Watch This Before You Buy Oil Painting Materials

[@selftrue670]

Chris, you never cease to amaze and impress me. You are, without a doubt, the most effective oil painting instructor on the web. In fact, I have abandoned all others. No endless chatter, no wasted words--every sentence full of usable content. You should be very proud of what you do; few are as intellectually and verbally precise and concise as you. If I ever get the courage to start painting, I will not hesitate to get on board with your organized classes. In the meantime, thank you for what you do! PS Sarasota rocks!

[@philiptownsend4026]

Yes he is an excellent teacher but there are a few others too, Florent Farges for example or Mr Tischler. A lot comes down to personalities and methods and our preferences.

[@natnicart3494]

I started with water-mixables. I don’t think I would have started oil painting because of being so overwhelmed with all the different types of mediums and thinners that come with traditional oil paints. I now use primarily traditional oils, but I will always suggest water-mixables for a newby who is just figuring things out.

[@emmamariamakes]

Hey what is the reason that you prefer traditional oils?

[@lrb3989]

Your right about northern lighting as a dentist I would go to a north facing window to get the shade of my patient’s front teeth to make veneers

[@leonardodelpuertoburk2439]

Grey cardboard is also great for studies. Put some gesso on it, if it warps too much just put some on the other side. It's cheap, quite rigid on itself and very light.

[@RyanKeane9]

The best tutor on the tube. Criminally under-subscribed channel.

[@RenatoBaietta]

Chris, this is one of the most effective teaching video you've ever done!

[@stevenmorris4482]

100% i found myself nodding along to everything said here ..

[@NickLMears]

In the past I painted a lot with cheap craft paint. Recently tried small canvas panels and now I paint every day. Reducing brushes and experimenting with types is also a big help. (I use acrylics and haven't tried oils yet)

[@reedslater4664]

I just want to say thank-you. You have turned into a very masterful teacher. You present the material in a very clear and concise way. I've gained so much knowledge from your instruction.

[@trentriver]

This video should be required viewing for everyone just starting out. Every tip here is dead on!! I wish I'd seen this when I was starting out.

[@nickshort2443]

Everything you do is so inspiring. I've told myself that I'll never be an artist since I was young but I connect so deeply with a good piece. Everything you teach is so practical and encouraging. Thanks for what you do!

[@afafyounaki608]

Thank you so much for the great information about painting 🎨💐

[@chriscallen6897]

Great tips for those of us that are experienced as well Chris. Thanks for sharing.

[@paintcoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jojojo8835]

@@paintcoach Kraft card spiral sketch pad- please could you add it to your materials list? I would love to use something like that for sketches and as it seems to hold the oil very well without distorting or preparation, is already toned, and I always prefer spiral binding. I’ve searched all over Blick and other sites but can’t find anything which matches it completely- it’s unusual! Even knowing what weight of paper would help. Thanks for all your hard work, you’ve made the world of difference to my paintings!

[@pjsphoto4u]

I was wondering this also… Where can we get the craft paper sketch books thank you and your video was wonderful!

[@pocketgrim4942]

Ive always drawn, never painted other than maybe early elementary when it was required. I'm 24, my parents went to france and came back with a bunch of oil paint materials that my family from over there recommended bc they knew i liked art. I never worked with color, ever, only pencil and ink, so i decided to give it a go after watching a few of your beginner videos. I painted my first oil painting yesterday and im pretty happy with it, ill be honest that i only really heeded the physical info on preparation and brushes and all of that but none of the painting advice. I wanted to go with my gut first to have a base of where i was at with knowledge and wooooooow oil painting is fun, took up around 4 hours last night without me noticing. I watched a couple actual painting videos of yours after work today and you immediately answered a bunch of questions i was wondering about painting landscapes and i guarantee the next one i do will be almost incomparable to the first. Im excited to see where this goes, thanks for posting all of this on youtube for free i really do appreciate it!

[@kayjay-kreations]

Thanks for your honesty

[@jerrifreeman7034]

Thank you for another great video. Precise and concise as usual. Your advice is always helpful and informative. You motivate me like no other.

[@Paint-and-plants]

I’m a 24yo woman but I feel like a scolded child hahahah IN A GOOD WAY! I’ve definitely spent too much money on all the things you’ve mentioned, as I’m sure a lot of viewers have :p but we’re here learning, now! That’s what counts! Thank you Chris! ♥️

[@annfoster1980]

Another helpful video full of sound advice. I find you are the easiest artist to follow and learn from. Thankyou Chris

[@larindanomikos]

I work in a small apartment. I wasn't going to work with oils because of the fumes although I wanted to. Was so happy to discover watermixables. They work just like oils in every respect but they clean with water. So that's what I work with now.

[@shantealletain2217]

I can't love this enough. I think the "think small" approach to learning and improving your skills is fabulous. By the way paint brushes make a huge difference. I painted with acrylic yesterday with a dollarstore bristle brush and the bristles fell onto my painting and got stuck. Most frustrating thing ever. Plus my gesso primed canvas sucked because my paint wouldn't spread out and absorbed like paper towel, so another hint for beginners to consider getting gesso even though it's already primed. I'm wanting to switch to oils, hence why I'm watching your videos. I've watched a couple now and they are really helpful.

[@laurieadams2549]

This is some of the best oil painting advice I've seen! Your advice is very logical and straightforward. You have similar advice I give when I teach watercolors. Such as student grade is fine. You don't have to use expensive substrates (although I do recommend a heavier paper). You can use basic but good brushes, etc. I went to college for my bachelor of fine arts and graduated at 61 and I felt I learned very little that I didn't already know in my classes I had there. As I mentioned my forte is watercolor and I am very comfortable teaching that. The gallery I belong to would like me to teach oil painting but I am not as comfortable with that. I have painted some nice paintings but I feel I am still just "winging it." Trying to explain how I do what I do is harder. I am looking forward to checking more of your videos to learn more about oil painting.

[@ButchCurry]

I really like hansa yellow medium & napthol red instead of mediums so I don't have to worry about if my cats accidentally get into it! If you don't want to buy Geneva brush dip, you can pick up a good size paint roller tray - the ones with a lid are even better! - and put just enough linseed or walnut oil in them so your brushes will stay submerged if you lay them in there. Most of those trays sit at just the right angle so there's no pressure on the tip of the bristles when you lay them in there. (Rembrandt used a wooden paint tray that did the same thing!)

[@mijolobo]

Wow! Just wow. I was curious and then while viewing this video, I can honestly say this... You blew my hair back! I'm awake, now. Thank you for your frankness and candor. I'll be following you and learning what I can. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving

[@crisalidathomassie1811]

Excellent video! Chris, thanks so much for all the tips. You are amazing and continuously surprising us with great content. Very educational and great inspiration in each video. Blessings and take care.

[@smasica]

Thanks for good advice on how to keep things simple. Personally, I prefer filbert shaped brushes, either Grumbacher, Robert Simmons, or Winsor & Newton boar bristle. Paint is Grumbacher, Winsor & Newton, Dick Blick, or other major outlet brands. Canvas panels are great. I even use 3/16ths Luan or Birch plywood panels. I go to Home Depot or Menards, pick out a nice 4-by-8 foot panel and have them cut it up to whatever sizes I want. I prime them with a rattle can of grey Rustoleum flat auto primer. It gives a nice neutral medium grey surface. Turpentine is a bit more expensive so I use an odorless mineral spirits/paint thinner to clean brushes and thin my paint. It also makes cleaning off my glass palette quick and easy after using a razor-blade scraper.

[@jivka6518]

Excellent advise - if your starter and want to get better practice practice and then move on. When I started a couple of years ago in all seriousness to painting I used a lot of cheap and cheaper materials because until I knew how what and why about painting I needed to experience experiments study and practice, I didn’t learn about medium till a year or so latter and now after watching and studying I’m using linseed oil not a lot as for oil paints I discovered W&N water based oil restricted space no fumes and it took a little bit of r]time but once you get used it - it’s Great…..it’s nice that your giving this advice. Thanks 🙏

[@jude1515]

Good video. I agree that you don’t have to buy expensive products or a lot of them to paint. Painting small is good and water based oils work well. Just started with them.

[@adelehammond1621]

I have a few tips for new painters paint what you want just go straight in I learned to draw and paint at the same time Paint how you want dont feel pressure to paint a certain way

[@triggerfish999]

I’ve tried water mixable oils…and quickly switch to using trad solvent and other trad mediums, because WMO becomes sticky once the water has evaporated, and the paint out of the tube is quite sticky, compared to trad oil, making it hard to work. So it’s quite a frustrating medium from that perspective. On the other hand alkyd oils are pretty good, though they tend to be thinner out of the tube, and have a strong quite unpleasant smell…plus you need to keep on top of brush cleaning to avoid wrecking your brushes. So trad oil plus a siccative (like Liquin) works pretty well for me. I have a love hate relationship with acrylics, which are harder to get to grips with than oil (in my opinion)..getting smoked edges is tricky and of course it dries super fast. But there are ways around that..like retarder and using thicker acrylic. Having spent some time with acrylic and then switching back to oils I then found oils tricky and messy. Actually my favourite medium is soft pastel …it’s the closest to actually drawing and is quite forgiving. But it’s not robust once it’s on the surface…so there is that frustration to deal with…

[@sursurrus]

I did acrylic for 2 years, then bought some aqua oils... I love those, I mix water AND pure linseed oil in. I got a real cheapo set of oil paints, I don't use any thinner, just lots of linseed. I actually use cheap bristle brushes for the aqua oil and the regular oil... instead of soap I use The Master's painters soap and an ultra-absorbent microfiber cloth for wiping the brushes and sink. The Masters is kind of gritty so it will wear the brushes out eventually, but they're less than 50 cents each!

[@janapeony8561]

Chris all I want to say is Thank you , your videos are great and so helpful!

[@lisengel2498]

Nice tips - and I loved the tip with the small panels and also the small painting sketchbook - very inspiring and fun 🙏🌷❤️

[@brittneydaniels8324]

Where did you get your Kraft paper journal? I’ve struggled to find an art journal that doesn’t absorb the oils into the pages behind the project. Much love and appreciation! I love your videos. They’re so educational and such a resource as I’m learning to paint with oils. ♥️

[@CJ-jy9nx]

You rock, all of your tips are so timely! Thanks for making your videos! PAINT ON!

[@timeglass777]

Thank you so much for the amazing tips - some confirmed my experience. For example, I have a big problem of finishing an oil painting (often because I don't feel it is completed). My art teacher further complicated the problem by demanding me to use a large canvas (the largest that I can physically carry). The reason is because she used to be a mural painter. Of course, my process got slower. I became discouraged and less motivated to finish the painting. On the other hand, I explored watercolor vignette. It is fun to paint small as a study or just put some colors out there!

[@TheNakedSilo]

I rarely ever use any medium (although, I'm slowly beginning to use some glazing) and I've been using water mixable oils since around 2001. Dries a little bit faster than "traditional" oils (depending on the colour) but stays wet long enough to really keep working and mixing the colours.

[@glam2243]

Hi Chris you solved my problem about oil paint so thanks for doing this video it was very helpful to me.

[@benoitpigois1624]

Great video, you go at the right subject... many times I got upset trying to follow some painters with multiple palettes, as if as beginners we have all those "expensive" materials, somehow so frustrating... thank you for this video, more encouraging 😀

[@lindaperry5770]

Hi Chris, I have been painting in watercolor for years and love that medium. Yesterday I took a class that used water mixable oils. I was so impressed at how easy it was to work with. Now I am wanting to branch out into water mixable oils. Was wondering what type/brand of the brown sketch book you are using. Thanks for the informative video. I watch a few of your s and subscribed.

[@dorothygladsjo3510]

Lol! Tooooooo late! But on my defense (wait 🤔 do I NEED a defense,ha). But ya, got into art during Covid. Friends gave me their old art supplies to try. So grateful. But. After a few months a few dozen paintings I was told to try Golden profession acrylics. So I bought a few tubes….game changer!! Then I tried professional paper! Oh my goodness! Such a difference! Sooooo I made the decision to google top ten best papers, colored pencils, pastels, brushes, papers etc…and bought them. Then followed different artists and ya, bought their supplies. Again, in my defense, this was during Covid AND I live on a small island in Alaska. Silver lining: everything I bought a few years ago are now two to three times more expensive:)

[@richardbro999]

Got your Rosemary brush set a few months ago. One of them started 'spreading' but maybe that's just mishandling on my part. Keep up the good work!

[@LightshamanaDhyana]

I mix water with a 2-3 drops of water mixable medium in a jar that can be closed. Shake it, and it become like milky water. That's I use for thinning and glazing wamo paint You need to figure out the ratio of water to medium yourself, it depends on the weather where you paint, the style, etc. I never mix with only water. Wamo paint IS oil paint with some emulsifier in it. When water evaporated it is an oil paint with all the characteristics. Most mistake made by treating it like acrylic. Too much water mixed into wamo paint. If you want only use water, use a dropper and mix with a few drops of water into the paint, do not overwater it. Best to use the mix above. I use a tiny caviar jar to mix it,3 quarter water and 3 drops wamo medium. When you glazing just put more medium into the jar, 2 or 3 drops for every subsequent layer. Shake it. This mix will stay emulsified over time, so u can use it for weeks.

[@sylviewheeler6237]

As always , great advice and great video ! Perfect inspiration ! Thanks so much ! You are excellent ! I’m gonna try your idea of small paintings ,and more often !

[@normanhutchinson4177]

I’ve used water soluble oils for twenty years with good results. No smell so I can work in the house. Easy to clean brushes. I silence the doubters by giving them a tube to try - they can’t tell the difference! I agree, small is good!

[@pablo_p_art]

Amazing video. I used to use Cobra but moved to Michael Harding and happy with that. I noticed Geneva brush dip. You don't clean your brushes anymore? How it works? I moved to wooden panels primed with non absorbent primer (Michael Harding). As brush wash I use Zest-it brush cleaner (citrus based) and Sennelier Green for Oils (no fumes at all, plant based). Also, I recommend to try new Bravura brushes from Rosemary and Co. They're great. Thank You for all tips.

[@BarbieBud]

I only use Cobra water mixable oils, I love them!

[@jeffm3283]

Good advice, I have green oil paint that I wish I hadn't bought since its easy enough for me to mix up the values I want now after taking classes.

[@eliasandrinopoulos8746]

Great advice, Chris! Thank you 🎨😊🙏🏻

[@liv0003]

I really enjoy your videos and your suggestions are really helpful. Thanks 👍👍

[@AmandaMG6]

Chris, try the pre-studies in gouache. SO much fun. ❤

[@jermainejeromyart]

Always appreciate your insight

[@patmcdonagh8939]

Just…brilliant as always , thank you

[@dinaelmasry5534]

Thank you for all this valuable information 🙏

[@richerathernotsay427]

Excellent tips. May I suggest a, "Dollar Tree" video? Use cheap supplies to perfect your skills. Throw the practice away but keep the skill.

[@kaidragun1172]

quick question, do you apply gesso on the craft paper before painting on it? thank you so much for the video, i've learnt so much from you. i've been oilpainting since beginning this year (painted in acrylics beforehand) and i absolutely love it

[@CrissCrafts62]

My grandmother had me use vasseline to coat my brushes for storage. Never dries out and it rinses out in the paint thinner.

[@ruthdallas6125]

I’m only 3 years into painting with acrylics and watercolor. I never tried oils as I have a tiny area to paint and I alway end up getting paint on the floor etc and I like how acrylics clean up and are mostly easy to remove little spills even when dry. But now I have all these tubes of acrylic I don’t want to waste. Have you ever tried using both acrylic and water based oils? Thanks.

[@alexcornwell2586]

You have to use acrylic first then you can paint with oil on top, not the other way around. I find oils are easier to clean than acrylic as you just need some soap (dish soap or the bar kind I've found to work) and water and they come right off your brush or floors.

[@tanyatanu1]

I think a great advantage of not knowing things is to use them as you see fit 😂. I like it that I can experiment with paint, not knowing about the mediums and brushes and all. Just doing what I feel like and I like it. It’s when I don’t like something, I start exploring for more information and learning.

[@stevenmorris4482]

100% .. this guy knows

[@lanagaylechandler1948]

Great information! Thanks!

[@s.durbar1294]

I TOO HAVE A NICHOLAS CAGE COLLAGE IN MY HOUSEEEEE!!!! he’s one of my favorite references for animating extreme expressions!

[@sapienproductions]

I have a bedroom studio in the UK, this time of year it is grim, cold and wet, ventilation isn't exactly easy also it is right next to my small child's bedroom. There was no way I could risk using real oils and the fairly toxic thinners. Water soluble/mixable oils and clean spirit thinners are almost perfect for my needs. I expect I have had to compromise and I'm fine with that choice.

[@AlonzoTheArmless]

Another excellent video with great info. I love the light setup you have for your easel. I clicked the link in the description, but it took me to the light you have behind your monitor. Do you have a link to go to that light on the easel with the 2 adjustable lamps?

[@paintcoach]

Yes! It's in the link to the supply lists

[@AlonzoTheArmless]

@@paintcoach Perfect! Thanks so much! I'll be buying it today.

[@josefmacichek99]

Winton is really OK for the most part. Gamblin is kind of mid-grade but I don't see how it's any worse than the really expensive stuff. Similar to Michael Harding. I slowly transitioned into Old Holland and Schmincke Mussini. I really like M Graham. Blue Ridge is excellent paint at half price. Blue ridge makes the best Cremnitz white I ever used.

[@MichaelFlynn0]

Yep

[@FyreHeartStudios]

I have to know - if you see this a year later. Is that Nik Cage collage a painting? Either way, hilarious! Great video, thank you so much!

[@AceMcTomb]

Hi, thank you for another great video. The craft paper which you use for sketching, what is it exactly? I couldn't find it in your Supply list.

[@camillaablom]

Great video! But what about the fat over lean rule? Don't you need medium because of that? And increase the oil percentage for each layer...

[@chrish4079]

Can you add the kraft paper pads to your description please? I can't seem to find them anywhere.

[@darlenemc3586]

🖼🎨🖼 thank you for this excellent video 🖼🎨🖼

[@Amdall]

Great video, thanks for this one. It's really helpful to hear perspectives like this when you're in the learning stages. Your videos are always really informative, but this one is getting bookmarked

[@teresas683]

Great info!

[@curly422]

what way do you suggest to get rid of art block and low motivation???

[@zalexia27]

using window light sources in fl turn us into a green house lol

[@ericswires8534]

I’ve used turp for many years. I hope I don’t have dain bramage.

[@vehinhkhoitamgiac2889]

amazing !

[@priscillaportenier3962]

Really good😀👍

[@arsonate333]

You might not see this, but I went to an art store a few months ago and bought a set of acrylics and a set of oil paints, but I began to run out of white so I bought a larger tube of white acrylic and oil paint, however it’s not the same brand as the paints that I have been using, does it really matter ?

[@paintcoach]

The brands don't really matter

[@Artbyjacobdunn]

I can't find Cadmium Red in water mixable. What would be a 2nd best?

[@inchingforward]

What's the spiral-bound Kraft paper book shown at 12:15? I've searched a little and for the ones I found, the reviews are all over the place.

[@josephinedorico6146]

When using mixable oil paints do you need both paint thinner and linseed oil?

[@paintcoach]

You need neither. I’ll make a video on this soon

[@josephgioielli]

The Gurm Max didn't like water at all. The Lucas had no problem with it. So yeah, try different brands.

[@douglasriddle6447]

How thin are you painting in your painting sketchbook? Doesn't the paint dry faster because the absorbs the oil?

[@sketchartphoto8117]

been buying from dollarama

[@Jfyhdg67]

Are cadmium toxic?

[@BarbieBud]

I always say paint was made to be used right out of the tube.

[@DJSHADDY2K7]

#Chrisfornataro hi i watch your KZbin video very carefully. As i was listening carefully about what you said about painting materials I learned a lot and you make a lot of sense to beginning small and not large.

[@henriquejanuario881]

Great video! I'd like to saw this vídeo 15 years ago! thanks a lot!

[@zuzuart2]

Do the Fredrix panels warp?

[@philiptownsend4026]

Wow, a tsumani of good advice. Thank you so much.

[@YMG-97]

Hey, I have a question about water mixaríeis paints. By accident I got a water mixable, but all my other paints are regular, is it okay to mix water mixable with regular oil paint ?

[@alexcornwell2586]

Yeah, they work like normal oil paints. I use mine like normal oils and with my other oil paints. Just wouldn't use water in that case.

[@1970pizza]

What is the name of the oil painting jotters ( pads )

[@rixiu7669]

Wait. I thought magenta is a primary colour and not crimson red 🤔. Is it different when you use oil? Or is it easier?

[@alexcornwell2586]

He said cadmium red as the primary, but yeah oils are different from printer inks (where I'm guessing you got magenta from).

[@loati94]

There's a huge debate about which are the true primaries but I think It all depends on your style of painting. With traditional painting more aimed to portraits or landscapes and plain air cadmium red is a good primary because you don't find extremely bright or neon colors in nature. If you paint with more contemporary colors and want bright purples and cyans then YCM is good.

[@DineseBeckert]

Your lamp is not mountable to an easel. I found another one that will clamp to my easel, thank you!.🤗

[@QaisarArt]

Good👍👍

[@DazzlingAction]

I thought for the longest time the paint had the fumes with it... Go figure its the mediums and thinners...

[@samueleasterling476]

Hey, I love your work and teaching. I am a subscriber and watch many of your videos. I am also self taught at drawing, painting and sculpting. I would love to share some of my paintings and let you critique it and not hold back. I have sold some personal and commissioned items. I know your busy and don't have time. Just taking chance. Thank you.

[@zoeuphoria]

Does anyone know how long Watercolour paper would last if i painted oils on it?

[@robertbikers9502]

The oils will literally rot the natural fibers of papers, canvases, linens, and woods without an isolating layer of some sort, such as hide glue or acrylic gesso.

[@AmberShockley]

I wish I had watched this video before I watched the 10,000 * other painting videos I watched. * hyperbole, but still.

[@Carl_Frank]

Wow I never even heard anyone say you're "not supposed to use water with water-mixable oil paint". What? I mean, isn't that the whole point of them?

[@askialuna7717]

Well, I used to have the problem that when i diluted paint with water for a rough sketch and painted it on when it dried with paint that wasn't quite as diluted with water, it wouldn't hold properly and it became smeary. It's hard to paint with water-diluted paint on a fat film. I think that's where the mixing not only with water but also with medium comes from. I then bought a medium and when I diluted paint with it, it worked. The only problem was that the paints and the medium were much more expensive than normal oil paints of comparable quality. The mediums for water mixable paints are also not so harmless and smelled a bit like solvent to me. That's why I left the story altogether and use normal oil paints, linseed oil and putty medium, which is nothing more than chalk mixed with linseed oil.

[@loati94]

The theory is that they are water soluble so you can clean the brushes without thinners but they sell watersoluble mediums to use with the paints.

[@Carl_Frank]

@@loati94 Good to know. Thanks!

[@jumpfortyfour9965]

this was just a add . no sign of the painting in the thumb print