I used to do the same thing about 20 years ago. I didn't have Photoshop. I wrote a computer program to do this stuff and also Munsell analysis. I really got into it. I still have the computer, but I don't know if it still works. Why am i telling you this? A suggestion: When painting the picture in full color, i would occasionally take a photo of the work-in-progress and view it in grayscale, comparing that image to the five-value plan. I found that feedback to be useful.
I have been supporting you for years and you continue to not disappoint ❤️ I wish you could see what my art started out like and what it looks like now with the help of your UA-cam videos!
Thank you! I have been wrestling with values over and over. I am going to try this. Your vids are great! I love how clear and articulate you are in these tutorials. Very helpful!
The black and white trick is a game changer. I spent forever working on shading mountains and realized much of the issue was getting my color values just right (I.E. not to dark or too bright, moderate contrast etc.) not just technique.
Thank you so much for your coaching guide. It really demystifies the whole process. I think it will help my paintings loosen up by breaking things down to simple steps.
Hi Chris, I'm new to oil paint and have been researching non-toxc safe options for my small studio. I'd love to see a video explaining how you deal with your rags and the general clean-up process. Do you dry your rags flat somewhere and then reuse them again, or do you dispose of them after every session in a fire-safe way? Do you pinch clean your brushes as you paint to change colours, or do you use an oil, or thinner to clean them? I'd love your insights, as this is the one element I'm still very hazy about with regards creating a safe environment in my home studio.
How can I best visualize color values? I can create a black and white value study with ease, but find it difficult to translate it into color. To assist this process, I utilize a grey value color wheel and photograph my palette colors and painting to analyze their values in black and white. Is there a more sophisticated method? Perhaps I require more expertise.
Hey! My biggest problem is that I don’t know how/when to thin, use pure paint, when to add oil and how much. The directions of thick over thin that I’ve found just aren’t detailed enough. Please, can you make a more detailed video of different kinds of layering, impasto, thinning, adding oil and how they work together?
No, they are very different. My courses go in depth with lectures, exercises, demos, and tutorials as if you were in a class. My Patreon is more like a gym to practice what you have learned in the courses with tutorials and exercises. Also the Patreon comes with an online community via the private Facebook group that has close to 1000 members.
![Discover the MAGIC of an underpainting for painting landscapes [Forgotten Road: Part 1]](/img/n.gif)
I used to do the same thing about 20 years ago. I didn't have Photoshop. I wrote a computer program to do this stuff and also Munsell analysis. I really got into it. I still have the computer, but I don't know if it still works. Why am i telling you this? A suggestion: When painting the picture in full color, i would occasionally take a photo of the work-in-progress and view it in grayscale, comparing that image to the five-value plan. I found that feedback to be useful.
Re: munsell... Have you heard of the app called chroma magic?
Color gets all the praise while value does all the work.
Perfect timing! I'm stuck in the middle of a painting as we speak and I've lost my values. Ill be doing this exercise tomorrow! Thank you!
I just went into Photoshop and did this with two reference photos. Thank you, this is very helpful!
I have been supporting you for years and you continue to not disappoint ❤️ I wish you could see what my art started out like and what it looks like now with the help of your UA-cam videos!
I love your tutorials. Great way to start a painting - any painting! Thank you for your generosity.
As always, Chris, many thanks for this reminder of the value map!
Glad you found it helpful!
Thank you! I have been wrestling with values over and over. I am going to try this. Your vids are great! I love how clear and articulate you are in these tutorials. Very helpful!
The black and white trick is a game changer. I spent forever working on shading mountains and realized much of the issue was getting my color values just right (I.E. not to dark or too bright, moderate contrast etc.) not just technique.
Thank you so much for your coaching guide. It really demystifies the whole process. I think it will help my paintings loosen up by breaking things down to simple steps.
I use watercolor and I still get a lot out of your videos, and this is a good example. 👍
Excellent. Thanks Chris.
Beautiful work ❤🎉
Hi Chris, I'm new to oil paint and have been researching non-toxc safe options for my small studio. I'd love to see a video explaining how you deal with your rags and the general clean-up process. Do you dry your rags flat somewhere and then reuse them again, or do you dispose of them after every session in a fire-safe way? Do you pinch clean your brushes as you paint to change colours, or do you use an oil, or thinner to clean them? I'd love your insights, as this is the one element I'm still very hazy about with regards creating a safe environment in my home studio.
Thank you Chris. Great video as always.
Glad you enjoyed it
Great info! Thank you for this video!
Do you have any tips on getting motivated to finish a painting you haven’t touched for a while.. ?
How can I best visualize color values? I can create a black and white value study with ease, but find it difficult to translate it into color. To assist this process, I utilize a grey value color wheel and photograph my palette colors and painting to analyze their values in black and white. Is there a more sophisticated method? Perhaps I require more expertise.
Hey! My biggest problem is that I don’t know how/when to thin, use pure paint, when to add oil and how much. The directions of thick over thin that I’ve found just aren’t detailed enough. Please, can you make a more detailed video of different kinds of layering, impasto, thinning, adding oil and how they work together?
Is the content in your Patreon the same at the purchasable Landscape Painting 101?
No, they are very different. My courses go in depth with lectures, exercises, demos, and tutorials as if you were in a class. My Patreon is more like a gym to practice what you have learned in the courses with tutorials and exercises. Also the Patreon comes with an online community via the private Facebook group that has close to 1000 members.
The Notanizer map does this.
Which Photoshop program do u use. ....I'm on android phone
Desktop version I am sure. Mac or PC it doesn't matter.
I'm using Photoshop 2025 and I can't find the cut out filter. I'm wondering if it's not there anymore?
at the top go to "filter" then "filter gallery"