Learn about why artists may choose to stain a canvas prior to painting. Hear the benefits of using one color or another. Get insight in how to choose your stain color.

When you just do not want to paint outside, why not paint from life indoors? Get out your plein air gear and find a spot around the house. You will stay in practice for your next plein air experience, and you may really love the results! Interiors are a perfect way to spend the winter months.

The best way to learn how to mix accurate color and value, is by using a limited color palette. Don’t be fooled that this Color Clinic is strictly for beginners! Everyone can benefit by learning how to use these 3 colors plus white. In fact, for over 6 years, I used nothing else! What I learned w...

Set up, pause, paint along in this short tutorial focused on mixing just the perfect neutral to make your paintings sing!

This 20-minute demonstration describes using grayscale, multi-media paper to plan the perfect painting. Watch Lori Putnam create a small study and hear her describe the importance of this full-proof planning process.

In this 10-minute video you will hear how Lori Putnam approaches painting an interior from a photo. Still images with voice-over and illustrations show you how to avoid making a painting that looks like it was painted from a photograph, give tips on how to edit the scene, and teach you that paint...

Enjoy this 15-minute explanation that will help you become an expert on painting meaningful shadows. The edges of shadows are not all the same. You will go from novice to pro once you understand why.

Here's a little demo for you, and a tip for lightening your load.

Learn the basics of adding people to your paintings. Crowd scenes and people walking is easy once you follow three, very simple principles.

Lori Putnam shares her favorite oil painting surfaces and gives you suggestions on ways to find your favorite too.

In this 35-minute video you will see a complete plein air demonstration in gouache. It is suggested that you watch the previous videos about gouache to learn more about supplies. Continuing to explore, Lori shows you her latest discoveries about working in this opaque, water medium.

This video takes you one step further in your exploration of gouache. If you have seen Introduction to Gouache, you will see updates to the supplies I use, new things I have learned, and a short time-lapse demonstration showing layering.

See what happens when I begin layering more colors necessary to achieve the look of ceramic.

Too often we only get to see the beginning of a painting. In part one, we see through the initial lay-in stage and the next steps. Look for part two for the middle part of the process, and part three for the finishing.

In this 20-minute video, you will see start to finish how to work on a commission. From sketching ideas to the completed product, follow along as I paint a 60"x40" painting of Arizona Poppies. Free Commission Contract Fillable Form available for download.

Many of us want to paint all in one session or, "at the first" session. We love the freshness of it. Alla prima painting is just that. But it can be a mess if you do not know how to do it. Learn how to layer thin and thick passage of paint to produce more textured effects in the landscape.

Join me in my garden as I paint whatever is blooming. This first installment I have chosen my white peonies. I am amazed by how much color there is in these beautiful blooms. Hear how I see the colors, mix the colors, and make choices through out the full-length demonstration.

Process... everyone asks about process. How do you paint this or that and in what order do you lay down the paint? Here's a little how-to idea for painting completely bare trees. It also works equally for sparse trees, wispy trees... you get the idea.

Due to the length of this demonstration, portions of the video have been speeded. At the end of Part One, I had just used a brayer to creatively edit parts of the detail which did not suit me. See how it all plays out as you watch the last half of Painting Chaos.

Part one of two, Painting Chaos is a full-length demonstration of how to address some of nature's wildest scenes.
There are many ways to start a painting. Most of what I teach involves massing in large shapes, usually light and shadow. But there is so much more out there to paint than just that. ...

This quick, 5-minute video explains how values in a painting determine its mood and feeling. Plus, a challenge for you at the end!

There are many ways to shoot a perfectly color balanced photo using the settings on your camera. But sometimes you may need to make adjustments after the photo is taken. In this quick tip, you will learn how to do that using photo editing software such as Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, or similar.

In this 2-hour, complete demonstration, Lori Putnam shows you step-by-step one method for working alla prima (all-one-sitting). Working wet-on-wet, you will see how she works to apply paint at different consistencies. Discussion of brushes and tools is also a big part of the video. Watch Lori mix...

This is the fourth (and tentatively final) installment in the Color Clinic LIVE series. Finding a color voice that is uniquely yours can sometimes feel like spinning in circles. You are all over the place, and not in a good way. In this hands-on workshop, Lori will share personal insights into h...

The third in the series of Color Clinic LIVE workshops.
Using color to show form
Easy harmony using color bending
How to work with color transitions
Experimental mixtures and secret shortcuts

This clinic’s guest was Dawn Whitelaw. Dawn shared some wonderful insight into colorful transitions.

O...

Much of Lori's teaching involves a limited color palette of 3 colors and white. The next step to expanding your palette is for convenience. In this video, you will see the ease at which you can mix once you have added tubed, secondary colors. Lori also shows you what to watch for so you stay with...

How to create exciting studio works drawing on knowledge gathered during plein air painting.

Sometimes we see beautiful scenes, but have no idea how to sort out the shapes and get the feel of the moment. Knowing if the scene is best painted as light and shadow or some other means is called your Visual Statement. Learn how to choose the right visual statement to suit the needs of the scen...

This is one of Lori Putnam's live workshops. Learn the basics of oil painting. Using your own set-up, follow along as Lori introduces you to supplies, paint application, and terminology. Our special guest for this workshop was Michael Shane Neal. Shane spoke about his humble beginnings, answered ...

Every day is not always bright sunlight and shadow. Learning how to paint in different lighting situations opens up a whole new way to see the world around you and share it with others.

Whether you are new to portrait painting or needing some new ideas, this complete demonstration will guide you through some of the most important aspects of portrait painting.

Value, edges, and color are all discussed in this full-length demonstration

Lori walks you through the pros and cons of making your own painting panles and then demonstrates how to make a panel.

Tips from Lori on being learning to loosen up while being intentional, setting parameters and learning which elements of the painting to highlight and which to allow transition.

Full still life demonstration of fresh gerber daisies from start to finish. Focusing on effective brushwork and loosening up.

Showing form on a delicate subject, such as a flower, can be a challenge. This quick, inexpensive way to experiment also works on portraits!

Tennessee is the ultimate green challenge! Watch this plein air video and learn how it is done.

This full-length demonstration discusses techniques, color, and editing of details.

Using an old panel with a variety of colors and textures as the foundation, learn how to apply paint in a more direct method and without the use of mediums in this complete, studio painting demonstration.

Not only will you recover lots of old panels and canvases (which cost money), you will really like the unique feel of the surface by using this method.