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Water Mixable Oils

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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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[selftrue]

Chris, you never cease to amaze and impress me. You are, without a doubt, the most effective oil painting instructor on the web. In fact, I have abandoned all others. No endless chatter, no wasted words--every sentence full of usable content. You should be very proud of what you do; few are as intellectually and verbally precise and concise as you. If I ever get the courage to start painting, I will not hesitate to get on board with your organized classes. In the meantime, thank you for what you do! PS Sarasota rocks!

[lrb]

Your right about northern lighting as a dentist I would go to a north facing window to get the shade of my patient’s front teeth to make veneers

[natnicart]

I started with water-mixables. I don’t think I would have started oil painting because of being so overwhelmed with all the different types of mediums and thinners that come with traditional oil paints. I now use primarily traditional oils, but I will always suggest water-mixables for a newby who is just figuring things out.

[RyanKeane]

The best tutor on the tube. Criminally under-subscribed channel.

[NickLMears]

In the past I painted a lot with cheap craft paint. Recently tried small canvas panels and now I paint every day. Reducing brushes and experimenting with types is also a big help. (I use acrylics and haven't tried oils yet)

[leonardodelpuertoburk]

Grey cardboard is also great for studies. Put some gesso on it, if it warps too much just put some on the other side. It's cheap, quite rigid on itself and very light.

[nickshort]

Everything you do is so inspiring. I've told myself that I'll never be an artist since I was young but I connect so deeply with a good piece. Everything you teach is so practical and encouraging. Thanks for what you do!

[jerrifreeman]

Thank you for another great video. Precise and concise as usual. Your advice is always helpful and informative. You motivate me like no other.

[reedslater]

I just want to say thank-you. You have turned into a very masterful teacher. You present the material in a very clear and concise way. I've gained so much knowledge from your instruction.

[crisalidathomassie]

Excellent video! Chris, thanks so much for all the tips. You are amazing and continuously surprising us with great content. Very educational and great inspiration in each video. Blessings and take care.

[annfoster]

Another helpful video full of sound advice. I find you are the easiest artist to follow and learn from. Thankyou Chris

[laurieadams]

This is some of the best oil painting advice I've seen! Your advice is very logical and straightforward. You have similar advice I give when I teach watercolors. Such as student grade is fine. You don't have to use expensive substrates (although I do recommend a heavier paper). You can use basic but good brushes, etc. I went to college for my bachelor of fine arts and graduated at 61 and I felt I learned very little that I didn't already know in my classes I had there. As I mentioned my forte is watercolor and I am very comfortable teaching that. The gallery I belong to would like me to teach oil painting but I am not as comfortable with that. I have painted some nice paintings but I feel I am still just "winging it." Trying to explain how I do what I do is harder. I am looking forward to checking more of your videos to learn more about oil painting.

[pocketgrim]

Ive always drawn, never painted other than maybe early elementary when it was required. I'm 24, my parents went to france and came back with a bunch of oil paint materials that my family from over there recommended bc they knew i liked art. I never worked with color, ever, only pencil and ink, so i decided to give it a go after watching a few of your beginner videos. I painted my first oil painting yesterday and im pretty happy with it, ill be honest that i only really heeded the physical info on preparation and brushes and all of that but none of the painting advice. I wanted to go with my gut first to have a base of where i was at with knowledge and oil painting is fun, took up around 4 hours last night without me noticing. I watched a couple actual painting videos of yours after work today and you immediately answered a bunch of questions i was wondering about painting landscapes and i guarantee the next one i do will be almost incomparable to the first. Im excited to see where this goes, thanks for posting all of this on youtube for free i really do appreciate it!

[shantealletain]

I can't love this enough. I think the "think small" approach to learning and improving your skills is fabulous. By the way paint brushes make a huge difference. I painted with acrylic yesterday with a dollarstore bristle brush and the bristles fell onto my painting and got stuck. Most frustrating thing ever. Plus my gesso primed canvas sucked because my paint wouldn't spread out and absorbed like paper towel, so another hint for beginners to consider getting gesso even though it's already primed. I'm wanting to switch to oils, hence why I'm watching your videos. I've watched a couple now and they are really helpful.

[sylviewheeler]

As always, great advice and great video ! Perfect inspiration ! Thanks so much ! You are excellent ! I’m gonna try your idea of small paintings, and more often !

[CJ-jynx]

You rock, all of your tips are so timely! Thanks for making your videos! PAINT ON!

[trentriver]

This video should be required viewing for everyone just starting out. Every tip here is dead on!! I wish I'd seen this when I was starting out.

[liv]

I really enjoy your videos and your suggestions are really helpful. Thanks 👍👍

[janapeony]

Chris all I want to say is Thank you, your videos are great and so helpful!

[chriscallen]

Great tips for those of us that are experienced as well Chris. Thanks for sharing.