏🏻

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you Jackie!!! Merry Christmas❤🎄

[@michelleedmondson229]

Stunning. You always put so much beauty and life into anything you paint. I absolutely love your work. Merry Christmas lovely, to you and yours...may the new year bring you many blessings

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you so much Michelle!!! Merry Christmas to you and your family🎄❤

[@joannasundquist8494]

❤

[@jessicarogers3183]

Love your videos and your sense of humor I think the black painting is beautiful you should do another one just black and white, And the final piece is so amazing as well. So amazed by your talent 😀

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you Jessica!!!😊❤

[@aerialarboreal9005]

Hey Lydia!! Merry Christmas!! As I'm finding out (thanks to you) working with a dark, or black background is so different, it's awesome really, feels like I'm sculpting in gray scale more so than painting... Know what I mean? As always, love your work and you're way funny too😉... All the best to you and yours, see ya in the new year!! Neil xo

[@lydiabroderick867]

Hi Neil! It is totally different! I love it! Thank you and Merry Christmas to you!🎄❤

[@christinalightoflove3134]

❤🎉😍

[@deonagarcia1]

I love how you’re able to draw such good portraiture, did you have a source or did you create this from a sketch?

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you! The face and doves were from a sketch. I used a photo of a swan for the angel wing reference.😊

[@dianajimenez1145]

For the base did you uses acrylic or oil?

[@jerrytaylor7935]

Lydia, What’s the initial drawn outline done with? Some kind of white pencil or chalk? Also not sure how a mistake will be corrected on black; Maybe with black paint? I’m going to try starting on a black canvas soon.

[@lydiabroderick867]

I use a white charcoal pencil for the sketch. You can remove mistakes easily with a damp cloth.😊

[@Tara_Kunicki]

How soon can someone use Gamvar gloss varnish after painting oils? I am looking to start learning oils and I am learning about the mediums. Looking for things to help with faster drying time :)

[@micampbell5415]

I finally got my hands on some Gamvar from Gamblin. After it's dry to the touch, once i varnish, is it safe to package and ship the painting? Should I put some waxed paper in the front of my painting to protect it?

[@micampbell5415]

Also, as usual, I LOVE your painting!

[@lydiabroderick867]

I will usually give it an additional day before shipping. I always use glassine paper to wrap my paintings before packing them. You can buy a roll on Amazon. It's acid free and won't hurt the surface of the painting like other papers.

[@micampbell5415]

@@lydiabroderick867 awesome thanks for taking the time to reply, really love everything you do!

[@Jay-bw3fl]

Great work! I have a honest question and I don’t want to sound sarcastic at all so please don’t think it is-- why spend all that time and effort on the greyscale under painting when you used opaque oils over it and not glazes? I know you said it’s because the more transparent colors won’t show up as well on the black background so why not just paint on a white canvas and skip the grisaille painting all together? And then just paint the background black? I’m genuinely curious about your process and don’t mean any offense.

[@olyhamilton2552]

Lydia, Your work is so inspiring and beautiful, thank you for sharing this beautiful painting. Thank you also for the information regarding the techniques and materials used.