PAINT TALK: Should You Paint Big Or Small

Welcome to Paint Talk the weekly show where I answer your questions on line painting. So if you have a question leave it in the comments section and I just might answer it on next weeks Paint Talk.
Books
Materials I suggest for beginners:
Titanium White, Cadmium Red Hue, Cadmium Lemon, French Ultramarine, Yellow Ochre, Cerulean blue

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.

[joesosnowski]

Someone recently told me: If you want to solve a big problem, paint small. For a small problem paint big.

[nancyh.carroll]

Chris is a great painting teacher! Not only does he give you guidance...he makes you think for Yourself! That’s so important!

[Mulberry]

I am starting an oil painting, so I picked a photograph of still life composition. Just a lovely red apple with a great background of black, tan, and grey. I started to do some small sketches, and as I have not drawn for decades. I started to draw the apple as an apple, but I missed out on the most important part of my art training 26 years ago. Always see the shapes at their basic and work from there. I realised the apple is almost a vase shape, so I stopped drawing what I thought apple and looked at the picture and tried to see the shapes. I did really simple thumbnail composition sketches with just the basic shapes and lines. I learned a lot from the 16 sketches. They were like a cartoon spread sheet and the more I did the more I learned. I still have a lot to learn, ie on my observation and think more as well. The key point is here is not rush into stuff.

[wwanderful]

I have watched many of your videos and have learned from them all, but I think this one in particular will help me the most. I have never really practiced painting. I definitely have not taken the time to do a small painting first before committing to a large canvas. It makes so much sense, but I needed you to point the obvious out to me. Thank you Paint Coach!

[marialaurendi]

I discovered something! I usually play music while painting. I listen to your videos at the end of a hard day while falling asleep. NOW - I'm listening to your videos As I'm Painting! Even though I heard them before, I'm getting more out of them, especially when related to what I'm painting.
Thank you Chris.

[alphotheone]

Right on time. Funny how you are always right in time with subject matter that is helpful, thank you. I like that when you speak it is right on time, no-nonsense speak. You truly are the paint coach.

[georginabodnar]

Very pleasant to lessen to your teaching. Thank you for your kindness 🌞

[charlesclopton]

Thank you Chris. Your talks are very inspiring . I'm going to try some of the things you've talked about. It's a little difficult for me as I'm nearly 78 years old. But I'm trying.

[TheCatnipCinema]

You truly are amazing. Your way of teaching is so clear and easy to understand. You're my FAVORITE oil painting YouTuber teacher ❤️ I appreciate you so much

[bluepearlgirl-emelie]

damn you are so good at your craft! There is nothing you can not paint! AND you are so young! I am going to be curious to see what down the road it looks like for your work considering this is what you can do now!! You have (hopefully) many many years ahead of you to do even more! That is an exciting concept. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills with the world. If only youtube existed when i was a child and had teaching like this to guide me! Love your stuff!

[jonathan]

Around the 6:30 mark you spoke of the difference between copy mode and understanding mode. Could you unpack that some more in a future Paint Talk?

[JVPaints]

Your tutorials helped a lot to improve the contents in my channel.

[danikaeward]

I just got a painting commission that is 24X60 and watching your videos have really helped me being a new oil painter! Thank you ❤

[rubyroseplantpalace]

Thank you for sharing your progress story. It really does take hard work!

[maple]

Thanks Chris! I usually paint small (8x10) but today I started an 11x14. Not very big but it’s a start. Glad to hear your advice because a friend of mine who is an incredible artist suggested painting big so that my ‘style’ could come out more. Not exactly sure what he meant, but I find smaller canvases challenging and time consuming enough for now!

[Tedzee]

With the little cup. Hat trick.
Painting plein air is hard yep. But people around look and tell you it's beautyful.
PS: the root thing is self-confidence.

[DS]

Yes, I agree. I paint in watercolor and do 4 paintings on a 9 by 12 paper. You really put into words all the reasons why this is good to do (very well). It also teaches you to loosen up because you can do the same subject, over and over again and is economical. Right now, I'm I'm working on doing better value and color work. To excel, you have to study. The techniques I have mastered.

[barbarachappuis]

Excellent topic and I think, as a beginner, going back and forth between sizes, like you said, is helpful. Each size presents it's own challenges and learning opportunities. Thanks!

[wulfseig]

Just wanted to throw in my process here to maybe give people ideas or inspiration. I use small painting to figure out color schemes and depth. I use a limited split primary palette to make my painting flow better. So, my smalls look abstract with no details. Sizes are 4x4s or 3ishx4s and I use an 8 filbert because you can use it flat or on the side. It's a habit now. I use it for all mediums. Absolutely invaluable. Hopefully this info will help.

Thanks for your awesome channel. Just recently found you.

[stardollxo]

great advice. im getting commissioned a certain subject i wouldn't usually go for.... but need to just appreciate the experience and what ill learn from it