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Do you follow the fat over lean rule? You seem to put thick oils paint on immediately. Please could you let me know if this is ok and also what is the gel that you are adding to the paint? Many thanks.

Do you need to use air filtration with your oil paint materials?

Watching you paint was very exciting for me. I have been so disappointed with my efforts imagining I should begin with a pre conceived structure. I feel liberated after watching you paint and listening to your advice. Thank you Marianne

Thank you! I love how you breakdown what I should think about when trying to be more cohesive in my work. I am pretty much facing this dilemma since I work in different media and draw/paint a variety of subjects and therefore have differing styles. A lot of food for thought. Thank you!

Eh.

Sick as it may seem, I really enjoy the challenge of overcoming obstacles. To me, real happiness comes from overcoming problems and noticibly growing by the success. If it wasn't for the "wasted time", I'd do nothing but create problems for myself so that I could ride the endorphin high once I solve them. I guess that's why I do organic abstracts...lots of creative "painting myself into a corner."

Hi, does your canvas also have the 45 degree cut on them? Thank you.

Wow! I just discovered you online. I love your videos and that you use oil versus acrylics. Looking forward to seeing more of your works and instruction. Thank you!

This is the most valuable discussion of composition in abstract art I have encountered. Thank you!

I’m a mixed media 🤷‍♀️ Ty for what u do💜

Just loved this demonstration. Thank for the important reminder to MIX not purchase! M xx

Such a beautiful painting Marianne!!! I would love to have that on my wall.

The part you mentioned about asking oneself "does it give me a sense of expansion or contraction" really helps me.

Hi Marianne, I just found your channel and am loving it! I am so glad I found it. This video was recorded 6 months ago so you probably have changed the painting by now but I just want to say that I was struck by it the moment I saw it and I also love the previous version of it that you showed. I agree that the orange transmits a feeling of hope. I didn't think that the upper and right hand part is too flat, as I thought that the flatness added a nice quality. I seem to enjoy flatness more than other people, I have noticed. I think there is a tug between depth and form. And I have always been attracted to form for form's sake, since a child. But now that you mentioned that you want more depth in that area, I see what you are saying. I will search to see if you have made a new video on this painting. I love your work and what and how you are teaching art and painting! I identify intimately with it.

I am going through the process of rewatching all your videos and at the same time doing oil pastel sketches “a la” your course. It’s complicated for me and takes practice but slowly I am changing. I know just by glancing…. Then really looking whether things are working or not. I now know that I never have an idea or a concept. It’s just not me. BUT I do have strong feelings which are not attached to words because the feelings are layered. I think this is how I understand my art. I have always felt inadequate because I don’t have ideas or concepts. That is why I am going through all the videos again. I am trying to understand what’s going on for me and that I have no plan except a colour and then that leads me to keep moving. Thank you.

81 years old Marine disable veteran, for my wellbeing and enjoying life.

I see a sunset in front of the ocean. Maybe adding small water movement

Yup. Sounds familiar 😊

Hi Marianne, if I am painting with oil and CWM how will this technique differ or be the same? Anything I should be aware of and do differently to get a similar effect?

Thanks for this conversation Marianne…I appreciate your thoughtful ness.

One of my favorite titles is "Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose". 4 words, 8 syllables (3 then 2 then 2 then 1). Poetry and music and a painting all in one. Course it took a few years work for Sargent to finish that piece, so he had time to think about it! It's a great example though of a title that can't be separated from the painting.

It is very difficult for me to title a painting, I don't like mentionig soul or heart (so boring and ...bleah, cloying) even if something comes from them, so I struggle with this.😊

This is so therapeutic! Watching this I realize my painting style right now is reflecting my inner emotional world in a way I hadn’t considered! While I enjoy the look of looser paintings, my current tighter painting tendency (which feels more relaxing) might indicate that I want a little more control in a world that has gone crazy. Thank you for this! 🎉

I think titles are very important. I was at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, they had a suggestion box. I suggested putting English translations of the titles with all the other info. Apparently if you don't speak French, German, Spanish, Italian and a dozen other languages you are a cretin and below their notice. Forty years latter still no translations.

Just as you told; the painting gives you its name if you listen in peace! Sometimes for me, however, there's so much of my life and thoughts and feelings in one painting that it is impossible to name it. In that case I think it's better to leave it and let it talk to the wiever directly. By the way, I often succest names to other painters' paintings in my art community, many of them use to ask me help😊

👏👏👏

I hate trying to think up titles! Im so bad with words. I paint a lot and titles are hard. All of my paintings are a deep inner journey. Can i name them all that lol. Thinking of titles is so stressful for me.

This is so helpful! Thank you 😊

I think you've put some well considered thought into the spectrum that visual artists find themselves. My beef is with the words themselves. I know many many artists none of whom would proudly exclaim "I'm a copier!" or "I'm a replicator." Probably all of them would rather say they are innovators. In my oil painting I'm what you would call a replicator, but as a writer I'm an innovator, so I'm going to innovate new terms for you to consider. This, as another innovator will know, might take me some time. But I promise to begin now!

Totally resonate with what you have said here.....i have spent years trying to let go of the idea that to be a good artist - or even just an 'artist' - i had to be able to draw realistically....i struggled for so long trying to do that, but mostly just didn't enjoy that process....once i found that what i loved to do is express from inside myself, respond to what i see emerging on the canvas and find the joy in creating something that made sense to me!! I'm absolutely an innovator type....but having said that i also felt pretty at home being a bit of a replicator....meaning i might start off with an inspiring photo i'd taken at the beach and then very quickly let go of that and just responded to what was appearing in front of me. this is such a wonderful confirmation of who we are as individuals and unique people! many thanks once again for your insightful thoughts! cheers, linda

Loved this tutorial. I really like the way you layer the information..............information sandwiches! So very happy I took the time to watch. Thank you.

Thanks to your videos on using oil bars and sticks. I have become obsessed with the whole process. I’m wondering if there’s a place where we can share our work I’d love to see the work of others and also share mine. Thanks so much.

Great information!!Thank you!❤

Can’t wait for colour sandwich lesson. I love how you use subtle transitions to get really powerful effects.

As a new subscriber I am thrilled with your content! Thank you! And please, is it necessary to varnish oil paintings as a last step? ❤

Dam helpful

Hello Marianne. I paint with acrylics. Is it possible to create luminocity with acrylics?

Thanks Marianne. It is useful to see, in your examples, that the colour relationships can be subtle, and in separated locations. I find myself repeating a colour in various spots, but not altering its intensity. This was a good reminder to be thoughtful.

I just came across your site and need to learn more regarding the use of oil sticks! Thank you for all the great information - I look forward to watching more of your videos! :)

Thank you for inspiring words, as always, Marianne.

I’m in Colorado and have a small wood shop. Happy to learn another use for French cleats!

Hello. I’m Corrine. I am a retired art teacher and painter. I struggled most of my life trying to be a copier and a replicator because I wanted to be like everyone else… not knowing that I was an innovator and that that type of artist was ok. Many art schools are not set up for people like us? I love to just start painting and let the painting tell me what to do. Interesting talk.

You seem to be putting down copiers and replicators. An arrogant artist attitude!

Oh my- I am definitely a repressed innovator always looking for the next stimulus from outside having been harshly schooled to follow the RULES! A tribute to my resilient core that I am able to break them and my artistic soul has survived and sometimes triumphs (and sometimes doesn’t) and often resonates with discussions that illuminate my path/process. Thank you Marianne for the many ways in which you help this along. I just admit that even hearing the labels, especially “copier” put my teeth on edge, but I love constellation thinker. For myself, my life, including my art, I consider myself a searcher, a seeker, an innovator or perhaps more of a proliferator ( to cause the production of new parts, cells, buds…) hopefully in a positive way having synthesized my findings. Definitely a work in progress.

I found your definitions of these categories very helpful. I've been drawing, painting and making other kinds of art all my life (76 years old) and find it very interesting to consider human artistic drive, characteristics, skills and abilities grouped in these ways. Thank you, Marianne.

Hi Marianne…. This video resonates with me so much. I’d been working in graphic design earlier in my career but I’ve been painting since 2009. Art school was an amazing experience for me. I’ve sold a lot of paintings, done commissions, and had many of my paintings licensed for products and framed art print manufacturers for years. I’m creating a brand new painting practice starting today! I am 64 and need a new journey so I’m going to paint large canvases of abstract seascapes and landscapes. Love your channel. Cheers!

Thank you ! This video has been educational, empowering elucidating and encouraging for me at the stage I find myself . Exactly what o need to hear .

Interesting. I can draw what I see but artists/friends who’ve focused on developing those skills for years do it better , but I am not very interested in developing it, even though I admire it. I was brought up in classical everything. I don’t regret it. I learned a lot, but I felt very constrained by it. I am much more relaxed and happy improvising in dance, music, painting, which is scary for many people. It was a breakthrough to realize that. I have many artist friends who do beautiful work at painting what they see, some have carried that into more innovative work. Maybe I am more of an innovator because I don’t plan what I am going to paint, I just start with awareness of values, color and see what emerges. One teacher said: “Many things held together by something that I can’t see.” That is how the process feels to me. I am very engaged and feel more like I am following something that I trust in myself and at some point everything coalesces. For a long time, I thought I wasn’t as creative as people who have ideas of exactly what they want to paint, but I realized that we are just different. Both ways are good, but my way doesn’t seem to be recognized as much or taught in traditional schools. And I do value learning about values, composition, techniques, medium, color, etc, even though I break the ‘rules’ if I want to.

Could it be? I see myself in all three. I'm a little rusty, but can draw what I see (had fantastic drawing teachers in art school). I love to start with something representational and then ... dive off into form-color-line-texture within the constraints of the canvas. And finally, I was raised in a family that revered abstract art; my inner sense is that abstraction is the only way to be. All that said, I've tried being more innovative/intuitive and keep falling back into a need to have a relatable (for me) jumping-off point. I'm going to mull over being a replicator, but I think it fits. (I've also been trying REALLY HARD to be an innovator, but it's mostly exhausting.

I'm not sure if I'm an innovator or if I just really want to be an innovator! But I definitely related to "constellation thinker" I love that, I might have to use it next time I'm trying to explain to someone how I don't think in straight lines! I could see myself in the others too but more replicator than copier - I can draw/sketch ok but it doesn't keep me interested. You are right they were a little confusing and I found you recapping them helpful, but I might need to have a think about it a bit more as to how it applies to my art making (I'd be interested in further vids about this concept just fyi : ). All those things that were repressed in me as a child just like you explained, I feel like I'm giving space to now at 45 through abstract art/experimenting without expectations I also wasn't good at following the rules as a child, thanks for discussing that, I also wasn't trying to be rebellious (except when I was) 😅