10 Things New Oil Painters Get Wrong

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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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[moosequeen]

Love how fast you got into the video, no wasting time talking about random stuff, so much content in just little minutes. Thank you!

[BlueEyedMatt]

I’ve been painting for a few years now. I’m in a wheelchair, and had a stroke. I’ve literally had to form tips like these to work for me. "Standing" 6’ away? Not going to happen lol. But, I do only paint for 15/30 minutes, and then roll back to look at the entire picture. Drink some water. Long handle brushes are a must. Anything less, and you’ll tire your arms out. It’s not a pencil. Don’t hold it as such. Long handles usually allow one’s elbow to rest on the arm rest. When choosing an easel make sure you get one that your wheelchair can fit under. Another option is a tabletop easel if you have a shelf/desk you can roll under. I also wanted to point out that I’ve been a subscriber since I started painting in late 2019, and you had yet to break 10k subscriptions. Congratulations on the success with your Patreon, Subscriptions, Facebook page, training videos, and painting in general. 👊

[Max-fnpq]

looks like im buying myself a standing easel this week

[redf]

Good advice. I started drawing with a pencil on the canvas, moved on to charcoal, then to brush drawing. Also if a painting is taking a long time you don't see the imbalances, faults etc. You see the trees not the forest even when you stand back. Every now and then look at it via a mirror for a fresh perspective.

[NickLMears]

You made me realize why pictures don't always work, so I plan to start plein air painting soon. I learned that detail can't save a bad painting. Now I start over faster when needed.

[TheNakedSilo]

I've only been painting in oils since 2001 (strictly watercolours before that; self-taught in both) and always thought "fat over lean" and "thick over thin" meant the same thing, especially since I rarely ever use any medium. Thanks for clearing that one up, Chris!

[scottsmith]

I love how your macbook is covered in oil paint smudges. Accurate!

[rhondaadams]

Well, I have to say, you're fun to listen to! I really enjoy listening to your videos.

[taosfamily]

Ive had a wonderful experience being an artist.
The one thing that excites me and sure many others, you learn every day new techniques no matter how long has one been painting. I will watch this lesson again with great appreciation. Even for an old painter it has lots of valuble tips.
Thank you.
🙏🇺🇸🎨

[deepwaters]

Thank you so much, getting lost in the details is really easy for me and this video had a lot of reasons why not to do that, which my habits fight against. The extra tips really really help!!

[deadsoon]

I have osteoarthritis, so standing while painting is a big no no for me. My spine compresses and I end up in pain. It's a necessity to sit down. However, I often stand back, turn the canvas around, rest my eyes, etc. It sucked during art school because we were made to stand for hours and I'd get terrible back and shoulder pain and didn't know why. I didn't even know I was developing arthritis, I was only 19! It's a big bummer for sure...

[jeannes]

I watch all your videos but I paint in watercolor, so not all the advice is applicable to me. But I absolutely learn something I can use every single video. Thanks for the way you explain things and all that you've taught me about composition. Love the tip about taking a different reference photo for sky and land!

[Paint-and-plants]

UGH every one of your videos is so insightful! I often find myself physically nodding along with your points bc I can relate :p sometimes I find myself leaving other artists’ videos bc I feel overwhelmed by their experience/education. But because you’re so down to earth, I can honestly say, I leave your videos feeling truly inspired. So thank you ♥️

[jilliancheek]

i’m brand new to painting (and art in general!). i’ve only been able to start in the past month or so since i graduated school & finally have some time to explore my interests. i’ve definitely fallen into the trap of trying too many new processes 😅 i really appreciate the beginner-friendly videos!

[XxBrittanyxX]

I just started oil painting. No thinners. I don't have money for it so I'm doing straight paint. However, my first painting is turning out beautiful. I'm doing a portrait of my cat in the sink. She is a dilute calico. She looks so realistic and my family wants to frame it. I have really no experience in paint but subconsciously I've been following ur tips. I've been doing the painting nonstop while it's wet. Doing sections at a time and I thought it would be hard and get muddled, but I've managed to keep the colors separate and blend well also. I'm really excited. I've been drawing for years. Anime, realistic, nature, ect. My grandmother's both are painters. I just thought on trying something new

[Jealod]

Just have to say THANK YOU for just getting into the vid… half my YouTube life is spent watching ads or fast forwarding through 2 min intros… cheers. And awesome content as well.

[ladythea]

I bought myself my first easel this week! I’m so excited to get outside and go paint!!

[createwithjoi]

I am so glad I stumbled upon your YouTube channel! Thank you for sharing your tips on oil painting. You really have a lot of knowledge and wisdom on the subject. Watching your videos has started to get me excited about painting again and really demystified the process. I signed up for your patreon and am so excited to start my oil painting journey. I cannot thank you enough!👏 👩🏼‍🎨🎨

[NightsMuse]

You are the best-every point you make you show exactly what it is we should be looking for. Watching you I have noticed how I do not block in and what it would add at the forming up of the drawing/painting.

[charliemctruth]

Try the Mark Rothko method...paint 4 squares with 3 colours...frame it, and sell it for £84 million...I'll stick to painting kittens for my grandaughter.
Love your work Coach.