A Simple Beginners Guide To Oil Painting

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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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[Mustlovebooks]

I’m finding myself really annoyed right now. I have taken a few classes on oil painting and got nothing out of them. Lots of time and money put into them. Then I watch this and in 20 minutes he has explained more, and done it well than all my classes combined. I’m glad I’ve found someone who can actually teach

[shmems]

I’ve taken many painting classes in college and Ive learned way more from your videos 😅. It was like they expected me to already know all these basic techniques when I didn’t.

[vincemazo]

You're a really great teacher. I've been painting about a year now and I love your channel. It's been very helpful.

[doling]

I love that you didn't shy away from suggesting the watermixable oils. They can be very very beginner friendly in terms of process and clean up and yet still retain the feel of oil. I'm still using up my first set and I've been loving them for years. Used for many commissions as well.

[jodysmith]

I am a real beginner and I find your video excellent. Firstly, you speak right to the point, and you get to the point fast. Secondly, you demonstrated too. I learned a lot from your video. Thank you!

[GothicMaximalist]

When I was a kid and pre-teen, I painted with acrylics, oil paint, water color, I drew with charcoal, graphite, markers and everything in between, my dad was a fantastic painter (person not so much). Depression took all of that and more away from me throughout my teen years and well into adult life (turning 31 this Spring). I desperately want to find my artistic talents and skills again and this video was by far the best, most clear and easy to understand video on the subject that I have ever seen. Other videos I watched made me feel like I needed to know every painter that ever existed, gone to art school, had endless amounts of money for endless amounts of supplies, they made me feel like this would never happen for me, that it was too late. This video has done the opposite. I appreciate your simple approach to tools and learning, this now feels like an attainable dream.

[zmbiiez]

This was actually my very first oil painting ever and it looks absolutely fantastic. Although I made it months ago, I thought I'd still thank you. You're a fantastic teacher!

[aarmano]

That painting exercise is the first time I've ever seen anyone explain it that way. And it made a TREMENDOUS impact on my understanding of value (and I've been drawing for over 30 years)!!

[thechurchofnewbeginningsro]

I love the idea of taking a picture of what I want to paint and changing it to b&w on my phone for the underpainting. And the product suggestions are helpful. You’re right about so many instructors; it is nice to pick the process you prefer the most but it is very confusing. Thank you for being a good paint coach!

[princessamani]

Finally painting makes sense! I've watched so many other tutorials and no one breaks it down like you do. Thank you!

[IrishChippy]

Okay, at 60 I decided I want to try oil painting. We have acrylics and watercolors, easels, brushes, palettes, canvases etc that my wife and daughter uses. I also have paint thinner (turpentine & white spirit) and linseed in my workshop. I just ordered some Winsor & Newton Oils, brushes & medium. I really enjoyed this video and watched from start to finish. The last two other ones I watched by other youtubers spent too much time trying to promote their foundation course, unlike you who only vaguely mentioned once (I think). Will come back. Thank you

[europeanroyalty]

You simply cannot beat rosemary for brushes, price and quality, I don't care what anyone says about another brand. Rosemary is the rembrandt of brushes. Love the comedy element of your video's.

[selenaclarke]

value does all the work, colour gets all the credit

[nishantsharma]

I just want to show my appreciation here. I have been struggling to find a channel that sums up everything for a beginner and explain the basics in details and not just jump to start painting so that we are left bewildered in the process. And I can comfirm I have found my guide and teacher. You really are a paint coach. Thank you for sharing your insights with us. Love and respect from a fellow artist all the way from India. Namaste :)

[astroid]

i’ve always wanted to get into oil painting but i didn’t like doing it because of how the paint flowed. I always wanted thick paint because that is how i thought that nice flow would be made but no, it’s actually thinner, wet paint. Soon i’ll be able to do my first actual oil painting because of you, thank you man!

[sonalisarkar]

This video is very special to me as it was uploaded in our 75th independence day. I am a follower from India. I love your videos so much. Like the previous videos, it was very helpful and simple and easy to apply. Thanks a lot . Thank you very much.

[KarenParkerArtist]

This is a good basic primer. But I would add that paint thinner does not just thin the oil paint. It is a solvent that breaks the polymer bonds of the oil base. Using too much is not ideal.

Think of a detergent or degreaser, except stronger. Using too much will make the paint film weaker and more prone to cracking or flaking. Maybe in 10 years, maybe 100. So, perhaps not important to "dabblers" who are doing it for pleasure. But to ensure that your hard work does not fall apart when the grandkids inherit it, there are some things to remember about using thinners and layering.

-Underpainting or staining your canvas with a very thinned down wash of turps/oil paint is fine. You can get some great effect from that. And the weave of the canvas helps stabilize the pigment

-Every layer after that first thin layer should be thicker than the last. OR alternately, use a stabilizing medium like linseed oil, the gel mentioned or alkyd medium. This process is known as: Fat over lean.

-Fat over Lean means start out with less oil paint (paint with thinner) and each layer has more and more fat (oil) until you are using straight oil paint OR a medium that adds "fat" (which used to be literal oil/fat, but which now includes various chemical mediums)

Your videos consistently have solid advice. That's why this goes in the studio basics playlist for my beginning painting students.

[everythingaboutnothing]

I'm a total beginner. Haven't even opened my oil paints yet. Lots of fear of failure. This is the best beginner video I've seen so far. The clear honest communication and great examples and explanations. Thank you

[julianaolejkova]

I have seen many videos about painting. None of them gave me as much as yours videos. Your gift of speaking and your advice are the best.

[katyadentremont]

This was so helpful. I'm transitioning from painting in acrylics to painting in oil and this video gave me a great place to start. Thank you.