Why You Struggle to Paint Trees. I Can Help.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Like this video? Want to buy me a new tube of paint... or generally, just support the channel? Now you can and it would be most appreciated. Once I reach my $1,000 goal, I'll be buying a second camera to record my mixing palette since it's the number one request I get. Cheers! www.buymeacoffee.com/steveatkinson

[@sandragisbell9072]

Like the song that was playing during the sketch time. Love the way you paint

[@davidervin7345]

"To much information in unimportant areas." Isn't that the main difference between a photo and a thought out piece of art? It's why we like paintings.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Here's a link to a folder of my copyright-free photos you can paint from, including the photo I used in this video. Have fun! You can paint them and sell your paintings if you'd like, but please don't offer the photos for sale, lol! photos.app.goo.gl/vHxAPDX6v1necQJ96

[@RameyRocks]

I watched your whole video and I also went and checked out the book you suggested and actually read a few pages of the example. I will purchase this in the near future. I'm 49 years old and I have been painting since Christmas lol. So I'm really new to it. I like your final painting, it looks really nice. I've not really seen trees done this way, that I can recall. It works really well. I have seen trees done with brushes dabbing on the leaves after blocking and the background which looks a lot like your trees. I'm not just talking about Bob Ross either, although he is the reason I started painting. you might have mentioned if you used oil or acrylic in the video but I started and stopped a few times throughout your video and I may have missed it. I started with oils, but I became frustrated when they did not behave the same way that Bob Ross oil would have worked. So I started using acrylic and watching probably thousands of videos, at least hundreds I know for sure. my son got me some Bob Ross paintings for mother's day so I'm fixing to go back to doing some of his tutorials. Anyway I'm going to go subscribe to your channel. Have a blessed day 🙏

[@miguelsuarez8010]

How do you market your work?

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

@@RameyRocks thanks for subscribing! I paint with oils. Also, occasionally I'll do a watercolor or charcoal drawing tutorial. I like to work in many different mediums because it keeps me from becoming bored doing the same thing over and over. No acrylics though.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

@@miguelsuarez8010 that topic can be an entire video, so thanks for the suggestion. Short answer is that there's no magic bullet or one solution. Galleries, shows and awards, advertising in magazines, word of mouth, teaching, doing demos and being here on KZbin all work together to sell my work, either paintings I've done that are for sale, or commissions.

[@elanamarino2624]

@@RameyRocks good idea to start with oils...hope your having a productive learning experience. Many have the misconception that oils are toxic and such...and start out with acrylic. Acrylic medium is really not an easy medium if one is looking to become serious with painting. I know what you mean about watching many videos...the downsides to that is wasting time as I found...think it's better to read the Carlson's book (recommend for serious learners) and Edgar Payne's composition.. Also..after understanding the fundamentals with the 2 books. .find one or two artists that paint subjects your intrested in and the painter knows what their talking about and how to paint. There's just too many painters on KZbin that have no concept of basic composition, color nor technique and beginners who really have no idea follow along...

[@pleinaire8698]

nice painting!!..I've never seen anyone hold their brush the way that you do....sooo close to the bristles!!

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

yeah, it's something I'm trying to break myself of, ha! Thanks for watching!!

[@jerrythomas7401]

You have such a great voice to listen to and I appreciate you sharing your life long experience with everyone. Great work on all your paintings.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thanks Jerry, I really appreciate that! Paint on!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Nice my friend! Some excellent essential ideas on rendering trees. "Check your values" agreed, so important, and I believe even more so than color which many painters tend to obsess over. Hope the quarantine is treating you alright. Take care.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Hi Steve, thanks for checking in. I know you do a fair amount of tree instruction in watercolor and I figured, hey, what's one more in oil, ha! Life is pretty normal here and I hope it is for you too. Paint on brother!!

[@madsingh]

amazing, thank you

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thank YOU for watching and commenting!

[@robv.9258]

This was a KZbin recommendation... I’m glad it was. Thank you sir for the video.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thanks Rob, I'm glad it was too! Welcome!!

[@emmanuelpower2439]

Love your demo and the confidence-building talk. Thank you. Fear has no place... and "it's a series of corrections"... love it!

[@lindasteere1873]

Love the trees along with the rest of the painting. I usually paint too much detail in them so I will try your method now. You do great work so thanks for sharing!

[@margaretsmith9637]

I think it’s a lovely painting however, the split in the middle tree seems too symmetrical for me. I enjoyed watching you, Page thank you.

[@robertweinblatt2018]

I noticed that you really grab way low on the brush which I guess gives you more control as opposed to other painters I've watched who hold way up high with a lot of room between hand and brush tip!I like it low too😍🙏🏻I'm a pastelist but incorporate wet media into my style

[@jimreid9674]

Beautiful painting Ugly frame. What were you thinking Steve?

[@fullpreteristnow]

John Carlson is the real deal. People should understand that the strength of Carlson and others of his era was the lessons of Tonalism. You can think of Whistler as the father, but also people like George Inness. Most artists who love those artists think that they were painting impressionism but they were Tonalists. Most American "Impressionists" were would have been insulted by that term and saw themselves as Tonalists. The best book on Tonalism is A History of American Tonalism: Crucible of American Modernism, by David Adams Cleveland. If you are a landscape painter, this is absolutely one of the best books to have in your library. People like Carlson were weaned on the Tonalists. And yes, there are modern Tonalists like the late Wolf Kahn, who passed away last year. So Tonalism shouldn't be seen as the "brown gravy" school. Of course my all time favorite has to be George Inness, but there are too many to mention. David Cleveland has his favorites like Charles Warren Eaton. These guys were masters at composition. Just look at the Tonalist John Henry Twachtman, for example. No, he's not an American Impressionist. He's masterful. Look at the composition of something like "An Early Winter" and you'll understand the poetry of Tonalism.

[@tekoanow]

I would appreciate it if you could tell us more about the colors and blends you are using as you paint.

[@Ramesh_009]

Sir! Give video guidance on the subject of banyan tree, root, leaf, picture understanding and its colors.

[@oreokookie1000]

exactly right about the tree personality...this summer, all I painted was treelines....one of my best had a sideview of about a dozen trees. We had a heat wave here in new england, and in august, some of the trees in my treeline changed color. all of the trees had the same curve side shape, yet each one had a bit different green, some had an orange top. That was an exciting discovery after painting for 50 years outside!!

[@pleinaire8698]

LOVE the Carlson book and have referred to it many times!!

[@Hall4Denise]

Please talk more about your palette. We don't have a clue how you are mixing these colors??

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Hi Denise, I've just ordered a Canon M50 to use along with my 70D, to be able to do things like have a second camera angle and a camera on my palette. So, I hear you and am planning to do just what you are wanting. Thanks for the comment!

[@Hall4Denise]

Your videos are great but I was curious if you used sap green and cobalt blue. It’s hard to tell on TV.. Maybe just tell us what color you are putting on your palette and what you’re mixing.

[@farrukhmirza8390]

dear sir, nice work the trees painting you made what type of this is called i mean it is complete painting or please guide me

[@susiemonzingo7752]

Beautiful frame! Where do you buy your frames?

[@jillrobbins4488]

I learned so much about painting trees and about variety in brush strokes. Thank you so much for this wonderful video!

[@consueloyoung4484]

Loved your demo. Look forward to more and would love to go through your closet, bet there’s a painting I would love, lol 😂

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thanks Consuelo, I appreciate that!

[@louisekrause8559]

Love your work! Nice to see a 'lefty' at work

[@bogtrottername7001]

Agreed ! Aren't all of us lefties born geniuses ???

[@lisengel2498]

Very inspiring and much fun to follow the process andlisten to your experiences - and since I am always curious I would have like to here your reflections on the choice of oil color brands, medium and even your choice of colors for this Landscape painting.

[@giovannisiano574]

A video that inspires optimism in the process of painting!

[@donnamccormick807]

I really appreciate your encouragement and practical positivism!

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thank you Donna, that's kind of you to say!

[@charlottehenderson1927]

What is the yellow coating u put down on your canvas. ? YOU ARe AMAZING IM IN AWE OF YOUR WORK !!!

[@charlottehenderson1927]

Your voice is so soothing, IT CALMS ME DOWN !

[@b.comeau2597]

Steve, I wonder what colors you are using for your study? I am using acrylics and wish to simulate your study for practice...Thank you!

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Hi B., here's a link to a one-minute video of the colors I always have on my painting palette. The "Green Earth Hue" is the color that I use the most on this painting. I can bend greens more than any other color and still have it read as green. Hope this helps: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oInGl4aYgs-jbNk

[@joanbaczek2575]

My biggest problem is fall trees!

[@freemandodsworth6526]

Just great! I have a moldy old copy of Carlson's book from a printing back in the Sixties and I would not trade it for a shiny new one. Your fluid strokes and awesome value/color control are inspirational!

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thanks Freeman. Yeah, mine's new. I got it in the 80's!

[@moniquerenard4510]

you are not sharing your paintings

[@lindaburton1633]

Loved this demonstration, especially because I am also left handed and so few painters on uTube are. I do wish you had talked about the colors you used and also more showing us your palette and mixing. Thanks!

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thanks Linda, I'm going to start incorporating more of that. I have another camera on order so that I can have video of color mixing on my palette in future vids. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@rubo1964]

its refreshing not to have another Bob Ross style of dubbing brush all over the foliage on tree then same on grass etc.I always thought his work looked generic mass produced because it was...same old pull the brush down for water etc.I think real ART is engaging distinctive subjective that tells a story and your little painting is one such example.Keep it up!

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thanks Ruben. I know it's sacrilegious to say it, but I never understood the whole Bob Ross movement. Though, I do understand that he helped people discover a love for art, even if it wasn't "Art". When I was growing up, I loved watching PBS' Helen Van Wyk's show "Welcome to my Studio". I couldn't get enough. Thanks for watching and for the thoughtful comment. Paint on!

[@xxxyyy1880]

Excellent video! But this way doing it is not easy. Can one paint background first and leave only few marks for tree trunks where to add leaves? I find it hard to overpaint large areas because brushes mixes color like painting blue sky on top of tree holes leaves too easily blue-green sky.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Sure, there is no wrong way to get your paint onto the canvas. It's whatever works to get you close on the first pass. The second pass is for refining and adding detail. You got this!

[@emmanuelpower2439]

The search is on for Carlsons book... i don't think i really understood the passage you read, but your explanation helped a lot. More thanks

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

You're right Emmanuel, John Carlson's book is not the easiest to understand. But, I encourage you to take the time to get used to the outdated writing style and you'll find it's loaded with painting gems and well worth the effort. Here's a link to it on Amazon (not an affiliate link): www.amazon.com/Carlsons-Guide-Landscape-Painting-Carlson/dp/0486229270/ref=sr_1_1?crid=35MPJ2UKADAR1&keywords=john+f+carlson+guide+to+landscape+painting&qid=1669219972&sprefix=john+f+carl%2Caps%2C354&sr=8-1

[@brianmcginty5837]

Your landscape paintings are impressive. It's very helpful to watch you paint and to see the results you achieve.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thank you and happy painting!!

[@johncarmanarts]

Nice demo and info. Tank you. Fwiw, as far as simplifying, the painting looked it’s best at a lot 20-22 minutes.

[@jerryjohnson4013]

Great lesson. Who did the music early on? Thanks. Oh, was the yellow dry?

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Jerry, if you mean the music that plays when I'm doing the rough-in drawing, that's "A Sweet Suspicion" by Michael Shynes. I'm assuming you are asking about the yellow underpainting? Yep, it's dry. I use acrylic primed canvas and tone it with yellow ochre acrylic paint. It comes across more intense than it actually was. Thanks for watching and for the good questions.

[@suemiller1947]

I can see FRED CHOATE'S influence written all over this study

[@elanamarino2624]

Yes, the Carlson's landscape book.. everytime one reads it will learn something new ...to the beginner out here who really is serious- must learn and understand the fundamentals of Carlson and Edgar Payne composition...also...understand basic color theory, know what colors are bias...if you don't your colors will appear muddy ..garish...

[@roslynr9767]

Thank you so much! I am struggling with trees and your video helped so much. Plus, as a lefty I appreciate watching another lefty! I feel turned around when I watch a right handed person paint. It is subtle, but definitely has an effect on me. I will start watching your videos more. Great music!! Would like to know your pallet.

[@diannelegro1]

I love this! Could you please list your color palette? Thank you!!

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thanks @diannelegro1 I can do better than that. Here's a link to a video I made for just this question! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oInGl4aYgs-jbNk

[@pleinaire8698]

Steve...LOVe your finished painting but that GOLD frame is much toooooo distracting from the art!!..also I would have warmed up your highlights on the trees more...

[@SB-qs9zu]

LOVE! LOVE! LOVE this demonstration! Thank you.

[@MIM-hf6pv]

Beautifull style and color you create ! I unfortunately feel fear of painting and hope the more I work it would go away . Best regards from Poland !

[@jimstormcrow]

Came here by accident just looking for motivation...I really enjoyed your process, thanks.

[@tba1879]

What blue are you using for the sky? Burnt sienna in the clouds?

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

The blues in my sky are Manganese Blue and French Ultramarine Blue. For this painting, I used mostly Titanium White and Manganese neutralized with a touch of Cad Orange. The clouds are Titanium White, Dioxazine Purple with a touch of Cad Orange on the shadow side, and Titanium White with a touch of Cad. Orange on the lit side.

[@karenjohnson6487]

Looks perfect to me. Well done Steve. I enjoyed watching up paint and listening to your thoughts as well. Thank you.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Hi Karen, thanks for the compliment! I hope it helps you not only to paint trees, but everything is kinda based on the tips in this video. Paint on!

[@preciseconcrete5026]

Do you prep your canvases in advance and let them dry out before you start a painting?

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

I do both. Since I use acrylic paint to tone my canvas, it's dry and ready to go in a half hour if I put it in the sun to dry! An hour if it's just in the studio. Happy painting!

[@LGLRTV]

LOVE this painting and how you went about achieving it. Thank you for the video

[@harshadsaraf7972]

Nice composition, can you please let me know what color pallet you use?

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Hi Harshad, since I get this question alot, I went ahead and just posted a 1 minute video of my color palette. I hope this helps. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oInGl4aYgs-jbNk

[@dez3332]

Love the video. I'm painting still lifes in oil now and haven't painted from a photograph in a long time so watching how you do it gives me some inspiration to try some landscape painting from a photo. Great, loose and descriptive painting in this case. Really nice. Thanks.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thanks DE Z, the great thing is that good practice and technique transcends subject matter. It all works the same, or mostly the same. Thanks for watching!

[@heatermoose]

Thank you for the demonstration. May I ask the colors you used? I would like to try painting this scene, but as a beginner I am struggling with mixing warm greens - which you do beautifully. I only caught Burnt Sienna. Thanks again.

[@Coco2345ful]

Love your trees...would liketo know about your color mixtures!

[@thiagomiguel9127]

How you fix this canvas to the board ?😮

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Here's how I do it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5LGYqWBeKukoJY

[@danmarino7050]

awesome demonstration! reference pix looks like Jackson Hole

[@gillgriffiths3188]

I love your painting style and would like to have a go at this. What did you paint this on and how do you prepare it? Are the brushes you use synthetic? And is that a filbert brush you do most of the painting with? Thanks Gill

[@elisabethseeger5837]

Great video!

[@gildaalmeida5589]

❤❤❤❤❤🙏😘from🇧🇷

[@howlingwind1937]

That was nice that you said the trees were living breathing beings who are individuals in their own way and don't encroach on another trees space. Once again thank you for sharing your video. Cheers from Tasmania!

[@ThomasWilliams-ft9qj]

This is terrific. Thank you.. Would you share your thoughts n mixing greens? What did you use here?

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Hi Thomas, thank you for the compliment. I get lots of requests to film my color mixing palette as well and though I'd love to do that, with how long I work on a painting and edit it down to a manageable length, it'd be a nightmare in Final Cut Pro to match things up. So at least for now that won't happen until I can figure out how to do it easily. But to answer your question, greens are the most forgiving in the ability to mix in other colors and still have it look like its green. I start with a base of Green Earth Hue from Utrecht and bend the colors from there. The further into the light your greens are, the more yellow and red you can mix in to make it read more like sunlight. The further into the shadows you get, the cooler it becomes with a blue-green-grey for the shadow colors. It's also very helpful to have a bit of burnt sienna showing in places mixed in with the shadow colors. Keep the warms and cools close in value and your eye will be fooled without having to add too much detail in the shadows. Hope that helps... happy painting and thanks for watching!

[@ThomasWilliams-ft9qj]

@@SteveAtkinsonFineArt Thank you very much. Just ordered Carlson’s guide.

[@marthasierra7801]

Wonderful tutorial, thanks so much.

[@Handotr]

Man, I love your oil painting tutorials. Thanks for all the tips. I will be able to implement immediately

[@maliequizhu6614]

Love this painting! Just subscribed😀

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Hi Malie, and welcome! I'll keep trying to put out content that'll keep you coming back. Paint on!

[@renato4583]

Muito lindo

[@Ramesh_009]

Very nice sir

[@susanfuller9522]

Wonderful

[@sandragisbell9072]

What did you prepare the canvas with?

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

I stretch my own canvases. I use Claessens acrylic primed linen and put a thin wash of yellow ochre down to tone it. Then, once that's dry, it's ready for paint!

[@robertweinblatt2018]

ZVideo great, who is singing! ❤️❤️❤️. MUSICThe first song on video

[@ColaBuildsMC]

Very helpful! Loved the music

[@Kelliesniderart]

You're a very good teacher. Thank you so much.

[@curtriceennis2924]

Yep - I'm already subscribed. And, I love this small painting. Thank you for sharing your techniques and knowledge with us. I have learned so much from this video. Are you willing to sell this painting? If you are, and, if I can afford it, I'd like to purchase it - or one like it - from you. Thank you either way. Have a safe and blessed day.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Hello Curtrice, and thank you for subscribing, it helps the channel to grow so I can continue to make more videos! As it happens, this painting is available. If you send me an email, I can get you all the details: [e-mail] thanks and we'll talk soon, Steve

[@vickiduron7218]

I love this painting. I can't wait to try this technique.

[@wonders271]

SO beautiful ❤❤❤❤ What type of this surface please?

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

It's a linen panel from a company called Dick Blick here in the U.S. . Here's a link. Even if you can't buy this particular one, there should be one like it where you live: www.utrechtart.com/products/blick-premier-belgian-linen-archival-panels/

[@wonders271]

@@SteveAtkinsonFineArt Thank you thank you so much ❤❤❤

[@johnslawson3917]

Hya Steve, really like your trees ! Just had a quick go thru of Carlsons Guide, wow ! most informative ! John Slawson, Toronto, Canada

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Hi John, somehow I missed your comment. Sorry about that. Awesome, thank you! Carlson's Guide to Outdoor painting is the best. Love his paintings too! Paint On!!

[@saratarr2231]

I’ve learned more from watching two of your videos than I have in many many classes. Thank you. I’m not a beginner so it’s fun to watch your hands with audio off a second time through. Gestures of trees is what I’m trying to do better…I have a long way to go. I think you have stopped this channel and I’m sad about that. It’s so valuable to have good teachers accessible and I’m in Seattle.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Hi Sara, it does my heart good to know my videos are helping you. BTW, I've not stopped the channel. Life has gotten in the way and I'm working on a large commission as well as some paintings for show deadlines that are coming up. I do have several videos in the can and just need to have the voiceovers added. Stay tuned!

[@laurav179]

Hi Steve, I loved your lesson and learned quite a bit, so thank you! Never be afraid to make a mistake is a big one. I always use not enough paint so I liked what you showed me. I thought the painting was just fine (@ 26:00 min in) so in the end I think you went a little too far and the other frame I loved as it brings out the tones from the painting better (more reddish), but that is just an opinion from someone that still needs to learn.

[@normg2242]

The book's been out since he put it out...lol Great tutorial though, I needed that for sure 👍

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

I imagine you're right, it's been available since I can remember, and it was out there long before I, or my parents were born!

[@elanamarino2624]

Really great tips throughout...thank you...oh how I'd wish you could do a video on moonlight landscape...

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Hi Dr. Joyce, sorry for the late reply. So, you'd like to see a video of me painting a moonlit scene? Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWTOg3uErJd7iKM I hope you enjoy it!

[@rembvanrijn]

Excellent video, Steve, many thanks!

[@b.comeau2597]

By the way, I ordered the Carlson book that you recommended! Awaiting it anxiously! Your video is excellent, thank you!

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

That's great B., I hope you find it as good as I have.

[@lisengel2498]

Very fine and inspiring process - and the most important advice of not being afraid - and Reading the book Landscape painting by Carlson

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching Lis!

[@annmariethomas9968]

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing your expertise and for the encouraging words.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

You're welcome Ann Marie. Paint On!!

[@MiuArtStudioUK]

Thank you, this is the style I love and I wish one day I will be able to paint like you! I have learned a lot in this video. 😊

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thanks Miu. All it takes is dedication and brush mileage and you can get there!

[@b.comeau2597]

Excellent video! I always seem to experience difficulty in painting trees of any type, cottonwoods, oaks, maples, pines etc. and get bogged down in too much detail that detracts from the image. Also liked the tip about shadows getting lighter and bluer the further from trees/objects, correct? Thank you!

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Hi B., thanks for the comment and for sharing some of your struggles, like we all have. I don't remember if I included this quote from John's book Carlson's Guide to Landscape painting, but since it was published back in 1929, he talked to us about the difficulty in painting solid trees. I think his trees were incredibly well painted, so I listen when he says something about it. On page 29 he says, "Much care should also be exercised in refraining from putting lights or highlights upon trees (lest you endanger or even destroy their uprightness of plane). The spotty appearance of the beginner's trees is almost always due to this abuse of these vertical masses with spotty highlights....But the student will find that by having the upright planes definitely and generously darker than all other planes, a comparatively slight variation of light and dark will suffice to model their form. Especially is this true when this variation in value is coupled with a close study of the color changes within the value mass. Both accents and highlights on any mass, used sparingly, will 'tell' without encroaching upon any other value-mass or plane." All that to say, in the case of trees, less is most definitely more. I appreciate your comment, and yes, you got it right... the shadows on the ground get slightly lighter and slightly cooler as they move further from the trees. And hey, happy painting!!

[@ClariceAust]

I've just stumbled across your channel and I liked it so much I subscribed straight away. Yours is one of the few painting tutorial channels where you can properly see how the brushstrokes are being made; great camera work. You also give a nice, easy-going and informative commentary. Are you using oil or acrylic; sorry I have to ask, but I can't tell. I've invested in a lot of acrylic paints and am slowly learning a few things. One thing I've learned the hard way is that it's hard to paint an even horizon line, or pretty much anything else, on a 'thirsty canvas'. Thanks.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Welcome Clarice! Thank you for your kind compliment and thanks for subbing. I paint with oils. I've used acrylics in the beginning, but found I didn't like how quickly they dry and that they dry slightly darker than when wet. But Robert Bateman uses a lot of acrylics and so, I know what can be done with them in the hands of a master. Paint on, and I'll see you down the road...

[@pleinaire8698]

It's funny that you kept putting in more foreground detail after saying NOT to put a lot of detail in the foreground!!!!

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

I put in only as much as I thought it needed and not a stroke more. But you make a fair point!

[@nothumbs12gaming79]

Fail until you dont....just started oil painting...it will definitely be a uphill battle..lol. Thanks for the lovely painting experience.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Yep, it's good you know that going in. But like the saying goes, Anything worth having... ;0) Luckily it's so much fun! Have a ball!

[@wagner240773]

Hello from Brazil. Steve, thanks for share it...Fabuloso..aBRAÇO!

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Muito obrigado Wagner!

[@sherrierichard2848]

Great tutorial! Thank you.

[@karenwhite6140]

Great video and superb painting! Super-helpful commentary, too!

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thanks Karen, we come to the family!

[@peggymary]

you're a very good teacher...loaded with tips, shared experiences and encouragement. Great job of filming, too - I learned a lot. thank you!

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful Peg. We're all just standing on the shoulders of our teachers and I'm thankful to be able to pass along what I know, or learn along with you! Best of luck with your journey!!

[@demej00]

Beautiful.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Thank you Jimmy! And thanks for watching

[@DeboraExum]

I found your channel by way of a comment you left two years ago over on Larry Williams channel. I've never tried oil painting and love that this video is my introduction to some of the techniques. Glad you have decided to continue publishing videos. I love your music choices, stories, and explanations that even a beginner can follow. I'm more of a simple art doodler at this point and enjoy how one medium can influence another. Happy to have found you.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Welcome to our channel Debora! We all started as doodlers, haha! Out of doodles, beautiful art grows. Thank you for making me a part of your artistic journey, I'm happy to be a part of it!

[@janedoe5229]

Thank you so much!!! Thank you especially for the copy right free reference photos. :)

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

You're welcome Jane. I hope you have a ball!

[@BrandochGarage]

Great video. You have so much really good advice in here, and not just about painting trees. Anyone interested in painting would do well to listen to your words. You have made a great impression on me. Trees are great, music is very relaxing on a rainy day for me up here where I am. I am by no means an expert, but I had a few compliments on trees in the past. Every knows trees, and I think people appreciate them so much. I sure miss them when they disappear.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Hi Brandoch Garage! Thanks for the compliment, I do appreciate it. Yeah, there's just something so right about putting painting and music together. Everyone has such different musical tastes that it can be hard to choose music for the videos, but I just play what I like to hear and hopefully don't turn too many people away with it ;0)

[@JaredCullum]

Great video! Really enjoyed the demo :) love the intro! I hadn’t seen that one.

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Hey Jared, thank you! It's a new opening I just did since I changed the name of the channel. The problem I have is they're so fun to do I have trouble sticking with one for more than a video or two, lol! Hope you're well buddy!

[@chandael]

I am so happy when your new videos come on. Very enjoyable and informative. You make it look so easy! Great tips and techniques thank you for sharing! Also like the music and was really impressed with the cows you painted behind that big cottonwood:)

[@SteveAtkinsonFineArt]

Boy Chandael, you were paying attention! I'm so glad it helps you. It makes the time spent worthwhile. Paint on!!