Dark Studios, Drawing with Projectors & more – Ep.17 Oil Painting Q&A with Mark Carder

If you have a question for me, post it in the comments below. I'll answer as many as I can in the next episode. Here are links to each question answered in this video:

00:36 — Do you think painting loosely surrounding the focal point is a learned attribute, and should a painter seeking to be better at realism first learn to paint without this abstraction?

03:44 — Which solvent would you recommend to rework an area that is dry without damaging the canvas?

04:47 — Some colors, like Winsor & Newton's Terre Verte don't hold their body when medium is added and become too transparent. What are your thoughts on this issue?

05:44 — You teach drawing using a proportional divider, but other methods includes the use of grids, projectors, and optical devices like a camera obscura. What are your thoughts on these methods? Is it "cheating"?

08:06 — How do I learn more about painting backgrounds? A poorly chosen or poorly painted background can ruin an otherwise good painting.

10:36 — As a left-hander, I've occasionally blocked in using my right hand, finding it looser and more accurate than left-hand blocking. Have you ever tried painting left-handed?

11:31 — In your "how to set up a still life" video you talk about taking a bunch of "junk" and just putting it in a shadow box at random until you arrive at a grouping you like. What are your thoughts on starting with things that have some relationship to one another?

12:56 — Why is it called "Geneva" Artists' Oil Color?

13:30 — How do you sign your paintings? Do you add any other info to the back?

14:39 — Sometimes I have difficulty getting in "the zone" when starting artwork. Do you have any warm ups you do before starting a painting?

16:59 — I use Winsor & Newton oil paint and after I finish a painting and it dries for several weeks, I can see shiny areas and dull areas. Does this happen with Geneva paint too, and can I mix Geneva paint and Winsor & Newton paint together on my palette and on my canvas?

19:31 — Do you usually work in a completely black studio like in your videos? Is it necessary? I think I would prefer a happier, bright, cheery studio, but I understand there might be glare issues. Can you talk more about that?

24:10 — It is easy to copy life itself on a canvas after years of practice, but how does one see value and color when copying from their imagination?

27:22 — When you are painting, how do you when you are "done"?

[joanieadams]

So glad I found you here. Thank you for your unselfish sharing of your time and talent!

[DrachenPrime]

Finally found a good teacher! You are phenomenal, a true artist!

[victoriapage]

I have never heard anyone speaking so... right. It‘s just the right topics, the right questions, the right answers, all said with just the right words. Crazy. When i play one video i end up watching another and another, can‘t stop. You are just the right teacher. Thank You!

[conyxconyx]

I wish you to be healthy and full of achievements. From Romania with love.

[roseryan]

I have been watching your videos for a while and subscribed, but I think this is the first time I've commented. You are very informative and I like the way you deliver the information. Your painting demonstrations are superb and you deliver the technical aspects of painting in easy to understand language. We aren't all at the same level and I appreciate someone who isn't talking over my head. Thank you so much for taking the time from your busy schedule to make these videos available.

[eyeonart]

Wow! You look 20yrs younger. Way to go! Your teaching is the best whether teaching wood working or painting. I feel you really want us to learn the process. Thank you so much.

[jaardesign]

I love how you link your FAQs directly to the time point on your videos!
Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks with us! I paint with Acrylics but have still learned so much from you.

[tammygilchrest]

I would love to see an example of values being off...or not quite right. Is there a possibility of you painting up two identical studies (something very small of course) with one having dead on values and the other showing off values...then placing them side by side? That would be an awesome learning visual.

[hayharbir]

You are a very good teacher. I have been taking classes for a little while, but I like your detail oriented style the most.

[LosoIAm]

I learned to copy using the grid system, then it was too slow for me. So I learned to draw free hand - with more successes than failures. Now I used a projector to get the subject n composition right - time n energy are very precious to me, esp energy! I don't think I am cheating; more like "very lazy" n the end results are more important than the method. This is what happens when one gets old, I guess.

Great video n thank you, sir!

[angelafleak]

Please keep doing what your doing, everything you post is absolutely relevant, even back to basics it’s just how you present the material too brilliant... please keep them coming...!

[RonSwansonIsMyGod]

Man, I really like that landscape at 25:06. Very dramatic looking.

[ronhochhalter]

I've just started painting this year, I really enjoy your videos. Your method of teaching is very comforting, it's not overwhelming. Thank you for the lessons you provide on this channel!

[jnnyism]

I definitely prefer for objects to have a relationship with each other. Painting with left hand and concentrating with value with the right is a really interesting experiment and it may help for abstraction

[saffyshubobo]

I absolutely love your paints, the best I’ve ever used

[tomasnittner]

david leffel, a painter i very much admire said regarding the setup of stilllifes: " take something light, something bright, something dull, something dark" i tried it and it worked for me!
kind regards to your little daughter geneva :-)
tomas

[repeat_defender]

I meant to comment on your last video, the way you explained values during that one finally clicked in my head and I had a breakthrough in understanding how to leave my strokes abstract. I don't know why it took so long but it's nice to finally get it. I'm super glad I found your channel, it has helped immensely with my understanding of realism. Thank you for that!

[LorraineHatrix]

I would love to know how to paint gold objects.

[jnnyism]

If ur painting landscapes from life then date and time is a very good idea on the back. The natural world changes week to week particularly in spring. Setting an alarm when u start painting is a good idea to help keep focus I think

[tcausley]

Another great video Mark! These videos sure help me understand painting. Thanks again!