Learn to Paint Podcast

There are many ways to approach your painting practice—and each one serves a different purpose. In this Mini, we’ll briefly explore three core approaches: one-off paintings, painting in a series, and developing a cohesive body of work.We’ll break down how they differ, and then we’ll dive deeper into building a body of work—what it is, why it matters, and the steps you can take to start creating one with intention.Mentioned in the Show:Jennifer Balkan, Ep.108Debbie Miller, Ep.15Alice Sheridan, Ep.70Carrie Waller, Ep.8---Each week, discover 3 ideas you can put to work in your next painting. Sign up for free here: www.learntopaintpodcast.com/newsletterSupport the show

Welcome to the conversation with Jennifer Balkan!In the feature conversation, you’ll discover how to keep your eyes fresh while working on a painting, why leaving areas unfinished can be a strategic choice, and how to seamlessly integrate colors between your foreground and background.If you’ve ever wanted to build a body of work, Balkan offers valuable insight into the evolving thought process of an artist—how ideas develop, shift, and take shape over time.Ad free feature at Art Club here. Bonus [Art Club]In the short bonus, we talk about the very real discomfort you might face when bringing your ideas to life and optical color mixing.Learn more about Jennifer Balkan:WEBSITE / WORKSHOPS / INSTAGRAM ---Each week, discover 3 ideas you can put to work in your next painting. Sign up for free here: www.learntopaintpodcast.com/newsletterSupport the show

So many guests on the show encourage their students to do studies. And yet… you still feel resistance. In today's Mini, let’s talk about what that resistance might look like and how to start pushing back. Mitchell Albala Interview [Ep.104]Mitchell Albala Bonus Conversation [Patreon]How to set up a grid for grid drawing [Instagram] 5 Pieces of Prep That Can Help You Make Looser, Bolder and All Around Better Paintings [Blog]---Each week, discover 3 ideas you can put to work in your next painting. Sign up for free here: www.learntopaintpodcast.com/newsletterSupport the show

Welcome to the conversation with Kathleen Conover!Feature Episode:In the conversation you’ll explore an intuitive way to start your paintings, you’ll learn how to begin to answer the question, “Ok, what NEXT?”  and you'll discover 2 ways you can test ideas before you fully commit to them. Plus a whole lot more.Extended Cut Bonus [Art Club]:In the bonus conversation available in the Podcast Art Club, we dig more into composition including talking about compositional formats and you’ll get a great way to train your brain on good composition.Learn more about Kathleen Conover:WEBSITE / WORKSHOPS / INSTAGRAM /FACEBOOK---Each week, discover 3 ideas you can put to work in your next painting. Sign up for free here: www.learntopaintpodcast.com/newsletterSupport the show

The #20for20ArtChallenge wrapped up on January 20th, but the lessons from it will stay with me all year.In this Studio Chat Mini, I break down what I thought I would learn over 20 days—and how what I actually learned turned out to be even more valuable. From managing art time at your worst time of day to rewiring your brain to be less negative, these insights can help any artist.Want to join us for the next challenge? Learn more here!Here's my writing about the project by day on Instagram.. Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 11 / Day 12 / Day 13 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 16 / NA / Day 18 / Day 19 / Day 20 ---Each week, discover 3 ideas you can put to work in your next painting. Sign up for free here: www.learntopaintpodcast.com/newsletterSupport the show

Welcome to the conversation with Mitchell Albala.Widely recognized for his expertise in composition and color, Albala is the author of two must-read books  Landscape Painting and The Landscape Painter’s Workbook.  And that’s where we’re going to spend the bulk of today’s interview. We are jumping straight into the heart of his process. You’ll discover the transformative power of the BIG IDEA and learn how it shapes his approach to painting. We’ll also take a deep dive into composition, including a crucial step many artists overlook before they start their value studies. And we’ll explore why the format - the square or rectangle, you choose for your painting is far from arbitrary—it can make or break your composition.If your goal is to improve your understanding of composition, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Podcast Art Club: Find your Ad Free Feature here.Extended Cut Bonus (Art Club)In the bonus segment, we turn our focus to color. Mitchell shares insights on why your approach to color might be missing key elements and how to build a more comprehensive strategy. Listen here!Learn more about Albala:WEBSITE / BLOG / YOUTUBE / INSTAGRAM /  WORKSHOPS / BOOKSLinks Mentioned in the Show:Video Lesson: Exploring Composition through Shape and NotanThe Landscape Painter’s Guide to Selecting Reference Photos (Differentiation)Development of an Abstract Landscape (In the interview we’re talking about a foggy lighthouse.)More Great Links:Book Excerpt: Simplification and Massing in Landscape PaintingThe Power of Color Grouping in Landscape PaintingGetting the Light Right: The Power of the Color StudyExercise: Simplification and Massing in Landscape with Limited ValuesWhat Color is Your Underpainting? The Monochromatic and Two-Color Methods---Each week, discover 3 ideas you can put to work in your next painting. Sign up for free here: www.learntopaintpodcast.com/newsletterSupport the show

Kerri Fitzpatrick, an artist who transformed her creative journey by committing to daily painting, shares her insights on building a consistent art practice. She discusses the significance of protected creative spaces and how to balance motherhood with artistic passion. Kerri also dives into the challenges of navigating artistic identity while maintaining structure in her life. Additionally, she introduces the 20 for 20 challenge, encouraging artists to dedicate just 20 minutes daily to enhance creativity and mindset.

Renowned watercolor artist Ron Stocke shares his strategic approach to painting, exploring color palettes and composition techniques. He discusses how to decide between painting around objects or through them and emphasizes the significance of the focal area. Stocke reveals his favorite gray combinations and touches on the importance of spontaneity in brushwork. He encourages aspiring painters to embrace experimentation and consistent practice for personal style development and artistic expression.

Ingrid Christensen, an accomplished artist known for her oil paintings of figures, still life, and florals, shares valuable insights on artistic growth. She discusses how artistic heroes can guide problem-solving in one’s work and emphasizes the benefits of a split primary palette. Ingrid highlights the importance of planning and sticking to it, while also exploring techniques for mastering oil paint. Listeners will uncover strategies for color, composition, and the emotional dynamics of creativity, urging artists to embrace their unique journey.

In the conversation you’ll discover two totally different approaches you can use to build a painting, everything you need to know about using house paint as your acrylic paint, and how your brush strokes can help you create paintings that are loose and impressionistic. Plus a whole lot more. Extended Cut Bonus We talk color including how Parker approaches her palette and mixing, how she handles saturation, and how her faith has helped her have a healthier relationship with social media. Listen here.---Each week, discover 3 ideas you can put to work in your next painting. Sign up for free here: www.learntopaintpodcast.com/newsletterSupport the show