Learn to Paint Podcast

Welcome to the conversation with Sterling Edwards. Inside you’ll learn why your next go-to watercolor brush might actually be one designed for oil painters. You’ll discover a smart way to prep your paints so your colors stay clean and travel with ease. Plus you’ll find out what to look for in a photo reference that leads to a stronger design.See his painting, Entwined here. Extended Cut Bonus [Art Club]The conversation with Edwards continues in the Art Club. You’ll get a simple trick to make sure your center of interest feels integrated, not pasted on, and how using the power of opposites can instantly strengthen your paintings. Find it here.Learn more about Sterling Edwards:WEBSITE / WORKSHOPS / FACEBOOK / 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

Starting to paint can be tougher than it seems, plagued by fear of failure and perfectionism. The conversation dives into the common challenges artists face when beginning their journeys and offers practical strategies to overcome those barriers. Emphasizing action over perfection, the hosts encourage embracing imperfection to unlock creativity. They also introduce the #20for20 Art Challenge, inviting busy artists to dedicate just 20 minutes a day for 20 days to cultivate their skills. It's a motivational boost for anyone struggling to start!

In the conversation with Sandi Hester, you’ll discover how to tackle a new medium, what to do if you want to paint plein air but can’t seem to find the right spots, and why it’s so so so important to create protected spaces in your art practice just for the creating part, plus a whole lot more. Extended Cut Bonus [Podcast Art Club]In the Extended Cut Bonus, we talk about focal points and why you may or may not need one and Hester explains how she thinks through what she sees and how she translates that to actual layers of paint. Join the Podcast Art Club here.Videos Mentioned in the Show:Hester’s Favorite SuppliesTrip with Hester's Mom and Husband Painting Husband at Pool Learn more about Sandi Hester here:WEBSITE / INSTAGRAM / YOUTUBE / SUBSTACK / WORKSHOPS---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

In the conversation with Melanie Morris you’ll discover the benefits of painting a reference photo multiple times, how your first steps don’t start with paint, and why a timer may be your key to staying present while you work. Plus a whole lot more.Ad Free Podcast Art Club Version here.Extended Cut Bonus [Podcast Art Club]Morris talks about how to create sky holes in your trees and a really inventive idea for how to get great references when you travel.  Available now in the Podcast Art Club.---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

Artist Wayne Jiang works in three distinct styles including one pulled directly from the studios of the Old Dutch Masters. And the reason you might find this especially surprising is because the artist works in acrylics. He takes advantage of acrylics fast drying times and extreme flexibility of the medium to create modern paintings with historical underpinnings. In the conversation, you’ll explore how to control the absorbency of your surface—and why that actually matters. You’ll discover how to match your brush to the type of acrylics you’re using, and learn a way to make color choices that support the story you’re trying to tell in your work. Plus a whole lot more. Extended Cut Bonus [Art Club]We talk finding your style, and Jiang gives great advice for how to keep subjects fresh, especially when you’ve been painting them a long time. Learn more about artist Wayne Jiang: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

When I say sketchbook, you might be thinking of a book with thin paper where you’d use a graphite pencil to draw.And that absolutely IS a sketchbook. But when guest Steve Griggs talks about sketchbooks he means a book filled with watercolor paper, which he uses for everything, drawing, painting, thinking and maybe most importantly developing ideas.In this mini episode, you’ll get practical tips for different ways to use a sketchbook. You’ll learn how to walk through the development of an idea to go deeper and you’ll explore how to push past that blank page with a NEW sketchbook.Learn more about Steve Griggs here:WEBSITE / WORKSHOPS / YOUTUBE / 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

Welcome to the conversation with Remington Robinson. Inside, you’ll discover what to prioritize in the first 20 minutes of a plein air painting, how to think through your scene in terms of paint, and you’ll get  some great advice for how to make the most of the time when a brush isn't in your hand, plus  a whole lot more.Special Bonus [Art Club]When I was interviewing and then editing Robinson’s interview, I was really struck by those Style Development Years. We look at Robinson’s work, we scroll through his social media, and say "Oh, yeah, he’s always been painting this way."But that's not true. His style- like all of ours, developed over time.And so that’s what I want to talk about in today’s special Art Club Mini. Let’s look at and talk about how Robinson’s style developed over years and what we might learn from it. Listen here.Learn more about Remington Robinson here:WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | BOOK---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

Color harmony can make or break a painting, and it’s easier to master than you think! Discover effective strategies like monotone schemes and complementary colors. The importance of a limited palette is emphasized, encouraging artists to experiment. Plus, learn about glazing techniques to unify colors while taking careful planning into account. Don’t let creative blocks hold you back; small art commitments can reignite your passion. Tune in for practical tips that will elevate your artwork!

In a captivating discussion, watercolorist John Salminen, renowned for his urban street scenes, shares insights on mastering luminosity through value and contrast. He emphasizes the significance of value studies for artists, especially beginners, showcasing how light and dark interact to draw viewers in. Salminen discusses the balance of artistic freedom and financial stability, the importance of composition, and the role of self-critique in refining skills. Listeners gain invaluable tips on technique, materials, and fostering a daily art practice.

Perspective is a tool you can use to create depth and distance in your work. There are a few types of perspective tools but in today's mini episode we are focusing in on a super approachable one: Atmospheric (or Aerial) Perspective.Podcast Art Club:  How 3 Different Artists Use Perspective in Their Work---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