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For those who have followed my art, it's no secret that I have a deep love for color. Many people often ask me if I actually see that much color in my subjects. The answer is that I can perceive colors leaning in that direction and then enhance them. It takes practice to train your eye to do this. By paying close attention and looking for reflective color in shadows and other elements when you're out and about, you'll gradually start to notice them.

If you're looking for a quicker way to see these colors, here's a helpful hint:

TIP:

Completely saturate your photo to the highest level in your phone. It will really enhance those "hidden" colors!

Of course, you don't want to keep it that saturated to paint from, but this will help "reveal" colors you might not have seen in the original photo.

Example: Original Photo

Example: Saturated Photo

 

You can see in the painting below, I took hints of the saturated colors and incorporated just a few of them:

If you aren't sure how to saturate a photo, here are some steps to use in your phone: (I have an apple iPhone, so it may be a little different on another phone).

Step 1: after opening photo, click on either "edit", or if you've updated your phone, instead you'll see this toggle icon	Step 2: click on "adjust"
Step 3: scroll to find the "saturation" icon	Step 4: move the bar to the end for full saturation.

 

Whether you're an artist or art lover,

I’m curious to hear if you noticed any changes in how you observe your surroundings going forward.

Do you found yourself being more aware of the little details? It’s fascinating to think about how our perceptions can shift over time.

And what about color? Are you starting to see more vibrant shades in your world? It’s amazing how a simple change in perspective can enhance the beauty we often overlook. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

If you're interested in diving deeper into the world of painting, I invite you to join me for my upcoming online painting membership called "Dancing Brushes".

The membership will provide you with a wealth of tips, inspiration, and instruction on painting. It's set to launch on December 28th, 2025 and I would love for you to be a part of it!

 

Learn More about Dancing Brushes

 

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Since my first online course launched, I’ve been taking input from students and have made improvements. I’m always striving to make the online experience the best it can be!   You’ll see constant closeups of the painting process so that you don’t miss a brush stroke, as well as closeups of every color mixed on the palette.   My demos are in oils, but the substitute colors for acrylics will be announced and/or displayed on the screen.   I’ve added a growing library of content with downloadable PDF’s and 50 + bonus videos on subjects from studio organization to artist copyright; and additional  mini lessons that will help you grow as an artist…like how to choose colors for your under-painting; and  how to create purposeful yet spontaneous brush strokes, etc.   I’ve extended access from 1 year, to lifetime. No need to feel rushed…you can even enjoy the liberty of going back and painting your favorite lesson twice without worrying about time constraints! You’ll be amazed at how much you can learn from doing the same painting more than once. This is a great exercise that will help you learn from previous mistakes, and can free you up to be even looser with your brush strokes.   Here’s a peek inside each month’s content:   January: “First Impressions.” We’ll be starting small and simple, and painting an Italian decorative door-knocker. This will help you ease into the style without being too overwhelmed. There’s also a bonus video on 10 tips to loosen up those brush strokes!

February: “Cuppa Cappiccino”. We're going to have a lot of fun with whites in this lesson and play around with different temperatures. Even though our reference photo is mainly neutrals, I'm going to show you how to infuse a lot of color into your painting. We’ll also be making a color layering chart to help with color layering choices.

March: “Garden Dancer”.  Learn to infuse beautiful lighting into your painting, and how to use complimentary colors to your advantage. There’s also a bonus on how to use apps to adjust your reference photos.

April: “Quiet Reflections”. This one’s all about mystery, light and reflections with a bonus video on copyright, where to find royalty free images, and and additional surprise…stay tuned to find out what it is! ;)

May: “King George”. See how you can apply my techniques to any subject…including barn animals! I’ve also included a bonus video that’s a great exercise on improving your paintings.

June: “Old Town Assisi”. We’re painting on a fun size, and getting a lesson on architecture…Learn how using a grid helps simplify the process! Included in this month’s lesson are some videos on perspective.

July: “Sunny Faces”…another fun size, and going a little bigger! I also show you a tip on Adobe Photoshop and how to make changes to your reference photo. In addition to all that, there’s a bonus video on travel journaling!

August: “Italian Dahlias”. I’ll show you how to make your reds really pop, and how to simplify a design on a vase without losing the beauty. The bonus for this month will be about a great product I use to add pizazz to a frame.

September: “Sunny Meadows”. we're going BIG!!!!! (30x30!) Sunflowers bring so much joy, and painting them extra large makes a statement! (If you aren’t prepared to paint that big, you still have the option to paint smaller.) Many have been asking about how to do an Alla Prima (wet into wet) painting on a large surface...so here's you chance to follow a lesson from beginning to end on a larger scale. When working bigger, it's not always feasible to finish a painting in one sitting. I'll give you tips on how to adjust if parts of the under-layers have started to dry.  We’ll also be doing 4 additional mini paintings as an exercise on choosing colors.

October: “Pumpkin Spice”. We’ll be getting festive and painting pumpkins to welcome the Fall season. I’m also sharing a yummy recipe I picked up from a friend in Italy!

November and December are still a work in progress, but I promise they’ll be just as fun! Pricing Options: Option 1: Monthly Subscription at $35/month (cancel anytime) Option 2: Annual; pay for the year upfront and get $45 off. Total: $375.00   After purchasing, you’ll get immediate access to the welcome page where you can check out the bonus video library, supply list, and even a full length bonus lesson while you wait. Start off the New Year with inspiration in your inbox. The first lesson will be delivered on January 1st, 2024. Hope to see you online!

 

Learn more and sign up by clicking the button below:

Sign Me Up!

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My Top 10 Favorite Gift Ideas for Artists

 

 

If you're like me, you love giving gifts, but sometimes find yourself stumped on what to give! I decided to make a list of my top 10 favorites for that artist in your life. Trust me, they'll thank you!

 

*You can find the first 8 items at Dick Blick, and I've already organized them into one group so they are easy to find. If you use this link, I do get a small commission, but it doesn't cost you any extra. Thanks!

 

Chris's Gift List For Artists at Dick Blick

 

 

1. Paint Brushes!

My favorite brand is Royal SableTek by Langnickle, "brights". They are so versatile and have the perfect "spring" in them for oil and acrylic paints. I find I use sizes 20 and 26 a lot!

 

2. Rembrandt Oil Paints

These are sooooo juicy and vibrant! They are a little on the pricey side, but they are high quality, they go such a long way and are totally worth it.  Some of my favorite colors that I use a lot are "Transparent Oxide Orange", "Transparent Red Medium",  and "Phthalo Turquoise Blue" (add it to a little titanium white and you get an absolutely gorgeous turquoise sea color!)

BTW, my favorite Acrylic paints are Golden Open Acrylics. They simulate oils in that they stay wet much longer than traditional acrylics and easier to manipulate!

 

Colors similar to the above oils that I like are Transparent Red Iron Oxide, Quinacridone Red, and Phthalo Green.

 

3.  Kiss Off Stain Remover

This stuff works great...it even got Cadmium Red Light paint out of my white carpet! It claims to take out oil paint (wet or dry), grass stains, grease, copy machine stains and other mystery spots. I take it with me when I travel, as well!

 

4. Winsor & Newton Sketcher's Pocket Set Watercolors

Speaking of travel...I highly recommend doing a little watercolor sketching while on vacation, or just out and about. It's a great way to preserve memories and just be in the moment! This is a nice small size that still allows you to paint with a variety of colors. Pack it with a journal, and you're all set!

 

 

5. Travelogue Watercolor Journal

To go with your watercolor set! A smaller size of course is easy to carry on the go.

 

6. Tube Wringer

This is one of my absolute favorite art tools...just when you think you can't get any more paint out of a tube, just put it in the tube wringer and you'll be amazed at how much more paint you can squeeze out!

 

7. Ott Light

Lighting is super important for an artist to mix up the right colors. The Ott lights simulate daylight...the best light for artists!

I have both a floor lamp and a clamp on.  I need to add this one to my own wish list though...it has a place to hold your ipad and a charging station!!

 

8. Ampersand Gessobords

These are my absolute favorite surfaces to paint on. I love the "tooth" ("texture")...not too smooth but has just the right grip. I love all sizes, but tend to lean towards the square format. Beginners will appreciate starting smaller, so I would suggest an 8x8.

 

9. Original Paintings

As an artist, I myself enjoy collecting from other artists! BTW, use code VIPPATRON at checkout to get 10% off my paintings!

 

Purchase Chris's Paintings Here

 

 

10. Journey Artist Retreat or Workshop

The Ultimate Gift for the artist in your life....and you could join them! This is the most incredible way to get recharged and inspired while learning as well.

 

 

Check out  my Journey Retreats and workshops!

 

 

oh...and I've got ONE MORE fabulous gift idea that will last all year...

 

11. My Online Monthly Paint Course...Unlocking Color Secrets Season 2!

Get just one month or the entire year...Each month a new full length painting lesson will arrive in your artist's inbox, with lots of artist tips and bonus videos to help them grow. This course is for adults and teens, all levels, oils and acrylics!

 

Take me to the Online Lessons!

 

 

I hope this gift list has been helpful and given you some great ideas for that special artist in your life!

 

Chris's Gift List For Artists at Dick Blick

 

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This is part 4 of the adventures on my recent retreats in Italy and France...be sure to check out part 1 , part 2, and part 3!

Day 8

The villa we stay in for my retreats in Tuscany, is only about 20 minutes from the Renaissance walled in city of Lucca. It's on the Serchio River near the Ligurian Sea. You can actually walk or ride your bike on top of the walls, and look down at the city.

 

 

 

 

We spent the morning shopping, taking photos for future paintings, and then having lunch at a Michelin Restaurant inside the wall. As always, the food was top notch!

 

 

 

 

 

After stuffing ourselves, it was time to walk (or climb) some of it off! We made our way up 207 steps of the Bell tower in Lucca for some spectacular views.

 

 

 

Above: San Michele

 

 

Above: Guinigi Tower

(In the 14th C. the towers in Lucca were built to represent the wealth and influence of the family who built it. The Guinigi family had trees planted on top of this one to symbolize re-birth.

 

 

 

One of the many advantages of going on an artist retreat with me, is that we get to do things that you wouldn't typically get to do as a regular tourist. Our host topped the afternoon off by taking us to his friends beautiful private garden near Lucca.

 

 

Day 9

After another full day of painting, we invited some of the neighborhood friends over for an Art Show after all the hard work the students put in. We then had an impromptu dance party with Prosecco...it was a great way to let loose and celebrate everyone's accomplishments!

 

 

Meanwhile, Chef Fabrizio was in the kitchen cooking up another spectacular dinner. The skies continued our dance party and exploded with color!

 

 

 

 

We finished off the evening with a fierce game of snookers.

 

 

Day 10

Our final full day was spent painting a church that sits on the top of the hill down below the villa.

Here is the painting demo in progress:

 

 

Final painting:

"Beyond the Grove" (available)

 

 

After another great painting day, Fabrizio taught an Italian cooking lesson and had everyone making fresh pasta, delicious veggies, and revealed the secrets to his famous tiramisu.

 

 

 

 

Below: some of the tasty masterpieces

 

 

 

We spent the rest of the beautiful evening out chatting under the stars until it was time to say goodnight.

 

The next morning we all said our sad goodbyes to the wonderful new friendships, and headed off. Risa and I were off to teach the next retreat in France, but first, we took a couple days to explore Bordeaux. Stay tuned to read our next adventures!

Ciao!

 

 

 

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This is part 3 of the adventures on my recent retreats in Italy and France...be sure to check out part 1 and part 2!

 

A Day in Tellaro

 

 

Day 6:

 

If you have ever been to Cinque Terre ("5 Lands" ), you probably know they are 5 beautiful villages on the Ligurian sea...the only problem is, they can be VERY crowded with tourists.

 

Let me tell you about a little village around the bend, also on the Ligurian sea that is very reminiscent of the Cinque Terre towns, but much less touristy! 

 

It's called "Tellaro", and there is a legend about this little village...During the middle ages, some pirates came to attack the tiny village. It was during the middle of the night, so most of the villagers were sound asleep. A giant octopus saved the town by climbing up the church tower and ringing the bell, to alert all the villagers. 

 

You can find all kinds of tributes to the octopus throughout the village like plaques, doorknobs of octopi, iron gates with octopus designs, etc. The villagers do still enjoy a tasty octopus meal, though!

 

 

 

 

 

We walked down the fairly steep hill to the coast, and explored the town. Some had their watercolor journals on hand to capture the beauty of the village, and others took photos for later artistic inspiration.

 

 

 

 

 

Locals enjoying sunbathing on a beautiful day

 

 

 

We had a wonderful lunch at Osteria Polpo (Italian for Octopus), with lemon/garlic sardines for starters (I actually loved these!); some kind of fish stew, and then what they call "Sea bugs" (fried up stuff from the sea...actually REALLY DELICIOUS!!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once we got back to the villa, we got a little R&R, then had a light dinner and played cards.

 

 

 

Day 7:

 

Full day in the studio!

 

We started off our day in the studio with an exercise where you do an entire small painting in only 25 strokes. It's a great lesson that forces you to be really mindful of your brush strokes, making sure you load plenty of paint onto the brush! We painted a copper tea kettle that hangs in the Italian kitchen at Casa Berti.

These are the results!

 

 

 

We had a group discussion about the benefits of the exercise, and what was learned from the experience.

 

 

 

Lunch break on the veranda.

 

 

 

After a full day of painting, we had a friendly (or fierce?) game of Boulle on the lawn. The competitive spirit really came out of some of us!

 

 

We enjoyed another incredible 5 course meal with chef Fabrizio.

 

 

Time to get some sleep...next we spend the day in the walled in city of Lucca!

 

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If you missed part 1 about my journey retreats 2023, you can read about it here.

 

The Beautiful Village of Barga

 

 

 

Day 4:

 

On my retreats, some days are for painting, some are for excursions to gather more inspiration, and on some days we paint and tour!

Barga is known for being one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. It's a very small village with not a lot of tourists. There are opportunities for paintings around every corner. It's also one of the most "Scottish" towns in Italy. There are many Scottish settlers there.

 

 

 

After walking around the town, we gathered in the main square where our lunch reservations were. As we were waiting, I popped into a local art gallery and met Alice, a sweet girl who worked in the gallery. I don't speak Italian, and she didn't speak English, but we had a nice conversation about art by playing charades. One of my favorite things about visiting other countries is interacting with the locals and learning about their culture.

 

 

 

For lunch, we enjoyed charcuterie, pasta, and a refreshing sorbet for dessert. (That was dessert number 1...)

 

 

We made our way to the bottom of the hill, where we couldn't resist the call of the Gelato shop. (Dessert # 2...you can never have too many desserts, right?)

 

 

 

Our group in Barga

 

 

Back at Casa Berti, there is also no lack of inspiration. We painted this rose from the Casa Berti gardens.

 

 

 

(This one sold at my retreat in France the next week)

 

 

 

After a full day, we relaxed around Casa Berti chatting and swimming. Just look at this view!

 

 

 

We had just learned of Tina Turner's passing, so we decided to watch the Tina Turner documentary in the Casa Berti movie room...a nice way to end the day before getting a good nights sleep.

 

 

 

 

 

Day 5:

 

Full studio day! With lots of inspiration from Barga's excursion, it was time to put it to good use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(This one sold at the retreat!)

 

 

 

 

My assistant, Risa (who also happens to be a phenomenal photographer) gave everyone a lesson on how to take the best photos to paint from.

 

 

 

 

 

The following 4 photos are some examples of Risa's photos from around Casa Berti

(Please note...all photos on this website are copyrighted!)

 

You can find Risa on instagram @inadverdent_art

 

The beautiful Casa Berti

 

 

 

View from Casa Berti at sunrise

 

 

 

 

Casa Berti Italian Kitchen

 

 

 

 

Upper level living area

 

 

 

 

Our chef, Fabrizio, cooked up an amazing 5 course dinner that we ate out on the terrace, overlooking the valley.

 

 

 

 

Stay tuned for my next blog...we venture out to a seaside village on the Ligurian sea!

 

 

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This blog will be broken up into several parts, and I'll take you with me on our artist retreat journey. I hope you enjoy!

I arrived a couple days before my students to help set up for the retreat, and to spend some time with the owners of Casa Berti (Ben and Nicole) who've become dear friends of mine over the years.

-Flying into Pisa-

We begin in Tuscany, at the Villa Casa Berti. (My 5th retreat there)! This is the welcome I received as I landed in Pisa. Tuscany never disappoints!

 

 

Day 1:

The day everyone arrived, Martina (one of our Italian chefs) cooked up a wonderful Risotto with a Panna Cotta dessert sprinkled with flowers for our first meal! It was fragrant and delicious. We had an amazing group of artists who hit it off from the beginning!

 

 

Day 2:

We started our first full day in the beautiful Tuscan studio, painting olive groves and cypress trees, a scene just outside the studio window. I also gave some tips on painting en Plein Air.

 

 

 

 

 

The weather was so perfect the entire time we were there, so our lunches took place on the beautiful terrace overlooking this view. It never gets old!

 

 

After a great day of painting, we had an amazing yoga session out on the lawn, overlooking the valley.

 

 

We eased into the evening with a local Tuscan wine presentation and aperitivis. Saverio, the vigneron, brought his wolf with him, and gave a very informative presentation on the wines of the area, and had us taste several of the ones he and his girlfriend produces.

My personal favorite was this one with the Salvador Dali label! Go figure.

 

 

 

Drago, the Wolf

 

 

Day 3:

The next day was another full day of painting and instruction. We discussed what makes a great composition, and I gave tips on making a watercolor travel journal...something that's encouraged during free time and on excursions. When I look at mine, it takes me right back to the moments and place it was created. It's a great "souvenir" to take home!

 

 

For dinner, we went to the local Pizza joint in the next town over (Mastiano...population of about 25!). This is one of my favorite experiences during these Tuscan retreats. It's owned by mom and pop, no English is spoken. They make their pizzas in a big brick oven, and one flavor after another just keeps coming until you just can't eat another bite (well, then one or 2 more come out!!!)

 

 

 

 

The next day we head out on an excursion to the hilltop town of Barga...named one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, and known for being the most "Scottish" town in Italy! 

Stay tuned!

 

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How often do you find yourself making a New Years Resolution only to fall flat after a few months, weeks, or even days later? I've been there!

 

I was just thinking about a goal for the new year, and today I took some simple steps to help ensure I can actually fulfill that goal. My resolution is to paint more. Simple enough, right?

 

Easy said, but when it comes down to it, if I'm not prepared, I find myself procrastinating and the task just doesn't get done. I decided to do a little planning ahead...Here's what I suggest:

First, take an account of how many paintings you accomplished the previous year, and set a number higher than that.

 

Then, spend some time a few days before the New Year actually going through your photos that you'd like to paint; organize  them all into one folder on your iPad/computer so they are easy to find, and put grids on all of them (or crop/prepare them however it helps you). *(I use an app called Jackson's Art Grid which makes it so much easier!)

 

 

Jackson's Art Grid

 

To take it even a step further, figure out what size or proportion each painting will be, and started stocking up on painting surfaces.

 

It's also very important to have a space where your supplies and easel are set up and ready to go.  That way, as soon as you enter into your studio/art space, you can go into your folder, select a pre-gridded photo and dive right in!

 

A little preparation can be applied to other goals as well...I'd love to hear what your resolutions are and how you prepare so you can be successful. Let me know in the comments below!

 

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I think one of the hardest parts about painting is just getting started. How many times have you sat down to paint, staring at a blank canvas with a little fear and trepidation, only to walk away and put it off until "later" because you don't know how to begin?

 

I've been there! All you need is a little guidance and some practical tips to help you jump right into your painting. If you have a consistent process and routine, it makes it so much easier to dive in and paint. In this video, I will show you 3 steps that I use every time I start a painting. I believe if you implement these steps (or come up with a consistent process of your own), it will remove the fear factor of staring at the blank canvas!

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Is there a certain song, scent, or taste that immediately triggers a fond memory for you? 

Tangerines do that for me. “Santa” used to leave them in our stockings every Christmas when we were kids. Sure, we got chocolate Santa Clauses and peppermint candy canes as well, but that immediate aroma that escapes the tangerine as soon as it is peeled immediately triggers memories of Christmas’s past.

“Tangerine Tango” was one of the lessons I taught in my monthly online course (Unlocking Color Secrets), and as I painted it, I thought about those childhood Christmas’s with my family. I love how painting can have such deep meaning beyond just putting brush and paint to panel.

Here are some tid bits about some of our senses that you might find interesting:

Color can manipulate your emotions…blue is soothing; green can feel jarring; pink can be a cry for comfort; and orange tends to be sensual. Next time you ponder over a painting, think about this and be aware of how it makes you feel!

Memories associated with smell rarely fade. I love buying perfume from other countries for this very reason…every time I spritz my perfume from France, it brings me right to the Jewish quarter in Paris where I bought it.

Music can change your mood…it always helps me get in the mood to paint; and just recently I started listening to jazz when I cook. I don’t know why I didn’t start listening to music much sooner when preparing dinner, but I’ve found that it’s actually made cooking (something I don’t like to do) so much funner!

 Taste relies on texture and aroma…think about how juicy and tasty a steak can be…until you put it in a blender. (yuck!). And how disappointing is it when you have a cold and can’t taste your food?

Finally, the power of touch; I’ve heard that a hug can relieve anxiety.  I think that must be why I love to hug my family and friends so much! I really do feel the stress leaving my body during a warm embrace.

 

I‘d love to hear how a scent, song, or even a piece of art triggers a memory for you in the comments below!

 

Susie varner on February 13, 2022 at 12:23 am

I love this so much Chris! I too love the smell of tangerines or oranges. It takes me back to my Christmases as well and eve. Hearing the stories my dad would tell us of living through the depression and the I my thing they got for Christmas was an orange or an apple. Something that would fill their bellies. I may have already replied…because I know I read it already at Christmas.

Reply

 

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  Chris Brandley on February 13, 2022 at 3:18 am

  Thanks, Susie! I can’t imagine what they went through during the depression. We have a lot to be thankful for. Thanks for sharing! Hope you’re enjoying your new home. <3

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