Shawn Barber- Foundation Painting

[Jason Manley]

We would love to hear your thoughts and will be around to participate in discussion. Please feel free....

[Hai]

Man, I learned so much from this! I think this is a super starting point if you want to get into oils. It presents you to all these possibilities you have with oils, but it's never too much and never goes too fast. Shawn Barber really makes everything easy to understand. He's a great teacher, and this is a great instructional DVD. What I love this for though, is how it really got rid of a lot of fear of the medium. I hadn't started painting in oils yet when I first watched this, but the after watching the DVD all I wanted to do was dive in there. Superb.

[Alzorath]

This is my favorite of the first 3 dvds, so I felt I should comment on it first.

Main Feature:
--- the good ---
- I loved hearing Shawn Barber's thoughts as he worked through the painting, this 'commentary while working' seemed to provide a much more direct feeling of the artist's methods during the presentation.
- I enjoyed the 3 camera angles used during this - the over-shoulder view (where you can see him painting), the palette view (where you can see him mixing/controlling the paints), and the still-life view (where you can see the differences between seeing and interpreting). The first 2 proving the most useful to the intermediate artist, and the 3rd anchoring it in for beginning artists.
- I enjoyed how he explained not only method and thought, but also included philosophical views in the commentary - giving advice both on the subject of oil painting, and making art in general (independent of medium).

--- the bad ---
- The sound was shaky in this piece (although I believe Jason Manley has stated that this was solved for future DVDs?). This was tolerable, but at times did make it difficult to hear what was being said.


The Bonus Features:
I enjoyed the bonus features in this piece because they seemed to cover a wide array of bases for me.

The portions over painting itself helped show the basics of oil painting (and I was amazed, and want to give a huge thumbs up for including the often ignored information about recycling turpentine, brush care, diversity in oil painting mediums, etc.) - The fact that I watched Shawn Barber's first, did tarnish my view of Konig's DVD (which goes into much less detail about mediums).

The talk with the artist also was very interesting, and helpful, in giving a view into how Shawn Barber thinks and developed to where he is today.


Basically this DVD is well worth the $55 I spent on it - and will keep me buying these DVDs as they come out in the future.

[Ray of the Dead]

Being a huge fan of Shawn's, this was a no brainer purchase. I've been dying to see his process. This was a great approach to his technique and it was covered beautifully.

The cameras show everything you want to see, the palette, the canvas, and what he's looking at. Even after a formal education in Fine Art, I learned volumes. It must have something to do with being able to watch someone you admire so much actually create the art you love.

The DVD touches on everything a beginning and intermediate painter can ask for and I feel that even novice painters can benefit from taking a look over Shawn's shoulder.

Can't wait to see this action live in Seattle.

[timpaatkins]

Loved the DVD, I think i suggested somewhere else that something that would be great, would be if it was possible to switch camera angles with the view button, i know some films that have this feature.Then one could just jump between a closeup and farther away.

[Dian3]

possibly a really dumb question:
they have subtitles? because maybe some people (like me) got some problems hearing (not reading) some technical words. Also, Alzorath has said that in some parts they are little sound problems.

[Alzorath]

There are no subtitles that I know of - there was only 1 part where I had to replay it due to audio issues (the rest of the time, a few notches in volume adjustment was enough to catch the commentary).

If really worried about audio, turning it up slightly higher than you would normally listen to television at - will catch most of the audio for you (although a few parts may seem a little loud, it's tolerable imo).

Sorry if I overstated it, just felt it was a noteworthy flaw (which honestly was hard to come by :) ). The content of the audio, due to the different recording of it (ie recorded as working) - definitely makes up for the clarity issues.

On the subject of audio - If you're an audiophile - you may find yourself noticing the echo of the studio (it is minor - but may irritate some people?) - personally it didn't bother me while listening to it.

[Studio Colrouphobia]

Alzorath, I think he more is reffering to the fact that non-english native speakers might have difficulties getting the technical words if you hear them shaky (which will still be the case once the sound is tuned up).
It's not the fact that the sound is less, but rather the fluctuation, that causes the issue.

Especially since reading Dian3's sig, where it sais: "Sorry for my bad english"

[Smarty]

Is their any plans to bring this on digital download? it would be a no brainer for me in the UK to download over ship this if there was.

[somnus]

Is their any plans to bring this on digital download? it would be a no brainer for me in the UK to download over ship this if there was.

Seconded..I'm still willing to pay the money to ship it here though, but they don't accept paypal on the dvd sales site

[RandAlThor]

Som.. i think this one is on amazon..?

[somnus]

Som.. i think this one is on amazon..?

D'oh. I'll check that out. The dvd.massiveblack.com site only shows creativespace as a place to buy it at. Thanks.

[Noah Bradley]

A little late to the party, I know, but I just had to give y'all a pat on the back for putting together a fantastic video. I've honestly never bought a art instructional video before, so this was a great first step. Shawn teaches very thoroughly and clearly. He's practical and inspiring, all at once.

...Now I've gotta go paint! :) Thanks guys.

[darkcult]

Is their any plans to bring this on digital download? it would be a no brainer for me in the UK to download over ship this if there was.

Same here! Download... Jason?

[ManaBurn]

Does anyone know just how long between Day 1 and Day 2 was of the painting. How long does he wait before he can go back and work on it. I'd really like to know. Aaron, Shawn, Jason, anyone?

[jeris82]

I just wanted to jump in here and say, I downloaded the video and I literally went out and bought oils painting materials the next day. I am attending the academy of art (illustration) right now his teaching skills are great in comparison to other instructors I have learned from.

Very very informative for myself being completely inexperienced with oils.

Interesting thoughts and discussion I could relate to in a lot of ways. I wish there was 10 hours of discussion like that available.

Made me appreciate him and his art even more.

The only question I am left having is (And perhaps I should simply view the video again so pardon me if that is the case) what exactly is the proper way or a good way to blend colors and values with oils, without mudding it up, as he explains most new students do?
I can see myself doing that and if I could figure that out, I would be much better with oils. I suppose more experience is required as well.

Totally worth the cheap $50. to invest knowledge in your skill.

[jeris82]

Also, please someone contact me if the "Business of fine art" is avaiable from shawn/here as well...............?


Wish I had the money when it was available.......