Simplifying Trees in Your Landscape Painting

Trees can be tough. This step by step will help you see the process I go through when I'm painting trees.
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[@mczarnec23]

I’d like to see more of these where you actually paint rather than the photoshop editing. I realize this takes longer and takes a lot more planning but maybe you could do one every other week or so

[@philstarke.artist]

Thanks for the suggestion

[@roslynr9767]

Thank you for your excellent tutorial! You said somethings I really needed to hear. The big one: Don't get discourage in the beginning getting down the large shapes and values! I get impatient! But, it is soooo true. When I have kept myself from rushing ahead and stay with the slow, thoughtful task of getting a good foundation of shapes and value, I am always pleased with the results! When I don't, I spend a lot of time trying to fix it and most of the time I have to give up and throw it in the heap of "bad paintings" ha! I also want to compliment you on covering the essentials=the paint you used and surface you painted on and talking about how you studied the subject area for some time, I haven''t heard about the brushes, but I still have more to watch! You also have an easy voice to listen to and tempo. I will definitely watch more!!

[@philstarke.artist]

So glad it was helpful Roslyn

[@yuchensoong8847]

You really help me a lot in green oil painting and the blending colors. It is much more natural green color in my painting. I am wondering if it is a waste to buy green oil paints. It seems that few artists use them. Right?

[@philstarke.artist]

I do use a viridian or viridian hue, but its not a natural color, I find ultramarine blue and Cad yellow more natural. Pthalo blue and cad yellow works well too

[@yuchensoong8847]

@@philstarke.artist Thank you so much.

[@foltz-art]

Im hooked!!! Super great information your videos are so Awesome!! ✌️✨️❤️‍🔥🎨

[@philstarke.artist]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ednaperkinson8529]

Love this painting and how colorful and interesting it was compared to your photo of the subject. It really illustrated the need to put the photo away at some point and concentrate on making a great painting.

[@philstarke.artist]

The photo is just a place to start.

[@Ran_G]

I worked a crazy long shift but you still inspired me to paint along. I learned a lot, thanks!

[@philstarke.artist]

Glad I could help!

[@fnas2010]

Absolutely loved this tutorial .. yes please, more on trees! Really liked a couple of things you mentioned : 1. you have to fight the urge to be discouraged (at the early stages of the painting) 2. streaks of white showing through will kill the color, but streaks of color are happy accidents.

[@philstarke.artist]

Glad it was helpful!

[@karendodez1239]

Thanks for sharing, this video was super helpful and can’t wait to practice ‘trees’ in the studio tomorrow. Definitely a challenge I need to work on. Enjoy your videos, clear & concise😊

[@philstarke.artist]

Thanks Karen, glad it was helpful

[@julliettecarignan8563]

This was great! I'm working on a mantra of "big shapes first," so this demo was ideal. Love how you did it and the result you created; the thick paint is luscious, the color full of variety wonderfully punched up at the end. Ideal demo of a key lesson in painting.

[@philstarke.artist]

Thanks Juliette

[@DDartlover8888]

Great tips!

[@philstarke.artist]

Glad you like them!

[@MaryLDoty]

Pushing colors other than what you see really adds interest. Thank you for the instruction!

[@philstarke.artist]

Your welcome!

[@DeepMindfulness]

This was amazing to watch. Super inspiring! I’m going to go painting now! Somehow seeing actual paint makes it seem so much more accessible. I was also surprised how non-mashed potatoes like your trees looked. I often feel like that’s that way you’ll describe rendering trees and yet here they’re not super volumetric/ simple shapey, and they’re even more compelling. I also want to give a big shout out to your videos themselves! You really craft great videos and I know that’s hard! PS- hope you make one where you translate your digital images into paint. Guess I’ll need to make my own painting to find out how that works. ;) Thanks Phil!! Anyone reading this is should go get Phil’s course! Link in descriptions

[@philstarke.artist]

Thanks so much, glad they’re helpful

[@threespade]

The way you wield color is beautiful! Thanks for the demonstration 🙏

[@philstarke.artist]

Glad you like it!

[@Coco2345ful]

I need to review thte ideo on glazing color again....where can I find it?

[@mattyrsofar]

You have a great speaking voice, it makes it easier to pay attention(ADHD) and you explain your process really well, I really appreciate it. If you don’t teach classes, you should!

[@philstarke.artist]

Thanks, I do teach classes.

[@sandradodson540]

Good stuff, Phil.

[@philstarke.artist]

Thanks Sandra

[@markjones1542]

Thank you for the informative and inspirational video. I am painting a tree at the moment which is quite an unusual shape. I didn’t know whether to paint the sky first and then paint the tree on top of the sky afterwards. But I think judging by your video it would be better to simplify the foliage as one mass and cut in the sky and sky holes after. Love your videos 👍

[@philstarke.artist]

Thats right Mark, foliage first then sky around it and cut in holes.

[@clairebradbury11]

Thank you so much, that was very helpful and very inspiring.

[@philstarke.artist]

Glad it was helpful Claire

[@suemarkwald159]

Thank you so much! This information really helps!!

[@philstarke.artist]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lorachristian7030]

As usual, I love this, your techniques for simplifying have been extremely helpful to me!

[@tammyhernandez3179]

Very helpful

[@alisonamacher]

This is so helpful. Thank you

[@philstarke.artist]

You're welcome Alison

[@CaptainPainJr]

Thanks Phil Enjoyed the video :

[@coindesigner7477]

Thank you so much Phil for explaining so beautifully your thought process. 🥰

[@philstarke.artist]

You're welcome

[@sandrascroggins476]

This was helpful!

[@philstarke.artist]

Thanks Sandra

[@darcymanwaring1489]

Always been scared to try really small paintings. Your presentation and demonstration give me confidence to try thank you

[@philstarke.artist]

You can do it!

[@jacklynmcintee2341]

Really enjoyed this video! Pushing the color is what I am trying to aim for, this was very helpful and look forward to your future tree videos!!!

[@philstarke.artist]

Thanks Jack

[@dianewhite-zv4cy]

Thank you for showing your painting as you talked about it. Trees are difficult for me. I learned a lot.

[@philstarke.artist]

Glad it was helpful!

[@albikapllani2119]

What a good tutorial. The simplicity combined with confidence that comes from experience

[@philstarke.artist]

glad it was helpful!

[@caroledavies5201]

Wow you made magic out of just shapes Thank you for the beautiful trees Phil 🌳

[@philstarke.artist]

Your welcome!

[@debbygregorash7691]

So that is really interesting about adding colors to the tree trunks not because that's what you see but what you think the trees need. Brilliant. Like artistic license.

[@philstarke.artist]

Yes, artistic license

[@Mrspob2011]

Great great tutorial! Simple and sharp. Thank you very much.

[@philstarke.artist]

You're very welcome!

[@karenwhite6140]

This is a fantastic painting! Really great to see your process and also the finished painting - which is gorgeous!

[@philstarke.artist]

Thank you so much!

[@marywebb1138]

This was really helpful. My trees seem to be getting better with every lesson. Thank you 😊

[@philstarke.artist]

Glad its helping Mary

[@TheDraeleon]

Thanks a lot! Very helpful and inspiring! ❤

[@philstarke.artist]

You're so welcome!

[@donaldbarker2555]

always the best instruction. it is difficult to learn to paint thicker.

[@philstarke.artist]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Pat206]

Wonderful! Thank you.

[@philstarke.artist]

your welcome

[@fedeabascal]

Very inspiring. Thank you

[@philstarke.artist]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Dennis-Hare]

Killer painting!

[@philstarke.artist]

Thanks Dennis