PAINT TALK: 5 Ways to Increase the Speed at Which You Learn Oil Painting

MY BRUSH SET
Painting Books I Like
Materials I like

Water Mixable Oils

Water mixable mediums

Filming

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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[archanagurudu]

Thank you Chris for mentioning other artists in your videos. Not only does it make your points clearer, but it also allows me to check out other amazing artists. I have already found out about so many through your videos.

[c.shakeshaft]

You are my tutor right now. Love your work and you are an excellent teacher. Thanks.

[lauraorem]

"A neverending journey of problem-solving." Going up on my wall.

[DannySabraArt]

So insightful about how learning how to paint is just a series of puzzles we have to solve and working through those problem solving skills. Whenever I see a problem in my painting I think "ok, what's the problem here?" and try to devote time to figuring out how to solve it. When I ignore that problem? It doesnt get any better magically! haha. great video

[chukukaogude]

I did watch other YouTube artist but your methods were easy for me to understand and follow. You are a great help in my advancement over the year. I've even watched some of your full painting videos so that I could see how you solved the problems. I still take like 4+ hours to paint a portrait. When I watch your full painting vids, can see your experience and knowing what to do shorten the times. So I moved on from trying to shorten my time for now because I know probably next year I'll have built in some those time saving skills through experience.

I would say my form and structure skills are at 85% at 4 hours of painting. That should improve over time. I know that only by doing more paintings and looking at what succeeded and what failed is how I'll get better.

I am now dabbling and learning to see more color. I am running around looking at landscapes and cityscapes that is at sunrise, sunset with or without raining. I took a picture when I was traveling the sunset peaked out and hit the low clouds while it was raining. Failure of a painting lol. I knew it would be a total failure because I have to tear down some prebuilt structures my brain created over the years. Then build it back up with new insight.

For example I was looking at clouds for 2 hours waiting for a late bus. They looked the same distance. I then saw some clouds that were all grey but just on the side of them clouds that were white. I was dumbfounded by this. How could the clouds be that grey when they are the same distance? In a painting that would look stupid and unrealistic. I then thought they were at different distances. That's when, after some time, the grey cloud started getting some sunlight. I was thinking, why now? That's when I decided to turn around. There was a larger cloud far in the distance far above the clouds I was looking at. It was a HUGE shadow on to those grey clouds. That's when I started taking really looking at something seriously. Now I see all sorts of light interaction between clouds and can tell their distances. I now stop and ask myself "is this truly the only thing I am seeing?" It can make things like looking at grass grow engaging.

[maple]

Chris, I can really identify with what you said about teaching. I was a teacher for 15 years until disability made it impossible. I think you’re a great teacher!

[jadar]

Always a delight to be reminded of all the pragmatic ways to approach our painting life. Your ‘Go Get Painting’ phrase was very effective at getting me back to a routine i used to have for many years…painting (or drawing)something, anything, preferably small and having no specific reason, every day no matter what other artwork i needed to get done. I had fallen away from that excellent habit and, you, young man, have brought me back to it. So much fun❣️

[fereshmahta]

please create a video about clouds, thank you, dear Chris.

[kermit]

Great video again! I don't drink coffee but I have my tea with me

[hcramos]

I just found your channel and so glad I did. Keep up the amazing videos!

[conham]

Thank you coach Chris! Great tips as always. That last tip is one HUGE mistake I made, taking an online course and "following along stroke by stroke" and feel I've wasted a lot of time. There was no discussion about color theory or composition or any other of the basics to teach a newbie like I was. I did learn some brush techniques and a "process" from start to finish but now am scrambling with color theory, how to loosen up on my brush strokes, and learning all I can about composition, both in landscapes and still lifes. Thank you for your inspiration and encouragement! May just have to pop over and join your Foundations painting course. Love your paintings BTW.

[renatab]

your videos are great because your way of thinking is great

[jperry]

Thanks Chris, very helpful as always.

[nikkiswenson]

Good advise for everyone trying to get to the next level! Thanks, Chris!

[marke]

I just bought the brush set you recommended, made here in the UK I think. I have used a lot of brushes but these ones are very nice. Coming from acrylic painting to oils and you have helped a lot. Thanks Coach

[dawn]

Best way to speed learn anything; be willing to learn and be willing to teach. Mpst roadblocks in life come not by lack of knowledge, but by lack of insight.

[neu-ter]

Much appreciated. Thank You.
I have my coffee ☕

[ellesnyder]

Your advise, as always, is great...
And BTW, your hair is awesome.

[pattypatterson]

I’m learning...thanks to you...my stumbling block today...beards...I’m trying to capture a white beard with grey...not sure if layers will help...I’m always shy of over touching..my god...this is all so fun

[mipsydear]

Love your videos! I haven't started oil painting yet but I'm so interested in it. I have a question though, is it possible for me to explore oil painting if I live in an apartment, and so my work space is a little den with no windows.. just a ceiling fan and if I use non toxic paint thinner do you think that's safe for me and pets? Or do I simply need much more ventilation? Thank you for any answers!