In this video, Sharon continues her painting. She is going to show us how to create a misty stand of trees and how to create tree trunks by double-loading the brush. No need to go into it twice! She also thins her paint down to create branches.

Ok. There are some things I want to share with you. First, Sharon is painting fast on this video because this was filmed for PBS and she only had 27 minutes to create a painting from start to finish. We recommend you take your time and enjoy the process. No need to rush through it. Second, most of our television artists wouldn’t paint a painting all in one setting like we see here. Even though it is possible to paint wet-on-wet and to add thin paint on top of thick paint, it isn’t the easiest way to achieve outstanding results. If a wet canvas has had a chance to sit overnight, the highlights will go on better. One of the beautiful things about painting in oil is that it isn’t necessary to rush through the process. It is ok to take your time and enjoy painting along the way.

We suggest you have several paintings going at a time. This way when you are in the mood to paint, you can continue without over-working one painting. No one wants to get everything out to paint for just a few minutes, however, it is possible that a few minutes is all that is needed on one canvas. So no worries, just pick up another canvas and let the other one tack up or dry depending on what you want to do next. When you are ready to paint again, if the canvas is dry, just use a very thin coat of Alexander Magic Clear over the canvas. We do mean a little bit! Our Magic Clear is amazing! Cleared and cleaned by hand in an all-natural process, is the first step to making the clearest oil medium that we know of. It is so concentrated, that literally, a few drops will do. If you haven’t tried our all-natural, no toxins, no resins, no harmful ingredients, Magic Clear, we suggest you do.

Points To Consider:

• Sharon’s canvas is wet because she had to finish the painting in 27 minutes..
• She is painting fast for the same reason.
• Sharon makes a misty stand of trees by pounding the paint deep into the canvas. Because the canvas is wet, she is pressing hard to work the paint into wet paint.
• VanDyke Brown is a gray-brown, which works well when she wants the trees to disappear into the distance..
• Watch how she double-loads her brush to create tree trunks. She holds the brush with the light side facing the side of the light source.
• Please, don’t thin your paint with paint thinner. We used to recommend that but now that we know better, we don’t. We suggest using Alexander Magic Clear instead. With a slight aroma of Lavender, our Magic Clear provides a little aromatherapy while you paint..
• Sharon says if the paint won’t stick, she will thin it down even more. That works, but so does walking away from the canvas for a while. Let the paint set up and the highlights will go on much easier.
• She thins the paint to an ink-like consistency.

What is holding you back as an artist? How can we help?.

Happy Painting!

Laurie and Dawn

PLUS: So whenever you’re ready…here are a few ways we can help you become the artist you’ve always wanted to be.

1: Join Our Membership 

Quickly become a better artist by having access to hundreds of videos led by Master Artists. You also get self-guided, step-by-step courses. And of course discounts on all our special art supplies.

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2:  Let US guide you in our Alexander Master Class 

Quickly learn the Alexander proven way to paint starting from where you are… and we’ll lead you from there. The best thing is our Master Class is a unique series of courses with live feedback taught by Master Artist, Master Teacher, Tom Anderson. It isn’t for people who have already “Mastered” painting techniques… It is for people with the passion and desire to learn everything the Old Masters and Bill Alexander knew one baby step at a time.

Watch this video to see if Master Class is right for you.

3: Let us help you decide your next step on your art journey

Not sure how to move forward on your path to become a great artist?  Just hit reply to this message and put “Art Journey” in the subject line… tell me a little bit about your painting experience (even if you have none) and we will set up a private meeting to see if Alexander Art is a good fit for you.