Do this to make your paintings more painterly: Paint WITHOUT a Reference

🎨 From Reference to Imagination: Painting Sunflowers & Irises Alla Prima In this oil painting tutorial, I’ll show you how to go from copying a reference to creating your own imaginative painting — all in a single sitting. You’ll learn how to use photographic references as a starting point, then let go and make artistic choices that bring your painting to life.

This demonstration features a vibrant still life of sunflowers and irises, painted alla prima (wet-on-wet) in oils. I’ll share insights on composition, color mixing, and how to balance observation with creativity. You’ll see how I build the painting from a pink toned ground, through drawing, color blocking, and layering, all the way to the final expressive details.

We’ll talk about: How to stop being a slave to photographic references
Developing your imagination as a painter
Mixing natural greens and warm sunlit tones
Using temperature contrasts for impact
Sculpting brushstrokes and outlines for dynamic shapes

By the end, you’ll see how to turn a simple reference into a unique, expressive painting that feels alive.

🖌 Palette: Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow Pale Hue, Yellow Ochre, Permanent Rose, Vermilion, Ultramarine Blue, Cerulean Blue, Viridian Green, Burnt Sienna.