Take Painting RISKS to Break Free (Painting Loosely)

Do your paintings look dull? Painting references not motivating you? This happens to everyone, but breaking free from this means taking risks. At least with your painting. Try a different color, bigger brush, thicker paint and paint like nobody is watching. The results may surprise you. What have you got to lose. Go for it!
✅ Take my FREE Painting course here: art.malcolmdewey.art/FreeCourse
🎨 Materials:
Art Materials:
- Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set: amzn.to/2sLyeQh
- Artists' Grade Gamsol Oil Color Size: 1 Liter: amzn.to/2tsbQve
- Oil & Acrylic Paint Brushes Set. 100% Natural Chungking: amzn.to/2QJPs8F
- Palette Knife Painting Set: amzn.to/39Isac6
- Artist Paint Brushes - Top Quality Red Sable : amzn.to/2rU0oYQ
- Brush Cleaner: amzn.to/2QoLN0R
- H-Frame Artist's Easel: amzn.to/2Fn2UtK
- Canvas panels for practice: amzn.to/2Fmuuax

[@patriciacoveney1]

Reminds me very much of Van Gogh’s thick paint especially the very dark. Blue tree on the left . It has the feel of one of his midnight skies. Good fun exercise, thank you.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Wow, thank you. Yes fun to try.

[@annnicholson5553]

This is my absolute favorite demo I've seen of yours, so far, as it is how I long to paint! I will be watching this over and over! Thanks so much for your amazing instruction!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@ZYosef-sd7wu]

It is beautiful. You are an amazing painter. "Something out of nothing", you say!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you so much 😀

[@awanuur7267]

I just realized that being able to make risky decisions on the canvas and live with the consequences makes you stronger and braver in real life too. Thank you for helping me to understand this!

[@MalcolmDewey]

My pleasure, thank you

[@ebbandflow8359]

Thank you Malcolm! This past week I've been stuck in a rut of sorts, and I've started and abandoned 6 paintings. I've just got to be brave, take risks, break through that mental barrier. Your work is inspirational and beautiful as always.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you very much - go for it!

[@barbarabrusilow3824]

All you create is absolutely amazing, Malcolm. ❤

[@MalcolmDewey]

You are very kind, thatnk you.

[@gregsage1605]

Your talking your thought process throughout the painting has really helped me.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks Greg, I'm glad make sense 😀

[@stephendickens-pf1zd]

Taking risks is my biggest obstacle

[@Ff-cw8yr]

That moment you took the tape off….I could replay that all day!

[@MalcolmDewey]

😊 the best part!

[@anikindarji875]

Thank you so much Dear Malcolm.....you're fantastic Artist! Good luck & keep up with your teachings!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you 😊

[@pennydefreyne]

This is beautiful and made me think of Vincent (V.G) because the colours absolutely glow!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Ah, you made my day!

[@MultiCII]

Your statement-paint for yourself…sooo important!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Yes 💯

[@sabinelloyd8532]

Thank you for this educational and entertaining tour of the expressionist. I will spend some pleasant hours looking up these artists .

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Sabine!

[@paulaelliott47]

This was excellent and it was so helpful to see the original photo inspiration and how easily you did your own "thing". Thank you.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you

[@staceyp5738]

Thank you for sharing how you develop you painting and how you play with color. This one is particularly lovely.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Stacey

[@dbauerlien]

Beautiful work! I struggle with the need to get things just so. This looks like a much more enjoyable way to approach painting. I’m definitely giving this a go.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@BarbrajoanOriginals]

I can see the confidence in your paint strokes, each one is put down and stays. ! Love when you added those pinks at the end ..... I can’t paint THIS loose but I like yours 🌴Tallahassee, Florida

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you so much!

[@marinashaduri7836]

Thank you, Malcolm! I like to play like that and, as you know, I often change the ref-colors. I enjoyed your painting process very much - so colorful and full of joy!. One problem we, as beginners, often have, is that cast shadows and, especially, shadows in tree leaves do look a bit unnatural. It is difficult to choose right tones and shades and we sometimes use one and the same shade for shadows of objects with distinct color and tint. It would be great if you focus on the problem of shadow colors in one of your future videos. Thanks beforehand and happy painting!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks Marina, yes that is a good suggestion 💯

[@sophiereinecke8659]

Lovely Malcolm! Enjoyable once again. I would like to endorse Marina Shaduri's request about shadow colors. Shadow colors together with mixing darks still poses a lot of problems for me as well. I look forward to your next innovative demonstrations. Thanks again,

[@MalcolmDewey]

Will do - Maybe the next live class will help too.

[@Jacksbox11]

Thanks, Malcolm!☺Hi from Ottawa! 🍁

[@MalcolmDewey]

Welcome!

[@traceyferreira8042]

I love watching you paint

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@maisie6904]

I absolutely loved this demonstration ❤

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you 😊

[@elizabethlineham4065]

Thanku Malcolm , wonderful learning😂

[@paulaverger4129]

I enjoy watching your videos so much. I’m looking forward to more on oil painting. Thank you so much.

[@MalcolmDewey]

You are so welcome!

[@a.r.4416]

This was absolutely delicious painting!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@judymills873]

I love it, I even love your palette! It the vibrant colours. Can’t wait to try it with mine

[@MalcolmDewey]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@janapeony8561]

Brilliant,love everything about this piece of art. Thank you for this helpful lesson!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you 😊

[@Katerina-vm2ok]

This is just gorgeous! Thank-you for the lesson!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad you liked it! Thank you

[@sanjnatsagdorj9710]

Very good lesson. Very productive for me.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad you liked it! Thank you

[@BOMBAY_CAT]

Very nice! Thank you!

[@---bg8hd]

Очень красиво!!!!👍👍👍👍

[@bobturano1247]

Thank you!!

[@joyconnellartist9251]

so refreshing and enjoyable. I love your videos !

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Joy

[@jerzyboczek749]

I've been painting a bit, but too detailed. It's hard to change habits, but I watch you and I think that you teach perfectly and I think I can do it. In addition, I am learning English and your pronunciation is clear, for which I thank you very much

[@MalcolmDewey]

You are so welcome!

[@lisastephens9703]

Wow...great painting 🖌️ Waynesville, North Carolina, USA

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@maryjamieson6299]

Love this Malcom! Thank you!

[@MalcolmDewey]

My pleasure!

[@dlp9282]

Nice to prioritize the freedom of PLAY over product. Nice demo.

[@natalykenny2069]

Absolutely loved it! Thank you, Malcolm!❤

[@MalcolmDewey]

You're so welcome Nataly

[@pepa1420]

You created something sooooo beautiful out of such a boring subject. INCREDIBLE!!! THANKS.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you so much!

[@conversationswithcanvas]

When the painting looks better than the reference 😍😍😍

[@MalcolmDewey]

💯😀

[@cherylfrank6468]

Loved that! Bless you, trees are my nemesis….. plus they can be boring in their sameness. But you have changed this for me. I love bright colours…. …. and you a so CALM❤️ Thank you, for helping me colour my world. … and for showing me how to paint trees while forgiving my errors . Yep, I’m impressed, and I’m a tough audience 🤡

[@MalcolmDewey]

That is kind of you - thank you!

[@cherylfrank6468]

@@MalcolmDewey thank you for your acknowledgment 👌🌈

[@chrisdalby6523]

Thanks Malcolm, Inspirational as always.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Much appreciated. thank you

[@Jeannine754]

Thank you. I needed both these loosen up videos and will try this very soon!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Wonderful!

[@ShirleiBarnes]

I’ve enjoyed this a lot! Thank you 🙂 great way to bring in the fun in painting.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@LeslieMillerAuthor]

I love this painting, what a fantastic video. I am inspired and running off to paint!!!!! Thank you Malcolm.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Wonderful!

[@boutchie06]

Wow, just beautiful and so informative! Thankyou!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@jansplanet]

Loved this yummy painting! Very inspiring to help me on the loosening up process. Thank you for being such a good teacher!

[@MalcolmDewey]

You are so welcome!

[@vs3151]

So beautiful !

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!!

[@Eva-iy6vy]

It is great fun and pleasure watching you painting . One brush stroke after the other and there it comes a beautiful landscape.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Eva!

[@kamleshsunak3176]

Thank you Malcolm. Beautiful, with pleasing colors.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Many thanks!

[@andreagreff2316]

You have helped me so much! Thank you!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Its a pleasure!

[@sculptures6753]

Enjoyed the loose and spontaneous brushwork as well as the varied colors. Thank you again for sharing.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad you enjoyed it!

I love these colours- so beautiful combination - thanks🥰

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Inga, nice of you to say that.

[@lisamd2138]

What a gorgeous painting! Beautiful and free.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you! 😊

[@vandanapremchand9175]

What a beauty. Your lessons and demos never fail to inspire.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you 😊

[@katrinamcminds8332]

I really enjoyed the colors that you chose and the risks you took, they really paid off. Thanks for the encouragement to take a leap 🙏🏼

[@MalcolmDewey]

Excellent, thank you

[@igorpiddubnyi3159]

Great demonstration. Thank you so much.

[@MalcolmDewey]

You are so welcome!

[@gardengrrlWendy]

I love it!!!!

[@FanOfLiberty1776]

Beautiful. Thank you

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you too!

[@olgatimofey5507]

Fabulous video, very encouraging!❤️

[@MalcolmDewey]

Excellent, thank you Olga

[@noumine]

I am very inspired by this. Will have to try this risk-taking more :)

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you

[@lisapelino6618]

Found this very helpful!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you 😊

[@yeshuaiscomingbackrepent2357]

It is beautiful. Thank you for the inspiration. I love risk taking in painting.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.

[@yeshuaiscomingbackrepent2357]

@@MalcolmDewey You are welcome!

[@christinapoulengeris]

Beautiful painting, excellent teaching and encouragement to be brave enough to take risks. Thank you!

[@MalcolmDewey]

It's a pleasure!

[@moiraventer1325]

Thanks for this one…..absolutely enjoyed……will give it a try 😀

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Moira

[@miriamtong8808]

Thank you Malcolm! Yes, this is what I want … to go for it and have fun 🤩 Watching this freed me up to try painting again a picture that had me in tears. The result is better, but can be pushed even more 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@MalcolmDewey]

Have fun Miriam. thanks

[@nicolepoumarede2423]

Magnifique resultat je vais aussitot vous ecouter et enfin prendre des risques merci merci pour vos conseils !

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@martigreen7229]

It’s really relaxing to watch and listen to your calming voice. I love your approach on simple brush work creating a beautiful painting. Thank you

[@MalcolmDewey]

It's a pleasure, thank you

[@selmaabbott7234]

This painting is gorgeous, much more beautiful than the picture that inspired you! Thank you so much for this lesson, because now I will take risks using some boring pics I've taken. I expect to get a great result as you did. I needed this kind of encouragement.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you so much 😀

[@marieklynch252]

One of your best!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@vatsalaradhakeesoon3729]

Thank you very much! I will try this technique soon. I've been much into abstract art for 2 years. But suddenly i feel like trying impressionist art. I love this video. Thank you Malcolm for being a great teacher. Take care! Vatsala from Mauritius

[@MalcolmDewey]

Wonderful!

[@pintorazer6006]

Thank you very much!

[@MalcolmDewey]

You're welcome!

[@petraschultz7292]

Great lesson !

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you

[@calayajwilliams6567]

Hey Malcolm, I too enjoyed this demo very much. The finished piece i like a lot. As You know I'm in your artist live class but living near the arctic circle where we are having yet another severe winter storm; our Fairbanks Airport is still closed today(12/27/21). So I am watching as many of your mix vids as possible. Learn something more on each so far. warm regards

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, keep up the good work 🙌

[@judywebster7972]

Just discovered your channel and tried a small 8x6in in the way you paint, it turned out fab for a first try, will definately continue working this way for a while👍

[@MalcolmDewey]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@karenemmerich2572]

So interesting! Thank you for sharing :)

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you. 😊

[@a.m.6208]

Beautiful 😻

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you! 😊

[@bruh-yu5du]

Thank you! I'm trying to start painting more loosely, which is hard since I'm a bit of a perfectionist lol. Your work inspires me :)

[@MalcolmDewey]

Enjoy it!

[@leesaunders5495]

This looks like fun and I can feel the risk at the same time.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks Lee, now you are reaching for more paint 😇

[@123tabatha]

WOW

[@kalavathymoses1028]

I find your videos very helpful. Thank you

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you for watching!

[@marryamakbaar3014]

Beautiful 💖

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you! 😊

[@roselynbaruch3697]

So happy 😊 to have found you fellow s African, would love to know about you. Have a lot of nostalgia for my roots.I left SA 50 years ago to live in Israel. As for your channel I am super excited! Thank you 💗

[@MalcolmDewey]

Ah I hope you enjoy the 🇿🇦 scenes. 😊

[@ilmasfutehally]

Thanks Malcolm! I love the thought of taking greater risks with my painting. No more sticking to blues and greens!!

[@MalcolmDewey]

If the values are right you can use any color you want. Imagine that 🎨

[@ilmasfutehally]

@@MalcolmDewey wow! That's quite a thought!!!!

[@bodawei425]

Very interesting approach. Very important also, to be able to 'let it go'. A risk with not much at stake, as you say, and a lot of fun. Thank you! 😄

[@MalcolmDewey]

It's a pleasure

[@zahrachowdhury4049]

Great video, fantastic artist, excellent teacher

[@MalcolmDewey]

Wow, thank you

[@brendadasher2214]

love your painting

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@mmartin00055]

What I am learning from all your paintings is to look for the subtlety in the reference; to find the little changes of color/light that at first glance doesn't look different, then exaggerate that color in the portion of the picture. Now I just have to convince myself to 1) take the risk, and 2) not overwork the paint by seeking the details.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Very true - it can help to set aside time and mix colors. Like paint store swatches - just mix colors and see what you like. When painting time begins you have a few tricks up your sleeve to try out 😎

[@robertafletcher1392]

Beautiful

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you

[@marinab106]

Malcolm, this is yet another fabulous creation of yours and an absolutely inspiring tip, especially as everything is way too green around here, so I might just have to create my own view! Lol!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Many thanks Marina. I am looking forward to trying one of your Alpine scenes too.

[@simonapalosan3208]

Hi Malcom, I am looking to take your course. I started oils (work in watercolour and pastel) lately and the impressionist way speaks volume to me. I particularly enjoy the immediacy and unpredictability of the less mixing on the palette. This is also the way I work the other mediums. Thank you for the videos.

[@MalcolmDewey]

You are welcome, you will certainly enjoy oil painting and it's versatility.

[@simonapalosan3208]

@@MalcolmDewey Thank you for prompt answer. And oh I am also attracted by the nonuse of medium. I go back to your video :)

[@simonapalosan3208]

And I like too your 'malcomy' way of explaining :)

[@GoldStarWork]

The risk definitely paid off.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you

[@judymiller8883]

WOW Malcolm, this is fantastic! When I saw the initial reference photo I was thinking, “how can he possibly make this look interesting because It’s all green!” Thank you for explaining how you see and push color to make the final painting so interesting and beautiful!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Great to hear you enjoyed it, thank you

[@oficinamaolivre]

thank you! like

[@zvonkagredelj537]

Thank you! Your painting is very inspiring!

[@lenamahayni6216]

Thank u , very nice demo Would u talk 2us about high key Vs low key paintings ...pls

[@MalcolmDewey]

Try this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGizfId3abF9jdE

[@callmedeno]

I have been following all the usual advice for clean colour notes, even with thin layers underneath I never get clean notes of brighter colour on top with hard edges, it just always seems to mix at the edges, I tried angling, gently applying maybe I just have to go super thick with the paint. Although it doesn't look like like you are using a massive amount of paint

[@callmedeno]

And unfortunately I have made two attempts at extreme loose painting and both ended by not walking away at the right time and messing them up! I lost my temper and smacked the canvas after the second one. One danger of taking risks when you are relatively new is it can affect confidence, I noticed I did a less loose painting just 2 days ago that I was extremely happy with but then a couple of bad exercises and all is forgotten. I've found oils to be a lot more difficult technically than I first thought, I thought coming from watercolour that at last I can make mistakes and change as I go, just place the colour exactly where I want it, but damn it blending, mixing, detail, getting the right edges, even just laying out the paint over bigger areas can be quite challenging.

[@MalcolmDewey]

All the issues you describe are quite common and will resolve with practice a lot quicker than you may feel right now. A tip that helps transition to oils is to paint your first layer in acrylics. All the main shapes. Then go ano the dy arylic with your oils to complete the painting. You can keep the process if you like it or gradually more into only oils. May oil painters worked this way.

[@callmedeno]

@@MalcolmDewey Thanks Malcolm that's good to hear. I will consider acrylics when I'm buying supplies, I do have a preference for the most direct method of painting, quite similar to your demos / studies where you just do things directly and discover the painting as you as you go. One thing about doing things in a vacuum is your travails may feel out of proportion when they are just rites of passage.

[@MalcolmDewey]

@@callmedeno Well said!

[@theponderingpilgrim4342]

What a fantastic landscape scene Malcolm. The thick brush strokes and harmony of colours create a superb painting outcome. I find keeping the same pattern of lights & darks, now to be easier, as I have starting introducing the completion of a Notan like you have suggested in other video tutorials (your free painting course). It has helped me already with this aspect quite a lot. Thank you so much for suggestions/guidance using this approach. However, I do have a separate question, I am using WMO Paints, sometimes I find it difficult to get the paint to go on thicker (on top of a blocked in layer). In your opinion is it better to try a different type of brush (using Synthetic brush like you suggested in a video for WMO paints) like say Bristle hog version? The synthetic sometimes I have noted, doesn't seem to want to keep it's shape when you attempt to layer thicker paint onto a painting with it. Like when I try to load it up with more pigment, the hairs almost just seem to want to splay out in a sideways direction. Or is it just I am using the synthetic brush incorrectly?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you - regarding brushes, synthetic brushes do not handle thick oil paints well. Even with WMO paints it is better to use natural bristle in a good quality brush that keeps its shape. You can soften the paint a little with literally a few drops linseed oil. That should solve the problem.

[@theponderingpilgrim4342]

@@MalcolmDewey thanks Malcolm for your guidance it is very much appreciated. I will give the bristle brushes a go, use a bit of oil to soften as you have suggested.

[@johnmoran7238]

Thank you Malcolm, another wonderful demo! My own paintings are slowly becoming looser and less constrained thanks to your videos. I can see that your techniques work wonderfully on a small canvas but is it possible to use a large canvas and still have that loose feel?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Yes it is, but it takes a real mind shift as far as how much paint you use and brushwork. Ideally you use a very big brush and tubes of paint. Some artists use painting knives more. You could start with acrylics for big shapes then paint over in oils when the acrylics are dry. This saves time and may save costs too. Discipline and a free spirit come together 😄

[@4z5gngin]

in my second painting i have oil drawn a ukaliptus tree' it was awfull'i decided to erase it so i script it'' i was amazed to see a beauty of a tree

[@ofosuappeah4654]

Everything you say here fits in with my understanding of how painting should be approached. I can feel the resulting freshness and the solution it provides for the problem of dead spaces. However I am concerned with how you ensure that your values remain precise in the absence of underpainting and a monochrome notan study. Maybe I am trapped between two approaches where detailed preparatory studies can produce correct paintings which are unexciting or exciting paintings which ignore a huge body of precious and useful knowledge in painting. i can tell when I watch you at work that you have done it for years so the knowledge about correct values is something you have at the level of your spinal cord. What would you say about that?

[@MalcolmDewey]

It is good to do notan studies to get familiar with value mass shapes. I have done those for this scene before. I will seldom do a detailed underpainting or drawing as that keeps me thinking about lines instead of shapes. Try painting outdoors to break habits that keep you overvworking a scene. You will learn to see the values and paint them too.