In this chapter, I invite you to explore the exhilarating world of expressive brushwork alongside the esteemed New Zealand artist John Crump. As we delve into this workshop, you'll witness three captivating demo paintings that beautifully illustrate John's mastery of a painterly style developed over more than four decades. This lesson is designed for every artist who dreams of painting with a loose, impressionistic flair. We'll focus on selecting the right tools for the job, starting with size 12 brushes that are perfect for most of your painting needs. Opt for brushes with square tips and long bristles that can hold plenty of paint, enabling you to create long, expressive strokes that bring your canvas to life. While small brushes have their place for intricate details like twigs or building features, they can slow you down when covering large areas. By the end of this chapter, you'll gain insights into achieving a sense of freedom and joy in your painting, capturing the essence of your subject with bold, confident strokes.
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
Select a proper artist's palette made of ply with a smooth finish. Ensure it is large enough to mix colors effectively and fits comfortably on your arm, allowing your fingers to be free for holding brushes.
Select Quality Colors
Use artist's quality Windsor Newton colors such as Windsor blue (red shade), Venetian red, Windsor green, titanium white, cadmium lemon, cadmium yellow pale, gold ochre, cadmium orange, permanent rose, cadmium red, and magenta. These colors mix well and cover a wide range of needs.
Prepare Your White
Mix alkyd and oil white in a 50-50 ratio for a creamy consistency that dries quicker, especially in colder climates. This mixture helps speed up the drying process of your painting.
Use a Medium
Choose a satisfactory medium that dries quickly but not too fast. Be careful when dipping your brush into the medium to avoid touching the sides or bottom, which can contaminate it with dirty paint.
Acrylics Consideration
If using acrylics, apply a good gloss medium varnish as both a medium and a finish for the painting once it's dry. This ensures a consistent finish and similar principles apply as with oils.
Pro tipAvoid touching the sides or bottom of the dipper with your brush to keep the medium clear and uncontaminated.
Embark on your painting journey by selecting the right tools and materials. Choose large brushes with square tips for expressive strokes and a smooth artist's palette for effective color mixing. Opt for a canvas that enhances your brushwork, such as a fine, smooth surface that showcases your expressive style.
As you begin painting, focus on establishing the composition with dark tones and gradually build up to midtones and highlights. Use a variety of techniques, like the sawtooth method, to soften edges and maintain a harmonious balance in your work. Pay attention to the interplay of light and shadow, ensuring depth and movement in your scenes.
Throughout your painting process, remain flexible and open to adjustments. Whether you're painting rocks, mountains, or trees, continually assess the design and make changes to enhance the overall composition. Keep your brushwork purposeful, and remember that each stroke contributes to the expressive quality of your painting.
Points to remember
Use large brushes for most of your painting to maintain speed and expressiveness.
Avoid touching the sides or bottom of the dipper with your brush to keep the medium clear.
Opt for a fine canvas to enhance the visibility of your expressive brush strokes.
Keep darks thin and lights with more body to create depth and allow easy adjustments.
Mix paint directly with your brush for a quicker and easier blend, maintaining a clean canvas.
Keep your paint layers thin to maintain control and avoid overworking the painting.
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