Fantasy and Magic - Oil Painting with Stuart Davies Part 1

I paint the first part of a seascape which is based on somewhere I've visited and show you a few tricks on how to improve your painting skills.
If you would like to get involved in my Zoom painting lessons, here's the link:
stuartdaviesfi...
Colours used: Royal Blue, Payne's Grey, Sap Green, Titanium White and Red Ochre.
The sketchbook: etchedstonepaper.com
The oil paints I use are from Lefranc & Bourgeois and you can get it here: www.jacksonsar...
The plywood is Okoume. For more info try Google.
My website: stuartdaviesfineart.com
/ stuartdaviesartist
Instagram : @stuartdavies385
A big thank you to my wonderful patrons, with your help I was able to produce another video, thanks to your kind contributions.
My Patreon page: / stuartdaviesartist
#stuartdavies #learnoilpainting #paintingclouds

[@di4237]

No, Stuart...keep talking, we learn so much from you when you keep talking. Listening to you and watching you paint is a privilege, thank you Stuart.

[@di4237]

It's me again, Stuart...Di from the comment above. I also have the same health problems as you, though not quite so severe, by the sound of it. So I do appreciate how hard it is for you to function, some days are worse than others, thank you Stuart for your wonderful, wonderful videos.

[@Jens_Art]

Still watching the video but I just wanted to comment here how much I enjoy listening you while you paint. 💜😍 Your videos are always a pleasure to watch! 👍👌

[@raccoonlittlebear6476]

Oh teacher, my teacher! Thank you for all you do! I just did a painting last evening, about six hours ago. It's 3:00 am here in New Mexico & I think I'm too excited to look at my painting again, (rather than sleep, lol). 😊 Now your video popped up so sleep is out of the question, hehehe. If I were to sum up what you have taught me about painting thus far, in three words, I'd say "fearless, dynamic attack!" - or - "just do it!" God bless you & heal you kind Sir.🙏

[@StuartDavies]

Thank you! Comments like yours keep me going, but please try to get some sleep! :-)

[@raccoonlittlebear6476]

@@StuartDavies Hehehe, good advice.😊😴

[@jinimurray4090]

@@raccoonlittlebear6476 How close are you to the Arizona boarder- I enjoyed your sentiments (I am SE BOARDER with NM Be fun to know someone else locally who loves Stuart’s Drama, too

[@raccoonlittlebear6476]

@@jinimurray4090 Hi! I'm in the middle of N.M. & often paint the Monzano & Sandia mountain ranges. The SW states have such a great variety of landscapes. Stuart is a very liberating & amazing teacher! Do you paint in oils or acrylics?

[@jinimurray4090]

@@raccoonlittlebear6476 - oil is favorite Then watercolor then ink /doing Chinese bamboo. I live very close to Mount Graham. (View from house) Doesn’t seem like we are that far apart. I have a gallery in progress if you might be interested in that sort of thing - also I found a fantastic way to sell art! Are you ready to sell?

[@robertwebber3733]

Watching you painting is a treat. Thank you for being so selfless. Your conversation and your painting, most enjoyable.

[@dlanger78]

Stuart, you are one of the most influential artists I've ever seen and also your tone is so soothing. I wish you safe health, we all do ❤️

[@Robocop-qe7le]

Yes we do!:)

[@sandyxavier7093]

Yes yes yes!

[@stewartcameron3699]

I too see things on my boards from ( casual or convenient strokes), I call them a stroke of luck. I really enjoy your humor and those memories you share. Most of all, I love your art. Live long and prosper.

[@CarlottaART]

I missed you Stuart. I truly hope you're feeling better. I love to watch you paint and tell stories. I've learned so much. Thank You ♡

[@Georgeorwell1984s]

Wonderful yet again , please stay well just take care of yourself all the very best to you. I am in constant excruciating pain every day, your videos keep me going , thanks again.

[@StuartDavies]

Sorry to hear that and I hope things improve for you.

[@julieb5745]

So sorry your heart is being a rascal. Thank you for sharing with us. Sending you and yours warm healing thoughts.

[@CSHayes]

Stuart, I really enjoy listening to you talk while painting. Hope your health improves.

[@spikeg.jr.4893]

Always love how you teach to paint with your imagination. It is amazing seeing how much detail you can make with low priced hardware store brushes!

[@sukihitz291]

This is a wonderful piece! Please do not stop talking and telling your stories while you paint! That is part of the magic of your videos…do take good care of yourself, my friend. Thank you for all you do for us!💕💕💕

[@sandyxavier7093]

I learn heaps from watching your videos and enjoy listening to your encouraging down to earth commentary. Thank you so much and please stay well.

[@kathryntitus9647]

I like the term meaningful messes to describe those accidental marks that work so well. Which reminds me of a saying I once heard: "out of the MESS comes a MESSage".

[@Matlacha_Painter]

Stuart thank you for sharing your creative process with all of us. Watching and listening to you has helped my painting immeasurably. Thank you. And I want to reassure you with respect to your health, to trust medical science. In 2016 I was told I only had a 10% chance of surviving surgery and I am still alive and painting 6 years later. So do not despair and keep painting.

[@mickideandalusia3676]

Dear Stuart. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are my great role model. Your seascape is wonderful and there is something deeply symbolic about the cliff. Hugs from Michael/Spain

[@DineseBeckert]

When I found you, I did not feel alone in just having fun and letting the brushes work for you. The fanciful imagination has a full canvas to play. You gave me strength to keep playing this way, it's been the best teaching I could imagine because I am curious, there is nothing I can do wrong and I can always fix everything. The greatest joy?> You said: "if you marry your painting, you will not be free" Totally!!! Do all your work FOR YOURSELF, your joy, your WHATEVERS! Be kind to yourself, meditate in the eve, and do breathing exercises. Envision your wellness, the Buddhist's knew one thing: OUR MINDS CAN HEAL OUR BODIES .....If we want it..... If we believe it..... YOU GOT This!!!!!

[@CarlottaART]

....one more thing, to answer your question...I love your landscapes with big bold skies, flowing land and trees...but I'll watch you paint anything 😊🎨😎

[@darleneemerson667]

Hello Stuart Davies, I so enjoyed your Sea Scape painting! Thank You FOR YOUR GIFT OF TEACHING! Thank You for sharing the gifts when people give so generously give to you.

[@dimitrageramani3415]

Stuart..thank you so much 💓

[@coramuller6065]

👋Good evening, Stuart. The painted structures of the chalk cliffs and the sea are very impressive and beautiful. They also go well with the truly spectacular sky, whose clouds you have created superbly. The waves crashing on the beach still have enough power to sweep you off your feet, although they are already shallower. True eye-catchers par excellence are the structures of the chalk cliffs, the sea and above all the sky. Next to them, the greenery on top of the cliffs pales a little, although also interestingly "designed". As always, a harmonious colour scheme throughout. All in all, another painting of yours that makes one wish one could paint so well oneself. Thank you, and have a good weekend. 💖- (Since you already ask, I prefer your landscape paintings, and clouds are most times included.)👍

[@clydeletreta6325]

God guided you back to shore in the storm so you could teach us oil painting years later.....thank you Lord for watching over Stuart Davies 🙏🤙❤️ Amen..

[@jakes9708]

I like the variety of subject matter and perspectives you paint: skyscapes, landscapes where you're grounded in it, landscapes where you're looking out over a large expanse, seascapes, closeups of trees, desert mountains, etc.

[@MuskegonRose]

What do I like? I like all of it. Landscapes, seascapes. Skies, and portraits.

[@geebee1514]

Mr. Davies..I finally got a chance to watch you paint again and I'm loving it so much. You mentioned someone wanted you to stop talking. Well I'll tell you right now...please talk. I enjoy your commentary. I don't like watching silent painting videos..or videos with blaring music. Thank you for being you..and sharing your talent with us!!..And I'm glad you're feeling well😊

[@seanfarrellsullivanhasemotions]

If only the mass of the public artists knew that Stuart is literally one of the most successful and innovative artists living today. Years and years he has spent finding himself evolve and keeping simplicity in mind. He is the Michael Jordan of fine art.

[@eavenp5795]

please Stuart say and do what ever you like :) you are great just as you are !!!! thank you for all your time and instructive lessons !!!!!!!!!!!!!! praying for you and yours

[@Catwoman1464]

I really like the extra information about the cliff eroding or a storm coming to explain the details

[@RodCast2012]

You are amazing!

[@KarlEBrand]

Oh my! I’m so glad you’re back and wishing you all the best of health and happiness, now and forever! Love your painting tutorials!!

[@dennisrperrin9122]

I like the way your composition develops apparently by magic. “Nice/interesting mistake” “Useful mistakes” “Artistic accident” “Accidental friend” THAT palette knife now on my subconscious list of must-haves!

[@kathryntitus9647]

Wow! Etched stone paper. This is intriguing! In the US they are marketing bath mats made of a stone material, which absorbs moisture better than fabric. I used to have some sandstone coasters at one time and used to sell them in a gift shop where I worked.

[@lindacamarata3592]

Love watching you paint in real time no skipping any step

[@StuartDavies]

Thank you so much 😀

[@zohrehzarnegar4433]

With this, you turned around my sorrowful day. Thank you for being here. Keep painting and keep talking Stuart. Blessings.

[@tekoanow]

Stewart. I have been painting for quite a few years more or less successfully . Mostly fairly realistic and no I don't paint each leaf but I do use a lot of colors. Still I have always felt somewhat restricted. Anxious that I would receive the comment " Are you going to finish it? Or "I never saw a tree that color".finally after watching your video's for the past few years I took the plunge. I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am to you. I have heard you repeat the same mantra hundreds of times and finaly something clicked. I had feared that tonalism was taking the "easy way out". What I found was that when i concentrated less on the technical aspects of painting it allowed me to express myself more freely. The painting the became less about recreating it and more about letting something out. Sorry for the rambling Stay well and please keep teaching Eli a grateful student

[@user-sv7ev8pc2i]

Это великолепно! Не могу оторвать глаз от пейзажа! Спасибо большое!❤

[@ginnibrower596]

First hearing your voice and listening to your wisdom is part of the pleasure of watching your videos. I enjoyed this painting and particularly that you softened the background and sky which seemed to push it farther behind the cliff. Thank you for sharing. Please stay well. From America.🤗👍🙏

[@StuartDavies]

Thank you so much!

[@vickiebourgeois6068]

I'm not usually a big fan of seascapes but this is gorgeous and may be my favorite of all the paintings I've seen you do over all the years I've been watching!

[@BJones-yw4dd]

Thanks for another wonderful video, Stuart -- truly monumental in many ways. Also for sharing that interesting new product, etched stone paper. Be well and take care of yourself. Hugs and admiration from Salzburg...

[@MonicaLovesDogs]

Loved the story about your 12 hour ordeal at sea! Now we know why you prefer calm seas😁

[@Doppy34]

I am happy to see you back on your feet. Was really worried when you didn't show up online. I so wish your health could improve. Take care please. Your paintings and your talking give me so much pleasure and I often have to lol about your remarks. The irony and the selfmocking are precious. About brushes: I clean mine with dishwasher soap and like you, only the ones that ik really want to keep. After having cleaned them on paper I put them in a jar with lukewarm water and soap and clean them as good as possible, then to the next jar with clean water and soap and rinse them on my hand and finally use jars with clean water to rinse the soap out. THe cheap brushes I clean when the used soap water is stille usable to clean them, if not I don't. Like you I think the costs are not worth it and it is bad for the environment. Thank you for all you share with us. I greatly appreciate it.

[@carolray5467]

Hi Stuart, I read about the morning cloud just now. Put your video on pause for a minute. Obviously, that was quite the storm. Having been on sail boats a lot in years past, I can appreciate the difficulty you had, rescuing both the boat and the sleeper. My hat is off to you!

[@MrBoudarbala]

thanks Stuart and I am happy you re keeping it up all the best 🙏

[@elleneimla6620]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Everything you do is very amazing! I have gained an incredible amount of knowledge and tricks from your videos, but above all more courage to experiment. No, no, please don't stop talking because it's always interesting to listen to and always informative. Thanks so much for all you do and for sharing this!!!

[@lisengel2498]

#phantasy& magic - i love to paint from that deep experience - and I love your very related way of w’et in w’et Oil painting - its true magic 🎶💜🎵🦄

[@johnhoag4698]

I think you are a great teacher, raconteur, artisr and overall fascinating individual. I hope your health holds. (I have my own health dealio and am dealing with it daily with great doctors at The University of Washinton). Let's cheer on the Dylan Thomas 'rage against the dying of the light' and I recall Yeats' ideas about aging.

[@mz6267]

I just found this video in my KZbin feed. I’m not much of an artist, I just enjoy painting on the weekends to relax. I really enjoy learning from expert artist and trying to improve. I really enjoyed this video. I’ll be looking for more videos to watch.

[@robindupont6399]

Hello, thank you for this video. Very grateful you are in the land of the living. Love William Turner--he was a very prolific artist.

[@maciejszkudlarek5340]

I have been traveling from Poland to UK multiple times I was always happy to see white cliffs of Dover when I was taking a ferry from Dunkirk. I miss living in UK. So many beautiful places. Especially Scotland I have to say I have seen the most beautiful skies, Once I have spent a night with few friends in Arish Mell it is a part of Jurassic Coast. Beautiful place!

[@granthudson-artist-painter]

We are sorry to hear you havn’t been well. Love all your painting “ scapes “, love Turner , love your interesting talks !

[@spassmerdjanoff]

Wonderful thanks Stuart😊

[@jesuschrist872]

Beautiful work, Sir. Get well soon.

[@normanclement3733]

Thank you for spending time again sharing your talents as well as your thoughts and stories. They are always a highlight on an incredible painting. Thanks for sharing the ideas of how to do calm beaches. Your talents are a blessing.

[@deborahdoll4111]

Just sent your video link to a budding artist friend of mine. You bring freedom of expression to the act of painting for all of us. Take care, our friend.

[@Jason5000]

I love the banter and I wouldn't change a thing about that and I for one love seascapes and have been trying to draw and paint in my opinion the 2 most difficult things and those are water of any sort and trees!

[@sseepersad5836]

Beautiful sea scape Stuart..I love sea scape ..water is so peaceful to look at

[@RSSIPPEL.ART.]

I like the texture that you pick up in the gesso's coats when you wipe back paint; with a paper towel. Interesting, how those thin washes, in the ground textues; help your overall paintings' details. Magical isn't it? I paint listening to you; your technical advice gives me great ideas, for my own work. You're an excellent professor.

[@MuskegonRose]

PLEASE keep taking!

[@maxboonkittypoison]

It is such a joy seeing you paint. And talk. I would not wanna have it any other way. Just real time painting with narration. Don't mind you are sometimes in the way for a couple of seconds. That is normal. I'm happy to say you are not invisible :D Greetings,, Kitty.

[@fionadent7800]

Brilliant, thank you Stuart for the close ups of the sky! That is going to help me judge my own attempts at smoothing (its my favourite bit of your videos and the results are so atmospheric). 😁 Thank you!

[@matthewrose6685]

Thanks so much Stuart for showing us all this amazingly effective, loose, tonal technique.. This is so liberating and encouraging to see. I have for years though that you can only be a 'great artist' if you can paint 'every leaf on every tree'. I've bought some oils and will begin painting again for the first time since leaving school 35 years ago. I struggled with gouache back then but always loved the art department. With you and our mutual love of Turner for inspiration, Im off to create some drama in my skyscapes! I'm a Sussex dweller too. Hope all the heart monitoring goes well.

[@stubaker2574]

glad your back and hope health improve's in short time as Im sure it will so hang in there and keep creating beautiful painting's....

[@davemalt2451]

Always great to watch a boss painter at work. Very sorry to hear of your health problems Stuart, I hope the docs can get you sorted soon. Thanks for another terrific lesson.😎🇦🇺🦘

[@bonniestasser6950]

So glad to see you back painting and presenting videos. Continued prayers for your health as well. ❤️🙏🏻

[@deborahdoll4111]

I went on google earth this afternoon and was transported to the cliffs at Dover. I found the view of the cliffs from the perspective of your painting. Spot on. When you spoke of your memory, although I don’t review the daily visuals before I sleep, my memory does appear as a picture of that which I wish to recall. Even childhood memories appear in my mind in vivid color photos. I just thought this was normal. I also recall the texture of surfaces. I often feel compelled to touch things.

[@carolray5467]

I’m intrigued by the paper. I look forward to seeing the results of your sketches and paintings on it.

[@goodsine3724]

I love listening to you talk Stuart. So funny today, I was working on nearly the same painting... I took a break and this video popped up in my feed. We don't have those beautiful chalk cliffs but our shores across the pond are similar. We have sand dunes and sandy beaches as well as clay bluffs and rocky cliffs. Sorry to hear about your heart problem. Hope you get your energy back and feel better soon!

[@anthonydimichele837]

I studied Mezzotint engraving in Nantes, and my teacher would say absolutely nothing. I would stand behind him while he scraped & burnished his rocked plate. He didn't like questions either. I learned a heck of a lot... but I felt I could have learned more if we had had some verbal exchanges! Keep talking, Stuart!

[@kathryntitus9647]

As to the recycling question you asked us, I don't know how it works in Europe, but in the states 75% of what we put in the recycling bin ends up in the landfill anyway. I would suggest the best thing to do if you have the time and want to go to the trouble is to take the metal part off the paintbrush and put it in the recycling bin. We can't recycle wood where I live that I know of, it would probably be best to burn it in the fireplace. The bristles of course cannot be repurposed for anything unless somebody wants to use them in some sort of 3D art and crafts type of thing. Any object that is comprised of more than one type of material poses a lot more work to be recycled or repurposed.

[@janerayner6375]

Another inspiring video to watch and listen to, please keep talking Stuart, hearing your thought processes as the painting progresses is one of the things that keeps me coming back.

[@marijolopes]

Welcome back!!😊

[@suzanneprins2723]

I love this painting - fantasy ✅ magic ✅ - as always I learn so much - and please don't ever stop talking to us Stuart 😊

[@elainepettit2292]

Your white cliffs bring back wonderful memories of many holidays in Eastbourne with my late husband. Birling Gap was a favourite spot.Thank you so much. Stay well and keep talking.

[@darrenquinnell5494]

Amazing work love watching you .

[@NMGH]

I'm so happy to see a new video, Stuart! Please keep up the commentary, it's a delight--I feel like I'm in the same room with you as you paint. Wishing you all the best with your health issues.

[@evajansevanrensburg5282]

Your sky is beautiful as it is

[@timharrison4983]

Thank you for another wonderful painting. I really enjoy your painting and conversation. You are an inspiration to this newbie to painting. You explain yours steps and it’s so helpful. I hope your feeling better. Please continue talking as you go.

[@sonja11.11]

I do love watching you paint. I am learning and do wish I could loosen up. I go in with the best of intentions and get tighter as I go along to the point where I have to make myself go and paint sometimes. I guess I'm scared of messing it all up. Here in Australia we have gorgeous beaches and sunsets. I wish I could paint them all.

[@christaylor4145]

Very sorry to hear you haven’t been well, I always enjoy your paintings but I was particularly interested in this one as I know the Birling Gap quite well , I love the end result, keep up the good work, and all the best to you, and hope you keep well.

[@raygarlick7385]

Another welcoming watch thanks sir

[@kathryntitus9647]

Another satisfying upload! Thank you so much. 🙏💕

[@TheBereangirl]

Stuart!☺️ 😩Aw...my husband is going to wear a heart monitor for 2 days. 😒 I hope and pray you get good news, Stuart.💕

[@bgordon6086]

Spontaneous slips

[@maureenbrophy7852]

Keep well🌺. Love your paintings👏👏

[@fionadent7800]

I was scrolling through images of Turner paintings the other day and there it was - red ochre or similar in the sky. I liked your inclusion of the sea in today's vid, mostly I like skies but I am getting more interested in the landscapes too. Thank you!

[@treborob]

Love this one Stuart!

[@Bigdaddy48]

Consider my life . . .enriched. Thank you.

[@janeymo8477]

Another fabulous painting ❤ I live about 20 miles inland from Birling Gap, your painting is very evocative. Regarding your dulcet tones, don’t you dare stop talking! And as to what I’d like to see you paint, I wouldn’t mind a winter scene at some point before Christmas 😁❄️

[@margaretcameron5358]

So love watching… it’s amazing how you bring* it al together , to me so easy 👍

[@margaretcameron5358]

I mean you make it look so easy and seems to flow on to the canvas

[@InvertedPopesMusic]

Amazing as always a true joy to watch and learn.

[@johannebeerbaum1546]

I needed some fantasy today with all the horrendous criminality in my country to chase away the happiness…..

[@jpguttersnipe]

My suggestion would be "serendipitous error". Another useful video. Thank you.

[@lizzydrippingart8101]

Love your videos Stuart your content is so inspiring! Don’t stop chatting it’s good banter 😊 I love sea and sky paintings , I’m also on the mend so would love to come to France for a class next year , hope you recover well 😊take care

[@StuartDavies]

Thanks so much 😊 And I hope you recover too!

[@loettafriedemann3727]

I really enjoy watching your tonal techniques, or style. I have never seen anyone paint with that ability, and comfort. The ease of your technique amazes me. I want to try your process. I just haven't found the place to do it yet. space and place are lacking for me at the moment. I am doing watercolors. In a much more controlled and planed manner. I like my paintings as do others, but Im a little bored doing them. I'd like to try pushing paint around a little more freely. Until I have a place I can safely chance using oils etc, I will have to enjoy your videos.

[@Paul-su3qh]

Hi Stuart, I've just been watching this video over again, during the day, I might add, and I was very impressed by each phase of the process including the issues you faced in trying to get the paint to do what you want it to do. Yes, one can indeed really appreciate the fantasy and the magic that emerges as you blend the colours to great effect. Then I heard you ask the question as to what type of genre people like, e.g.: Landscape, Seascape, etc. So I thought I would share my preferences, which are Landscapes (my foremost preference), followed by the occasional Seascape, Cityscapes, animals, and the occasional attempt at portraits, which I am beginning to get better at, so I keep trying. Like you Stuart, I do not like using turps of any kind, I love using oil mediums and also Liquid fine detail, and oleogel which is a very thick paste like gel. I also like using paint strait from the tube and mixing on the Canvas. I use glazes on occasion too and especially love to oil in as the painting nears completion and has been allowed to dry between stages. Nevertheless, I am so impressed with the methodological style of your painting, many of which have that old masters feel about them, as I have mentioned before. You are certainly one artist worth following and I am so happy to watch, listen, and learn from your channel including the advice and talkover too. Hope you are continuing to keep well despite your condition and I continue to wish you well. Thanks for sharing everything. Take care now and waiting for your next enterprise.

[@keywansaffari8540]

Very nice thank you ❤😊

[@warrenreid500]

Excellent work mate from perth

[@Robocop-qe7le]

Hi Stuart, funny thing is that I had the same thing done recently - sleep study and Holter/EEG monitoring. Very uncomfortable and couldn't sleep at all with 3-4 dozens of wires hooked on me and a huge plastic/metal box on my chest. Can only 'sleep' in one position, like a mummy. :) Good you made it through and happy to see you again.

[@StuartDavies]

Thanks for sharing! It isn't a lot of fun. Let me know how it goes.

[@johnloyd3996]

Thanks Stuart🙂👍

[@johnloyd3996]

A nice Chalk stream would be interesting, there is a lovley chalk stream in the Uk called the Lambourn, i have been looking at Monet he was good at capturing water well, good to see another painting a pleasant watch. Kind Regards

[@debbiemay3265]

Very pleased to see you back with your big brushes that you make magic with...just love your english voice it's kinda sexy in a proper way of course.. wishing you heart healing stuart..

[@didgeridooblue]

I suggest the phrase "random effects" to describe the variations in the painting.