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

Same Subject, Different Conditions

One of Claude Monet’s defining processes was to paint the same subject over and over again under different conditions. The constant subject allowed him to carefully study the often subtle relationships between color and light. I have been following in Monet’s footsteps for the last two months. Every few days, I go for a run … Read more

A Closer Look at Gardanne by Paul Cézanne

In my last post, I took you on a virtual journey of the European Masterpieces exhibition that took place here in Brisbane, Australia. Someone commented that each painting is so beautiful it warrants individual study. I agree. So over the next few weeks, I’m going to be taking a closer look at a handful of … Read more

Throwback to My Childhood Paintings

I found some of my childhood paintings the other day. They were stored away in a dusty corner of my parents’ garage. I figured you might like to see them. They aren’t masterpieces, but they are invaluable to me as they represent the start of my lifelong journey at the easel. I always find it interesting … Read more

On the Easel: Gold Coast, Sand Dune

(My “On the Easel” posts give you a behind-the-scenes look at what I am working on, what went well, what went wrong, and things I learn.) Below is Gold Coast, Sand Dune. It’s a simple beach scene, with glaring sun and an interesting play between light and shadow. Reference Photo and Study Here’s the reference … Read more

Claude Monet – Master of Color and Light

“Monet is just an eye, but God, what an eye.” Paul Cézzane on Claude Monet If you forced me to choose an all-time favorite artist, I would have to go with Claude Monet. Discovering his work led me down an endless rabbit hole of color, light, and the challenge of capturing life’s fleeting effects on … Read more