I’ve been painting for a long time and attended many classes, (@ university, museum programs, art centers and schools) and workshops, and have never encountered a painting professor/teacher/artist who directly addressed this very basic, critical painting skill. I imagine some do, but not in my experience. What an important skill to learn at the onset learning to paint, just like proper hand and body posture at the piano when learning to play. Thanks for posting this, and so much more, I always come away a better painter after viewing your videos!
Barbara, I was an art professor myself, and could not believe how my peers totally skipped over the crucial basics whereas the folks in the music department fully understood their importance to the whole process. Seems to me the visual arts are the only creative field that, to one degree or another, miss the mark on preparation. Thanks for your comment!
Debbie, it might be useful for you to watch Quick Tip 170 - ru-vid.com?o=U&video_id=1JO9lbOy0NA - and Quick Tip 7 - ru-vid.com?o=U&video_id=WpUwu-LLsZk . If these to still leave you in question, leave another comment and I'll take it from there.
Thank you, Dianne! This is very useful stuff. I love your videos. How about cleaning brushes? I see you have a pot right there where you constantly clean your brush. What do you use and do you use different brushes for different colours? Sorry about this basic question, but I tend to get messy and could certainly use your tips on this as well.
While painting, I use Gamsol to keep my brushes rinsed. To clean my brushes, I soak them in Murphey's OIl soap, then rinse them in warm water, shape them and allow them to dry. I know there is an abundance of brush cleaners, many which I've tried, but Murphey's OIl Soap is the least expensive, least complicated to use and the best brush cleaner I know about.
Raj, the difference is in the technique. Folks using acrylics have to find ways to compensate for the rapid drying. Some prefer Open acrylic for that, others prefer retardants. By the way, thanks for being a Studio Insider member.
Your tips are very helpful! Can you offer some guidance on palette management - how to layout your colors, how to get colors for mixing, how and where to mix a color and determining how much of a color to mix?
Three things, Zencia: 1. Control the amount of pressure you put on the brush when stroking, 2. Control the amount of paint you pick up when you load the brush, and 3. Watch the angle at which you are holding the brush while painting. About the angle, the stroke that goes on will vary according to the angle at which you hold the brush.
