What it takes to make a Massive Oil Painting.

Painting a Second Edition of "Everything in Moderation"
Oil on Linen
75" x 50"
IG : thomminnickart
TT: thomminnickart
Website : www.thomminnickart.com

[@trippwilsonphoto]

Instagram is great for easily showcasing a piece of artwork to a ton of people, but I really love KZbin for seeing peoples process in depth.

[@Uselesslink]

Fully agree

[@Just_stoptalking]

Instagram is making it hard for new artists lately tho

[@AveryKait]

I like the people who still have patience to watch a good long video. That’s what I want to make

[@diediedice]

​@@Just_stoptalking and they're stealing everything that's posted for their ai bs. You literally have to fill out a form to get out of them stealing your work AND personal data

[@fionahannon_art]

@@Just_stoptalkingso true, devoting your entire waking hours to please the algorithm, so that more people look at your art for a fraction of a second, and never see it again. KZbin is way better for artists, well I’m hoping so, if I can get some subscribers 😕 I spend all my spare time on my YT content, but I work full time, so that’s one day a week to make art , record videos, edit videos, create Etsy listings, it seems like it’s never gonna happen for me. But I will not give up 🤞😁🤪 sorry for the rant😅😬

[@isabelhartsell3100]

KZbin will always be the OG. I taught myself how to draw just watching KZbin videos.

[@ThomMinnickArt]

Amen!

[@花子-p8m]

“I learned how to paint so I didn’t have to talk.” YESSSSSS!!!

[@zakiazoma1227]

Those words are Su effective I used to say the same to everyone because my art is Su sad and dark

[@dontpanic5278]

I think you're being too harsh on the colors of the old version. This is the first time I'm seeing it, and that was absolutely the first aspect of it that stood out to me. The new colors are great (definitely more realistic) but the older color-scheme also has some charm to it.

[@jayviz5304]

As a painter myself, you lose the charm of the original when you recreate it. Learned it the hard way

[@Geordiecrafts]

Yeah I think I agree. Both are absolutely beautiful, but the original has a cinematic quality to it

[@KV-cq2wf]

It probably registers better on camera than it does in real life

[@christmastiger]

Yeah, I agree. He washed out the colors in the 2nd go. I wish he would have just refined the first one, but since it seemed to give him a lot of social media attention he probably wants to keep it in case someone would like to buy it.

[@CyberCaliber]

I think its just wasn't what he was going for. The old one gives off a disoriented and queasy vibe which i like. It draws attention. But i think he was going for something more subtle, like bleak. he achieved it in the second pass.

[@lucasmaher2203]

I’ve been searching for an art KZbinr that doesn’t do strictly tutorials but has a distinct style and just posts in depth videos about the process of making the artwork. Please keep it up

[@ThomMinnickArt]

Editing the next video now! Been working on this painting for a month and its nearly done

[@maritameijers4313]

Very well done. I can feel the pain.

[@psydwaindah]

I love the final result. There's a real Hopper vibe coming from this work.

[@lucasmaher2203]

I’ve watched 1000 videos of people giving advice on painting and this is is honestly very refreshing and unique

[@nathanielwilliams7835]

“If you can’t paint well, paint big” Or, in Thom’s case, do both! Well done for taking that adage and giving it the middle finger. Amazing work. Massive improvement on the second go 👏👏

[@Jay-uv5xg]

not true

[@lordemed1]

Jealous?

[@lordemed1]

Tell that to Matisse, Diebenkorn, Bischoff..the list goes on...

[@czajnis1970]

i agree, especially when you scared of going big. Many art teachers ive met required bigger pieces and most of my group they annoyed by this fact but once you beat this fear you can paint anything. You can see the whole picture more clearly instead of focusing on unnessesary details for too long.

[@justdaile]

I usually lack attention span, but dude - for the first time in (I don't know) I was stunned for 13 minutes straight. I didn't even blink or have any thoughts other than just soaking up every word. Not only that, but I've been following you for a while (maybe since that first version) - I'm speechless. I have artist's block - and your candid, true artist talk goes deep. I needed this lesson, I can't even tell you how much. Your perspective is great, I would love to sit with you at brunch in your studio. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@henryp9994]

Liking the longer format. Appreciate you taking the time and effort to share. Many thanks. Its a great piece of work and a good step on from the earlier iteration.

[@jetsonjoe]

one of the best videos on painting I have watched in years. Thankyou

[@redf7209]

Great result and advice. So many amateurs fail by painting straight onto canvas not rendered properly. I had been under the impression that the picture above her was a mirror - perhaps due to the greenishness. Tip to you : when sitting back and looking at the painting to consider, try looking at it via a mirror. You get a fresh look that is hard to get after you have been concentrating on the picture for so long close up.

[@RoxanneKelly-y7z]

It’s an old trick I learned in floral design school, you find your “ holes “ in the design with the mirror.

[@afkzkl9537]

So true

[@redf7209]

@@RoxanneKelly-y7z historically artists particularly landscape artists used a Claude glass or black mirror, a small, slightly convex mirror with a dark-tinted surface or black glass. But this was to view the subject to reduce and simplify the colour and tonal range of scenes, giving them a painterly quality and add a picturesque aesthetic with a subtle gradation of tones. and observe the framed view through the tinted mirror, which acted as a pre-photographic lens.

[@JollyCooperation37]

I actually own one of your prints of the original piece, and i love it. It's nice to see you revisit it and give it some new life. Keep up the great work!

[@leadbelly1495]

Love your sarcasm…keeps me intrigued

[@rafaelordine3595]

you have improved a lot, the recent has way more of a storytelling than the first one, plus the colors harmonizes way better

[@Mvskn.]

I love your paintings. Love your sense of Humor. Amazing video, thanks for sharing some insides in your painting progress!

[@Sunny_boy17]

I love love the depth of the recreation. It definitely gives so dimension and immersion! But I will say I loved the warmer background of the older painting, with the green flooring. But both are amazing and very epic. Just the newer painting gives such life and the gesture really gives her life!

[@jacobminor1122]

Never seen your work before, but I love it! Keep doing more process videos like this; as an artist I really enjoy it. Also, it gives me insight. Great work!

[@bendunselman]

I really liked the tip of painting from two photos one over- and one underexposed for shadow and highlight respectively

[@ReineDujardin]

J'aime beaucoup votre façon de nous expliquer le déroulement de votre travail et vos sentiments quant à la différence avec le choux des photos. Le trabeau est superbe!

[@PamelaTitterington]

It's a work of art in itself ,the getting ready of the canvas,I have never seen this process before,so seeing everything is wonderful,thankyou 👍🏻

[@keedizzle2387]

having just finished one of the largest oil paintings ive ever done (a little less than half the size of this one) everything you say makes so much sense. youve put into words everything i feel about painting!!

[@Grace19049]

I stumbled upon this video on accident, never seen your content before. But I’m in love, you’re incredibly talented and still relatable, keep it up man

[@AngelPerez-ux7xm]

BABEEE WAKE UPP NEW THOM LONG VIDEO IS OUT!!!!!!!! Fr doe , I would wait for them ig videos, love this type of format!!! Amazing work broo📝!!!!

[@artbyteo12]

I clicked on this randomly and I screamed when I recognised the painting 5 minutes in, I remember it on Instagram and it was such a nice surprise to watch its process thankyou for this!

[@likephantoms]

not me rewatching this for the third time. love your videos

[@JackieMann-bl1vl]

Thank you for the lesson! Love your work!

[@Henrythompsonart]

Really great video. Was looking for something like this a month ago when I started a 36x36 painting which I ultimately gave up on. This has made me excited to work on a big painting again :)

[@curiouslittlefrog]

I prepped a 60x60 and then immediately was tired from over a week of work on the prepping… so I rolled the canvas back up and it’s in a corner. It is so making me want to work on it again too! I think I was a little unprepared as I hadn’t ever completed a painting bigger than 18x24. I had also started two separate 24x36 paintings that I got confused midway through painting and quit. I have so many tips to continue now!!

[@tan8802]

always a blessing to find advice on stuff your currently struggling with unexpectedly hah.. thabks for your insight! very helpful

[@Honduras2795]

This was very relaxing and informative. Thank you.

[@mrkingid]

Art Spectrum oil primer might be something to look at. Ready to paint on after a day and is water clean up. Yes, it’s oil ground. Cheers.

[@dougalzunique2]

Do you mean Cranfield Alkyd Oil Primer?

[@lapismosi8065]

💙Brilliant painting and video!🧡I hung on every word and brush stroke.💙Thank you for your time and effort; it was a valuable lesson for me.🧡

[@DiegoMusicArt]

there's so much gold in this video! thanks for sharing

[@firefly5574]

Thanks. Appreciate your knowledge, skill, talent, and your willingness to share.

[@cree8vision]

I always tone (the technical name is imprimatura) my canvas with a combination of brown and orange that I've used for years. Not only does it affect the colours that go over it, it feels like you're painting on an imaged surface like wood or stone. People would probably be surprised how much time you take to prepare the canvas. I buy pre-stretched and pre-primed canvases and then put rabbit skin glue on the back.

[@redf7209]

I still add my own grounding /medium and then sand it when thoroughly dry because the bought pre-prepped still allows the canvas texture to dominate through brushstrokes. My medium is acrylic not oil though.

[@cree8vision]

@@redf7209 Thanks. Good to know.

[@zedchi7604]

Thank you so much for your honesty - it cuts deep - helping to reevaluate my process, super inspiring

[@abbyporeda6107]

This is perfect timing, I've got a 6 by 3 feet painting to start that I've been avoiding and your yt videos always help motivate me to get off my ass great content as per usual 🫡

[@rodrigocolindres5981]

Wooow you really made a better version of that painting!!! Superb 🤩🤩🤩 I love the new colors and how well you balanced the roughness of the strokes but not being very detailed. It just looks delicious 🤤 haha

[@dmart7777]

A masterful, scholarly video! Worth watching twice!

[@supersizegud]

Absolutely beautiful

[@rogermariart]

Yes I came from IG, I like the original just be cause and now I like this one just because. Both painting are good just because you did it, thank for sharing, I did like some of the advice you give I’m not a academic so I do learn a bit from here and there, see you on your next video 👍

[@everymoment1007]

loving your pieces of paint. The way you paint where everything meets, abstractly delicious. Great to see your process, thanks for sharing it. Ps I eat my PB from the jar, was doing so whilst watching, ha, Tania

[@anzaninetshitangani1819]

So glad youtube algorithm recommended your work. I'm really new to oils and your way of painting shinning a light on some things i never knew about oils. Thanks a lot

[@christavayanos]

Hi, I like how you work and talk about it. It always hits the point. 😊

[@Jamesssssssssssssss]

I love seeing the creative process, its almost as if seeing a new being take forum.

[@louisaschumann2288]

absolutely love both pieces, your tips and humour. Please do go on to make more vids like this!

[@ThomMinnickArt]

Thank you! Will do!

[@JulianCI]

Thanks for this video, I saw every minute, besides being extremely well filmed and edited, I even had an English class, great comments, insane work, complete, congratulations!

[@KathyBrooksArt]

Found you on IG, so glad to see you on YT, Yay!! This was amazing to watch, and has so much useful information for painting. Thanks so much.

[@Chron_Dawg78]

instructive! I would suggest disposable gloves and a water based ground

[@Yashiva.Robinson.Atelier]

I’m so glad you mentioned that under paintings are a waste of time. I went to an art high school & 90% of the time painted in acrylics so underpaintings were foreign to me until I’ve noticed it on social media in the last 3 years. It seems like everyone just loved painting double. I think underpaintings are best for artists with no understanding of blocking & proportions. Given that I’m finally taking on oil again after 17 years the wipe away method seems so ideal. We truly have the same sentiments. I too am not a fan of the paint by number technique . I believe so much of this became popular because of social media . One person did it and so many up & coming artists felt that that was the way of all artists . And in my head I’m like wow you’ve taken the uniqueness out of the painting and to a degree it always looks a bit stiff. Wow even down to your reasoning why you don’t interpret your paintings. I understand art is infinite in meaning to whoever views it so it seems somewhat pointless to share. The peace of mind I have now taking this route

[@clementfilancia3053]

AMAZING VIDEO. Love you process, it was very enlightening. Love the work too

[@piscesrisingpress]

Awesome video! Great advice on the photo reference implementation. As a photographer the one thing that I recommend artists do when taking a reference photo is to have the camera mounted on a tripod and take three identical compositions. One 'normal' exposure, one a stop a half over (for saturation), and one a stop and a half underexposed(for tone). 50mm is the best lens to use.

[@ThomMinnickArt]

Ill have to look into that. Ty for the tips

[@Lena-iw1iq]

Wow, I've just discovered your art and it's outstanding. love the colors, the expressive brushstroke, just everything. do you think you could do a video on how to take the reference pictures? I adore the feeling your paintings convey and would like to know how you can set up such seemingly fleeting scenes

[@lucioruffo9470]

stunning work and very interesting voice over cheers.

Fellow big format painter, I salute you.; Great work! and thanks for this great video. Love your technique and style.

[@ThomMinnickArt]

Thank you very much!

[@carlamarcellarighi5471]

Grazie infinite a te Alberto, volevo dirti che secondo me hai davvero tanto tatto nelle indicazioni che ci dai, e che sono di grande aiuto. Sono felicissima di questa iniziativa che hai solo tu in tutta la rete,, sempre generosissimo❤️

[@alanissalcedo7623]

This video is so good. U actually gave such great advice on all parts of the process on a painting. Love it. Keep making youtube videos please

[@ThomMinnickArt]

Thank you! Definitely will!

[@Inferno346]

It would be interesting to see a video about how to make a big oil painting like Queen of Angels, which is 5 m by 5.65 m, or 16' by 19'. I imagine the process would involve step ladders, platforms, or scaffolding? And where do you find a ceiling big enough for that? I guess you have to partner with a cathedral or aircraft hangar?

[@dcmikeworx]

I don't even paint in oil but I am a photographer and dabble with drawing and water colour - The colours of light and shadow... "Paint from life" So true.

[@safegourd]

Wow, your improvement is amazing. I love the effect of the cool highlights and warm shadows; it makes the environment more unsettling. How long did this painting take you?

[@kenclark3170]

I learnt something about layering with different mediums that might be interesting. I had this issue with cracking quite a lot whilst using Oil & spray paint on top. I love the contrast but the oil layer always ended up absorving the spray paint so it would lose the brightness. So I started varnishing the oil and then applying the spray paint (also charcoal sometimes), and I love the texture depth that I get when there's a coat of varnish in the middle. Maybe this is quite common, but I never heard about this before.

[@chrishynes6091]

When I saw linen I knew you were good....great work👍

[@artplussk_222]

Very beautiful and nice demo with a lot of important info.

[@cree8vision]

I like the original painting much more. I like the tighter paint strokes and the floor is is clearly rendered.

[@GailReidArtist]

Brilliant work. I totally agree with your philosophy and approach to painting, both life v photos, and starting directly on the canvas, working the whole. Great to see the stretching priming process too. 🎉

[@TheWmoon72]

Glad you started a channel. I follow you on another platform and looking forward to more in depth videos

[@ThomMinnickArt]

Thank you! Definitely will im finding this more fun. Reels are getting boring

[@vincentmarotta9800]

6:18 Here's a small list of available stuff that can be used to harmonize well with Fat Over Lean (aka "Slow Dry last, Fast Dry first"): Fastest Drying (Lean) Slowest Drying (Fat) Canvas Gesso (you use Oil Base, which is effectively Gesso, but oil base instead of Acrylic base) Acrylic paint (you didn't use this because of the prior mentioned Oil Base) Solvent + a little tube paint (You use Gamsol) Solvent + more tube paint Liquin + a little tube paint Liquin + more tube paint Straight Tube Paint Tube Paint + a little Linseed Oil Tube paint + more Linseed Oil Tube paint + a little Walnut Oil Tube paint + more Walnut Oil (optional) Varnish The above isn't set in stone (you can interchange some neighbors a little), but what's important is you put quick-drying layers down first, then slow-drying layers on last. At mostly any stage, you can use other mediums and effects to get different texture differences. You should place something like modeling pastes on first, then paint over that texture to mimic the effect you want. Thank you! I build my own stetching boards, and never once thought of using metallic reinforcement in the center. Makes way more sense.

[@DaxHansen-zr4em]

Thank you for making this video. Very Hopper-esque (which to me is highest praise)

[@nancygregg5108]

Would love to watch your process on Procreate as you make adjustments. I do this, but I bet I could learn a lot more from you!

[@ewwmorons]

I hate that i want my paintings to be perfectly flat. This guy's brushwork is nice

[@larryseals4665]

You are truly a master of the mundane!

[@AJBXYZ]

Love the process, great work

[@LilChiefMagistrate]

incredible work, you are a great painter.

[@perrysdrawings2650]

Great stuff man… love watching your process. Never used a stretched canvas before… looks like a nightmare to create one yourself lol… very interesting 🤙 👍😎

[@FuzzyBunnyofInle]

I love this! And thank you for the information on tackling a really large painting.

[@phoenixoliviacopy2727]

Dude, this is incredible.

[@tomaspena5558]

Incredible painting

[@ThomMinnickArt]

Ty sir!

[@calypsowarrior9226]

It’s so good. Like phenomenal. Side note - I thought she was doing a certain substance. Now I am even more curious knowing it’s a nose bleed.

[@jichaelmorgan3796]

Playing with perspective, like using wide angle lenses, can be a way to play with apparent scale, too.

[@guilainejeanpierreart]

Brillant! I learnt so much! Thank you!

[@DerekHarris-ki1qc]

so much great advice in this video

[@Smile-v9i]

This is beautiful...coming from an artist ❤

[@juliamari3613]

love how informational this video was, great piece!

[@reenriot]

Damn, just found your video/channel. Nice to see other artists sharing their technique

[@phdgraphitti969]

There is a lot of value in this one. Thanks

[@nobue6506]

This is goodstuff. Learned alot. Thnx!

[@alessarodriguez4041]

good enough; welcome back Alpay Efe

[@whyaminotoriginal]

Thanks dude that was solid advice. Keep making videos.

[@grahammcfelin340]

arts a trip . bon voyage . BLEEDIN great

[@olh_hlo]

I enjoyed watching this. Thanks. Where did you get the stretcher frame from that you put together?

[@hoppingwren]

This painter is going to blow up on youtube, these vides are so good to watch Also, you don't have to talk for the full 20 mins, can also put in music for us!

[@magictooth2]

Hello, nice tutorial, I love the video! If you want any oil paint to dry faster you can dilute it more. Same goes for water-based. It seems counter-intuitive, but lacknafta or water will evaporate quicker than the oil or glue(water-based) hardens. So a thinned paint will dry much quicker, because it contains less paint and more water/solvent(oil-based). For oil paints that take forever to dry you could either thin it and/or you can place a fan to circulate the air in the room (this makes a huge difference) to have it dry quicker. I also want to share the tip to invest in a box of latex/nitrile disposable gloves to use when you're working with sticky stuff, like the oil-based puddy. Acetone will melt any paint, so that could also be something to have in mind, in case you're not feeling the disposable glove. There are other solvents that are cheaper that can achieve similar to Acetone, but Acetone is the be-all, end-all for removing paint chemically whilst still being relatively harmless to humans. Thanks for sharing what you know, I felt I should fill in with what you seem to want to know (?) Have a great day!

[@AbdullahAlHuneiny]

Superb art work..fantastic subject...Bravo.

[@ThomMinnickArt]

Thank you so much!

[@SanguchitoPapa]

Holy shit this is amazing. It's like watching a renaissance master draw

[@juca343]

Love your work man! Congrats! Cheers

[@DuanTorruellas]

Very nice work my friend. It's loose , it's painterly , the subject here translates nice to the scale. The colors and shadows are very nice. And the highlights aren't to high.

[@ukaszbiskupski3594]

Didn’t know your work before, but this video made me wanna go check it all out! The process behind the painting is very informative and love the painterly approach! Can you tell what’s the main difference between acrylic gesso vs oil primer when painting with oils?

[@geetanjalirai7676]

Amazing artist you are

[@mariadelaart5897]

I could never make that frame. Wow 👏🏽 been thinking why do we still use canvas? Isn’t there any alternatives? Not wood or paper either Really enjoyed watching fab painting great job with the hands “I learned how to paint so I don’t need to talk” 😂👌🏽

[@JuriRenkoArt]

I feel you with the voiceover thing 😂 I write some thoughts down, think "wow thats a lot, maybe I will need to cut some stuff out", make a recording and the result is like 4 minutes long