Tools & Tips
This is a course for those who wish to start sketching in a compact, organised and fun way. How to enjoy sketching in oil and suggested materials. The more we sketch, the more we improve our painting skills. The more organised we are the likely we are to sketch often and enjoyably. Take what you need from what I share and start sketching!
Know the basic minimum of materials they need to start sketching
I am a self-taught artist passionate about sharing tips and ideas that I have learnt from others and on my own. I love sketching/painting in Oil/Watercolours/Acrylic. I love art and making art, reading, meditating and enjoying nature. Love for nature drives my art and my sketching processes. Being immersed in art continuously is what my dream life is. My favourite...
Well it was about the tools. I really was expecting more. But it was about the tools. I was impressed with the box. it OK, still useful information for someone.
Sim
This is a nice introduction to painting, covering some areas that other painting classes jump over. Elvira has some nice tips on setting up and storing the art supplies - a common problem for those just starting out, living with limited space or not ready to set up a dedicated painting area.
I really liked the examples of Elvira's work. She's clearly a very talented artist.
I quite often act in films. I recently acted in a film about a painter – I was the painter. (Modesty prevents me from posting the Youtube link) In the film I pained with oil so I thought I would take this course and learn from a professional.
Here is my review.
Lecture 1
Slow introduction and easy to understand. The titling of each lecture was very clear.
Lecture 2 My Sketching Setup
It would have been helpful if there had been close-ups of each of the items, their likely costs, any recommended suppliers, varieties available etc
Lecture 3 Painting box
A website address is given. It would have been helpful if this had been shown on the screen, making it easier to write down. I had the volume turned up to the maximum but it was very difficult to hear at times. Despite that at 2.58 onwards I could hear background voices.
Lecture 4: Painting surfaces
Again slight difficulties with hearing – maybe it is my computer?
Lecture 5: Larger canvas
A 50 second lecture – maybe incorporated into another lecture?
Lecture 6: Brushes
Close-ups of the different types of brushes would help. Mention is made of keeping brushes clean but no preferred method was stated. Presumably rinse in water?
Lecture 7: Other materials
Various other materials were gone through but no close-ups or mention of suppliers
Lecture 8: Standing Easel
The easel can be set up ‘in a matter of seconds’ apparently – so why not show us in real time?
Lecture 9: sketching tips
Very interesting use of the board marker. A book is mentioned – why not show a link?
Lecture 10: storage box
Useful showing of storage box – I wonder if they come in different sizes?
Lecture 11: what have I been doing this year
This started off much more interestingly with music and pictures of different sketches. BUT…this section was 13.40 minutes, over a third of the course showing the sketches done by Elvira. By five minutes of the same repeated tune I was becoming bored. There was no commentary except at 8.14 where there seemed to be background noises. Nothing about any of the paintings. No before-middle-end of any paintings. Nothing about problems posed by any particular paintings either or when or why they were created. In short this course is about how to ENJOY sketching and yet this enjoyment is not conveyed at all
I would also liked a list of essential tools at the end and websites etc to visit.
Here are seven essential tools:
1.. Gamsol- This is 100% pure ordorless mineral spirits, made by Gamblin.
2. Medium– When working with oil paints it is important for me to use a painting medium for mixing.
3. Varnish– I suggest varnishing your pieces when they are complete. It will help protect them longer. They also give a nice shiny finish to your pieces
4. Paint– Of course you need paint! So, here is my suggestion on paint. Try them all! for me is the most economical choice.
5. Brushes and palette knives– Brushes are a bit like paint. Try different shapes, sizes, and materials.
6. Palette- I suggest making your own glass palette.
7. Canvas or panel- Here is my suggestion on surface. Quality. .
SOURCE: http://suzeford.com/studio-7-essential-tools-oil-painting/
and here is an article for further reading: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2009/sep/20/guide-to-painting-materials-equipment
and a website: https://feltmagnet.com/painting/Oil-Painting-for-Beginners-Tools-and-Materials
My overall suggestion – and I mean this in a constructive way – is to immediately withdraw the course and rethink the camera shots, the quality of audio, the tools used and the overall structure. Free or not, I still invested time in looking at this course and I could easily have just left a bad rating and forgotten about it.
Let us SEE you sketching – with commentary about what materials you are using and why. Let us SEE you assemble your materials and also pack them away. Give us details as to what is needed, where to buy. Give us other areas for further reading. Your paintings look great so why not incorporate them into the course: “Here’s a sketch I did of….in 2018. I used….initially I also used….One of the problems I faced was….to overcome this I……”
Above all COMMUNICATE your enjoyment!
You have so much to offer - and if you improve this course I am sure you will get lots of positive reviews!
UPDATE 30th October
One of the major advantages Udemy has over YouTube is that there is usually direct contact with the Instructor through Q/A
I asked questions and received detailed replies within 24 hours - that’s a huge plus!
Of course if you choose not to participate then that’s your loss ...
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Donald J.
Love the tip on using a transparency and ink pen to outline a scene that you want to paint. The rest is too elementary for me.