As a beginner, this is one of the best videos I've watched about many basic but important things. You're a great teacher. I look forward to your videos each Tuesday.
A credit card to spread gesso! Now why didn't I think of that? I'm 70 years old and learning to oil paint with UA-cam videos. I have so much to learn, and you have helped me so very much. Also, I see you and appreciate your way of being in the world, a kind and gentle soul. Thank you. ❤
I feel like I've watched every art video on youtube. I self taught myself painting and I have to say Ian that this video is hands down one of the most useful and beneficial videos I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing this great resource!
Hey Ian , I just bought your book, after consuming such golden values from your free and original content, i am very excited to learn the techniques of mastering composition and applying it into my paintings,, thank you for the videos you make,
Thank you Ian. Here's a tip for those who don't want to use toxic thinner/cleaners in the studio while painting. Plus it saves money. I've been doing this for years now. Go get a gallon of cheap cooking corn oil, or something similar (I wouldn't cook with this oil, by the way). Pour that into a small container like you would normally use (like Ian has). Clean your brush in that. You'll be amazed at how oil cleans out the oil paint on your brush. Don't worry about the small amount of that oil left on your brush when painting. I also know famous painters who leave their brushes in such oil (in a shallow pan in a horizontal position), for weeks/months. Their brushes never dray out, and they don't have to clean their brushes every day. I do clean my brushes every day, but I don't have to if I leave them in the pan. And don't bother using some store bought soaps or cleaners for end of day cleaning. Just use Ivory bar soap and the palm of your hand.
A* as usual! It is pleasing to see such a calm and well-organised studio. This reflects so many your paintings which have a calm and meditative quality to them - unnecessary clutter is eliminated in both cases! Having just completed a 48 hour refresher drawing course at West Dean College, Chichester, England, this was a good home coming. Following up the papers you mentioned I was amused to see such British place names use by American firms - no wonder I had not heard of them before. I had discovered they are available here but if some of your viewers are un the UK they may find Arboreta 'off white' pads made in the English Bristol a good alternative. We used these with pencil, conte crayon and all forms of charcoal and they take any amount of rubbing out and punishment. These may be easier to access here and not have import duties. I cannot find the Raymar panels on any UK site but the linen is available from several suppliers. I was fascinated by the Dorlands Medium - something new to try. I will enjoy a second viewing this evening. I loved the 'His' and 'Hers" stations!
Thanks so much Ian. I grew up in Toronto, and I'd say every town and street is named after somewhere in the UK. Except maybe Toronto itself. Algonquin for the meeting place or something like that. I've never heard of Arboreta. I'll have to look that up. The Claessens linen would be available and you could try it taped to a board and if you like it just glue the linen to the panels yourself. It isn't hard. You just use PVA glue. Or if you don't mind the wet dog smell rabbit skin glue. I'd recommend the PVA.
I enjoyed researching the Raymar boards - they looks to be very well specified and made to last for centuries. I was given some linen and made up four panels with PVA glue on hardboard which I have been using for some studies ahead of bigger paintings. For the en plain air course next week in the South Shropshire Hills at Acton Hall, I have ordered some Linen covered boards but I can make my own in future. I went on an icon painting course a few years ago where i learnt to gild, lay down gesso and use egg temporary paint. The tutor used gelatine as the binding agent for the gesso and bole surfaces in preference to the rabbit skin glue - this excited his dog so much it thought that the studio was full of the critters! These matters rarely get mentioned - as with another painter I know who stashed a couple of completed canvases in a hedge while he did a couple of watercolours. He returned to find the canvases bare - the bullocks in the field had licked all the paint off! Best wishes - I admire your practical as well as artistic skills!
Very helpful video, thank you! The credit card with the gesso was pretty brilliant! I've used brushes and foam rollers, but I'm going to try the credit card idea. Thanks mate!
Hi Ian. This is the first video I have seen from you. I'm stating the obvious, I realize, but I wanted to compliment you on how eloquent you are. I've sat through an awful lot of art videos where the presenter um-ed, er-ed and sputtered through most of it. It is a joy to discover an artist who communicates clearly and in a meaningful way. Thanks also for all these links. You really go the extra mile in every way.
I have been watching you since Covid started. I like your teaching style. I used your videos to start watercolor while "locked down". Now, I have an opportunity to take an oil painting class at my local university. I am very excited, thanks in part to you for the encouragement to try new things. This video gives a preview of supplies and studio setup that will be most helpful for any beginner. I will also share your medium knowledge with my professional artist in the family. He may learn something new from you as well. Thanks for sharing your talent and time.
Ian...thank you for a organized presentation of your studio and materials used. It is very helpful that you make suggestions of products....I usually do acrylics..and wondering if the same issues can apply...
This is great! I was astonished once when I heard an instructor telling me how to sharpen the pencil and preserve the lead (pigment), after buying so many sharpeners and ruining pencils. Thank you for your insight. I always appreciate the time professional masters take to share their experience and knowledge, you are one of them. Thanks again! BTW, I showed your chanel to many of my artist friends :)
Super informative…especially about your drawing materials, your palette colors and mediums. Have you made a video of your plein air easel and process? You are incredibly generous and have helped many novice painters become more confident!
HI Emily, I had planned on doing plein air with this one but the video was just getting too long. So at some point I'll do another on plein air painting tips and materials and stuff.
I found the part about the pencils and how to sharpen the very informative. I love how you draw, with all the parallel lines, it is beautiful! Thank you for the tour, I enjoyed it and learned a lot!
Thank you so much Ian. You make things so clear and I look forward to your videos and find them so helpful. You are a masterful teacher and so generous with all your time and expertise.
I have purchased some of your composition videos -- Just want to give you an A+ for your teaching skills. Subject is presented in a clear, concise, understandable way. Thanks
Thanks for all the great information, Ian. I’m so appreciative of great artists taking the time to share their knowledge for free on UA-cam. I’m always curious about what books are on an artist’s bookshelf. Maybe you could talk about that one day. I have your “Mastering Composition” book and it is excellent. One of my favorites.
Delighted you are enjoying the videos. The books I'd like to talk about, or the ones I like the most, are mainly out of print so it seems a bit of a tease. But I am thinking about it and will do one at some point.
You do not need to reply to this: I watch your weekly presentations and even tho’ I do not paint, I am so amazed at what the whole painting process: from sketching your shapes, to making everything sound simple and easy. I have just completed reading the book: The Forger’s Spell by Edward Dolnick, about the Vermeer forged paintings from the 1930’s to 1945’s. Listening to you demonstrating the surfaces ( linen to canvas), and the application of the different paint thicknesses is fascinating after having enjoyed the book immensely. Thanks very much.
Yes, if you were a forger of Old Master paintings you would have to be super careful about linen, and the paints and ..... well everything! Delighted you are enjoying the videos.
I just love watching different perspectives from different artists. I started oil painting thinking it would be a lot easier, e.g. almost like digital painting where you just move the brush on the canvas and it paints whatever color perfectly on top of what's already there. And many UA-cam artists almost make it look that easy! But of course they're dealing with the "reality" of oil paint in different ways. Some use slow-drying mediums and try not to layer their paint at all. Some use quick-drying mediums and just wait long enough for the paint to get tacky so they can paint on top of it. Some paint alla prima, no medium, and they just use principles like pushing/pulling, painting thickly, etc., to make it work. Some paint on linen, some paint on boards. All of these styles work because in each case the artist's choices are compatible with one another. Learning about how one choice affects another has honestly been a very fun/rewarding part of learning how to paint. I've been gravitating toward this alla prima, no medium style because it allows me to paint in one sitting, thus getting more practice in. I may experiment with other styles when I get better, but honestly I suspect I'll always stick with this one.
Yep, keep away from those toxic chemicals, straight paint, little linseed oil, all you need. I clean my brushes with kerosene (outside) spot on Ian good brushes, the way you clean them last years
Thank you Ian, I agree with Mark, "This is one of the best videos I've watched on basic but important things". Your teaching style in very straight forward without a lot of additional conversation explaining that can make what you are talking about confusing. I've been painting off and on since late 2016, in this video you anwsered some questions that I had. Thank you!
so much priceless information learned only through your own personal growth. amazing, thank you so much, every one of your videos has helped me improve
I'm learning so much from you about light & shape! I hope you'll forgive my saying; but if you replaced the door blinds with a light bamboo, it would elevate the entire studio space by giving it structure & definition in the entry. Really worth it. Even I f you get them at Target:))
A little late to the party here but I have been systematically going through all your videos. I used to paint oil on canvas and then moved into the digital world, still sticking to traditional methods but I will return to actual traditional medium at some point. In the meantime, your channel is proving to be an amazing teaching aid. Thank you so much for being such an inspiration and also for being so generous with your time and knowledge.
I never took any professional classes and I paint as my hobby. I like to thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise free of charge. I feel more confident about how to begin to paint 🤙
Great video Ian! I’m currently in yourMC class, so I’m watching the few videos I’ve missed. LOTS of great info in this one, thanks for sharing Because you asked for suggestions… IMO the video title doesn’t do it justice- this isn’t a studio tour- it’s a lovely treasure trove of great tips for oil painting.… perhaps it might increase viewership if it was titled differently…? I wish I knew you were sharing these treasured bits of info in this video…from the title, I thought it would be an envy inducing studio tour (so I actually skipped it… and didn’t watch it for a year! Simply because I’m trying to be content with my little studio and avoid the green eyed monster) Looking forward to this week’s class! MBZ (with the long blue hair)
Thank you Mr. Roberts. I'm glad I found and subscribed to your channel a few months ago. As someone who is eager to transition into oils after many years of acrylics and gouache your channel provides tremendous value. Thanks for you effort, sharing your knowledge and insight into your process. I appreciate it a lot. Best from Germany.
Goodness. In this one video I have learned more than I have learned in expensive multi-day workshops. You are my new mentor. Thank you. I am confused how to see additional info that you often remark are available on th screen.
Wonderful stuff here, thank you. Oil of spike lavender is a fantastic medium for oils … non toxic with a side benefit of relaxation! Used by Victorian painters and pretty much forgotten nowadays … when I painted with it I found I painted with focus for longer too 😊
Very interesting and useful for oil painting. I work exclusively with acrylics at this point. If you use that medium on occasion, could you offer similar tips on how you work, preferred brushes, palette layout, how to keep your paints wet, etc. Thanks!
Just I am very appreciate with the art 🎨🎭 specially for the water colour latest trends in water colour painting 🖌️🎨 jenerally people are working on now.
Excellent; really enjoyed it and learnt a lot. Oh, for the luxury of a dedicated studio - at least I’ve got the end section of my garage. We live in small (and too expensive !)houses on the other side of the pond.
I am so grateful that I found you! I am trying to get back to painting after many years and haven’t been able to find an instructor that I can connect to - either in person or online. Until now. Thank you for sharing SO MUCH knowledge. I’ve now structured my week to having a painting day each Tuesday. Grazie
Ian. Short comment. I live and paint NYC. I just watched your studio tour segment. Having viewed many of your other videos, you come across as a very sincere and generous man. There is an artistry to your presentation. Congratulations and thank you. Steve
I’d like to agree with the requests for your favorite art books and acrylic painting tips, when you can get to it. A video showing your process for a portrait or animal painting would also be nice (even if you don’t normally paint those). Thanks for so many great videos!
Watched again! Excellent synthesis. Have used Gamblin mediums Galkyd - supposedly not as smelly as liquid. The chip brush is wonderful as it displays the texture and emotion behind the strokes , especially on a smooth ground. Always learning especially as the grounds determine the paint quality.
Thank you, Ian! You've offered a wonderful overview here without getting lost in the weeds and you consistently provide valuable resources on very many topics. An "omnivorous autodidact" when it comes to painting techniques, I greatly appreciate your style and teaching methods and I end up saving & bookmarking every single video of yours I've watched. Bravissimo!
I just found your channel and I must say you are a great artist as well as a great teacher. I learned a lot from the 3 videos I have watched so far. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your beautiful art.
Glad to see you mentioned lighting which is really important to an artist. If anyone noticed the walls are white and the floor is light and the there is a lot of light bouncing around.
Thank you, Ian. Enjoyed the tour. I finish my oil paintings with Dorland’s. I let the painting dry, then with a cloth, rub on a thin coat of wax, leave it on for half an hour, then buff. It gives a wonderful satin/ eggshell finish versus the shiny-ness of varnish. Also solves the glare problem for photographing work.
Glad you enjoyed the video Ianta. I just don't worry about the paint drying out. It is one reason I buy studio sized tubes of Gamblin paint. They are good balance between price and quality. If I bought small tubes of Old Holland I'd be worried every time I squeezed out paint. I mean I'm in the studio a lot so usually I'm using yesterday's paint and it is always fine. Even two days is usually OK.
Thank you for showing your studio. But I am curious about your book collection that you have in the bookshelf behind you, can you maybe give some info about that in your next studio tour? And also collection of paintings and drawings in the wall and in your archives?
I really appreciate seeing the studio and materials. I’m practicing pastels but I find your approach to composition and thinking in terms of value masses and focus points… the vertical and horizontal, contrast, etc… is transformative. Thank you Ian.
Thank you for your creativity and for your lessons! Just think, technical progress allows us to find a teacher even on the other side of the planet and learn from him. This is fantastic and we live in it!
Yesterday I discovered your channel, and let me say that I am so happy I did. I’m in love with your videos, your voice, the pace and clarity, and I appreciate the way you teach and your generosity. Thank you so much for taking the time to prep and share.💐
O thank you soon much! I do watercolor but am so into your composition teaching. Look so forward to seeing you every week. I was bad at composition in my early years so I went to sculpture. Then up close stuff. You have opened up things for me. Thank you so much.
Thank you Ian! Id LOVE a Q& A video. That sounds Amazing; I can't wait for your live video!🤩I Love your instructions and specific beginners tips & tricks. Stay safe and Be well my friend!🌻💜
Basically dido to most of the comments. I find myself watching and learning, on break at work, from other artist lately. I have very little time to paint anymore. I'm putting all this know;edge in my files so I can become better when I finally sit down, take a breath, and paint again. Thanks for your time!
I have used UA-cam for a long time and watched 100's if not thousands of artist who use all kinds of methods and techniques that are really great. But finding an artist that teaches the style and methods that suit what I want to do is challenging. Currently your videos are my favorite and best show how I want to paint to get the results I want to get. The instructions are great! Thanks for your hard work! I also like Michael Chamberlain and James Gurney a lot but yours are best.
Thanks for this tour Ian. I love the way your approach and how you share your knowledge of oil paint and painting from preparation through to final results.
Hello Ian, your lessons are very helpful even though I love using acrylics. Watching several of your videos in order to work up the nerve to begin painting again. Thank you!
hello mr. Roberts, love your videos including this one too. I'm new to your channel so i don't know if you've gone over it previously, but perhaps you should get Amazon referrel links in your descriptions for the products you list out. I am sure people wouldn't mind supporting you when they make a purchase since you're helping us all through your informative content. have a great day.
As a beginner, this is one of the best videos I've watched about many basic but important things. You're a great teacher. I look forward to your videos each Tuesday.
To be sure!
I forgot a few things.
I learn heaps with every video I watch!
That is very kind of you to say. Thanks Mark
Thank you Priscilla!
A credit card to spread gesso! Now why didn't I think of that? I'm 70 years old and learning to oil paint with UA-cam videos. I have so much to learn, and you have helped me so very much. Also, I see you and appreciate your way of being in the world, a kind and gentle soul. Thank you. ❤
Glad it was helpful Dana!
I feel like I've watched every art video on youtube. I self taught myself painting and I have to say Ian that this video is hands down one of the most useful and beneficial videos I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing this great resource!
Wow, Danny that is great. Thanks so much for letting me know.
Vielen Dank, dass Sie Ihr Wissen und Erfahrung mit uns teilen.
Ich lerne jedesmal beim Anschauen Ihrer Videos und schaue sie immer wieder gern!
Hey Ian , I just bought your book, after consuming such golden values from your free and original content, i am very excited to learn the techniques of mastering composition and applying it into my paintings,, thank you for the videos you make,
Thank you Ian. Here's a tip for those who don't want to use toxic thinner/cleaners in the studio while painting. Plus it saves money. I've been doing this for years now. Go get a gallon of cheap cooking corn oil, or something similar (I wouldn't cook with this oil, by the way). Pour that into a small container like you would normally use (like Ian has). Clean your brush in that. You'll be amazed at how oil cleans out the oil paint on your brush. Don't worry about the small amount of that oil left on your brush when painting. I also know famous painters who leave their brushes in such oil (in a shallow pan in a horizontal position), for weeks/months. Their brushes never dray out, and they don't have to clean their brushes every day. I do clean my brushes every day, but I don't have to if I leave them in the pan. And don't bother using some store bought soaps or cleaners for end of day cleaning. Just use Ivory bar soap and the palm of your hand.
You are an excellent teacher.
Delighted you found it helpful.
A* as usual! It is pleasing to see such a calm and well-organised studio. This reflects so many your paintings which have a calm and meditative quality to them - unnecessary clutter is eliminated in both cases! Having just completed a 48 hour refresher drawing course at West Dean College, Chichester, England, this was a good home coming. Following up the papers you mentioned I was amused to see such British place names use by American firms - no wonder I had not heard of them before. I had discovered they are available here but if some of your viewers are un the UK they may find Arboreta 'off white' pads made in the English Bristol a good alternative. We used these with pencil, conte crayon and all forms of charcoal and they take any amount of rubbing out and punishment. These may be easier to access here and not have import duties.
I cannot find the Raymar panels on any UK site but the linen is available from several suppliers.
I was fascinated by the Dorlands Medium - something new to try. I will enjoy a second viewing this evening.
I loved the 'His' and 'Hers" stations!
Thanks so much Ian. I grew up in Toronto, and I'd say every town and street is named after somewhere in the UK. Except maybe Toronto itself. Algonquin for the meeting place or something like that. I've never heard of Arboreta. I'll have to look that up. The Claessens linen would be available and you could try it taped to a board and if you like it just glue the linen to the panels yourself. It isn't hard. You just use PVA glue. Or if you don't mind the wet dog smell rabbit skin glue. I'd recommend the PVA.
I enjoyed researching the Raymar boards - they looks to be very well specified and made to last for centuries. I was given some linen and made up four panels with PVA glue on hardboard which I have been using for some studies ahead of bigger paintings. For the en plain air course next week in the South Shropshire Hills at Acton Hall, I have ordered some Linen covered boards but I can make my own in future. I went on an icon painting course a few years ago where i learnt to gild, lay down gesso and use egg temporary paint. The tutor used gelatine as the binding agent for the gesso and bole surfaces in preference to the rabbit skin glue - this excited his dog so much it thought that the studio was full of the critters! These matters rarely get mentioned - as with another painter I know who stashed a couple of completed canvases in a hedge while he did a couple of watercolours. He returned to find the canvases bare - the bullocks in the field had licked all the paint off! Best wishes - I admire your practical as well as artistic skills!
Very helpful video, thank you! The credit card with the gesso was pretty brilliant! I've used brushes and foam rollers, but I'm going to try the credit card idea. Thanks mate!
Thank you Ian for showing us your studio and your materials so helpful! Looking forward to your next video, you are a wonderful painter and teacher!
Thank you Gale! Happy you are enjoying the videos
Brilliant Ian. Found the overview informative and helpful. Loved credit card use with gesso. See you next week.
Glad you enjoyed it Rebecca. Thanks for watching
Thank you very much for this video. I've learned new information about mediums to use and primer for canvas
What a generous and informative video! I especially love the advice to put colors on the palette in the exact place each time!
Hi Ian. This is the first video I have seen from you. I'm stating the obvious, I realize, but I wanted to compliment you on how eloquent you are. I've sat through an awful lot of art videos where the presenter um-ed, er-ed and sputtered through most of it. It is a joy to discover an artist who communicates clearly and in a meaningful way. Thanks also for all these links. You really go the extra mile in every way.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate your telling me.
I have been watching you since Covid started. I like your teaching style. I used your videos to start watercolor while "locked down". Now, I have an opportunity to take an oil painting class at my local university. I am very excited, thanks in part to you for the encouragement to try new things. This video gives a preview of supplies and studio setup that will be most helpful for any beginner. I will also share your medium knowledge with my professional artist in the family. He may learn something new from you as well. Thanks for sharing your talent and time.
Your fantastic. You covered some good topics in this video. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it Barbara.
so simple but great advice I never thought of that is the same order of your paints
Excellent info! No pretense, no cheesy music and a minimum of words! I always get a lot out of every one of your videos! Thank you for doing these.
Thanks so much Vivian
Ian...thank you for a organized presentation of your studio and materials used. It is very helpful that you make suggestions of products....I usually do acrylics..and wondering if the same issues can apply...
So useful. Those few minutes on glazing were terrific explanations. But the whole thing, from bevelled pencil leads onwards, an excellent tutorial.
Such a valuable and helpful video. Thanks for showing us around!
Your wife’s paintings look beautiful!
This is the best lesson ever, I learned so much rather than stumbling
on my own and getting very frustrated👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thanks so much Jan.
This is great! I was astonished once when I heard an instructor telling me how to sharpen the pencil and preserve the lead (pigment), after buying so many sharpeners and ruining pencils. Thank you for your insight. I always appreciate the time professional masters take to share their experience and knowledge, you are one of them. Thanks again! BTW, I showed your chanel to many of my artist friends :)
So glad you found it helpful. Thank you for watching and sharing it with your friends! It means a lot to me
Thanks for doing this tour of your studio. Very informative,
"i should drink more water, too." You are so real. I wish we could have a drink together.
Super informative…especially about your drawing materials, your palette colors and mediums. Have you made a video of your plein air easel and process? You are incredibly generous and have helped many novice painters become more confident!
HI Emily, I had planned on doing plein air with this one but the video was just getting too long. So at some point I'll do another on plein air painting tips and materials and stuff.
Look up the one by james gurney he shows how he makes an easel specifically for that👍🏼
I found the part about the pencils and how to sharpen the very informative. I love how you draw, with all the parallel lines, it is beautiful!
Thank you for the tour, I enjoyed it and learned a lot!
So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you Anne
Thank you so much Ian. You make things so clear and I look forward to your videos and find them so helpful. You are a masterful teacher and so generous with all your time and expertise.
You are very welcome Alice.
Fantastic & generous video! Thank you.
Thank you , I love to see how other artist do their process!
Glad you enjoyed it
I have purchased some of your composition videos -- Just want to give you an A+ for your teaching skills. Subject is presented in a clear, concise, understandable way. Thanks
I like your teaching a lot ! You are so generous to teach every details you know . Thank you so much 🙏🌹
Thanks for all the great information, Ian. I’m so appreciative of great artists taking the time to share their knowledge for free on UA-cam. I’m always curious about what books are on an artist’s bookshelf. Maybe you could talk about that one day. I have your “Mastering Composition” book and it is excellent. One of my favorites.
Delighted you are enjoying the videos. The books I'd like to talk about, or the ones I like the most, are mainly out of print so it seems a bit of a tease. But I am thinking about it and will do one at some point.
You do not need to reply to this: I watch your weekly presentations and even tho’ I do not paint, I am so amazed at what the whole painting process: from sketching your shapes, to making everything sound simple and easy.
I have just completed reading the book: The Forger’s Spell by Edward Dolnick, about the Vermeer forged paintings from the 1930’s to 1945’s.
Listening to you demonstrating the surfaces ( linen to canvas), and the application of the different paint thicknesses is fascinating after having enjoyed the book immensely.
Thanks very much.
Yes, if you were a forger of Old Master paintings you would have to be super careful about linen, and the paints and ..... well everything! Delighted you are enjoying the videos.
Ian, I real like you and your videos, some of the best on UA-cam. Very informative and simply explained for a beginner.
That is so nice of you to say. Thank you Pauline
Thank you Ian, that was really interesting. A lot to take in, so I'll watch a few more times !
yes, a lot of information in there! Thanks for watching Simon
I just love watching different perspectives from different artists. I started oil painting thinking it would be a lot easier, e.g. almost like digital painting where you just move the brush on the canvas and it paints whatever color perfectly on top of what's already there. And many UA-cam artists almost make it look that easy! But of course they're dealing with the "reality" of oil paint in different ways. Some use slow-drying mediums and try not to layer their paint at all. Some use quick-drying mediums and just wait long enough for the paint to get tacky so they can paint on top of it. Some paint alla prima, no medium, and they just use principles like pushing/pulling, painting thickly, etc., to make it work. Some paint on linen, some paint on boards. All of these styles work because in each case the artist's choices are compatible with one another. Learning about how one choice affects another has honestly been a very fun/rewarding part of learning how to paint. I've been gravitating toward this alla prima, no medium style because it allows me to paint in one sitting, thus getting more practice in. I may experiment with other styles when I get better, but honestly I suspect I'll always stick with this one.
Yep, keep away from those toxic chemicals, straight paint, little linseed oil, all you need. I clean my brushes with kerosene (outside) spot on Ian good brushes, the way you clean them last years
Thanks Barry.
Would you please talk more about varnishing sometime? I’ve a ton of oil paintings and have hesitated to varnish them. Thanks 😊
Yes, for me too please!
Yes, I'm making a list of the most asked questions and this is definitely one of them. I'll do another and cover all the points. All the best.
Yes will do.
Great, thank you. Your wife's paintings appear to be in a graphic style, with lovely vibrant colours.
Thank you Ian, I agree with Mark, "This is one of the best videos I've watched on basic but important things". Your teaching style in very straight forward without a lot of additional conversation explaining that can make what you are talking about confusing. I've been painting off and on since late 2016, in this video you anwsered some questions that I had. Thank you!
That makes me so happy to hear Lilah. Thank you for those kind words
Thanks Ian , as usual a brilliant video. I always look forward to my Tuesday's.
Wonderful. Thanks for watching Maureen!
You are a wonderful communicator and teacher Ian. You have the most important skill of knowing what students need to flourish. Thank you.
A very informative video. Can go on listening to your classes for hours. It's really a treasure.
so much priceless information learned only through your own personal growth. amazing, thank you so much, every one of your videos has helped me improve
I'm learning so much from you about light & shape!
I hope you'll forgive my saying; but if you replaced the door blinds with a light bamboo, it would elevate the entire studio space by giving it
structure & definition in the entry.
Really worth it. Even I f you get them at Target:))
A little late to the party here but I have been systematically going through all your videos. I used to paint oil on canvas and then moved into the digital world, still sticking to traditional methods but I will return to actual traditional medium at some point. In the meantime, your channel is proving to be an amazing teaching aid. Thank you so much for being such an inspiration and also for being so generous with your time and knowledge.
I never took any professional classes and I paint as my hobby. I like to thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise free of charge. I feel more confident about how to begin to paint 🤙
I'm delighted you found it helpful. Thanks so much.
I am a beginner. I am so happy to watch this video because it's so helpful.
Thanks for the peek into your studio and process. Have a great week! :)
Thanks Vicky!
Great video Ian! I’m currently in yourMC class, so I’m watching the few videos I’ve missed. LOTS of great info in this one, thanks for sharing
Because you asked for suggestions… IMO the video title doesn’t do it justice- this isn’t a studio tour- it’s a lovely treasure trove of great tips for oil painting.… perhaps it might increase viewership if it was titled differently…?
I wish I knew you were sharing these treasured bits of info in this video…from the title, I thought it would be an envy inducing studio tour (so I actually skipped it… and didn’t watch it for a year! Simply because I’m trying to be content with my little studio and avoid the green eyed monster)
Looking forward to this week’s class!
MBZ (with the long blue hair)
Thank you Mr. Roberts. I'm glad I found and subscribed to your channel a few months ago. As someone who is eager to transition into oils after many years of acrylics and gouache your channel provides tremendous value. Thanks for you effort, sharing your knowledge and insight into your process. I appreciate it a lot. Best from Germany.
Delighted you are enjoying the videos and finding them helpful. Thanks for letting me know.
Thanks for explainting some of the technical aspects of oil painting that almost noone covers.
Goodness. In this one video I have learned more than I have learned in expensive multi-day workshops. You are my new mentor. Thank you. I am confused how to see additional info that you often remark are available on th screen.
Wonderful stuff here, thank you. Oil of spike lavender is a fantastic medium for oils … non toxic with a side benefit of relaxation! Used by Victorian painters and pretty much forgotten nowadays … when I painted with it I found I painted with focus for longer too 😊
Great tip!
I am a water color painter and found this video so helpful to understand more about oil painting. Your compositional videos are also wonderful!
Very interesting and useful for oil painting. I work exclusively with acrylics at this point. If you use that medium on occasion, could you offer similar tips on how you work, preferred brushes, palette layout, how to keep your paints wet, etc. Thanks!
Hi Jim glad you enjoyed the video. I'll do a video on using acrylics one week. It'll be down the pipe a bit but I won't forget.
Just I am very appreciate with the art 🎨🎭 specially for the water colour latest trends in water colour painting 🖌️🎨 jenerally people are working on now.
Excellent; really enjoyed it and learnt a lot. Oh, for the luxury of a dedicated studio - at least I’ve got the end section of my garage. We live in small (and too expensive !)houses on the other side of the pond.
I am so grateful that I found you! I am trying to get back to painting after many years and haven’t been able to find an instructor that I can connect to - either in person or online. Until now. Thank you for sharing SO MUCH knowledge. I’ve now structured my week to having a painting day each Tuesday. Grazie
Ian. Short comment. I live and paint NYC. I just watched your studio tour segment. Having viewed many of your other videos, you come across as a very sincere and generous man. There is an artistry to your presentation. Congratulations and thank you. Steve
Very kind Steve. Thank you.
I’d like to agree with the requests for your favorite art books and acrylic painting tips, when you can get to it. A video showing your process for a portrait or animal painting would also be nice (even if you don’t normally paint those). Thanks for so many great videos!
You could go on for ever ! I would love that!
Thanks so much Caryl!
Amazing stuff. I’ll be trying out some of your tutorials very shortly! 😊
Very generous of you, Ian. Thanks. Jane
My pleasure Jane. Thanks for watching
I hope you'll do more about glazing and finishing/vanishing. Love the tour!
Watched again! Excellent synthesis. Have used Gamblin mediums Galkyd - supposedly not as smelly as liquid. The chip brush is wonderful as it displays the texture and emotion behind the strokes , especially on a smooth ground. Always learning especially as the grounds determine the paint quality.
Once again a wonderful informative lesson Thank you Ian .
Thank you, Ian! You've offered a wonderful overview here without getting lost in the weeds and you consistently provide valuable resources on very many topics. An "omnivorous autodidact" when it comes to painting techniques, I greatly appreciate your style and teaching methods and I end up saving & bookmarking every single video of yours I've watched. Bravissimo!
Thanks so much.
I just found your channel and I must say you are a great artist as well as a great teacher. I learned a lot from the 3 videos I have watched so far. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your beautiful art.
Glad to see you mentioned lighting which is really important to an artist. If anyone noticed the walls are white and the floor is light and the there is a lot of light bouncing around.
It's pretty well lit. Usually the light is even though and that is the main thing.
This is a super essential guide to oil painting! Less is more , concise and to the point. I will return to this video a few times I am sure🤗
Delighted you found it helpful Therese.
Thank you, Ian. Enjoyed the tour. I finish my oil paintings with Dorland’s. I let the painting dry, then with a cloth, rub on a thin coat of wax, leave it on for half an hour, then buff. It gives a wonderful satin/ eggshell finish versus the shiny-ness of varnish. Also solves the glare problem for photographing work.
It's funny you say that because I did just that with next's video because of all the glare I was getting. All the best Elizabeth.
What a great tip!
That is a great tip. Could you expand on which type of wax you used?
Thank you for sharing your studio and the many useful tips. How do you keep oils on your palette from getting dry for the next day?
Glad you enjoyed the video Ianta. I just don't worry about the paint drying out. It is one reason I buy studio sized tubes of Gamblin paint. They are good balance between price and quality. If I bought small tubes of Old Holland I'd be worried every time I squeezed out paint. I mean I'm in the studio a lot so usually I'm using yesterday's paint and it is always fine. Even two days is usually OK.
I look forward to a time when I can have a preferred pallet of colors for all my work. Some day.
Thanks Ian for the informative studio tour. You have basically covered everything, that an artist need to know before getting into painting.
So glad you found it helpful. That was the goal. All the best
I often find the artist’s studio itself is a work of art!
Thank you for showing your studio. But I am curious about your book collection that you have in the bookshelf behind you, can you maybe give some info about that in your next studio tour? And also collection of paintings and drawings in the wall and in your archives?
I really appreciate seeing the studio and materials. I’m practicing pastels but I find your approach to composition and thinking in terms of value masses and focus points… the vertical and horizontal, contrast, etc… is transformative. Thank you Ian.
You are so welcome!
Thank you so much! You have a beautiful big space to work in!
You are so sincere, Ian. Thank you a ton for your videos. Wish you all the very best.
I appreciate that! You too!
Thank you for your creativity and for your lessons! Just think, technical progress allows us to find a teacher even on the other side of the planet and learn from him. This is fantastic and we live in it!
So glad you enjoyed it Nadya.
Yesterday I discovered your channel, and let me say that I am so happy I did. I’m in love with your videos, your voice, the pace and clarity, and I appreciate the way you teach and your generosity. Thank you so much for taking the time to prep and share.💐
You are most welcome Katrina. Glad you found the channel.
So good to see your space, now I no longer need to imagine it!
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
You are one of the best in information and techniques. Thanks
I appreciate that Paul. Thanks so much.
O thank you soon much!
I do watercolor but am so into your composition teaching. Look so forward to seeing you every week.
I was bad at composition in my early years so I went to sculpture. Then up close stuff. You have opened up things for me.
Thank you so much.
You are so welcome Nan.
How wonderful! Thank you for sharing your space 🙂
You are so welcome!
Watched this again, such a good video for anyone painting in oils and for drawing. Filled with helpful tips and advice. Thank you
Thank you Ian! Id LOVE a Q& A video. That sounds Amazing; I can't wait for your live video!🤩I Love your instructions and specific beginners tips & tricks. Stay safe and Be well my friend!🌻💜
Basically dido to most of the comments. I find myself watching and learning, on break at work, from other artist lately. I have very little time to paint anymore. I'm putting all this know;edge in my files so I can become better when I finally sit down, take a breath, and paint again. Thanks for your time!
I have used UA-cam for a long time and watched 100's if not thousands of artist who use all kinds of methods and techniques that are really great. But finding an artist that teaches the style and methods that suit what I want to do is challenging. Currently your videos are my favorite and best show how I want to paint to get the results I want to get. The instructions are great! Thanks for your hard work! I also like Michael Chamberlain and James Gurney a lot but yours are best.
PS, Just ordered your mastering composition book. Looking forward to it!
HI Dale that is so nice of you to let me know. What amazes me about James Gurney is damn steady his hand is. All the best and thank you.
Thanks Ian for sharing such an intimate place. Lovely studio and great tips. Have a nice week!
You are so welcome Roberto
@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition Thank you Ian. I appreciate it.
you’re a wonderful teacher, Ian
Fabulous info and lots of it. Thank you Ian.
Thank you for watching Laurel!
Thanks for this tour Ian. I love the way your approach and how you share your knowledge of oil paint and painting from preparation through to final results.
You are very welcome Nicholas
Hello Ian, your lessons are very helpful even though I love using acrylics. Watching several of your videos in order to work up the nerve to begin painting again. Thank you!
Thank you for inviting to your studio and sharing. It was very interesting. It seems as if you were somewhat nervous or tense. Anyhow it was useful.
Glad you enjoyed it!
hello mr. Roberts, love your videos including this one too. I'm new to your channel so i don't know if you've gone over it previously, but perhaps you should get Amazon referrel links in your descriptions for the products you list out. I am sure people wouldn't mind supporting you when they make a purchase since you're helping us all through your informative content. have a great day.
Thank you for your generosity, your time and your expertise, great video!
I appreciate that! Thanks Joanne