PAINT TALK: Why I DON'T like TIGHT painting as much as LOOSE painting

In this weeks Paint Talk I discuss why I like loose painting more than tight painting and give advice on how to loosen up your painting.
Painting Books I Like
Materials I like

Water Mixable Oils

Water mixable mediums

Filming

Hi, I am the son of two artists and began painting in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia before I could walk. I was a rare combination of artist and athlete so I moved to Los Angeles in 2008 to play football for USC. I left the team my sophomore year to focus on painting and filmmaking, applying the same focus and discipline from my football career to my art. I primarily work in oils, and spend most free days painting "en plein air" in my new home of Sarasota Florida.

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[samuelmuiga]

When I see hyper realistic paintings I think "wow! you mean that's a painting?" when I see a great loose painting I think "wow! What a show stopper!" I prefer to acknowledge a great painting than questioning if it's one.

[agidee_]

The fewer marks on a painting, the more perfect each one has to be.

[amysbees]

Absolute right about seeing loose painting in person! When I first saw a Monet, Van Gogh and a Rembrandt I was completely blown away! Seeing them up CLOSE is literally life-changing!

[stevechmilar]

There is one major quandary within the distinction between "tight" and "loose". With subject matter that is already known to the viewer, a painter can get away with a very loose interpretation of the subject matter. The eye of the viewer fills in the missing information. If the artist is creative enough to invent something that no one has ever seen before, they must render it accurately enough to communicate to the viewer what it is that they are seeing. Keep in mind also, that our perception of "tight" and "loose" depends on how closely we view a painting. Many pieces that appear "tight" can reveal a great deal of interesting painterly abstraction when viewed up close.

[danikaiser]

These paint talk videos are so helpful. Starting too early with detail and a small brush is perhaps my biggest problem.

[hijodelaisla]

I agree. There's something magical about how a loosely-painted canvas comes together when you step back. Photo-realist painting certainly demonstrates a skill, but it's a skill that can be matched and surpassed by a photograph. Both have their place. A painter friend once said, paintings should be of ordinary things; it's the study of those subjects that elevates them. Photographs should be records of extraordinary things, a moment captured. There are exceptions, of course, but I think it's a pretty good guide.

[suecypher]

It’s so helpful to watch you paint along with hearing your teaching! Love it!

[robertotcr]

Those things have always been on my mind whenever I imagine a painting, especially in attempts to painting from imagination. I once wished that my paintings would look realistic, and nowadays I realize that for me, it makes not much of a sense, because I want them to be noticed as paintings, not mistaken for photographs. Good talk.

[sylviapaints]

What you said about viewing art on screen - Yes 😭 I get so sad thinking about how few people have actually saw my paintings bc they’ve only saw them on screens. It is honestly not the same. Also thank you, this video was super helpful!

[connielouu]

This made me excited to explore loose painting styles!

[marthaslater]

I've been drawing and painting my whole life but have never felt I was painting the way I wanted to. In my old age I want to learn how to paint looser and quicker and more expressively. I'm so glad I happened upon your YourTube Channel! Your style is resonnating with me and I want to catch up on your tutorials. I don't see how to do your free course but will keep looking.

[relevant_nebula]

I like your tips and talks. I have not started oil painting yet but you're inspiring me

[burak]

Chris you’re really one of the greatest oil painting teacher I’ve seen so far. Great lessons with perfect teaching methods, tips and answers. I want to thank you a lot once again for the time and energy you’re putting into this, really appreciate it :)

[lisa-gayle]

This is, honestly, the most helpful video I’ve ever seen (for me) since painting loosely is probably my hardest thing to achieve! I’ll start out loose and gradually start tightening up. It’s frustrating! Thanks for this great information! Gonna go paint now...hopefully loosely! 🥴

[roxykcny]

Now I know why I like your work so much. Your paintings remind me of Fairfield Porter.

[jmotiondance]

Amazing! Glad I found you here. Thank you. So much to learn from you.

[RealityRisingArt]

Thank you so much for this video, it was very helpful. I would also like to thank you for saying that this comes down to personal taste instead of saying "realism isn't art" like so many others. I draw with coloured pencils and I've always been obsessed with realism and hyper realism because I genuinely love it. I've recently tried oil painting and I love them! I'm trying to try out different styles of oil painting 😊

[TheChristineLindsay]

Brilliant. I thank you so much, for not only giving a spoken tutorial, but a visual one at the same time. You are right; I get so tired of watching videos when all I see is the artist's face. I'm following you now.

[patrickcharles]

Great advice. Everything was spot on and helpful and doesn't appear that your only motivation is to sell a product...like other channels....which usually means the meaningful stuff is intentionally left out. I've been painting for 30 years and your advice is sincere. I always tell people to NOT learn how to paint on youtube. This is a channel I will recommend. A natural

[surftheride]

Great format of listening with the painting happening in the background! Love it! Please do it every time!!!