Making a Living as an Artist & more – Ep.4 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 on next Thursday's episode. Here are links to each question answered in this video:

00:04 — a talk on making a living as a realist painter with advice for artists at the start of their careers

13:44 — What is your favourite painting you've made?

17:27 — a question about color terms (like value, tone, etc)

18:41 — How do I paint layered intricate patterns with Geneva paint?

20:07 — What is your opinion on standing versus sitting while painting? Do you ever use a mahlstick or cane?

21:11 — Would you paint from a print that has been "amped up" with filters in Photoshop?

23:54 — Does the fluidity of Geneva paint still allow for brush strokes to show in paintings?

25:08 — What sort of black do you use for painting your easel and color checker?

[thepourman]

Every now and then you stumble upon a YouTube host that makes you realize how lucky we are to have such an amazing tool at our disposal.
It's people like you Mark that make the Internet invaluable to people like myself who are willing to put in the hours it takes to find quality learning material.
Thank's a million for being so generous in sharing your knowledge.
You rule man,
GOD Bless !

[NMEE]

What a beautiful, levelheaded and honest video. I am very impressed with the level of humility and wisdom you put forth in this video, it has been such a helpful video.

[jaym]

I loved your humble presentation. Now that you’ve become a great painter, in my opinion you’ve fully embraced the noblest of careers, teaching.

[pavlofikaso]

Thanks for the time u spend making these videos. It really helps

[reefprayerresin]

Hello Mark. I love anything you do, because you're dedicated to authenticity, on both a personal and professional level. There are no bells and whistles, or ego. - So I was amused when you touched on this at the beginning of this video. Lol. Youth, huh! I bought your first dvd when it first came out, and watched it every night for a year, to learn by osmosis, before attempting my first oil painting ('Asian Still Life'), which I posted to your site. I couldn't believe the comments and encouragement I received! I moved house after that, and can't paint with oils (smell) where I am, unfortunately. But I feel like I've come home, watching your dvds. Thankyou for your generosity in these videos.

[MrBuffaloGrill]

Thank you Mark, for all your work on this channel, and all your sincere words. Life changing.

[brucekiefer]

Mark, thank you for your time. Really look forward to Thursday's

[brzpicnic]

Hi Mark. Thank you again for a great video. I have been following you for some years now since your first DVD. I know that whilst you also make money from your teaching, I have been inspired by the fact that you so freely share such a comprehensive and valuable range of information, that those who may not be able to afford to pay can still learn to paint. Have you always been this way or have you had experiences in your life that has made you so wonderfully generous?

[lallope]

amen! concentrate on quality, finish, making a fine piece. each piece is ones last, put in the hours, the work. know your competition.

[RussellFineArt]

Excellent advice and tips!  Early in my career as an artist I approached a few really good art gallaries and although they liked my work, they said it needed a bit more time.  Two years later I approached a couple of other great galleries and they couldn't get enough of my work. One of my first paintings at the gallery sold as they were hanging it on the wall and completely sold out of everything I had within a few days, constantly asking for more paintings.  I had found my style and honed it with tremendous amounts of practice, as Mark suggests.

[pjlewisful]

I enjoy these talks so very much. They make so much sense and it just really feels like one is having a casual heart to heart discussion between artists.

[veaudor]

It's very kind of you to share your early experiences, and failures.

[barbaramcgarvey]

Thank you Mark I feel empowered to move forward now.

[PatriciaGodboutArt]

you always have the best and most honest advice, thank you.

[anabalcazar]

I loved your videos! So honest! what we need from the art world.

[wondervistastudios]

WOW! What a great, honest, insightful talk. I have been waiting for someone to articulate this reality. Thanks, very helpful.

[jeanlanz]

Mark, thank you for so generously sharing your knowledge and expertise in this and many other videos. What you share is so valuable. God bless you and your beautiful family.

[xXKDizzleXxTheShizzl]

This is fantastic advice. I think almost all new creatives think their work is far better than it actually is. It definitely happened to me too

[missraineys]

Thank you so much for these videos, Mark!!

[michaeleli]

I just want to say much I appreciate your ability to talk so clearly and unhurriedly as you share all these great ideas. I am a 63-year-old artist who I spend my professional career as a color matcher and designer for interiors and exteriors of mostly very high-end homes
So been an artist for 50 years and I'm just now wanting to do it full-time career
I'm having shows and have sold the number of pieces but I like you didn't want to play the game that the artworld plays which is basically a fashion show with a bit of " emperors New clothes " thrown in
I love Picasso and Marcel Duchamp Mark Rothko etc. but I also love Sargent, Rembrandt, Velasquez In just the past couple years I decided to use my expertise as a color matcher/ designer to influence my latest work, mostly abstract. I am learning things from your videos so surprised I didn't know – you're doing a great job and I appreciate your knowledge, approach and understated affect
For me the biggest question lately is "I think this is really good, I've never seen anything like it before .... I wonder if it's any good
That and "is it finished" :-)