PAINT TALK: Tips For Learning To Oil Painting On Your Own

Welcome to Paint Talk! The weekly show where I answer your questions on oil painting. If you have a question leave it in the comments section and I just might answer it on the next paint talk.

Books

Materials I suggest for beginners:
Titanium White, Cadmium Red Hue, Cadmium Lemon, French Ultramarine, Yellow Ochre, Cerulean blue

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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[bondsons]

Chris, I started painting over 20 years ago watching Bob Ross. I will forever cherish him, but I haved moved on to other techniques over the years. The internet is a Godsend to a self taught artist. You have contributed that gift to self taught artists everywhere. Your videos are to the point and your coaching is fantastic. Thank you!

[Jason_]

This guy is probably gonna be the reason for the next generation of painters

[bdg]

So true about thinking "I've got this painting thing figured out", then the next one is a total bust. Ha ha Humility at its best. 😁

[dianecourtney]

You’re a born teacher ✌🏼TY ( empathetic and not condescending )

[billknudson]

Great video. You'll see my notes to you. I'm 64 yrs old... a semi-retired photographer, currently living in San Antonio, TX. I took art/painting in high school and studied photography in art school. I didn't get my degree, but have a good foundation. I'm thinking of using my photography over the last 30+ yrs for my painting. We'll see how it goes.

[glumpy]

You made me try harder. You kicked my lazy ass and encouraged my good self. Thank you paint couch.

[c.shakeshaft]

I only started painting 2yrs ago after I left work. I tried acrylics because I was painting inside and didn't want to stink out the house. But I live in the tropics and it's so hot here that the paint just about dries on the brush before you get it to the canvas. Blending was a nightmare. So I went to watercolours, which I enjoy but I really wanted something different. So ..I got some paint and some gamsol and I'm ready to go. It's a lot harder then you make it look. I'm shit at it but I love your videos because they are so down to earth. I can only get better from here. I really appreciate your style and common sense and I'm greatful I found you online. Thank you .

[DG-mvzw]

I admire good painters, but I really admire good painters who encourage bad painters. Thanks Chris.

[marcyperrier]

Boy, Chris, you hit the nail on the had to go give myself a hard talking to....from get busy and paint...to honor your guilty guilty ....thanks Chris I needed that boost.

[duantorruellas]

This show is growing on me with its intelligence, skill, and creative advice. 👍👍

[charlesbrunelle]

About that last part, famous scientist Niels Bohr said «An expert is someone who managed to make every possible mistake in a given field.»

[carolhama]

I have been painting for several years, and consider myself to be self-taught. The information you share with us is terrific! I used to tell that to all my students. I love listening to anything to do with art and stumbled upon your videos! Your videos are the best! The pace you set is energetic and contagious! Great work!

[BlankChaz]

I love it when he moves and the microphone blocks part of the tee-shirt: PAIN COACH.

[nove]

Came here after butchering a Bob Ross painting and the first part was the motivation I needed!

[alibannister]

Hi Chris, I really needed to hear the words of wisdom, "Honour the effort". Those three little words feel like the key to getting through those times that feel like failure. At hockey, if we have a terrible game, play badly and lose, I always say, 'Well we fought to the end and we're fitter than we were this morning'. Somehow, I hadn't thought to apply the same thinking to painting. Honouring the effort and acknowledging that improvement that will come if you stick at it - that's important stuff, and I needed to hear that about painting and from someone I respected. So thank you. Ali

[amarin]

I really love your videos, direct, to the point, honest, authentic. I'm so fortunate I found you on You Tube. I follow other artists and yeah their art is cool but not necessarily my favorites. Or artists whose art are my favorite but then the painter is too technical or 'look how cool/sly, I can paint this.." type of attitude. I hope your channel keeps growing.

[stacyspencer]

Thank you Chris. I appreciate you very much

[sandrajohnson]

When I started painting years ago I used acrylics. I wasn't too happy with them because they dry so quickly BUT, I was afraid to try oils. I put it off for quite a while and then took the leap. I love painting with oils. I also paint with watercolors and airbrush paints, paint pens, etc. but I really love the oils. So glad I lost my fear of them!!
I use my guest room as my paint room. It has two big windows and a paddle fan with lights. I turn the lights on but I also have the blinds up to get the north light and the east light.
I have never painted a still life. I made a decision to paint portraits of some of the old masters. I did a portrait of Da Vinci as I think he might have looked, I did Rembrandt, Claude Monet and several of Vincent Van Gogh. He is my favorite. I paint him like I think he might have looked and I know he resembled his brother Theo somewhat. Vincent took a lot of 'liberties' with his self portraits and if you look at all of them you will see that none of them look like the same man. I take a little bit of Theo, a bit of Vincent's mother, a bit of his own self portraits and also from what people who knew him said about the way he looked. I also use some of the portrait John Russell did of Vincent.
Vincent was described by one of his painter friends as being a "weedy little man". Others described him as being scary and some of the women refused to sit for him because he had 'scary' eyes. Vincent was a ginger man, only 5'7 and looked more like a homeless man than anything. I don't paint him looking ragged though. He wasn't a handsome man like his brother Theo and according to Rene Secretan, Vincent didn't look anything like Kirk Douglas who portrayed him in the movie, Lust For Life.
Sorry for the rant. Lol.

[dono]

So right about thinking ‘ I got this’ and the next painting sucks! Thx ! Chris love your videos!

[stacyspencer]

Your video is really helping me to not give up on oil paints. I enjoy acrylic very much because it's simpler to work with. But oil painting is taking me outside of my comfort zone.... Your videos are really helping me to build more confidence. My oil painting are muddy but now I want to achieve the practice and discover the success. Thanks Chris