Loosen Up Your Painting Podcast

In this episode, I review Mad Enchantment: Claude Monet and the Painting of the Water Lilies by Ross King—a moving account of Monet’s final years, his enormous Water Lilies project, declining health, personal loss, and determination to keep painting through the First World War. More than a story about a famous artist, this is a powerful reminder for every creative person—especially those of us in midlife and beyond—that our most meaningful work may still be ahead of us.
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There comes a time in middle age when we may find ourselves looking backward with nostalgia and forward with worry. But while we are doing that, the present moment — the only time we truly have — is quietly slipping away. In this episode, “You Are Only King for a Day,” I reflect on the importance of taking action now. We look at how great musicians like Van Morrison and Pink Floyd created unforgettable music because they used their time well. They did not wait forever. They got on with the work. I also take a light-hearted look at ideas like the Mandela Effect and theories around CERN supposedly disturbing time itself. Whether time feels strange or not, one thing remains true: we cannot control the universe, but we can control what we do today. This episode is a reminder to stop waiting for perfect conditions. Start with what you have. Paint, write, create, learn, practice, connect, and make this day count. Because you are only king for a day.🎧 Listen to the full episode and let me know: What is one thing you are going to start today?Find more inspiration on my YouTube channel. Also get your free subscription to Create Art Magazine.

How do artists improve, grow, and eventually succeed?Not through talent alone, and certainly not through inspiration every day. More often, the difference is persistence.(🎁Get your free magazine here)
In this episode, I explore why persistence is the true secret sauce behind artistic growth and creative success. Now that we have reached the middle of the year, June is the perfect time to pause, reflect on what has been working, and recommit to the habits that can carry your art forward for the rest of the year.00:00 I discuss 10 key ideas about persistence, including:03:58 What persistence looks like05:01 More important than motivation08:28 why finishing matters more than starting11:12 how to survive the ugly stage of a painting13:11 Building skill through repetition16:02 A Clear creative direction17:59 Learning from failures19:50 how community helps artists keep going22: Returning after a long break24:45 Protect your creative energy27:00 why persistence shapes artistic identityI also share examples from artists and creatives such as Van Gogh, Monet, Cézanne, Degas, Georgia O’Keeffe, Matisse, Turner, and David Hockney to show that persistence is often what separates those who grow from those who give up too soon.If you are feeling discouraged, stuck, or uncertain about your progress this year, this episode is for you.In this video:A practical mid-year reset for artists10 lessons on persistenceExamples from famous artistsA challenge for the next six monthsIf you enjoy this episode, let me know in the comments:What is one creative habit you will persist with for the rest of this year?#paintingpodcast #artistmindset #persistence #creativity #landscapepainting #impressionistpainting #malcolmdewey #createartmagazine

What color should you tone your canvas with? In this video I look at the best toning colors for different painting subjects including landscapes, seascapes, and portraits.✅ Your free magazine: https://art.malcolmdewey.art/ArtMagSubI explain why I often prefer cool red or burnt sienna, especially for landscapes with lots of greens, and why I usually avoid yellow ochre or yellow grounds that can make blues turn into dull green passages.In this video:00:00 Introduction00:34 Landscapes, seascapes and portraits01:03 Cool Red - Best for landscapes02:07 Burnt Sienna02:42 Burnt Umber03:23 Raw Umber03:50 Neutral Grays05:26 Transparent Oxide Red06:03 Colors to Avoid06:58 Experiment!09:09 Free magazine subscription#oilpainting #landscapepainting #portraitpainting #underpainting #arttutorial #paintingtips #burntsienna #impressionism

An artist recently asked me: “Why bother toning your canvas if you’re going to cover it with opaque paint anyway?” It’s a great question — and there are five solid reasons (plus a bonus tip) every landscape painter should know.In this video I cover:✅ Why a white canvas works against you✅ How toning helps you judge values accurately✅ Using under-tones for color harmony and “under-glow”✅ Eliminating distracting white specks✅ How a toned canvas inspires bolder painting🎁 BONUS: The wipe-out method for composing your scene in monochromeWhether you paint in oils, acrylics, or gouache, toning your canvas is one of the simplest habits that will instantly improve your paintings.⏱ CHAPTERS00:00 The Question Every Artist Asks00:30 Reason 1: Beat the Blank Canvas01:15 Reason 2: Judge Values Properly02:08 Reason 3: Color Harmony & Under-Glow03:52 Reason 4: No More White Speckles04:45 Reason 5: Momentum & Inspiration03:00 Bonus: The Wipe-Out Technique🎨 MORE FROM ME👉Free Magazine Subscription — https://art.malcolmdewey.art/ArtMagSub👉 Free course: https://art.malcolmdewey.art/FreeCourse