I said out on a different video but i have to say it again, I am amazed at the amount of content you make available for free. I'm disabled and unemployed, which means I'm also bored out of my mind and quite depressed. I decided to try and make a real effort at art again after dabbling for basically my whole life, and your free RU-vid videos have made a huge impact on me. I so appreciate everything you've done. I hope to slowly acquire a whole set of Geneva paint, it's gonna take a while on my budget but I'm very excited about it. I made my own color checker and proportion tool thanks to your videos too. Sincerely, thank you!
I am in the same position and fully agree with everything you say. I was assaulted and lost everything, my beloved career as an Emergency Nurse was in tatters, I had to give up my kids, home and thought I was set to rot. I can't give an honest measurement of how much this has changed my life, given me appreciation of the beauty to find in everything and that kindness is still out there. It is a wonderful joy to aim for and a spur to get motivated. Even on the very painful days I find myself with hours of study, on better days a pencil in my hand and who knows what in the future. Thoroughly grateful. Art heals.
There’s not much to add I agree it’s so wonderful to listen to all of your instruction I love your new paints. on my budget it’s impossible I will start saving.
I love your pragmatic american approach to solving problems, a breath of fresh air among some real pompous and boring classes that only serve the teacher's ego rather than being generous to the viewer/listener. To me, you are the best... and no kidding I think I have exhausted all the available You Tube art video tutorials!!! Thank you so much Sir, you shall fare a long and successful way, I am certain of that.
Philippe Colin, partly true, but nowadays there are some wonderful exceptions. I study painting and drawing by a realist, observational painter at a small Community college in NJ. I have benefitted greatly from him and his predecessor. Both of them are steeped in art history and love to paint and love good painting. Neither of them are getting rich, but they are greatly loved and have the satisfaction of knowing that they are on the cutting edge.
That's true Mark. The humility and generosity that pours forth from your instruction, be it how to construct a critical tool, or a practical piece of furniture, to mixing colors and actual painting instruction, is beyond what I've seen anyone do on RU-vid. Thank you for being who you are.
Mark, I can't thank you enough for all of the knowledge you are sharing. I'm a new painter (less than one year) I began with acrylics and switched to oils after a few months. I'm getting some good instruction from a talented and experienced art teacher locally, but the classes are large and he is stretched a bit thin. Your input has really accelerated my understanding of oil painting wet on wet. After I use up my paint I will be trying your Geneva Paints for sure. Thank you, thank you!
Mark, you are incredibly well-informed yet humble, well-organized, well-spoken and generous. I've spent three hours watching a few of your videos and am really excited to start painting in oils. Before long, I look forward to ordering supplies from you. Thanks for giving so freely, I hope your generosity returns to you many, many times.
I'm immensely grateful for the amount of free instruction you've provided on your website. I'm just beginning to use my Geneva Paint - learning to mix it - and it handles beautifully. No fumes in my studio! I never thought that would happen. Thanks for all the good work you're doing, Mr. Carder.
Mark, I love your videos and your method. I am amazed at how you figured out all this stuff on your own by observation and desire to simplify. I am an engineer with over 100 patents and can appreciate your process of discovery. You inspire me and I will be trying your methods as I have been an amateur painter for years on and off between work and kids. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I gotta go to bed, but I have to say I looked at all the videos and they are absolutely magnificent! Your paintings are so unreal, that I almost go blind staring at their beauty. Your clarity and preciseness is so refreshing.
Dear Mark I think your story is much alike many stories of (failed?) artists. I am a natural draughtsman myself. Just like you I always wanted to paint in oils. Luckily I was able to attend art school at the age of 30. One of the most important things they taught me there was: clean your brushes and don't mix the three main colours before you put them on the canvas. Like you said in another video, I was getting worse as I lost my natural talent in trying too much! Thanks to your videos I found myself again and paintings are getting better again. I can not say how happy you make me!
Thank you!! In this quarantine time, I’ve watched your videos, bought some materials and am now happily painting at home! ❤️❤️ You are a fantastic inspiration and teacher!
It is so comforting to meet a teacher who is easy to connect to. You are generous in your information and not at all intimidating, which is refreshing and wonderful!
All off the above(and below) and no annoying "background music" You're the man.Certainly the only teacher I will follow to the end of my painting days...Thank you for what you do.
I'm sure you get a boat load of this, but you have found your calling and I am glad that I found your website. You have created a business you clearly love and a tool for us fumbling artist wannabes that is without peer. Thank you.
Just about the same haircut as when you were delivering papers. Very consistent. You sir, are a great inspiration to a great many people, and we all appreciate your contribution to our lives.
Thank you Mark for everything, I have been watching your channel for a couple of years now, silently and humbly. I never made a public comment, this is my firest (and Probably the last also), but you warmed up my heart, and I thank you for that. The world would be a much greater place if filled woth people like you.
What an interesting story. I too wish I'd found your videos years ago. I don't get to paint much this time of year, but I took time to make a color wheel like you demonstrated in another video, the time to just mix some colors from it and make some charts. I enjoyed that as much as actually painting something. Can't wait to get started painting again this fall.
Draw Mix Paint. Since I'm an Spanish and English speaker who used to live in the states but now lives in the Caribbean I' curious to know if you can speak Spanish, since you said you lived in Puerto Rico for the first 8 years of your life. I started watching acrylic painting videos during the pandemic out of boredom, and more recently came across one of your videos about how to mix color, how to get the right values etc using a minimal pallet, and learned more about it in that video that I ever did in all other videos I've watched before, and after watching a couple more of your videos I've learned a lot about for example the myth of talent, color checking, minimal pallet, proper studio light, oil paint toxicity and more useful stuff. I realized how selfless and humble you are about teaching a lot of stuff, for free, not just trying to push people to buy your products (which I will do as soon as I can) like some other people I've seen here, but a genuine interest in teaching. Love that, I really appreciate finding you thanks to the RU-vid algorithm and I'm very eager to buy your ready to use not harmful paint.
I really admire your ability to notice and make use of subtleties in everything you come across.. thanks a lot Mark.. I am so grateful to you and happy that person like you exist on this earth as my contemporary..
Hi Mark, really enjoy your videos and thanks for sharing your story. I've been an oil painter for 20 years and am still learning new things everyday. The limited palate is a game changer for any artist. I lived in Austin for 8 years, great city and enjoy your new location! Although my work is quite different than your own, I really appreciate what you are doing, the still life featured in your varnishing video is right on. Congrats on your hard work and success.
Mark, you are a kindred spirit in many ways... Just a few days ago I discovered your videos and art classes and this video of your private life, and I was prompted to say hi...I have been blown away by your methodical, detailed, thorough discipline of oil painting... I have been using acrylics up until a week ago, and just felt it was a very limited medium for me, and I was casting around on RU-vid (wonderful place lol) and came across you and your life's work!! I live in Hawaii now and have done on and off for 30 years, but was born and raised in South Africa where I decided (had the strong calling) to build a sailboat and explore the world.... you too seemed to have been restless and done a lot of travelling...I built my boat from the keel up and ended up sailing virtually around the world but loved Hawaii and ended up here. Very glad to have found your videos, as I now can get into painting with oils (of which I dabbled in twenty some years ago) and am finding all kinds of great answers to questions I have from your videos... I must say, I was shocked at how great your portraits look!! they are like photos but with a human touch that no photo or machine could ever duplicate...I wonder if, on your website you have an area where folks like me can send in some photos of our paintings and get a reaction from you, ...There may well be, I have not scratched the surface of all of your info and videos yet.. I couldn't help seeing a painting of a sailboat on the wall behind where you were doing a video and wondered if you have sailed too :) oh, and what are those 5 colours you showed on this video? Thank you also for sharing SO MUCH FREE information Mark, what a find!!
I just recently found your videos in RU-vid, and after almost six years of self painting teaching (of course with the lead of other good painters on line) I found in you exactly the style of painting I love to do. Unfortunately I have no room in my place to use oil painting (that I love) but only acrylic. Even though, I’ve been learning a lot from your valuable teachings. And this commentary is just to tell you THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR VALUABLE TEACHINGS! Blessings for you and your family!
Mark, What's your longest painting marathon session? I lose time when I paint. Started in watercolor, then to acrylic. Both in school. Oil will be my end goal. I'm impressed by your method development and entrepreneurial spirit throughout your career. Thank you, Colin
WOW! I’ve been watching your videos for a while. I Love them and learn something of value from all of them. But I REALLY LOVE THIS video. I love hearing about your artistic history, love hearing about all the LUCKY people you’ve taught. And am so fascinated about how you’ve moved on from focusing on painting to making studio furniture and other things. I think you are a Renaissance artist! I mean that as a compliment. Your skill and art inspires me! Thank you. 😊
Mr. Carder, you are by far one of the most intelligent artist I ever known!l Your methods, logic, and talent make you a complete art package. If i didn't live in north Carolina, your private class would be on my agenda immediately. I am a retired art teacher, painter and you STILL have made my stop in my tracks with my painting! Color checking, for the most part just floored me, and many thanks to you! can't say all I would like but I will admit without shame: You have helped change my would of attempting..... to do good paintings! thanks again! Jimi
OMG... I'm from Puerto Rico and now I live in Atlanta (North) and I love your videos! I started painting by the end of October with wall paint (just to see if this is something that I want to do for the rest of my life) and I'm in love with paintings. I've tried acrylic paint but dries very fast and now I'm going to start with oils... and you're helping me a lot! Thanks to be in this world. Hope to meet you in the near future!
Hey Mark, I wanted to reach out and say that your videos have helped me tremendously despite the fact that I have been illustrating for years. You come off as extremely genuine and to the point, with a real interest about clarity of information and no fluff methods for approaching this huge field and its complexities. I also find your taste (when you talk about other artists) and the way you describe what you like in them truly inspiring. Thank you so much
Thank you so much. I must have been watching your videos thousands of times ... and I am still learning so much. Next to a great painter, you are a fabulous teacher. Best video in my eyes ... "AVOID BLENDING" !!!!
Thanks very much for your generosity in telling us everything you know about painting. But one question about your Geneva paints. I presume from seeing you mix them and scoop them up on a stick that you could not go out plein air with them in a traditional painting box and paint. They would all run and slide down the palette... no? Likewise, they would be tricky if you were holding a traditional studio palette in one hand and brush in the other, would they not?
Thank you Mark! I really appreciate your lessons. I have learned alot from them. It was good to hear your own story. I hope the very best for you in the future. Regards, Ulf from Sweden
Thank you Mark. I have enjoyed watching your videos. You have such a kind and patient demeanor and I feel confident that I'll enjoy and learn from your tutorials. I would like to take a private zoom class this winter as well.
I just got in touch with your videos, you are just AMAZING and in making available almost all your techniques in free videos, you stand one step ahead, I just started in Visual Arts college (after 4 others academic graduations delaying my true passion) and will form my professional guidelines through you who is a complete artist, thank you and I wish you all the best, truly inspirational!
Thanks Mark! So happy to find your channel once again, you've been a huge inspiration to myself! I'd love a series on drawing! -Matthew from Enamored Studios
Thank you for an inspiring story . You are an excellent teacher Marc and the advice you give in your videos are invaluable. Wishing you continued success and I will definitely follow your tips. Geneva colours are absolutely wonderful.
Love your story about your evolution as an artist. I believe it is important to reinvent yourself along your career path and this is exactly what you have done. Thank you for sharing your life’s path with us. Also like your new look.
thanks mark you are a breath of fresh air I love your vidios , you are so generous with your information thank you so much yours truly Ro McKnight Ireland .
Thank you for what you do. I have sold my first painting I did using your technique. I would like to see more chapters on color mixing. Especially on portraiture painting.
Where is MR. CARDER now, still painting, making paints, artist furniture? Hope HE is well, happy. I only saw his RU-vid site very recently, his reference is of 9 years ago. I am a new artist student currently, mostly self taught, that is my number one reason why I really admire his artist endeavor, please respond.THANK YOU
So glad to hearing a bit about your life, because I admire you a lot as artist, I find you very generous professional and apart of talented artist, very talented teacher! Take the chance to thank you very much, because I have been learning a lot with your generous free tutorials too. I recently purchased your tutorial video "painting portraits' and I love it. But I live in Bermuda and have difficulties to purchase the material and tools for studio.Maybe in the future is will be possible?
I am preparing to work on a painting similar to the silver tankard video you posted. This may seem trivial, but my mug is shiny stainless steel and I wonder if I should distress or leave it shiny-I ask because yours had some lovely texture and interest due the mottled surface and different colors that resulted. OTOH, mine can pick up some bands of light and color based on what I put next to it. I'm thinking some distressing will be more visually interesting. This will be a small piece with simple background and just the tankard. Thanks for all that you share with us. I am delighted to be able to share in your amazing journeys.
You are the best Mark. mY PAINTING SKILLS CHANGED AFTER STUDYING WITH YOU. I will post a portrait i did after and before studying with mark at the forum. I still have trouble with the two lights . The shadow box if fine but it gets too dark in the studio, what kind of light do i use to light up the canvas and the palette and where do i place it. High as possible at 35 degree ? over my head? How strong should be the light 5000 k 85 w? same as the shadow box? sorry too many questions. thanks for all.
Thank you for all this info - I am a bit overwhelmed by the breadth of your knowledge...but am trying to digest it slowly. I asked a day or so ago what paints you recommend - silly me. I didn't realize at that point you had developed Geneva. I am basically unschooled and have a lot to learn. I wish you had an apprentice program (maybe you do and I don't know about it) - where you take a few people and help them along in person. I am in my sixties so feel I have to make up for lost time! Again...I feel I have found the Holy Grail of painting and am so grateful.
Mark, I just bought the basic set of Geneva oil paints , I look forward to trying them out ,if I may ask you, can I thin them down a little bit with gamsol OMS if needed, i've been wanting to try safflower oil mixed with oil of cloves for years because I have a friend that's all he paints with and your method is very similar , thanks again for all your instruction you're really amazing 👍
Im 65 years old. I love watchiing you. Ive been painting sinse i was 12 year old. I love one of your easels. Were can i get one ? I have 4 easels, an they are harder for me the older i get. Im inpress on what you have accomplished in life. I wanted to go to paris to learn more an didnt make it. Im just impressed in what you have done.
Thank you Mark for this nice short view into your life and the way you went. My question s if you still find time to paint and if so, what subjects you choose at the moment. Or do you take a holliday from painting now?
Hi Mark, I am a fan of your realism portrait paintings, I really gained a lot of knowledge from your still life silver cup tutorial. Would you be able to do some tutorials regarding portrait and figure work. Thanks, Shannon
Hi Mark! I have recently discovered your you tube videos. I LOVE them! Thank you so much for your generosity of sharing so much knowledge. I have already made three color checkers from your video and have one for myself and two to share with friends... I have a friend who has an old tube of oil paint from a brand no longer available that she dearly loves. Do you have suggestions on how to find a paint that is similar in color? The brand is Bellini, and the color is Cobalt Violet.
As much as you appreciate the people that watch your videos, take courses, support Geneva Fine Art, and enjoy and benefit from your content here and your web site, rest assured that we appreciate you, Emily, your work, and sharing your experience. I hope you are truly happy and fulfilled and always are. All the best. All ways. Always. Thank you.
I have a question for your future Q&A’s. What color or colors do you use to tint your canvas and why? And does it make sense to tint your canvas green if most of your painting is going to be green ? Our blue If it’s going to be a seascape or something like that ? what other colors are there I should consider? can I change my canvas gray and blue and brown? Also what’s the difference between a regular canvas and a hardback why should I use one over the other?
Have question: to use exiting paint, what is basic medium to add for a buttery texture? I have purchased your paint which I know I will love however I want to use up the tubes I have. PS: the sharing of all your knowledge is deeply appreciated
Hi Mark, I was wondering why you paint your darks with opaque paint instead of transparent paint, saving room for a darker accent? Love your videos. You are doing a great thing, sharing your knowledge. Thanks.
Wow Mark....such an interesting journey and some really beautiful places you have lived. With respect to your chat about the Reality Show and those very fortunate students, I was blown away with their first paintings. It gives one the illusion that "anyone can learn" to be an artist. However, while I was listening to your background as a child, you mentioned that at a very young age you had the ability to draw, which tells me that you were born with a beautiful gift. I'm sure you've been asked this question a million times but I would greatly appreciate it if you could give your honest opinion about whether your average "Joe" could learn to draw and paint? The reason I ask this? Well I am a 56 yr old woman who is physically challenged, but who also loves to color, albeit in coloring books. I am obsessed with watching videos of artists like yourself create, so I am very passionate about it and have such a high respect for artists. I guess what I'm asking is do you think it possible for someone my age to take on this huge task and devote as much time as possible in my quest to learn to create in a realistic way? There is no doubt in my mind that if I thought it was possible, I would push myself beyond the pain if I knew I had a chance of creating realistic images. I am not expecting to be a professional artist by any means, especially at this late stage in life as there is no doubt in my mind that it takes a tremendous amount of practice to hone one's skills. Mark, I want to thank you for sharing your incredible gift with all of us, especially those who have such high respect for all artists and who dream (yes, I literally dream about it) of one day achieving the ability to draw/paint a lifelike image. Apologies for blabbing on but would so appreciate an honest answer to my above-noted question - trust me, I may have physical limitations, but I have always been a hard worker, competitive and passionate no matter what challenges I take on in life! Gentle hugs, Nancy
Your methods are obviously impressive based on students results and your success on Draw Mix Paint. I am intrigued by some similarities to a film entitled "Tim's Vermeer", in which this engineer, in San Antonio, spent some four years replicating a Vermeer using a mirror system he set up which allowed him to color match stroke for stroke. Thankfully, your methods will not require such a time span for a painting!
I have a question. I want to do my first painting with your method. I want to use brass wiring. Can I mix brass with your primary colors? Or is that a color I have to purchase. Thanks.
Hi Mark, just thought I'd make a suggestion of something that may help people understand the value of a limited palette ........like you mixing yellow, alizarin, burnt umber and white on this video to give Venetian red....... My suggestion is that a video showing a quick run through of mixes for other generic colours that are commonly sold, but are in fact easily mixed from your palette, would be really interesting......
Thank you very much for being such honest teacher. Sir, after i buy white cloth which am going to use as canvas , what shall i apply on it to stretch it , and what is the first color shall i put , before i began painting ! cos the ready canvas expensive, thanks again.
Mark , I love your Videos have yet to purchase anything . I will be getting a color checker, I know my husband could make one I showed him the video. He has made me many things for my art . My question is : Why did you name your oil paints Geneva ? How long do the stay really workable & wet? Are they still available in jars ? Are your dvd videos listed in an area on your web site that are still available for sale ? Your hard work is paying off . 👍
Your paints look so luscious and creamy; I can’t wait to try them. I see that you’ve purposely made them slow drying. Would it be counterproductive for me to add an alkyd medium when I want them to dry faster? Thanks for all your insight and advice.
I'm really looking forward to all the new studio equipment that you have planned. My question: When working from photos, is there any advantage to laminating prints over just having a thin sheet of glass or acetate over the top of them? The latter would save the hassle of laminating (plus the need to own a laminator), so I was just wondering if there is a noticeable difference between these approaches. Thanks
Thank you so much for sharing your expertise. I am a beginner -with potential- Would you please recommend how and where to get a hog's hair fan brush? Do sell these brushes?
+Draw Mix Paint Yeah, as soon as I wrote the comment I checked out the products page and there it was! Man, you guys are fast! Make a comment and there it is! G.
