The one step that makes OIL PAINTING landscapes so much EASIER

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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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[dmjune]

I certainly do appreciate your instructional videos. It's very encouraging to me, as I am 60 y.o. and only started painting 10 years ago. I see how you have grown as an artist and an instructor and find great value in your teaching. I took your portrait painting course, and I'm amazed at how helpful it is to me. I'm a landscape artist, and until now have never painted a portrait. But I remember you saying in one of your YouTube videos that portrait painting will help with my landscape skill. That's one main reason I chose to take your portrait course. Thank you Chris!

[NickLMears]

Simplifying by value and only using primary colors has been extremely helpful in my painting. Thank you for the videos.

[chukukaogude]

I think I finally get why people do master studies. I'll be honest, at first, I was like. "Why would I want to copy someone else's painting? I am not a copycat. That's cheating." However, when I moved from painting portraits to landscapes, I live in a flat piece of land. There is absolutely NOTHING near me that is pleasing. I can't just go travel somewhere right now either. The work of making the scene/composition, color placement, etc. is already done in someone else's painting. I don't have to break my brains on my current physical limitation and my beginning skills on scene building/composition. I can look at their painting and try and see how they solved some problems. I can also start to understand and break down what makes the painting a good composition. I won't be stuck saying to myself "does that make a good composition?" and by doing the master study I am breaking down and getting the feel for good compostions/scene building.

I was kind of dumb to think I was stealing. I mean if one learns how to play an instrument, they first play other people's music. If one goes to become an engineer, they learn from someone else's first. I don't think I've ever have been told to create something brand new first with no previous experience ever in my life lol. Obviously, this is what is meant by standing on the shoulders of giants. At least I think so.

[RobertJonesWightpaint]

You're very generous with these demos - you could just provide a tease-taste, but you pack a hell of a lot in to something under ten minutes. and although I've been painting for many years (around 50 plus) it is extremely useful to be reminded of certain truths (eg, that detail won't save a failing painting when the basic structures are off-base).

[nothingtoprove]

47 seconds in, and you’ve already given one of the best tips I’ve heard! I’m gonna implement it ASAP.

[joannzimel]

I love your technique Chris. You really simplify the whole process to make it more understandable especially for people who never were formally trained.Thank you so much for all of your videos and lessons.

[claireryan]

I’ve always done portraits and thought I couldn’t do landscapes very well. Your videos help me to change that belief.

[LSmith-zycy]

Chris, just want to say you’re doing an awesome job at teaching us the fundamentals, and you do it a lot (because sometimes I need the fundamentals continuously pounded into my head). You’re the best!! Keep up with your tutorials.

[DerylArrazaq]

your explanation is true enough and helpful to keep a faith in painting. thank you

[lilicafaray]

I just impulsively bought oil paint and I'm starting to do this with absolutely 0 clue 😊 so far your videos seem very helpful!!!!

[gabrielraphael]

You're really a live saver..you made me understand that painting is easy

[brucekalter]

Super interesting and super helpful. I plan to follow these guidelines in my next landscape painting!

[sylasblack]

I put a value chart behind my glass pallette and keep my relative values in organized columns. Also, I put my references behind it for easier hue/value matching. It really helps me keep everything more focused to specific tiers of depth.

[phipsart]

I got so lost in the details from second 1 of painting, all the time. Recently I tried something similar, squinting my eyes, blurring my vision, and I gotta say this was the biggest gamechanger I ever had.

[ThomasWeissJr]

I use this approach for anything I'm painting. Definitely works well!

[DannySabraArt]

Great video Chris! Really cool master study as well. I should look more into Edgar Payne’s work.

[crisalidathomassie]

Thanks so much for these tips. You are an amazing artist! Blessings and take care.

[ConservativeSatanist]

Man, I love your Channel! You got a video for almost everything lol

[kr]

Another helpful video, thanks Chris. Question: I don't know if you have covered this before, could you please make a video about how to paint different type of clothing? Like what kind of approach you need to make something look like leather, silk or different types of fabric. Thanks a lot.

[taketimetoseait]

This has been helpful...not just in painting, in seeing ... what is, what could B...