This is a companion lesson to my Beginner Tree 1 tutorial, in the first lesson we concentrated on the delicacy of the tree branches, in this lesson we are adding foliage. You will learn how to create the structure and realistic foliage shape, the tree is silhouetted against the background as I d...

This exercise is a companion to my previous lesson ‘How to paint fine lines’ I do recommend you have a look at that if you haven’t already as there are topics in that tutorial which you will need for this lesson. Painting realistic grass requires a little more information and practice, this less...

This new beginner lesson is something a little bit different! Although the style and technique differ from my other lessons, we're still striving to include photorealism, especially when the image is seen from a distance. A number of artists I admire in the UK have been painting similar landscap...

This scene may seem complicated with lots of detail especially in the foreground, however, this painting retains it’s realism but without all the intricate detailing. Making it ideal for beginners and setting a solid foundation for intermediate tutorials.
This lesson can be completed in just a f...

I wanted to explore a different style to my usual highly detailed photorealistic paintings.
This is the first painting in the Alternative Style Category. I often admire loosely painted artworks and I’ve decided to integrate this style into one of my lessons, providing a unique challenge!
Although...

I’ve been wanting to include a figurative lesson in my beginner library for a while.
This introductory lesson into portraiture is not only interesting but is a good challenge, I know it looks as though it may be a complicated lesson, but we are going to mainly concentrate on the proportions and...

This is a very simple lesson but there are some very interesting elements. This lesson focuses on the flower itself and concentrates on developing confidence when mixing and applying paint to the panel/canvas.
Difficulty: Beginner
Panel Size: 8 x 8 inches
Brushes used in this lesson: Michael Jame...

In this exercise I demonstrate the use of the 3 main brushes I use for achieving perfect foliage. The Series 1, Series 4 & Series 12
I’ll show you how to load the paint onto the brushes and then how to apply it to the painting surface.
Practicing the techniques I share will enhance your skills. W...

My lesson ‘How to paint fine lines’ has been requested by many of my students for quite some time.  This is an invaluable tutorial. It consists of a series of instructions and exercises, enabling you to practice and perfect this technique. You can use this technique to follow my tutorials and, of...

As a complete beginner, this is a great lesson to start with. I will teach you the skills and techniques needed for painting with oil paints. Join me as I guide you through creating the sketching diagram and applying the block-in layer. Additionally, you will learn the principles of colour mixing...

As a beginner, painting an egg will be a good challenge for you. I will guide you through the process, from the sketching diagram and applying the block-in layer to learning how to blend and develop soft transitions between light and dark colors. A steady hand is needed to create an accurate shap...

In this lesson I will show you how to keep you hand as steady as possible to achieve the sharp straight edges of the spoon, we will also cover the art of blending, and colour transitions to create a shiny effect.
Difficulty: Beginner
Panel Size: 8 x 8 inches
Brushes used in this lesson: Michael ...

This lesson features simple, subtle color tones. I will teach you how to get the soft lighting levels right, which can be a good challenge.
Difficulty: Beginner
Panel Size: 8 x 6 inches
Brushes used in this lesson: Michael James Smith Professional Brush Set
Painting surface used in this lesson: A...

This is a great introduction lesson to start painting landscape scenes, it may look tricky but with it’s simple & limited colour palette apart from the delicate branches there is very little detail. In this lesson you will learn how to manipulate the brush to create superfine details and develop ...

This lesson will guide you through the basics, helping you develop your skills and techniques that will form the foundation for future lessons. I will guide you through the process from sketching diagram to applying the block-in layer, refining colours, and adding details.

Difficulty: Beginner
P...

This is a very interesting lesson, with lots of elements to provide you with the opportunity to practice and develop the skills you’ve learnt so far. It may look complex however as a beginner lesson the details have been simplified to ensure it’s manageable for everyone, using basic techniques.
...

Develop your skills in this beginner lesson. This beautiful landscape has many elements which will offer a challenge and enable you to practice skills already learnt in previous lessons. You will achieve a certain level of realism in this painting but don't be put off, this is a lesson appropria...

If you are not a current subscriber and want to try out this free lesson please use the link below to access the required resources: https://tinyurl.com/9wn5ynts

Autumn may see the return of frosty mornings and long nights but with it also comes an array of breath-taking, fiery hues. As trees tr...

This sky lesson has been designed with the beginner in mind. It’s quite a busy sky, with smooth transitions between the different colours. It takes a little practice to achieve the softness but it’s such an important skill to master for photorealistic artworks. This lesson will give you the confi...

This dramatic beach scene with its moody sky and sunlit foreground has everything needed to make it a very attractive painting, without the need for a great variety of content. The smoothness of elements within the majority of the painting make this an ideal project for the beginner and intermedi...