6 Big Mistakes in Loose Painting (And How I Fixed Them)

In this video, I address six common problems that often lead to a failed impressionist or loose oil painting. If you've ever struggled with your painting feeling stuck, you're not alone! I made several key mistakes in this springtime scene of oak trees and a sun-filled field—starting on a cold white canvas, incorrect dark blocking, adding details too soon, and more.

But I didn’t give up. After leaving the painting to dry for five days, I returned with fresh energy and applied six specific techniques to transform it into a vibrant, atmospheric scene. You'll learn how to correct color values, focus on light effects, intentionally place color notes, create colorful shadows, and much more.

By the end, you'll see how these tips can help you fix common mistakes and bring new life into your oil paintings. Watch the journey and discover how to take control of your painting process!

Key lessons covered:

Correcting color values
Focusing on light and atmosphere
Intentionally applying color notes
Using colorful shadows effectively
Removing distracting details
Adding final touches only when the light effect is right
Feel free to share your own experiences and thoughts in the comments!

#oilpainting #paintingproblems #impressionism #arttutorial #paintingfixes

🎨 Materials & Books
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[Moll_Nutkin]

Really helpful to think in terms of 'making the shadows colourful'. Another great demo, thank you.

[charlesa]

Very comforting to know that even accomplished artists like yourself can get frustrated...thought I was alone....Great job!

[ChristineR-oekn]

This is exactly what's happening when I am not totally involved with the painting. Thank you so much again 😊😊❤ your videos are sooo helpful !

[susanmulholland]

This is very helpful! I have a stack of unsatisfactory paintings just waiting. I will start working through them!

[kamleshsunak]

It turned out to be a lovely painting! You walked us through the mistakes and the end result is amazingly beautiful. Thank you Malcolm for this very useful demo.

[sylvain_st_pierre_]

Wow this is one of the great videos i visioned up until now. Thank you sop much sir.

[callmedeno]

It turned out so well with the help of rigorous perseverance (and skill).

You do a great service to those of us who are much earlier on the journey by showing your difficulties, sometimes we need reminding it happens to the people we look up to. It does help very much with managing our own ups and downs.

[mariajesuscoronadogonzalez]

Como me gusta el desarrollo de la pintura!!

[RuthMorgan-hp]

I particularly liked this video as it inspired me to carry on with a painting which just wasn't working - I'd got bogged down with the details, to the detriment of the composition and also my colours were very drab and sludgy. Having worked on it again, paying attention to the lights and shades and freshening up the colours, it is beginning to look like something - very happy!😅

[vesnabreskvar]

Thank you for this!The end result is fantastic!
Although a pretty nice painting is created even if you want to show the mistakes😆

[cathygreen]

I so admire your paintings and your gentle manner!!

[simonnemason]

Great video. Like the development from unsatisfactory to very satisfactory

[cherylhopkins]

Beautiful! You don't waste a word in your teaching. I learned a lot from this - thank you so much!

[mona]

Malcolm, I really enjoyed and learned from this demo, you are a great artist and pedagogue to boot.
I have a question for you. Just a few days ago I toned a 30”x36” canvas with cobalt blue with the intention of painting a fall scene. It didn’t take me long to realize it was a wrong color. Should I keep the canvas, quite expensive here, for a spring scene or paint over it in sienna & ocre for my autumn composition ? Thanks

[anasuya]

The transformation from the reference is incredible. Those dabs of light, changing a plain looking tree trunk into something so vibrant is the work of sheer genius. I just cant help wondering - "How do you do it?!" Each and every video is packed with so many nuggets of info of an extremely high level. thank you so much.

[RuthMorgan-hp]

Really great video dealing with mistakes I seem to make all the time. I will have to watch it every time I paint to remind me not to get stuck on the details before blocking in the main structure of the painting. Many thanks, Malcolm!

[ronelvanderwalt]

This information is so useful. Thank you for sharing your incredible skill.

[dbauerlien]

Excellent demo! Walking away seems to be a good thing when things aren’t working. I so like the fixed version!

[jacobtejada]

A timely tutorial that I exactly need before working on my next subject.

[janirf]

Your videos are so helpful and a true delight to my soul ❤