How to MASTER Oil Painting Alla Prima

What's necessary to become a professional artist and achieve mastery isn't necessarily what you think. You don't need to go to art school or paint every day to get to where you want to be.

M E N T I O N E D

0:00 The issue of "strong" and "weak" artists
3:50 What consistency really means
5:50 How to actually improve your art skills
11:30 Self criticism vs curiosity
15:00 How to analyze your own work

M U S I C
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[harryainsworth]

as a gym rat and painter, i think its super imporant to learn what scedule suits you. Personally painting every day often led me to slump and not progress, whereas painting every few days led more to improvement, just like weightlifting. As sargent said, painting is mostly about training the eye to see color and shape, this is why he wanted to sketch everything constantly, but the brain needs time to process these things.

[Exxorpreystalker]

"The most important tool an artist can master is observation" - Marc Brunet. This quote from Marc really changed how I approach art. Being able to observe how things work/look really help you improve and goes back to the idea of not needing to practice everyday.
Just thinking about art and actual focused study helps more than just painting or drawing or sculpting just to do it everyday

[angelacorbenartist]

Thank you for such an informative and insightful video and a fantastic portrait demo. I too realise that I need space to reflect and to gather my energy before painting and no longer push myself to burn out. As a result my craft has become more meaningful and I am more open to the process and ready to reflect afterwards.

[seran]

I love your videos talking about the psychology behind painting. I’ve been trying to paint consistently and constructively for a long time but I realized my depression is getting in the way where I was getting no joy from the process of painting. So I stopped painting. I’ve been managing my depression recently and as part of that process, I’m trying to get back into a habit of painting on a regular basis where I emphasize actually having fun from painting as opposed to focusing on the end product. Like when I try to create colours or play around with values just to see how they turn out on the canvas. This approach is kinda working for me and I see myself painting more. Love your videos and they’re so informative and validating!

[KathyBrooksArt]

This was one of the most useful and insightful lessons I've heard in quite some time. Really appreciate your sharing your own thoughts and the valuable lessons with us. Thank you Chelsea.

[EasyZee]

I have a 30 year career in animation. I draw, I paint, I play guitar, I garden, I cook, I do a bunch of things... but I have not and never will master any of those. And I am okay with that. I am okay with just being passably proficient in all my hobbies without ever being a master. I idolize masters, I respect masters, I envy masters. To show that much dedication to a single craft is admirable.

[gabymazmanian]

Thank you Chelsea for this video... You have s good technique in simplifying the painting from it´s begining... I am a painter too and i think i have things in common with you in technique... I ´ve watched several of your videos, they made me happy for the moment of watching... Carry on you are a very good painter... Once more Thank you!

[CapraDemon]

I'm enjoying keeping a train of paintings at different stages that I'll cycle through. It's nice to always have something that's almost complete, seems to require less reliance on 'inspiration'

[brit]

So eloquent! I am equally as impressed by the messages you convey, as the words you put to them - it's poetic. Even Chris Fornataro called that out in his recent podcast with Andrew Tischler. It's so true! Keep doing what you're doing and thank you 😊

[Scarletpuma]

Thank you. You are great artist and great teacher too.

[nileshnikaljeart]

Beautiful painting with good message 😊

[grounded]

I love your style of painting; THAT's what I aspire to do ... some day. Thanks for this and all the great videos. You are awesome.

[philipcoleman]

People can be taught! I attended a class and was quite good then when I joined, I attended for the converation and for the trips to different galleries. Watercolour painting was natural, I was fearless. But over the two years others was painting exciting expressive works. I experienced a burn out through trauma. I had to learn again, I had lost my advantage and fear was there.
Well I'm starting again with a new medium, ''OIL'' and I love it!

[luciaferri]

Your videos are really helpful and inspirational, at least to me❤️ thank you

[elsevillaart]

You don't go to school for techniques...you go for experiences. Been competitive with class friends, talk about art at parties, sharing the same doubts and dreams. Drinking partying, is something you can't get on your own or online, or by reading books. Luckily I had both. Nice video.

[simontheslayer]

Curiosity is about observing different things, trying new things, changing subjects. It is about expanding your understanding of relations of objects and forces in the world- for painters it usually boils down to "expanding your visual library".

[ellascottagecompany]

New to your channel. Thank you for the helpful encouragement and wise words.

[mdoty]

Many of my struggles are addressed here. Comparison to mentors is a recipe for complete paralysis for me. Just subscribed. Thanks!

[steveputtrich]

Chelsea, your work and words are beautiful. This demo came out wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
In this video, the list comparing strong and weak artist habits was one of my FB posts that I soon ripped down, crumpled up and threw in the trash can. It was a sour dud, and I knew it. We all get them now and again. Anyway, I’m glad someone found it, picked it out of the trash and gave it to you to make lemonade out of it. We’ll done.

What you missed in your screen shot was the first sentence I had in trying to understand the patterns or habits of various artists and I was curious to see if there was any habits i could change in my life that would make me a stronger artists.

I’m also reading James Clear’s book on Atomic Habits and I was curious on the habits we artists have in life and how these patterns effect our growth.
It was written as an attempt to spur conversation over various habits and choices each artists makes.
I like how you boiled it down to
Consistency, Curiosity and Tools to analyze your own work.

Again, your work is beautiful, keep on making beautiful art and sharing your wisdom.
Huge fan.

[allenvoss]

I’m right on target with everything. Great vid