Oil Painting Brushes & The SECRET to Painting Loosely

Learn my MOST Effective Oil Painting Techniques in Only 4 Minutes:
alex-tzavaras.ck.page
In this oil painting tutorial, Alex Tzavaras talks about the best brushes to use for oil painting and he also shows you the oil painting techniques you need to develop and the bad habits you need to avoid, in order to achieve looser brushwork.
Here's a list of the brushes Alex used for this demo:
1 x Rosemary & Co Series 279 Masters Choice Long Flat, Size 10
1 x Rosemary & Co Ivory Synthetic Long Flat, Size 10
1 x Rosemary & Co Ivory Synthetic Long Flat, Size 8
1 x Cornelissen Series 44 Hog Bristle Filbert, Size 10
2 x Cornelissen Series 44 Hog Bristle Filbert, Size 8
2 x Cornelissen Series 44 Hog Bristle Filbert, Size 4
1 x Isabey Mongoose hair, Filbert, Size 6
1 x Rosemary & Co Series 278 Masters Choice Long Filbert, Size 3
1 x Rosemary & Co Series 278 Masters Choice Long Filbert, Size 2
2 x Rosemary & Co Series 279 Masters Choice Long Flat, Size 2
1 x Rosemary & Co Series 279 Masters Choice Long Flat, Size 0
2 x Rosemary & Co Evergreen Egberts, Size 4
2 x Rosemary & Co Eclipse Combers ¼”
2 x Rosemary & Co Eclipse Combers 1/8”
1 x Cornelissen Sable Round, Size 2
Connect with Alex:
alex_tzavaras
alextzavaras.com

[@mukhamejan.]

“The confidence of how to put down your paint comes from knowing how to fix mistakes” 🙌 gold

[@LosoIAm]

Agreed. Learning to drive is one thing ... learning to stop in a controlled manner is confidence!

[@deepakkairasketchers6288]

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[@deepakkairasketchers6288]

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[@deepakkairasketchers6288]

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[@frankderuyck6268]

yes, you are right! notices that too!

[@kalervohamalainen4369]

Your teaching is extremely interesting. You don't tease us with music or noise called music. Your speech is clear. Besides, you are an artist. What more could you ask for! If anyone wants to learn how to make a good lesson, these are the ones. Many thanks!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much! Glad you think so.

[@carolartist8206]

My heart is all swollen up with gratitude for your tutorial here. I lost a 91-year old very dear friend/neighbor/mentor/professional painter who had been so generously teaching me and helping me improve for the last 3 years; we painted together almost every day. She drilled into my head most of what you teach here (“don’t think if it as a face, just spots and shapes”, she said) however your explanations are concise and demo is so straightforward. I understand half tone and its purpose much better now. I haven’t had the heart to paint for a while now because it only made me feel her absence so painfully, BUT, now I am ready to get going on a whole lot of self- portraits for practice, then a whole lot of other ones I have in mind. Thank you so much.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend and mentor. But glad you're ready to get back into painting again. Good luck with the self portrait!

[@owltoolbox]

"The confidence to put down paint comes from knowing how to correct your mistakes." Alex Tzavaras. This is pure gold.

[@abnsrai]

using synthentic brush on top of hard bristel to achieve clean stroke was eye opener..thank you

[@richardsong8]

This is "the" demo! Best thing I've seen in painting demonstration, hands down. Absolutely remarkable. Straightforward. Simplified. Delivered with the same freshness, accuracy and economy as the paint (humour too!). Bravo, Maestro, and a deeply grateful thank you.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much!

[@CuentadeGil]

@@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting j

[@normancomerford6148]

CAUTION! - actual REAL ARTIST at work! Brilliant! - look out, Degas!

[@frankderuyck6268]

These are probably the best lessons on the entire internet concerning painting. Bravo!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much Frank! I'm really glad you think so.

[@francescamagali]

i dont really do traditional painting but i love watching these as i think the principles and tips here can apply to digital painting as well!

[@amylincolnrealagebeauty]

The way you loosely added the various tones was amazing and the detail of the eyes seemed so real! Thank you:)

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Amy! Glad you liked it.

[@jeffhreid]

Alex, excellent video. One of the obstacles people create to keep them from improving their art is to focus on the materials rather than technique and practice.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Indeed. Materials themselves won't make you a better painter, but finding materials that you like to use is a big part of developing your own personal style.

[@amalias8888]

You do the best job of teaching of anybody on youtube. I love your work.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much!

[@LizGridleyArtist]

Such a determined stare in this one Alex! Great work

[@richardsong8]

After reading the other comments, I thought to add; the intense gaze (artist trademark) strongly encourages engagement and attention. Well done!

[@chaitralib9523]

Every sentence is a lesson in itself to be held onto...one of the best vdos i hv seen! Thank you!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much! Glad it was helpful

[@ristohuber]

To the point, nothing superfluous, every sentence is worth taking note of. Very useful video(s), thanks a lot!

[@flash_b_3602]

This is outstanding! One of the best tutorials out there. I’m an absolute beginner and found this so helpful.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you!

[@peteodonald5440]

fabulously laid back delivery, and as good as it gets on the subject...loose painting shown as great fun....thanks..

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Pete! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@janlappalainen]

Thanks Alex. I've been painting for a while and still get important realizations from your vids on aspects of painting I have struggled with ( like the use of soft brushes for instance, I have always had trouble painting on wet paint, and I use only hog bristles. ) These videos have great, clear instruction on what you need to know regarding realistic painting, without going into copious amounts of information on things that you don't need to know.

[@markh7523]

As always Alex's clarity of explanation is Gold, thank you

[@silkymeadows126]

This is hands down the most useful video I have found to date! The title of the video was not doing a good judgement for what was to come, and I am so glad I didn't;t judge the book by its cover.

[@karasu9]

Alex, I just want you to know that I found your channel about 3/4 of the way through my second semester of a painting minor. There was something I'd been trying to paint, and kept trying to paint (a foot, lol) on and off throughout that time. I watched your videos like this one, struggling to get the toes in my painting right, and eventually decided to try out your advice to simplify my subject into major shapes and planes. I especially found useful the idea that the value of a bit of skin is determined by how directly it's facing the light source. That helped me harness an understanding of the shape of my subject that I had always had but didn't know how to use. Anyways, the toes I painted look incredible, probably better than anything I've done so far, and I could never have done it without your videos (or at least, it would have taken me much longer). Thank you.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Well done! Yes, understanding the form of whatever you are painting is very helpful. It doesn't need to be complicated, just what is facing the light source, what is turning away from the light source etc. I'm glad this was helpful.

[@brandoncornwell52]

Your channel is so great. As a self taught painter your videos are speaking directly to some of my technical problems, and I definitely appreciate how freely given your professional tips are, and your advice drawn from your experience is dense and full of meaningful instruction. Thank you so much

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much Brandon! Glad you think so.

[@Krista-k5v]

I appreciate how you explain how to fix the eyes and that it is the shapes underneath that have to be fixed. You are an excellent teacher. Great videos!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you! Glad this was helpful.

[@joejohnsoncube]

This would easily go above a million views. Best art teacher, expecting more....

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Joe!

[@aedcetera3583]

I love how candid you are

[@mickyleachlover]

Just found this upload and was immediately struck by just how well the artist was able to talk the viewer through his painting. Very inspiring with the step-by-step instructions and it makes me long to start painting again after a very long layoff. A great tutorial. Loved it

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you! Glad you liked it and it would be great if this got you painting again.

[@SimonWhitesideMusic]

beauty is in the eye of the brush holder (loosely) a fabulous video

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thanks Simon!

[@Musashi246]

"If you want your brushmarks to appear loose, you have to hold your brush loosely..." - Thousands don't know this xD

[@keepyourshoesathedoor]

It sounds like it is sarcastic and irritating but it’s not. It’s makes so much sense.

[@1woodcarver]

I keep dropping my brush lol

[@jeremye33]

From what I hear. Just hold on loosely, but don’t let go. If you cling too tightly, you’re gonna lose control.

[@thebelyahvlog7059]

@@1woodcarver me too 😂

[@tevinsinks8059]

I have a bad habit of holding the brush like a pencil. I messed my portrait up of my daughter and hopefully i will be able to fix it and I get carried away and mess up my tones. Now it's all gloomy. As always good videos and I'm gonna keep on practicing.

[@louisemackay1016]

I watch your videos on my tv for larger screen.This is so informative and clear instruction.The best I have come across.Thank you

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Louise! I'm very glad you think so.

[@loralynart32]

It takes alot of confidence to paint yourself from life and do it in front of a camera. Great tutorial, awesome painting

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you, glad you liked it.

[@slewp]

great video! thank you!

[@choccybuddha605]

Thank you for all the time and energy you put into making your wonderfully instructive videos Alex

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you! Glad you find my videos helpful.

[@ismailmecheire1745]

So this is a very nice self-portrait I ever seen

[@tukakuga]

the detail, care and patience you put into these is incredible and highly appreciated. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and skill with us!

[@kiteart]

Rare to find a great artist who is an equally great teacher. Well done!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much Kyral.

[@murraystaff568]

You have no idea how many videos I’ve had to watch to try and find this information! SOOOOO GOOOD! thank you!!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Glad it was helpful Murray

[@steveelliott8393]

This was really helpful. I'm an absolute beginner painter having only done two pictures; I found a lot to learn from. Thank you

[@jonathanbadcat5360]

You are really amazing! Love this style alot more than the over polished style. And you have a good relaxing vibe aswell.

[@edbianchi8839]

thank you, I learn a great deal more in 23.05 minutes, than a many of other classes

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Glad you found it useful Ed

[@paecpc]

Beside the demonstrations of the painting, I also love your BBC English, soothing to the ears. Thanks

[@beanstaIkjack]

I was just thinking that it sounds like he's reading, cos people don't talk like that, unless they're talking to infants about crossing the road or something.

[@yd3941]

A great artist combined with a wonderful teacher. Thank you!

[@ΕυαγγελοςΠαπαζησης-ζ6β]

Αλέξη κάθε φορά που βλέπω βίντεο σου βελτιωνομαι ειλικρινά σ ευχαριστώ...

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Ευχαριστώ Ευαγγελος! Χαίρομαι πολύ που τα βίντεό μου σε βοηθούν

[@adrienneklopack6796]

So many good tips rolled up into one video. Thanks for posting.

[@lkgupta]

The best demo video on loose painting! Thank you!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you!

[@kevinclarkson7036]

Super tutorial, huge amount of information delivered in the simplest terms whilst you observe the construction of the portrait. Sublime!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much Kevin!

[@steerpike5042]

The content is clear and logical; the delivery itself is enthusiastic and concise. A perfect tutorial

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Ben!

[@Artohmz]

this is perfect. Was wondering how to paint without blendinding since im using acrylics. This is the method i need

[@mgraham040258]

Very easy to understand. A gifted teacher.

[@l_rgn.02]

this is such an amazing video! I've learned more from this tutorial than those one hour videos haha! I haven't gotten the brushes I've ordered yet, but, once I do, I'll make sure to follow everything you've taught, and I'll continue to practice it! again, thank you! whoever's reading this, I hope you stay safe and have a wonderful day or evening :)

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much! Glad this video was helpful and good luck with your new brushes.

[@max-romano-santo]

Sir: for me, this is the best channel about oil painting. Thanks for share your knowledge, and greetings from Chile!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much. Glad you enjoy my videos.

[@wanyangchen9784]

Thank you for your videos. I've really learned a lot from them. It's one thing to read books on painting, and another thing to see an artist at work. It really inspires people to practice more right away.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Very glad you like my videos. All the best with your painting!

[@jamesbadham9665]

What a great way to spend some time on a COVID Friday. Brilliant painter and explainer. "The confidence to put down paint."

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@og1kanobi40]

Dropped more knowledge in this vid than 4 years of art school! Thank you Alex!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you. Glad it was helpful.

[@manoleioan6216]

Great harmony and great alternation between warm enlightened orange on the one side and grey-pink-violet on penumbra of the other side. I never imagined such warm shadow, but is very good because it brings forth the portrait plain on the grey-greenish background. The barb has a very god gradient from orange-grey (of same value as the background) to warm-dark green-ocher in close plain, which sustains the complementary vermilion of the lips. Single problem I see is the very little differentiation between cheeks and frontal bone as saturation, not only as light intensity... But entirely speaking it has great things and great potential to be continued and enriched in layers and deepened in expression...

[@manoleioan6216]

I love too my old paintbrushes, but I never intended to classify them on lucrative criteria. THANKS!

[@coralieceredig-evans4356]

Absolutely brilliant 👏 thank you Alex for not only sharing your knowledge like this, but for the extremely professional delivery. So inspirational.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much Coralie! Glad it was helpful.

[@graysimpson]

Thanks Alex. I always look forward to your videos 👍🏼

[@calvinbryant7860]

Appreciate your clear direction and commitment to good art instruction

[@dinosaur304]

I second what gary richardson has to say. This is a very helpful video that I have watched twice and will watch many more times. Your commentary makes a lot of sense, your choice of words is perfect. Thanks so much !

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much! Glad you found it helpful.

[@Artforall80]

One of the best demo videos I ever watched! Thank you so much 🙏🏻

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much Katie! So glad you found it helpful.

[@la_artramos2166]

Definitely one of the best instructional videos on KZbin. Thank you for sharing.

[@doddagopi4933]

Excellent job. Very informative. Great style. Thank you

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Dodda! Glad you like it.

[@PrincessAloeVera]

WOW this is one of the best oil painting tutorials I've ever seen. THANK YOU.

[@Drawing-Life]

Thank you for this video, it's wonderfully explained and de-mystifies the tools! Will refer this video to students for sure. So often we dont' stop to fully explore the tools, and just wade in. Love this - brilliant demo

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you, that would be very much appreciated

[@vijaychrisartwork131]

Thanks for an another cool video Alex sir , wonderful strokes , looking for more stuffs

[@anneturnbull6624]

Very clear explanation. Looking forward to more videos. Thank you.

[@betesther2776]

Thanks. Great explanation. Unpretentious. Had to smile, when the video opens the scene is in perfect colour harmony, and yet simple.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thanks Bet

[@sergiarts]

Glad to see you back Alex! Excelent video btw :)

[@noviakooh5597]

Thx u make my day so clearly .. learning to painting again

[@worshipforfreedom5682]

I'm going to grow a beard, thats about one third of the portrait sorted... Seriously this is the most useful demo I've seen on oil painting, absolutely brilliant. Looks so simple but so difficult to do, thanks Alex - keep them coming!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much! Glad it was helpful.

[@michaelwhite5255]

Thank you for this Alex. Has to be absolutely the best oil painting video I have ever seen! I have been painting for years and have never managed to achieve a painterly approach like this. After seeing this I will try to apply your techniques and hopefully improve my work. Your teaching is an inspiration.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Very glad lad you've found it helpful. Fundamentally it's all about simplifying your subject into big shapes.

[@chrisopen3]

Just brilliant. Full of useful insights and tips. Thanks again.

[@doukkalielhabib1727]

Thank you, Professor Alex I am from Morocco and I learned a lot of these wonderful and really useful lessons.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you find my videos helpful.

[@kimwatson3271]

What a Fantastic and Helpful video! Thank you so very much!!! I needed to learn all of this!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Kim! Glad it was helpful.

[@marsbtubesocks]

Your authenticity as an artist shines through. I enjoyed the video and found it to be helpful and informative. I was actually taking note and following your words which is hard to do! Thank you!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much Marissa!

[@gavinski98109]

This is a fantastic video, packed with really helpful information on brush types, brushwork, style, proportion, lighting and so much more. Thank you! I think I need to become a supporter of Alex’s over on Patreon.

[@gyusbrainrot7444]

Wow this is the most useful oil painting tutorial that i watched on yt thank you so much for these!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you! Very glad you think so.

[@garywillis7467]

Thank you Alex, for such a succinct and lucid summary of blocking and tiling - I wish I had been inducted into such technique when I was at art school. So much to learn - so little time - 🙏 Thank You

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Me too. I only started learning to paint properly in my thirties.

[@TocharaehD]

This is a hugely valuable video that gave me a lot of insight on painting. I'm primarily a charcoal and soft pastel artist, but I want to break into oil painting alla prima, and was unsure how I'd even start a portrait or even a figure. This video is invaluable to say the least.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much! Glad it was helpful.

[@RobertF-]

Amazing painting, and this is a brilliant tutorial. To get bold painterly brushwork you have to ignore a lot of details. Squinting the eyes not only helps see the tonal values more accurately but it also gets rid of a lot of details and makes it easier to paint an area as just one big brush stroke and leave out the details. This is why Sargent always squinted while looking at his subject but painted on his canvas with wide open eyes. Painterly brushwork is done by making the brush strokes big and bold. The bigger they are, the more bold they appear. Much like your impressive looking beard here sir, haha. To paint an area of a picture with one big impasto brush stroke that will mean there will be lots of little details that you will have to give up rendering. For example a big brush stroke on the nose could be filled with tiny little details, textures, skin pores, etc. But they have to be ignored and the area left as just one big brush stroke to get a painterly look. Many artists love drawing and painting every little detail possible to try and make it look as photographic as possible. But to get painterly brushwork you have to paint big brush strokes and ignore all the little details that could be rendered in that area. The bigger the brush strokes the more bold it will be, but if the brush strokes become too big so much detail will be left out that it will start to look unrealistic. So a balance is wanted where there are really big bold brush strokes, but still enough details and definition to make it look really realistic. If painterly painting is done with the right balance it looks like both bold big abstract brush strokes of thick impasto paint on a flat surface, and at the same time it looks like a really realistic image of a three dimensional form. This play of the balance between the two is what makes this style so visually arresting.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

I completely agree! I may have forgotten to mention squinting in this video, but a talk about it a lot in my other videos. And yes there is definitely a balance when it comes to the level of detail and realism. Not enough and your painting looks like a rough sketch. too much and it can be distracting. I think it's one of my favourite things in painting, how one can be selective with detail and only go into detail in certain parts of a painting to create something incredibly lifelike. Richard Schmid's landscapes spring to mind.

[@Catbooks]

@@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting I had to look up Richard Schmid's work. I see what you mean. Very nice. The photo at the top is a great example of that. Great use of colour too. Also love hhis painting below it of the waterfall www.pinterest.com/pin/554927985320106305/

[@thesharedexperience514]

Finally! A Proper Lesson😍 Tysm for sharing your work!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much!

[@simoncrump9106]

Thanks so much! I stumbled across your video just at the right time. As my portrait paintings progress I've started to become too precious about them and they've tightened up way too much. I'm not saying that simply watching your video has remedied my problem but it's certainly reset me off on the right track. Thanks so much! Simon

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Simon! Glad it was helpful.

[@jdware1]

This is brilliant. Such clear and detailed explanation.

[@ramiro3732]

This is definitely my favorite style of painting. Thank you.

[@sadbeans3911]

I learned so much from this. Thank you so much. Earned a new subscriber ❤️

[@toddswartartist6917]

Lots of great tips grounded in solid fundamentals

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thanks Todd! Glad you like it.

[@RakuRadio]

Excellent video. Enjoyed!!

[@mailie6403]

Fascinating to watch & very inspiring. Thank you.

[@joeyleaters]

Such a fantastic video and process. 🙏

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thanks Joey!

[@Gacktmoreaux]

the master is back!

[@step-1114]

He looks straight to your heart...

[@chengavitch10]

One of the most helpful videos on oil painting. Thank you for the input!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much David! Glad it was helpful.

[@kokotepeyac]

I'm learning so much from your videos! Loving your explanations and quality of painting! Thank you

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Miguel!

[@sketchartist1964]

I've watched several other video demos by academically trained painters and notice they tend to use rather small brushes to paint the entire head. They get very good results but they don't have that "big look" we see in painters like Zorn, Sargent, or Sorolla. Your demo does capture that look.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much!

[@liviaschliv0024]

This is an excellent tutorial! I am finally putting on my big girls pants and switching over to oils after years of plastic acrylic. I just can't use acrylic with good conscious anymore.... Thank you so much for your clear and easy to understand tutorials

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Well done Livia!

[@miajc6606]

Hello just out of curiosity, what are the differences between painting with acrylics and oils? I know acrylic dries much faster, does that make it harder to manipulate?

[@liviaschliv0024]

@@miajc6606 It is harder to manipulate but the good thing about acrylic is you can layer many colours on top of each other much faster which I enjoy. with oil you can blend colours beautifully . Still learning the differences myself though

[@johncooney417]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, very informative! I’ve always wondered how not to disturb oil paint underneath. I’ve never heard anyone else mention using softer brushes!!!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you John! Glad it was helpful.

[@kajwilstorp1483]

glad to see videos agin master alex

[@lynnralph8373]

Wow that was a great demo. Such good sense given in a short time. Inspiring.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much Lynn! Glad it was helpful.

[@JavierStanislas]

joining his patreon (after this video). wow on the narration. so many people lave out all those important details about the thought process.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you! Very glad you thibk so

[@arnoldbllaca7572]

One of the best videos ever...