Lesson Description

  • Color mixing explained in simple terms.
  • Creating captivating depth through the use of atmospheric perspective.
  • The importance of warm and cool colors within the same value ranges.
  • Creating composition patterns that grab the viewer’s attention.
  • Running time 2:27

Images are copyrighted by Mitch Baird. As of member of STREAM Inspired to Paint, you are allowed to paint from these images for personal use only. You are not allowed to paint from these images and then put a painting in a show or a gallery for sale. If you paint from the image and post to social media, we ask that you credit Mitch and STREAM Inspired to Paint with the original painting.

Mitch Baird’s Supply List
•  Brushes

I mostly use bristle flats for the best control (and they eventually wear down into filberts, so you get 2 for 1).   You can add a few sables, mongoose, or synthetics, if you prefer, as I use them sparingly.  I recommend that you have a few of each size ranging from 2-10.  These are the tools that apply your paint so they should be well shaped, not too worn, and suit your needs.

•  Palette knife
for cleaning your palette, mixing paint, and actually painting.  I use the triangle trowel shaped knife but you can choose the shape that suits your taste
Used for cleaning your palette, mixing paint, and actually painting.  I use the triangle trowel shaped knife but you can choose the shape that suits your taste.
•  Oil paint colors

Titanium white

Cad Yellow Lemon – optional, (if using Gamblin – it’s Cad Yellow Light in that brand)
Cad Yellow (if using Gamblin – it’s Cad Yellow Medium in that brand)

Cad Yellow Deep  or  Cad Orange

Yellow Ochre  or  Yellow Ochre Light

Cad Red Light  or  Permanent Red Medium (its cheaper than Cad) – you MUST have, and it should be a warm red that leans to yellow rather than a cool red

Alizarin Crimson (‘permanent’ if possible)

Transparent Oxide Red  or  Burnt umber / Burnt Sienna) – you MUST have a low value brown earth color to help with warm dark mixtures
Viridian

Cerulean Blue Hue – optional

Cobalt blue

Ultramarine blue

Chromatic Black – optional, It must be used sparingly and used as a blue ‘color’ not as a dark for value in your mixtures)

  • Paint thinner
    Odorless Mineral Spirits or Gamsol for thinning mixtures and cleaning brushes.  It is best to have one container for cleaning and a second container or small cup with fresh thinner to use with clean color mixtures.
• Canvas
Linen/canvas panels or gessoed Masonite are sturdy and best to use indoors or outdoors

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Mitch Baird resides in the desert southwest in Mesa, Arizona with his wife and children.  He is a Signature Member of the following organizations: Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Societ and the prestigious Plein Air Painters of America (PAPA).

As a representational painter he believes that painting is a celebration of life and the beauty that surrounds us.  He is devoted to the traditions of the late 19th century artists who looked to the figure and nature for inspiration regarding light, color, and design.  Seeking out this inspiration, Mitch works directly from life to capture the qualities and nuances of natural light and color harmony.  He has a strong conviction that great artistic communication depends on solid draftsmanship, design and vision.  His artistic desire is to “portray a positive visual statement and hope the viewer will experience what I see and in some sense be inspired, uplifted, or moved by my painting, whether it is of a small intimate setting or a grandiose subject.”

Visit Mitch’s website