Home
Creators
Search Recent Random
Posts
Search DMs Popular Hash Lookup Tags Random
Importer
Import FAQ
Register Favorites Keys Review DMs Logout
Community
Telegram ThePornDude
Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

Apple Still Life: Breaking it down simply (Patreon)

Published:
2020-07-07 00:25:11
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:
haven't archived this post yet. have a subscription? use the importer!

Content

In this video I demonstrate the importance of breaking a subject down to it's big shapes and values. I start with a wash under painting to identify the key values then on to color. This is one of my shorter videos but I think it's my most valuable.   

Colors: Ultramarine Blue, Alizarin Crimson, Burnt Sienna, Indian Yellow, and Titanium White 

Surface - oil primed linen  

Medium - Linseed oil

Files

Previews only

Apple Still Life: Breaking it down simply

In this video I demonstrate the importance of breaking a subject down to it's big shapes and values. I start with a wash under painting to identify the key values then on to color. This is one of my shorter videos but I think it's my most valuable. Colors: Ultramarine Blue, Alizarin Crimson, Burnt Sienna, Indian Yellow, and Titanium White Surface - oil primed linen Medium - Linseed oil

Comments

allison mobley

Wow these simple subjects really help me identify what I need to work on. I used to hate doing these when I just started, but my god how I've grown to appreciate these apples. lol thanks coach!!

Dale Hallmark

I can pretty much draw anything, but my painting is pretty crappy. I think this helps me a LOT. I think I should buy a box of cheap 8x10 and do a lot of simple objects. Thanks!

Kim Lanoue

I feel the under painting here is key in getting the values down right from the beginning. Extremely helpful. Excellent!

Kim Lanoue

What brushes are you using? I know they’re Rosemary but are they synthetic, horse, hog, etc? I’m finding that the brushes can really make a difference on brushwork. When they “snap” exactly what are they referring to?

John

Value first, color temperature second. But right out the gate is it really that important to get color and value correct? Can’t these things be pushed and pulled to fit? It’s my understanding I’m just shooting for general value direction and overall base color as it were.

Hampus Hagnell

is there a place where the patrons can exchange our attempts at painting or is there a discord server available or can the community tab be activated for this purpose?

Clover Honey

"Start dialing stuff in" "adding another degree of brightness" over the existing paint, without letting it dry, how do you keep the brighter color on top and not just mixing into the previous color? My results are inconsistent... sometimes i get lucky and the color stays on top and sometimes i dont lol

parminder gill
>>40175295

I have the same problem, when I try to put a new color on top or just alongside another color, my brush ends up picking the old color and the colors just become one

Chris Fornataro
>>39965121

Yes, your initial colors/values will be adjusted as you go. This was just a small study so it was easy to get values quickly.

Desiree Young

Excellent tutorial. The value studies really are really helpful.

Barbara Baar

Chris, this was so fun! I just told my self to enjoy the process and play. I am a pretty adept acrylic painter and new to oils. This taught me so much as far as turning 2d into 3d and handlling the paint with brushstrokes. (getting out of the habit of blending :). My apple turned out amazing and I would like to put it on my fridge. LOL. On to you pear vids!

Chris Fornataro
>>40455408

That’s great! I’m looking into making a forum on here so we can all share photos of our work! Happy painting!

Maria Dios

So inspiring, I just watched the video and I'm going to try this! I love the concept of sketching in with straight lines, what a relief!

E. K. Brautigam

At minute 21, you talk about bridging between two colors rather than blending. Can you expand upon why you'd do one over the other? Thank you!

Scott Emmerich

Chris, are you dipping the brush in tiny bit of thinner before picking up the paint on the pallet?... my problem I’ve had in the past is using too thick paint...I’m really happy I purchased this course great stuff!... GO TROJANS!

Maria Dios

Can you do more like these simple tutorials for us beginners? I tried this and it was a great experience and would like more.

Chris Fornataro

Absolutely! I have one planed soon of a face done very simple like this

Mary Mayhew

Are you cleaning your brush between colors?

Jon Udell

I think this will help next time I try and paint a row boat... thanks!

Chris Fornataro
>>41624363

I am. I am trying to figure out a way to get my can of thinner on camera too. I might move to a two camera set up. Fight on!

Tracy Schenk

This video was so helpful to me. As you mentioned, this will help in everything I paint. I would love to see some tutorials on painting still life setups from life if you are still looking for more suggestions on future tutorials.

Stefania Ceschia

Sooo...lowkey this is the best painting I've ever done?! I feel like you gave me some much needed structure, Chris: darks and shadow, midtone, then light, then reflected light. Thank you!!

RUTH JOHNSTON-WOOD

Great clear explanation of values ... learnt so MUCH , fantastic ! Brilliant teaching & great because you don’t seem to miss anything out . So pleased I’ve signed up . Many many thanks for your hard work in making these .

Chris Fornataro
>>46870760

This is so great to hear! That's the best thing about these simple studies. You can really break it down step by step

Louise Brooks

This was such a brilliant tutorial! Thank you so much! :) Dead pleased with my results and I’ve learnt a lot about seeing colours within a scene from this. Fab teaching as always.

Maria Szotko

I am really confused. When I started my paint was way too thick so I dipped my brush in thinner and shook it off. Then my paint was way too thin and transparent (I am using high quality paint). I am using almost double or 3 times more paint than you are using in the video on just a 5 x 7 linen oil painting paper. In a YouTube video I saw of yours explaining mediums I thought you dipped the brush in thinner then Linseed oil? Am I using the mediums wrong is it the paper?

Anonymous

Thank you Chris for sending me to this tutorial. You were correct it really helped me to wrap my head around where to start and much much more. When you blended the dark side w a midtone color bam the apple came to life for me. I’m excited to get started 👏🏼👏🏼❤️

Justin B
>>50273393

Maria, it's just thinner when doing the wash at the beginning of the video, in order to get the sort of "underpainting." It's hard to say without watching you, but I would say try again using just thinner by dipping your brush in thinner first and then onto a clean part of the pallet. Then dip your brush in a bit of paint and bring it over to your spot of thinner and mix. Bring a LITTLE more paint over to your mix if it seems too thin. The key is to ease into it. Good luck!

David Lee

best painting i've ever done so far, thanks a lot!

Shawn Buzzell

Without your help, I wouldn't have been able to paint my own green apple as well as I did. Thanks!

Ralph Vix

I know I am late to the party here, and haven't tried to paint this one yet, but just watching the video I think I picked up a few items I have been struggling with. (At the second lemon in the fundamentals coarse)

Peggy Wen

Great video! Is there any substitute for Indian Yellow for this particular painting? I don't have Indian Yellow, and it's so expensive to get in Taiwan! Thanks.

Blayne Clements

I did this one today. Great fun. I might a bowl of apples next!

Brian Stoffer

(new patron) Just did this one today. Thanks, Chris! Very well described, super clear. Was my first still life, and it turned out pretty good!

Chelsea Gerstenhofer

This was a great tutorial. This was just the motivation I needed to get me practicing again. Thank you very much :)