What a great idea to share the thoughts of other artists…. you are always striving to improve the content of your site. The benefit of the input of other artists inspires this student to try a little harder. Thanks for sharing.
I continue to be amazed at how you juggle teaching, herding a gaggle of aspiring artists like us, and make a living as an artist. I am grateful for your help in these many ways.
I have painted for may years and continue to be amazed at how much one can learn. I appreciate so much your willing to share your expertise and heart with everyone. Thanks again. I am new to your class and excited about where it takes me.
Thank you so much for all the time you and you’r family spend on other’s.. I have learned through you’r critiques of mine and other’s paintings… I am working on random strokes of the brush in my work and to watch out for Line’s of subjects in my paintings… Color temperature is a hard subject to explain and learn and I feel you are a Great Teacher. I thank you BILL!
Thank you so much for EVERYTHING you do to help us and teach us with your sharing your knowledge and paintings. So glad you are doing Monet and love the reference photo and you painting of it, to me is most helpful. Guess I am a visual person! (I know I am). I learn so much from the Q and A even when not my own painting. I probably need to find a grey scale thingie to help me out. When my son was in 3rd grade the school nurse called to say he had flunked his eye test and was upset because the other kids hadn’t. So I said no problem will come up and give the test to him so he will feel comfortable. My son and I went sailing the the eye test and agreed on everything we were so pleased and proud of ourselves. He went back to clas happy as a lark and they informed me I was color blind! Am still laughing I was 30 yrs old and had no clue I was but I am color blind. Had eye doc check it out and am. The mild form when it gets to pastels in light pale grays blues and greens so my daughter used to love to ask us what color something was and giggle her head off. I always buy matching clothes from the same company so I know the colors match! It don’t thing it makes much difference in my painting but might and am not worried about it. I think am more confused trying to convert colors to black and white and gray shades and know they have charts out there somewhere, would like to buy one. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!. Thanks again
I love this message Bill. I just lost my Mother, my best friend a few days ago and it has been hard to find reasons to smile. My Mother always taught us to give and give frequently no matter how big or how small the gift. I am new to your community and was caring for my Mom right after I joined so I haven’t seen much. I watched your rant video (the whole thing) which left a mark and genuine affection for you as an artist and as a person. This message is beautiful and I agree that we are very fortunate to be in a position to share our beauty with the world. I too, like my Mom, love good caused. I have been trying to think of who I can donate some paintings to. I will definitely be donating to the nurses on the hospital floor and I was also thinking of the local school and retirement home. These small gestures of kindness go a long way and can truly make a difference for someone.
Thank you for this message of kindness and for making me smile at a time when it seems impossible
Thank you, Bill, for this message. I truly love being blessed with the ability to be an artist and this has enriched my life so much through the people I have met and art groups I have joined. When people at my church discovered I was an artist, they asked me if I would be willing to paint the coffee mugs that are presented to new members of our congregation upon joining. This is certainly a different type of painting but I saw it as a way to give back and now have been personalizing mugs for many years and the new members are always delighted with them.
You have such a giving heart , that was one thing that drew me to your sight . You can tell you love the Lord and I know He loves you!! i’ve taken this course without having the time to use my artistic ability, If I have any. My last painting I did is displayed in my Church. I prayed the whole time I was working on it that it would be a blessing to anyone that saw it. I get a blessing when I look at it even though I see so many things I’d like to change. I’m 77 years old and I’m enjoying hearing about your wonderful career. Your paintings are inspirational, I’m sure you pray over your work. It show’s. The beauty of our Heavenly Father’s masterpieces!! I’m learning from you even though I haven’t put paint to canvas . I hope to start working on January’s assignment and try to display something!! Thank you again for helping us!!
I am a photographer and one year this young photographer saw one of my images and I overheard her say how much she loved it. I printed another and gave it to her, she loved it. We weren’t friends I just felt the need to to it. You never know what is going on in someone’s life. I hope this made a difference somehow….. plant a seed of God’s love❤.
Some years ago when I started painting, my television director at First Baptist Church, Memphis, TN wanted me to paint his wife’s childhood home as his gift to her. I was glad to do so without charge, but when he gave me the photo, it was a run-down, shotgun house, white clapboard. A tree with a swing, and a cotton field alongside. I tried, but the effort was terrible. A friend of mine taught art, and she said, “remember, you’re not painting the house in the photo, but the house she remembers! Use a perspective of looking up toward the house, and add a bit something like naples yellow light to your white for the outside of the house.” I did both, and was shocked at the difference it made. That painting still hangs over their mantle in Knoxville, TN where they live now. You’re right; it’s not necessarily the professionalism of the painting, but the friendship behind the painting that makes the difference!
I can never thank you enough, Bill, for the impact you have had on my life as a painter. Six years ago when you agreed to let me come to your studio once a week was the opening of my painting reality. You nurtured, nudged, and taught me so much in that year. You gave me confidence and permission to be myself using my own style, yet helped me understand artistic principles that I needed. You are still helping me grow as an artist through all your videos and teaching. My heart leaps with joy how much your notoriety and business has grown. I think God has honored you for all the extended lessons and guidance that you have been willing to give to your students. Now, as you are partnering with your family, your growth touches many painters. Thank you again for teaching me to paint, to love my art, to clean my brushes, to focus on my strokes, to acknowledge the use of color, to include lights and shadows, and so many other things. You’ve impacted me for a lifetime.
I gave a watercolor of tulips to a friend at my church. She is a grief counselor at a local hospital and had been taken by it when she saw it in my rack a year ago. I half promised it to her if she would visit me in my home. She never asked a price but kept reminding me how much she liked it and her good intentions. I actually had two of them almost alike. On Christmas Day she was scheduled to lunch with a group of us but she was called in to work. I had the painting wrapped and with me at our Christmas morning service and gave it to her before she left to go to work. My thought is it wasn’t going anywhere in my rack and if someone deserving really liked piece, I would rather it be enjoyed.
As an artist myself, I enjoy reading about how other artists perceive the journey of being an artist. I too, experiment with different mediums but paint primarily in oils at the moment. I just purchased a set of interactive acrylics that have whats called, “open” qualities, meaning they can be re-wet for adjusting edges. I find it very exciting to play with a new medium and can relate to your concern with destroying a canvas and made my own supports to freely paint on as well. It does make a huge difference in my creative senses when I don’t have to worry about messing up an expensive stretched canvas. Your work is incredible. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Bill, How do I down load these videos on you tube? We have just moved and I have not gotten around to internet service yet. So, I need to go the library and down load these to my computer and am not have much success.
Thank you,
Christy R
I have no training at all in paining, but I do paint although it is not by any means professional looking. Could you give me a great place to start…classes I could take…books I could read..etc? Thank you, your work is stunningly beautiful and I enjoy seeing it!
I like turning them upside-down…. I’d done a painting of a wolf for a friend and when I was done, there was something wrong…. I just couldn’t figure out what it was, but knew I wouldn’t be satisfied till I figured it out. I kept coming back to work on it for a couple of days, then remembered the advice to flip it from one of my college professors.
Immediately after I turned it, I could see the mistake! I’d made his forehead way too long…once I turned it around and made that change, it was just what I’d wanted. I’ve also done as you describe with similar results.
It’s good to hear that the truly talented and educated such as you come across these frustrations. The gift is to see and make the needed changes. I pray each day for this ability! Thanks for sharing as I needed to read this.
I’ve been doing just this mistake over the past day while working on a self portrait. I think I have it and 5 minutes later after a break, I can see that my eyes are too small/wonky/value is wrong… It’s heartening to know I’m not alone, so thanks for the tips!
Thank you for so generously sharing your knowledge and skill. I sit to paint In a confined area, usually a couple of hours in the afternoon. Then I grab my canvas and plop it in front of the TV for the evening news. I see what needs fixing and what is likable. Usually even a bad painting is more likable than the news.
Before I call them finished, I set aside all my paintings for several days, and sometimes weeks. Then, when I take them out, it’s like starting all over with fresh eyes. Wondered why that was. Thanks for the explanation!
Sometimes I will instinctively know that something is wrong. I am not experienced to know what that is,or how to fix it. My husband,lovely as is, would not notice if I hung it up side down or simply took it off the wall. My eldest daughter has an artful eye but she is busy with her own life. Soooo…I don’t look at my paintings for a day or so then revisit them, I will put them upside down or sideways to view, I drag them into the bathroom and check in the mirror but must admit this often simply confuses me. I take a photo and look at that. I post to Bill’s group in that he will comment if something is really off and get excited when he gives a correction suggestion! I appreciate the fellow members looking at my work. I do feel good when someone says it is lovely but also wish we have enough courage to put in what we may find offsetting in a piece. It doesn’t mean one has to alter it but it gives us chance to see what someone other than ourselves are seeing…and there are some very experienced painters in this group. My 2 cents.
its sort of like looking at yourself in the mirror and thinking you look pretty good and then catching a glimpse of yourself a couple of hours later in a shop window and thinking OH NO AM I THAT FATl stop and photograph as I go because everything looks different on camera than it does in person Maybe its because I know so little or haven’t been painting long enough to be overconfident but I send snapshots of what I am painting to about six people that I know and trust. Two are artist friends and I can and get a list of corrrections or suggestions just like I hope to get. One has no tact at all and says exactly what he thinks, wouldn’t begin to lie, and I get exactly what I want from him- his gut reaction of what he sees. the others are family members who are always encouraging and interested in the end results and guaranteed to smooth over self doubts and self esteem. People are so scared of hurting your feelings but I WANT to know whats not right and I WANT the feedback. Loved this article. Thank you Mr. Inman
Hi Bill and painter friends,
After I was finished treatment for Ovarian Cancer, I started taking painting lessons. I have been painting and taking lessons intermittently now for 10 years. Praise the Lord that I am well, Thank you Lord. I was cared for by many nurses, physicians, family etc. I had painted a Plein air painting of a small cove and island. I absolutely loved the painting. I so wanted to share my heart and soul with one of the physicians that had shared his heart and soul with me, whilst he cared for me. He was a great listener. I had the painting framed and gave it to him as a gift. My heart was filled knowing that I was giving him something special from me. He liked the painting and was thankful. I don’t know if he hung it anywhere and I haven’t seen him in years. I am thinking that if I went back now and saw the painting, that I likely would grimace and want to improve upon it. That is life though, we look back on things, and maybe wish we could change them. But I know for sure, that in that moment in time, that was the best of me, and I wanted him to have that as a gift.
I also don’t like the heavy weight, but, I’ll take my French box…I have three of them…over other stuff I’ve tried. So, I just bought a little trolley that holds not only my French box, but turp, paper towels, panels, etc. Really handy!!
let me preface this comment with “I don’t like plein air” I am distracted by the heat or cold, bugs, or just the wonderful views or smells around me. I had a French easel, which was too heavy for me to get to what I wanted to paint. I now use an Italian (Capelletto?) brand folding, field, wood easel, which weighs just 4 lbs. and folds up to fit in a backpack or bag easily. It is obviously not heavy enough to be real steady, but with my pastel or oil palette box on the foldout arms on the front, a bungee cord or two, it works really well for the few outdoor trips I make.
I really like the Strada easel I’ve been using for the last couple years. I have the large one with two shelves. I think what I like best is the ease of use, and no knobs on the outside to get in the way. I used a French easel for about 10 years before that.
Your genius is in how comfortable and natural your subjects fit into their surroundings. They aren’t posed. Viewing your work is like stumbling upon the scene moments before the animal disappears into the landscape.
Wow. Cannot even imagine anyone telling you someone is a better artist. I love painting animals and looking at your website has inspired me to learn to be better at it. Thank you for creating such beauty.
Thank you so much for your insight! It helps to hear from someone that truly shares from the heart. We are such a mixed bag and it is good to know that even the great artists (like you) have the same human feelings that must be worked thru!
Your work is outstanding and it has been really great to get to know a bit about you!
I have contacted the Coulter Easle folks twice in hopes of purchasing but no reply. I need a tripod for the DSLRs camera I was given so the coulter system could deal with two needs.
Bill or Kristy if you know how to get through to these folks please let me know. I am off to Hawaii in a couple of months and would like to take an Easle.
The Coulter folks got back to as did the Tobins. I am having a tough time deciding between these two. A plus with the Coulter is the commercial tripod which I presume would also work for my camera. Whichever I end up getting it has to travel friendly..for both a sailboat and commercial air travel. I dream of taking it when we kayak but this will likely remain a dream.
If Bill or others could chime in on plus/minus of each and better yet your own experience I would be very grateful.
I just purchased Williamsburg and some Gamblin to replace the Winton. It seemed that when the paint dried the colors faded. Now what do I do with all that Winton?
I really enjoyed this blog. I have asthma and use M. Graham paints. These do not affect my breathing at all. They are creamy and have beautiful colors. My only problem is their Alizeran. It is not lightfast so i will not waste my money.
In response to Christina N, contact a local high school or Community College. They will be greatful for the art supplies.
I have mostly Windsor Newton student grade simply due to the costs. Some colors like Cad Red or Cad Yellow are not great in this line so I have higher quality tubes in those colors. I’ve also been experimenting with other brands and higher quality paints. once my paintings begin selling for thousands, not hundreds, maybe I can afford all professional grade paints!
You have not rated the water miscible oils. I use Artisan and Cobra. Do you have any suggestions with them. I also use M. Graham oils but have trouble with them in plein air because I have not found a way to thin them, without solvents, that is fast drying for a block in. Any suggestions?
I absolutely love your work. Thank you so much for sharing some of your insights after years of experience along with your honesty and humbleness. Very refreshing!
Janie Chase
I would like to express my gratitude to Bill Inman for his sunning work in painting and precious lessons on internet and to Joe Anna Arnett for sharing with us some of her thots and works.
Hi. I just canceled my monthly membership which was paid ahead. I understand that you will reimburse the remaining amount.
Thank you and wish you the best going forward.
Being a real lover of hollyhocks from childhood, I really appreciate this demonstration, and look forward to attempting one such painting myself. I grew them for several years, but am now old and handicapped and can no longer garden. I can still paint them, though! Thank you for this! Wish I could afford to take your online classes, but I am on a fixed income. Love, love, love your paintings and your techniques, though. God bless you for adding beauty and joy to the world!
Thank you for sharing. I am inspired by the assorted paintings and helpful tips in composition. I hope to watch the five hour video soon, to better understand warm and cool tones, values, and creating light. You are a very generous and talented artist and instructor.
I like this very much. It is very useful, espetialy together with full movie (: . It is like e-learning big shapes of painting, and then going in details (with full movie). And also we need repetition .. so thank you (:
Love the painting techniques…there is only one thing that bothers me about this painting. Flowers in nature do not all face the same direction. I would have loved to see more of a variety in the directions that the flowers are facing, They appear stiff when all facing front. I hope to try a holly hock painting.
Thanks for sharing!
Arlene
Blue Hollyhocks is my favorite and I think it is the misty background and the solitary rocks being dominated by the beautiful blue hollyhocks, that takes my breath away and really speaks to me. I have never seen hollyhocks and your arts make me wish I could see them. It is interesting thinking on how our arts have evolved and who inspired our styles throughout different stages if our ‘growing’ process. The funny thing about art is that each stage works together in bringing us to where we are today and serves as the stepping stones to the artist we will become tomorrow. If we dont allow those stages to happen, then our skills never evolve…and our art becomes boring.
I love the blue hollyhocks. This painting is very romantic and mysterious and transports me into another time. The colors are soothing to me. Great job.
Thank you for this wonderful post. I loved reading it and seeing your journey. I too battle between loose painting and the details. I too love the style and paintings of Bongart! I intend to paint loose and expressive and when I get into it the paintings become tighter and tighter as I do when I draw. I want to create something more expressive… There are times when I lose myself in the painting as you expressed and forget about funndamentals. It’s wonderful! Sometimes I am so excited with the outcome and other times I have to wipe it all out and start over… Either way it’s a great feeling…. Music helps to move me to my right brain and forget everything I’m studying. I am motivated by you, your thoughts and your art, so please keep sharing! Thank you.
I can identify with the split artistic personality. Especially, when trying to create your own artistic footprint. And the Zen moment gets interrupted too often. Thank you for words of inspiration and lets me know we are not alone in this struggle to become the best we can be.
Lyn
Bill,
Seldom does one of your accomplishment openly offer such intimacy as a means to guide, instruct and encourage.
For infants in the arts, as I, what you offer is invaluable.
Thank you for sharing your journey…
I love your paintings and really appreciate the time you give to your students. I’ve already learned so much from watching you and listening to you share what you are thinking while you paint. It’s very helpful to know that even accomplished artists still struggle some days! If I paint more often, have soothing music, free my mind from worries and have some kind of plan for the painting, it comes more easily. But I’ve also had wonderful spontaneous days when there was no plan and everything worked….so who knows? If the “flow” comes, it is a gift!
I am new to painting yet I can relate to the feeling you describe of unconsciousness and the brush creating something that somewhat surprises you …almost like where did that come from when you snap back to yourself and apainting is there. There is no effort, no conscious thought, no concept of time passing..it is a wonderful place.
Thank you for this blog.
I think you are correct Bill when you tap into consciousness… Didn’t the Greeks call it you’r genius? … You can also call it GOD.. All those would be correct.. I seem to hold the brushes and the color’s pop into my mind.. We stop thinking and just let BEING paint… Its all like “be still, and know I am GOD”…
I get emails all the time but have yet to use your site. I thought I paid for a membership but I can’t get in to anything. Don’t remember login info but email is sherrysandberg2@gmail.com but your system says it’s not valid?!
I have been painting for years but I work full time and only have 2 evening a week that I can paint. I know that if I could do a little bit each day I would get better, but I don’t know how to work it in. Any suggestions? I love your work and love to watch your videos.
Thank you so much for your insightful reflections on your journey as an artist. I like that you know “At Home on the Range” is a painting has many elements of the best for you. It is a beautiful and vibrant painting.
I’m learning from you that it is okay to paint from memory and our imagination rather than only what one sees. I find that as l put more of the “rules” of painting on the shelf (for aspects of the painting) l’m often more satisfied with the outcome.
I look forward to seeing the details of how you developed the hollyhock painting.
Shirley
I have tried everything and can’t get it to work. I know my password but reset it anyway still not working but then the site login for 6 month program doesn’t work when I click on it and am not in the 6 week course???
Guess I don’t remember my name would be nice to just login with email name that one I don’t forget! Thanks but after losing 2 pcs and so much stuff in the last 3 weeks am computered out.
Wow, such a talented and very humble man! Love that he doesn’t hesitate to say that he is a Christian, attributes his talent to God, and puts his life in God’s hands. As a beginner, I know I have a lot to learn but sometimes I do get discouraged and wonder if I have any talent at all. Very encouraging to learn that he says he did hundreds of paintings and a lot of them were lousy before he found success. Thank you for a wonderful and enlightening interview!!!
Very enlightening interview. Like the comments before me, it makes me encouraged to know of his struggles and how hard work made him successful. I have no illusions of becoming famous or anywhere nearly this good, but I do want to be able to enjoy what I am doing and hopefully some others will also. This was especially enjoyable for me. I was raised on a ranch in Montana and the western way of life is what I know and what I love to paint.
Thank you for posting this wonderful artist interview. I admire his humbleness and his dedication to seek God in his work first of all. I too, ask the Lord to open the doors of art for me and close them if He doesn’t want me to pursue it. My journey, so far, has led me to some open doors, small, but open and so I am inspired to push on. It is a struggle, but one I must follow being so passionate about painting as I am. I really needed to hear this artist tell this story about his art journey at this time in my life when it seems nothing is really happening much for me yet. But I have many more brush miles to go to reach something like real art! Again, profound thanks.
this is a master of light and shadow to create emphasis or a mood, or to make you feel the sun or the cold or the crisp mountain air. And he paints with knowledge of the country, and the actions of the animals. He is incredibly good!
Bill, this painting is most amazing! I love everything about it. The colors are so crisp! Thank you for the tip about aliz crimson! Thank you for these amazing videos!?⭐️? Cathe
Hi Bill – this is really helpful. In terms of lighting, I prefer outdoors over indoors but even then, I have to play with the white balance in my camera to get it right. For indoors, I bought a professional photography bulb (the ones that are super bright and hot) and a white photography umbrella. I turn the bulb around to face backwards into the umbrella which then diffuses the light on to my painting. I don’t have to make color adjustments in photoshop with this method.
The interview with Camille was wonderful. I had the pleasure of doing one of her workshops here in Madison, Ms when I first started painting. I was overwhelmed with what she was doing.
She is a wonderful instructor. Loved it!
Thank you Camille for your wonderful insight/theory and Bill for his excellent questions. (that has to be hard to do. But you gotta love the road trip.) I love the “the theoretical Professional and/or advance being the toughest to reach & teach…that’s me. Just by interviews and points of view of you two and others like John Weiss I am slowly learning to hug the shadow-reflection through a painting. For myself, old habits, good or bad die slowly. As an illustrator for nearly 40 years i found that others (clients were dictating my voice with a “can you make it look like this guy did it?” request. This is me today: http://www.christophernewellartist.com
Bell Well Hugs, Chris
Great interview, Bill. I see wonderful luminosity in Camille’s and your paintings. I learned a lot from this interview. Enjoy your trip and remember to come home to Indiana safely. My gratitude to Camille for sharing her artistic genius.
Margaret Sabo
Camille mentioned she had a large advertising budget that she put immediately to her art. Did that come from having a very lucrative illustration career or what. It seems most people really struggle to get started. On person whom I shall not name I came across in FB group. He has painted for years and has a very identifiable style. In the space of a year he went from giving away his work in Central Park..all of it was quickly scooped to a shop on Etsy selling around 400$ ( no sales) to going onto Saschi at around 1200$ for the same pieces that had been on Etsy..no sales. So the question that begs to be answered is…how best to not only get folks seeing your art but how to get your work selling.
very educational for artists, am just short of funds now to be able to purchase books like these, but am willing to read through if made available. thanks.
John F Carlson. What a book! Took the e-book on holiday with me. I started highlighting passages I liked, but soon found I was highlighting the entire book! Bought the paper version immediately on my return home.
Thanks for the book suggestions they are very helpful, we have all bought books which are below standard and a waste of money. I find book lists from established artists help reduce buying duds, and help in making a good artists library.
Regards. Pete (UK)
I buy multiple copies of Carlson’s book and give one to every new painting student who is taking classes with me. A MUST read!!! I have about 150 art books in my library and I buy quite a few on ebay…usually good prices!!
I am having the same problem. I am using my email address and pasword but can’t get in. 🙁 I even tried to click forget password but it says invalid email address. 🙁
Thank you for this blog. My husband bought me the Daniel Keys set of Rosemary Brushes, after I bragged about them. I bragged only from the rave review of my fellow artist friends. The set was very expensive and included the ivory and mongoose in various sizes and shapes. After only one day of use, one of the mongoose flats splayed out so badly, it was impossible to use. I contacted Rosemary and included pictures. I was told to boil the brush for one minute and shape it while wet. It sort of worked, but when I painted with it again, the same thing happened. I am not pleased at all, especially since I have 1,200 invested in them. I do however like the Egbert and some of the ivories.
I have resisted the mass migration to rosemary brushed as I have plenty of decent brushes on hand. I purchased a few to see how they are. I am really happy with the several other brands that I now use.
Hi
I’d be eying those Rosemary brushes for 2 years, reading reviews, getting their brochures, going though their enitre website. I finally took the plunge and got some (after comparing prices with local bought Winsor Newton for ex.). I got Ivory, Evergreen, and classic short flats. I paint mostly portraits & landscapes, alla prima and in layers also (2 or 3). What I found is that yes they are good brushes but nothing to rave about and no better than previous ones I had been using. The Ivory series and the short flats are not better that the Robert Simmons and I agree they quickly splay and become useless. The Evergreen series is too soft (Raphaël textura in small numbers does a better job). After discussing the brush issue with my teacher, we came to find a local brand called Zen (comes in dark silver long and short handles) with just as good power to hold the paint and take the hard work of most painters. These brushes have the advantage of costinf $3.-/piece, and when it’s used to the pojnt of not enough hair left, throw it away and buy a new one. Conclusion: there’s nothing like brand new brushes to handle the paint and your painting process. Find yourself something inexpensive and replace brushes as soon as they don’t behave anymore, as soon as they wear out. I’m never going to buy expensive brushes again. This was my experience and in no way reflects everyone else’s. Best to all, Dominique
I have some Rosemary brushes that I have not used a lot yet, so I can’t comment. I have been using a lot of Silver Brush bristle brushes and synthetic bristlon brushes and like them both. However, for my money, the all time best brushes were the Grumbacher Professional grade brushes. These are no longer made as far as I can ascertain (after hunting like crazy last year) and Gainsborough brushes are all that is left from the Grumbacher lines. As you can probably guess, my Grumbacher brushes (“Professional”) are pretty old – at least 20 years and have held up better than the Gainsboroughs, which are much younger.
I also have used utrecht bristle brushes and liked the 219 brushes but I don’t think this is a line they have continued to make. It was a boiled bristle and somewhat softer than the unboiled, but I get along just fine with the few I have.
I meant to mention that bristles on the few eggberts I have twisted after being used the first time, so I have been reluctant to buy any more of anyones. But the utrecht long flat looks good and so does the Rosemary 279, so I might try them when I next get inspired to spend more money!
I have many brushes, varying in price a good deal; I’ve used Rosemary & Co brushes (which by the way I don’t find at all expensive) mostly for acrylic (the Shiraz range particularly), and have just on Ivory brush, which I use for oil. On the whole, I’ve found them good value and of good quality. I do however allow my brushes to rest – in other words I have a dozen or so in the same basic shapes, so that I don’t scrub them away to nothing. However, you mention a brush giving up the ghost after just one use – I would find that very concerning; hasn’t happened to me yet. I’ve never actually tried Utrecht brushes – perhaps they’re not easy to obtain in the UK; but if I can find them, I will try them given your endorsement. And I must also have a try with those Egbert brushes from Rosemary – I use filberts a lot, and this would add another dimension.
For any of our awesome artists who are having a difficult time logging in, please email me at bill@inmanfinearts.com. I can help you get in asap, but these comments don’t always show up for me.
I appreciate your descriptions, conclusions and photos so much as I am fairly new to painting and I am in the process of ordering supplies now so this came at the perfect time!
I am already learning so much! Thank you!
I received an email from Cathy telling me she talked recently with Rosemary Brushes and they told her the Mongoose brushes were no longer.
This was my reply:
You are right Cathy,
A few years ago when I called them they were still mongoose and they said they had a large stock of hair, but could buy no more and it would eventually run out. I guess it ran out. Or maybe they finally made it illegal to use the hair they bought when it was legal.
Thanks for pointing that out. I will add this conversation to the blog comments as well.
Happy painting,
Bill
So the brushes are now badger hair. I am anxious now to give them a good try and see what the differences are. I have some badger hair brushes in my watercolor case – they are much softer generally, I believe, than the mongoose – we’ll see.
Bill, your paintings are so beautiful. There is so much beauty to be found right around us and to be able to capture it so masterfully must be so satisfying. Thank you so much for sharing and for helping us learn to paint.
Here in Devon, England a beautiful Spring morning has dawned. My garden is full of blooms,blossom and birdsong, just waiting for swallows to return and to hear the cuckoo. Grandchildren love to play here and through the woods to Woodbury common, the sea is only three miles away. My aunt would say “all this and heaven too”. Many thanks for your painting guidance brings great pleasure and encouragement. Friends and I have just put together a calendar for 2018 of our paintings to sell in aid of Hospicare who will be selling them at their “Open Garden”events throughout the year.
Good wishes and happy days
Wendy Markham
Thank you Bill for the wonderful pictures of your art!!! They are truly beautiful, Our creator is the artist above all artist’s!!! I’m trying to learn but I seem to make more messes than anything else!!!
My Mom’s very favorite (and mine) (taken from W. Wadsworth Longfellow “Daffodils”
“I wandered lonely at a cloud that floats on high o’er vales and hills a host, of golden daffodils; beside the lake, beneath the trees, fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine and twinkle on the milky-way, they stretched in never-ending line along the margin of the bay: ten thousand saw I at a glance; tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they outdid the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay in such a jocund company: I gazed and gazed but little thought what wealth the show to me had brought; for oft, when on my couch I lie in vacant or in pensive mood, they flash upon that inward eye which is the bliss of solitude; and then my heart with pleasure fills…and dancing in the daffodils.”
These photos really drove home to me the subject matter ratio to the canvas size. The smaller the canvas, the more need for cropping the view of the subject. The larger the canvas, the more detail of the view that can be included. I have been trying to include lots of detail on small canvases with much frustration and fussiness of brush strokes. I would love to be looser in my brush strokes and now realize what was causing my frustration. Thank you!!!
Amazing work and since I’ve been studying Richard Schmidt’s work from the Alla Prima books, I’ve noticed your style is very similar. My work is still in the early stages of finding myself through brush miles but I am intrigued by people like yourself who have accomplished such riveting brushwork which then produces their own style. I have learned all the technical parts of oil painting, composition etc. but have had a time establishing brushwork I am happy with and a palette of colors. There are dozens of palettes. I’ve tried many of them but it seems that I find another one I like better and I never seem to focus on staying with one or two. Any advice? For example: go to Nancy Medina (google it) and her palette seems to sell but the colors seem a bit garish but I’ve found more than one online person teaching these bizarre color palettes and their work sells faster than the traditional colors of the masters. Frustrating. I want to be able to sell my work as well as be satisfied with becoming an accomplished artist. Thanks, sorry for the long post!
Thanks Bill, for sharing your beautiful garden. Your work is so inspiring and makes me keep trying so that one day I might be able to produce such a garden! I appreciate you giving so much time to your students and being a working, busy artist at the same time. That cannot be easy! Thanks for helping us and I look forward to videos from your trip.
Dear, i like your wonderful work ,painting is my hobby i am not a professional but i love beauty and nature
i thank you for encourage me to start again my life with color .thank you very much.
I use Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 Olga. Many artists and photographers use Lightroom, but I haven’t had much experience with it. Also, I hear many use Photoshop Elements – I’ve never used it either – it’s a more basic version of Photoshop CC I believe. The Adobe products are available as a monthly subscription. I pay for the whole suite of products ($54 monthly), but you can get them individually as well (the Photoshop and Lightroom combo is only $10/mth – https://creative.adobe.com/plans?single_app=photoshop). Photoshop Elements is a one time purchase for about $70 (on Amazon).
Thank you for explaining so well the process for painting the luscious pink peonies. My favorite flowers. I will give it another try. Love your paintings.
Great inspiration! Thank you for sharing your time and experiences. As someone who is getting into painting later in life, and loving plein air painting, you give great advise to new artists. I have been immersing myself into this new passion and love all the encouragement that is offered!
Thank you, Bill, for being so generous and sharing your knowledge and talent. This was a very helpful tutorial. The thought that went into each aspect of the composition illustrates that even though a painting may look painterly and loose, a successful piece is the result of careful planning, executing and revising when necessary. Beautiful!
Really enjoyed and liked you putting the reference photos on and doing the 10 Steps with your instructions and comments on each one, is very helpful. Of course always enjoy your work and love your paintings and videos. You give such wonderful information, you are a natural teacher showing us how you paint by showing and sharing your knowledge and gift with us.
There is one thing I have a problem with in watching your videos and is mostly because of my computer. I have to turn the volume up 100% on my pc and on the video in order to hear you when you are speaking. I could and would love to hear nothing when you are not speaking, the music comes on much louder and I have to turn the volume down to almost mute then when it stops I have to turn it back up full blast to hear you talk! I repeat this thru the whole video…. Honestly, I do not want to sound like complaining but if I wanted music I can turn on my own! For me am happier with silence and just watching and learning from you, trying to figure out what colors you are mixing and watching you paint on the canvas and your brush strokes and placement than worrying about loud music and turning my volume up and down to stop the music and worry about missing what you are saying. Mute would be fine for the music which to me is distracting but then not able to hear what you say is not an option… thank you so much and hope I did not offend as I never want to do that.
Regret so many wasted years, even those of retirement! My hope is that you and people like you will proliferate to inspire us all to work harder to reach our goals. Thank you Mr. Roads.
Thank you for sharing some of your personal life with us. I can see the goodness in you both in every video and webinar.
What a beautiful family you have.
Janyce
Thank you for the thoughtful article. I really enjoyed it and I got some good information. I always wondered what the spouse of an artist’s thought and felt, and I now have a clear picture. I admire you both and understand each of you has a talent. You share your individual talents with each other. I really believe you two are a “working couple”. Congratulations.
Kristie, thank you for filling in for Bill. You are the best thing that could have happened to him. I really enjoyed reading ‘your blog’. You must be a wonderfully together woman, to have born 7 children and supported Bill through all his trials and tribulations. Art is a passion others sometimes don’t understand. I too have stopped the car to study the trees and the skyholes or the sky colors or how a hay roll looks and the colors in things. Thanks to my cellphone I can capture some of those things and hopefully attempt to paint them. As a wife I don’t get the opportunity to paint as much as I would like but when I do I’m in a place no-one but another artist can understand. Thanks for reading. Sue
I really loved reading this. I call myself a recreational painter…far from a professional artist, but I still saw myself in some of your descriptions. And I suppose the some of the same things could be said about supporting a spouse in whatever endeavors, but definitely artists are a different breed. This blog was so very personal. Thank you!
WOW! You hit that nail on the head.
I’m a new member and haven’t interacted in any way except to wander around the site.
Excited to be here but can’t seem to squeeze out the time and energy to just sit down
and paint. I know when I start I can’t stop and life is just full of other plans for me.
There is a lot of guilt in not being available to everyone and having to be nice about
it while trying to hold on to whatever is was that had you so whipped up and just
couldn’t wait to get it on paper or canvas.
God Bless you KristieI. I hope you know how valuable you are.
What a beautiful expression of both your life and your love; a journey so very well articulated in so few words. Thank you for sharing…God Bless you both.
You are very blessed!Thanks to share with us your great testimony of life and joy of your family!!It is a blessing to your husband and his all activities and be nearest to him all the time!And it is good for your children to love the father’s work,it is inheritance!
I love the work of Bill since I saw them on the Facebook,and my daughter of 15 years was on my neck asking me to get for her painting course on Google,day and night she was crying at me!!She is a good artist in drawing and paint,but here it is very expensive for child to enter in such school according to my capacity!!!
I too am an artist trough handcrafts making!!I admire Bill talent and your family,especially your lovely wife and it is true it might be fine to marry an artist sure!!
Thank you Kristi for sharing with us. God has gifted you in many way’s , but not only with being a wonderful Mother and Wife but also with a gift of writing!! Enjoyed your blog very much and can see myself in your description of your husband. So thankful to have the priviledge to be able to read your thought’s . My prayer’s are for Bill’s continued success and for his sweet Wife and Family!!!!
Kristie-Thank your for sharing your family life with us. I know you have helped Bill become what he is today in more ways than anyone can ever know. It isn’t easy being the wife (or husband) of an artist. My sweet long-suffering husband is very patient and supportive and has been for years. But those who support deserve much of the glory! Thanks for filling in on the blog and giving us more insight into your sweet relationship and wonderful family. God Bless you all!
Thanks Kristie for telling a beautiful life story which is just as special as Bill’s. Happy anniversary. I am from a family of eight children so I truly appreciate seeing your family photo. I bet you have a lot of fun being together. I see a lot of talent there. Congratulations.
What a beautiful story!! What a commitment!! What a family!!!What an artist!!!
May God bless you all!!
Thank you for sharing.
From another fellow artist in Vancouver Canada!!
A beautiful story!! A big a commitment!! Beautiful a family!!! An amazing artist!!!
May God bless you all!!
Thank you for sharing.
From another fellow artist in Vancouver Canada!!
Kristie,
Thank you so much for writing this. It was easy to connect to. I am the artist at almost 60 and my husband is the spouse of an artist. It really helped me to read from your perspective and appreciate my husbands support even more.
Thank you for your support of Bill which, in turn, allows us (especially us newbies to art) To learn from him.
And I want to thank you for helping me to realize my MAJOR stumbling block! My husband, Glenn, and I have been married 52 1/2 years, have 4 children, 4 children-in-law, 8 grandchildren and 1 grandson-in-law. All these years (19 of which I was a stay-at-home Mom), I have been the organizer, the calendar keeper, the bill payer and the chief cook & bottle washer and I don’t know how to let go of all that. Oh, what I would give to have painting become my main activity every day!!! I just started painting about 2 1/2 years ago and am quickly falling in love with it…..and Glenn is in full support! We are clearing out the office (spare bedroom) to set up a studio for me. And, yes, I DID forget to eat lunch one day last summer when I was painting a 2′ X 2′ abstract/impressionistic cow for our granddaughter as a wedding gift. I have never before forgotten to eat a meal….what a delight! Glenn said I was enjoying myself so much he didn’t want to bother me. Now, if I could just let go if the guilt of not doing ‘other things’ so I could paint, paint, and paint some more!!! Kristie, thank you so much for the blog….it helped me understand my thinking; now on to my ‘doing’. Bill is so blessed to have you as a spouse and I am so blessed to have Glenn as a spouse because he is so supportive in trying to get me to give more time to my newly discovered desire!!!
It will be a few weeks before the home studio is up & running but I am looking forward to becoming a better artist with Bill’s help!
I so enjoyed reading about your beautiful and loving relationship. To be an artist and have family support is a true blessing from God. Thank you for sharing your many discoveries of what it means to be married to a working artist. You both are super. God knew what He was doing when he brought you two together. May your lives together continue to be blessed.
What a wonderful story. You are so fortunate to find Bill and have the life you have. God always knows what is best for us!!. I love Bill’s art and hope to learn from him!!
Kristie, thank you for writing this. I am married to an Illustrator/Artist and you have hit the nail on the head as they say. I got a chuckle from the driving. Many times I have noticed Wes looking off into the distance and praying that we do not go off of the road. He sees a painting in every landscape or notices colors or the way the sun hits a building or a tree. I am lucky to also have a wonderful sensitive humble man and help support him in every way I can. Thank you so much for a wonderful heartfelt article. It is nice to know that there are more people out there that understand.
I was also at the convention which was fascinating. I didn’t see anything about purchasing raw footage? Enjoyed your post. Are you willing to share what 20 10 10 means. Made it to the early Abraham presentation but the first two.
Thanks for the wonderful coverage of the event. Put me on the list for that paint box..it holds brushes and all.
How does one find out about such events?
Can you share with us the basics of the 10 10 10 system…they say teaching is the best way to a good handle on a topic.
I love Asante Fe…Bishops is such a nice place to spent some time. How far ahead does one have to sign up? Is there a registration limit? It would be to see if the Cdn $ may go up a bit? before making any commitment.
Please put me on the list for that paint box..it holds brushes and all.
How does one find out about such events?
Can you share with us the basics of the 10 10 10 system…they say teaching is the best way to a good handle on a topic.
I love Asante Fe…Bishops is such a nice place to spent some time. How far ahead does one have to sign up? Is there a registration limit? It would be to see if the Cdn $ may go up a bit? before making any commitment.
Eric Rhodes, is a multi millionare and an OPORTUNIST! This is why I do not subject my work for “WHOS BEST AT. . . .” Contest! It harkins back to my young days in 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade etc. Wherein I was ALWAYS the last person picked to be on a TEAM for spelling, poems, etc.
Take the entire Eric Rhodes empire. . . He states he “Just wants to help people discover painting. . . ” really. . . WHO among us, can afford $150.00 or more, per DVD on how to do X. He and ALL his companies are like Anna Wintor of “Devil wares Prada” and her Vouge empire telling the WORLD what and what not to ware!!!!
If you PAY THE PRICE, so to speak, your IN WITH THE IN CROWD. . . The WHO’s who of all of Rhodes magazines, seminars, conventions, conferences, etc. Etc.
ALL these type of things do, is make people feel BAD cause they DID NOT MEASURE UP TO so and so, or THE STANDARD!!!
GOD, gives us our talent, our abilities, OUR PASSIONS! He made us all the same, no one is BETTER, more skilled, more talented, SMARTER then anyone else!!! Knowledge is a GIFT to be shared with all who seek it, who hunger for it, WHO LONG FOR IT!! But when one person sets himself up as the DECIDER of WHATS IN, WHO’S IN, WHO OUT, WHO’S BETTER
So HE can get even RICHER, That, is NOT for me!!!!! So, you will NEVER catch me at a PLEASE EXCEPT ME convention!!
Thank you for sharing your trip! Looks like you had fun! Loved Kristie’s Blog while you were away!
Enjoy being with the family for a while- coming home is so sweet?
Take care!
Bill, I was at thee convention also. And also felt that I had to see and do everything but by the time the evening sessions were about to start I was totally wiped out. The big issue was the fact that I did not have enough time to eat a good meal. The breakfast they provided was adequate for most but I need more protein to start my day. Thus my question to you….What is the recipe for the bars that your wife made for you? I looked at the web site you linked to but their recipes were for smoothies. Your’s is for a bar? Could you point me to the recipe? Cause I am signed up for PACE18 and I know I will probably do the whole “I have to see everything” bit and need to have something to keep me going longer and brighter.
Thanks in advance for your response. I have really appreciated your emails, especially this one on PACE17. I have shared it with friends so they can see what the concert was like.
Margie Larson
Love all the effort you make to explain everything to anybody who asks. Thank You, Bill and Kristie…and the rest of the family. Yes, where can I find a Kristie? I have a Dave and m thankful for that but he should go into training with Kristie. Perhaps we need a full tutorial for artist spouses/significant others??? Will also look forward to paintbox / brush holder ordering and perhaps even Santa Fe but it sounds way to stressful.
Ethanks so much for fixing the pop up links over the pics…most of it shows now and I really like this one a lot….interesting bit about the shadow I’d not considered befoe.
Thank you for your insights. Its good to hear that even a seasoned painter goes through the emotional ups and downs when a painting works and when it doesn’t.
I really love your perspectives within your paintings through the use of light. It gives me the feeling I am there in real time. There is a sense of peace and calm.
Thank you, Bill for pulling this interview together, and most especially to you. Eric for baring your soul for the sake of inspiring us to do more, live more, be thankful for every day. And you look pretty good for a vegan!! You are trying to surpass David Leffel in years and painting wisdom?? Many many thanks, every day, for all you do. Grateful our paths crossed.
Lovely to look at beautiful art and learn about artist I didn’t know before. Just an fyi. I know the grayed out text color is ‘in fashion” these days but for older folks the lack of contrast makes it frustrating to read. Might want to select a darker gray if not black if template allows.
I love the journeyman… the face….. it’s all about the face!
I like the brushwork and the colors in the longhorn, but I would love to see a photo of the shadow… They are always tricky for me. I’m sure that, Mr Tennison no doubt got it right.
Your colors in your ocean house, Bill, are just what I’d want if it were mine.
The Yellow Kimono is ..well..Just Beautiful.
The winter scene is spot on!
The apple and cheery blossoms… Lovely!
Prayer in itself is always a beautiful thing, but as you said, is striking as well.
The wren brings focus exactly where needed…
I was so busy looking at the calm noon rocks, that I hadn’t noticed the horizon line at first. It’s still a nice painting though.
Toward Winter……..thumbs up.
Cari, very impressive….
…and Mr Whitaker’s Cove is very brilliant
but last and not least… I was immediately impressed with his Gunslinger!
So, now… does this qualify me to judge the next show???!!! LOL
These are all truly beautiful paintings!
Dear , mr . Innman, I have read your interview with , mr. Stapleton, He seems like a very dediicated , and diciplined craftsman. The examples of his paintings bring me to places I have newer seen. They have a yearning , even , lonely quality to them, yet dont demand any thing, but just to BE. The movement of the season, or the water and wind , suggests, imminent CHANGE.
Thank you for your enlightening postings.
I’ve admired Mr. Kearns since I first began painting 6 years ago. I think the statement he makes about making a painting, not recording reality is so true and a major roadblock to greatness.
I loved Stapleton’s attitude toward art. “What can I make out of this?” , is my motto when I paint anything. Break rules and be serious about it!! Thank you Bill for providing this interview.
Thank you for posting this conversation with Stapleton and of course, including these paintings. I am extremely inspired by his work and much of his comments. I especially am driven by his phrase – “The art comes from you, the data comes from the world.” His paintings showing here have nostalgic value to me as I have either lived there or have warm memories of being there. I am 66 years old and just this year truly finding time to put all of me into painting with gusto and this interview with a magnificent artist is such a learning tool for me. Thanks to you, Bill, and of course, to Stapleton whose information is greatly valued.
Thank you, Stapleton Kearns and Bill Inman for sharing your insights and wisdom. I love Stape’s matter of factness and have held a similar internal dialogue regarding art marketing verbiage: I.e., what’s the big thing about “plein air”, since I love to paint outside anyway and just do it…. and I’m not French! Lol. Love the ‘fullness’ and ‘polish’ of Kearn’s paintings shown here. It does the natural landscape full justice! – six versus just 2 hours certainly seems to give back the investment of work and studied experience!
I am quickly chasing 90 years and have just had my big “light bulb” moment. Your interview with Mr. Kearns was “enlightening”. I have been painting for many years and always kept an extremely clean palette. Throw away the cleaning rags! Seriously, I’m going to play around with
muddy colors as I’m looking at the grass and trees in a completely different way. What a great artist and interesting way of putting the colors
together. Isn’t life great? So much art to enjoy. Thank you for your interview.
Of all your interviews this I have liked the best. He makes wonderful comments and then jars me using the word ” ain’t”.. . his verbiage has the same small surprises as his vibrantly wonderful paintings. It isn’t mentioned , but it seems he has no time for family. I think he would be an interesting person down with for a chat.
Thank you Bill for interviewing and sharing great artists’ insights through Blank Canvas. Thank you Stapleton Kearns for granting an interview with Bill. I will remember to ask myself, “Am I just recording data or am I adding art to my work.” Thank you, again!
Bill thank you for interviewing wonderful artists for Blank Canvas who enlighten and touch us, not only with their work, but with their thought process. Thank you Stapleton Kearns for sharing your insights, experiences and your love of painting poetry. It enriches us all.
You, Stapleton Kearns, are my most favorite artist. I love your paintings, but most of all I love who you are as a painter. You are so sharing and giving. I love reading your blogs over and over. It has been one of my greatest wishes to one day study with you or just watch you paint. It would be a great honor to own one if your paintings. Maybe one day. Thank you for sharing yourself with the world.
Thank you Bill for this interview. Thank you Stape for agreeing to the interview. Stape, you continue to amaze. I have followed your blog since its inception. It was always the first “read” of the morning for me. Now I reread specific sections or topics when I need a Stape-fix. Stape challenges my thinking in his blog and honest and respectful in his critiques. Bill’s critiques actually reminded me of Stape’s critiques in his blog. I don’t miss Bill’s monthly critique webinars, just the deadlines for submissions! So, my gratitude to you both as you continue to inspire this painter to keep going.
Ah an excellent interview and posting of such “poems”. Rigorous, thought stimulating, and the glimmer of understanding about this whole painting thing. Thank you so much Stapleton Kearns, for speaking with our audience, and to our collective artist souls. Thank you also Mr. Inman for sharing.
I gain so much from all these interviews. I especially enjoy reading the names of the artists that the interviewee artist lists; I ALWAYS look them up whether I have seen that artists work before or not. I did watch Jim McVicker on youtube years ago but now I understand what the heck he was talking about now that I have a clearer understanding of colour and atmospheric light. So, thank you Jim McVicker for this interview and all your helpful responses to Bill’s valuable questions.
Bill, you are such a talented artist, not only with paint, but with your words and style of writing. You always inspire me and I know all the wonders and challenges you spoke of. Thanks for taking me on that Plein Air trip. I enjoyed the adventure and thought I could feel the breeze and hear the birds songs whilst I had my morning coffee. You are an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing your gifts. Kindest and friendly regards, joanna
I can not wait for the details of Michaels palletes . It has been raining 24-7 in Texas. I have been very discouraged with the weather here. Thanks for the wonderful discription of your journey.
HI Bill. I am a student to Plein Aire, started 18 months ago. I am beginning to under stand the process, albeit it slowly. For me the challenge is firstly, composition, then perspective. I have found that thumbnails really have helped me with some of the perspective. I can make mistakes on the thumbnail and I am not attached to the painting at this stage. Values are hard, distant colors are greyer and have more white .My challenge has been changing the color without changing the value. I am totally in love with the plein aire process. As you say, chatting to people who come over to talk whilst you are painting are a joy. I have had to learn to be more open and embrace the fact that my painting that day may not be good and to let go, understanding that the firework finale as you put it is just not going to happen. However, I know I can do this just lots of practice and the courage to go out on my own and paint. I love the blogs and I am looking forward to your lessons on Plein Aire.
Hi Bill – I have been receiving your mails for a couple of months now – I live in Cape Town South Africa and would like to know if I can purchase firstly your 6 week course and then go on to monthly – I love reading all the mails I receive and find your information so informative- I have gone for art classes with local artists but I so love your style – it suits me – I have tried other styles but feel totally out of my comfort zone- many thanks
Bill
I’ve noticed another common question, concern is brush maintenance.
Being the novice I am, early on my brushes would stiffen from lack of proper cleaning. To correct it required leaving brushes to soak in turpentine or other solvents for extended periods.
That however was not my favored remedy
Surching a suitable solutions I’ve settled on using “baby oil”.
Typical application is to remove as much paint as I can by dry wiping the bristles dipping the bristles in the baby oil, perform a second wiping then a final dip and light wipe to complete the process
Furthermore any residual oil remaining on the bristles appears to have no negative affect with studio or professional grade paints.
This process results in perfectly clean brushes without benefit of toxic or expensive solvents, and to date has not shown harmful to the integrity of either natural or synthetic bristles.
I thoroughly enjoyed the interview with Stapleton Kearns, Thank you for these opportunities to hear first hand the priorities and wisdom from long time painters like Kearns. His discipline of painting hours put me to shame, My favorite comment was that he is not trying to record data, but instead, do artwork. His art speaks loudly. Thank you for doing these canvas interviews. They are inspiring and help me know what areas I need to work harder,
Bill, I am a relative “newbie” to the world of painting……only about 2 1/2 years and am enjoying it more each week. Hope to soon have my home studio set up (in a few weeks) so I won’t have to unpack and set up each time I want to paint! As I really like your painting style/technique, I have a couple of questions for you. What do you paint on….a board, a canvas, linen? How do you prep your surface …I like that what appears to be brushstrokes that show up in the finished painting and assume this is done before the paint goes on the surface? Do you add a medium to your paint when you apply the underpainting? Thank you so much for your time (and your talent!)
Skype has established its web-centered buyer beta to the world, right after
starting it extensively inside the Usa and U.K.
previous this calendar month. Skype for Website also now can handle Linux and Chromebook for immediate text messaging
connection (no voice and video but, those demand a plug-in installing).
The increase of the beta provides support for a longer selection of
languages to assist bolster that international user friendliness
Wow! I’m impressed with your lifestyle. I am a Christian, and do dedicate daily to reading scriptures and devotional. I
Last year, I decided to stop eating meat, and do feel better. I run about 5 to 10 miles weekly, and start my day with green juice and my daily polyphenols too. My art work is not from a university standpoint, but it came to me as the greatest gift from God. I had never
Taken a class in my life, so I do thank Him for blessing me with my art. Some of my works are in Spain, Italy and France. I’m glad I got to read your blog, and thank you for posting it.
I am very impressed with how you guys take care of your health. I am not as careful with what I eat unfortunately. I am proud to say I have never had any alcohol and I have never done any drugs of any sort. I don’t smoke either. But I do have a sweet tooth and love salty stuff.. so while my liver is happy with my no alcohol and no drugs diet, it hates me when I eat sugary stuff. I go to the crossfit gym 4 times a week to make up for the 8 hours I spend each day sitting at a desk in my office staring at the monitor, which is destroying my eyes and back. Even though crossfit is a high intensity interval training, I don’t think it can help with what happens to my body during those 8 hours. Changing my life style at this age would be difficult if not impossible.. but I hope I can find the will power to do more to take care of my health. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Hello Bill, I follow your emails (really like them, whether they are about art exhibits or painting a specific scene), but this one I keep in my mail box handy. Read and reread it. (Yes, I painted my yellow rose :-).
Needless to say I really like your style of painting and teaching. Just wanted to say thank you for the inspiration and encoragement. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Last year I went completely whole food plant based no meat no oil or dairy. I have never felt better in my life. I watched a documentary called Forks over Knives and it opened my eyes to see that we really are what we eat and the fats we eat are the fats we wear. And I have started walking everyday I am 67 years old and wish I had started this way of eating years ago. I was told I was pre diabetic before but not now so there is truth in why this is called the healthiest diet in the planet. I also know how important it is for me to spend time in God’s word everyday and in prayer. Being spiritually fit is as important as being physically fit. One thing I have noticed that as I have started this way of eating lost over 50 pounds and feel better than ever people still think and ask “how can you not eat meat?” So I am thankful to read this about your family and know that there are like minded people who agree that it is a good way to live. Like minded people who share the joy of painting taking care of our mind body and soul. That’s what life is all about. Enjoyed your blog thanks for putting it out there maybe it will convince others to take their health to a higher level. I love painting and want to enjoy it for many years to come.
Ah ha! The truth is revealed. Since retiring five years ago I have spent a lot of time scouring the web for good art and art instruction. This in an effort to improve my own work. Many times I find work and artists whose work has a particular appeal to me. It is surprising how many on these folks turn out to be “members”. Josh Clare, Bryan Mark Taylor and Carl Purcell to name a few.
As I have followed Bill’s instructional videos and reviewed his work I have been suspicious of your “life style”. I picked up clues like the scriptures on the worktop, references to two years of service and the encouraging language Bill uses in his presentations. The clincher was the photo you used on this post.
Congratulations to you and Bill for being examples of the “plan of happiness”. I look forward to more instruction and more great paintings.
Your secret is safe with me.
HI Bill. Loved this Blog. I have been a vegetarian for, well, since 1991. I love animals and so from an ethical standpoint I could not eat them. Thank you for sharing. You and your family are more special than I realized
Well spoken! Faith, Family and Vocation, the three legs of the happiness in this world. By adding nutrition, healthy activity and awareness of the importance of friends you have a terrific plan for living. God bless you both. The blog is a great idea!
I am in awe of the balance you and Bill have achieved in your lives and how conscious you are of living a life of depth and fulfillment. While I have made inroads into plant based eating, I have a long way to go in other areas of my life and uncertainty as to whether I will make much more progress there. I’ve discovered that postponing fulfillment can be a gamble you just can’t count on winning.
Love the picture of the bread loaves. I’ve been thinking about making our own since the store bought stuff doesn’t really taste as good anymore to either my husband or me.
Thank you for this blog, Kristie. I think that it is you who are Bill’s “Living Fuel”. Never mind all the other “good advice” ingredients.
They help but it is the lucky man and woman who can say, we love our life, we love each other, we love what we do. You are
truely blessed! Enjoy and Thank You for sharing and caring!
Oh thank you so very much for this blog. I too knew that there was something different about you and Bill, and in a good way! I enjoyed reading your article and now ask, “where are recipes”?
Hugs,
Joy in Arizona
I started following the youtube painting videos Bill does, and am on the email list. How fun to find out that you are the same faith as me! We’ve also been trying to cut back on meat intake, and I also grind my wheat, as well as bake my own breads. We have a huge garden, fruit trees and berries, five hens, and are getting rabbits soon for our meat source. They are much healthier than chicken and also provide great fertilizer. I look forward to reading more of your posts, and growing as an artist. Thank you!
Hi Bill, Well I absolutely love Plein Aire. My difficulties are, !. Composition. Deciding what to put in the painting. 2. my values are sometimes not quite correct. 3. the shifting light. Once I have the values in then comes the color and I am a little timid at putting in the color. I think I get attached to the study too soon. not becoming frustrated and confused is key. I prefer to finish right there on the spot on a 6 x 8. Occasionally an 8 x 10. Most times, ( because I am still learning ) I finish or rather perfect it in my studio, but I have to say I do feel like a cheater when I do that because things are more controlled in a studio. Anyway I have replicated my studies onto larger canvases with the help of a photo, as going bigger sometimes means more detail that people see. Being outdoors id spectacular and I am learning to see color. But, I am getting there , so very exciting everytime I go out.
Bill, I watched your video when you painted this, and loved your process! I belong to an art group here in New Mexico that meets once a month to talk about art and then critique our current works. In addition we go out to paint together as often as we can. Every year we spend four days up at Ghost Ranch in May painting the wonderful ” Georgia O’ Keene country.” Having said all that, I have learned not to expect a masterpiece every time. Instead, I just enjoy the wind in my hair, the sun on my back, the sounds of the birds and the crickets and the absolute joy of painting outdoors.
What type of umbrella do you use? I live in sunny windy Florida. I have a Guerrilla Shadebuddy Umbrella & Stand. It did not last long and need to order a new one. Thanks for your advice.
I have tried both the and Coulter and Strada easels. I wanted to order a Daytripper but couldn’t get them to answer messages so I figured their customer service was nonexistent. I sent both the Coulter and Strada back for different reasons and both the manufacturers were very helpful with the returns. The easels are nice designs for those more interested in light weight and easy to assemble easels. I found that I am more interested in a stable surface to paint on so I replaced my 40 yr old Frenchie for a new Mabef Frenchie–it is made in Italy and does have a quality feeling. As heavy as ever–but it does keep almost all my supplies in it and keeps me organized. My painting group of professional artists have many different tripod set ups and were dumbfounded when they saw my new Frenchie. I have to say, though, that there were some real deal breakers with the tripod easels I tried. The Strada doesn’t hold a 1/4″ panel–I couldn’t jam it under the upper lip no matter what I did. I moved to 1/4″ from 1/8″ for stability and didn’t fancy wasting all those panels. Also–the palette is noisy–rattles because it doesn’t sit flat in the box. Both move a lot when in use. I’ve been burned enough with shipping costs so until another easel comes on the market with an intelligent, quality product I’m sticking with my heavy, but stable Frenchie.
I thank you and Bill for all the help I get on those webinars.. Even when I don’t have a painting in the line up.. I always learn something.. Sometimes Bill gets talking and teaching and answers questions I never thought to ask.. But just wondered about..color temperatures is so hard to understand.. But durning all these webinars I think everyone has picked up on it..I thank you.. Both are in my Prayers.. dawn
A great blog Kirstie – very interesting in what you both do ‘behind the scenes and funny too! I love the image of Bill waving his number 8 filbert and the ‘splattered spider’! Great stuff. I, for one, love being in the community and appreciate enormously all your imput, the critiques, artist interviews – and what I have learnt – and also all the lovely members. Thank you. Elizabeth Williams.
Thank you, Kristie. I agree with everything you said. I took watercolor lessons years ago from a lovely talented elderly woman who I considered a national treasure. She would end every class with a 20 minute critique. We set up our watercolors in a long row. She would ask the artist to give a little background and then she would make comments and invite each of us to comment. It was so helpful. I loved those moments. Our teacher is gone now but I remember her with love and admiration. Bill shares many of those qualities as you so well described. I will echo a comment from above. I love being part of an art community.
Bill and Kristie, I enjoyed your plein air blog through N.Y. state. I loved Niagara and especially the country people. May I suggest taking a trip to the Indiana Dunes area. My one and only plein air experience was at the Dunes. So much to see there. In fact Michigan along the Lake is very beautiful too. Keep blogging and painting for us.
What a gorgeous array of paintings! I have always been a tree hugger – each one is a work of art, different from any other, like snowflakes. I wish I could kidnap the “Breakfast is Ready” painting! Or better yet paint something like that! Someday I’ll be able to afford to join your monthly membership.
Where I lived trees were scarce. My friend and I used to cycle miles to a small wooded area. I have always been drawn to them and loved them. Respect is a added now since I read “The Secret Life of Trees”. Your beautiful paintings Bill are thrilling and inspiring.
Bill, I wonder if you offer a video or lesson onthe Picture shown titled. SUN SHOWERS? I really appreciate the atmosphere and light . It is beautiful. If you offer that lesson I would appreciate knowing the cost and can it be downloaded on my laptop. Thank you Bill. I am a relatively new painter and new to you beautiful page. I get inspired by you work. Thanks again.
Thanks for the inspiration! I would aspire to eat clean like this all the time, but I have a problem getting my family on board. I personally gave up pork, shellfish and the other unclean foods listed in Leviticus. ( not easy! We raise pork for a living. So I still cook it for others) people shake their heads at my decision. I juice vegetables, and have fruit smoothies almost every day. We live on a farm and I have chickens and a big garden. (Get your girls some chicks, It is great project!) Blessings, Jaci
Wow, as a serious new artist, I found this article very informative and helpful. It certainly as encouraged me to spend not only more time growing as an artist, but to cultivate relationships as well. Thank you so much for sharing and the insight to being a successful artist.
Thanks Bill for interviewing Jason and writing up this blog. I have the greatest respect for Jason’s experience in the gallery field and the wisdom he shares with artists.
Thank you Bill and Jason,
Insightful analysis from two seasoned professionals is truly appreciated. I’ll be sharing this with my fellow artists .
Anne Bevan
I have taken classes with another former Hensche student but have never had the pleasure of taking one with Camille. I appreciate the comment that her work has changed over the years and progressed which speaks to taking what she learned about color and fitting it to herself, and then continuing to take workshops with others to improve areas where she felt she was weak. Thank you for this opportunity to hear her words.
COMMENTLástima que estemos tan lejos,me gustaria ver los trabajos de otros alumnos y tus correcciones,cuando puedas mandame un video donde pueda ver cómo hacés tus pinceladas,cada maestrillo con su librillo,es un refrán español,y no tuve suerte al anotarme en el curso de pintura de encontrar aqui en Mar del Plata cuadros de algún pintor que me gustara,para,si podía económicamente,anotarme.Los óleos y las tizas pastel están fuera de mi presupuesto.Tengo la suerte de tener muchos colores,tantos como tienen los paisajes,quizá si supiera mezclarlos y encontrar el color que busco no hubiera comprado todos los colores del muestrario,pero guardo todos,pensando rejuvenecer,ya cumplo 94 años y no puedo estár mucho de pié y compro bastidores de 80,largos como algunos de Sorolla,mi favorito. Perdón por entretenerte tanto tiempo pero cuando escribo mis cartas parecen de soldado,contando todo a su familia.Saludos.
Thank you so much for being so open and honest about what it’s like to be the wife of an artist. I am also a wife of an amazing artist and it is such a challenge to help support him while balancing family/ 3 little kids and my own life. A LOT of sacrifice goes into great art. And a lot of times it is not seen or talked about so it was really nice to read your story. Your words are so encouraging and full of love. Thank you and God bless your heart! 🙂
I loved this. It is so true. My sweet husband does not even question me any more when I yell stop the car. He just looks at my photos and asks how did I see that. Likewise when we go hiking he will wonder off ahead of me and then have to come back looking for me. I am somewhere off the trail take pictures of the light on the leaves or some strange fungus growth or the texture on a tree. He waits for me and smiles and asks me what did you see, show me.
I enjoyed your blog on your travels and photo taking i love to take pics as we travel and want to paint some. i want to someday paint just using interesting parts of the photo and make my own picture painting like you do.
Loved the article. I love photography, which gives me a reminder of the beauty that surrounds us each day. I have thousands of photos of rocks, trees, sunsets, waves, etc. that I will never find time to paint. Each photo inspires me to attempt in all of my paintings some aspect of awe or wonder. Back in the 35mm days, the cost was more than my budget would allow, but digital photography opened up a new passion of preserving memories. The hard part is to place these digital memories on a medium that will last the ages and keeping up with technological advances. Like you, I combine images from several photos to develop my painting into a image that only exists in my mind, searching for the feeling of being a unique artist, if only in my mind’s eye. Well done Bill!!
Thank you, Bill, for these thoughts. I, too, take photos constantly of things to paint in a la dscape. I once asked a professional photographer friend, in the days of 35 mm cameras, if he ” wasted” a lot of film looking for the perfect shot. He told me he might take a hundred photos and end up with one good one. Now, with digital cameras, there is no waste, so I shoot everything! Living in New Mexico, there is lots to shoot!
First of all I love your posts. Now about photos, I am not ashamed of using them. Sometimes your memory cannot remember all intrigate details, I often use different things from one photo in 4 different pictures like a tree or a great shapec rock, whatever facinates me. As example near us is a shed that is ready to collaps, further down some cute goats and I decided it would look cute with some sheep added, so I found some pictures from sheep. All of this together became a painting. I love.
Love your pictures. I also use photos as a memory jogger and as a reference for something in the image, even though I may never use it. I also cut out photos I see with something I might need – like, what does a duck look like in flight? Can’t imagine how the old masters were able to draw and paint some things without a photo reference. Or maybe they settled for what they could see directly. Still life comes in handy for those of us who want a direct experience of seeing but are trapped in a cubicle every day.
One of the greatest things an artist can have is a photo file. Before I throw out old magazines, I go through and cut out all pictures I think I can ever use in a painting. Then I put them in categories: fire plugs, street lamps, flowers, trees, etc. When I am painting a scene, I can go in my files and find the perfect rock, flower, tree, bridge, building, etc. to add to my composition. That is in addition to the hundreds of photos I take. Living in the hot, humid south, it is not always easy to go outside and paint from nature, although I love that too when the weather is right. Love your posts Bill!.
Great post!…I enjoy reading all your posts because they always have such a positive tone and very encouraging for a beginner, self taught painter like me. Thank you.
Love reading your blog. I enjoyed the posts on the photography vs plein aire. I think its great we have the advantage of the camera and can enhance the painting because we were at the site to take in the atmosphere. Best of both worlds.
If you can make a great painting from a mediocre photo, why not try painting from a great photograph? Shoot early and late when the contrast is lower. Watch for light direction. I’m a photographer…?
Wonderful Blog! I too take photos that some people wonder why. Consequently I have thousands. I also see images that spark a thought that reminds me of a photo that I had taken years ago. An “aha” moment; now I know what I can do with that photo! Although I know that I should paint everyday, I don’t always do so but now your blog has given me the incentive to pick up my brushes and get busy painting. Thank you.
Watching the videos and listening to your comments: there is a joy in your work. I look forward to the videos and Webinars every month and try to incorporate some of your suggestions into my paintings. Thanks Bill(and Kristie) for all your time and hard work.
Thank you, thank you. Your pictorial journey has inspired me and reminded me that playing is the path…and that no painting I do is a failure if it teaches me something.
Thanks David for all of your hard work in producing and compiling this blog. Wonderful trip through your history Bill. I enjoyed the changes and challenges that you shared with us. I see the accumulation of your early styles and methods in your artwork today. Well done!!
Thanks for sharing your history with us. It’s encouraging to know the joy is in the journey and no experience is ever wasted! Appreciate David’s help also.
Bill, I started following you on facebook and you website about 6 months ago. Now look for your work at the Indiana aheritage Art and Hoosier Salon. Thanks for showing how your work evolved over your liftime, It is always interest to see how an artist progresses over time.
Seeing your early work reminds me that I can continue to grow and improve. And it is a better lesson for seeing than if you just wrote the words. Thank you!
Bill…do you let the titanium white dry to maintain the texture and avoid whitening out of subsequent before you proceed.
Could one apply moulding paste and let it dry rather than using all that titanium white? Interested in your thoughts.
Great question Janne – this was a fun experiment to see what mixing colors into the white paint, right on the panel instead of on the palette, would do to the colors, especially with so much white right at the start. I love the wet into wet blending strengths of oil paint – the way I can manipulate edges and mix colors together with either a light touch or a stronger pressure depending on how much mixing I want to have at that moment. For instance, with wet into wet (or direct or alla prima) if I am putting in a tree branch, I might start off with a thick layer of paint on top of another layer of wet paint, laying it on in the beginning of the stroke without mixing it with the under layer – just laying one layer over the other – and then part way through, change the pressure a bit and slightly blend the two colors together to change the look of the branch – like when a branch goes from shadow to more light, or to change the color a bit by blending the two layers together. If I was only going for texture, which with this experiment was not the case, the molding paste might be a better way to go. If you decide to use molding paste it would be wise to consider that molding paste is an acrylic product and could cause adhesion problems eventually. If you use molding paste for texture make sure you use it on a solid surface like a wood panel to help the oil paint remain attached to the acrylic (the same could be said for acrylic gesso). It’s helpful to remember that oil is not porous and eventually dries hard and much less flexible than acrylics – which is why we see so much cracking in older paintings, especially on canvas. Acrylic (plastic) is porous, so oil paint will form a mechanical bond with the minuscule holes in the acrylic. If the acrylic stretches from temperature fluctuations or the flexing of a canvas, the oil will not stretch as much and can crack and fall off. That’s why it’s better to paint oils over acrylics on a solid surface. Based on that understanding, painting wet into wet with straight white oil paint is a better option than using molding paste. Even if we use just oil paint, if we paint thick, it is still a good idea to use a solid surface like a wood panel to avoid future cracking since oils are not very flexible – although they dry so slowly that with some thick areas of paint the inside may take decades to fully dry to a solid state, so it may take a while before you notice any cracking on a flexible surface like canvas.
I went through the gamut with camera’s finally chose a Sony a6000, it has 24.3 megapixels. I bought mine at Best Buy was about $700, I am totally impressed with its simplicity and ease of use yet has a ton of features that in all likelihood I may not use them all, still learning.. It is a smaller bodied camera which saves a lot in lugging the weight around that some cameras have. I can’t praise this camera enough, I bought one for my daughter who is a photographer, she loves it and uses it almost exclusively, I highly recommend this one. Check it out.. google it and read some of the information on it, well worth your time.
I enjoyed your thoughts on the artistic life. Thank you for sharing them. Your paintings are truly awesome! It’s always good when we find what we love and can use that love as creative inspiration.
I appreciate your thoughts on the creative process very much. It affirms my own thoughts and serves as inspiration and encouragement. Thank you very much and all good wishes and compliments on your magnificent art
Wonderful interview. Very informative, insightful, and inspirational. Lately. I have found myself painting compositions that my heart wasn’t entirely into (for sales). And as a result, those pieces have not been my best work. I intend to follow Mr. Cheever’s thoughts and paint what I truly love. Thanks, so much for sharing this with us, Bill.
Thank you so much for doing the full length videos. These are the most interesting, most helpful, and are the ones I go back to regularly because I learn something every time I watch them. In the days of art books I always found it so frustrating that they were showing steps 1, 2, 3, and then steps 8, 9, 10 and then baoum! painting finished, but what went on in between, go figure, they would never show you. I was told it was a marketing trick, you’d feel like you’d learn a little bit from the book but needed to know more, so naturally you’d buy another book in the hope of finding out what you were missing. Well, it never worked because we never got the full story. So as far as marketing strategy, I don’t think it yielded the desired results.
I bought a portrait painting videos years ago and it was the same thing, the painter showed how she started, then said she would work off camera, and came back with the finished painting, it wasn’t even entertaining, it was frustrating, you felt cheated, like you wasted your precious $$. What I really wanted to know was the harp part, how one goes about developing the picture.
Whereas with your full length, detailed videos we really see what’s going on, we can watch over and over as you said, and try again and again in our own painting style. So I appreciate and buy only from artists who do full length, detailed demos in their videos. And if watching 3 hours is too long for one sitting, I watch it in 5 to 6 segments, taking notes, playing back the portions that speak to me, even experimenting with paint as I watch. And these days there’s so much good stuff for free on YouTube. So thanks again and my very best to you !
I totally agree, seeing the FULL painting process is the best way to learn. Painting is my passion and I don’t care how long the video is, if it moves me forward in my journey. Thanks Bill and family ?
Enjoyed the thoughts and insight of this blog entry very much. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, or the perfect art rendition is an artwork that enlightens the emotions deep within the artist. If an artist creates a piece that says “Wow!” to others, plus himself, then perhaps the artist has created a masterpiece. My grown children created masterpieces, to me, when they were toddlers. Now they struggle to achieve that same greatness of art to this beholder. I struggle with each painting that I paint, but it is my quest to produce a masterpiece for the ages.
I found your blog very encouraging………..and I loved your first landscape and wish I could produce something like It! Since giving up on myself and loosing confidence I am back to the very beginning……but I am now determined to paint every day, if I can, even if only for 30 minutes!
THANK YOU BOTH… Great blog.. It really made me think about my paintings and others who paint… But I come from a long line of kniters and sewing.. And the perfection they would strive for.. I think Art is in many things and we can live our lives seeing art and wonder.. Or anger and limits..
I loved reading this blog! I definitely feel that when I focus too much on the “rules”, I lose the emotion and the paintings are just not as good! This blog has inspired me to paint more with instinct and emotion. Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing this. I read it out loud to my husband, because in our household I am the artist. And I wanted him to know he was not alone trying to get me to come down from the studio for lunch and dinner he prepairs for me only to find out I cant come because I am in the middle of an intrigate partt, or that I just mixed paint and dont want it to dry out because it is so hard to get the exact color again etc etc. I paint basicly from 10 to 10 and sometimes longer, My poor husband often is alone, because I am always upstairs, but he is gracius, and understanding he gives constructive critique and beams with pride when showing my work. We artist need people like you and him and thank God for the blessings he bestowes on us.
Loved the comments for when you paint in the small (3 x 4 inches) and the rabbit of the frame is 1/8 inch I become very timid about those edges. I even had one framer who wanted to float the paintings so not to lose the edges. I will try to rethink my compositions. Thank you.
Thank you, Kristie and Bill. Your comments about edges will stay with me. It’s so much better to slow down and study the work before deciding it’s finished. You have pointed out my bland nebulous edges on prior critiques. I finally got the nerve to imagine what lies beyond the edge and paint as though my scene extends into that external space. It works for me. It’s fun to do too. Years ago I took a workshop with Frank Francese, a wonderful watercolorist and teacher. He stressed the importance of painting to the edges. Really enjoyed reading your ideas as always. Best wishes for a beautiful Thanksgiving.
Learn moreeach time I read your musings and advice. An other artist I admire told me to paint not only to the edge but also the edge itself, and it truly made a diverence. Especially since I cannot always afford a frame, but cannot stop painting, I even dream about my paintings I hope to have enough soon to have a show…. how to aproch that is another matter maybe one time you like to discuss. Thank you Yvonne
Bill: I feel so great full I discovered your site. I have been painting for many years, first in watercolor, acrylic, pastel, and now teaching myself oils. Your philosophy as an artist and instructor is so inspiring. Love watching you paint. I am most enamored by the way you use your brushes; so much to learn?
Thanks for pointing out the obvious in your last Critique, Bill…that you have a blog! I am enjoying and benefitting from it. Christie’s comment about throwing the loop, and aiming right through the finish resonates with me, another cowgirl. Now I will remember that when I boldly paint to the edge.
Merry Christmas!! What a lovely painting!! The love of God is expressed deep within each of us, as well it is displayed throughout the universe, in my humble opinion. To capture even a portion of this on canvas is a tremendous talent that demonstrates the heart. Thank you for sharing and may the world truly find peace and true agape love.
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones Bill. You have captured the feeling of live in that painting.. something not many are capable of doing. May kindness and love for humanity be the guide in everyone’s life.
I have often thought about what a man Joesph must have been,,, How tender she is toward him in this portrait is wonderful.
May God bless you and yours during this season of His love. Nancy
Your painting is wonderful! I appreciate your testimony to Jesus. It means a lot to me to me to be associated with a family of faith. My church maybe different From yours, but we share a love for Jesus. Merry Christmas.
It is just beautiful, Bill! I recognized that tender scene from “The Nativity Story” movie. Our cherished Christmas eve family tradition is that my husband reads the account of Jesus’s birth from scripture, then we take communion together, then watch that movie. Thanks for sharing your faith, and the wonderful loving heart of our Father God!
Tome this s the most inspiring painting I have ever seen of Mary and Joseph, You have captured so well the feeling and the event of that wonderful day when our Savior was born! The painting along with your testimony has moved me to tears. Blessings to you and your family this Christmas! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this. You are a most giving person!
Thank you for sharing with us not just your art, but also your faith and testimony. I teach art at a private Christian primary school from grade 4 to 7. I would love to share this picture with them, especially the grade 6 and 7’s who have to do facial sketches and art from photos. May God bless your talent and sensitivity to the guidance and anointing of The Holy Spirit. A joyous Christmas to you and your family. Charlette Waldeck.
Thank you for sharing your love for Jesus and Our Heavenly Father. Your painting of Mary and Joseph and your love for them is so real. Thanks for sharing the process, too. I long to be able to share God’s glory in my painting and pray a lot about what I do.
Advent & Christmas blessing to you, Bill, and to your family.
Bill, this is one of my favorite paintings. It reminds me of a friend’s home in PA where I often went with my children to visit. It evokes wonderful memories of times gone by, fishing, swimming and beautiful friendships!
A beautiful painting, Bill.I did a painting of Jesus a number of years ago,for my church Christmas program,but it does not begin to compare to yours. I have taken many courses, but never one like yours. Thank you for your generosity. God’s blessings to you and your family.
Audrey
Bill, I think your painting is very special and it has a beautiful feeling of hope. Thank you for your story of the technical aspects of painting an iconic image. Just wonderful. Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family.
AS Joseph was to his family, you are truly a blessing, Bill, to our art family. And Kristie’s love and respect shows through for you and for your family in our webinars. Thank you!
You have captured the love that Mary and Joseph shared in a beautiful and moving way! Having never consummated their union, this painting shows their deep and innocent love for each other and their precious holy child. There can be no doubt of that love as you have portrayed it. May you and your family have a blessed Christmas as you celebrate the recent birth of your own little baby granddaughter.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Bill. It takes courage to stand up for what you believe and I know God will bless you for it. I appreciate your openness. I just want to comment on one thing. You said, “Although my skills fell short”, let me comment on that. If God gave you the talent to begin with and the ability to use it to reach so many with your message, then don’t say He only gave you ‘half’ of what you needed. Give Him praise for it all! What a joy it is to be able to reach so many with your art. What a gift it is to have media to do so. What a compliment and praise to our Lord for every brush stroke he guided. Putting yourself down is putting Him down for not doing enough. You said it yourself…guided by the Spirit. I love that you use your abilities to help us all grow in many areas. Thank you!
As a New Mexico artist and a theme “Places Seldom Seen”, I find that by the time my husband and I have reached the old ghost town, old mine, or hiked a trail I have very little time to paint on location. I try to paint en plein air whenever possible, but good photos are invaluable to me. Yes, I usually add “something” to the photo later to make a more pleasing painting. I wish photos showed better light. It seems I almost always have to create shadows because the photos are taken mostly mid day. I love getting out into these unusual places though. They bring unexpected surprises! Blessings!
Bill: Thank you for sharing your beautiful nativity painting and your story behind it. I can feel the love and emotion that emanates from this moment; it makes me want to drop to my knees in prayer. I feel grateful to be associated with an instructor who glorifies our Lord through beautiful works. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Bill, thank you for sharing this painting and your story! It is breath-takingly beautiful! You truly have a God-given gift of art, and the humility of a faithful servant in His service. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Hey Kristie I am terrified every time I get in front of the easel (with good reason). Another artist once told me to just paint some colour randomly on the canvas to take away the fear of the white and get started. Unfortunately that won’t work with pencil or ink but works beautifully with oil and pastel and acrylic. Just start then you work with it as Bill does so beautifully. I like the idea of the new course.
if you can ride a horse, you are half way to being an artist. You balance on a horse. You balance your colors, color temperatures, shapes, and values while creating a painting. You feed a horse to keep it alive and to grow strong. You feed the canvas with brush strokes, color, and shapes to build a strong story. If you get bucked off of a horse, you get back on. If you mess up a painting, you save it, start another, and then go fix the problems on the first one. If you walk a horse and never gallop, you miss all of the fun. Get on that easel and gallop!! Show us your progress, as we all learn from every painting we get to look upon. I have never met a person that did not have talent to express emotions. Put those emotions on your canvas and the rest is just plain fun! Good luck Kristie, post your work soon!
Just go for it. Learning to draw what you see instead of what you think you see is the hardest part. Draw often and learn to look at nature in a different way by seeing the shadows and differences in shapes and colors
Seems to me Bill said that there’s no wrong way to paint and interpret. I love that he is so positive. Maybe start with loose brush strokes and see where it goes. Maybe the master will rub off.
Kristy.. I started 2 years ago with roses..I wiped off lots of would be flowers till I finally got the rose painted.. The background is all the Trys I made.. I’ll send you a picture of it..my paintings are slow going now because.. I never new how to draw.. This summer I picked up a pencil and am learning to draw.. I love animals and trees.. The trees I can draw.. Animals are different.. Always live life to the edge!!! Just like painting to the edge don’t leave it have done.. Dawnmarie
I am a 72 year old German grandmother of nine. Always wanting to be able to paint but told myself I had no talent to do such things. A friend told me “talent is overrated” and I should give it a try. From somebody thinking that I barely could draw a stick figure, I am doing alright. Bill just critiqued one of my paintings.
I am content with being an amateur. Looking forward learning with you.
To learn how to ride a horse you need to keep putting your bum in the saddle. Keep putting yourself in front of a canvas or sketch book and you’ll develop into the unique artist you are. You’ve got one of the best teachers around. The motto of our special forces in the UK is “he who dares wins” Go for it girl and enjoy every mistake for next time you’ll be better.? Enjoy the ride. Pete
I have no formal training other than instructional art dvds and books. I started painting years ago and got caught up in my work/career. I let fear get in the way of trying to expand my horizons. No longer. The last five years I have progressively worked on my art, bringing back what I had learned and expanding upon it. I started taking chances and looking at the world closer. Using my artist eye and memory. Recently, I have tried stepping further out of the box and bring more impressionism into my work. What I am trying to say in a long winded way is go for it, be you, find your path as you learn the fundamentals needed to paint and believe me your style will come through. One of the most rewarding things in painting is when they recognize the painting not only for the quality but for the signature style that will be you. I have no doubt that yo will do well. Best wishes and Merry Christmas. Lee
Kristie, I started 8 years ago. I traveled a lot with work and just did not have time. Then I wrote my self out of a job and decided to take lessons from the local gallery. My daughter had painted there while a teen and I used to love the smell-of the paint and what the kids came up with. I have had some flops and some great ones. I had dabbled with pastels in high school, but I wanted to hold a brush and push the paint around like a conductor. What I found was it was my calmer, my realm. I get into a zone and I can be painting hours and not realize. I’ve surpassed my teacher and decided to find artists that I could learn from to be better.i now continue my class but for the companionship and the wonderful critiques. You may wNt to find a group of artists that you can paint with. It is exhilarating and I continue to learn from them.
The first week of November, I invited an elderly friend to lunch. When I arrived at her house to pick her up, she was wearing a sweater with bright red cardinals on it, so I told her that I had started painting a pair of cardinals a few days earlier. She said, “Oh, cardinals are my favorite!” After lunch, I showed her a photo of the in-progress painting. When she saw it, she started crying, and said, “My son!” I waited for her to regain her composure, then asked her to tell me about her son. Then she poured out the story of the death of her 3-day-old baby boy many decades ago, and of her great sorrow because she had never even gotten to hold him after giving birth. She had not been a believer in God at the time, but in her deep grief, she had cried to Him asking for assurance that her baby was in heaven. Almost immediately, a bright red cardinal showed up in her yard, and she received it as an answer to her prayer. Throughout the years whenever she experienced a feeling of sorrow and loss about her son, inevitably cardinals would show up and she would be comforted. She said, “Linda, the reason I’m wearing this sweater today is because I’ve been missing my baby boy, and and once again God has comforted me — with your cardinals!!” A week later, I was blessed to deliver a full size print of my cardinal painting to her. That I got to be a participant in what God did for this precious woman was an amazing, joyous experience!
You are the first artist that I have had contact with that says their art is a gift from God. I do not take credit for any work created through me. The Holy Spirit guides my hand, and when I totally tuned-in, sometimes the paintings don’t turn out too bad. Thank you for sharing. I want to download and print the painting to take to show to our church.
What a beautiful expression of your faith. Thank you for sharing your deepest thoughts and feelings this Christmas season and may God continue to do good works through your talent and your art.
Thank you so much, Bill & Co, for this very thorough interview of such an inspiring artist ! I would strongly recommend JG’s blog, you’ll learn little tidbits here and there about every aspect of art making, and pretty soon you’ll have amassed a wealth of information, it will transform your way of thinking about gathering knowledge and artistic skill, how to go about building your learning experience, and acquiring new habits. JG’s work and career path demonstrate that representational art is alive and thriving again. He doesn’t hide how much work it takes, but really is it that painful if that’s what you love doing, what you enjoy most ? Happy Painting and Happy New Year everyone !
Although we are into the new year, my heart is still ‘full’ from the celebration of Christmas … the peace and holiness of the season. When I looked at your painting of the blessed family today, I was once again filled with a feeling of peace and quiet. Many blessings to you and your family …
What a phenomenal interview! Talk about value!? If I were a young art student again, I would print this article/interview out (with permission of course) and plaster copies in my studio,on my easel,next to the toilet – everywhere. Mr. Gurney has kept a childlike view and enthusiasm of the world around him, and when the world he wanted didn’t exist, he reimagined it, in his own, remarkable way. I’m sure it helped that he was fortunate enough to come from a background of “means” and creative thinkers, which I can only say that I did not (I joined the Army National Guard and became an Army Illustrator with the tuition assistance program = 4 yr degree, private art school, $0 student debt!). I’m in the same age range of James, so I understand where he’s coming from, from still owning (and using) an erasing template to using digital processes as a means to an end in traditional painting. Unfortunately the “pilot light” of enthusiasm for painting has flickered and all but has gone out for me. So few outlets for displaying representational art and the illustration market has become increasingly digital based. Subject for a future article?
Interesting. I cannot recall any of my paintings that have ended at the edges, especially the landscapes and seascapes. They all tell a small part of a big story that has no boundaries.
The difference between painting and illustration is not so difficult to understand. You could start with the difference between a painting and a picture if you like. A picture specifically tells a story, that you could actually easily put into words. The illustrative nature if you will. It describes a so called ‘reality’. A painting doesn’t necessarily negate the illustrative nature, but it’s real value transcends the story line, and enters into an aesthetic space where the artist is expressing other aspects of the medium. What Mr. Gurney calls ‘making a painting look like paint.’ Sounds simple, but, how many Van Gogh’s are there? Cezannes? How many Monets? How many Sisleys and Gauguins? They certainly make paiontings that look like paint. They also express themselves as the medium in a way that very few are able.
Another quote to consider:
The artist must scorn all judgment that is not based on an intelligent observation of character.HE MUST BEWARE OF THE LITERARY SPIRIT which so often causes a painting to deviate from its true path – the concrete study of nature – to lose itself all too long in intangible speculations. (Paul Cezanne)
Also this idea that you were somehow doing ‘plein air’ before they called it that?? Where do you get that from?
Just lovely Bill! I love all the colors and really love when I get to see skies like that myself! Always takes my breath away at the gifts God gives us!
Thank you, Bill. I so enjoy your videos. As a beginner…started doing this in retirement with no training ‘painter’….I just love watching you work. I also love the Christian joy and spirit that shines through your work.
I was wondering if this “painting to the edge” also applies to top and bottom edges. I see a lot of contemporary artists leaving the bottom somewhat unfinished, intentionally in most cases, perhaps haphazdly in the case of a painting intended as a study which turned out to be so good that it can stand as a completed, finished work. Sometimes, thouh, I deplore the unfinished look as the painting would be so much more convincing if equal care had been given to the overall appearance. Perhaps it’s just my own biais for neatness that gets in the way here, and I should learn to appreciate the ‘unfinished’ look, which btw appears to be sort of trendy at times.
Best
Thanks for your fantastic work
There is sooo much to learn here. I will read it again and again. I try to use hard edges to make the painting work for me. Lots of experimenting to do! Good artists to study! Thank you!
I am an acrylic painter so I have a difficult time with soft edges. Any suggestions are helpful. Love the lessons, blogs, and Bill’s passion and talent.
is there an additive to make acrylic stay moist a bit longer so that it can be msnipulated afterwards… delay its drying time? learned a lot from these examples. thanks. ed
A terrific instructive article. I didn’t understand the credit card example. Was this to show the basic structure underneath? I know an artist who scrapes to get down to essentials.
I am like a child discovering art for the first time, at almost 70 years of age. I’ve had a successful career, which was all consuming. I still work, but choose now to pursue the things I am running out of time to do. That which stirs me is how awesome the spirit of life is. I am laughed at sometimes at work because I go to great lengths to rescue a bee that is trapped on the window pane, or a grasshopper that is exposed on the cement and could become a morsel to the birds…. I think I am more aware at this age, which reaffirms the fact that every age has its advantages. With that awareness, and the work involved to learn to paint, I will continue to enjoy.
Awesome! I know so much if that is true. Been an artist my whole life and I am 83. I teach art to Seniors and they blossom in class from the. Creative process but also from the social aspects. Art is keeping us all Young!!!
Wow I never really thought about it that way. I tend to struggle with hard edges in my paintings complaining to myself about not being able to draw a straight line, thanks to you I am learning I dont have too! In your “Lovingly Yours” painting I see exactly what you mean..I would struggle to make every thing the same and loose all depth and contrast. Yes I will be reading this again and again I find it hard to concentrate in my 60+ years but you are an excellent teacher . I so enjoy seeing your painting “Voice of Rushing Waters”. You are so patient! I thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Hello! I’ve just “discovered” you and am in love with your paintings of animals – I too love to paint animals but my main interest is domestic farm animals – the eyes have always been the most important area in my way of thinking for animals and people – I like your warm colors and the way you leave things up to us the viewer – you said all the things I’ve wanted to say myself –
Wow that’s says it all to when l,m looking at your art work. You are the man your work is really terrific l always look for wild life artist and in you l have found one thank you for showing us your work . I agree with all that you are saying about the subjects you paint ..lm hoping that when l go to your web site maybe just maybe l will see that you are giving lessons on how to do it 5ank once again
Sincerely
J. GOGUEN
Thank you Ezra for your inspiration and insight. I am in hospital atm so your interview was even better reading for me. I agree with all you say. I am an artist…mainly watercolour but I love colour and experimenting with it and techniques. Your paintings are amazing and something for us to aspire to be. Thank you.
I know this is true! I have experienced the feeling of failure but I have also known the felling of exuberance when I completed a painting to my satisfaction and to hear comments of other people when looking at it!! There is such a feeling of accomplishment being able to paint a picture that brings myself and others joy! Especially something I never thought possible! Thank God for placing gifts in us that we have no idea that we have! I really believe anyone can paint with some instruction. The most important to remember when painting or creating is to not compare yourself with others because you are the only YOU God made!!!
Everything I see, I see as a painting. I love nature and most everything. I am all over the place about what I want to paint! I just joined your group and cannot wait to start to paint!! I need to learn most everything! I don’t know anything about composition or color mixing. I just love trying! I don’t think I will ever run out of ideas of what to paint because God has set the standard pretty high when it comes to creating,color,composition. Of course, He is the Master Painter!!
Thank you for the encouragement. I’m starting out and trying different mediums. Only thing missing is my confidence. Trying to trade my ‘real job for my art. I can do it… I just have to get cracking!
Great sentiments Alice! I feel the same way, I will never run out of things to paint – we are surrounded with so much beauty – God has richly blessed us. I hope you find plenty of useful information here that will help you progress in your journey.
Ezra does a great job of showing us how our confidence grows as we work and improve our skills. I have full confidence that as you put your heart and might into it you will achieve your goals in art. I started with pastels and feel they greatly helped in my understanding of color. Experimenting with different media is a fantastic way to learn what resonates with you and what you will most enjoy. Have fun with it Nancy!
I have only recently begun offering pieces for sale. There is a local salon that earns a small commission from any painting sold. Thus far, I have hung my paintings with the sides painted, whether they be standard canvases or gallery-wrapped, simply because I figure the buyer may have a certain style in mind for framing to match their decor. I leave that chore to them once they have purchased a piece, and that also means I can offer the art work at a lesser price, since I don’t have to cover cost of framing. Obviously, I’m a small-time seller, and some galleries may require that works be framed, but until I reach that point, I will continue to offer my works *unframed* and let the buyer later choose what suits them best. Great post here! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the tips, they are a big help. I’m currently doing small 5 X 7 paintings on Masonite hard board. What would you (or anyone) suggest to frame them?
I use Franken frames online. I bought a gun to insert the points and do cover backs with craft paper. I am not in galleries but the shows I have been juried into have required this full framing including back covered with their i.d. labels attached.
Sometimes what I do, I purchase a frame that I find at garage sales or thrift shops that looks great & in good condition, then I find out what I would like to paint using that frame. It’s easier for me that way.
Thank you so much for this useful information. I just finished volunteering at my art council’s big annual show, and even though our prospectus sets out detailed instructions on how to properly wire a painting, we had several entries some in that were improperly prepared. One lady’s wire was so thin (for a heavy, large painting) that, when hung, the wire broke and her frame was damaged. Another artist had her canvas taped to the back of the frame with duct tape. This information is badly needed and I will share it with our members.
Thank you for the helpful information regarding frames. I used to buy garage sale frames but never was able to use them for one reason or another. Generally I don’t frame my acrylic paintings and use the gallery wrapped canvas for larger paintings and offer them for sale unframed. Everyone has different tastes and the younger crowd (judging by my married granddaughter & her friends like to hang them without frames. Smaller canvas panels for daily paintings usually sell unframed as well. Good information for purchasing hanging wire also. Appreciate you and Kristie so much! Thanks!!
I read and reread every post. Sorry for another “food related” comparison, but it (alone with other article of your) needs to be consumed, digested, absorbed…. And transformed into our own practical vision. The last part is the hardest. Thank you for helping us!!! Truly appreciate!
Bill…what an inspiring article. I love how you articulate your beliefs about God, beauty, and art. I am a new student in your 6 Week course and am excited to get started. I have played with acrylics and watercolors for years but wanted to try oils. I’m glad you are my teacher. I too am one of those souls wanting for the other shoe to drop with one more MRI (two brain surgeries so far) and I too lost my brother at a young age (25). You are so right. None of us know how long we will remain here but I too believe our relationships continue into life everlasting. Thank you for being you.
How wonderfully inspiring. Although new to painting, I can see that sometimes it’s a “release” or a “rest” from the troubles f the day. Recently my son’s best friend, who is fighting leukemia, was married. After the wedding, I came back to my empty canvas and a mystery occurred. Actually, it was the hand of God. Out of my worry and grief, which are opposite of faith, I was the vessel that painted them a special masterpiece with their initials carved into a tree (I’ll post the painting). It made them cry. It makes me happy.
I am going through chemo for my second bout with breast cancer. I want to paint again, but I can’t seem to get to it. However, after reading others’ experiences, I will set up my easel, and just play, but having fun too. Thank you all!
Would just like to thank you for being you. You are gifted in many ways not just as an artist, thank you for sharing your life, your faith and your words Bill it touches many hearts and souls.
Bill, I am not a member of your club but receive you mails. Off course I am also an oil painter but lives in South Africa. Because of numbers
of ill health incidents I started reading natural health sites in a very serious manners as the usual medicinal industry has not been able
to assist in an effective manner. After approximately 3000 hours of reading, it seems I only now, might have found solutions to my own situation.
I ventured on this path because I am also one of serious faith. This faith has lead me to to developing the conviction that, as creation is perfect and we are part of it, there must be perfect answers to any and every problem we as humans can come across and that these
problems are always for the better for us when we look back, once we are a little further down the road of life.
Because of all this, I have now become to understand the terrible effects so many people suffer because of the conditions we live in today,
regarding all the pollution on every level of our lives, even on the spiritual level. I have also become aware of the immense uphill battle the
proponents of natural health, both in terms of treatment and prevention, are experiencing in their efforts to make the general population aware of all the relevant factors.
It has thus come to me that one of the most effective manners in which this message( I believe it to be mostly Godly as most of the peoples involved are free giving and have loving attitudes – even towards strangers) can and should be spread, must be via the arts. The philosophies, insights and correctional approaches of these proponents of natural heath, can be spread far and wide if the themes and ideas
and concepts were, for example, included in competitions ?
I have read that your family is also pro this approach, so I thought in the light of your article, I should mention this to you. There is really just to
much mayhem in terms of health today, for us to just ignore it. Most of it is totally unnecessary and definitely not of Gods making.
Thanks Bill for sharing your process in creating this wonderful painting of Colorado’s Spanish Peaks! As I grew up in southeastern Colorado, these Peaks always were part of my horizon to the west. Your thoughts and actions of completing this fabulous piece of art provides me with a foundation to enhance my own. Thank you and Happy Painting!!
Bill this instruction is so helpful for me! I am particularly learning from what you share when you cahange something with why you changed it Thank you so much!
Thanks for the step by step of the work behind the peak painting. To answer the question, I think keeping things simple and remembering what the subject is you are painting so you don’t get sidetracked and clutter the iimage to the degree it makes one tired just looking at it.
Great tutorial, Bill! I really enjoy these short, simplified videos. Now, I’m looking forward to watching the longer version and painting this scene again!
What a comfort to read that you still scrape off paint. Or is this a relief? I suppose it’s true everyone still is learning. I love the step by step information. Thanks Bill.
I really enjoyed reading your thought process in creating this painting. Love the statement “ants lined up in an imaginary straight line “ building a bridge for the viewer to cross the lake.
Bill thanks for the blog.
As a novice painter I find your openness about the trials and setbacks of the process very useful. Thanks for letting us see the bumps and warts – it’s a great learning experience.
Yesterday Judith T left a comment that we replied to on Facebook before we saw it here. The comment got inadvertently deleted so I am replacing it from the email that recently came through with it – we want everyone to know that we never delete comments, positive or negative (except spam):
Comment:
I have left several inquiries about drying time.with no response… so this time i am screaming it…. Please add comments on drying time between steps. I am going crazy trying to understand and make my painting work. thanks…. feeling helpless here.
Hi Judith, yesterday on Facebook was the first I saw of your question – when I first created the Master Course I never envisioned that it would prove to be so popular and that our community would grow so quickly and so large. We have just myself, Kristie my wife, and David our son working to keep up with all the demands and sometimes emails or comments slip past us – we feel very sorry when we miss something because our whole focus is on serving and helping artists in whatever way we can. Please be patient with us – none of us are professional internet gurus – we are figuring it out as we go. Fortunately we have an amazing and uplifting community who are incredibly supportive. Thank you everyone for your kindness and encouragement.
Excellent read Bill – thank you so much for sharing! Thank you also for creating this community, all the encouragement and especially the inspiration you provide. Kay from North Carolina
Have you ever used oleogel as a medium. If you read what some artists have written, they use it throughout the painting pricess. Oiling out. Varnishing. Everything but putting it on their morning toast!
For the beginning oil painter, with skills in watercolor and pastel, what is the one book that would give the most help to the use of materials in oil?
What is the most basic book you know for the use/technique of oil materials? I keep reading comments made by artists about fat over lean, mediums, etc….I am not sure i am absorbing as much technique as I am becoming confused. Help!!! And thank you for all you do to offer encouragement for new oil painters.
Thanks Bill! I’m in your 6-week course and you were just trying out some of these products. I love having a list as I can use this list to replace things as needed. You’re the best!
Thanks Bill for all of the good info. I bought your 6 week course a few months ago and am looking forward to diving into it in a few weeks. Unfortunately a total knee replacement for my husband and arthroscopic meniscus repair on my knee have prevented me from painting very much for the better part of 2017. But, it’s a new year and a new attitude for me. So…..a trip to care for my mother for a week, then taxes get done and then painting!!!! Hope to join the monthly group soon, also. Again, thank you for all of your guidance and encouragement. Cindy Harris
I AM GLAD TO HEAR YOU WILL START A COURSE FOR BEGINNERS. I WOULD LOVE TO JOIN TOO. BUT I AM 73 YRS OLD, RETIRED, BUT STILL ABLE. I JUST HOPE I CAN AFFORD IT.
Thank you for this excellent supply list. I find that I have mot of the items and jut need to purchase a few. Can’t wait until your video course is available on DVD. Best regards, Cat
Thanks for the framing info. It inspired me to begin and I found 3 useable older frames yesterday! But before framing, what do you recommend for varnish on oil paintings? I had formerly used spray varnish, but YouTube videos seem to favor brushing damar varnish on after 6 months drying time. Or using retouching varnish to be able to varnish after just weeks of drying time. What products do you use or recommend? Thanks again
How beautiful!! We used to have an artist group at church of all kinds of artists, those who painted with abrush, those who painted with words, and those who could tell oral stories to those who played the music. We would paint to the words and then write for a painting, or make music for words and painting. I am saddened that we no longer gather to share our art, but it was a beautiful two years. Thank you for reminding me that words can flow from our artworks and vise-versa!
Kristen you write such beautiful poetry. Bill’s beautiful paintings go along well with the poetry you have put up yoday. Wordsworth is one of my favourites too.
Thank you Bill – I am hoping to change to oil. It’s a process finishing the bulk of ones acrylics. But I have taken the info from your notes and will plod on adding one or two oils at a time.
I am also enjoying your 6week course.
I am mighty slow – that’s all I can say!
Sooo beautifull, both the paintings and the poems, my eyes feasting and my heart filled with joy and my mind drift off to memory lane. Thanks both of you.
I just completed my last chemo treatment for cancer of the lining of the eye and inner eyelid a few days ago. Two years ago I had radiation treatments for the same problem. Fortunately, I started painting before cancer and painting became a passion. I prefer to paint non-objective abstracts and more representational paintings with a western theme. Painting gave me direction, focus and purpose. It allowed me to create and share with others and I was heard through my art. Painting pushed my mind outward and allowed me to learn and problem solve instead of feeling victimized by cancer. Painting gave me a goal, sense of control and feeling of accomplishment. A strong belief in God and my passion for painting have done much to help me face life’s challenges with a smile and new found wisdom. I look forward to participating in the oil painting classes and learning more about each of you. Painting is never really just about art it seems.
I just suffer with my husband not only is he a musician but he is also insane. He can be in the studio from 5 am until up to 9 pm and beyond. It isn’t soundproofed so I hear vocal after vocal take, endless guitar parts repeated endlessly and in the five years we have been together this 7 day a week work mentality has been fruitless. Countless songs written and then recorded but no finished product. It’s all in vain! If I so much as disturb him because any time spent away from the studio is a disturbance in his opinion, then I am made to feel like someone completely unworthy of his time and attention.
Hi Bill, Thank you so much for the valuable information you share with us. I wanted to let you know that when I click on the link to the ECOS Passivating Primer it goes to ECOS Interior Atmosphere Purifying Primer. When I search their site for Passivating Primer, it says “no results found”. I just wanted to be sure I am looking at the right product that has possibly suffered a name change. lol I do say that the one it takes me to says good for MDF board but sometimes I know when a name change takes place, it will occur with a change in formula.
Thank you for breaking down the complexity of your beautiful painting. It helps instill the confidence, that with lots of practice, I may be able to paint quality paintings myself…in time
Thank you for this interview, Bill. His work is like Norman Rockwell’s. It tells a story. Just a curiosity I have, though, is there a reason why all of his figurative paintings have an orange cast to them? Is that just a favorite color or perhaps he sees color differently than I do? It was a really though-provoking interview, however.
As a very inexperienced ‘artist’ ha ha I have used Almond oil with some success. however drying time increases. Also used Rosemary oil which is rather pungent. I will try Safflower oil and Gamsol if I can get them.
I studied with Alex Shundi for a couple of years. He recommended a medium of one third linseed oil, one third damar varnish and one third good gum turpentine. He Usedmineral spirits only to clean brushes an palette. The only exceptions were for an initial sketch or toning a canvas when you needed the quick drying.
I have been using Georgian Paints and they are creamy and have good colour. I see that they are listed here as Student Grade. Should I be replacing them now? Since my paintings are selling (a few) and my work is improving, I would like to use good quality paints. I enjoyed this blog and am finally starting to use my subscription ! I have mostly all large tubes of Georgian Paints. I have been tied up with ‘life’ and haven’t updated my website, but do get out to paint at the Gibson Center with a retired Ontario College of Art professor as a mentor. I am nearing retirement age and would like to do my painting as my income. What are your comments on the Georgian Paints?
Have a question. I have a couple of oil paintings that were done in the late 50’s. I need to clean and put something on them to get the paint that seems to have sunk in in places. What should I use? Not experienced with this so don’t want to ruin them.
They have a great line of plein aire frames as well as others. I also love their custom frames at almost any size you want. Their shipping is prompt and the products are well protected. I’ve had no damage. My shipments come in by FedEx. I find the prices to be excellent. You can order with or without hardware.
Good question I painted some in the 1980s and never varnished them, how to clean them now and what to use on them? Well tried twice to comment and selected FB think they both failed……or worked twice. Plus am on FB already in a different window:)
Hi, I have been using a mix of half walnut oil & half mineral spirits for my initial layer of underpainting, then putting it away & then sticking to my oil paints without anything else. It works well especially when you can finish your whole painting in one sitting. It is important to clean my brush frequently to keep colors clean & avoid picking up the underpainting color & making mud.
Please help me! I am a pastel artist and need a sturdy but light easel to travel with. I am also tall (5’10”) and had to return 2 due to height.
Due to the pastels- I need a tray. Any easel suggestions? Easy to assemble is very important also.
Thanks!!!!
Hi BIll,
I just want to clear up a question that has been driving me nuts. If I use a walnut/paint wash for an initial wash/underpainting, won’t that be breaking the fat over lean rule when I apply the next layer of paint?
Thanks for clearing this up.
Kathy Martinez
Bill, I was there, too! I actually came four days early, did the Kevin McPherson workshop and all the paintouts. Wish I had known you were there. It was my 6th year.
Great question Kathy! I rarely think about fat over lean because I paint mostly alla prima and everything mixes as I go. The fat over lean idea is much more important to think about when someone is using something like mineral spirits which reduces the ‘fat’ or oil content of the paints. Since I use straight paint without any medium or mineral spirits through most of my painting it is already fat right out of the tube (although some colors are more fat than others). It is also something to think about when painting over dried layers – some paint, like umber, may possibly crack if scumbled over thick impasto paint. When I use walnut oil for my washes I am using only a small amount so the oil doesn’t fill up the tooth of my primer – that said, at least one historical artist used oil washes that were soupy and his paintings have not had any problems 100 years later. If someone uses ‘lean’ paint over fat the lean paint will crack – I have not had that problem ever that I am aware of.
Hi Bill, I like it as is! Bonk bonk!!!!! Don’t touch it! Kristie is right, sorry LOL! Seriously, though the contrast between that beautiful lavender sky and the flowers is all I see and the trees are fine as they are, not too distracting but giving it the feeling distance. Love it.
I’m a fan of yours techniques, teaching skills and of course your subject. Every time I see a sunflower I remember the fields in Kansas. You take a simple subject, stir in all kinds of thought processes to improve the experience and I appreciate the thoughts, reasons, and results of a simple but complex painting. Bravo.
Aloha Bill, when you did this painting, did you do a rough sketch or were your ideas for planning and blocking in sections in your head? Do you think and create as you go with this and other paintings you do? It seems that way to me almost like the paint and brushes have a mind of their own a lot of times. I always have a general composition in mind and usually after I’ve chosen the paints, I am in for a usually pleasant surprise.
Enjoyed your post.- Liz from Blue Hawaii
Think you made the right decision,for me the trees give a more interesting landscape,think bringing the sky down was also a good choice.A very informative post,Thanks Bill.
Bill, an absolutely fantastic post! So helpful in so many ways! Thank you for taking the time, for doing the testing, for putting in the clips—all so helpful. I recently started using Rosemary brushes and love them.
Earl Davis
Bill, thank you for all the information on brushes! I am grateful for all you do to help artists expand their knowledge. Can’t wait to buy Rosemary brushes. I’ve been hearing about them for a year and should break down and buy some. Knowing which ones to buy makes a huge difference. Many thanks!
Sally Booth
Thanks for this evaluation! I use similar techniques to yours and am rather hard on brushes, so I will try your recommendations.
Can you put up a list of the Rosemary brushes and sizes that you will have them include in your set? The sizes are a little tough to figure out from the article.
Dear Mr. Inman,
I so enjoy your instruction for oil painting artists. However, I am an acrylic user. Might I assume the same Rosemary brushes you have described would be applicable for acrylic ?.
I like to eavesdrop on all your classes but do not purchase as I am a poor old nun who just loves to pray with color. Handicapped and retired at age 85 this form of creativity seems like a participation in Gods own creative gift. Our world is brimming with Gods glory.
Blessings of peace
Sister T
Absolutely fabulous that you shared all this with us…I am a novice painter and have already got some Rosemary & Co brushes in my collection of brushes..lovely brushes but beware of the turps that you use as it can melt the paint on the brush. Thank you so much
A fantastic blog post! Thank you so much for so generously sharing this experiment. It really helped me understand why I am not getting the results I want. Cheers
The North Shore along Lake Superior (from Duluth, Minnesota to Canada) also is a painter’s dream. Superior is the second largest lake in the world, so it rivals oceans in size. Duluth is a large college town and major portal for the shipping industry, and you can paint the massive freighters and various boats on the lake. It has a lot of industry tied to the lake, and buildings with lots of character. The further north you go, the more rugged the terrain and scenery. Waterfalls are everywhere, massive hills, rocky landscapes full of wildlife and wildflowers, and rugged vistas for miles. It has something for every painter. Grand Marais is my personal favorite, high up on the north shore near Canada. It is a very small town with a love for art and artists and is picture perfect. I spent a week there last September and am going again this year in September.
Try the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Also try the roads less traveled in good old NC. I’m from the western part of the state and even went to college at Appalachian State in Boone, NC (in the mountains). We have absolutely beautiful scenery…barns everywhere….almost around every curve!
Enjoyed your story. Yeah, it rains a lot in the mountains.
I once met a very accomplished plein air artist who painted, took a photo of his painting, and then hung the painting as a gift to an unexpecting passer-by! He said he had what he needed to do a studio painting. I appreciate your permission to not think that a plein air painting must be a finished work of art! Helpful. Thank you.
Bill, I am noticing that your palette is one of the surfaces of your box of paints.
Am I seeing that right? I don’t want to hear about the deficits of that arrangement
so much as the workability of that arrangement. Thanks
My first attempt at a plein air was in Durango Colorado. I grabbed paints and headed out while my husband was at a work assignment. Remember, this was my FIRST attempt and I had just gotten back into painting after 20 years (thanks to my husband’s encouragement) and needless to say, grabbing ACRYLICS to paint with in the dry, arid, Durango, climate wasn’t the smartest thing to do as they dried almost as soon as I had the paint on my brush. I didn’t know what I was doing, tried to be too detailed, and ended up deciding it was a lesson learned. I think I ended up letting my granddaughter paint over the canvas with a much better version of her 4 year old art. Your plein air blogs are beginning to make me want to try again, but for someone who tends to be on the perfectionist side, that can be a challenge!
I didn’t even know I was doing plein air early in my hobby. We were sitting on a low wall painting the azaleas below us when a bus load of Japanese arrived and snapped us in front of the vista beyond. My water color ended up in Tokyo I believe!
This plein air adventure is captivating, and like all your instruction, Bill, it sinks in slowly over days and weeks to form some complex understanding to exercise later. Having lived in some of the country’s true wonderlands, I relate to the journey you describe with the scenery and elements. Currently I’m on a farm deep into the Ozark Plateau, and must get out into these landscapes around me and try some outdoor works with a open mind and a loose brush. Thank you for the inspiration!
I had gone to the top of Mount Timpanogus in November to paint a watercolor. When I arrived at my destination it was raining and snowing. I was five hours from home and I didn’t know when I could return. I decided to paint in my sketch book from the front seat of my car. I was there for about 1 1/2 hours. Soaking up what I was seeing. I caught the moments. I felt the atmosphere. I returned home and painted it in my studio the next day. It is one of the best paintings I have ever done it got me hooked on plein air.
WOW! I love your work. Impressionism has not been easy for me yet but this video of a field of sunflowers gave me a better understanding of how to accomplish it. I love painting sunflowers and I plan to practice on a painting of this one. I am a new member and this is my first full length video of your work. Although I have seen a few short videos of your art and I have been following you on facebook for some time now. I have always painted more realistic but very interested in impressionism. So I am so glad I finally decided to become a member today. Looking forward to more of your studies.
Wow! Best interview to stay motivated and put into words how we must all be feeling while we create. It’s also how i feel when i go to museums and galleries and view pieces that touch me.
Thanks, Bill, for the great interview. Peter, I really appreciate your emphasis on the combination of intelligence and emotion in your paintings. Great information!
I am mesmerized by your paintings. Your colors are spectacular. I have loved treesall my adult life and have painted many trees. Your trees are alive. I listened carefully at what you had to say. I will try to be more jexpresive in my work. You have touched my soul. Thank you so much. Jeanne Lachance
When you can make someone have tears of joy looking at your paintings you know you have dipped your brush into their soul. Thank you so much for sharing.
I was so thrilled to see that one of my favorite painters was featured in your blank canvas interview. Peter Fiore makes beautiful magic in color and subject. Thank you, Bill, for asking spot on questions of Peter. I learned a lot and plan to follow Peter’s advice to paint for myself and paint with experimentation.
I am in love! Having always been enamored with trees, I am just stunned by Peter Fiore’s work! I had never heard of h8m, but I want to see more! Thank you, Bill, for introducing us to these magnificent paintings! I will check him out further! You are really expanding my mind.
Thanks Peter, at last an artist I can completely agree with, I was beginning to feel I was in my own little isolated bubble. I to don’t want to paint out doors, and accept the usefulness and limitations of photography. The process and trials and tribulations of painting, along with the pure joy of a painting developing into something you connect with. I really appreciated your insite into your work and am truly inspired by your work and cogent thoughts. Many thanks. Big thumbs to Bill for introducing us to your work👍
I really appreciate Peter’s knowledge and his willingness to share his thoughts and methods. I don’t like plein air because I can’t capture what I want in the amount of time I have outside. So, I work with my photos in my studio, and go beyond what is captured in the picture – also throw in some imagination. So, thank you for letting me know I’m not “crazy” to want to paint that way for myself.
Peter Fiore is the most amazing painter, teacher and friend, and I feel blessed to have met him and consider him my Mentor, as I have taken his workshops numerous times over the last four years. He is so full of information and inspiration, and I am forever changed after having met him and his wife Barbara, who is also an artist (she makes incredible, whimsical touching sculptures in clay) I am so lucky t have seen his work up close and have just been in awe at times of his masterful personal way of capturing and expressing what he sees and feels. Can’t wait for my next workshop!, and to see this epic new body of work of his take shape!
Fantastic words of wisdom Peter, not just on art but also on life! Thank you Bill for the interview. I am so fortunate to have painted with and learned from Peter, and hope to again in the near future!
Thanks Bill for the help on these. I’ve been looking at purchasing some for a while so I purchased all of the ones you recommended here. After using them for a couple of weeks on a fairly complex oil painting, I find they are better than my Simmons Signet bristle brushes as the tips are not as thick. I like the more chiseled edge. However, the Ultimate no. 10 long flat quickly lost it’s form and has bristles sticking out one side pretty bad. I will not buy that size again. The smaller sizes are great. I particularly like the short flat in the smaller sizes. Haven’t used the 274 or 279’s yet. Will use those on a different type of style next. I do like the softness of those and I think they will work well on edge work. Thanks for all the details on the article. Most helpful.
I want to add a resounding ~yes~ to this business of time management
as being essential to having life actually ~wotk for you~. At 77 years,
with most of these tools now incorporated as indispensible habits in
my life, I can still find ways to use my time more carefully and thoughtfully
and productively. Sometime I let the hours roll by, no shape, structure,
or design on them; and I enjoy that so much. But mostly, the days I LOVE,
are those that I have managed with loving care and attention given to
what I value the most.
This post is another piece of great generosity of heart and mind from
Bill Inman. [and I love the suggestion to “buy a few new brushes” on
one of your breaks, or “Watch a training video: yes!”]
Great article. Thank you! Can’t write much since I’ve got to start managing my time, but I’m grateful you took the time to share this information with us.
This article is a keeper! I really struggle with my time management. I am way too easily distracted. I will implement some of these strategies starting today!
Hi Bill,
What a great article. I liked the rocks, pebbles and sand idea and the mayonnaise video the best – a matter of priorities.
Years ago when my husband and I were running our own business I was lamenting to the Lord one morning – that I had so much to do and could never get everything done. (I think from your writings that you are a Christian and I don’t mean to offend anyone; I am just sharing my heart.)
The Lord told me to ask him every morning for three things to do that day. Then concentrate on getting those three things done during the day. Those three things did not include the obvious like cooking, showering, etc. They were work – business or family – church oriented things.
The day would be spent working on these items. The other items on my to-do list would be put aside and out-of-mind for the day because they were not considered important for the day. When the three items were complete and checked off of my list – it was such a relief and sense of accomplishment.
Now-a-days since retirement (whatever that is) I don’t use this method as much. But whenever I get stuck or feeling overwhelmed, I ask for three items. Sometimes the three items are surprising to me – not something I would ordinarily do. But in the end it always turns out for the better.
Working on just three important items per day simplifies things and gives you a sense of accomplishment when they are done. Try it – you will like it.
I was a painter in vietnam, I started painting at the age of 20 and now I am 40 years old, I have a paint shop in vietnam I have dedicated all my youth to the paintings the oil paintings sent to everyone. 20 years of experience a lifetime I painted thousands of paintings for customers. And I advise you to start painting the oil, just put down the pen and paint the picture, just draw and draw the course online you can take the course but one thing that the course online does not have. It’s the emotion, the kissing of an artist and to achieve that you have to draw. So just put it down and paint it first and then practice the technique. You can visit my website to see my products http://tranhphuongnguyen.com
First of all than’s for motivational thought. I am running on same platform since long and worked on many Oil and acrylic paintings. I love art and artist. Your thought is relay help us to boost our knowledge…
Relay a great post to bookmark for time management. In today’s cloud network it quite difficult to manage all task on time but I always try to do better. Your post relay help me to manage my 24 hour schedule.
Love this post. I try to set limits on other people, however I must be fluid with my time. I take care of two people with memory issues. They can’t remember that when I’m in the studio I’m WORKING…DO NOT DISTURB signs are ignored. Love them anyway!
Bill, Thank you sooo much for sharing this!!! This gave me hope for the appreciation of art, and more; your comments, and the pictures that you shared are inspiring and comments thoughtful! Thank you for sharing your insightfulness!
My wife and I have been traveling the seven hours it takes to get from our home in Central Texas to OKC for several years to see this fantastic display of talent. Like you, we are there when the doors open and are the last to leave when the doors are closed. There is just too much to absorb in a day. Quest for the West is on my bucket list. I’ve been to the museum several times, but never for the Quest show.
Awe inspiring works to save and digest again and again. Thanks for sharing this amazing art that exhibits so many styles, and to include your thoughts on each one.
Some of us never get to see these wonderful shows and I am amazed at these wonderful paintings. Thank you so much for sharing. I will look at them again and again!!
I made a brush roll using some colorful fabric, felt, and a bit of rope to tie it. For extra long brushes, I also have a band of elastic to hold the brushes in place. I could send you a couple of photos.
It will be an exceptional little bit of picture, that may
dictate a lot of issues without resorting to a single word.
He provides the inspiration in the gossips with the old women, sitting inside the street corners, men returning home
from the work and he uses the area Tyneside “Gadgies”
as models as part of his artworks. Whether professionals
or laymen, the most common kinds of decorative elements
opted for are: .
Bill, I am deeply honored that you have selected me for your Blank Canvas interview series. It’s pretty special to be included among such a stellar group of artists. Thank You.
Thank you, John, for sharing insights into your beautiful paintings and offering tips and advice to those of us still
working to hone our skills. Nature is such an inspiration to me, and I find that the older I get, the more I see the hand
of God in everything around me, and there are so many signs that this beautiful world of ours follows and order and a plan.
The changing seasons, the cycle of life that surrounds me in anything from birds to butterflies, and the sheer beauty of color
in sunrises and sunsets are all reassuring. Thank you for the reminder that there can be such joy in quiet and stillness … and
taking time to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. Your paintings all seem to have a soulfulness, and that is all the more evident
after reading this interview. Best wishes!
Thank you so much for this wonderful interview.
Bill, you have a great ability to draw out insights and truths from your interviewee (hope that’s a word).
I will treasure the wisdom given by this great master. I am printing out this interview and hanging it on my studio wall for easy reference.
Thank you both.
I truly enjoyed reading your interview. Thank you Sir for sharing so much with those of us that are not known as professional artist yet. It sure makes me think about how wonderful it would be to get to that stage where I can say I am a professional artist. The information about using a limited pallet I found exceptionally interesting. I will definitely give it a try Thank you again for a very interesting and informative interview.
I am a photographer, writer, editor, and musician–not a painter–but love entering the art world of masterly painters such as John Pototschnik. He has been my favorite the past few years. Every time I see one of his works, I am stopped in my tracks and think, Oh my, oh my! I am transported to a childhood memory, whether delightful or melancholy, or lifted to a higher perspective, and always sense the depth and honesty in his works. Usually I am inspired and exult in the Lord Jesus, who made it all, and I breathe deeply for a moment. I wonder if my mansion in heaven will be near John’s. If so, I will be quite interested in seeing how he paints the heavenly scenery. Thank you for this wonderful interview.
Hendle, I am humbled and so appreciative of your comments. You have expressed so eloquently what I would think most artists hope for their work. As you would know from the creative work you do, it’s very special when others are smitten by our form of communication. It continually amazes me how God takes all the frustrations and struggles we go through when creating these works, and then allows those very works to bless folks on the other end. You have blessed me today. Thank You.
Such generosity in presenting and sharing your life-long experiences. A tremendous amount of time and thought went into this production. I will refer to it often. Thank you.
Thank you, John for a fascinating view into the journey of your artist career as well as practical insights. I like that you lean not to either plein air painting or work from photos but instead that the heart and spirit of the subject be brought out for the power of the art to capture the viewer. Your faith is well noted, and spills out from your work. I will try the limited palette at your suggestion, as well as painting in the shade while outdoors. Such lovely paintings and ideas to ponder for time to come.
Love the look of your Masterworks frames! When you frame your paintings yourself, how do you back them? And how attach them to the frame? Do you do plein air competitions with the better frames?
This has been so helpful.
I’ve never framed my art I’ve always used cradled boards and painted the sides. The real reason being the cost of frames and thinking that painting the sides is good enough. With a great piece of art a frame can really make it look even better, my next move is to head down to a framer.
Thank you for a great article.
Luckily, my husband makes solid wood frames for me when I need them ( he has a professional framing tool which takes up a lot of space in our garage, along with his other wood working items.) I’ve sold a few paintings and done many for friends and family so, he does some basic frames, not the fancy ones. It’s nice to know about masterwork if there ever comes a time I want a fancy frame!
So glad yiu posted this, I want to do art, but am distracted by household and work responsibilities…. “chores first then play”. For 2 yrs been working on Art Instruction School lessons. Ive learned alot, but time is running out to finish by Dec 2018. Your post is encouraging.
Oh my. So much to take in!! Not sure I could manage all of the white under paint. Have used a small pallet knife for texture and loosen up my ridged style. Spent most of yesterday looking at the sites offered the monthly members. Am enjoying the adventure soooo much. Thank you.
I absolutely need to get up into the mountains here in Colorado and try my hand at a plein air painting. I need to work on being more “loose” and I know this will help me. Fall is just around the corner and I need to get out and take advantage. Time to build up my courage….Thanks for the wonderful tips and explanations of your progress through a painting!
Hi I paint in watercolor but your tips of under painting ,mixing,composition,all your tips work with watercolor.Painting plain air in watercolor is my thing but your tips help a lot thank you Joe
I was inspired by her simplistic approach to her marketing and her life. I hadn’t tried social media, wasn’t sure that was the way to go but will set it up. I haven’t kept on my website, my life is too busy and I take heart in her comments on keeping a simpler lifestyle. Thank you.
Thank you so much! As a someone “just getting started” after over 20 years of not doing any kind of art I’m encouraged. I love to see what others do and being online is a great tool. I love the way you capture people, their expressions, their dress. That’s a future goal of mine, but….baby steps.
What beautiful frames! I have always found it tricky as well. Taste differs between buyers, even if they agree to like your art! I find there is a big difference in taste between the US and Europe (I am in the UK) and as I’d like to sell to both it is hard to find something that caters for all. But the answer, I suppose, must always lie with the art work. The art work will decide which frame will best suit it. So my own vision for the painting is what leads my choice. But I do keep the ‘taste thing’ in the back of my mind. Just a little bit.
Susan Lyon’s work is just incredibly lovely…. every thing she does! For many years I have admired her beautiful art and will hope to continue admiring and enjoying her amazing gift for many more years to come.
Thank you, Susan, for sharing your generous and gracious time with us.
Your explanation of using design rules complement my style. I break rules each time I paint, and as long as I, the artist, like my interpretation of my subject matter, then I am OK with the result. If I have to paint or design according to strict rules, then painting is no longer fun. My bet is most artists design to their own desires. Thanks for being a hero in my eyes Bill. Happy Painting!!
Great post Bill. I remember Stape harping and harping on ” design, design, design”. Its hard sometimes to remember we are not copying nature ( or a photo) but rather our task is to make a pleasing painting- which means designing it. Good to be reminded that these things really do matter ….
Oh my gosh- thank you for this article. I had become completely frustrated while reading about composition because, without examples demonstrating the discussion, I wasn’t able to make sense of it all. This is EXACTLY what I needed. I hope you realize what an excellent TEACHER you are in addition to being an excellent artist. Thank you Thank you!!
Lately I’ve been so confused about temperature in my paintings. Outdoors–is that cool light [blueish from the sky]?–or warm light [yellow/ orangish from the sun]? Does that leaf have sunlight on it?–and doesn’t it also have sky light when it’s turned up? I’ll see warm paintings [like a street in Italy] with cool blue/ purple shadows–is that just pushing the atmospheric color? Most plein aire paintings are under cool light [and even in studio 6500K?] which should indicate warm shadows, but I see more done with cool shadows. Any advice? Also, Ultramarine Blue–cool or warm? You seem to indicate that it is warm, but I’ve always thought of it as cool [Alaska]? and blue-green as warm [Florida]. The color wheel doesn’t really seem to answer that either. Any advice? Help please.
I just read your article to my husband, thanking him for his input in my art work and for watching a Drawing DVD from Great Courses. By the way, your selection of purchased DVDs should be in every artist’s library. Incidentally, my husband and his late wife filmed Scott Powers and Dan Gerhertz and has fond memories of all the artist they filmed and he had hands on training from filming, editing and marketing. Your choices are in my top ten along with Morgan Weistling and JoAnn Peralta. I too enjoy Pride de West. It is one thing to see pictures of the paintings they are shipping there, but to see them in person, will take your breath away (actually, you just stop breathing momentarily). I am sharing your article with my painting group. I enjoy your paintings very much and can tell, you’ve been down the road in your Tough Madder Painting experience.
Learning to work together as team is so important, building a community is amazing. I’ve only been with this group it seems a short time, yet the impact has been significant. I am broadening my perspective by experiencing so many views and journeys of the artists as they post their work, comments and concerns. It is helpful to have a constructive forum where you feel free to experiment with your art and expand your abilities in ways not considered before. It’s amazing the friendships built with the ongoing discussions . Thank you
Thanks for this zBill! Though I am in a wheelchair now I used to do allot of different things with exercise. Now i am lucky to have a local program for people with MS to do modified exercise. I hope to continue my artistic development and your email postings , especially this one inspire me to get going for the coming winter season. The blessing of a longterm relationship is that one is not alone but never the less one is separate in a wheelchair certainly but such is life. Thanks again for your inspiration!
I’ve noticed that figurative work can take a Landscape and add that life element that brings you further into the painting story. How do I approach figurative work in Landscape showing correct movement?
Bill, love your work….but, not having your experience or trained eye, I loved the original versions of these equally as much as the changed versions to make them “a success”. Not sure what constitutes a “successful” painting. Does it go back to rules, or isn’t beauty still in the eye of the beholder? Thank you for the e-mails and sharing your insights.
Thanks very much! Enjoyed seeing the paintings and the different design composition solutions.Think your advice can help me as i create my own art.
Sincerely,
Colleen M.
I commented earlier but apparently forgot to actually hit “post”.😲
This is a great lesson. Really, the thing I see most often is folks painting the photo instead of designing a painting. I remember a Stapleton Kearns quote – ” It is not WHAT a painting is about, but rather HOW it is about that matters”. You illustrated that beautifully with your version of the hiking trail scene- by both adding saturation and designing the elements to fit your concept , you added drama and excitement. And still created a sense of place. Very good lesson. Thanks.
Thank you for showing us your thought process as you look at your work over time and make changes. I tend to be too literal when looking at a photo and need to give myself more freedom to deviate and change. Thanks for explaining!
Thanks Bill for sharing your favorite with us. I really appreciate seeing the art and knowing a little about why you chose to include it in your blog,I have only been oil painting for 2 years and feel I have so much to learn. My painting coach is Chuck Larivey and I feel so lucky to be able to study under such a talent.
You made me cry so you know you touched my soul with color. That my friend is ART! Sometimes something
simple is what a person needs. Thank you for sharing your gift.
Hi
Just saw the Cherry Blossom painting, so pretty. I want to ask if you allowed the paint to dry between the red oxide and the sky? I would seem muddy if blended together
Lyn
This article was very inspirational to me. I appreciate Cyrus sharing his story with us! His work reflects his training as he described it. His work is amazing and I believe reflects his great passion for the subjects he paints!!
Thank you Bill. There is a misconception floating around the community that thinking about what you are going to paint is not necessary. You have cleared this up beautifully.
I so appreciate, as a foundational educator, that thinking and planning, about what you want to say or the feeling you want to give to the viewer, in a painting is very important.
Dear Bill
Thanks for introducing Cyrous, such a talented artist. Indeed I am a bit happy because he is from my country. His works are so beautiful.
Reza
Thank you so much for sharing this interview. I’m amazed at the variety of his subjects; all completed masterfully with just the right amount of detail that allows the viewer to fill in the rest and completes the story. His style of painting fits my eye perfectly. Fabulous work!
Cyrus,
Your paintings are so beautiful and full of life. Your personal expression of color is a wonder. You reveal your passion for your skill with every painting. Thank you for sharing.
What a great idea to share the thoughts of other artists…. you are always striving to improve the content of your site. The benefit of the input of other artists inspires this student to try a little harder. Thanks for sharing.
I love your eye for color. Gorgeous.
I continue to be amazed at how you juggle teaching, herding a gaggle of aspiring artists like us, and make a living as an artist. I am grateful for your help in these many ways.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful gift. You inspire me to want to paint.
I have painted for may years and continue to be amazed at how much one can learn. I appreciate so much your willing to share your expertise and heart with everyone. Thanks again. I am new to your class and excited about where it takes me.
Thank you so much for all the time you and you’r family spend on other’s.. I have learned through you’r critiques of mine and other’s paintings… I am working on random strokes of the brush in my work and to watch out for Line’s of subjects in my paintings… Color temperature is a hard subject to explain and learn and I feel you are a Great Teacher. I thank you BILL!
Thank you so much for EVERYTHING you do to help us and teach us with your sharing your knowledge and paintings. So glad you are doing Monet and love the reference photo and you painting of it, to me is most helpful. Guess I am a visual person! (I know I am). I learn so much from the Q and A even when not my own painting. I probably need to find a grey scale thingie to help me out. When my son was in 3rd grade the school nurse called to say he had flunked his eye test and was upset because the other kids hadn’t. So I said no problem will come up and give the test to him so he will feel comfortable. My son and I went sailing the the eye test and agreed on everything we were so pleased and proud of ourselves. He went back to clas happy as a lark and they informed me I was color blind! Am still laughing I was 30 yrs old and had no clue I was but I am color blind. Had eye doc check it out and am. The mild form when it gets to pastels in light pale grays blues and greens so my daughter used to love to ask us what color something was and giggle her head off. I always buy matching clothes from the same company so I know the colors match! It don’t thing it makes much difference in my painting but might and am not worried about it. I think am more confused trying to convert colors to black and white and gray shades and know they have charts out there somewhere, would like to buy one. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!. Thanks again
I love this message Bill. I just lost my Mother, my best friend a few days ago and it has been hard to find reasons to smile. My Mother always taught us to give and give frequently no matter how big or how small the gift. I am new to your community and was caring for my Mom right after I joined so I haven’t seen much. I watched your rant video (the whole thing) which left a mark and genuine affection for you as an artist and as a person. This message is beautiful and I agree that we are very fortunate to be in a position to share our beauty with the world. I too, like my Mom, love good caused. I have been trying to think of who I can donate some paintings to. I will definitely be donating to the nurses on the hospital floor and I was also thinking of the local school and retirement home. These small gestures of kindness go a long way and can truly make a difference for someone.
Thank you for this message of kindness and for making me smile at a time when it seems impossible
Chrissie
Thank you, Bill, for this message. I truly love being blessed with the ability to be an artist and this has enriched my life so much through the people I have met and art groups I have joined. When people at my church discovered I was an artist, they asked me if I would be willing to paint the coffee mugs that are presented to new members of our congregation upon joining. This is certainly a different type of painting but I saw it as a way to give back and now have been personalizing mugs for many years and the new members are always delighted with them.
Beautifully said and it makes my life so much richer to be able to of myself. Thank you for sharing this thought. Time now to go paint my gift!
You have such a giving heart , that was one thing that drew me to your sight . You can tell you love the Lord and I know He loves you!! i’ve taken this course without having the time to use my artistic ability, If I have any. My last painting I did is displayed in my Church. I prayed the whole time I was working on it that it would be a blessing to anyone that saw it. I get a blessing when I look at it even though I see so many things I’d like to change. I’m 77 years old and I’m enjoying hearing about your wonderful career. Your paintings are inspirational, I’m sure you pray over your work. It show’s. The beauty of our Heavenly Father’s masterpieces!! I’m learning from you even though I haven’t put paint to canvas . I hope to start working on January’s assignment and try to display something!! Thank you again for helping us!!
I am a photographer and one year this young photographer saw one of my images and I overheard her say how much she loved it. I printed another and gave it to her, she loved it. We weren’t friends I just felt the need to to it. You never know what is going on in someone’s life. I hope this made a difference somehow….. plant a seed of God’s love❤.
Some years ago when I started painting, my television director at First Baptist Church, Memphis, TN wanted me to paint his wife’s childhood home as his gift to her. I was glad to do so without charge, but when he gave me the photo, it was a run-down, shotgun house, white clapboard. A tree with a swing, and a cotton field alongside. I tried, but the effort was terrible. A friend of mine taught art, and she said, “remember, you’re not painting the house in the photo, but the house she remembers! Use a perspective of looking up toward the house, and add a bit something like naples yellow light to your white for the outside of the house.” I did both, and was shocked at the difference it made. That painting still hangs over their mantle in Knoxville, TN where they live now. You’re right; it’s not necessarily the professionalism of the painting, but the friendship behind the painting that makes the difference!
I paid for this course and now I can’t get in. I’m using the only e-mail address I’ve ever had and it said it can’t be published. Can you help?
I receive your e-mails at this e-mail address bi can’t get in using it
Bill,
Just watched your “What is Serious Art” video. Spot on! Art enriches us so.
rick manthei
I can never thank you enough, Bill, for the impact you have had on my life as a painter. Six years ago when you agreed to let me come to your studio once a week was the opening of my painting reality. You nurtured, nudged, and taught me so much in that year. You gave me confidence and permission to be myself using my own style, yet helped me understand artistic principles that I needed. You are still helping me grow as an artist through all your videos and teaching. My heart leaps with joy how much your notoriety and business has grown. I think God has honored you for all the extended lessons and guidance that you have been willing to give to your students. Now, as you are partnering with your family, your growth touches many painters. Thank you again for teaching me to paint, to love my art, to clean my brushes, to focus on my strokes, to acknowledge the use of color, to include lights and shadows, and so many other things. You’ve impacted me for a lifetime.
I gave a watercolor of tulips to a friend at my church. She is a grief counselor at a local hospital and had been taken by it when she saw it in my rack a year ago. I half promised it to her if she would visit me in my home. She never asked a price but kept reminding me how much she liked it and her good intentions. I actually had two of them almost alike. On Christmas Day she was scheduled to lunch with a group of us but she was called in to work. I had the painting wrapped and with me at our Christmas morning service and gave it to her before she left to go to work. My thought is it wasn’t going anywhere in my rack and if someone deserving really liked piece, I would rather it be enjoyed.
As an artist myself, I enjoy reading about how other artists perceive the journey of being an artist. I too, experiment with different mediums but paint primarily in oils at the moment. I just purchased a set of interactive acrylics that have whats called, “open” qualities, meaning they can be re-wet for adjusting edges. I find it very exciting to play with a new medium and can relate to your concern with destroying a canvas and made my own supports to freely paint on as well. It does make a huge difference in my creative senses when I don’t have to worry about messing up an expensive stretched canvas. Your work is incredible. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Bill, How do I down load these videos on you tube? We have just moved and I have not gotten around to internet service yet. So, I need to go the library and down load these to my computer and am not have much success.
Thank you,
Christy R
I have no training at all in paining, but I do paint although it is not by any means professional looking. Could you give me a great place to start…classes I could take…books I could read..etc? Thank you, your work is stunningly beautiful and I enjoy seeing it!
You have a beautiful family thank you for sharing!
What would you say, if I told you
I found a way to literally, make
$10 in 10 minutes, over and over again?
What if I then told you, it was fun,
anyone can do it, and you can do it
right from your computer?
I know you would be excited.
I remember when I first discovered
this, I thought it was too good to
be true, but it WASN’T!
Are you interested in seeing
what I’m talking about?
Just click the link at the bottom of this message
and I’ll show you exactly
what I’m doing!
You need to HURRY though, I’m
only going to show the next few
people that click the link below!
http://paidcashforsurveys.com/news
I like turning them upside-down…. I’d done a painting of a wolf for a friend and when I was done, there was something wrong…. I just couldn’t figure out what it was, but knew I wouldn’t be satisfied till I figured it out. I kept coming back to work on it for a couple of days, then remembered the advice to flip it from one of my college professors.
Immediately after I turned it, I could see the mistake! I’d made his forehead way too long…once I turned it around and made that change, it was just what I’d wanted. I’ve also done as you describe with similar results.
It’s good to hear that the truly talented and educated such as you come across these frustrations. The gift is to see and make the needed changes. I pray each day for this ability! Thanks for sharing as I needed to read this.
I’ve been doing just this mistake over the past day while working on a self portrait. I think I have it and 5 minutes later after a break, I can see that my eyes are too small/wonky/value is wrong… It’s heartening to know I’m not alone, so thanks for the tips!
Thank you for so generously sharing your knowledge and skill. I sit to paint In a confined area, usually a couple of hours in the afternoon. Then I grab my canvas and plop it in front of the TV for the evening news. I see what needs fixing and what is likable. Usually even a bad painting is more likable than the news.
Before I call them finished, I set aside all my paintings for several days, and sometimes weeks. Then, when I take them out, it’s like starting all over with fresh eyes. Wondered why that was. Thanks for the explanation!
Sometimes I will instinctively know that something is wrong. I am not experienced to know what that is,or how to fix it. My husband,lovely as is, would not notice if I hung it up side down or simply took it off the wall. My eldest daughter has an artful eye but she is busy with her own life. Soooo…I don’t look at my paintings for a day or so then revisit them, I will put them upside down or sideways to view, I drag them into the bathroom and check in the mirror but must admit this often simply confuses me. I take a photo and look at that. I post to Bill’s group in that he will comment if something is really off and get excited when he gives a correction suggestion! I appreciate the fellow members looking at my work. I do feel good when someone says it is lovely but also wish we have enough courage to put in what we may find offsetting in a piece. It doesn’t mean one has to alter it but it gives us chance to see what someone other than ourselves are seeing…and there are some very experienced painters in this group. My 2 cents.
Thank you for this wonderful tutorial Bill!
As was mentioned above, I also use a mirror to get ‘another’ opinion.
Sometimes, we can get so stuck in our own zone we literally cannot see the forest for the trees unfortunately!
Good tips!
its sort of like looking at yourself in the mirror and thinking you look pretty good and then catching a glimpse of yourself a couple of hours later in a shop window and thinking OH NO AM I THAT FATl stop and photograph as I go because everything looks different on camera than it does in person Maybe its because I know so little or haven’t been painting long enough to be overconfident but I send snapshots of what I am painting to about six people that I know and trust. Two are artist friends and I can and get a list of corrrections or suggestions just like I hope to get. One has no tact at all and says exactly what he thinks, wouldn’t begin to lie, and I get exactly what I want from him- his gut reaction of what he sees. the others are family members who are always encouraging and interested in the end results and guaranteed to smooth over self doubts and self esteem. People are so scared of hurting your feelings but I WANT to know whats not right and I WANT the feedback. Loved this article. Thank you Mr. Inman
Hi Bill and painter friends,
After I was finished treatment for Ovarian Cancer, I started taking painting lessons. I have been painting and taking lessons intermittently now for 10 years. Praise the Lord that I am well, Thank you Lord. I was cared for by many nurses, physicians, family etc. I had painted a Plein air painting of a small cove and island. I absolutely loved the painting. I so wanted to share my heart and soul with one of the physicians that had shared his heart and soul with me, whilst he cared for me. He was a great listener. I had the painting framed and gave it to him as a gift. My heart was filled knowing that I was giving him something special from me. He liked the painting and was thankful. I don’t know if he hung it anywhere and I haven’t seen him in years. I am thinking that if I went back now and saw the painting, that I likely would grimace and want to improve upon it. That is life though, we look back on things, and maybe wish we could change them. But I know for sure, that in that moment in time, that was the best of me, and I wanted him to have that as a gift.
I LOVE my Coulter easel. It is steady and study even on the windy Oregon coast.
Hola Bill
muy buenos tus temas, son importantes para los que nos gusta el arte y la pintura , un saludo desde Venezuela amigo .
Blick is having a sale now on French easels. Full and half box. I’m guessing half box is half the size of full box.
I also don’t like the heavy weight, but, I’ll take my French box…I have three of them…over other stuff I’ve tried. So, I just bought a little trolley that holds not only my French box, but turp, paper towels, panels, etc. Really handy!!
Love my coulter easel!
let me preface this comment with “I don’t like plein air” I am distracted by the heat or cold, bugs, or just the wonderful views or smells around me. I had a French easel, which was too heavy for me to get to what I wanted to paint. I now use an Italian (Capelletto?) brand folding, field, wood easel, which weighs just 4 lbs. and folds up to fit in a backpack or bag easily. It is obviously not heavy enough to be real steady, but with my pastel or oil palette box on the foldout arms on the front, a bungee cord or two, it works really well for the few outdoor trips I make.
I really like the Strada easel I’ve been using for the last couple years. I have the large one with two shelves. I think what I like best is the ease of use, and no knobs on the outside to get in the way. I used a French easel for about 10 years before that.
want to change password
Truly remarkable work! Thank you for sharing.
Very enjoyable read about a very gifted artist! The advice about being braver to be me and ignore the meanies really spoke to me.
Great artwork, thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for sharing your art and your heart with us
Your genius is in how comfortable and natural your subjects fit into their surroundings. They aren’t posed. Viewing your work is like stumbling upon the scene moments before the animal disappears into the landscape.
Wow. Cannot even imagine anyone telling you someone is a better artist. I love painting animals and looking at your website has inspired me to learn to be better at it. Thank you for creating such beauty.
Thank you so much for your insight! It helps to hear from someone that truly shares from the heart. We are such a mixed bag and it is good to know that even the great artists (like you) have the same human feelings that must be worked thru!
Your work is outstanding and it has been really great to get to know a bit about you!
I have contacted the Coulter Easle folks twice in hopes of purchasing but no reply. I need a tripod for the DSLRs camera I was given so the coulter system could deal with two needs.
Bill or Kristy if you know how to get through to these folks please let me know. I am off to Hawaii in a couple of months and would like to take an Easle.
The Coulter folks got back to as did the Tobins. I am having a tough time deciding between these two. A plus with the Coulter is the commercial tripod which I presume would also work for my camera. Whichever I end up getting it has to travel friendly..for both a sailboat and commercial air travel. I dream of taking it when we kayak but this will likely remain a dream.
If Bill or others could chime in on plus/minus of each and better yet your own experience I would be very grateful.
I just purchased Williamsburg and some Gamblin to replace the Winton. It seemed that when the paint dried the colors faded. Now what do I do with all that Winton?
Perhaps toss it or maybe use it to tone ypur canvas b4 u start.
I really enjoyed this blog. I have asthma and use M. Graham paints. These do not affect my breathing at all. They are creamy and have beautiful colors. My only problem is their Alizeran. It is not lightfast so i will not waste my money.
In response to Christina N, contact a local high school or Community College. They will be greatful for the art supplies.
I have mostly Windsor Newton student grade simply due to the costs. Some colors like Cad Red or Cad Yellow are not great in this line so I have higher quality tubes in those colors. I’ve also been experimenting with other brands and higher quality paints. once my paintings begin selling for thousands, not hundreds, maybe I can afford all professional grade paints!
oh, and I avoid any paint sold at Hobby Lobby – terrible!
You have not rated the water miscible oils. I use Artisan and Cobra. Do you have any suggestions with them. I also use M. Graham oils but have trouble with them in plein air because I have not found a way to thin them, without solvents, that is fast drying for a block in. Any suggestions?
What do u think about ARCHIVAL ?
…
https://www.masteroilpainting.com is very interesting, bookmarked
I am not an artist but I love art. I really loved your work and from your interview how humble you are.
I absolutely love your work. Thank you so much for sharing some of your insights after years of experience along with your honesty and humbleness. Very refreshing!
Janie Chase
Thank you for sharing your art and expertise in both painting and business. Your paintings are beautiful. I love your style too!
I would like to express my gratitude to Bill Inman for his sunning work in painting and precious lessons on internet and to Joe Anna Arnett for sharing with us some of her thots and works.
Hi. I just canceled my monthly membership which was paid ahead. I understand that you will reimburse the remaining amount.
Thank you and wish you the best going forward.
Beautiful interview and content. Thank you Joanna.
Donna S/New Jersey
Joe Anna,
You are a wonderful artist and inspiring human being.
Thanks
Rosalie
https://www.masteroilpainting.com is very informative,
bookmarked
Being a real lover of hollyhocks from childhood, I really appreciate this demonstration, and look forward to attempting one such painting myself. I grew them for several years, but am now old and handicapped and can no longer garden. I can still paint them, though! Thank you for this! Wish I could afford to take your online classes, but I am on a fixed income. Love, love, love your paintings and your techniques, though. God bless you for adding beauty and joy to the world!
Thank you for sharing. I am inspired by the assorted paintings and helpful tips in composition. I hope to watch the five hour video soon, to better understand warm and cool tones, values, and creating light. You are a very generous and talented artist and instructor.
I like this very much. It is very useful, espetialy together with full movie (: . It is like e-learning big shapes of painting, and then going in details (with full movie). And also we need repetition .. so thank you (:
La idea admirable
[url=http://sobestshop.tumblr.com/]sheridanEa[/url]
Thank you for sharing your painting… Loved watching the details, found them very helpful.
Fantastic paintings!
Love the painting techniques…there is only one thing that bothers me about this painting. Flowers in nature do not all face the same direction. I would have loved to see more of a variety in the directions that the flowers are facing, They appear stiff when all facing front. I hope to try a holly hock painting.
Thanks for sharing!
Arlene
Thank you Bill.Beautiful paintings,very helpful.
(: Thank you for this sincere, touching and insirational words. I must say that i like this first holyhocks not less then last one (:
Blue Hollyhocks is my favorite and I think it is the misty background and the solitary rocks being dominated by the beautiful blue hollyhocks, that takes my breath away and really speaks to me. I have never seen hollyhocks and your arts make me wish I could see them. It is interesting thinking on how our arts have evolved and who inspired our styles throughout different stages if our ‘growing’ process. The funny thing about art is that each stage works together in bringing us to where we are today and serves as the stepping stones to the artist we will become tomorrow. If we dont allow those stages to happen, then our skills never evolve…and our art becomes boring.
I love the blue hollyhocks. This painting is very romantic and mysterious and transports me into another time. The colors are soothing to me. Great job.
Lianne
Thank you for this wonderful post. I loved reading it and seeing your journey. I too battle between loose painting and the details. I too love the style and paintings of Bongart! I intend to paint loose and expressive and when I get into it the paintings become tighter and tighter as I do when I draw. I want to create something more expressive… There are times when I lose myself in the painting as you expressed and forget about funndamentals. It’s wonderful! Sometimes I am so excited with the outcome and other times I have to wipe it all out and start over… Either way it’s a great feeling…. Music helps to move me to my right brain and forget everything I’m studying. I am motivated by you, your thoughts and your art, so please keep sharing! Thank you.
I can identify with the split artistic personality. Especially, when trying to create your own artistic footprint. And the Zen moment gets interrupted too often. Thank you for words of inspiration and lets me know we are not alone in this struggle to become the best we can be.
Lyn
Bill,
Seldom does one of your accomplishment openly offer such intimacy as a means to guide, instruct and encourage.
For infants in the arts, as I, what you offer is invaluable.
Thank you for sharing your journey…
I love your paintings and really appreciate the time you give to your students. I’ve already learned so much from watching you and listening to you share what you are thinking while you paint. It’s very helpful to know that even accomplished artists still struggle some days! If I paint more often, have soothing music, free my mind from worries and have some kind of plan for the painting, it comes more easily. But I’ve also had wonderful spontaneous days when there was no plan and everything worked….so who knows? If the “flow” comes, it is a gift!
I am new to painting yet I can relate to the feeling you describe of unconsciousness and the brush creating something that somewhat surprises you …almost like where did that come from when you snap back to yourself and apainting is there. There is no effort, no conscious thought, no concept of time passing..it is a wonderful place.
Thank you for this blog.
I think you are correct Bill when you tap into consciousness… Didn’t the Greeks call it you’r genius? … You can also call it GOD.. All those would be correct.. I seem to hold the brushes and the color’s pop into my mind.. We stop thinking and just let BEING paint… Its all like “be still, and know I am GOD”…
I get emails all the time but have yet to use your site. I thought I paid for a membership but I can’t get in to anything. Don’t remember login info but email is sherrysandberg2@gmail.com but your system says it’s not valid?!
Can u verify that I am a member?
I have been painting for years but I work full time and only have 2 evening a week that I can paint. I know that if I could do a little bit each day I would get better, but I don’t know how to work it in. Any suggestions? I love your work and love to watch your videos.
Thank you so much for your insightful reflections on your journey as an artist. I like that you know “At Home on the Range” is a painting has many elements of the best for you. It is a beautiful and vibrant painting.
I’m learning from you that it is okay to paint from memory and our imagination rather than only what one sees. I find that as l put more of the “rules” of painting on the shelf (for aspects of the painting) l’m often more satisfied with the outcome.
I look forward to seeing the details of how you developed the hollyhock painting.
Shirley
Thanks for continuing to write such amazing blog posts!
I have tried everything and can’t get it to work. I know my password but reset it anyway still not working but then the site login for 6 month program doesn’t work when I click on it and am not in the 6 week course???
Guess I don’t remember my name would be nice to just login with email name that one I don’t forget! Thanks but after losing 2 pcs and so much stuff in the last 3 weeks am computered out.
Forex
Appreciate the recommendation. Will try it out.
TM
“Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I _appreciate you writing this post and also the rest of the website is also very good.”
Thank you for the interview. It is always interesting to hear others journeys.
Wow, such a talented and very humble man! Love that he doesn’t hesitate to say that he is a Christian, attributes his talent to God, and puts his life in God’s hands. As a beginner, I know I have a lot to learn but sometimes I do get discouraged and wonder if I have any talent at all. Very encouraging to learn that he says he did hundreds of paintings and a lot of them were lousy before he found success. Thank you for a wonderful and enlightening interview!!!
LOVED THIS ARTICLE. WHAT INCREDIBLE WORK!
Very enlightening interview. Like the comments before me, it makes me encouraged to know of his struggles and how hard work made him successful. I have no illusions of becoming famous or anywhere nearly this good, but I do want to be able to enjoy what I am doing and hopefully some others will also. This was especially enjoyable for me. I was raised on a ranch in Montana and the western way of life is what I know and what I love to paint.
Beautiful
This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for wrnitig!
Thank you for sharing your story of learning to paint. Your paintings tell a wonderful American story.
Thank you for posting this wonderful artist interview. I admire his humbleness and his dedication to seek God in his work first of all. I too, ask the Lord to open the doors of art for me and close them if He doesn’t want me to pursue it. My journey, so far, has led me to some open doors, small, but open and so I am inspired to push on. It is a struggle, but one I must follow being so passionate about painting as I am. I really needed to hear this artist tell this story about his art journey at this time in my life when it seems nothing is really happening much for me yet. But I have many more brush miles to go to reach something like real art! Again, profound thanks.
this is a master of light and shadow to create emphasis or a mood, or to make you feel the sun or the cold or the crisp mountain air. And he paints with knowledge of the country, and the actions of the animals. He is incredibly good!
My email and password won’t let me in.
I can’t open the course.
Bill, this painting is most amazing! I love everything about it. The colors are so crisp! Thank you for the tip about aliz crimson! Thank you for these amazing videos!?⭐️? Cathe
Love the Stoic Barn painting. So many beautiful colors. So many wonderful brush strokes. Your method of painting really inspires me.
Love your way of painting – thankyou
I loved the video, thank you so much for sharing it with me. I love you your way of painting!!
Very insightful. Enjoyed this very much.
This is great. I will share. Can we have an interview with Curt Walters next?
Hi Bill – this is really helpful. In terms of lighting, I prefer outdoors over indoors but even then, I have to play with the white balance in my camera to get it right. For indoors, I bought a professional photography bulb (the ones that are super bright and hot) and a white photography umbrella. I turn the bulb around to face backwards into the umbrella which then diffuses the light on to my painting. I don’t have to make color adjustments in photoshop with this method.
Such a good video. Very inspiring and how you build your warm and cool colors for such interest.
The interview with Camille was wonderful. I had the pleasure of doing one of her workshops here in Madison, Ms when I first started painting. I was overwhelmed with what she was doing.
She is a wonderful instructor. Loved it!
Thank you Camille for your wonderful insight/theory and Bill for his excellent questions. (that has to be hard to do. But you gotta love the road trip.) I love the “the theoretical Professional and/or advance being the toughest to reach & teach…that’s me. Just by interviews and points of view of you two and others like John Weiss I am slowly learning to hug the shadow-reflection through a painting. For myself, old habits, good or bad die slowly. As an illustrator for nearly 40 years i found that others (clients were dictating my voice with a “can you make it look like this guy did it?” request. This is me today: http://www.christophernewellartist.com
Bell Well Hugs, Chris
Great interview, Bill. I see wonderful luminosity in Camille’s and your paintings. I learned a lot from this interview. Enjoy your trip and remember to come home to Indiana safely. My gratitude to Camille for sharing her artistic genius.
Margaret Sabo
Excellent!!! I have been a fan of Camille for years and love hearing her responses to your questions!!!! THANK YOU!!!
Wish I had come to painting many years ago. It is my passion now but at 94 I cannot expect more than the enjoyment I get from so many great artists.
Camille mentioned she had a large advertising budget that she put immediately to her art. Did that come from having a very lucrative illustration career or what. It seems most people really struggle to get started. On person whom I shall not name I came across in FB group. He has painted for years and has a very identifiable style. In the space of a year he went from giving away his work in Central Park..all of it was quickly scooped to a shop on Etsy selling around 400$ ( no sales) to going onto Saschi at around 1200$ for the same pieces that had been on Etsy..no sales. So the question that begs to be answered is…how best to not only get folks seeing your art but how to get your work selling.
Very interesting interview! Sure gave me a lot to think about before and during my painting sessions.
very educational for artists, am just short of funds now to be able to purchase books like these, but am willing to read through if made available. thanks.
John F Carlson. What a book! Took the e-book on holiday with me. I started highlighting passages I liked, but soon found I was highlighting the entire book! Bought the paper version immediately on my return home.
Thanks for the book suggestions they are very helpful, we have all bought books which are below standard and a waste of money. I find book lists from established artists help reduce buying duds, and help in making a good artists library.
Regards. Pete (UK)
Thanks for the list. I have wasted money on books that were no help.
Lyn
My favorite inspiration is Andrew Wyeth. His paintings are not oil, but they inspire me.
I buy multiple copies of Carlson’s book and give one to every new painting student who is taking classes with me. A MUST read!!! I have about 150 art books in my library and I buy quite a few on ebay…usually good prices!!
I fell in love with Rockwell, then found Michealanglo. Today I love Warehouse and Terpning. Oh and Leighton. Can you make it 3 books? Lol
Waterhouse was a phenomenal artist Cathy – I too am a fan.
Great idea Susie with your students – every artist should own a copy.
I should have thought of that Carol, libraries are a terrific source and a fantastic opportunity to try before we buy!
Inspirational.
Thanks.
I am having the same problem. I am using my email address and pasword but can’t get in. 🙁 I even tried to click forget password but it says invalid email address. 🙁
Thank you for this blog. My husband bought me the Daniel Keys set of Rosemary Brushes, after I bragged about them. I bragged only from the rave review of my fellow artist friends. The set was very expensive and included the ivory and mongoose in various sizes and shapes. After only one day of use, one of the mongoose flats splayed out so badly, it was impossible to use. I contacted Rosemary and included pictures. I was told to boil the brush for one minute and shape it while wet. It sort of worked, but when I painted with it again, the same thing happened. I am not pleased at all, especially since I have 1,200 invested in them. I do however like the Egbert and some of the ivories.
I have resisted the mass migration to rosemary brushed as I have plenty of decent brushes on hand. I purchased a few to see how they are. I am really happy with the several other brands that I now use.
Hi
I’d be eying those Rosemary brushes for 2 years, reading reviews, getting their brochures, going though their enitre website. I finally took the plunge and got some (after comparing prices with local bought Winsor Newton for ex.). I got Ivory, Evergreen, and classic short flats. I paint mostly portraits & landscapes, alla prima and in layers also (2 or 3). What I found is that yes they are good brushes but nothing to rave about and no better than previous ones I had been using. The Ivory series and the short flats are not better that the Robert Simmons and I agree they quickly splay and become useless. The Evergreen series is too soft (Raphaël textura in small numbers does a better job). After discussing the brush issue with my teacher, we came to find a local brand called Zen (comes in dark silver long and short handles) with just as good power to hold the paint and take the hard work of most painters. These brushes have the advantage of costinf $3.-/piece, and when it’s used to the pojnt of not enough hair left, throw it away and buy a new one. Conclusion: there’s nothing like brand new brushes to handle the paint and your painting process. Find yourself something inexpensive and replace brushes as soon as they don’t behave anymore, as soon as they wear out. I’m never going to buy expensive brushes again. This was my experience and in no way reflects everyone else’s. Best to all, Dominique
I have some Rosemary brushes that I have not used a lot yet, so I can’t comment. I have been using a lot of Silver Brush bristle brushes and synthetic bristlon brushes and like them both. However, for my money, the all time best brushes were the Grumbacher Professional grade brushes. These are no longer made as far as I can ascertain (after hunting like crazy last year) and Gainsborough brushes are all that is left from the Grumbacher lines. As you can probably guess, my Grumbacher brushes (“Professional”) are pretty old – at least 20 years and have held up better than the Gainsboroughs, which are much younger.
I also have used utrecht bristle brushes and liked the 219 brushes but I don’t think this is a line they have continued to make. It was a boiled bristle and somewhat softer than the unboiled, but I get along just fine with the few I have.
I meant to mention that bristles on the few eggberts I have twisted after being used the first time, so I have been reluctant to buy any more of anyones. But the utrecht long flat looks good and so does the Rosemary 279, so I might try them when I next get inspired to spend more money!
Thanks for your critique.
I have many brushes, varying in price a good deal; I’ve used Rosemary & Co brushes (which by the way I don’t find at all expensive) mostly for acrylic (the Shiraz range particularly), and have just on Ivory brush, which I use for oil. On the whole, I’ve found them good value and of good quality. I do however allow my brushes to rest – in other words I have a dozen or so in the same basic shapes, so that I don’t scrub them away to nothing. However, you mention a brush giving up the ghost after just one use – I would find that very concerning; hasn’t happened to me yet. I’ve never actually tried Utrecht brushes – perhaps they’re not easy to obtain in the UK; but if I can find them, I will try them given your endorsement. And I must also have a try with those Egbert brushes from Rosemary – I use filberts a lot, and this would add another dimension.
Rosemary Wallis
March 29 at 4:15pm
Same problem
For any of our awesome artists who are having a difficult time logging in, please email me at bill@inmanfinearts.com. I can help you get in asap, but these comments don’t always show up for me.
I appreciate your descriptions, conclusions and photos so much as I am fairly new to painting and I am in the process of ordering supplies now so this came at the perfect time!
I am already learning so much! Thank you!
can not get into my paid for class
I received an email from Cathy telling me she talked recently with Rosemary Brushes and they told her the Mongoose brushes were no longer.
This was my reply:
You are right Cathy,
A few years ago when I called them they were still mongoose and they said they had a large stock of hair, but could buy no more and it would eventually run out. I guess it ran out. Or maybe they finally made it illegal to use the hair they bought when it was legal.
Thanks for pointing that out. I will add this conversation to the blog comments as well.
Happy painting,
Bill
So the brushes are now badger hair. I am anxious now to give them a good try and see what the differences are. I have some badger hair brushes in my watercolor case – they are much softer generally, I believe, than the mongoose – we’ll see.
I need to cancel my account before the next
Billing cycle. Not sure how to do that?
Absolutely gorgeous, Bill!
Breathtakingly beautiful!
Bill, your paintings are so beautiful. There is so much beauty to be found right around us and to be able to capture it so masterfully must be so satisfying. Thank you so much for sharing and for helping us learn to paint.
Wow very good!!!
As usual your paintings capture Gods handy work in a unique and inspiring manner. Thanks for sharing your gift
Here in Devon, England a beautiful Spring morning has dawned. My garden is full of blooms,blossom and birdsong, just waiting for swallows to return and to hear the cuckoo. Grandchildren love to play here and through the woods to Woodbury common, the sea is only three miles away. My aunt would say “all this and heaven too”. Many thanks for your painting guidance brings great pleasure and encouragement. Friends and I have just put together a calendar for 2018 of our paintings to sell in aid of Hospicare who will be selling them at their “Open Garden”events throughout the year.
Good wishes and happy days
Wendy Markham
Wow ! Beautiful and inspirational, Thank you !
Awesome!
Bill, you can still get the Utrecht 207 flat, however, its bundled in a set.
These are breathtakingly beautiful, Bill. I am enjoying the course very much, and I love your work!
Thank you for posting this…so many different flowers! Makes one excited and keen to try more flowers with your images as inspiration.
Thank you Bill for the wonderful pictures of your art!!! They are truly beautiful, Our creator is the artist above all artist’s!!! I’m trying to learn but I seem to make more messes than anything else!!!
My Mom’s very favorite (and mine) (taken from W. Wadsworth Longfellow “Daffodils”
“I wandered lonely at a cloud that floats on high o’er vales and hills a host, of golden daffodils; beside the lake, beneath the trees, fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine and twinkle on the milky-way, they stretched in never-ending line along the margin of the bay: ten thousand saw I at a glance; tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they outdid the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay in such a jocund company: I gazed and gazed but little thought what wealth the show to me had brought; for oft, when on my couch I lie in vacant or in pensive mood, they flash upon that inward eye which is the bliss of solitude; and then my heart with pleasure fills…and dancing in the daffodils.”
Never too old to be thrilled by the beauty of nature, I am 94, still painting even if not approaching the talent Bill is blessed with.
These photos really drove home to me the subject matter ratio to the canvas size. The smaller the canvas, the more need for cropping the view of the subject. The larger the canvas, the more detail of the view that can be included. I have been trying to include lots of detail on small canvases with much frustration and fussiness of brush strokes. I would love to be looser in my brush strokes and now realize what was causing my frustration. Thank you!!!
Amazing work and since I’ve been studying Richard Schmidt’s work from the Alla Prima books, I’ve noticed your style is very similar. My work is still in the early stages of finding myself through brush miles but I am intrigued by people like yourself who have accomplished such riveting brushwork which then produces their own style. I have learned all the technical parts of oil painting, composition etc. but have had a time establishing brushwork I am happy with and a palette of colors. There are dozens of palettes. I’ve tried many of them but it seems that I find another one I like better and I never seem to focus on staying with one or two. Any advice? For example: go to Nancy Medina (google it) and her palette seems to sell but the colors seem a bit garish but I’ve found more than one online person teaching these bizarre color palettes and their work sells faster than the traditional colors of the masters. Frustrating. I want to be able to sell my work as well as be satisfied with becoming an accomplished artist. Thanks, sorry for the long post!
Thanks Bill, for sharing your beautiful garden. Your work is so inspiring and makes me keep trying so that one day I might be able to produce such a garden! I appreciate you giving so much time to your students and being a working, busy artist at the same time. That cannot be easy! Thanks for helping us and I look forward to videos from your trip.
Dear, i like your wonderful work ,painting is my hobby i am not a professional but i love beauty and nature
i thank you for encourage me to start again my life with color .thank you very much.
Gosh would love to be able to paint like you – thankyou for the lesson.
I use Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 Olga. Many artists and photographers use Lightroom, but I haven’t had much experience with it. Also, I hear many use Photoshop Elements – I’ve never used it either – it’s a more basic version of Photoshop CC I believe. The Adobe products are available as a monthly subscription. I pay for the whole suite of products ($54 monthly), but you can get them individually as well (the Photoshop and Lightroom combo is only $10/mth – https://creative.adobe.com/plans?single_app=photoshop). Photoshop Elements is a one time purchase for about $70 (on Amazon).
Thank you for explaining so well the process for painting the luscious pink peonies. My favorite flowers. I will give it another try. Love your paintings.
I would like to hear about another artist. John Michael Carter, President of Oil Painters of America.
Such a wonderful story of inspiration and wisdom. Thanks Eric for being an artangel. I will send this on to my art family and friends.
Great interview!!!!
Great inspiration! Thank you for sharing your time and experiences. As someone who is getting into painting later in life, and loving plein air painting, you give great advise to new artists. I have been immersing myself into this new passion and love all the encouragement that is offered!
Thank you for this terrific interview.
Thank you, Mr. Rhodes, for sharing information and inspiration about your life as well as your art.
My lack of an eye for detail and spelling is all too obvious. .
Sorry for misspelling your name, Mr. Roads.
Thank you, Bill, for being so generous and sharing your knowledge and talent. This was a very helpful tutorial. The thought that went into each aspect of the composition illustrates that even though a painting may look painterly and loose, a successful piece is the result of careful planning, executing and revising when necessary. Beautiful!
Really enjoyed and liked you putting the reference photos on and doing the 10 Steps with your instructions and comments on each one, is very helpful. Of course always enjoy your work and love your paintings and videos. You give such wonderful information, you are a natural teacher showing us how you paint by showing and sharing your knowledge and gift with us.
There is one thing I have a problem with in watching your videos and is mostly because of my computer. I have to turn the volume up 100% on my pc and on the video in order to hear you when you are speaking. I could and would love to hear nothing when you are not speaking, the music comes on much louder and I have to turn the volume down to almost mute then when it stops I have to turn it back up full blast to hear you talk! I repeat this thru the whole video…. Honestly, I do not want to sound like complaining but if I wanted music I can turn on my own! For me am happier with silence and just watching and learning from you, trying to figure out what colors you are mixing and watching you paint on the canvas and your brush strokes and placement than worrying about loud music and turning my volume up and down to stop the music and worry about missing what you are saying. Mute would be fine for the music which to me is distracting but then not able to hear what you say is not an option… thank you so much and hope I did not offend as I never want to do that.
Regret so many wasted years, even those of retirement! My hope is that you and people like you will proliferate to inspire us all to work harder to reach our goals. Thank you Mr. Roads.
Thank you for sharing some of your personal life with us. I can see the goodness in you both in every video and webinar.
What a beautiful family you have.
Janyce
What a wonderful blog about living with an artist. I enjoyed it immensely. God Bless.
Thank you for the thoughtful article. I really enjoyed it and I got some good information. I always wondered what the spouse of an artist’s thought and felt, and I now have a clear picture. I admire you both and understand each of you has a talent. You share your individual talents with each other. I really believe you two are a “working couple”. Congratulations.
Kristie, thank you for filling in for Bill. You are the best thing that could have happened to him. I really enjoyed reading ‘your blog’. You must be a wonderfully together woman, to have born 7 children and supported Bill through all his trials and tribulations. Art is a passion others sometimes don’t understand. I too have stopped the car to study the trees and the skyholes or the sky colors or how a hay roll looks and the colors in things. Thanks to my cellphone I can capture some of those things and hopefully attempt to paint them. As a wife I don’t get the opportunity to paint as much as I would like but when I do I’m in a place no-one but another artist can understand. Thanks for reading. Sue
I really loved reading this. I call myself a recreational painter…far from a professional artist, but I still saw myself in some of your descriptions. And I suppose the some of the same things could be said about supporting a spouse in whatever endeavors, but definitely artists are a different breed. This blog was so very personal. Thank you!
WOW! You hit that nail on the head.
I’m a new member and haven’t interacted in any way except to wander around the site.
Excited to be here but can’t seem to squeeze out the time and energy to just sit down
and paint. I know when I start I can’t stop and life is just full of other plans for me.
There is a lot of guilt in not being available to everyone and having to be nice about
it while trying to hold on to whatever is was that had you so whipped up and just
couldn’t wait to get it on paper or canvas.
God Bless you KristieI. I hope you know how valuable you are.
What a beautiful expression of both your life and your love; a journey so very well articulated in so few words. Thank you for sharing…God Bless you both.
Congratulations Family Bill!
You are very blessed!Thanks to share with us your great testimony of life and joy of your family!!It is a blessing to your husband and his all activities and be nearest to him all the time!And it is good for your children to love the father’s work,it is inheritance!
I love the work of Bill since I saw them on the Facebook,and my daughter of 15 years was on my neck asking me to get for her painting course on Google,day and night she was crying at me!!She is a good artist in drawing and paint,but here it is very expensive for child to enter in such school according to my capacity!!!
I too am an artist trough handcrafts making!!I admire Bill talent and your family,especially your lovely wife and it is true it might be fine to marry an artist sure!!
Congratulations once again and keep it up!!!
Thank you Kristi for sharing with us. God has gifted you in many way’s , but not only with being a wonderful Mother and Wife but also with a gift of writing!! Enjoyed your blog very much and can see myself in your description of your husband. So thankful to have the priviledge to be able to read your thought’s . My prayer’s are for Bill’s continued success and for his sweet Wife and Family!!!!
Kristie-Thank your for sharing your family life with us. I know you have helped Bill become what he is today in more ways than anyone can ever know. It isn’t easy being the wife (or husband) of an artist. My sweet long-suffering husband is very patient and supportive and has been for years. But those who support deserve much of the glory! Thanks for filling in on the blog and giving us more insight into your sweet relationship and wonderful family. God Bless you all!
Thank you Kristi! You are the glue that holds everything together. Bill and the children are so blessed!!!
Thanks Kristie for telling a beautiful life story which is just as special as Bill’s. Happy anniversary. I am from a family of eight children so I truly appreciate seeing your family photo. I bet you have a lot of fun being together. I see a lot of talent there. Congratulations.
What a beautiful story!! What a commitment!! What a family!!!What an artist!!!
May God bless you all!!
Thank you for sharing.
From another fellow artist in Vancouver Canada!!
A beautiful story!! A big a commitment!! Beautiful a family!!! An amazing artist!!!
May God bless you all!!
Thank you for sharing.
From another fellow artist in Vancouver Canada!!
Kristie,
Thank you so much for writing this. It was easy to connect to. I am the artist at almost 60 and my husband is the spouse of an artist. It really helped me to read from your perspective and appreciate my husbands support even more.
What a lovely commentary about your marriage. Thank you the sharing your thoughts and feelings with us . You are truly a blessed couple.
Love this! Beautifully written Kristie. I have always admired and been inspired by you both
Thank you for your support of Bill which, in turn, allows us (especially us newbies to art) To learn from him.
And I want to thank you for helping me to realize my MAJOR stumbling block! My husband, Glenn, and I have been married 52 1/2 years, have 4 children, 4 children-in-law, 8 grandchildren and 1 grandson-in-law. All these years (19 of which I was a stay-at-home Mom), I have been the organizer, the calendar keeper, the bill payer and the chief cook & bottle washer and I don’t know how to let go of all that. Oh, what I would give to have painting become my main activity every day!!! I just started painting about 2 1/2 years ago and am quickly falling in love with it…..and Glenn is in full support! We are clearing out the office (spare bedroom) to set up a studio for me. And, yes, I DID forget to eat lunch one day last summer when I was painting a 2′ X 2′ abstract/impressionistic cow for our granddaughter as a wedding gift. I have never before forgotten to eat a meal….what a delight! Glenn said I was enjoying myself so much he didn’t want to bother me. Now, if I could just let go if the guilt of not doing ‘other things’ so I could paint, paint, and paint some more!!! Kristie, thank you so much for the blog….it helped me understand my thinking; now on to my ‘doing’. Bill is so blessed to have you as a spouse and I am so blessed to have Glenn as a spouse because he is so supportive in trying to get me to give more time to my newly discovered desire!!!
It will be a few weeks before the home studio is up & running but I am looking forward to becoming a better artist with Bill’s help!
The love in your family glows brightly!
Wow!
What a beautiful testament to loving,and living with open and generous hearts
What a lovely article!!!..God bless you and family.
Beautiful recount of lives lived purposefully and with so much love and caring and understanding!
I so enjoyed reading about your beautiful and loving relationship. To be an artist and have family support is a true blessing from God. Thank you for sharing your many discoveries of what it means to be married to a working artist. You both are super. God knew what He was doing when he brought you two together. May your lives together continue to be blessed.
What a wonderful story. You are so fortunate to find Bill and have the life you have. God always knows what is best for us!!. I love Bill’s art and hope to learn from him!!
Kristie, thank you for writing this. I am married to an Illustrator/Artist and you have hit the nail on the head as they say. I got a chuckle from the driving. Many times I have noticed Wes looking off into the distance and praying that we do not go off of the road. He sees a painting in every landscape or notices colors or the way the sun hits a building or a tree. I am lucky to also have a wonderful sensitive humble man and help support him in every way I can. Thank you so much for a wonderful heartfelt article. It is nice to know that there are more people out there that understand.
I was also at the convention which was fascinating. I didn’t see anything about purchasing raw footage? Enjoyed your post. Are you willing to share what 20 10 10 means. Made it to the early Abraham presentation but the first two.
enjoyed it also when your wife wrote her article – she must be a very strong lady and looks well after you -thankyou
Thanks for the wonderful coverage of the event. Put me on the list for that paint box..it holds brushes and all.
How does one find out about such events?
Can you share with us the basics of the 10 10 10 system…they say teaching is the best way to a good handle on a topic.
I love Asante Fe…Bishops is such a nice place to spent some time. How far ahead does one have to sign up? Is there a registration limit? It would be to see if the Cdn $ may go up a bit? before making any commitment.
Please put me on the list for that paint box..it holds brushes and all.
How does one find out about such events?
Can you share with us the basics of the 10 10 10 system…they say teaching is the best way to a good handle on a topic.
I love Asante Fe…Bishops is such a nice place to spent some time. How far ahead does one have to sign up? Is there a registration limit? It would be to see if the Cdn $ may go up a bit? before making any commitment.
Eric Rhodes, is a multi millionare and an OPORTUNIST! This is why I do not subject my work for “WHOS BEST AT. . . .” Contest! It harkins back to my young days in 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade etc. Wherein I was ALWAYS the last person picked to be on a TEAM for spelling, poems, etc.
Take the entire Eric Rhodes empire. . . He states he “Just wants to help people discover painting. . . ” really. . . WHO among us, can afford $150.00 or more, per DVD on how to do X. He and ALL his companies are like Anna Wintor of “Devil wares Prada” and her Vouge empire telling the WORLD what and what not to ware!!!!
If you PAY THE PRICE, so to speak, your IN WITH THE IN CROWD. . . The WHO’s who of all of Rhodes magazines, seminars, conventions, conferences, etc. Etc.
ALL these type of things do, is make people feel BAD cause they DID NOT MEASURE UP TO so and so, or THE STANDARD!!!
GOD, gives us our talent, our abilities, OUR PASSIONS! He made us all the same, no one is BETTER, more skilled, more talented, SMARTER then anyone else!!! Knowledge is a GIFT to be shared with all who seek it, who hunger for it, WHO LONG FOR IT!! But when one person sets himself up as the DECIDER of WHATS IN, WHO’S IN, WHO OUT, WHO’S BETTER
So HE can get even RICHER, That, is NOT for me!!!!! So, you will NEVER catch me at a PLEASE EXCEPT ME convention!!
Thank you for sharing your trip! Looks like you had fun! Loved Kristie’s Blog while you were away!
Enjoy being with the family for a while- coming home is so sweet?
Take care!
Looks like a pack full of information and fun ! I love the set up you had.
Can’t wait for your teaching on Plein Air Art.
Bill, I was at thee convention also. And also felt that I had to see and do everything but by the time the evening sessions were about to start I was totally wiped out. The big issue was the fact that I did not have enough time to eat a good meal. The breakfast they provided was adequate for most but I need more protein to start my day. Thus my question to you….What is the recipe for the bars that your wife made for you? I looked at the web site you linked to but their recipes were for smoothies. Your’s is for a bar? Could you point me to the recipe? Cause I am signed up for PACE18 and I know I will probably do the whole “I have to see everything” bit and need to have something to keep me going longer and brighter.
Thanks in advance for your response. I have really appreciated your emails, especially this one on PACE17. I have shared it with friends so they can see what the concert was like.
Margie Larson
Thank you Bill for the video and article on plein air convention. I appreciate all you do to help us!!! Love you and Kristi and your Family!!
Thanks for sharing about the convention, attending is on my bucket list!
Will the Paint Box come in different sizes? I have a small strada easel.
Love all the effort you make to explain everything to anybody who asks. Thank You, Bill and Kristie…and the rest of the family. Yes, where can I find a Kristie? I have a Dave and m thankful for that but he should go into training with Kristie. Perhaps we need a full tutorial for artist spouses/significant others??? Will also look forward to paintbox / brush holder ordering and perhaps even Santa Fe but it sounds way to stressful.
Ethanks so much for fixing the pop up links over the pics…most of it shows now and I really like this one a lot….interesting bit about the shadow I’d not considered befoe.
i love your teaching… my email is in not in caps…
Gosh your so good wished I could afford your lessons – thankyou
Thank you for your insights. Its good to hear that even a seasoned painter goes through the emotional ups and downs when a painting works and when it doesn’t.
I really love your perspectives within your paintings through the use of light. It gives me the feeling I am there in real time. There is a sense of peace and calm.
Thank you for sharing your insights with us.
Thank you for the great interview. McVicker was spelled wrong in the Flooded Field’s title.
Love these interviews. Insight from professionals is always so interesting.
Delivered with a friendly smile! Always such a pleasure to hear from Jim about how he approaches art. Always helpful and inspiring.
Thank you, Bill for pulling this interview together, and most especially to you. Eric for baring your soul for the sake of inspiring us to do more, live more, be thankful for every day. And you look pretty good for a vegan!! You are trying to surpass David Leffel in years and painting wisdom?? Many many thanks, every day, for all you do. Grateful our paths crossed.
Lovely to look at beautiful art and learn about artist I didn’t know before. Just an fyi. I know the grayed out text color is ‘in fashion” these days but for older folks the lack of contrast makes it frustrating to read. Might want to select a darker gray if not black if template allows.
I love the journeyman… the face….. it’s all about the face!
I like the brushwork and the colors in the longhorn, but I would love to see a photo of the shadow… They are always tricky for me. I’m sure that, Mr Tennison no doubt got it right.
Your colors in your ocean house, Bill, are just what I’d want if it were mine.
The Yellow Kimono is ..well..Just Beautiful.
The winter scene is spot on!
The apple and cheery blossoms… Lovely!
Prayer in itself is always a beautiful thing, but as you said, is striking as well.
The wren brings focus exactly where needed…
I was so busy looking at the calm noon rocks, that I hadn’t noticed the horizon line at first. It’s still a nice painting though.
Toward Winter……..thumbs up.
Cari, very impressive….
…and Mr Whitaker’s Cove is very brilliant
but last and not least… I was immediately impressed with his Gunslinger!
So, now… does this qualify me to judge the next show???!!! LOL
These are all truly beautiful paintings!
t
What’s up, the whole thing is going sound here and ofcourse
every one is sharing information, that’s genuinely fine,
keep up writing.
Es español, por favor!!!!!
Dear , mr . Innman, I have read your interview with , mr. Stapleton, He seems like a very dediicated , and diciplined craftsman. The examples of his paintings bring me to places I have newer seen. They have a yearning , even , lonely quality to them, yet dont demand any thing, but just to BE. The movement of the season, or the water and wind , suggests, imminent CHANGE.
Thank you for your enlightening postings.
I’ve admired Mr. Kearns since I first began painting 6 years ago. I think the statement he makes about making a painting, not recording reality is so true and a major roadblock to greatness.
I loved Stapleton’s attitude toward art. “What can I make out of this?” , is my motto when I paint anything. Break rules and be serious about it!! Thank you Bill for providing this interview.
Marvelous interview with a great artist. Insightful message to those of us who paint at every level. Thanks
Thank you for posting this conversation with Stapleton and of course, including these paintings. I am extremely inspired by his work and much of his comments. I especially am driven by his phrase – “The art comes from you, the data comes from the world.” His paintings showing here have nostalgic value to me as I have either lived there or have warm memories of being there. I am 66 years old and just this year truly finding time to put all of me into painting with gusto and this interview with a magnificent artist is such a learning tool for me. Thanks to you, Bill, and of course, to Stapleton whose information is greatly valued.
Thank you, Stapleton Kearns and Bill Inman for sharing your insights and wisdom. I love Stape’s matter of factness and have held a similar internal dialogue regarding art marketing verbiage: I.e., what’s the big thing about “plein air”, since I love to paint outside anyway and just do it…. and I’m not French! Lol. Love the ‘fullness’ and ‘polish’ of Kearn’s paintings shown here. It does the natural landscape full justice! – six versus just 2 hours certainly seems to give back the investment of work and studied experience!
I am quickly chasing 90 years and have just had my big “light bulb” moment. Your interview with Mr. Kearns was “enlightening”. I have been painting for many years and always kept an extremely clean palette. Throw away the cleaning rags! Seriously, I’m going to play around with
muddy colors as I’m looking at the grass and trees in a completely different way. What a great artist and interesting way of putting the colors
together. Isn’t life great? So much art to enjoy. Thank you for your interview.
Of all your interviews this I have liked the best. He makes wonderful comments and then jars me using the word ” ain’t”.. . his verbiage has the same small surprises as his vibrantly wonderful paintings. It isn’t mentioned , but it seems he has no time for family. I think he would be an interesting person down with for a chat.
Thank you Bill for interviewing and sharing great artists’ insights through Blank Canvas. Thank you Stapleton Kearns for granting an interview with Bill. I will remember to ask myself, “Am I just recording data or am I adding art to my work.” Thank you, again!
Bill thank you for interviewing wonderful artists for Blank Canvas who enlighten and touch us, not only with their work, but with their thought process. Thank you Stapleton Kearns for sharing your insights, experiences and your love of painting poetry. It enriches us all.
You, Stapleton Kearns, are my most favorite artist. I love your paintings, but most of all I love who you are as a painter. You are so sharing and giving. I love reading your blogs over and over. It has been one of my greatest wishes to one day study with you or just watch you paint. It would be a great honor to own one if your paintings. Maybe one day. Thank you for sharing yourself with the world.
Thank you Bill for this interview. Thank you Stape for agreeing to the interview. Stape, you continue to amaze. I have followed your blog since its inception. It was always the first “read” of the morning for me. Now I reread specific sections or topics when I need a Stape-fix. Stape challenges my thinking in his blog and honest and respectful in his critiques. Bill’s critiques actually reminded me of Stape’s critiques in his blog. I don’t miss Bill’s monthly critique webinars, just the deadlines for submissions! So, my gratitude to you both as you continue to inspire this painter to keep going.
Ah an excellent interview and posting of such “poems”. Rigorous, thought stimulating, and the glimmer of understanding about this whole painting thing. Thank you so much Stapleton Kearns, for speaking with our audience, and to our collective artist souls. Thank you also Mr. Inman for sharing.
I gain so much from all these interviews. I especially enjoy reading the names of the artists that the interviewee artist lists; I ALWAYS look them up whether I have seen that artists work before or not. I did watch Jim McVicker on youtube years ago but now I understand what the heck he was talking about now that I have a clearer understanding of colour and atmospheric light. So, thank you Jim McVicker for this interview and all your helpful responses to Bill’s valuable questions.
great areas to paint.. keep up the good work
Thanks for sharing! It was inspiring to read this and now I must get out here in beautiful South Carolina and plein aire paint!
Bill, you are such a talented artist, not only with paint, but with your words and style of writing. You always inspire me and I know all the wonders and challenges you spoke of. Thanks for taking me on that Plein Air trip. I enjoyed the adventure and thought I could feel the breeze and hear the birds songs whilst I had my morning coffee. You are an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing your gifts. Kindest and friendly regards, joanna
I can not wait for the details of Michaels palletes . It has been raining 24-7 in Texas. I have been very discouraged with the weather here. Thanks for the wonderful discription of your journey.
HI Bill. I am a student to Plein Aire, started 18 months ago. I am beginning to under stand the process, albeit it slowly. For me the challenge is firstly, composition, then perspective. I have found that thumbnails really have helped me with some of the perspective. I can make mistakes on the thumbnail and I am not attached to the painting at this stage. Values are hard, distant colors are greyer and have more white .My challenge has been changing the color without changing the value. I am totally in love with the plein aire process. As you say, chatting to people who come over to talk whilst you are painting are a joy. I have had to learn to be more open and embrace the fact that my painting that day may not be good and to let go, understanding that the firework finale as you put it is just not going to happen. However, I know I can do this just lots of practice and the courage to go out on my own and paint. I love the blogs and I am looking forward to your lessons on Plein Aire.
Thank you Bill- enjoyed your blog. Haven’t tried to paint plain air yet but plan to try!
Stapleton Kearns is the real deal. I do not know another painter out there who does not work harder. Thank you Stapleton.
Hi Bill – I have been receiving your mails for a couple of months now – I live in Cape Town South Africa and would like to know if I can purchase firstly your 6 week course and then go on to monthly – I love reading all the mails I receive and find your information so informative- I have gone for art classes with local artists but I so love your style – it suits me – I have tried other styles but feel totally out of my comfort zone- many thanks
Bill
I’ve noticed another common question, concern is brush maintenance.
Being the novice I am, early on my brushes would stiffen from lack of proper cleaning. To correct it required leaving brushes to soak in turpentine or other solvents for extended periods.
That however was not my favored remedy
Surching a suitable solutions I’ve settled on using “baby oil”.
Typical application is to remove as much paint as I can by dry wiping the bristles dipping the bristles in the baby oil, perform a second wiping then a final dip and light wipe to complete the process
Furthermore any residual oil remaining on the bristles appears to have no negative affect with studio or professional grade paints.
This process results in perfectly clean brushes without benefit of toxic or expensive solvents, and to date has not shown harmful to the integrity of either natural or synthetic bristles.
Hope this is helpful
I thoroughly enjoyed the interview with Stapleton Kearns, Thank you for these opportunities to hear first hand the priorities and wisdom from long time painters like Kearns. His discipline of painting hours put me to shame, My favorite comment was that he is not trying to record data, but instead, do artwork. His art speaks loudly. Thank you for doing these canvas interviews. They are inspiring and help me know what areas I need to work harder,
Bill, I am a relative “newbie” to the world of painting……only about 2 1/2 years and am enjoying it more each week. Hope to soon have my home studio set up (in a few weeks) so I won’t have to unpack and set up each time I want to paint! As I really like your painting style/technique, I have a couple of questions for you. What do you paint on….a board, a canvas, linen? How do you prep your surface …I like that what appears to be brushstrokes that show up in the finished painting and assume this is done before the paint goes on the surface? Do you add a medium to your paint when you apply the underpainting? Thank you so much for your time (and your talent!)
Skype has established its web-centered buyer beta to the world, right after
starting it extensively inside the Usa and U.K.
previous this calendar month. Skype for Website also now can handle Linux and Chromebook for immediate text messaging
connection (no voice and video but, those demand a plug-in installing).
The increase of the beta provides support for a longer selection of
languages to assist bolster that international user friendliness
I know the Muilwyks! My son, Rick Bell is married to their daughter Patty. Have walked over that farm! Besutiful!
Wow! I’m impressed with your lifestyle. I am a Christian, and do dedicate daily to reading scriptures and devotional. I
Last year, I decided to stop eating meat, and do feel better. I run about 5 to 10 miles weekly, and start my day with green juice and my daily polyphenols too. My art work is not from a university standpoint, but it came to me as the greatest gift from God. I had never
Taken a class in my life, so I do thank Him for blessing me with my art. Some of my works are in Spain, Italy and France. I’m glad I got to read your blog, and thank you for posting it.
I am very impressed with how you guys take care of your health. I am not as careful with what I eat unfortunately. I am proud to say I have never had any alcohol and I have never done any drugs of any sort. I don’t smoke either. But I do have a sweet tooth and love salty stuff.. so while my liver is happy with my no alcohol and no drugs diet, it hates me when I eat sugary stuff. I go to the crossfit gym 4 times a week to make up for the 8 hours I spend each day sitting at a desk in my office staring at the monitor, which is destroying my eyes and back. Even though crossfit is a high intensity interval training, I don’t think it can help with what happens to my body during those 8 hours. Changing my life style at this age would be difficult if not impossible.. but I hope I can find the will power to do more to take care of my health. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Hello Bill, I follow your emails (really like them, whether they are about art exhibits or painting a specific scene), but this one I keep in my mail box handy. Read and reread it. (Yes, I painted my yellow rose :-).
Needless to say I really like your style of painting and teaching. Just wanted to say thank you for the inspiration and encoragement. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Last year I went completely whole food plant based no meat no oil or dairy. I have never felt better in my life. I watched a documentary called Forks over Knives and it opened my eyes to see that we really are what we eat and the fats we eat are the fats we wear. And I have started walking everyday I am 67 years old and wish I had started this way of eating years ago. I was told I was pre diabetic before but not now so there is truth in why this is called the healthiest diet in the planet. I also know how important it is for me to spend time in God’s word everyday and in prayer. Being spiritually fit is as important as being physically fit. One thing I have noticed that as I have started this way of eating lost over 50 pounds and feel better than ever people still think and ask “how can you not eat meat?” So I am thankful to read this about your family and know that there are like minded people who agree that it is a good way to live. Like minded people who share the joy of painting taking care of our mind body and soul. That’s what life is all about. Enjoyed your blog thanks for putting it out there maybe it will convince others to take their health to a higher level. I love painting and want to enjoy it for many years to come.
Ah ha! The truth is revealed. Since retiring five years ago I have spent a lot of time scouring the web for good art and art instruction. This in an effort to improve my own work. Many times I find work and artists whose work has a particular appeal to me. It is surprising how many on these folks turn out to be “members”. Josh Clare, Bryan Mark Taylor and Carl Purcell to name a few.
As I have followed Bill’s instructional videos and reviewed his work I have been suspicious of your “life style”. I picked up clues like the scriptures on the worktop, references to two years of service and the encouraging language Bill uses in his presentations. The clincher was the photo you used on this post.
Congratulations to you and Bill for being examples of the “plan of happiness”. I look forward to more instruction and more great paintings.
Your secret is safe with me.
HI Bill. Loved this Blog. I have been a vegetarian for, well, since 1991. I love animals and so from an ethical standpoint I could not eat them. Thank you for sharing. You and your family are more special than I realized
Well spoken! Faith, Family and Vocation, the three legs of the happiness in this world. By adding nutrition, healthy activity and awareness of the importance of friends you have a terrific plan for living. God bless you both. The blog is a great idea!
I am in awe of the balance you and Bill have achieved in your lives and how conscious you are of living a life of depth and fulfillment. While I have made inroads into plant based eating, I have a long way to go in other areas of my life and uncertainty as to whether I will make much more progress there. I’ve discovered that postponing fulfillment can be a gamble you just can’t count on winning.
Love the picture of the bread loaves. I’ve been thinking about making our own since the store bought stuff doesn’t really taste as good anymore to either my husband or me.
Thank you for this blog, Kristie. I think that it is you who are Bill’s “Living Fuel”. Never mind all the other “good advice” ingredients.
They help but it is the lucky man and woman who can say, we love our life, we love each other, we love what we do. You are
truely blessed! Enjoy and Thank You for sharing and caring!
Oh I agree Renate! We are blessed, and our community of amazing artists is part of that blessing. (from Kristie:-)
Oh thank you so very much for this blog. I too knew that there was something different about you and Bill, and in a good way! I enjoyed reading your article and now ask, “where are recipes”?
Hugs,
Joy in Arizona
I started following the youtube painting videos Bill does, and am on the email list. How fun to find out that you are the same faith as me! We’ve also been trying to cut back on meat intake, and I also grind my wheat, as well as bake my own breads. We have a huge garden, fruit trees and berries, five hens, and are getting rabbits soon for our meat source. They are much healthier than chicken and also provide great fertilizer. I look forward to reading more of your posts, and growing as an artist. Thank you!
Hi Bill, Well I absolutely love Plein Aire. My difficulties are, !. Composition. Deciding what to put in the painting. 2. my values are sometimes not quite correct. 3. the shifting light. Once I have the values in then comes the color and I am a little timid at putting in the color. I think I get attached to the study too soon. not becoming frustrated and confused is key. I prefer to finish right there on the spot on a 6 x 8. Occasionally an 8 x 10. Most times, ( because I am still learning ) I finish or rather perfect it in my studio, but I have to say I do feel like a cheater when I do that because things are more controlled in a studio. Anyway I have replicated my studies onto larger canvases with the help of a photo, as going bigger sometimes means more detail that people see. Being outdoors id spectacular and I am learning to see color. But, I am getting there , so very exciting everytime I go out.
Bill, I watched your video when you painted this, and loved your process! I belong to an art group here in New Mexico that meets once a month to talk about art and then critique our current works. In addition we go out to paint together as often as we can. Every year we spend four days up at Ghost Ranch in May painting the wonderful ” Georgia O’ Keene country.” Having said all that, I have learned not to expect a masterpiece every time. Instead, I just enjoy the wind in my hair, the sun on my back, the sounds of the birds and the crickets and the absolute joy of painting outdoors.
What type of umbrella do you use? I live in sunny windy Florida. I have a Guerrilla Shadebuddy Umbrella & Stand. It did not last long and need to order a new one. Thanks for your advice.
I don’t consider myself a plein air painter. But in my world, a painting is not really finished until it’s sold.
I have tried both the and Coulter and Strada easels. I wanted to order a Daytripper but couldn’t get them to answer messages so I figured their customer service was nonexistent. I sent both the Coulter and Strada back for different reasons and both the manufacturers were very helpful with the returns. The easels are nice designs for those more interested in light weight and easy to assemble easels. I found that I am more interested in a stable surface to paint on so I replaced my 40 yr old Frenchie for a new Mabef Frenchie–it is made in Italy and does have a quality feeling. As heavy as ever–but it does keep almost all my supplies in it and keeps me organized. My painting group of professional artists have many different tripod set ups and were dumbfounded when they saw my new Frenchie. I have to say, though, that there were some real deal breakers with the tripod easels I tried. The Strada doesn’t hold a 1/4″ panel–I couldn’t jam it under the upper lip no matter what I did. I moved to 1/4″ from 1/8″ for stability and didn’t fancy wasting all those panels. Also–the palette is noisy–rattles because it doesn’t sit flat in the box. Both move a lot when in use. I’ve been burned enough with shipping costs so until another easel comes on the market with an intelligent, quality product I’m sticking with my heavy, but stable Frenchie.
I thank you and Bill for all the help I get on those webinars.. Even when I don’t have a painting in the line up.. I always learn something.. Sometimes Bill gets talking and teaching and answers questions I never thought to ask.. But just wondered about..color temperatures is so hard to understand.. But durning all these webinars I think everyone has picked up on it..I thank you.. Both are in my Prayers.. dawn
thanks bill for the lecture about critics
A great blog Kirstie – very interesting in what you both do ‘behind the scenes and funny too! I love the image of Bill waving his number 8 filbert and the ‘splattered spider’! Great stuff. I, for one, love being in the community and appreciate enormously all your imput, the critiques, artist interviews – and what I have learnt – and also all the lovely members. Thank you. Elizabeth Williams.
Thank you, Kristie. I agree with everything you said. I took watercolor lessons years ago from a lovely talented elderly woman who I considered a national treasure. She would end every class with a 20 minute critique. We set up our watercolors in a long row. She would ask the artist to give a little background and then she would make comments and invite each of us to comment. It was so helpful. I loved those moments. Our teacher is gone now but I remember her with love and admiration. Bill shares many of those qualities as you so well described. I will echo a comment from above. I love being part of an art community.
Bill and Kristie, I enjoyed your plein air blog through N.Y. state. I loved Niagara and especially the country people. May I suggest taking a trip to the Indiana Dunes area. My one and only plein air experience was at the Dunes. So much to see there. In fact Michigan along the Lake is very beautiful too. Keep blogging and painting for us.
Thank you Kristie, it’s been such a priviledge to know you and Bill. I alway’s learn from watching the critiques . Love to you both!!
I am very glad to be here, please I wanna be a member
Nice! I especially loved the “field of dreams” ! Lovely use of color!
Love , love , love , painting and Your paintings of trees . Because they bring beauty and variety to the face of the earth .
What a gorgeous array of paintings! I have always been a tree hugger – each one is a work of art, different from any other, like snowflakes. I wish I could kidnap the “Breakfast is Ready” painting! Or better yet paint something like that! Someday I’ll be able to afford to join your monthly membership.
I too have a love affair with the trees, and you paint the seasons so wonderfully
Where I lived trees were scarce. My friend and I used to cycle miles to a small wooded area. I have always been drawn to them and loved them. Respect is a added now since I read “The Secret Life of Trees”. Your beautiful paintings Bill are thrilling and inspiring.
Bill, I wonder if you offer a video or lesson onthe Picture shown titled. SUN SHOWERS? I really appreciate the atmosphere and light . It is beautiful. If you offer that lesson I would appreciate knowing the cost and can it be downloaded on my laptop. Thank you Bill. I am a relatively new painter and new to you beautiful page. I get inspired by you work. Thanks again.
Thanks for the inspiration! I would aspire to eat clean like this all the time, but I have a problem getting my family on board. I personally gave up pork, shellfish and the other unclean foods listed in Leviticus. ( not easy! We raise pork for a living. So I still cook it for others) people shake their heads at my decision. I juice vegetables, and have fruit smoothies almost every day. We live on a farm and I have chickens and a big garden. (Get your girls some chicks, It is great project!) Blessings, Jaci
Bill, I love all of your beautiful tree paintings. ! Marlene. msfscs94@hotmail.com
Wow, as a serious new artist, I found this article very informative and helpful. It certainly as encouraged me to spend not only more time growing as an artist, but to cultivate relationships as well. Thank you so much for sharing and the insight to being a successful artist.
Thanks Bill for interviewing Jason and writing up this blog. I have the greatest respect for Jason’s experience in the gallery field and the wisdom he shares with artists.
I appreciate the fact that Jason has always been open to sharing his insights as a gallery owner.
Wow.. Thank you.. That aS great Bill..
Thank you Bill and Jason,
Insightful analysis from two seasoned professionals is truly appreciated. I’ll be sharing this with my fellow artists .
Anne Bevan
I have taken classes with another former Hensche student but have never had the pleasure of taking one with Camille. I appreciate the comment that her work has changed over the years and progressed which speaks to taking what she learned about color and fitting it to herself, and then continuing to take workshops with others to improve areas where she felt she was weak. Thank you for this opportunity to hear her words.
COMMENTLástima que estemos tan lejos,me gustaria ver los trabajos de otros alumnos y tus correcciones,cuando puedas mandame un video donde pueda ver cómo hacés tus pinceladas,cada maestrillo con su librillo,es un refrán español,y no tuve suerte al anotarme en el curso de pintura de encontrar aqui en Mar del Plata cuadros de algún pintor que me gustara,para,si podía económicamente,anotarme.Los óleos y las tizas pastel están fuera de mi presupuesto.Tengo la suerte de tener muchos colores,tantos como tienen los paisajes,quizá si supiera mezclarlos y encontrar el color que busco no hubiera comprado todos los colores del muestrario,pero guardo todos,pensando rejuvenecer,ya cumplo 94 años y no puedo estár mucho de pié y compro bastidores de 80,largos como algunos de Sorolla,mi favorito. Perdón por entretenerte tanto tiempo pero cuando escribo mis cartas parecen de soldado,contando todo a su familia.Saludos.
Thank you so much for being so open and honest about what it’s like to be the wife of an artist. I am also a wife of an amazing artist and it is such a challenge to help support him while balancing family/ 3 little kids and my own life. A LOT of sacrifice goes into great art. And a lot of times it is not seen or talked about so it was really nice to read your story. Your words are so encouraging and full of love. Thank you and God bless your heart! 🙂
wow thought it is diffficult
I just love the colors you used in this painting. So alive!!! Enjoy your videos very much.
Bravo,
I loved this. It is so true. My sweet husband does not even question me any more when I yell stop the car. He just looks at my photos and asks how did I see that. Likewise when we go hiking he will wonder off ahead of me and then have to come back looking for me. I am somewhere off the trail take pictures of the light on the leaves or some strange fungus growth or the texture on a tree. He waits for me and smiles and asks me what did you see, show me.
I enjoyed your blog on your travels and photo taking i love to take pics as we travel and want to paint some. i want to someday paint just using interesting parts of the photo and make my own picture painting like you do.
Loved the article. I love photography, which gives me a reminder of the beauty that surrounds us each day. I have thousands of photos of rocks, trees, sunsets, waves, etc. that I will never find time to paint. Each photo inspires me to attempt in all of my paintings some aspect of awe or wonder. Back in the 35mm days, the cost was more than my budget would allow, but digital photography opened up a new passion of preserving memories. The hard part is to place these digital memories on a medium that will last the ages and keeping up with technological advances. Like you, I combine images from several photos to develop my painting into a image that only exists in my mind, searching for the feeling of being a unique artist, if only in my mind’s eye. Well done Bill!!
Amen.
Thank you, Bill, for these thoughts. I, too, take photos constantly of things to paint in a la dscape. I once asked a professional photographer friend, in the days of 35 mm cameras, if he ” wasted” a lot of film looking for the perfect shot. He told me he might take a hundred photos and end up with one good one. Now, with digital cameras, there is no waste, so I shoot everything! Living in New Mexico, there is lots to shoot!
First of all I love your posts. Now about photos, I am not ashamed of using them. Sometimes your memory cannot remember all intrigate details, I often use different things from one photo in 4 different pictures like a tree or a great shapec rock, whatever facinates me. As example near us is a shed that is ready to collaps, further down some cute goats and I decided it would look cute with some sheep added, so I found some pictures from sheep. All of this together became a painting. I love.
Love your pictures. I also use photos as a memory jogger and as a reference for something in the image, even though I may never use it. I also cut out photos I see with something I might need – like, what does a duck look like in flight? Can’t imagine how the old masters were able to draw and paint some things without a photo reference. Or maybe they settled for what they could see directly. Still life comes in handy for those of us who want a direct experience of seeing but are trapped in a cubicle every day.
One of the greatest things an artist can have is a photo file. Before I throw out old magazines, I go through and cut out all pictures I think I can ever use in a painting. Then I put them in categories: fire plugs, street lamps, flowers, trees, etc. When I am painting a scene, I can go in my files and find the perfect rock, flower, tree, bridge, building, etc. to add to my composition. That is in addition to the hundreds of photos I take. Living in the hot, humid south, it is not always easy to go outside and paint from nature, although I love that too when the weather is right. Love your posts Bill!.
Great post!…I enjoy reading all your posts because they always have such a positive tone and very encouraging for a beginner, self taught painter like me. Thank you.
Love reading your blog. I enjoyed the posts on the photography vs plein aire. I think its great we have the advantage of the camera and can enhance the painting because we were at the site to take in the atmosphere. Best of both worlds.
If you can make a great painting from a mediocre photo, why not try painting from a great photograph? Shoot early and late when the contrast is lower. Watch for light direction. I’m a photographer…?
Wonderful Blog! I too take photos that some people wonder why. Consequently I have thousands. I also see images that spark a thought that reminds me of a photo that I had taken years ago. An “aha” moment; now I know what I can do with that photo! Although I know that I should paint everyday, I don’t always do so but now your blog has given me the incentive to pick up my brushes and get busy painting. Thank you.
When I read your blob it inspires me go there and search for more even at my age of 70 still want to learn more from people like you
Watching the videos and listening to your comments: there is a joy in your work. I look forward to the videos and Webinars every month and try to incorporate some of your suggestions into my paintings. Thanks Bill(and Kristie) for all your time and hard work.
So fascinating…love the evolution of your work!!
Thank you, thank you. Your pictorial journey has inspired me and reminded me that playing is the path…and that no painting I do is a failure if it teaches me something.
Wow, what a transformation! The one thing that hasn’t changed is your love for vibrant colors.
Thanks David for all of your hard work in producing and compiling this blog. Wonderful trip through your history Bill. I enjoyed the changes and challenges that you shared with us. I see the accumulation of your early styles and methods in your artwork today. Well done!!
Great piece and inspiring as we hit our various walls! I love the evolution and the switchbacks.
Loved seeing your experimental works leading up to the present. Especially loved your watercolors.
Thank you for sharing your talent there is so much to learn, colors are radiant love all paintings.
Thanks for sharing your history with us. It’s encouraging to know the joy is in the journey and no experience is ever wasted! Appreciate David’s help also.
Thank you to both of you! What a fascinating journey!
Sharing your painting-journey with us is wonderful. Thank you so much.
It is very inspiring.
It is so helpful to see painting style evolve or blend. That was just great!
Bill, I started following you on facebook and you website about 6 months ago. Now look for your work at the Indiana aheritage Art and Hoosier Salon. Thanks for showing how your work evolved over your liftime, It is always interest to see how an artist progresses over time.
Seeing your early work reminds me that I can continue to grow and improve. And it is a better lesson for seeing than if you just wrote the words. Thank you!
Loved seeing this demo. Its a glimpse into the mind of an artist.
Bill…do you let the titanium white dry to maintain the texture and avoid whitening out of subsequent before you proceed.
Could one apply moulding paste and let it dry rather than using all that titanium white? Interested in your thoughts.
Great question Janne – this was a fun experiment to see what mixing colors into the white paint, right on the panel instead of on the palette, would do to the colors, especially with so much white right at the start. I love the wet into wet blending strengths of oil paint – the way I can manipulate edges and mix colors together with either a light touch or a stronger pressure depending on how much mixing I want to have at that moment. For instance, with wet into wet (or direct or alla prima) if I am putting in a tree branch, I might start off with a thick layer of paint on top of another layer of wet paint, laying it on in the beginning of the stroke without mixing it with the under layer – just laying one layer over the other – and then part way through, change the pressure a bit and slightly blend the two colors together to change the look of the branch – like when a branch goes from shadow to more light, or to change the color a bit by blending the two layers together. If I was only going for texture, which with this experiment was not the case, the molding paste might be a better way to go. If you decide to use molding paste it would be wise to consider that molding paste is an acrylic product and could cause adhesion problems eventually. If you use molding paste for texture make sure you use it on a solid surface like a wood panel to help the oil paint remain attached to the acrylic (the same could be said for acrylic gesso). It’s helpful to remember that oil is not porous and eventually dries hard and much less flexible than acrylics – which is why we see so much cracking in older paintings, especially on canvas. Acrylic (plastic) is porous, so oil paint will form a mechanical bond with the minuscule holes in the acrylic. If the acrylic stretches from temperature fluctuations or the flexing of a canvas, the oil will not stretch as much and can crack and fall off. That’s why it’s better to paint oils over acrylics on a solid surface. Based on that understanding, painting wet into wet with straight white oil paint is a better option than using molding paste. Even if we use just oil paint, if we paint thick, it is still a good idea to use a solid surface like a wood panel to avoid future cracking since oils are not very flexible – although they dry so slowly that with some thick areas of paint the inside may take decades to fully dry to a solid state, so it may take a while before you notice any cracking on a flexible surface like canvas.
Bill, Once again you are so generous with your knowledge and time. Thank you for being a such a great artist’s mentor!
I went through the gamut with camera’s finally chose a Sony a6000, it has 24.3 megapixels. I bought mine at Best Buy was about $700, I am totally impressed with its simplicity and ease of use yet has a ton of features that in all likelihood I may not use them all, still learning.. It is a smaller bodied camera which saves a lot in lugging the weight around that some cameras have. I can’t praise this camera enough, I bought one for my daughter who is a photographer, she loves it and uses it almost exclusively, I highly recommend this one. Check it out.. google it and read some of the information on it, well worth your time.
Great comments and ideas – thank you for sharing your insights everyone!
I enjoyed your thoughts on the artistic life. Thank you for sharing them. Your paintings are truly awesome! It’s always good when we find what we love and can use that love as creative inspiration.
Bruce, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us. Your art is amazing.
Thank you Bruce! You are inspiring! I too agree with you and hope that others will see the beauty in this world through paintings.
The luminosity you talk of is very apparent even in the small photos on the cell phone. Beautiful work!
I appreciate your thoughts on the creative process very much. It affirms my own thoughts and serves as inspiration and encouragement. Thank you very much and all good wishes and compliments on your magnificent art
Wonderful interview. Very informative, insightful, and inspirational. Lately. I have found myself painting compositions that my heart wasn’t entirely into (for sales). And as a result, those pieces have not been my best work. I intend to follow Mr. Cheever’s thoughts and paint what I truly love. Thanks, so much for sharing this with us, Bill.
I love your comment about painting what you love! Your work is just beautiful. Your paintings draw the viewer in!
Thank you! Your work and dedication is inspiring!
Wonderful insight to you and your fabulous work. Thanks so much for sharing
Thank you for this insight into your thought process and the evolution of your training.
Thank you so much for doing the full length videos. These are the most interesting, most helpful, and are the ones I go back to regularly because I learn something every time I watch them. In the days of art books I always found it so frustrating that they were showing steps 1, 2, 3, and then steps 8, 9, 10 and then baoum! painting finished, but what went on in between, go figure, they would never show you. I was told it was a marketing trick, you’d feel like you’d learn a little bit from the book but needed to know more, so naturally you’d buy another book in the hope of finding out what you were missing. Well, it never worked because we never got the full story. So as far as marketing strategy, I don’t think it yielded the desired results.
I bought a portrait painting videos years ago and it was the same thing, the painter showed how she started, then said she would work off camera, and came back with the finished painting, it wasn’t even entertaining, it was frustrating, you felt cheated, like you wasted your precious $$. What I really wanted to know was the harp part, how one goes about developing the picture.
Whereas with your full length, detailed videos we really see what’s going on, we can watch over and over as you said, and try again and again in our own painting style. So I appreciate and buy only from artists who do full length, detailed demos in their videos. And if watching 3 hours is too long for one sitting, I watch it in 5 to 6 segments, taking notes, playing back the portions that speak to me, even experimenting with paint as I watch. And these days there’s so much good stuff for free on YouTube. So thanks again and my very best to you !
Wow, your thoughts are as good as your painting
I totally agree, seeing the FULL painting process is the best way to learn. Painting is my passion and I don’t care how long the video is, if it moves me forward in my journey. Thanks Bill and family ?
Enjoyed the thoughts and insight of this blog entry very much. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, or the perfect art rendition is an artwork that enlightens the emotions deep within the artist. If an artist creates a piece that says “Wow!” to others, plus himself, then perhaps the artist has created a masterpiece. My grown children created masterpieces, to me, when they were toddlers. Now they struggle to achieve that same greatness of art to this beholder. I struggle with each painting that I paint, but it is my quest to produce a masterpiece for the ages.
Thank you! These are helpful thoughts to reflect on in my own journey with painting.
I found your blog very encouraging………..and I loved your first landscape and wish I could produce something like It! Since giving up on myself and loosing confidence I am back to the very beginning……but I am now determined to paint every day, if I can, even if only for 30 minutes!
THANK YOU BOTH… Great blog.. It really made me think about my paintings and others who paint… But I come from a long line of kniters and sewing.. And the perfection they would strive for.. I think Art is in many things and we can live our lives seeing art and wonder.. Or anger and limits..
I loved reading this blog! I definitely feel that when I focus too much on the “rules”, I lose the emotion and the paintings are just not as good! This blog has inspired me to paint more with instinct and emotion. Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing this. I read it out loud to my husband, because in our household I am the artist. And I wanted him to know he was not alone trying to get me to come down from the studio for lunch and dinner he prepairs for me only to find out I cant come because I am in the middle of an intrigate partt, or that I just mixed paint and dont want it to dry out because it is so hard to get the exact color again etc etc. I paint basicly from 10 to 10 and sometimes longer, My poor husband often is alone, because I am always upstairs, but he is gracius, and understanding he gives constructive critique and beams with pride when showing my work. We artist need people like you and him and thank God for the blessings he bestowes on us.
These small blogs written by you both are very helpful. thanks
Loved the comments for when you paint in the small (3 x 4 inches) and the rabbit of the frame is 1/8 inch I become very timid about those edges. I even had one framer who wanted to float the paintings so not to lose the edges. I will try to rethink my compositions. Thank you.
Thank you, Kristie and Bill. Your comments about edges will stay with me. It’s so much better to slow down and study the work before deciding it’s finished. You have pointed out my bland nebulous edges on prior critiques. I finally got the nerve to imagine what lies beyond the edge and paint as though my scene extends into that external space. It works for me. It’s fun to do too. Years ago I took a workshop with Frank Francese, a wonderful watercolorist and teacher. He stressed the importance of painting to the edges. Really enjoyed reading your ideas as always. Best wishes for a beautiful Thanksgiving.
Learn moreeach time I read your musings and advice. An other artist I admire told me to paint not only to the edge but also the edge itself, and it truly made a diverence. Especially since I cannot always afford a frame, but cannot stop painting, I even dream about my paintings I hope to have enough soon to have a show…. how to aproch that is another matter maybe one time you like to discuss. Thank you Yvonne
Bill: I feel so great full I discovered your site. I have been painting for many years, first in watercolor, acrylic, pastel, and now teaching myself oils. Your philosophy as an artist and instructor is so inspiring. Love watching you paint. I am most enamored by the way you use your brushes; so much to learn?
Thanks for pointing out the obvious in your last Critique, Bill…that you have a blog! I am enjoying and benefitting from it. Christie’s comment about throwing the loop, and aiming right through the finish resonates with me, another cowgirl. Now I will remember that when I boldly paint to the edge.
Merry Christmas!! What a lovely painting!! The love of God is expressed deep within each of us, as well it is displayed throughout the universe, in my humble opinion. To capture even a portion of this on canvas is a tremendous talent that demonstrates the heart. Thank you for sharing and may the world truly find peace and true agape love.
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones Bill. You have captured the feeling of live in that painting.. something not many are capable of doing. May kindness and love for humanity be the guide in everyone’s life.
Wonderful painting! Wonderful story! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I have often thought about what a man Joesph must have been,,, How tender she is toward him in this portrait is wonderful.
May God bless you and yours during this season of His love. Nancy
Your talent is amazing, and your reverence shows through in this beautiful expression of love. Well done, sir.
Your painting is wonderful! I appreciate your testimony to Jesus. It means a lot to me to me to be associated with a family of faith. My church maybe different From yours, but we share a love for Jesus. Merry Christmas.
It is just beautiful, Bill! I recognized that tender scene from “The Nativity Story” movie. Our cherished Christmas eve family tradition is that my husband reads the account of Jesus’s birth from scripture, then we take communion together, then watch that movie. Thanks for sharing your faith, and the wonderful loving heart of our Father God!
Tome this s the most inspiring painting I have ever seen of Mary and Joseph, You have captured so well the feeling and the event of that wonderful day when our Savior was born! The painting along with your testimony has moved me to tears. Blessings to you and your family this Christmas! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this. You are a most giving person!
Thank you for sharing with us not just your art, but also your faith and testimony. I teach art at a private Christian primary school from grade 4 to 7. I would love to share this picture with them, especially the grade 6 and 7’s who have to do facial sketches and art from photos. May God bless your talent and sensitivity to the guidance and anointing of The Holy Spirit. A joyous Christmas to you and your family. Charlette Waldeck.
A most moving painting. You captured it beautifully. Thank you.
Lovely! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you for sharing your love for Jesus and Our Heavenly Father. Your painting of Mary and Joseph and your love for them is so real. Thanks for sharing the process, too. I long to be able to share God’s glory in my painting and pray a lot about what I do.
Advent & Christmas blessing to you, Bill, and to your family.
Bill, this is one of my favorite paintings. It reminds me of a friend’s home in PA where I often went with my children to visit. It evokes wonderful memories of times gone by, fishing, swimming and beautiful friendships!
A beautiful painting, Bill.I did a painting of Jesus a number of years ago,for my church Christmas program,but it does not begin to compare to yours. I have taken many courses, but never one like yours. Thank you for your generosity. God’s blessings to you and your family.
Audrey
Thank you so much Bill. A painting of loving Parents at a very special moment. Happy peaceful Christmas!
Bill, I think your painting is very special and it has a beautiful feeling of hope. Thank you for your story of the technical aspects of painting an iconic image. Just wonderful. Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family.
AS Joseph was to his family, you are truly a blessing, Bill, to our art family. And Kristie’s love and respect shows through for you and for your family in our webinars. Thank you!
You shared the most important message of all. I believe your work will go straight to the heart of many.
You have captured the love that Mary and Joseph shared in a beautiful and moving way! Having never consummated their union, this painting shows their deep and innocent love for each other and their precious holy child. There can be no doubt of that love as you have portrayed it. May you and your family have a blessed Christmas as you celebrate the recent birth of your own little baby granddaughter.
Thanks Stape… yes, very helpful. Love that you do t compete, you contribute. Thanks Bill for this interview.
your painting is beautiful and amazing,God bless you
Enjoyed the progression of your paintings.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Bill. It takes courage to stand up for what you believe and I know God will bless you for it. I appreciate your openness. I just want to comment on one thing. You said, “Although my skills fell short”, let me comment on that. If God gave you the talent to begin with and the ability to use it to reach so many with your message, then don’t say He only gave you ‘half’ of what you needed. Give Him praise for it all! What a joy it is to be able to reach so many with your art. What a gift it is to have media to do so. What a compliment and praise to our Lord for every brush stroke he guided. Putting yourself down is putting Him down for not doing enough. You said it yourself…guided by the Spirit. I love that you use your abilities to help us all grow in many areas. Thank you!
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing so much with us! Merry Christmas to all!
God bless you for your dedication to using your gifts to glorify our LORD and Savior! I love your work!
It is beautiful! The love that they show took my breath away.
What a beautiful piece, radiating with loving energy!!! Sharing your gifts and this stunning painting is indeed a gift to all! Merry Christmas!
So beautiful. What a blessing. Merry Christmas
I am going to have to try this! Thanks, Bill for sharing.
As a New Mexico artist and a theme “Places Seldom Seen”, I find that by the time my husband and I have reached the old ghost town, old mine, or hiked a trail I have very little time to paint on location. I try to paint en plein air whenever possible, but good photos are invaluable to me. Yes, I usually add “something” to the photo later to make a more pleasing painting. I wish photos showed better light. It seems I almost always have to create shadows because the photos are taken mostly mid day. I love getting out into these unusual places though. They bring unexpected surprises! Blessings!
Bill: Thank you for sharing your beautiful nativity painting and your story behind it. I can feel the love and emotion that emanates from this moment; it makes me want to drop to my knees in prayer. I feel grateful to be associated with an instructor who glorifies our Lord through beautiful works. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Bill, thank you for sharing this painting and your story! It is breath-takingly beautiful! You truly have a God-given gift of art, and the humility of a faithful servant in His service. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Remember to breathe! Have fun and enjoy the journey….
Hey Kristie I am terrified every time I get in front of the easel (with good reason). Another artist once told me to just paint some colour randomly on the canvas to take away the fear of the white and get started. Unfortunately that won’t work with pencil or ink but works beautifully with oil and pastel and acrylic. Just start then you work with it as Bill does so beautifully. I like the idea of the new course.
Thanks You I enjoy and lot of lern
if you can ride a horse, you are half way to being an artist. You balance on a horse. You balance your colors, color temperatures, shapes, and values while creating a painting. You feed a horse to keep it alive and to grow strong. You feed the canvas with brush strokes, color, and shapes to build a strong story. If you get bucked off of a horse, you get back on. If you mess up a painting, you save it, start another, and then go fix the problems on the first one. If you walk a horse and never gallop, you miss all of the fun. Get on that easel and gallop!! Show us your progress, as we all learn from every painting we get to look upon. I have never met a person that did not have talent to express emotions. Put those emotions on your canvas and the rest is just plain fun! Good luck Kristie, post your work soon!
Just go for it. Learning to draw what you see instead of what you think you see is the hardest part. Draw often and learn to look at nature in a different way by seeing the shadows and differences in shapes and colors
Just like anything else Practice makes perfect.Just relax and enjoy the journey.
Draw an apple while observing It. Paint the apple. Eat the real apple/evidence. Say to yourself, that’s a realistic ?. Enjoy yourself.
Seems to me Bill said that there’s no wrong way to paint and interpret. I love that he is so positive. Maybe start with loose brush strokes and see where it goes. Maybe the master will rub off.
Kristy.. I started 2 years ago with roses..I wiped off lots of would be flowers till I finally got the rose painted.. The background is all the Trys I made.. I’ll send you a picture of it..my paintings are slow going now because.. I never new how to draw.. This summer I picked up a pencil and am learning to draw.. I love animals and trees.. The trees I can draw.. Animals are different.. Always live life to the edge!!! Just like painting to the edge don’t leave it have done.. Dawnmarie
I am a 72 year old German grandmother of nine. Always wanting to be able to paint but told myself I had no talent to do such things. A friend told me “talent is overrated” and I should give it a try. From somebody thinking that I barely could draw a stick figure, I am doing alright. Bill just critiqued one of my paintings.
I am content with being an amateur. Looking forward learning with you.
To learn how to ride a horse you need to keep putting your bum in the saddle. Keep putting yourself in front of a canvas or sketch book and you’ll develop into the unique artist you are. You’ve got one of the best teachers around. The motto of our special forces in the UK is “he who dares wins” Go for it girl and enjoy every mistake for next time you’ll be better.? Enjoy the ride. Pete
I have no formal training other than instructional art dvds and books. I started painting years ago and got caught up in my work/career. I let fear get in the way of trying to expand my horizons. No longer. The last five years I have progressively worked on my art, bringing back what I had learned and expanding upon it. I started taking chances and looking at the world closer. Using my artist eye and memory. Recently, I have tried stepping further out of the box and bring more impressionism into my work. What I am trying to say in a long winded way is go for it, be you, find your path as you learn the fundamentals needed to paint and believe me your style will come through. One of the most rewarding things in painting is when they recognize the painting not only for the quality but for the signature style that will be you. I have no doubt that yo will do well. Best wishes and Merry Christmas. Lee
As a old (89) newbee at painting I would love to have this training made available to us right from the get go.
Kristie, I started 8 years ago. I traveled a lot with work and just did not have time. Then I wrote my self out of a job and decided to take lessons from the local gallery. My daughter had painted there while a teen and I used to love the smell-of the paint and what the kids came up with. I have had some flops and some great ones. I had dabbled with pastels in high school, but I wanted to hold a brush and push the paint around like a conductor. What I found was it was my calmer, my realm. I get into a zone and I can be painting hours and not realize. I’ve surpassed my teacher and decided to find artists that I could learn from to be better.i now continue my class but for the companionship and the wonderful critiques. You may wNt to find a group of artists that you can paint with. It is exhilarating and I continue to learn from them.
The first week of November, I invited an elderly friend to lunch. When I arrived at her house to pick her up, she was wearing a sweater with bright red cardinals on it, so I told her that I had started painting a pair of cardinals a few days earlier. She said, “Oh, cardinals are my favorite!” After lunch, I showed her a photo of the in-progress painting. When she saw it, she started crying, and said, “My son!” I waited for her to regain her composure, then asked her to tell me about her son. Then she poured out the story of the death of her 3-day-old baby boy many decades ago, and of her great sorrow because she had never even gotten to hold him after giving birth. She had not been a believer in God at the time, but in her deep grief, she had cried to Him asking for assurance that her baby was in heaven. Almost immediately, a bright red cardinal showed up in her yard, and she received it as an answer to her prayer. Throughout the years whenever she experienced a feeling of sorrow and loss about her son, inevitably cardinals would show up and she would be comforted. She said, “Linda, the reason I’m wearing this sweater today is because I’ve been missing my baby boy, and and once again God has comforted me — with your cardinals!!” A week later, I was blessed to deliver a full size print of my cardinal painting to her. That I got to be a participant in what God did for this precious woman was an amazing, joyous experience!
You are the first artist that I have had contact with that says their art is a gift from God. I do not take credit for any work created through me. The Holy Spirit guides my hand, and when I totally tuned-in, sometimes the paintings don’t turn out too bad. Thank you for sharing. I want to download and print the painting to take to show to our church.
What a beautiful expression of your faith. Thank you for sharing your deepest thoughts and feelings this Christmas season and may God continue to do good works through your talent and your art.
Thank you so much, Bill & Co, for this very thorough interview of such an inspiring artist ! I would strongly recommend JG’s blog, you’ll learn little tidbits here and there about every aspect of art making, and pretty soon you’ll have amassed a wealth of information, it will transform your way of thinking about gathering knowledge and artistic skill, how to go about building your learning experience, and acquiring new habits. JG’s work and career path demonstrate that representational art is alive and thriving again. He doesn’t hide how much work it takes, but really is it that painful if that’s what you love doing, what you enjoy most ? Happy Painting and Happy New Year everyone !
Thank you. So inspiring and inciteful.
Although we are into the new year, my heart is still ‘full’ from the celebration of Christmas … the peace and holiness of the season. When I looked at your painting of the blessed family today, I was once again filled with a feeling of peace and quiet. Many blessings to you and your family …
Thanks Bill! I started following James Gurney’s posts earlier this summer. Enjoyed the interview!! Happy New Year!
What a phenomenal interview! Talk about value!? If I were a young art student again, I would print this article/interview out (with permission of course) and plaster copies in my studio,on my easel,next to the toilet – everywhere. Mr. Gurney has kept a childlike view and enthusiasm of the world around him, and when the world he wanted didn’t exist, he reimagined it, in his own, remarkable way. I’m sure it helped that he was fortunate enough to come from a background of “means” and creative thinkers, which I can only say that I did not (I joined the Army National Guard and became an Army Illustrator with the tuition assistance program = 4 yr degree, private art school, $0 student debt!). I’m in the same age range of James, so I understand where he’s coming from, from still owning (and using) an erasing template to using digital processes as a means to an end in traditional painting. Unfortunately the “pilot light” of enthusiasm for painting has flickered and all but has gone out for me. So few outlets for displaying representational art and the illustration market has become increasingly digital based. Subject for a future article?
Interesting. I cannot recall any of my paintings that have ended at the edges, especially the landscapes and seascapes. They all tell a small part of a big story that has no boundaries.
The difference between painting and illustration is not so difficult to understand. You could start with the difference between a painting and a picture if you like. A picture specifically tells a story, that you could actually easily put into words. The illustrative nature if you will. It describes a so called ‘reality’. A painting doesn’t necessarily negate the illustrative nature, but it’s real value transcends the story line, and enters into an aesthetic space where the artist is expressing other aspects of the medium. What Mr. Gurney calls ‘making a painting look like paint.’ Sounds simple, but, how many Van Gogh’s are there? Cezannes? How many Monets? How many Sisleys and Gauguins? They certainly make paiontings that look like paint. They also express themselves as the medium in a way that very few are able.
Another quote to consider:
The artist must scorn all judgment that is not based on an intelligent observation of character.HE MUST BEWARE OF THE LITERARY SPIRIT which so often causes a painting to deviate from its true path – the concrete study of nature – to lose itself all too long in intangible speculations. (Paul Cezanne)
Also this idea that you were somehow doing ‘plein air’ before they called it that?? Where do you get that from?
Wow wow wow What a generous piece of teaching this is,
what a generous teacher you are. Thank you, Bill. xoxox
Just lovely Bill! I love all the colors and really love when I get to see skies like that myself! Always takes my breath away at the gifts God gives us!
Very helpful, Bill, Thank you for sharing like this.
What an awesome painting! A feast for the eyes – Love it
Thank you, Bill. I so enjoy your videos. As a beginner…started doing this in retirement with no training ‘painter’….I just love watching you work. I also love the Christian joy and spirit that shines through your work.
Thank you Bill for this great demo. I can’t wait to do it “with you”.
Thank you Lord for giving us such great inspiration.
Thank you for the terrific lesson. What is the music playing in the background? I loved it too!
Where can I find this course you are referring to? I want to learn to paint.
gracias por el aporte para acrecentar el conocimiento de tu prójimo.
Hi Kristen and Bill, and everyone else,
I was wondering if this “painting to the edge” also applies to top and bottom edges. I see a lot of contemporary artists leaving the bottom somewhat unfinished, intentionally in most cases, perhaps haphazdly in the case of a painting intended as a study which turned out to be so good that it can stand as a completed, finished work. Sometimes, thouh, I deplore the unfinished look as the painting would be so much more convincing if equal care had been given to the overall appearance. Perhaps it’s just my own biais for neatness that gets in the way here, and I should learn to appreciate the ‘unfinished’ look, which btw appears to be sort of trendy at times.
Best
Thanks for your fantastic work
There is sooo much to learn here. I will read it again and again. I try to use hard edges to make the painting work for me. Lots of experimenting to do! Good artists to study! Thank you!
Thank you for the lesson on hard edges and value. As a new painter and self taught, I can appreciate the approach you have shown me.
I am an acrylic painter so I have a difficult time with soft edges. Any suggestions are helpful. Love the lessons, blogs, and Bill’s passion and talent.
is there an additive to make acrylic stay moist a bit longer so that it can be msnipulated afterwards… delay its drying time? learned a lot from these examples. thanks. ed
A terrific instructive article. I didn’t understand the credit card example. Was this to show the basic structure underneath? I know an artist who scrapes to get down to essentials.
I’d like to understand the section on shadows on the flowers better.
Thank you Bill! This is so interesting, never stop learning!
Great article!!! Wonderful insights and examples on a tough subject to wrap my head around!!! Thank you!
I am like a child discovering art for the first time, at almost 70 years of age. I’ve had a successful career, which was all consuming. I still work, but choose now to pursue the things I am running out of time to do. That which stirs me is how awesome the spirit of life is. I am laughed at sometimes at work because I go to great lengths to rescue a bee that is trapped on the window pane, or a grasshopper that is exposed on the cement and could become a morsel to the birds…. I think I am more aware at this age, which reaffirms the fact that every age has its advantages. With that awareness, and the work involved to learn to paint, I will continue to enjoy.
Awesome! I know so much if that is true. Been an artist my whole life and I am 83. I teach art to Seniors and they blossom in class from the. Creative process but also from the social aspects. Art is keeping us all Young!!!
Love this! And yes, my parents still hang my pictures up, but on the walls instead of the fridge. 🙂
Wow I never really thought about it that way. I tend to struggle with hard edges in my paintings complaining to myself about not being able to draw a straight line, thanks to you I am learning I dont have too! In your “Lovingly Yours” painting I see exactly what you mean..I would struggle to make every thing the same and loose all depth and contrast. Yes I will be reading this again and again I find it hard to concentrate in my 60+ years but you are an excellent teacher . I so enjoy seeing your painting “Voice of Rushing Waters”. You are so patient! I thank you for sharing your knowledge.
enjoyed this article…food for thought. Mmmm…
Thank you so much EZRA..WOW your work show’s the heighths that can be reached.. Thank you.. Dawn
Hello! I’ve just “discovered” you and am in love with your paintings of animals – I too love to paint animals but my main interest is domestic farm animals – the eyes have always been the most important area in my way of thinking for animals and people – I like your warm colors and the way you leave things up to us the viewer – you said all the things I’ve wanted to say myself –
Wow that’s says it all to when l,m looking at your art work. You are the man your work is really terrific l always look for wild life artist and in you l have found one thank you for showing us your work . I agree with all that you are saying about the subjects you paint ..lm hoping that when l go to your web site maybe just maybe l will see that you are giving lessons on how to do it 5ank once again
Sincerely
J. GOGUEN
Truly amazing giftedness, Ezra! What a wonderful way to enhace the world with this beautiful artwork of God’s creatures!
Ezra, Thank you for sharing your talent with the world, for developing it so fully and blessing others with each piece’s extraordinary beauty.
How wonderful to see this quality of paintings! The interview was engaging and very enlightening. Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you Ezra for your inspiration and insight. I am in hospital atm so your interview was even better reading for me. I agree with all you say. I am an artist…mainly watercolour but I love colour and experimenting with it and techniques. Your paintings are amazing and something for us to aspire to be. Thank you.
I know this is true! I have experienced the feeling of failure but I have also known the felling of exuberance when I completed a painting to my satisfaction and to hear comments of other people when looking at it!! There is such a feeling of accomplishment being able to paint a picture that brings myself and others joy! Especially something I never thought possible! Thank God for placing gifts in us that we have no idea that we have! I really believe anyone can paint with some instruction. The most important to remember when painting or creating is to not compare yourself with others because you are the only YOU God made!!!
Everything I see, I see as a painting. I love nature and most everything. I am all over the place about what I want to paint! I just joined your group and cannot wait to start to paint!! I need to learn most everything! I don’t know anything about composition or color mixing. I just love trying! I don’t think I will ever run out of ideas of what to paint because God has set the standard pretty high when it comes to creating,color,composition. Of course, He is the Master Painter!!
Thank you for the encouragement. I’m starting out and trying different mediums. Only thing missing is my confidence. Trying to trade my ‘real job for my art. I can do it… I just have to get cracking!
Great sentiments Alice! I feel the same way, I will never run out of things to paint – we are surrounded with so much beauty – God has richly blessed us. I hope you find plenty of useful information here that will help you progress in your journey.
Ezra does a great job of showing us how our confidence grows as we work and improve our skills. I have full confidence that as you put your heart and might into it you will achieve your goals in art. I started with pastels and feel they greatly helped in my understanding of color. Experimenting with different media is a fantastic way to learn what resonates with you and what you will most enjoy. Have fun with it Nancy!
I have only recently begun offering pieces for sale. There is a local salon that earns a small commission from any painting sold. Thus far, I have hung my paintings with the sides painted, whether they be standard canvases or gallery-wrapped, simply because I figure the buyer may have a certain style in mind for framing to match their decor. I leave that chore to them once they have purchased a piece, and that also means I can offer the art work at a lesser price, since I don’t have to cover cost of framing. Obviously, I’m a small-time seller, and some galleries may require that works be framed, but until I reach that point, I will continue to offer my works *unframed* and let the buyer later choose what suits them best. Great post here! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the tips, they are a big help. I’m currently doing small 5 X 7 paintings on Masonite hard board. What would you (or anyone) suggest to frame them?
I use Franken frames online. I bought a gun to insert the points and do cover backs with craft paper. I am not in galleries but the shows I have been juried into have required this full framing including back covered with their i.d. labels attached.
Great blog post, Bill. Thank you for the tips on what you’ve given in regards to framing. I’ve been ordering my frames from Guerilla Painter and the Lamar series .https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6P6CHR/ref=asc_df_B01N6P6CHR5362922/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B01N6P6CHR&linkCode=df0&hvadid=191947865676&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7881500121305743059&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9017451&hvtargid=pla-301109680779 They are expensive but I don’t frame all my work as I use Gallery Wrapped canvases sometimes. I’ve ordered from other big discount places and have been sorely disappointed by mismatched corners, etc. I have found that the pure black does exactly what you said, brings the color vibrancy down, so I usually get the gold inset frames.
Sometimes what I do, I purchase a frame that I find at garage sales or thrift shops that looks great & in good condition, then I find out what I would like to paint using that frame. It’s easier for me that way.
Thank you so much for this useful information. I just finished volunteering at my art council’s big annual show, and even though our prospectus sets out detailed instructions on how to properly wire a painting, we had several entries some in that were improperly prepared. One lady’s wire was so thin (for a heavy, large painting) that, when hung, the wire broke and her frame was damaged. Another artist had her canvas taped to the back of the frame with duct tape. This information is badly needed and I will share it with our members.
Thank you for the helpful information regarding frames. I used to buy garage sale frames but never was able to use them for one reason or another. Generally I don’t frame my acrylic paintings and use the gallery wrapped canvas for larger paintings and offer them for sale unframed. Everyone has different tastes and the younger crowd (judging by my married granddaughter & her friends like to hang them without frames. Smaller canvas panels for daily paintings usually sell unframed as well. Good information for purchasing hanging wire also. Appreciate you and Kristie so much! Thanks!!
I read and reread every post. Sorry for another “food related” comparison, but it (alone with other article of your) needs to be consumed, digested, absorbed…. And transformed into our own practical vision. The last part is the hardest. Thank you for helping us!!! Truly appreciate!
Bill…what an inspiring article. I love how you articulate your beliefs about God, beauty, and art. I am a new student in your 6 Week course and am excited to get started. I have played with acrylics and watercolors for years but wanted to try oils. I’m glad you are my teacher. I too am one of those souls wanting for the other shoe to drop with one more MRI (two brain surgeries so far) and I too lost my brother at a young age (25). You are so right. None of us know how long we will remain here but I too believe our relationships continue into life everlasting. Thank you for being you.
PS…I meant “waiting” for the other shoe to drop, not “wanting” for the other shoe to drop. LOL
How wonderfully inspiring. Although new to painting, I can see that sometimes it’s a “release” or a “rest” from the troubles f the day. Recently my son’s best friend, who is fighting leukemia, was married. After the wedding, I came back to my empty canvas and a mystery occurred. Actually, it was the hand of God. Out of my worry and grief, which are opposite of faith, I was the vessel that painted them a special masterpiece with their initials carved into a tree (I’ll post the painting). It made them cry. It makes me happy.
I am going through chemo for my second bout with breast cancer. I want to paint again, but I can’t seem to get to it. However, after reading others’ experiences, I will set up my easel, and just play, but having fun too. Thank you all!
Would just like to thank you for being you. You are gifted in many ways not just as an artist, thank you for sharing your life, your faith and your words Bill it touches many hearts and souls.
Bill, I am not a member of your club but receive you mails. Off course I am also an oil painter but lives in South Africa. Because of numbers
of ill health incidents I started reading natural health sites in a very serious manners as the usual medicinal industry has not been able
to assist in an effective manner. After approximately 3000 hours of reading, it seems I only now, might have found solutions to my own situation.
I ventured on this path because I am also one of serious faith. This faith has lead me to to developing the conviction that, as creation is perfect and we are part of it, there must be perfect answers to any and every problem we as humans can come across and that these
problems are always for the better for us when we look back, once we are a little further down the road of life.
Because of all this, I have now become to understand the terrible effects so many people suffer because of the conditions we live in today,
regarding all the pollution on every level of our lives, even on the spiritual level. I have also become aware of the immense uphill battle the
proponents of natural health, both in terms of treatment and prevention, are experiencing in their efforts to make the general population aware of all the relevant factors.
It has thus come to me that one of the most effective manners in which this message( I believe it to be mostly Godly as most of the peoples involved are free giving and have loving attitudes – even towards strangers) can and should be spread, must be via the arts. The philosophies, insights and correctional approaches of these proponents of natural heath, can be spread far and wide if the themes and ideas
and concepts were, for example, included in competitions ?
I have read that your family is also pro this approach, so I thought in the light of your article, I should mention this to you. There is really just to
much mayhem in terms of health today, for us to just ignore it. Most of it is totally unnecessary and definitely not of Gods making.
Thanks Bill for sharing your process in creating this wonderful painting of Colorado’s Spanish Peaks! As I grew up in southeastern Colorado, these Peaks always were part of my horizon to the west. Your thoughts and actions of completing this fabulous piece of art provides me with a foundation to enhance my own. Thank you and Happy Painting!!
Bill this instruction is so helpful for me! I am particularly learning from what you share when you cahange something with why you changed it Thank you so much!
Gracias por tu explicacion me sirvió mucho
Thanks for the step by step of the work behind the peak painting. To answer the question, I think keeping things simple and remembering what the subject is you are painting so you don’t get sidetracked and clutter the iimage to the degree it makes one tired just looking at it.
His classes are always inspiring.Thanks
Thanks for explaining why, instead of just doing it. It certainly helps me to retain the information to use in my own work.
Great tutorial, Bill! I really enjoy these short, simplified videos. Now, I’m looking forward to watching the longer version and painting this scene again!
What a comfort to read that you still scrape off paint. Or is this a relief? I suppose it’s true everyone still is learning. I love the step by step information. Thanks Bill.
I really enjoyed reading your thought process in creating this painting. Love the statement “ants lined up in an imaginary straight line “ building a bridge for the viewer to cross the lake.
Bill thanks for the blog.
As a novice painter I find your openness about the trials and setbacks of the process very useful. Thanks for letting us see the bumps and warts – it’s a great learning experience.
Yesterday Judith T left a comment that we replied to on Facebook before we saw it here. The comment got inadvertently deleted so I am replacing it from the email that recently came through with it – we want everyone to know that we never delete comments, positive or negative (except spam):
Comment:
I have left several inquiries about drying time.with no response… so this time i am screaming it…. Please add comments on drying time between steps. I am going crazy trying to understand and make my painting work. thanks…. feeling helpless here.
Hi Judith, yesterday on Facebook was the first I saw of your question – when I first created the Master Course I never envisioned that it would prove to be so popular and that our community would grow so quickly and so large. We have just myself, Kristie my wife, and David our son working to keep up with all the demands and sometimes emails or comments slip past us – we feel very sorry when we miss something because our whole focus is on serving and helping artists in whatever way we can. Please be patient with us – none of us are professional internet gurus – we are figuring it out as we go. Fortunately we have an amazing and uplifting community who are incredibly supportive. Thank you everyone for your kindness and encouragement.
Excellent read Bill – thank you so much for sharing! Thank you also for creating this community, all the encouragement and especially the inspiration you provide. Kay from North Carolina
Thank you Bill for helping us! Ruth from Tennessee
Have you ever used oleogel as a medium. If you read what some artists have written, they use it throughout the painting pricess. Oiling out. Varnishing. Everything but putting it on their morning toast!
Thank you so much Bill!
This is exactly what I needed.
Blessings!
Amadou
For the beginning oil painter, with skills in watercolor and pastel, what is the one book that would give the most help to the use of materials in oil?
What is the most basic book you know for the use/technique of oil materials? I keep reading comments made by artists about fat over lean, mediums, etc….I am not sure i am absorbing as much technique as I am becoming confused. Help!!! And thank you for all you do to offer encouragement for new oil painters.
Thanks Bill! I’m in your 6-week course and you were just trying out some of these products. I love having a list as I can use this list to replace things as needed. You’re the best!
Thanks Bill for all of the good info. I bought your 6 week course a few months ago and am looking forward to diving into it in a few weeks. Unfortunately a total knee replacement for my husband and arthroscopic meniscus repair on my knee have prevented me from painting very much for the better part of 2017. But, it’s a new year and a new attitude for me. So…..a trip to care for my mother for a week, then taxes get done and then painting!!!! Hope to join the monthly group soon, also. Again, thank you for all of your guidance and encouragement. Cindy Harris
HI Bill. Thank you for the info. Which outdoor umbrella do you use for Plein Aire
Susan Flanigan
I AM GLAD TO HEAR YOU WILL START A COURSE FOR BEGINNERS. I WOULD LOVE TO JOIN TOO. BUT I AM 73 YRS OLD, RETIRED, BUT STILL ABLE. I JUST HOPE I CAN AFFORD IT.
Hey Bill. Where does one buy the Eco primer for oil canva?
Thank you for this excellent supply list. I find that I have mot of the items and jut need to purchase a few. Can’t wait until your video course is available on DVD. Best regards, Cat
Thanks for the framing info. It inspired me to begin and I found 3 useable older frames yesterday! But before framing, what do you recommend for varnish on oil paintings? I had formerly used spray varnish, but YouTube videos seem to favor brushing damar varnish on after 6 months drying time. Or using retouching varnish to be able to varnish after just weeks of drying time. What products do you use or recommend? Thanks again
Just so lovely. All that artistic talent in one family…..Sharing God’s blessings. Thank you!
Very lovely work! I enjoy reading your blogs, from you both. God has richly blessed you. I am inspired.
Your sharing of family and personal talents has moved me to tears.!
Thank you Kristy & Bill for sharing your love of life and your talents.
How beautiful!! We used to have an artist group at church of all kinds of artists, those who painted with abrush, those who painted with words, and those who could tell oral stories to those who played the music. We would paint to the words and then write for a painting, or make music for words and painting. I am saddened that we no longer gather to share our art, but it was a beautiful two years. Thank you for reminding me that words can flow from our artworks and vise-versa!
Kristen you write such beautiful poetry. Bill’s beautiful paintings go along well with the poetry you have put up yoday. Wordsworth is one of my favourites too.
Thank you Bill – I am hoping to change to oil. It’s a process finishing the bulk of ones acrylics. But I have taken the info from your notes and will plod on adding one or two oils at a time.
I am also enjoying your 6week course.
I am mighty slow – that’s all I can say!
Beautiful, inspiring, and makes me smile! Thank you!
Sooo beautifull, both the paintings and the poems, my eyes feasting and my heart filled with joy and my mind drift off to memory lane. Thanks both of you.
I just completed my last chemo treatment for cancer of the lining of the eye and inner eyelid a few days ago. Two years ago I had radiation treatments for the same problem. Fortunately, I started painting before cancer and painting became a passion. I prefer to paint non-objective abstracts and more representational paintings with a western theme. Painting gave me direction, focus and purpose. It allowed me to create and share with others and I was heard through my art. Painting pushed my mind outward and allowed me to learn and problem solve instead of feeling victimized by cancer. Painting gave me a goal, sense of control and feeling of accomplishment. A strong belief in God and my passion for painting have done much to help me face life’s challenges with a smile and new found wisdom. I look forward to participating in the oil painting classes and learning more about each of you. Painting is never really just about art it seems.
Awesome, your words have moved my heart. Thank You!
I just suffer with my husband not only is he a musician but he is also insane. He can be in the studio from 5 am until up to 9 pm and beyond. It isn’t soundproofed so I hear vocal after vocal take, endless guitar parts repeated endlessly and in the five years we have been together this 7 day a week work mentality has been fruitless. Countless songs written and then recorded but no finished product. It’s all in vain! If I so much as disturb him because any time spent away from the studio is a disturbance in his opinion, then I am made to feel like someone completely unworthy of his time and attention.
Hi Bill, Thank you so much for the valuable information you share with us. I wanted to let you know that when I click on the link to the ECOS Passivating Primer it goes to ECOS Interior Atmosphere Purifying Primer. When I search their site for Passivating Primer, it says “no results found”. I just wanted to be sure I am looking at the right product that has possibly suffered a name change. lol I do say that the one it takes me to says good for MDF board but sometimes I know when a name change takes place, it will occur with a change in formula.
Thank you for breaking down the complexity of your beautiful painting. It helps instill the confidence, that with lots of practice, I may be able to paint quality paintings myself…in time
Lovely!!!…inspiring and relaxing.
I am a monthly member but I forgot how to access the monthly lessons. Will you tell me again?
Thank you for this interview, Bill. His work is like Norman Rockwell’s. It tells a story. Just a curiosity I have, though, is there a reason why all of his figurative paintings have an orange cast to them? Is that just a favorite color or perhaps he sees color differently than I do? It was a really though-provoking interview, however.
Awesome pics,will love to learn how to paint!
Inspiring and challenging article ….. just what I needed to hear. Thankyou! Estelle Hudson, South Africa
Hi Bill. I am trying a mixture of about 40./60 Gamsol and stand oil and like the results too. :o).
Can you substitute walnut oil for cooking? Is it the same?
I use walnut oil but not for washes. Mineral spirits just washes paint away, I prefer turpentine.
As a very inexperienced ‘artist’ ha ha I have used Almond oil with some success. however drying time increases. Also used Rosemary oil which is rather pungent. I will try Safflower oil and Gamsol if I can get them.
I studied with Alex Shundi for a couple of years. He recommended a medium of one third linseed oil, one third damar varnish and one third good gum turpentine. He Usedmineral spirits only to clean brushes an palette. The only exceptions were for an initial sketch or toning a canvas when you needed the quick drying.
I have been using Georgian Paints and they are creamy and have good colour. I see that they are listed here as Student Grade. Should I be replacing them now? Since my paintings are selling (a few) and my work is improving, I would like to use good quality paints. I enjoyed this blog and am finally starting to use my subscription ! I have mostly all large tubes of Georgian Paints. I have been tied up with ‘life’ and haven’t updated my website, but do get out to paint at the Gibson Center with a retired Ontario College of Art professor as a mentor. I am nearing retirement age and would like to do my painting as my income. What are your comments on the Georgian Paints?
I’ve only used Walnut oil in glazing. I’m confused on the wash because isn’t Walnut oil with oil paint a fat?
Hi Bill, I was told by a famous artist on cape cod to try walnut oil so I did and I’ve been very happy with the oil colors staying bright and true.
Have a question. I have a couple of oil paintings that were done in the late 50’s. I need to clean and put something on them to get the paint that seems to have sunk in in places. What should I use? Not experienced with this so don’t want to ruin them.
I’ve been very happy with LaFrame in CA. Here is a link : http://www.laframe.com/LT12G–Custom-Size_p_1664.html
They have a great line of plein aire frames as well as others. I also love their custom frames at almost any size you want. Their shipping is prompt and the products are well protected. I’ve had no damage. My shipments come in by FedEx. I find the prices to be excellent. You can order with or without hardware.
I have been using 50% M. Graham walnut oil and 50% M. Graham Walnut Alkyd mix for my oil paintings. Anyone else?
Good question I painted some in the 1980s and never varnished them, how to clean them now and what to use on them? Well tried twice to comment and selected FB think they both failed……or worked twice. Plus am on FB already in a different window:)
Hi, I have been using a mix of half walnut oil & half mineral spirits for my initial layer of underpainting, then putting it away & then sticking to my oil paints without anything else. It works well especially when you can finish your whole painting in one sitting. It is important to clean my brush frequently to keep colors clean & avoid picking up the underpainting color & making mud.
Please help me! I am a pastel artist and need a sturdy but light easel to travel with. I am also tall (5’10”) and had to return 2 due to height.
Due to the pastels- I need a tray. Any easel suggestions? Easy to assemble is very important also.
Thanks!!!!
Hi BIll,
I just want to clear up a question that has been driving me nuts. If I use a walnut/paint wash for an initial wash/underpainting, won’t that be breaking the fat over lean rule when I apply the next layer of paint?
Thanks for clearing this up.
Kathy Martinez
Bill, I was there, too! I actually came four days early, did the Kevin McPherson workshop and all the paintouts. Wish I had known you were there. It was my 6th year.
Well done Bill! Enjoyed the article. So much to learn and so little time, thank you for sharing your insights and experiences!!
Great question Kathy! I rarely think about fat over lean because I paint mostly alla prima and everything mixes as I go. The fat over lean idea is much more important to think about when someone is using something like mineral spirits which reduces the ‘fat’ or oil content of the paints. Since I use straight paint without any medium or mineral spirits through most of my painting it is already fat right out of the tube (although some colors are more fat than others). It is also something to think about when painting over dried layers – some paint, like umber, may possibly crack if scumbled over thick impasto paint. When I use walnut oil for my washes I am using only a small amount so the oil doesn’t fill up the tooth of my primer – that said, at least one historical artist used oil washes that were soupy and his paintings have not had any problems 100 years later. If someone uses ‘lean’ paint over fat the lean paint will crack – I have not had that problem ever that I am aware of.
Lovely!I feel relaxed.
Awesome blog Bill! Thank you for taking the time to explain your technique. I learned very much!!! Can’t wait to give it a go in the ol studio!!
Hi Bill, I like it as is! Bonk bonk!!!!! Don’t touch it! Kristie is right, sorry LOL! Seriously, though the contrast between that beautiful lavender sky and the flowers is all I see and the trees are fine as they are, not too distracting but giving it the feeling distance. Love it.
I’m a fan of yours techniques, teaching skills and of course your subject. Every time I see a sunflower I remember the fields in Kansas. You take a simple subject, stir in all kinds of thought processes to improve the experience and I appreciate the thoughts, reasons, and results of a simple but complex painting. Bravo.
Aloha Bill, when you did this painting, did you do a rough sketch or were your ideas for planning and blocking in sections in your head? Do you think and create as you go with this and other paintings you do? It seems that way to me almost like the paint and brushes have a mind of their own a lot of times. I always have a general composition in mind and usually after I’ve chosen the paints, I am in for a usually pleasant surprise.
Enjoyed your post.- Liz from Blue Hawaii
Think you made the right decision,for me the trees give a more interesting landscape,think bringing the sky down was also a good choice.A very informative post,Thanks Bill.
This is the first time I’ve read your whole blog through, and found it very enlightening.
I love your painting, it has a wonderful feel to it. The colors work well together and it’s just a lovely painting.
Bill, an absolutely fantastic post! So helpful in so many ways! Thank you for taking the time, for doing the testing, for putting in the clips—all so helpful. I recently started using Rosemary brushes and love them.
Earl Davis
Bill, this post is so informative and awesome! THANK YOU for sharing your knowledge and experience with us! It is so helpful! ????
Would you succinctly summarize the brushes you found best for each technique? I thank you in advance..
Bill, thank you for all the information on brushes! I am grateful for all you do to help artists expand their knowledge. Can’t wait to buy Rosemary brushes. I’ve been hearing about them for a year and should break down and buy some. Knowing which ones to buy makes a huge difference. Many thanks!
Sally Booth
Thank you for all your hard work in preparing the brush comparisons. You answered so many questions.
Thanks for this evaluation! I use similar techniques to yours and am rather hard on brushes, so I will try your recommendations.
Can you put up a list of the Rosemary brushes and sizes that you will have them include in your set? The sizes are a little tough to figure out from the article.
Bill,
Thanks for sharing your experiment and findings with us! Really valuable!
What an absolutely amazing amount of incredible information!!! Thank you Bill! I am totally awestruck!
Dear Mr. Inman,
I so enjoy your instruction for oil painting artists. However, I am an acrylic user. Might I assume the same Rosemary brushes you have described would be applicable for acrylic ?.
I like to eavesdrop on all your classes but do not purchase as I am a poor old nun who just loves to pray with color. Handicapped and retired at age 85 this form of creativity seems like a participation in Gods own creative gift. Our world is brimming with Gods glory.
Blessings of peace
Sister T
Bill: Superb posting!!!!….Thank you.
Absolutely fabulous that you shared all this with us…I am a novice painter and have already got some Rosemary & Co brushes in my collection of brushes..lovely brushes but beware of the turps that you use as it can melt the paint on the brush. Thank you so much
Awesome painting picture. Thanks for Sharing the tip with us for painting.
What an insightful article. Thank you for sharing. Thanks, Bill for bringing these artist into our world.
A fantastic blog post! Thank you so much for so generously sharing this experiment. It really helped me understand why I am not getting the results I want. Cheers
How exciting to go along this journey with you via your blog! I cannot wait until the next episode.
The North Shore along Lake Superior (from Duluth, Minnesota to Canada) also is a painter’s dream. Superior is the second largest lake in the world, so it rivals oceans in size. Duluth is a large college town and major portal for the shipping industry, and you can paint the massive freighters and various boats on the lake. It has a lot of industry tied to the lake, and buildings with lots of character. The further north you go, the more rugged the terrain and scenery. Waterfalls are everywhere, massive hills, rocky landscapes full of wildlife and wildflowers, and rugged vistas for miles. It has something for every painter. Grand Marais is my personal favorite, high up on the north shore near Canada. It is a very small town with a love for art and artists and is picture perfect. I spent a week there last September and am going again this year in September.
Try the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Also try the roads less traveled in good old NC. I’m from the western part of the state and even went to college at Appalachian State in Boone, NC (in the mountains). We have absolutely beautiful scenery…barns everywhere….almost around every curve!
Enjoyed your story. Yeah, it rains a lot in the mountains.
Easy to check out, easy to read…heck I put to leave
a commment!
Very beateful!
I once met a very accomplished plein air artist who painted, took a photo of his painting, and then hung the painting as a gift to an unexpecting passer-by! He said he had what he needed to do a studio painting. I appreciate your permission to not think that a plein air painting must be a finished work of art! Helpful. Thank you.
Bill, I am noticing that your palette is one of the surfaces of your box of paints.
Am I seeing that right? I don’t want to hear about the deficits of that arrangement
so much as the workability of that arrangement. Thanks
I also did a plein air painting at the vaaldam yachtclub. My first atempt and I loved it. Was daunting to find the right spot to paint..
My first attempt at a plein air was in Durango Colorado. I grabbed paints and headed out while my husband was at a work assignment. Remember, this was my FIRST attempt and I had just gotten back into painting after 20 years (thanks to my husband’s encouragement) and needless to say, grabbing ACRYLICS to paint with in the dry, arid, Durango, climate wasn’t the smartest thing to do as they dried almost as soon as I had the paint on my brush. I didn’t know what I was doing, tried to be too detailed, and ended up deciding it was a lesson learned. I think I ended up letting my granddaughter paint over the canvas with a much better version of her 4 year old art. Your plein air blogs are beginning to make me want to try again, but for someone who tends to be on the perfectionist side, that can be a challenge!
I didn’t even know I was doing plein air early in my hobby. We were sitting on a low wall painting the azaleas below us when a bus load of Japanese arrived and snapped us in front of the vista beyond. My water color ended up in Tokyo I believe!
This plein air adventure is captivating, and like all your instruction, Bill, it sinks in slowly over days and weeks to form some complex understanding to exercise later. Having lived in some of the country’s true wonderlands, I relate to the journey you describe with the scenery and elements. Currently I’m on a farm deep into the Ozark Plateau, and must get out into these landscapes around me and try some outdoor works with a open mind and a loose brush. Thank you for the inspiration!
I had gone to the top of Mount Timpanogus in November to paint a watercolor. When I arrived at my destination it was raining and snowing. I was five hours from home and I didn’t know when I could return. I decided to paint in my sketch book from the front seat of my car. I was there for about 1 1/2 hours. Soaking up what I was seeing. I caught the moments. I felt the atmosphere. I returned home and painted it in my studio the next day. It is one of the best paintings I have ever done it got me hooked on plein air.
WOW! I love your work. Impressionism has not been easy for me yet but this video of a field of sunflowers gave me a better understanding of how to accomplish it. I love painting sunflowers and I plan to practice on a painting of this one. I am a new member and this is my first full length video of your work. Although I have seen a few short videos of your art and I have been following you on facebook for some time now. I have always painted more realistic but very interested in impressionism. So I am so glad I finally decided to become a member today. Looking forward to more of your studies.
Beautiful places..and great photographs!!!. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Bill , for a great interview! I always enjoy these. I really identified with Peters process.
Wow! Best interview to stay motivated and put into words how we must all be feeling while we create. It’s also how i feel when i go to museums and galleries and view pieces that touch me.
Thanks, Bill, for the great interview. Peter, I really appreciate your emphasis on the combination of intelligence and emotion in your paintings. Great information!
I am mesmerized by your paintings. Your colors are spectacular. I have loved treesall my adult life and have painted many trees. Your trees are alive. I listened carefully at what you had to say. I will try to be more jexpresive in my work. You have touched my soul. Thank you so much. Jeanne Lachance
When you can make someone have tears of joy looking at your paintings you know you have dipped your brush into their soul. Thank you so much for sharing.
So enjoyed this interview, the opportunity to capture a glimpse of Peter’s creative process. Breathtaking body of work. I am inspired!
Thank you for this interview! I love to paint both outdoors and in the studio; its nice to hear why other artists prefer studio painting.
Inspirational words. Makes me want to rethink the way I paint. Going to get my camera out and “focus” on a subject that speaks to me. Thanks Peter.
Thank you, loved the interview and your amazing paintings.
I was so thrilled to see that one of my favorite painters was featured in your blank canvas interview. Peter Fiore makes beautiful magic in color and subject. Thank you, Bill, for asking spot on questions of Peter. I learned a lot and plan to follow Peter’s advice to paint for myself and paint with experimentation.
I am in love! Having always been enamored with trees, I am just stunned by Peter Fiore’s work! I had never heard of h8m, but I want to see more! Thank you, Bill, for introducing us to these magnificent paintings! I will check him out further! You are really expanding my mind.
Thank you for this interview, Bill.
And thank you, Peter Fiore, for sharing not only your beautiful work but such personal insights with us!
Very helpful interview, now heading out for a fresh look at the trees in my neighborhood…
Thanks!
Thanks Peter, at last an artist I can completely agree with, I was beginning to feel I was in my own little isolated bubble. I to don’t want to paint out doors, and accept the usefulness and limitations of photography. The process and trials and tribulations of painting, along with the pure joy of a painting developing into something you connect with. I really appreciated your insite into your work and am truly inspired by your work and cogent thoughts. Many thanks. Big thumbs to Bill for introducing us to your work👍
I really appreciate Peter’s knowledge and his willingness to share his thoughts and methods. I don’t like plein air because I can’t capture what I want in the amount of time I have outside. So, I work with my photos in my studio, and go beyond what is captured in the picture – also throw in some imagination. So, thank you for letting me know I’m not “crazy” to want to paint that way for myself.
Peter Fiore is the most amazing painter, teacher and friend, and I feel blessed to have met him and consider him my Mentor, as I have taken his workshops numerous times over the last four years. He is so full of information and inspiration, and I am forever changed after having met him and his wife Barbara, who is also an artist (she makes incredible, whimsical touching sculptures in clay) I am so lucky t have seen his work up close and have just been in awe at times of his masterful personal way of capturing and expressing what he sees and feels. Can’t wait for my next workshop!, and to see this epic new body of work of his take shape!
Fantastic words of wisdom Peter, not just on art but also on life! Thank you Bill for the interview. I am so fortunate to have painted with and learned from Peter, and hope to again in the near future!
Are you using the Bin primer or ECOS air purifying primer?
Thanks Bill for the help on these. I’ve been looking at purchasing some for a while so I purchased all of the ones you recommended here. After using them for a couple of weeks on a fairly complex oil painting, I find they are better than my Simmons Signet bristle brushes as the tips are not as thick. I like the more chiseled edge. However, the Ultimate no. 10 long flat quickly lost it’s form and has bristles sticking out one side pretty bad. I will not buy that size again. The smaller sizes are great. I particularly like the short flat in the smaller sizes. Haven’t used the 274 or 279’s yet. Will use those on a different type of style next. I do like the softness of those and I think they will work well on edge work. Thanks for all the details on the article. Most helpful.
Thank you for taking the time to provide such an informative and helpful post.
I want to add a resounding ~yes~ to this business of time management
as being essential to having life actually ~wotk for you~. At 77 years,
with most of these tools now incorporated as indispensible habits in
my life, I can still find ways to use my time more carefully and thoughtfully
and productively. Sometime I let the hours roll by, no shape, structure,
or design on them; and I enjoy that so much. But mostly, the days I LOVE,
are those that I have managed with loving care and attention given to
what I value the most.
This post is another piece of great generosity of heart and mind from
Bill Inman. [and I love the suggestion to “buy a few new brushes” on
one of your breaks, or “Watch a training video: yes!”]
Great article. Thank you! Can’t write much since I’ve got to start managing my time, but I’m grateful you took the time to share this information with us.
This article is a keeper! I really struggle with my time management. I am way too easily distracted. I will implement some of these strategies starting today!
Hi Bill,
What a great article. I liked the rocks, pebbles and sand idea and the mayonnaise video the best – a matter of priorities.
Years ago when my husband and I were running our own business I was lamenting to the Lord one morning – that I had so much to do and could never get everything done. (I think from your writings that you are a Christian and I don’t mean to offend anyone; I am just sharing my heart.)
The Lord told me to ask him every morning for three things to do that day. Then concentrate on getting those three things done during the day. Those three things did not include the obvious like cooking, showering, etc. They were work – business or family – church oriented things.
The day would be spent working on these items. The other items on my to-do list would be put aside and out-of-mind for the day because they were not considered important for the day. When the three items were complete and checked off of my list – it was such a relief and sense of accomplishment.
Now-a-days since retirement (whatever that is) I don’t use this method as much. But whenever I get stuck or feeling overwhelmed, I ask for three items. Sometimes the three items are surprising to me – not something I would ordinarily do. But in the end it always turns out for the better.
Working on just three important items per day simplifies things and gives you a sense of accomplishment when they are done. Try it – you will like it.
Many blessings to you all,
Carol
I was a painter in vietnam, I started painting at the age of 20 and now I am 40 years old, I have a paint shop in vietnam I have dedicated all my youth to the paintings the oil paintings sent to everyone. 20 years of experience a lifetime I painted thousands of paintings for customers. And I advise you to start painting the oil, just put down the pen and paint the picture, just draw and draw the course online you can take the course but one thing that the course online does not have. It’s the emotion, the kissing of an artist and to achieve that you have to draw. So just put it down and paint it first and then practice the technique. You can visit my website to see my products http://tranhphuongnguyen.com
First of all than’s for motivational thought. I am running on same platform since long and worked on many Oil and acrylic paintings. I love art and artist. Your thought is relay help us to boost our knowledge…
Relay a great post to bookmark for time management. In today’s cloud network it quite difficult to manage all task on time but I always try to do better. Your post relay help me to manage my 24 hour schedule.
Love this post. I try to set limits on other people, however I must be fluid with my time. I take care of two people with memory issues. They can’t remember that when I’m in the studio I’m WORKING…DO NOT DISTURB signs are ignored. Love them anyway!
Bill, Thank you sooo much for sharing this!!! This gave me hope for the appreciation of art, and more; your comments, and the pictures that you shared are inspiring and comments thoughtful! Thank you for sharing your insightfulness!
My wife and I have been traveling the seven hours it takes to get from our home in Central Texas to OKC for several years to see this fantastic display of talent. Like you, we are there when the doors open and are the last to leave when the doors are closed. There is just too much to absorb in a day. Quest for the West is on my bucket list. I’ve been to the museum several times, but never for the Quest show.
Awe inspiring works to save and digest again and again. Thanks for sharing this amazing art that exhibits so many styles, and to include your thoughts on each one.
Some of us never get to see these wonderful shows and I am amazed at these wonderful paintings. Thank you so much for sharing. I will look at them again and again!!
Awesome, thanks for sharing. Wish I could see them in person….sigh
My wife and I went to see this show last weekend. You did a great job of hitting the highlights, including insightful commentary.
Some of America’s greatest artists! Thanks for sharing!
I am speechless!!!
I made a brush roll using some colorful fabric, felt, and a bit of rope to tie it. For extra long brushes, I also have a band of elastic to hold the brushes in place. I could send you a couple of photos.
It will be an exceptional little bit of picture, that may
dictate a lot of issues without resorting to a single word.
He provides the inspiration in the gossips with the old women, sitting inside the street corners, men returning home
from the work and he uses the area Tyneside “Gadgies”
as models as part of his artworks. Whether professionals
or laymen, the most common kinds of decorative elements
opted for are: .
Bill, I am deeply honored that you have selected me for your Blank Canvas interview series. It’s pretty special to be included among such a stellar group of artists. Thank You.
Thank you, John, for sharing insights into your beautiful paintings and offering tips and advice to those of us still
working to hone our skills. Nature is such an inspiration to me, and I find that the older I get, the more I see the hand
of God in everything around me, and there are so many signs that this beautiful world of ours follows and order and a plan.
The changing seasons, the cycle of life that surrounds me in anything from birds to butterflies, and the sheer beauty of color
in sunrises and sunsets are all reassuring. Thank you for the reminder that there can be such joy in quiet and stillness … and
taking time to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. Your paintings all seem to have a soulfulness, and that is all the more evident
after reading this interview. Best wishes!
Thank you so much for this wonderful interview.
Bill, you have a great ability to draw out insights and truths from your interviewee (hope that’s a word).
I will treasure the wisdom given by this great master. I am printing out this interview and hanging it on my studio wall for easy reference.
Thank you both.
I truly enjoyed reading your interview. Thank you Sir for sharing so much with those of us that are not known as professional artist yet. It sure makes me think about how wonderful it would be to get to that stage where I can say I am a professional artist. The information about using a limited pallet I found exceptionally interesting. I will definitely give it a try Thank you again for a very interesting and informative interview.
What a wonderful and inspirational interview. Bill you always go the extra mile to give us more helpful information.
Thank you so much.
I am a photographer, writer, editor, and musician–not a painter–but love entering the art world of masterly painters such as John Pototschnik. He has been my favorite the past few years. Every time I see one of his works, I am stopped in my tracks and think, Oh my, oh my! I am transported to a childhood memory, whether delightful or melancholy, or lifted to a higher perspective, and always sense the depth and honesty in his works. Usually I am inspired and exult in the Lord Jesus, who made it all, and I breathe deeply for a moment. I wonder if my mansion in heaven will be near John’s. If so, I will be quite interested in seeing how he paints the heavenly scenery. Thank you for this wonderful interview.
Hendle, I am humbled and so appreciative of your comments. You have expressed so eloquently what I would think most artists hope for their work. As you would know from the creative work you do, it’s very special when others are smitten by our form of communication. It continually amazes me how God takes all the frustrations and struggles we go through when creating these works, and then allows those very works to bless folks on the other end. You have blessed me today. Thank You.
Such generosity in presenting and sharing your life-long experiences. A tremendous amount of time and thought went into this production. I will refer to it often. Thank you.
Could you please list the size of all brushes mentioned. What size is the long Rosemary…or do you use more than 1 size in that brush?
Thx
Thank you, John for a fascinating view into the journey of your artist career as well as practical insights. I like that you lean not to either plein air painting or work from photos but instead that the heart and spirit of the subject be brought out for the power of the art to capture the viewer. Your faith is well noted, and spills out from your work. I will try the limited palette at your suggestion, as well as painting in the shade while outdoors. Such lovely paintings and ideas to ponder for time to come.
Thank you so much. I have been ordering Rosemary brushes for some time now and really like them.
Love the look of your Masterworks frames! When you frame your paintings yourself, how do you back them? And how attach them to the frame? Do you do plein air competitions with the better frames?
This has been so helpful.
I’ve never framed my art I’ve always used cradled boards and painted the sides. The real reason being the cost of frames and thinking that painting the sides is good enough. With a great piece of art a frame can really make it look even better, my next move is to head down to a framer.
Thank you for a great article.
Luckily, my husband makes solid wood frames for me when I need them ( he has a professional framing tool which takes up a lot of space in our garage, along with his other wood working items.) I’ve sold a few paintings and done many for friends and family so, he does some basic frames, not the fancy ones. It’s nice to know about masterwork if there ever comes a time I want a fancy frame!
I absolutely agree that the frame is an extension of how one feels about their work. I felt it but never put it to words! Thanks for the affirmation!
So glad yiu posted this, I want to do art, but am distracted by household and work responsibilities…. “chores first then play”. For 2 yrs been working on Art Instruction School lessons. Ive learned alot, but time is running out to finish by Dec 2018. Your post is encouraging.
Oh my. So much to take in!! Not sure I could manage all of the white under paint. Have used a small pallet knife for texture and loosen up my ridged style. Spent most of yesterday looking at the sites offered the monthly members. Am enjoying the adventure soooo much. Thank you.
In your workshops, Are you touching students art to show for example to show the brushstrokes? If Yes? Can students sell it or put in the art show?
These tutorials are so much help. Thank you.
This is wonderful. I never knew how to capture a waterfall. Thanks so much.
Happy Painting,
Doris
I absolutely need to get up into the mountains here in Colorado and try my hand at a plein air painting. I need to work on being more “loose” and I know this will help me. Fall is just around the corner and I need to get out and take advantage. Time to build up my courage….Thanks for the wonderful tips and explanations of your progress through a painting!
gosh you are such a good painter thankyou for sharing
Thanks for sharing all that info. Just painted two plein air paintings today 👍
Hi I paint in watercolor but your tips of under painting ,mixing,composition,all your tips work with watercolor.Painting plain air in watercolor is my thing but your tips help a lot thank you Joe
He is so lucky to have you. I wish all artists could have someone as understanding and supportive as you by their side.
Just a beautiful artist, and it sounds like a wonderfully focused individual! Loved her interview!!!
I enjoyed your interview with Susan. Her answers were sweet and simple. An inspiration for sure. Jan c
I was inspired by her simplistic approach to her marketing and her life. I hadn’t tried social media, wasn’t sure that was the way to go but will set it up. I haven’t kept on my website, my life is too busy and I take heart in her comments on keeping a simpler lifestyle. Thank you.
Thank you so much! As a someone “just getting started” after over 20 years of not doing any kind of art I’m encouraged. I love to see what others do and being online is a great tool. I love the way you capture people, their expressions, their dress. That’s a future goal of mine, but….baby steps.
Truly a masterful painting. Thanks for sharing your journey.
What beautiful frames! I have always found it tricky as well. Taste differs between buyers, even if they agree to like your art! I find there is a big difference in taste between the US and Europe (I am in the UK) and as I’d like to sell to both it is hard to find something that caters for all. But the answer, I suppose, must always lie with the art work. The art work will decide which frame will best suit it. So my own vision for the painting is what leads my choice. But I do keep the ‘taste thing’ in the back of my mind. Just a little bit.
Susan Lyon’s work is just incredibly lovely…. every thing she does! For many years I have admired her beautiful art and will hope to continue admiring and enjoying her amazing gift for many more years to come.
Thank you, Susan, for sharing your generous and gracious time with us.
Sincerely,
Peggy Ramsey
thank you for your keen insight. I like the fact that some of your work looks old masters – beautiful!
I love your idea of a custom-made palette for the French easel. I may make one a bit smaller and lighter…Great article!
Your explanation of using design rules complement my style. I break rules each time I paint, and as long as I, the artist, like my interpretation of my subject matter, then I am OK with the result. If I have to paint or design according to strict rules, then painting is no longer fun. My bet is most artists design to their own desires. Thanks for being a hero in my eyes Bill. Happy Painting!!
Great post Bill. I remember Stape harping and harping on ” design, design, design”. Its hard sometimes to remember we are not copying nature ( or a photo) but rather our task is to make a pleasing painting- which means designing it. Good to be reminded that these things really do matter ….
Oh my gosh- thank you for this article. I had become completely frustrated while reading about composition because, without examples demonstrating the discussion, I wasn’t able to make sense of it all. This is EXACTLY what I needed. I hope you realize what an excellent TEACHER you are in addition to being an excellent artist. Thank you Thank you!!
Lately I’ve been so confused about temperature in my paintings. Outdoors–is that cool light [blueish from the sky]?–or warm light [yellow/ orangish from the sun]? Does that leaf have sunlight on it?–and doesn’t it also have sky light when it’s turned up? I’ll see warm paintings [like a street in Italy] with cool blue/ purple shadows–is that just pushing the atmospheric color? Most plein aire paintings are under cool light [and even in studio 6500K?] which should indicate warm shadows, but I see more done with cool shadows. Any advice? Also, Ultramarine Blue–cool or warm? You seem to indicate that it is warm, but I’ve always thought of it as cool [Alaska]? and blue-green as warm [Florida]. The color wheel doesn’t really seem to answer that either. Any advice? Help please.
Great advice, wonderful thoughts for painting and for life! Congratulations on your Mudder!
I just read your article to my husband, thanking him for his input in my art work and for watching a Drawing DVD from Great Courses. By the way, your selection of purchased DVDs should be in every artist’s library. Incidentally, my husband and his late wife filmed Scott Powers and Dan Gerhertz and has fond memories of all the artist they filmed and he had hands on training from filming, editing and marketing. Your choices are in my top ten along with Morgan Weistling and JoAnn Peralta. I too enjoy Pride de West. It is one thing to see pictures of the paintings they are shipping there, but to see them in person, will take your breath away (actually, you just stop breathing momentarily). I am sharing your article with my painting group. I enjoy your paintings very much and can tell, you’ve been down the road in your Tough Madder Painting experience.
Learning to work together as team is so important, building a community is amazing. I’ve only been with this group it seems a short time, yet the impact has been significant. I am broadening my perspective by experiencing so many views and journeys of the artists as they post their work, comments and concerns. It is helpful to have a constructive forum where you feel free to experiment with your art and expand your abilities in ways not considered before. It’s amazing the friendships built with the ongoing discussions . Thank you
So inspiring, thankyou.
Thanks for this zBill! Though I am in a wheelchair now I used to do allot of different things with exercise. Now i am lucky to have a local program for people with MS to do modified exercise. I hope to continue my artistic development and your email postings , especially this one inspire me to get going for the coming winter season. The blessing of a longterm relationship is that one is not alone but never the less one is separate in a wheelchair certainly but such is life. Thanks again for your inspiration!
I’ve noticed that figurative work can take a Landscape and add that life element that brings you further into the painting story. How do I approach figurative work in Landscape showing correct movement?
I am interested in all aspects of com,color, value etc.
very Helpful!
Bill, love your work….but, not having your experience or trained eye, I loved the original versions of these equally as much as the changed versions to make them “a success”. Not sure what constitutes a “successful” painting. Does it go back to rules, or isn’t beauty still in the eye of the beholder? Thank you for the e-mails and sharing your insights.
Thanks Bill. Very helpful post.
Lynn
Thanks very much! Enjoyed seeing the paintings and the different design composition solutions.Think your advice can help me as i create my own art.
Sincerely,
Colleen M.
Thank you Bill- I don’t do oils but acrylics and I know your guidance should also work well.
I commented earlier but apparently forgot to actually hit “post”.😲
This is a great lesson. Really, the thing I see most often is folks painting the photo instead of designing a painting. I remember a Stapleton Kearns quote – ” It is not WHAT a painting is about, but rather HOW it is about that matters”. You illustrated that beautifully with your version of the hiking trail scene- by both adding saturation and designing the elements to fit your concept , you added drama and excitement. And still created a sense of place. Very good lesson. Thanks.
Thank you for showing us your thought process as you look at your work over time and make changes. I tend to be too literal when looking at a photo and need to give myself more freedom to deviate and change. Thanks for explaining!
When do you use transparent colors and opaque colors?
Thanks Bill for sharing your favorite with us. I really appreciate seeing the art and knowing a little about why you chose to include it in your blog,I have only been oil painting for 2 years and feel I have so much to learn. My painting coach is Chuck Larivey and I feel so lucky to be able to study under such a talent.
Thank you so much for showing me all this, they are all super.
This is the only way for me to see all these paintings
Again thank you so much
Laura
Thanks for sharing, Bill.
What a lovely show; I am glad you got to attend.
What gorgeous work. It gives us all something to strive for.
Many blessings to you and your family,
Carol
Beautiful Painting. I love your style–reminds me of Richard Schmid’s work. Your colors are always so fresh and clean. Thanks so much for sharing this.
You made me cry so you know you touched my soul with color. That my friend is ART! Sometimes something
simple is what a person needs. Thank you for sharing your gift.
Hi
Just saw the Cherry Blossom painting, so pretty. I want to ask if you allowed the paint to dry between the red oxide and the sky? I would seem muddy if blended together
Lyn
This article was very inspirational to me. I appreciate Cyrus sharing his story with us! His work reflects his training as he described it. His work is amazing and I believe reflects his great passion for the subjects he paints!!
Thank you Bill. There is a misconception floating around the community that thinking about what you are going to paint is not necessary. You have cleared this up beautifully.
I so appreciate, as a foundational educator, that thinking and planning, about what you want to say or the feeling you want to give to the viewer, in a painting is very important.
Dear Bill
Thanks for introducing Cyrous, such a talented artist. Indeed I am a bit happy because he is from my country. His works are so beautiful.
Reza
Thank you so much for sharing this interview. I’m amazed at the variety of his subjects; all completed masterfully with just the right amount of detail that allows the viewer to fill in the rest and completes the story. His style of painting fits my eye perfectly. Fabulous work!
Cyrus,
Your paintings are so beautiful and full of life. Your personal expression of color is a wonder. You reveal your passion for your skill with every painting. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Cyrus and Bill for your experience and incredibly beautiful paintings. You push me to pursue continued improvement in my own painting.