Season Two begins early 2020. In the meantime, let's explore some art 101 ideas. Oil? Watercolor? Acrylic? Today we'll explore the difference between three of the most popular media. How are they different and why does it matter? New interviews start soon so head to learntopaintpodcast.com/subscribe to add your name to the newsletter. You'll be first in line when the new episodes arrive. Happy painting!

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This week we talk with watercolorist Anne Abgott. In this episode, you’ll learn how Abgott keeps shadows, backgrounds and even neutrals, dynamic. She tells you exactly the colors she uses (and where she's made swaps to get better transparency) and you’ll hear tips on how to create great color combos for your work.

Head to learn to LearnToPaintPodcast.com/podcast/episode6 to get this week's vocab and to hear bonus material from Abgott on how to mix your own opaque watercolors. 

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This week we talk with Mark Mehaffey. Mehaffey paints across media and subject including watercolor, acrylic and mixed media, landscape and non-objective. We are focusing in on his plein air work in the interview but a lot of what we talk about can work for any subject realistic or non objective. 

Mehaffey explains how he gets to the story of his work. He shares practical tips on blending color and controlling the saturation of that same  color. And he talks about how and why it’s so important to keep things simple.

Check out Mehaffey’s work at the website, learntopaintpodcast.com/podcast/episode5

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In this episode Peggi Habets talks about how her process, which includes thoughtful planning, allows her to be bold. She discusses the challenges she sees her students facing and gives practical advice for how to take good reference photos for portraits. Head to LearnToPaintPodcast.com/episode4 to get a pdf of the colors Habets uses and links to the vocab.

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In this week's epsidoe with Jane Davies we focus on the way artists approach their work. How you approach it when you’re just starting out. When you're feeling uninspired. When you having trouble finishing a painting. Discover a bunch of great ideas for how to keep yourself fully involved in your own painting practice.
https://www.learntopaintpodcast.com/podcast/episode3

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Chris Krupinski discusses the decision that changed her artistic life, how she keeps fear away from her process, and the steps she takes to paint those amazing pieces of fruit. You might be surprised! (I know I was.) Plus tips on composition and design and a whole lot more!

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Annie O'Brien Gonzales is the guest this week. In our conversation, you'll hear how Gonzales over came her fear of getting back into painting after several decades away. You'll discover the advice that changed her life. Plus she talks a ton about color. She shares ways you can get better at mixing color and explains easy ways to approach color in your work (that are guaranteed to work.) Check out show notes, vocab lists, and links to Gonzales' classes at the Learn to Paint Podcast website! 

Here's more of what we cover:

• Color Exploration:
  • Gonzales delves into the intricacies of color schemes, emphasizing the significance of monochromatic, analogous, and complementary choices.
  • Practical tips for creating and understanding color swatches, enabling artists to master variations within selected color schemes.
• Acrylic Paint Mastery:
  • Gonzales provides insights into different grades of acrylic paints, distinguishing between professional, student, and craft grades.
  • Advocates for investing in professional-grade paints for enhanced results and encourages a limited palette to facilitate learning and effective color mixing.
• Acrylic Paint Management:
  • Gonzales shares practical techniques to prevent acrylic paint from drying too quickly during the painting process.
  • Highlights the use of plastic bead boxes, regular water spraying, and the incorporation of fluid matte medium to extend drying times.
• Structured Approach to Painting:
  • Gonzales stresses the importance of adopting a systematic approach to painting, especially for those refining their skills.
  • Encourages artists to identify preferred subjects and develop a cohesive body of work for a more focused and fulfilling artistic journey.

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Welcome to the Learn to Paint Podcast where every other week I talk with artists and teachers about how to get better at painting. Welcome to Episode Zero where you'll learn more about the podcast and me your host. The real fun begins Monday, September 30 with my conversation with mixed media artist Annie O'Brien Gonzales. Learn more including a vocab list for our first episode at learntopaintpodcast.com

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