How to Name Your Artwork

Let’s cover a simple but important question: “How should I name my artwork?”  I’ll cover: Simple and Descriptive For most artworks, a simple and descriptive title is sufficient. In a few words, describe what the artwork is about. Who is depicted? Where is it? What is it? This is how I title most of my … Read more

Two Recent Paintings and a Lesson on Simplification

I have decided to make 2022 a year of busy painting. I want my walls to be filled with color and life by the end of it. Here are two recent ones plus the reference photos I took a few months back. They depict the turquoise waters and rocky shores of Noosa. These paintings are … Read more

A Lesson on Atmospheric Perspective

Chontele, Elora, and I recently got back from a short trip to Montville in Queensland, Australia. It’s a quiet town in the Sunshine Coast hinterlands. The weather was miserable by usual standards, but it felt right for the area and its lush plants and sweeping hills. A dense mist filled the air. Even at midday, … Read more

7 Tips for High-Contrast Paintings

I have been fond of painting high-contrast scenes lately. Below is one I’m currently working on, Minnippi, Green, Contrast. High-contrast paintings are stunning when they work, but garish when they don’t. It’s a careful balance between pushing the contrast without overdoing it and whilst making sure the painting works as a whole. In light of … Read more

Van Gogh Alive

Last week, Chontele, Elora, and I visited the Van Gogh Alive exhibition here in Brisbane. It was good, especially if you’re a fan of van Gogh’s work. The main feature was a room filled with floor-to-ceiling screens showcasing van Gogh’s work. We were taken on a journey through his inspired and tragic life. There were … Read more

Broken Color Techniques

Broken color is a wonderful technique. Done well and your colors will vibrate and shimmer. It can transform even the most basic of subjects. Take Monet’s haystack series for example. Let’s take a look at some of the techniques you can use to convey broken color. The Multicoloured Brush Strokes How to perform: Pick up a … Read more

Tree, Dappled Light, Overcast

Full Video Key Takeaways:  Time-Lapse Finished Painting Progress Shots Reference Photo Click here to download the full resolution reference photo. If you ever want to learn more, you might be interested in my Painting Academy course. Thanks! Dan Scott drawpaintacademy.com

How to Paint Overlapping Objects

Let’s take a look at how to paint overlapping objects. As you might already know, I’ve been working on a tree series lately. The main challenge with this series has been dealing with the complex arrangement of overlapping objects. All the leaves, branches, sky, grass, dappled light, and shadows are so tightly woven together it … Read more

How I Travel With Wet Paintings

(​This follows from my previous email: Traveling and Painting.) A few readers asked how I go about traveling with wet paintings. That’s a good question, as oil paint can take a few days to dry to touch. I only recently started using Guerrilla Painter boxes. These things have made painting on location much easier. I have two 6×8 boxes … Read more