Hey. I've "studied" art for about 80 years and what you're saying about muddy paint is amazing. Thank you. Your piano background music isn't bad either. A fan.
Opaque paints tend to create a blind spot! My art tutor used to tell me that. Now i understood what he meant..thanks to this well explained and demonstrative video..Namaste!🙏
ooww!! Al this time I was asking...what's wrong with muddy colors, some are actually good like if you are painting ehm...muddy road. But it's not about the color. you have no idea how that open my eyes and my understanding of muddy. thank you so much sir!
Great lesson! I am currently learning about using transparent paint. I only paint with acrylics. You have helped me to understand working with transparent paint even more. It makes a tremendous difference in the painting. Thank you!
that's a good technique it looks beautiful. I personally prefer warm and cool colors to darken and lighten. I pick the color I need then I pick the color above then mix it with white the opposite for darker colors. I will try your technique it looks charming
Another a good lesson shared. I'm not doing oil paintings myself, currently into the pencil and graphite medium, but i like discovering new things and watching how other artists work and handle their craft. It calms me inside when seeing someone focused and immersed into their work, and it's a huge plus when it's also explained what is happening. Anyways, here might be an idea for a future video. Maybe you could show us various ways at how you apply the oil paint to the canvas, techniques that creates special effects. For example different ways of stroking the brush and different kinds of brushes or other tools that might be handy. Or maybe even mixing other mediums with the oil painting. Of course such things depend on what the painter wants to draw, but it would be cool if you can show us your approach. As always, cheers and have a good day.
Love your work. What feels like a century ago, a junior high art instructor asked our class how to mix brown. Being raised in an artistic household, I excitedly raised my hand. "Red and green or any two opposing colors" I answered enthusiastically- and was met with a scowl. "No," she growled, "that just makes mud." What color is mud? She went on to explain to the class that to achieve brown, you just mixed all the colors together... I was, of course, scarred for life.
Kaotiqua Oh no!! On behalf of all the ignorant and insensitive art teachers in the world, I apologize to you! Please tell that poor inner child that we are sorry! (And you were, of course, absolutely correct.)
Avoiding mud. I'm a Bob Ross follower. The moment I blend (using oil) I make mud. Suggestions? I'm using a combination of Newton & Windsor, Pebeo for titanium white and I have few tubes of Van Gog. I'm now using paper instead of Plexiglas to absorb any extra oil. Liquid white (Bob's brand) or linseed, I use the thinnest layer. But the moment I try a horizontal sweep at my clouds, with the softest brush and hand, I make MUD. HINTS? SUGGESTIONS? %:) John
Hmm.... I'd have to see what you're doing to know for sure. It sounds to me like it's a matter of color mixing, and what you're calling "mud" is actually a DULL color. All dull colors are perfect in the right place, but can look muddy when a bright color is needed. Wish I could tell you more!
Excellent video, but I thought that adding transparent paint on top of the opaque paint goes against the 'fat over lean' rule when using oil paints? or is it irrelevant because the under painting is dry? I am scared that the transparent layer will crack
Claire online Hey, Claire! So sorry I missed this earlier. You ask a VERY good question. The "fat over lean" expiration confuses many people. It should actually be "SLOW OVER FAST." In other words, you want upper layers to dry slower than under layers. If you put a fast-drying glaze over slow drying opaque, you will, indeed, have problems. SO the opaque layer must have some "speed" in it, as well as the glaze. If not, you must use a slow-drying medium for the glaze...like Neo Megilp.
Thank you for the video!! Very informative. Dan, Would it be possible to achieve the same results in a painting just using acrylics and transparencies all the way to the finish? What is the main reason you switch over to oils? I tend to avoid oils because of the chemicals and cleaning brushes after oils sucks.
Great painting lesson as always. Thank you so much for makings these. But it's called "Glazing" And it's as old as oil painting it's self. Why didn't you say the word "Glaze" Just curious.
mitchell freifeld Good question! I had go back and listen to it myself. I NORMALLY use the word til I'm blue in the face! I guess I was trying to spell out the OPAQUE / TRANSPARENT contrast as clearly as possible.
Hi Dan, I watched this great video and another of yours called "Limited Palette". In the latter you mentioned the 'printing colours' you use for transparent layers. Do you use this limited palette for all your transparent glazes or just for under-painting? Thanks. Annette from Perth, Australia.
Hello, Annette! Somehow I missed your comment until now. You asked a good question. Yes, you can do all the underpainting layers with just those three colors. Most of the time I use additional colors, like purple, green, brown, and orange, but that's just a speed things up a little bit.
Ironically, I thought you were going to use white to lighten an area around it, to contrast the current area, making appear darker. I like this method too, though.
Very good question! (Sorry I missed this 11 months ago!) You bring up a good point. I do this in my alla plein air painting... In a word, it's just all a little messier! But I follow the same principle.
My paintings look muddy when I try to use linseed oil or mineral spirits as a solvent/medium. ...Maybe cause I'm new and don't know what I'm doing. It tends to happen when I'm blending colors or removing brush strokes on the canvas. (I've tried using alkyd mediums; they work great for when I blend or remove brush stroke. However, I tend to feel sick when using them). Do you have any suggestions for avoiding muddiness when using Gamsol or linseed/safflower oil mediums?
Angela Jensen I would have to see what you are doing to understand what the problem is exactly. The particular medium that you use shouldn't really have any bearing on the appearance of muddiness. all the mediums you mentioned should work just fine. the most common mistake that beginners make is that they don't use nearly enough medium to make the paint transparent. As you saw in the video, mud is the result of putting dark opaque color on top of a color (value) that is lighter.
You are correct, Rose Ann! Sorry...I failed to discern how QUICKLY you good people would respond to my video! (Links coming soon . . . I actually have a friend who helps me with the technical stuff.)
You totally just changed my life
I can’t believe you look at and respond to comments all these years later. Love the video thank you for the help
You have taught me sooooo much over the past two and a half years!!😊 When I paint and it turns out good....I say THANK YOU Dan Nelson!!!😊
Hey. I've "studied" art for about 80 years and what you're saying about muddy paint is amazing. Thank you. Your piano background music isn't bad either. A fan.
Thanks, Jack! I appreciate the encouragement.
Opaque paints tend to create a blind spot! My art tutor used to tell me that. Now i understood what he meant..thanks to this well explained and demonstrative video..Namaste!🙏
ooww!! Al this time I was asking...what's wrong with muddy colors, some are actually good like if you are painting ehm...muddy road. But it's not about the color. you have no idea how that open my eyes and my understanding of muddy. thank you so much sir!
WOW...someone who explains "mud" properly...THANK YOU! Gonna try this on a painting today!
Great info. Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge. :)
Great lesson! I am currently learning about using transparent paint. I only paint with acrylics. You have helped me to understand working with transparent paint even more. It makes a tremendous difference in the painting. Thank you!
Thanks for valuable lessen. I also like your light hearted humour.
Excellent and very helpful explanation and demonstration. Thanks for posting!
that's a good technique it looks beautiful. I personally prefer warm and cool colors to darken and lighten. I pick the color I need then I pick the color above then mix it with white the opposite for darker colors. I will try your technique it looks charming
Whaaaattt this makes so much sense. "Human beings don't like seeing dark paint on top of light paint". Awesome.
Another a good lesson shared. I'm not doing oil paintings myself, currently into the pencil and graphite medium, but i like discovering new things and watching how other artists work and handle their craft. It calms me inside when seeing someone focused and immersed into their work, and it's a huge plus when it's also explained what is happening. Anyways, here might be an idea for a future video. Maybe you could show us various ways at how you apply the oil paint to the canvas, techniques that creates special effects. For example different ways of stroking the brush and different kinds of brushes or other tools that might be handy. Or maybe even mixing other mediums with the oil painting. Of course such things depend on what the painter wants to draw, but it would be cool if you can show us your approach.
As always,
cheers and have a good day.
Thanks, Mojtaba-- Excellent idea! I have actually done a lot of work in the realm of "brushstrokes" and certainly need to make a video on the subject.
Love your work. What feels like a century ago, a junior high art instructor asked our class how to mix brown. Being raised in an artistic household, I excitedly raised my hand. "Red and green or any two opposing colors" I answered enthusiastically- and was met with a scowl. "No," she growled, "that just makes mud." What color is mud? She went on to explain to the class that to achieve brown, you just mixed all the colors together... I was, of course, scarred for life.
Kaotiqua Oh no!! On behalf of all the ignorant and insensitive art teachers in the world, I apologize to you! Please tell that poor inner child that we are sorry! (And you were, of course, absolutely correct.)
:D I have mostly recovered, but it makes a good story, and I had to share, since as you said- mud has it's place. ;)
Thank you Dan. You are a wonderful painter.
OMG.
That cleared so many things up. Thank you soooo much.
Gosh that was so so good did not realize about darks only having transparents - thankyou
Dan, One more fantastic video and simple enough explanation of a real confusing subject :-)
Fabulous video, so helpful!
Thanks for these videos I'm just learning to paint and this helps a lot
Thanks a lot.
I like very much your videos, I want to see new ones!!!
Grettings from Spain
BRILLIANT .Thank you so much for sharing this .
so helpful and clearly explained! Thank you so much for your videos, I'm hooked!
Avoiding mud. I'm a Bob Ross follower. The moment I blend (using oil) I make mud.
Suggestions? I'm using a combination of Newton & Windsor, Pebeo for titanium white and I have few tubes of Van Gog. I'm now using paper instead of Plexiglas to absorb any extra oil. Liquid white (Bob's brand) or linseed, I use the thinnest layer.
But the moment I try a horizontal sweep at my clouds, with the softest brush and hand, I make MUD.
HINTS? SUGGESTIONS?
%:) John
Hmm.... I'd have to see what you're doing to know for sure. It sounds to me like it's a matter of color mixing, and what you're calling "mud" is actually a DULL color. All dull colors are perfect in the right place, but can look muddy when a bright color is needed. Wish I could tell you more!
Thank You!
Excellent lesson. thanks
I'm gonna try this out next time I 🎨
Would acrylic flow release work for creating transparent colors?
Thank you so much!!!
Wow, that is fantastic! Thanks for sharing:-)
tanks Dan.. Very helpfull tutorial.
Brilliant tutorial
Excellent video, but I thought that adding transparent paint on top of the opaque paint goes against the 'fat over lean' rule when using oil paints? or is it irrelevant because the under painting is dry? I am scared that the transparent layer will crack
Claire online Hey, Claire! So sorry I missed this earlier. You ask a VERY good question. The "fat over lean" expiration confuses many people. It should actually be "SLOW OVER FAST." In other words, you want upper layers to dry slower than under layers. If you put a fast-drying glaze over slow drying opaque, you will, indeed, have problems. SO the opaque layer must have some "speed" in it, as well as the glaze. If not, you must use a slow-drying medium for the glaze...like Neo Megilp.
expression...not expiration...
Oh I see that makes a lot more sense, thank you for explaining! :)
oh thank you !
Subbbbbbed man. On screen presence is great btw
How does this work with acrylics? Just starting to paint, so forgive my ignorance?
Great video, exactly what i needed
The sheds are very dark I cannot see any light paint on them ...
if you paint in paint layers must all paint layers be transparent and not opaque paint layer
great vid :D i can't wait till next one
Fascinating!
Thanks a lot !
Thank you for the video!! Very informative. Dan,
Would it be possible to achieve the same results in a painting just using acrylics and transparencies all the way to the finish? What is the main reason you switch over to oils? I tend to avoid oils because of the chemicals and cleaning brushes after oils sucks.
I was wondering what's the best way to make colors transparent with acrylics? Thanks
Great painting lesson as always. Thank you so much for makings these. But it's called "Glazing" And it's as old as oil painting it's self. Why didn't you say the word "Glaze" Just curious.
mitchell freifeld Good question! I had go back and listen to it myself. I NORMALLY use the word til I'm blue in the face! I guess I was trying to spell out the OPAQUE / TRANSPARENT contrast as clearly as possible.
Hi Dan, I watched this great video and another of yours called "Limited Palette". In the latter you mentioned the 'printing colours' you use for transparent layers. Do you use this limited palette for all your transparent glazes or just for under-painting? Thanks. Annette from Perth, Australia.
Hello, Annette! Somehow I missed your comment until now. You asked a good question. Yes, you can do all the underpainting layers with just those three colors. Most of the time I use additional colors, like purple, green, brown, and orange, but that's just a speed things up a little bit.
if you are painting layers of paint is it better to be using transarent paint
Sometimes things need to dry a bit to prevent mud
I felt like I won a lottery. :)
Ironically, I thought you were going to use white to lighten an area around it, to contrast the current area, making appear darker. I like this method too, though.
That's what I was thinking too.
if you are painting in layers of paint with out getting muddy colours ,
but you can't do that when painting alla prima in which everything is wet, right?
But how do you even by transparent paint?
if your into blending can you avoid mud
How do you do it with alla prima? Thanks!
Very good question! (Sorry I missed this 11 months ago!) You bring up a good point. I do this in my alla plein air painting... In a word, it's just all a little messier! But I follow the same principle.
My paintings look muddy when I try to use linseed oil or mineral spirits as a solvent/medium. ...Maybe cause I'm new and don't know what I'm doing. It tends to happen when I'm blending colors or removing brush strokes on the canvas. (I've tried using alkyd mediums; they work great for when I blend or remove brush stroke. However, I tend to feel sick when using them). Do you have any suggestions for avoiding muddiness when using Gamsol or linseed/safflower oil mediums?
Angela Jensen I would have to see what you are doing to understand what the problem is exactly. The particular medium that you use shouldn't really have any bearing on the appearance of muddiness. all the mediums you mentioned should work just fine. the most common mistake that beginners make is that they don't use nearly enough medium to make the paint transparent. As you saw in the video, mud is the result of putting dark opaque color on top of a color (value) that is lighter.
Hi Dan, I don't see the link for specialized instruction. Rose Ann
You are correct, Rose Ann! Sorry...I failed to discern how QUICKLY you good people would respond to my video! (Links coming soon . . . I actually have a friend who helps me with the technical stuff.)
very interesting... so it means using white makes the color opaque and dull... what makes it transparent then?
liquin, walnut alkyd meduims, etc
Pseudo has answered you perfectly. (Thank you all for participating in our little community!)
Thank you ... :)
Just noticed my terrible spelling...where are my glasses.
Gosh! You’re so confusing!
I like very much your videos, I want to see new ones!!!
Grettings from Spain
Fascinating!