Learn to Paint Podcast

Many artists quietly believe there is a deadline on creativity. If you did not start young, it can feel like you missed your chance.In episode 121, Suzanne Allard about where that belief comes from and why it does not hold up.Suzanne shares her story of beginning to draw and paint in her early 50s, along with the fear, pressure, and self talk that shaped her early creative experience. Allard shares what actually helps artists move forward. Gentle entry points, low pressure practice, and learning how to stay with discomfort all play a role.This conversation is for artists who feel behind, overwhelmed, or unsure whether it is worth starting or continuing at all.In this episode, you will learn:- Why starting late is more story than reality- How low pressure prompts help build momentum and confidence- The difference between fear of judgment and fear of how you feel about your own work- How to lower pressure when your art practice starts to feel stressful- Why creative growth requires patience, pauses, and trustAllard also shares insights into her acrylic landscape process, how she chooses references, why she works in phases, and how she balances focused learning with play.Whether you are picking up a brush for the first time or trying to reconnect with your practice, this episode offers a grounded and encouraging perspective on what it means to keep going.Art Club: Find your ad free version here.Bonus Episode (Podcast Art Club)In the bonus conversation, Allard goes deeper into how she actually works in the studio and how looseness, confidence, and expressive color are built through intentional choices rather than talent or speed.Allard shares why setting constraints, like limiting the number of shapes or colors in a painting, can make it easier to simplify and stop overworking. You’ll learn how she uses reference photos as a jumping-off point rather than a rulebook, and how shifting from object-based thinking to value- and shape-based thinking changes the way you approach landscapes.The conversation also explores how color confidence develops through play and repetition, why avoiding straight-from-the-tube color helps build a personal color language, and how reducing friction in your setup makes it easier to paint more often without overthinking materials or wasting supplies.This bonus episode is especially helpful if you are trying to loosen up, simplify complex scenes, or feel more confident making color decisions in your own work.In this bonus, we cover:- Why constraints are one of the fastest ways to loosen up your work- How to think in shapes and values instead of objects- Using reference photos as inspiration rather than instructions- Building color confidence through experimentation and repetition- Simplifying landscapes without losing interest or depth- Making it easier to paint more often by reducing setup frictionLearn ore about Suzanne Allard:WEBSITE / CLASSES / INSTAGRAM / FACEBOOK / YOUTUBE / PINTERESTSupport the show

Welcome to the conversation with Michele Usibelli!In the feature conversation you’ll discover a process that helps you create bold and loose work, explore a strategy for choosing what to paint next and you’ll learn how to build goals into your work so that every painting is a chance to improve.Extended Cut BonusIn the bonus conversation, we’ll walk through a few examples of how Usibelli makes color choices so that you can see how to make beautiful paintings without getting totally overwhelmed on the color front.Learn more about Michele Usibelli:WEBSITE / WORKSHOPS / MEMBERSHIP / INSTAGRAM / FACEBOOKSupport the show

When you think of building an art practice, your mind might go to all of your favorite artists. You think of their social media feeds and the gallery shows they promote. You dream about having one of their pieces in your home some day… and maybe you can. Because they SELL their work.But building an art practice is not the same as building an art business. And while the benefits of an art business are many… we don’t talk enough about the costs. Because if you do decide to sell your work, there ARE costs.Let’s explore the physical, time, and physiological costs to selling your work. And then armed with this knowledge, you can make a more intentional decision about whether selling now, selling later, or selling never is right for you and your goals learning to paint.Support the show

Welcome to the conversation with William A. Schneider.FEATUREIn the conversation you'll learn the general proportions of the face and how to adjust them for the specific face you're painting, you’ll discover a bunch of great exercises to improve your skills, plus you’ll explore the 5 buckets of knowledge that every painter needs to learn to be able to tackle, well, kind of everything. Plus a whole lot more.In the interview Schneider mentions a free ebook download called, “Mastering Proportions of the Face.” You can find that here.EXTENDED CUT BONUS [Art Club]In the extended cut bonus conversation you’ll discover what you need to get correct so that you can push your color, and we talk about why your negative self talk is hurting you more than you think and what to do about it. Find it here.Art Club: Ad free feature here.Learn more about Schneider here:WEBSITE / WORKSHOPS/ INSTAGRAM / FACEBOOK / BLOGSupport the show

There are so many reasons why you might want to pack up a bunch of supplies and carry them off to a family trip or exotic local.There are great reasons to try just this.But there are also reasons to leave your supplies at home.So in today's mini, let's talk about why you might want to keep working while traveling, why you might NOT want to, and then if yes, how do you set yourself up for success.Support the show