Painting with bold brush strokes | a painting exercise in confident mark-making

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[dorisr]

I think this video is a turning point for me. Watching you lay down your strokes is exactly what I needed to see. As one of the other commenters said, I already do this but I worry that it looks unfinished. Then I look at the work of accomplished painters and I see it’s just one of many styles. AND, there is no rule saying you can’t combine techniques. Thank you as always Christina.

[Catbooks]

In my opinion this is a highly successful painting. I'd be very happy if I'd done it, and happy to hang it in my home. I like your idea of doing a few like this, so the first doesn't feel so precious and allows for more freedom and confidence.

[stevecarmean]

I’m glad you brought this up Christina. When I was taking some beginners painting classes a few years ago I was taught not to blend any brushstrokes. While I realize the value of this I have to say it almost killed my desire to paint. I was so worried about avoiding any blending that I painted with a sense of caution and dread. I do appreciate really juicy brushwork in paintings but I also enjoy some blending. Sometimes it depends on the subject matter or the mood I’m in. I am a big fan of your cityscapes and your tendency to blend creates a real Bay Area atmosphere. I think we need to give ourselves permission to approach each new painting free to let the process work itself out organically. Thanks, as always for your videos!

[ronschlorff]

Good one Christina. Yes, the bold brush work is attractive and shows "confidence", if nothing else, and confident folks tend to be successful at Anything!! The great plein air painter Debra Huse, based in southern Ca., whom you may know of or have seen on say art school live with Eric Rhoads has a saying which kinda sticks in your mind when painting. She says, "lay a brush stroke down and then don't F with it", ...by that she means don't "futz" with it!! LOL ;D. Also, using a big brush helps to keep too much detail out of the work. I recall a workshop teacher saying, "use a brush that feels very Uncomfortable in your hand for the size of the panel", like an 8 and/or 10 for an 8x10 panel, easy to remember just use the ten for block in and most of the painting, and the 8 for any "detail" work!! LOL.

Cheers from beautiful and highly paintable southern AZ!! :D

[yknnays]

Definitive brush marks, like in this exercise, mixed with blended brush strokes makes for a great aesthetic.

[jenessabushey]

I’m just discovering your channel and I’m super excited. I’m loving your video topics and the way you teach.

[triciabennetts]

Thankyou Christina - another factor to add into this exercise could be limiting yourself to a certain number of brush lay downs / strokes - say 30 - mean to try this exercise, but keep forgetting about it 🙄

[lindafernandez]

Always enjoy your videos. Look forward to them each Sunday. Great exercise and explanation as usual 😊

[lcomfort]

It's damned good!
Keep going like this

[shahidxali]

Thanks for the advice, it’s worth repeating over and over again, love your videos.
I keep reminding myself that painting should be constructed shape by shape and each shape should be unique and distant. But being aware of what is at the end of your brush and how it will affect the rest of the painting is so cognitively demanding that my mind gives up after a few strokes and resort to fussing about an area of the painting.

[NexusRanG]

I'm enjoying this exercise. It's weird how I always admire other artists' brushstrokes but then I see someone's brushwork video (today it's yours) and I think 'Hey, I do that too!' Guess I need to give myself more credit and boldly enjoy my craft. Thank you

[markhamilton]

Thanks for this, really helpful advice as I am far to 'fussy' with my brushstrokes. Love your content, wish you the best for this channel

[AezlyndWanderin]

Another artist was saying in his video that he uses his Pein air sketches instead of notans. So they give him not only the information on value but also on tone and hue.

[MadisonBriggsArtchick]

Hi Christina. Not sure why you’re going over so many brush strokes twice. Maybe if you load up the brush with more paint you won’t need to do that might even be that you don’t realize you’re doing it, but I say if you’re gonna do this, then lay one down and leave it without going over it a second time… your work is always lovely! As far as another lighter or darker layer, you can certainly do that still with one brush stroke.

[AliBaba-kejn]

Hi Christina Do you ever paint with acrylics?