how to paint in oil 

You know, it's very rare that you actually get someone laying down the very basics *and* the finalising advice in the span of a single lesson. Very well done!

I just want to say thanks.I watched this video 5 years ago and was inspired to resume painting again after 32 years of giving it up.

This was hands-down the most helpful and concise tutorial video on oil painting I have seen. Thank you so much for making this.

If I lived nearby, I would clean your house, take out your garbage, cook, clean friggin toilets, just to be your student. You, sir, are inspiring. And I don't even like cleaning. ;)

ignore the rude and wretched ingrates. the rest of us are verrrrrrry thankful for your incredible generosity and hard work .bravo for doing the best you can. an inspiring example. God bless you Mark. my first time to make a comment .felt i had to!

I love how you only put the ads at the front of the video and keep the main process ad-free for proper viewing. Thank you

Fantastic! I graduated with honors in painting and your videos have taught me more than my entire education. Thank you for your generosity!

Very instructional. So much better than watching a speed-painting. Well edited video, too with multi camera angles.

These are the most comprehensive videos on oil painting I've ever seen. I'm an architect and have taken fine art courses but your video instruction is superb and tops any formal instruction out there. I have to do one of your on-site workshops in the future. By watching your videos I think I'm ready to make a mid-life change. My drawing and painting skills have improved dramatically and ten-fold with your instruction! Thanks!!!!!

This is the video that reinspired me to return to art after giving it up for 32 years.I will be forever grateful to you Mark a heartfelt thanks!

Mark taught me how to paint portraits and it was a miracle. I went to Austin and took his class and when I got back I painted my father so I would not forget all the rules "not too many but some you have to follow really well" The portrait I did look so beautiful that there were a fight on my family of who would have it. He paints like Sargent and he is probably;y the best oil teacher in AMERICA.

You are an extraordinary art teacher. The way you think out loud and the way you approach all details, is an inspiration and a huge transmission of knowledge. Thank you for helping us to be better painters.

the Color checker idea is genius

This in retrospective makes me realize I had a few poor college art teachers. Thank you: )

I studied engineering, then painting, then 3d animation, and have painted for more than 30 years. I have to say this is the best approach to direct-painting out there. The movie Tim's Vermeer, in essence, is a combination of your concepts with those of Philip Steadman and David Hockney. Some of the naysayers criticizing the "darker than black" comment have a poor understanding of the concept of luminance, reflectance, and what in photography is called "clipping". In other words, as Paul Centore illustrates in his research, a black object in the light may appear brighter than a white object in shadows. In this case, the black paint on your checker is reflecting more photons than the brighter-colored cup in the shadow. Hence, you can have things appear "darker than black". Your solution is to clip the shadows, which works perfectly well when the light is in front of the object and the scene's reflectance is similar to the value range between black and white. It gets trickier if the scene is a backlit, high-dynamic-range scene. Your direct approach means that you are applying no gamma correction to color and are using a linear approach to record reflectance. This will inevitably lead to clipping of shadows and specular reflections (which you address in the video about flesh tones). In contrast, a photographer can use exposure control, bracketing, and gamma controls to get around this issue and force a higher range between black and white to register details in the light and the shadow that would be clipped using your technique. This is one of the reasons why direct painting produces a more natural look than photographs, and why it is so easy to spot paintings made from photographs. Thank you for this video. I will definitely include it in the references of my graduate dissertation in arts and technology.

This one video changed perspective of "paint what you see" tremendously! I HAD to make a color checker and my realism paintings have improved exponentially! I can watch you paint for hours! You are truly a great teacher and a great artist. Thank You! Joe

There is a supply list on the drawmixpaint home page at the top. Thanks!

One of the best visual arts teachers I've ever met. Keep going.

I'll bet the big art schools hate instructors like you who make teaching look easy. Thanks for all you do!

Sir, I am a beginner painter (still using acrylic but want to move onto oils) and I have learned so much from your videos. This video is fantastic. It is nice to see from start to finish the process. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity in uploading this free lesson. If I was in Texas I'd take lessons with you. Greetings from Australia.

Everything about this tutorial (and all the others in your series) is top notch. Understated. Not showy or flashy. Really well lit and filmed in real time, as it happens. Your efforts are much appreciated...

Learn more in your video then my 4 years in fine arts painting class!!!amazing info in observing colour defining within the light and shadows. I notice tint transitions which you where pointing out .AWESOME ART CLASS!

I just watch these over and over. So relaxing and satisfying

I am working my way through every one of your videos, and each one teaches me something new. The way you explain everything, from colour mixing, the process of making every decision and deciding when the painting has finished has given me the confidence to give oil painting a try. (As a bonus your voice is very calming, and thank you for not playing any music in the background.)

+Marie-jo valiseousacados I will be selling color checkers within the next week here in the United States, and hopefully internationally very soon. :)

Wow! Thanks Mr. Carder, for putting out such excellent information on oil painting, especially it being free.

I'm a hyper realism artist that has only ever been able to work with charcoals and graphite, and have been wanting to learn how to paint for years now. Specifically oil paint. My hand has become so adjusted to a pencil that a paintbrush and color have felt very foreign to me. So thank you so much for this video. It's highly appreciated. I didn't even know there was such thing as a color checker, that would help a lot with my problem.

excellent instructor and explains important techniques that makes painting a joy

Absolutely great tutorial. I've always thought of oils as so difficult to use, but you completely de-mystified them for me. Thanks

Thank you for sharing your knowledge!! A book or live class can't "teach"....but you do!!

Mark thank you so much for taking the time to produce these great videos. They are a big help to anyone who needs inspiration and guidence while painting. From all the studio prep to the actual painting itself is absolutely wonderful. Keep them coming. And than you again.

Mark, you give your painting knowledge generously to us. You explain things so well. Thanks!

Never have I seen such precision. No wonder your work is so superb. Your patience is astounding.

it is May 23, first ive seen of you and your videos,and all i can say is thank you SIR,i am loving every bit of what i see and hear. not a profressional or amauture,just trying something ive always wanted to do and you ,i am so understanding and for this i thank you.it's my year to be sixty and i'm loving it .about to check out the free lessons again Sir i thank you.

I've learned a lot about shine from your painting lesson! Thank you so much!

I just 'discovered' you this morning and I am hooked. I can't stop watching your videos. I feel like I finally found some straightforward tutorials with practical applications. Thank you SO much!

The explanations you give for your thought processes as you paint speak very clearly to me, so I find your style of teaching to be not only effective but most enjoyable. I can't thank you enough for dong this and I hope you can get as much from doing it as your viewers like myself are getting.

Thanks for the class. It made me remember when I tried to paint a mug with no knowledge, this solves my doubts.

You look like an art/music who’s been on it for so long and has been so good at it that you decided to become a teacher to spice things up a little

Ive been painting for 15 years, watching your video for 1.5 hours I learnt more than I have about painting in the last 5. Superb.

One of the best painting tutorials I have ever seen ! Thank you for sharing all the helpful informations .

Hey Noni! Good to see you too, do hope you will be painting again soon. Look forward to seeing more of your work.

Tremendous tutorial, great insights. Thank you for letting us look over your shoulder.

I have learned so much from your tutorials, I especially like how you explain everything,thank you.

Your definitely the BEST online instructor I've seen on RU-vid. I truly enjoy your very well constructed tutorials. I learn something new with each video. Last video I saw, I learned not to over saturate colors when editing pictures in Photoshop to use as reference for my paintings. Thank you for your hard work and I am sure everyone loves your hard work you put in all your videos :)

I love this video! It's so helpful to hear the process that goes on in the artist's head.

I just watched the whole lesson. Thank you so much teacher, I appreciate your efforts

Such details in 1h and half of painting, didnt know this was possibile with oil. Makes me want to try. Inspiring!

This is a great tutorial. I appreciate you taking the time to do this.

Extremely helpful and inspirational tutoring here. Love the classical quality of the style and manner in which you paint. I've been painting for years, yet we can always learn and expand. Thank you for your wonderful contribution to online education. I truly enjoy your manner and expertise.

Thank you for all your videos, Mark. I love your no nonsense, easy to follow direction. I learned a lot thanks to you, you are a rock.

Also was very amazed that you were doing all those fine detailed strokes WITHOUT using a arm rest / brace / something to steady your hand with. It was completely free hand. in fact your other hand was always loaded with 10 brushes. Amazing. Thanks again.

I'd like to tell you what a tremendous inspiration you are. I've desired to paint in this style but never thought I'd be able to. Your methodology puts the process into an understandable and doable work flow that gets results. Thank you for sharing and caring enough to put the time and effort into passing on your knowledge.

I love it. I think your painting looks better than the subject. that is what makes a painting better than real life. the gala of it. thank you for the pain staking demonstration. it shows how a true artist hones their craft.

I only found your site tonight but am in awe of your talents and so grateful to you for sharing your expertise with us. I really like the way you take us step by step through your process so clearly and concisely. I have learnt so much this evening. Thankyou! You have a new fan and follower from down under.

Best painting instructions on youtube bar none. Thanks for your generosity. I know putting together videos of this quality takes a lot of time and effort!

Simply incredibly, and so incredibly informative. Please forgive any negative comments below, as some people will always feel the need to somehow add negativity. Seriously, I appreciate your videos so much, and I find you to be an amazing artist. Thanks, and blessings x. Looking forward to seeing more.

thank you very much for sharing all this info! I'm transferring from acrylics to oil paint and your videos has been helping me a lot! Thanks!

Mark, I’m so impressed by your planning, care and precision in the execution of this painting. I have learned so much from watching this. Thank you.

Unschooled in art, I've learned in one day what I've struggled doing in years. I heard other masters never share their secrets.

Will be releasing a video on painting textures and patterns in the future. :-)

Hey Mark. Teaching this method for free is very generous! I'll definitely be buying your full-length video downloads too. I'll be really interested to see your videos on mediums.

As an artist that hasn't done anything in years,..thanks. You taught me to 'see' again. :)

Beautiful cup! I like that you are a very detailed and perfectionist with your work.

Sir, is it possible for you to do a session on brushes? Lot of paintings lose their potential due to painters lack of knowledge about which brush to use when, what sort of brushes to ignore etc

Really nice! Thank you for taking the time and sharing with us. This is really very generous, and you are clearly very talented. Thank you so much.☺️

This was totally fascinating! I'm planning to try this right away. Great teaching style, too!

Thanks from London! You are helping me immensely.

Thank you for sharing your skills and knowledge, it means a lot

Your work on the silver cup is remarkable. It is artistry of a very high order and a joy to watch and hear your thought process as you paint. If you don't get joy from the completed painting, maybe you will be pleased that someone else does.

Thank you so much for this fantastic lesson! I've learnt incredibly much from it! Will start a painting tomorrow only to try out your techniques.

Wonderful work sir. This is by far the most helpful tutorial I've seen. I started oil painting about 3 weeks ago and I've been struggling but this helped so much. The simplicity of it is what we all look for when we're looking for help on RU-vid and it's hard to find.

I struggle with finding the values to bring a painting together the way I want it to look. These videos help me get a lot more insight on how to take my time and choose more accurately.

Fantástico! parabéns, ficou perfeita.

I've just found your videos. Thank you so much. They have explained techniques in a way that I've never seen before.

Illuminating meditation in paint - from which I've learned a lot, a huge amount. Thank you

Gracias señor por los subtítulos en español, he aprendido mucho, me encanto, 🙏excelente maestro😄

Amazing lessons, thank you so much. Love your technique with mixing your colours into the jars...very clever to save time! Do you use a separate brush for each step?

Thank you sir. Hands down the best series of videos on painting and color mixing I've seen.

Hi Mark, I just wanted to say that you offer the best painting instruction I have ever come across. Thank you so much! :)

Icredible detail and patience. That is what I need to learn. Thank you for your wonderful technique, I also learn a lot about colors. Also the consistence of your paint is very instructive. Thank you

I also learned so much...and that's after painting for 25 years. Wow. Thank you.

Besides you thoroughness in explaining and your patience at letting us see the whole process and not setting the camera on super speed, your camera person has followed your every move. This helps tremendously in us feeling we have watched your process completely. Much thanks. I hope I find the patience to do this exercise to strengthen my overall knowledge.

Absolutely Incredible! You are amazing!

Thank you watercolorist7! :-)

Great

It looks amazing. Thank you for sharing your talent.

I love this video! I must have watched it at least 10 times now. Thanks, Mark!

To make the paint runnier, he mixes it with a medium. You can watch his instruction here: /watch?v=lpU9egKu-kM And get the recipe here: drawmixpaint.com/supplylist/

Thank you; color master who understands only applies with passion , is the perfect link between matter and soul binding .

Amazing! Just started trying to paint and will be definitely be trying out all your tips!

thank you very much for these videos! you've helped make it very clear to me, that I've been trying to do things with my paints that they are not capable of. I think I'm finally ready (was too scared) to try oil painting. I also love realism, thank you for helping to keep it alive :)

Gracias por agregar la traducción al español!! realiza un excelente aporte!!

Excellent Excellent lectures. Thank you so much for making them available. I have some questions that may be answerd in future videos but I'll list them here for trference. A) Are Geneva paints availble in Europe? B) You mentioned lighting quickly - could you give a recommendation as to how to ensure that one has proper ligthing. C) I'm amazed at how you handle so many brushes at once. Do you have a way to keep track as to which brush for which color step? And do you recommend a certain brand of brushes? D) What surface do you use for your palatte? I guess if you hold all your brushes you can't also hold the palette in oyur hand! E) You did not mention mediums - I think that there is a video on that - do you not use them? Again thank you for all your help. It's only when things are explained logically that they become fascinating. George (Paris Area)

Thank you so much for this amazing and instructive video! You are an incredible artist.

Where can I buy a color checker tool? That is very useful indeed.

Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge and techniques. I really enjoyed your video from beginning to end and hope to, someday, be able to paint like you. Allow me to make a suggestion, though, Maybe it would be a good idea to protect your work by mentioning your name and your main site on each video you upload. I found your video published by a guy ( Learn How To Paint In Oil - Oil Painting Lessons ) I don´t know if you have given him permission to upload it on his channel or not, but I think it is just unfair for someone to use your work without giving you the credit.

YOU ARE THE BEST OIL PAINTING TEACHER ON RU-vid THANK YOU FOR THE TIME YOU PUT IN AND THE FREE TEACHINGS, THIS IS INVALUABLE INFORMATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can not get over how steady Mark holds the brush. Mahl stick schmal stick! LOL! Can’t tell you how much I’m learning from these videos. Mark is one of the very few real teachers out there. Everyone else just shows you how they paint and it’s up to you to figure out what they are doing. Thanks, Mark!

I'm very new to painting and I started with acrylics. However, I eventually realized blending is more difficult since the paint dries too quickly. Now I am considering doing oils - I like the fact that I don't have to rush around like a mad man trying to blend values and hues together before the paint dries! Except I am not looking forward to cleaning brushes from the oils - acrylics was easier. :) I just want to say I "do" like how you are explaining what is going through your mind in deciding what to paint on the cup - revealing to us what you are trying to do. I found that very informative - giving us an insight as to what the artist is thinking about as he paints. I also saw your other video "The Artist's Curse and How to Overcome it" and strangely enough I enjoyed very much listening to you and your artist friend Shirley Seput discussing the "Artist's Curse", ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-R3p6DUh2Nqk.html. In this video, "how to paint in oil", near the end, you mention once again the "Artist's Curse". I "do" understand what you are describing but I wouldn't worry about it. I have to say for those who are on the outside and who suddenly stepped into the room and see your painting of the cup, they will be amazed at your work. You will see all the little imperfections, of how you could have done it better, but this is to be expected since you are the artist and you want to achieve perfection. But for those who did not do the painting and have just stepped into the room and gazed upon your cup for the first time, will be in awe and see it as "perfection", as I do.. Good work.