How I Figured Out What Was Wrong With My Oil Painting And Fixed It

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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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[rupie]

“Go through your fundamentals” is such a basic and important step. And for some reason it’s the last thing that occurs to me while working.

[willowtree]

I think it’s so important to see examples of what’s wrong when you’re learning, I don’t see enough videos like this. Although I don’t think I quite have the eye yet to work out what’s wrong with something, as the first one looked good to me!

[Snowykats]

I love that you talked about what wasn’t working and then how you corrected it. It helps me work through the same process with my own work. Thank you!

[jennifermoody]

I appreciate your humility, honesty and wisdom. It’s SO hard to see and admit your own mistakes. But when you back up, as you did in this video, and revisit your goals, it’s so much easier to see what went wrong and how to fix it. Best part for me: thumbnails!!! We’re so excited to start a new painting, we forget the fundamentals, and the fact that thumbnails are actually FUN! Great video for me to see before I head back into the studio today. Thanks!

[unrealnews]

I think that there is another issue that you did not address. It is compositional. The boat recedes into space behind the posts on the pier, however, at this vantage point the rear of the boat is invisible. Had the viewer the opportunity to see the rear of the boat, it might have felt more three dimensional. The green planks sort of complete the shape of the boat in a disturbing way.
Your adjustment brilliantly detracts from this error by adding alternative areas of interest with contrast filled patterns and linear perspective.

If this sounds like scathing critique, it is not meant this way. I genuinely like your videos and derive inspiration from hearing you speak with passion about the finer craft oriented points of wet in wet oil painting.

[supercrit]

I'm shocked by the side by side comparision! Makes so much more sense. It's amazing how knowing the fundamentals can help improve a painting. Great video!

[DannySabraArt]

Really cool to show the grittier side of art, in that not everything works amazing every time. Cool to see your thought process here. I REALLY liked the plein air piece when I saw it on IG. Keep up the great work man!

[changemymind]

Woah! The difference in side by side is amazing. Great example thanks!

[DebbieAvouxStudio]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your channel! You have helped me SO much! You give the most amazing tips and advice. I’ve been painting for 30 years but I am learning so much from you. I’m still trying to loosen up my paintings. I feel like you are going to get me there. 😃 thank you!

[vincemazo]

That was great. Having the ability to critique your own work is great for improving.

[TattoodSpirit]

Seriously good channel...valuable info., thx

[wcouch]

Nice understanding and communication of your process.

[theresadailey]

Great advice, great video, I’m always correcting something, but it was your perspective on how you evaluated your own piece of work. Enjoyed this video.👏👏👏

[tba]

If you'll notice, the lighted area of the bow is much higher in value in the photo reference than in the painting and the boat's awning is much darker (the darkest value in the scene)--both these help to draw the eye. You do have the awning darker in the plein aire piece which makes it work better!

[AlonzoTheArmless]

Loved this video. One of your best. Thanks for sharing all this excellent information. Your final painting is terrific.

[oldglory]

the problem is very much like one you'd find in photography. in the "old days" we'd burn-in perimeters to direct the eye to the brighter (more important) areas. another GREAT video, Chris! I will sign up for your courses in 'semi-retirement' ;-)

[swishdk]

Like that you added the buoy in complimentary color. Really pops out and emphasizes the focal point.

[PaintingWithSamir]

great tips, great video, great channel, great guy!

[JDLandscapePainter]

Hi Cris, could you do a video on compositional studies and what makes for a good design? I'm aware of the basic principles (emphasis, balance, etc) but I'd like to see your process in coming up with them as well as how to proceed when you pick one. I would like to see how much you simplify it, how you choose the best one and then how you turn that into a larger piece. As always, your content is outstanding quality. Thank you so much for the hard work you put into these! You're the best.

[Tizaheijting]

You rock, Chris! Love that you are so 'open' about your own painting process but also promoting other painters on YouTube. One thing I found that I loved in your smaller sketch was that the edges of all the things going on around the boat were softer (particularly on the right side). I felt the boat came out better in the smaller painting because of that. And perhaps the shadows in the water of the boat are a bit dark and not transparent enough. I'm just a no-no in painting, but with your instructions I try to learn to look harder. You're my favourite painting teacher!!