How To Freshen Up Dull Paintings

“How can I get fresher color into my work?” 

Let’s admit it, we’ve all asked ourselves this question at one time or another. And in this week’s lesson, I’m going to answer the question by addressing what to do when it all goes muddy and dull. Take heart, fellow travelers, for all is not lost! 

As we develop our paintings, the work can get muddy or dull for a number of reasons. Let’s explore together how to freshen up an otherwise murky painting by using freshening strokes of color. To bring this lesson to life for you, I’m going to paint my way out of the mud. Will I be able to turn things around? 

Find out as you watch this lesson on fresh color.

How To Loosen Up With Painterly Edges

Do you find yourself asking the question, “How do I loosen up my painting?” I think we’ve all asked ourselves this question at one time or another. This lesson is my response to your question, empowering you to move toward a more painterly approach in your work by focusing on one specific technique—Edges.  

In this paint along demonstration of an apple, we’ll deploy a rich variety of edges, allowing for a more painterly expression of this subject. Be sure to download your “Painterly Edges Resource Guide” so you can paint along with me. In it, you’ll find a reference photograph, painting examples related to the lesson and clear supportive definitions for each type of edge that we’ll cover in this lesson. It’s going to be great fun to explore this lesson together! Are you ready to paint?

Painting Bold Expressive Landscapes

Artists near and far have been asking me whether it’s ok to blend, how to make bold marks with pastel and which direction to make them in.

Well, get your passport ready and buckle up, because in this video we’ll travel to Europe and visit the beautiful German countryside. It’s time to paint expressive landscapes in black using bold marks and vibrant colors. As we do, we’ll talk about when to blend and when not to, as well as how to make those bold fresh marks in pastel.

P.S.  Be forewarned, this video is bound to inspire you to get out into the European countryside and paint expressive landscapes. But don’t despair, because you can still join me for an amazing Next Painting Retreat to Southern France! There are only a few spots left, so be sure to click here for all the details and sign up for our next class!

How to Set Up Your Pastel Palette

Would you like to paint faster and freer? What about making bold, expressive marks in pastel that sparkle with freshness and clarity? Sound appetizing? Then organizing your palette should be a top priority!

I realize that palette prep may not seem like the most critical step in developing a greater fluency in your pastel painting. But let me tell you from experience, you can more than double your painting speed while enhancing your creative flow and connection by taking the time to set up your palette in a logical and consistent manner.

I’m pretty passionate about this topic. And I’d love to teach you how to organize your palette for maximum painting efficiency.

Watch this video lesson and be sure to download my free Pastel Palette Template. This will help you organize your colors to paint whatever comes your way!

Four Strategies for Painting Greens

Summer is upon us, and with it the full spectrum of green has spread across the landscape. What better time than now to confront the troublesome topic of painting with greens! 

In this video lesson, I’ll respond to your questions regarding how to paint this uniquely challenging color in the landscape by providing four practical strategies for dealing with greens. No longer will you tremble in the sight of so much green, because now you’ll be empowered with effective techniques to keep your landscapes looking lush and vibrant.

Are you ready to go green together? Let’s do this.

How To Draw Portraits with Dramatic Light & Shadow

Your excellent questions have led us to take a closer look at the subject of the portrait. In this lesson, we’ll explore methods for creating dramatic light and shadow effects in the portrait using only a few pastel pencils on toned paper to capture the likeness in a monochromatic approach. This timeless technique has been used by great artists throughout the ages from Michelangelo to Caravaggio. You can take advantage of this wonderful technique as well!

Enjoy this full portrait demonstration, as I answer many of your questions on the subject of portraits while we create a dramatic light and shadow drawing together. 

The Best Hard Pastels for Portraits

I have been on a mission this spring to listen and respond to your many questions with new lesson content tailored to your needs.  I’ve received a number of questions from artists like you regarding my portrait palette, specifically as it relates to hard pastels. Here are some of the questions I’ve been asked: 

·     How do you create that point on your hard pastels?

·     How do you sharpen your hard pastels?

·     Should you only use hard pastels at the beginning of the portrait? 

·     What are the best hard pastel colors for portraits?

·     Why don’t you use more pastel pencils?

In this lesson, I’m going to share with you the answers to these questions by revealing…

·     My go-to favorite hard pastels

·     A custom designed portrait color chart just for you

·     My top seven must have colors!

·     How to sharpen your hard pastels

·     My favorite pastel pencils for portrait sketching

Watch today’s lesson below and be sure to download your free portrait color chart!

How to create Portrait Backgrounds

Earlier this year, I invited questions from my newsletter subscribers regarding topics that they would like more help with. (Join the list today to take part in this wonderful creative community!) The responses I received contained one specific theme that kept showing up time and time again:

·     “Do you have pointers on what you think about in deciding what to do for the background of a portrait?”

·      “I want to get more creative with backgrounds.”

·     “I have difficulty dealing with the background. I’m unsure about how to make the background integrate well with the subject and enhance it.” 

·     “What colors and composition are best for the background?”

·      “I need help knowing what to do with backgrounds! Have you had other requests for this type of help?”

Absolutely! The theme of backgrounds is clearly resonating as an area where further guidance is needed. And I’m here to help. 

In this video, I’ll reveal four principles to strengthen your portrait backgrounds and enhance your work. Watch the video now, and give these four pointers a try on your next portrait!

Portrait Workshops

Imagine yourself at an upcoming live portrait workshop growing creatively during multiple days of encouraging portrait instruction that is personalized to your needs. Think of how much confidence you could gain in just a few short days! Sign up today to secure your spot in one of my upcoming Painterly Portrait Workshops this fall. Let’s develop your creative potential together.

How to Paint Trees Part 2

You know, eating burned food is just not enjoyable. No one savors an overcooked meal, and neither do we enjoy an overcooked painting!

Part Two of, “How To Paint Trees” has arrived, and I’m here to show you how to take your coastal tree painting to the finish line while keeping it fresh and savory at the same time. 

In the video, you’ll Discover the secrets of creating rich colors and textures in your pastel paintings using layer pastels for stunning effects. Unleash your creativity with sculptural marks and add depth to your tree paintings, artist and master instructor Alain Picard shows you how to master the techniques to develop form and suggest details in your pastel artworks

and see firsthand how to:
·      refine your pastel painting without overworking it
·      layer pastel for rich color and texture
·      use sculptural marks to develop form and suggest detail
·      add sparkle and freshness to dull, muddy areas
·      harness the power of suggestion by letting a few key elements tell the story

How About Your Trees?
So, how are your tree paintings shaping up? Could you benefit from a personalized critique of your work? In our classes and membership, we give personalized feedback to help you perfect your pastel painting techniques and build positive momentum in your own artistic development. Sign up for a critique today, and let me help you grow! Join the waitlist to receive updates and learn about our next live class.

Here’s Part Two of, “How To Paint Trees.” 

How to Paint Trees Part 1

Want to paint loose, impressionistic trees in pastel?

We’ve all struggled to convey those pesky little leaves at one time or another. And if we’re really honest, we'd admit that we have fallen prey to the perilous trap of painting one leaf at a time! 

Well take heart, because in this lesson I’m going to show you how to harness the power of suggestion by creating the impression of leaves without actually rendering each of them. Let freedom ring!

By the end of this two-part video lesson, you’ll know how to create loose painterly trees with wonderful color and bold fresh marks that sparkle against the sky. 

Make sure to sign up below to download your, “How To Paint Trees Step-by-Step Guide,” so you can follow along at each stage of development. 

Are you ready to be liberated from the leaf-induced shackles of painting foliage? 

Watch Part One of, “How To Paint Trees”!

P.S. Look out for part two of this video lesson coming to you on April 17, 2019!

How To Mount Your Pastel Paper

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve received questions from artists asking me how to mount sanded pastel paper to board. While delegating the assignment to your local framer is a valid option, there is a DIY approach.

Sanded papers like UART are produced on rolls and have a tendency to curl up at the edges over time. It’s definitely no fun to fight those curls while you’re trying to paint, not to mention the problem of buckling the paper during washes! 

Well, get ready for buckle free bliss, because I’m about to show you my personal method for mounting pastel paper to board right in the studio without the use of an expensive dry mount press. By the end of this video, you’ll be empowered to mount your own pastel surfaces like a DIY pro. 

Want to create stable, buckle free boards that can take the abuse of wet underpaintings, and frame up beautifully?  Then be sure to sign up for the DIY MOUNTING GUIDE below, because it’s time to conquer the curl together! 

Let’s do this. 

Painting Sunsets in Pastel - PART 2

Welcome back! Part two of “Painting Sunsets in Pastel” is here.

In this lesson, I’m pulling back the veil and giving you my shop secrets to creating that radiant glow of light. Be sure to download the updated Guide complete with the final stages of development, so you can follow along with the video step-by-step.

And if you haven’t yet seen Part One, you’re going to want to watch that video first. Click here to watch Part One now. 

Part Two is where the color really begins to sparkle.

Where the marks become lush and painterly,

and where I give away my tried and true methods for creating that radiant atmospheric glow. 

By the end of this lesson, you’ll be empowered to know how to paint harmonious, glowing sunsets in soft pastel.

Are you ready to finish this painting together? Let’s begin!

Painting Sunsets in Pastel - PART 1

Sigh. I love sunsets. Don’t you?

There’s nothing like the radiant glow of late afternoon light by the ocean. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to capture the mood and atmosphere of a sunset in pastel, then you’ve come to the right place. I’m here to help!

In this two-part video lesson, I’ll show you how to create moody, dramatic sunlight that breaks through coastal cloud layers, exuding a wonderful atmospheric glow.  Watch part one of this video today, and be sure to follow along step-by-step by signing up below to receive your own Painting Sunsets Step-by-Step Guide! 

Be sure to come back for part two of this video lesson in just a week. Before long, you’ll be confidently painting radiant light in soft pastel. 

PS. There is still space in my upcoming five-day workshop at the beautiful Hudson River Valley Art Workshops in Greenville, NY from April 1-5, 2019! This is such a unique opportunity to work together for a week, covering painterly techniques in both portrait and landscape. It would be an honor to work with you! LEARN MORE >

What Pastel Paper Should I Use?

Believe it or not, the paper you use has a dramatic impact on the overall look and finish of your work. Yet it can be overwhelming to figure out what to buy with all the materials on the market. The truth is, not all papers are created equally! 

Don’t worry though, I’ve developed this video and the accompanying pastel paper supply list to help you understand which surfaces I recommend in order to accomplish a painterly style.

Simply watch the video to see my full explanation, and click the link below to download your pastel supply list and follow along! 

What Pastels Should I Use?

If you are anything like me, you love a rich painterly buildup and bold mark-making style. In order to achieve this in your work, you'll need to use good quality soft pastels. Yet it can be downright overwhelming to know what to buy with all the materials on the market. I completely understand, because so many of you continue to ask me what pastels you should use. 

Don’t worry! I’ve created a pastel supply list just for you. This will give you confidence, knowing what tools will help you accomplish a painterly style. Simply watch this video to see my full explanation, and click the link below to download your pastel supply list to follow along!

PS. Do you need fresh insight and encouragement? Don't put it off another day. Check out the list of live workshops below, and register for the one that works best for you! I would love to help you develop your creative potential, and can't wait to work with you!