Reviewer: John L.

Good video. Some of the techniques demonstrated were not applicable to what I do, but there were a couple of instructional points that made the tape well worth my time.

This was my first tape from Technical Video Rental and I must say it was as good an experience as I could have hoped for. To not have to sign up for a membership was very nice.

Thanks. I will rent again.

Reviewer: Joseph R.

Terrific video...lots of material is covered...great to see how a professional goes about making his paintings.

Reviewer: Randy S.

I really enjoyed the paintings in this DVD, but the presentation of each process was drawn out. It says it is aimed towards Plein Air work, but I feel it would be more instructive to a studio painter. With that said I still recommend. Great artist.

Reviewer: Elizabeth S.

Great video - lots of information that will help anyone. Easy to view the artist working with the brush. Learned a lot about the power of grays, values and color comparison. Overall great video so much information I had to watch it over a couple of times. Scott is a great artist and you will definetely learn quite a bit from this video.

Reviewer: Kevin L.

Breaks down painting to the basics and make it look easy. Highly recommended!

Reviewer: Dolores D.

This is a great video for rental rather than necessarily buying. After watching it a couple of times, one really does understand how Scott works and his limited palette.

Reviewer: robert g.

Very informative - I noticed immediate improvement.

Reviewer: Rajendra G.

The demo provides a detailed look at his process of creating muted landscapes that use neutrals as starting points for color development. Recommended for anyone who's interested in Scott Christensen's method.

Reviewer: Julliette C.

It's exciting to have an opportunity to watch a real master at work who really makes light sing, and who explains how to get the most critical information if one has very limited time, which is so often the case when plein air painting.

Reviewer: Brian S.

I did not care for this DVD. It was not clear to me Scott was simply copying paintings he had already painted outdoors, attempting to recreate the problems he orginally encountered. It would have been much more interesting and instructive had he done a demo outdoors, from nature. Also, he's long winded and not very articulate. He put me to sleep. Literally.

Reviewer: Ebrahim A.

One of the best DVD I've ever seen. Great camera filming.

Reviewer: sarah m.

Very good dvd on painting. Scott is a wonderful painter and a down to earth instructor. I learned a lot from this instructional film.

Reviewer: Daniel A.

Very good, clear expanations. Video quality excellent. I would recommend this video to plein air painters even though the demonstration is entirely in the studio.

Reviewer: Sydney B.

Scott paints 3 studies of landscapes he has already painted (though he does change the color scheme on one), so you do not see him making compositional and color decisions based upon what he sees in the landscape. However, he does talk about the decisions he made while painting the original painting, to some degree. The good thing is that this saves time. The bad thing is that we are not comparing what he is doing to the actual view he saw as he painted. He shows a lot of color mixing, and talks about the color mixing, which was helpful to me, though, one has to admit, a little boring to watch. All in all, it was helpful to me and I considered it worth renting.

Reviewer: matthew L.

Good information, I do landscape painting outdoors once a week. Good info on working with a limited palette. Using a limited palette teaches you how color works, how to warm them or cool them. The video is indoors, as if painted outdoors. A little slow to follow. I would like to see another video by Christensen done outside someday. He premixes most of his colors which is interesting to me, I've never tried that. He's a top notch painter.

Reviewer: Bart D.

Great production. The director does a good job switching back and forth from the palette to the painting, while keeping a small image of the reference painting to one side. Scott is a great artist and explains himself clearly and concisely. There is information for artists at any level. The only drawback would be that Scott makes it look too easy.

Reviewer: Peter A.

DVD was excellent. Scott explains his limited palette and clearly shows how he uses this palette from start to finish on each painting. His technique should be considered if you are having trouble controlling colors for a harmonious painting. This was my first rental with SmartFlix and it went great.

Reviewer: nancy h.

I enjoyed the video very much! I love Scott's work and felt the video was the next best thing to a workshop. I would definitely recommend this video.

Reviewer: sandy nelson m.

This is my first rental with this company....very professional and prompt. Scott Christensen is one of the top landscape painters in the country and it would have been great to have him expound on his philosophies a bit more and less on the repetitive color mixing...although from experience, I know it is sometimes difficult to talk and paint at the same time if you digress too much from the job at hand. He isn't a dynamic lecturer, but is precise in his on canvas demo....it really doesn't matter whether he is copying a previously executed work........design principles are the same regardless. Anyone wanting further study should get the Carlson book and others that he mentions...they are the bibles of landscape painting!

Reviewer: sandy nelson m.

Excellent instruction, well organized and complete....while the narration can be a bit monotone...the references to Carlson and others, the demos, the "thinking" of the pieces....dead on! No serious student of landscape painting should go without seeing any of these offerings.

Reviewer: Jay B.

This video is Scott Christensen painting 3 studies from previously done paintings for reference. In essence, he is working backward to make a video. Much of painting outdoors is learning to capture what is there in front of you, melting it down to basic forms, colors and values. So this part of the experience is not there. However you do get to see Scott apply paint and see his method of blocking in the darks and he does a pretty time consuming pre-mixing of colors prior to doing the painting. Since the rental is only $10, I would recommend it but it's not a great video for the total learning experience of working on site from a live subject. Scott's a great painter, I just wish somebody would help him make a good video.

Reviewer: Larry S.

Considering what Scott gets for a painting workshop, it is certainly worth watching...especially from the standpoint of learning how to order your palette and develop a process, see the brushwork/color laid in. Thing is...he admits at the beginning of the third painting demonstration he would not ordinarily with a low light or fleeting light subject use a palette knife to mix paint, hold up and compare to colors before him. Having to use your mind more intelligently.

With all due respect to Scott, a good painter and teacher...it was for me a bit disappointing to see him simply repainting his plein air studies. Now, in fairness, it is a bit more work and time to bring video equipment afield...and things have to happen quickly. Perhaps quicker than a camera man might be able to follow along. Not to mention that it is a bit more difficult to address many issues pertinent to painting from life with elusive soon to disappear light. The studio gives him time I'm sure to reflect, think of what is important to share with the viewer. I'd give Scott the benefit of the doubt on all this.

However, if I were to be spending $95 for this DVD, I would like to see at least one of the demonstrations actually done outdoors. Seems after watching and listening to him go into depth on the first two, the second would have been a good test for viewers to simply watch him paint even with very little commentary. As has been said in other review comments, painting outdoors requires much, and would have been fun watching Scott take it all on...

Reviewer: Justine H.

I enjoyed this video and learned some very usable techniques.

Reviewer: Jana B.

I did learn something from this video about the beautiful colors and color harmony that can be had from a limited palette and it was worth watching. But I found this video boring and sleep inducing, unlike the others I've rented so far. The artist explains his process and materials well but without much expression. Since he basically just copies 3 small plein air studies he's already done onto new panels, it doesn't really teach much about working plein air, other than his comments that if he were outdoors the light would be changing fast now "so I have to work fast." He has an astute eye for value and color temperature changes and that was worth seeing and I liked his art. I would have rated it higher if he was painting outdoors or taught with more enthusiasm/personality.

Reviewer: Peter I.

I like Scott Christensen paintings. He is able to guide your eye thru the landscape and give you a wonderful feeling of 3 dimensions. There is no question about this. I have both of his books and value it. But this video is the most awful display of inability to give you an insight of his working. He uses his hand without brush and with brush like a windmill, mix colors you first don’t know what for and confuse you with aberrant scenes. Scott should have gotten a course how to display himself doing a video and gotten a better editor. So I can give him only one grey bulb. Sorry. Do it better next time.

Reviewer: Rhonda M.

I loved this video. Scott is not afraid to share what he knows. That is so refreshing. Now I would love to see him do a plein air out side. It would be good to see how he mixes on site.

cheers, Rhonda

Reviewer: Ivan K.

For those who want to closely emulate Scott's paint application and limited palette I recommend the video. However if you have already attained a good measure of skill and developed your own style there is not much here. Scott may be a terrific workshop teacher with personality but there was little evidence of his ability to enthuse and excite with this video performance. It became quite boring after the first section. Also his constant use of the words 'attempt' and 'try' did not fit in with his abilities to produce some beautiful work. False modesty? I have seen Scott's work on gallery walls and they are very appealing. His attention to values and atmospheric perspective are excellent. Just wish he had better production and direction for this video.

Reviewer: p. b.

Scott Christensen breaks things down into bite-size explanations and then does a superb job of putting it all together comprehensively for the viewer. I have rented several art instruction DVDs recently from Smartflix. It is a great way to determine whether or not I want to make a specific purchase. This is one DVD that I will purchase in the near future so I can see it over and over. Thanks for making it available so I can make an informed decision.

Reviewer: Anne P.

Although not the greatest screen personality, this instructor knows his stuff and paints in a very simple and fresh style.....very easy to get his point. I think it is only fair, however, to point out that this is not an art lesson for a beginner. It takes it for granted that you know certain principles of composition and colour mixing.

Reviewer: Dennis T.

His use of limited palette has given me a new avenue of mixing paint and easy to understand lectures on how important to locate shadow values.

A "must rent" for any serious artist.

Reviewer: Frances m.

This is a wonderful DVD for any artist interested in Plein Air painting. I felt his comments were informative. I also found his references to Carlson and Edgar Payne helpful as he applied their concepts in his own demonstrations.

Reviewer: Roger P.

Thanks for the quality you rent, it's a good idea this kind of library.

Reviewer: Robbyn H.

This is one of the best videos I've seen. Great explanations, lovely painting style and I feel that the artist shared his knowledge freely. I actually think my own painting has improved since watching this. I definitely recommend this one.

Reviewer: Brett D.

He is one of my favorite landscape painters so it was fascinating to watch him work.

Not too much in the way of verbal instruction; he didn't say much once he got going. He paints three studies, and I found myself fast-forwarding parts toward the end because it was a bit redundant--especially watching him mix colors.

He only paints studies, and I was wishing he would show how he would have made them into finished paintings; I will need to watch his other video for this I guess.

Overall, I'm glad I watched it, and I will watch another from him.

Reviewer: GERALD M.

Well presented technique for three primary painting. Enjoyed the information on the five pre-mixed halftones/dark. I would recommend this DVD to anyone interested in Plein Air painting.

Reviewer: Karen B.

The artist is very talented and his paintings are beautiful, but listening to him is like watching paint dry.

Reviewer: Farah K.

This was one of the best DVDs that I have ever seen for landscape painting. Very comprehensive workshop. Scotte talked about every aspect of his demonstration that I needed to know. He is an amazing artist. His techniques are clear and easy to understand. The camera had registered whatever the viewer needs to see about the color mixing. I really appreciate Scotte and his wonderful team for such a great DVD.

FK

Reviewer: Carol S.

This is the finest painting demonstration out of hundreds that I have watched in my years of self taught art. Scott's smooth sensible technique renders an easy to read sketch. I look forward to watching him complete a large painting.

Scott is a successful artist who generously shares his years of practice and development with us. I believe he truly cares about those of us who are seeking knowledge and are willing to work at improving our approach to and thought process while painting.

I wish that I could afford to attend one of his home based workshops. I'm pleased with the knowledge I have gained from watching him execute these three sketch demonstrations. I'm convinced that a workshop with Scott would put me over the top. For now I'll just have to rent his videos or borrow them from the library as they become available.

Every minute I spent with these demonstrations was well worth my while. Visit his wonderful web site at www.christensenstudio.com to get a more complete story on this man.

Reviewer: tony d.

Scott Christensen is a tremendously talented artist. He makes executing a painting so effortless. He is not the most articulate instructor but just watching him apply paint to the canvas is a revelation. I thought the camera work was very good. The focus on pre-mixing the paints plainly explains his process... like it or not. Recommended.

Reviewer: Mark v.

In this video, Scott does three paintings in the studio, approaching them as he would if he was outdoors. And that's the rub, why not just paint them outdoors? You get a good idea about what he is thinking and how he approaches his work, but I highly recommend viewing his first video before viewing this one. I own both videos and do not regret paying out the money for them, but he didn't cover too much differing material than his first video. I can see how some people find him a little boring, but he doesn't seem that way to me. I do not recommend watching all three studies consecutively. Give yourself a day before watching the next one. The production quality of the video is top notch, and maybe that's why he did it indoors. Or maybe he had intended on doing it outdoors, but it was pouring rain and he had already paid for the production crew, so he made the best with what he could. Of course, I'm just speculating here. Still, it's one of the better videos out there from a landscape master — but no where near as good as his first one.

Reviewer: Tulasi Z.

First of all, I love Scott's paintings. Although I've not seen any of his original work, I do like his use of colors, clarity, and composition. Therefore, I was excited to have the opportunity to view his instructional videos and learn from him. But, it was a huge disappointment. It was fascinating to watch the paintings unfold, but it was like watching a silent movie. Even with the little commentary he provided, there was absolutely no instruction taking place. There was no discussion about the equipment or support he was using. For instance, want was he painting on? Was it canvas or panel board, and why? There was also no discussion about the type of brushes he was using, and why. Were they flats, brights, bristle, or sable? He touched on it briefly in the other video, by holding the brushes up to the camera and saying “These are the brushes I use,” and that was it. The color mixing section was very good, but he didn’t explain how thick or thin he mixes his colors, and when painting, how he loaded the brush. If you are trying to emulate his style, these are important things to know. He is an accomplished artist, but doesn’t know the first thing about teaching and explaining to others what he does. The video provides entertainment value only, not instruction.

I totally agree with other comments that the paintings should have been done outdoors. So, the entire video did not make sense to me. It didn’t deal with the problem solving and decision making the artist goes through when painting outdoors. This is definitely not a video for beginners. And, I’m glad I didn’t buy the video, because I would have felt ripped off. Scott’s other video was much better.

Reviewer: vicki r.

I really enjoyed the video and feel it is most useful to the plein air artist. I especially enjoyed his use of a limited palette and how he establishes all his values beforehand.

Reviewer: John D.

Very good video with a great deal of good information from the artist. I especially liked the alternating camera angles so you could see the artist's brush stokes on the canvas and his mixing on the palette, also the occasional inset of the piece being reproduced. Being able to select specific scenes from each of the three pieces painted also was useful, especially when reviewing for specific techniques, etc. Scott Christensen is a master of landscapes -- certainly among the top living landscape painters. I'll probably rent it again in a year or so.

Reviewer: Michael G.

I thought his demo's where great. I have also watched his other dvd, where he takes a plein air and paints a studio painting from it. He paints a larger version of a painting, which I didn't find very useful after watching this dvd. In the 3 landscape studies, he combines a few paintings to arrive at a composition and color scheme. I found this one to have more info on his process.

Reviewer: Angel F.

Scott Christensen didn't have to say much in painting his Three landscape Studies...just seeing how he made puddles of "Local Color" and drawing from them , shadow and highlights..for each,.. trees, mountain, clouds, sky,.. was a learning experience,.brushstroke by brushstroke making the painting emerge...and using a "limited palette" at that...highly recommended !!!

Reviewer: Linda W.

what a helpful dvd...such an interesting use of color...well worth the small fee to take a lesson from Scott....thanks....Linda W.

Reviewer: James K.

It was fun and interesting to watch these paintings develop and to see the gamut of colors from 3 primaries + grays. However, it was difficult to follow Mr. Christensen's inarticulate discussion.

Reviewer: Susan S.

This video was great instruction both verbal and visual for anyone wanting to paint more loosely with more paint. Because Scott Christensen uses just three primary colors plus white it helped me to see how to achieve harmony in my painting in a simple and clear way.

Reviewer: Christina S.

This is an excellent DVD. Scott thinks out loud with explanation for what he is doing. The same way we all have a conversation in our head while working. I would recommend this for the experienced artist. This was very illuminating.

Reviewer: Ina B.

Demos were informative; there is always a lot to be learned from such an accomplished painter. The one negative is that one of the three landscapes should have been painted outdoors. By the third demo I felt a bit frustrated that all three were copied from paintings previously painted outdoors. I was most interested in seeing the artist mix his colors outside, mainly in strong light, and then viewing the work in his studio. For the landscape painter looking for advice on brushwork and color mixing the DVD is well worth the time it takes to get on the waiting list.