5 Ways to Improve Your Painting in 2020 

Believe Stuart when he says "Stay with me". The end is alway worth it and it's a marvel to see how a mess can be transformed!

Keep it cheap, relax, make a mess, see what happens, go for big, bold, dynamic shapes, find the painting in the mess using your imagination .... and its made on gessoed plywood, a basic oil palet from e.g. LeFranc and linseed oil. Stay loose as long as possible. Nothing worse than a stiff painting. Its sap green, red ochre,( or cadmium red) start dark and go light by dragging a paper towel .... seems like really good advice and then practice 🙃🌺❤️

I've learnt more in 56 minutes & 32 seconds than a 3 year degree ciurse and then a masters degree at Camberwell College of Art! I can't thank you enough!

Can we all take a moment to appreciate his sense of humour? I see comments talking about his paintings and they're obviously stunning but his subtle sense of humour is really enjoyable.

‘The cauliflower is evil’ will stay with me for ever! Absolutely wonderful!

I have to say Thank you for expressing your thoughts on the videos that speedup. There is nothing more frustrating when you have come to learn "seriously" taking my time and understanding depth composition etc. can not be absorbed in a 3minute fast forward... So I thank you I truly appreciate how you teach. Im thinking of switching to oils from acrylic since watching your videos. Excellent!

Hi Stuart 👋 1st time seeing your videos today. Love your style of painting. Your hand paints like a single orchestra. What you can create out of the cribbing you started with. The painter you were trying to remember is "Bob Ross". As for my option on the speed you chosen to teach us how one can paint is perfect 👌. Thank you for sharing, way to many paint to fast. Hope to enjoy more of your work in the near future. I am just beginning to paint at the sweet young age of 65. They always say "better late then never". Sincerely, Neva From Michigan, USA 🇺🇸

Thank you so much. My mind and eyes are open! I just spilled a drink on the floor and I could see a fence and a bush in the mess...lol I know it's silly but I had to come tell you.

I am officially addicted and a binge watcher. Thank you Stuart

One of the things I like about watching your videos is your calm, quiet confidence. It helps me to feel the same way :-)

I love the fact that you show the major part of how you compose your pictures, and I really don't mind a bit of shoulder in the way...

I find the atmospheric sky elicits the electric feeling you get just before a storm

Always a pleasure to watch and listen to you Stuart. It's a fantastic way to paint, to create your own landscape by random brush marks and allow things to just develop from imagination. Much better and more fun than religiously copying every detail in reference photos.

I enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you!

I was driving home from a blustery day out on a golf course today .. found myself looking at the sky wondering "is that pink and yellow and steel blue I see wondering around in those clouds? ... a few hints of red and dashes of orange? Then I thought what the hell has that expatriated Englishman done to me?? Something grand! I believe... something just simply grand. Recent drawings I've made has piqued the interest in art of my spouse and son... should we ever come to France again, I might just feel compelled to have Mr. Davies work his five days of magic on the three of us.

Thanks for all the teaching Stuart. I have stopped skimping on oil paint to 'save money.' I have lots of lovely colours and have realised with your help that they look better on a painting than in the tube. It is all part of being brave, loosening up and enjoying the process and end result. The paintings are improving too!

Wow!!!! You are natural teacher. My daughter in Adelaide sent me your link today. I started painting at 64, a few months back and never ever thought I could. Surprised myself. Retired now and have enough time to spend on it. Was not even thinking of doing oil, but will definitely give it a go now. Love from South Africa

Pisces , soft and sensitive with a gentle manner but resilient none the less ! Happy Birthday Stuart from a fellow Pisces in a land down under !

Mr Davies, you are correct in thinking that people like to watch as you do your painting in real time. It has made a significant improvement in my own painting by watching your brush strokes and with your tutorials, I have truly fallen in love with your work and I have found a mentor for my work. Thank you!

Happy birthday! May life grants you decades to keep on painting

I watch your videos (the whole thing) because I learn a lot and start thinking about what I'd like to do myself. Then i go paint. I love listening and watching.

Watching your excellent tutorials in painting gets me back into my current in progress painting, every time. Thank. you! Hope you and your wife are in good health and doing well!

I can’t paint for toffee. but I love putting paint and colours down. Your whole approach is so encouraging to me and helps overcome the fear. Thank you.

I love colour - all colours. So this painting really appeals to me, for the mingling and juxtaposition of the various colours. It is what makes the painting come alive.

Beautiful! If you use oils you can clean your brushes with baby oil. Smells wonderful, and clean your hands with it as well.

You are a gem Stuart .... I will recommend you to my young student. THANK YOU💕

I love sunrises and sunsets, could you paint one or two? I love the way you paint so relaxed.

ADORE the sky in this one! “Make a mess, then find the painting in the mess...” One of my favorite of Stuart’s videos 🙏🏼🌹

I am not a painter but a musician, but I have always appreciated the visual arts and painting in particular. I absolutely love your way of painting and how you explain what your method in a way that I can easily understand. Thanks for sharing your art with everyone here

You look good for 68 Stuart , I’m 62 and just took up painting and I love it! I think your paintings are fantastic and your instructions and brilliant I have managed a couple of paintings that are quite passable,if I say so myself. Anyway all the best Stuart have a great birthday and keep making the videos

Happy Birthday! I enjoy your videos very much.

Watched till the end and I loved every minute of it! I also agree that time lapse videos are not much interest-at least to me. I enjoy watching the entire process in real time. Remarkable and beautiful work!

I must be weird...I never lose interest with your videos....you keep my attention because you are actually explaining important things the whole time. Adding texture with kitchen paper is one of the most deft accomplishments.....I love it! Your filberts seem so much fuller than the ones available in the US.

Born in September, 1952. Happy birthday, kindred spirit. Always good to learn new things.

I love your advice 😊🙋🏻‍♀️hello from my hay loft studio in Georgia, USA

You've made me think I should try oils. I've been intimidated, but I'm feeling brave after watching you

I am so enjoying painting whilst in social isolation- such a pleasure in bleak times. Hope you, Stuart, are managing okay and it is not too difficult where you are. Keep well

Your comment at the 45 minute mark about time, I like the time that you use (about an hour) it's a comfortable time frame, and I love to watch from beginning to end to see how you create and develop the painting as well as your lovely commentary.

Enjoyed the anecdote about Lord Snowdon. Agree that time-lapse teaches nothing. Great video!

Hello, wonderful painting, and I like how you are explaining the techniques you use, and why! I always watch your entire video - I feel if I left early I might miss something! I've tried to use acrylics some years back, but I didn't like them as well as oils. I paint mainly to relax, not very good, but I like doing it, and I'm always willing to learn more. Love what you do!

An amazing painting, love it, love your life stories.

Don't change what you are doing, love watching you paint and listening to you. You explain everything very clearly, I could watch you for hours, you are a fantastic teacher. Thank you Stuart from a grateful subscriber in the UK.

One of my favorites of yours!! I can hear the thunder and lightening…no really, it’s storming here- haha- love it, thank you so much for your lessons!!

Hello from Elgin, Illinois!Thank you for your generosity. I am sooo thankful I found your channel! Your tonalist style is exactly what I aspire to. For the time being, I am watching and practicing with you at home and saving my $ to take a workshop with you and yoga with your wife. If it wasn't for the Covid19, I would be there! Your wonderful voice, your art and your expertise & patient instruction are so much appreciated!

Happy belated Birthday Stuart. That implied texture of the fields is so masterfully done. Moving the eye around like that- Brilliant. It's so enjoyable to watch you work and listen to your thoughts. As for paintings, I think the best ones are the artists prerogative, but... I would be curious to see your impressions on the various seasons, fall or winter snow or frost for example. Thank you again for a great video.

I quite enjoy going back to your older work. They are all teaching me new bits. Every one. Thank you.

I will never get tired of looking you painting, plus your voice is so relaxing and I like how your paintings end up, it's amazing! I wish I could be bold as you with the colours and brushes but I'm sure I will end up with an ugly mess. Please do not stop posting on youtube I love everything you do and thanks for showing your works to us.

There must be a reason I tend to watch your whole videos. Love the generous share of tips and instruction. Thank you!

Thank you, so much Stuart , for your good personal technique, personal Painting!!!Greeting from Austria.

Great as ever! I paint in a completely different style and I’m not sure your style would work for me but I love watching your videos. Thanks for uploading. I too prefer to paint on hard surfaces 👍

Hi Stuart love the channel! I am also from the graphic designer pantone markers and lightboxes/pasteup era. I am brushing up my love of painting with your excellent lessons. Many thanks.

Thank you so much for another wonderful video Stuart, your time, knowledge and teaching is so much appreciated! As a complete beginner I was about to throw the towel in a few months ago till I came across your channel now I'm actually painting pictures I am so happy with thanks to you. I will definitely become a patron to show my appreciation.

Guess I might be the oldest one writing. I’m soon to be on the 25 of March ...91 years old. I have been painting now for twelve years. I paint in watercolor, pastel, and sometimes oil. I do not like Acrylics. I have stopped painting in oil because of the smell of turpentine. I have COPD from smoking years ago. After watching this video by Mr. Stuart I’m convinced his method will make a difference for me to give it a try to get back into painting again. Bravo ‘Stuart’ after seeing your film has given me the desire to get back and try your technique.👍

Happy Birthday and thank you again for giving all of this wonderful advice for free! 😊👍🏻

I’ve been watching your videos for a few weeks now and genuinely appreciate your instruction. In particular, I think I need to work on loosening up. I think I was afraid of the paint for too long, the supposed permanence and such, but you have taught me to be more free with it. I still stress about it some and “try too hard.” I can imagine you at my side telling me to relax and just apply color and shape. I’m working on this. Any more suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

It's always nice to see a pro painter go threw the motions without a ton of time lapse. You can see your wrist movements and amount of pressure on the brush (which I fight with sometimes). Your voice is relaxing and keeps one in the right frame of mind. Only tiny thing that I would suggest would be to turn up the volume just a bit on the videos. I do love your advise even though I do paint with acrylics. Keep up the great work my friend. 😎

Always watch to the end! Happy birthday! And thank you for making oil painting feel so accessible.

Hoping to get more relaxed with this obsession of mine

I like to see all the steps...and I like the commentary.

Thanks for the tips!! You've helped me to loosen up quite a bit when painting. I still find myself getting frustrated in my explorations, but I'm still learning. And Happy Belated Birthday Mr. Davies!! I hope you had a wonderful day. 💚

Wow I watched all the video thank you so much . I have started painting since my husband passed away, it has saved my life. I will give it a try 😍💁

You mentioned your love of clouds at one point and at another potentially having the flattest/simplest of landscapes so that you can just focus on the sky - I want to see that if you're taking requests - Clouds, clouds, and more clouds! Love your work and commentary - thanks for sharing your journey

I’m from the state of Indiana and have been subscribed to your channel for a couple years now. This painting is one of my favorites. Awesome job.

'42 was a good year too 😊

How I wish I could come to see you in France! Thank you. I do not get very many oil painting demonstrations to watch. Have always loved your paintings.

Thank you Stuart! Always watch the whole thing. Its fascinating and you are quite witty.

Your handling of paint reminds me of Turner. That’s a compliment!

I really appreciate the fact you are not doing 'time laps' videos. I am learning so much from following all the steps and understanding the method.

watch every video you make. Painting tonalist right now and using your colors, mostly; esp. red ochre. Have had many professional painting teachers but learn the most from you. Thanks. John, Esq.

I would love a 9 hour series

I have just discovered you and I am so thrilled . Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent and techniques to achieve such atmospheric paintings in Oil. I have recently invested in a small collection of oil paints and you have more than inspired me to proceed with all haste and not to be afraid of what can be created. Thank you .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR STUART!!🎈🎈🌹🌷🌻❤

Brilliant result - and the journey was a blast. Thank you.

Hello. I am a painter by Born because my Parents and Family elders, even People nearby can not say when did i started. As from middle class, always used low cost materials. I am proffessionaly, Environmental Scientist, teach in a University. Many days i had not enough food but keep painting, at least sketches. I am 65 now, in 1996 experienced Heart bypass surgery and since than lost my job, sufferings jumped one over the others but it was ART, my best Friend never left me. At this age and Tuff Covid situations i find you, inspired. Age, sufferings and nothing could take away a PEACE of single moment as painting my best companions. I have no academic degree on Art but feel pleasure to introduce me as an Artist. Take care. A very HAPPY NEW YEAR to you. Regards. Raguib Ahmed, Bangladesh. A Kaleidoscopic Country, gives every look, anywhere: subjects of Paintings.

Your demo painting was exquisite, esp. the sky! Love ot! So dramatic! I am a tight painter, hate it! So learned a lot from your videoA Thank you, will be watching a lot more, and doing more landscapes, loosened up!

Thank you, Stuart, for this wonderful video! I am so glad that you do not do time lapse..I have never gotten much out of them. I enjoy all your videos..the longer the better! I stay until the very end eagerly looking forward to the next one! Happy belated birthday! ❤️❤️❤️

Crikey -Just heard ( from your video) that we share the same birthday apart from the year - I am slightly older than you :-) And your tip to view Crane - excellent inspiring work.

Just incredible, thank you for this tutorial and your tips. I agree - don't do the speed video, you have got your videos bob on as they are. Looking forward to the glazing.

This was almost like a meditation! You were so smart to tempt us to stay the entire time. It was well worth it! Thank you!

I find your video more than educational; I find it extremely encouraging. Most tutorials teach one to follow the instructor’s brushstrokes to copy the exact painting they have put forth. I find most instructions have been, “Have fun while painting:”. You actually explain how to have fun painting. I love these videos you have done, and I thank you for your patience and for so many helpful hints. You are not only interesting, but a true mentor.

Thank you for your beautiful video. I so enjoyed your demo. The best was at the end when I saw your magnificent sky. Oolah!!!

Please keep talking as you paint. Even though it may sound like prattle to you, it is many things to us. Your voice is very relaxing, your painting tips and procedures are great, your stories are interesting and/or funny, your repetitions are good for us. Don't worry about how you sound, you take us to a fabulous painting space If we want to paint tousic, we can always turn off the sound and play our own music. Thank you so much for your videos!

Great video! You asked about length of videos. I definitely like the shorter ones you do because of how simple they are but at the same time your longer ones teach me so much more! I think they also give you more time to add more color which gives the painting more “detail”. Anyways, when I try this style it’s hard for me to match the sky and the landscape. The sky ends up being too soft and looks like a completely different style. There’s obviously a difference in your paintings as well but they still match. Any advice?

I’m fascinated with your style and I last from start to finish!, your choices of colours with end result I absorb and will adapt. I have been using acrylics but now I will change. Thank you very much for sharing your talent - very grateful for your generosity

Good advice. As someone who can draw, I find drawing often gets in the way because it causes me to think of line instead of shape, detail instead of design, and goal instead of journey (or finish instead of process).

watched all. cannot believe how you make such a mess and make it so beautiful in the end. Amazing!

Hi, Stuart. First, I'm so glad I stayed until the end to watch the entire video. Those last few strokes in the mid background of highlight are exquisite. I love your videos. I'm a painter who lost her "voice" and haven't been able to paint for over 14 years: I've developed a panicky fear of failure. I'm scared I'll either over-paint or not know when the painting is done. I love you your attitude of making a mess first and then looking for the painting in the mess. It takes away the fear of failure. Are you still offering classes in France?

Happy birthday! Yes, 1952 was a great year, he he. I will be 68 at the 5th of May! I like your calm voice, by the way, it makes for nice videos, and I think we learn more that way! Greetings from Sweden!

I was a fan of Mr. Ross' painting technique for years...waaaay before RU-vid was invented, and found him very entertaining though not very helpful when I was learning to paint. I just found your videos and watched two of them tonight. I'll definitely be back for more. I used to paint in oils but recently began using acrylics. I didn't think I would go back to oils but you have me rethinking that. Thanks for the inspiration!

Hi Stuart! After over a year of watching your videos religiously, I finally attempted a painting using your technique. I have a ways to go yet, but it’s absolutely the most liberating and relaxing style of painting I’ve ever tried. I‘ve already heard your voice in my head saying “Stop” several times 😁 Thank you for being such an inspiration, and please keep those videos coming!

Thank you Stuart! I got some goose bumps of happienes by the end of a video. Your voice, paintings reminds me of my time in United Kingdom. From 2008 to 2016 I have visited and work in many beautiful places. Most of them were country side from the fields near Lochness threw Isle of Wight. I was living in London for over a year working two full time jobs ohh Frankly it was madness traveling everydey from Ilford to Holborn and then to Green Park. Creating a YT chanel is a good Idea I think I got a lot of interesting stories to tell. I am a fan of Anglo-Saxon culture. I was thinking Maybe in the future you could make a painting of some Scotish land or maybe something completaly different like a desert landscape. One more thing I am making Payne's Grey by mixing wihte with more black and a litle bit of ultramarine and royal blue by mixing ultramarine with zinc white I think it kind of silimar shades to yours I have a problems to make Jap. Red I think I will need stronger Red to get this particualr colour I am oparating Indian red as red colur and this is all I have right now.

Simply wonderfully dramatic!

A very majestic painting, your soothing voice and many useful hints. You had me hooked for an hour.

Dear Mr.Davis, if I may give you my feedback.As a self taught artist who learned to paint(watercolor) and now acrylic via tube, pinterest and IG. I think there are 2 types of viewers out there. One type that just wants quick tips, quick techniques, sometimes I want this. Sometimes this is all I require, or a short explanation to a burning question. At other stages when my learning curve needs some more detailed education, technique, theory I seek videos like this. I think its knowing your audience. Analytics don't always take that into account. The statistics can confuse you. So yes there will be some that only watch 10 min for whatever reason? but anyone who knows a thing or 2 about painting will quickly realize the quality of your videos and education! your editing is great. yes these are long tutorials, but I agree that high speed videos don't allow for a saturated learning experience. I also like that you are calm, clear and concise. Your language and presentation is professional unlike so many videos. especially the elevated super fast talking, can't stand it. I'm taking this time because over the past 3 years I have watched many many tutorials. Its an 80/20 rule, and you fit in the 20% of excellent quality instruction. My advice, keep doing what your doing, however you may want to consider a few short videos, for maybe those that just want a crash course or a tips video thats 10 min long? this way your satisfying to types of viewers. But it is my option you will not satisfy all types of viewers in one approach. long tutorials exist for a reason, so do short. they are not one in the same. I now watched 3 of your tutorials now, while Im painting in the background. Not following you just doing my own thing but learning whilst creating.I also like efficiency, they are great! just be you and forget the analytics. Kind regards, and thank you for sharing your vast knowledge.

You are always a pleasure to watch! Your work is amazing and I hope you'll continue to share it with your followers for many more years.

I had my breakfast and thought I would have a quick look at your latest painting, intending to come back to it and stayed until the end. Love your random fluctuations in the space, paint continuum to deliver the illusion of detail. Inspiring and thoughtful. Can't wait for the glaze. Thank you Stuart. Belated Happy Birthday.

I am new to your excellent videos, thank you for sharing and giving me courage to give this style a try!

Happy Birthday! Another great video

Happy Birthday!!

I will start with (insert applause) and an emotional 'Thank You.' I have been struggling with learning the basics of painting for some time now. My quest to learn the proper way to paint was met with hundreds of watched videos, each offering yet another important method of selecting and prepping a canvas, buying the best paint, choosing the right brush, applying the paint, cleaning the brushes and so on. My brushes are still dry and my paint still in the tube after months of anticipation that was stymied by reluctance and fraught with imagined failure. Then I happened on your video, "5 Ways to Improve Your Painting in 2020." That first swath of paint you spread instantly got my attention. I always felt that I was being 'told' how to paint rather than being encouraged to explore where my hopeful talent took me. Yet in the first few minutes of your video I started to feel "I can do this." And I will because I now trust my imagination and I know that the rest will come. Thank you for that most of all.