Famous Painter Films: Oil Portrait: Erin

Reviewer: Wyota G.

This is an excellent video, one of the best I've rented. Without a doubt, Daniel Greene is a talented artist but more important he's an amazing teacher - direct, clear, concise, and at ease in front of the camera. No stuttering, stammering, or trying to think of what he wants to say - he says and illustrates it with clarity. A stunningly beautiful portrait demonstration that's very professionally shot.

Reviewer: Jeff O.

This contains quality instruction from a great artist who is also a good communicator. There are lots of practical pointers and factioids along the way of things that are worthy of note-taking. There are several views of a split screen between model and canvas that are helpful. Overall the production values are high and edited to move at a good pace. There are some painting steps that are not shown or mentioned. That was a little annoying, but I give it a big thumbs up.

Reviewer: Marcia T.

Mr. Greene is my favorite portrait artist and to see his process was most helpful. From the beginning about his palette to the final touches on this portrait this is an excellent film.

Reviewer: Terrance A.

Great portrait painter. Some good ideas. The artist has a bizarre painting twitch which is a distraction, but otherwise good.

Reviewer: Jo W.

These DVD's are very thorough and cover what I consider to be most important in painting a portrait in oil. From the palette color mixing - choice of background and sitting of model - sketching the face - to the process of moving through the painting from the darks to the midtones to the lights - refining and revisiting and knowing when you are done. I made many notes on the process and look forward to experimenting with his techniques in my own portraiture.

Reviewer: Diane G.

Very thorough and easy to follow. I learned a lot about how to draw as well.

Reviewer: Willie L.

I really enjoyed the video. It was very helpful. I mistakenly ordered disk 2 instead of disk 1 first but now I have disk 1 so I have learned much from both of them. I already have Daniel Greene's video on pastel portrait painting entitled Erica.

I like being able to rent videos especially when there is a variety of subject to select from.

Reviewer: Willie L.

I highly recommend the video to anyone desiring to improve their painting technique.

Reviewer: Sandra M.

Excellent teacher. He is conscientious about getting the smallest detail correct. Instructions were clear and he explained every thing as he went along.

Reviewer: Sandra M.

The second disk was even more informative than the first one. He is an excellent teacher.

Reviewer: mingfei s.

Very methodical approach to portrait painting with many good tips. Highly recommended.

Reviewer: mingfei s.

Very methodical approach to portrait painting with many good tips. Highly recommended.

Reviewer: Jana B.

Fabulous. I can't wait to get Part II. I love Daniel Greene. What a great teacher!

Reviewer: Emilie S.

Great instructional DVD. I am seriously considering purchasing this one. Daniel Green teaches in a very clear and concise manner. Excellent!

Reviewer: Evie B.

This was a great video with interesting palette suggestions. Very informative, concise, and easy to follow. Can't wait to see Part 2!

Reviewer: Brian J.

Greene is great. This video will satisfy almost anyones desire to understand "how-did-he-do-that." Few instructors begin with background and lighting tips and take you step by detailed step as he paints Erin. The palette,(he does pronounce it differently) is explained in great detail and is Greene's trademark key to uniform portraiture. You can't miss with this one and I suggest you rent it and then buy it and study it over and over again. A master.

Reviewer: David F.

A good painter and there's a lot to learn from him, but he has a bizarre method of laying out pre-mixed colors/values of paint on his palette. It's rather confusing and very wasteful, especially since he suggests wiping it all off and applying more of the same after every session. He's a very tight painter, if you like that sort of thing.

Reviewer: John H.

I thought it was very well done. I also rented vol 2.

John Hornung

Reviewer: Julie T.

I have been painting for many, many years. Still, I learned so much from this video! I watched it twice, took notes, and can't wait to apply what I have learned. I feel invigorated - thank you!

Reviewer: Diane H.

Daniel Greene is the consumate teacher/artist that imparts every thought and process that crosses his mind. This video/cd is the next best thing to being in his studio being one of his students. 5 stars doesn't say enough. My hat is off.

Reviewer: francois f.

I liked it, but the mailing was slow for me, unfortunately.

Reviewer: Rita J.

Daniel Greene is about the best teacher I have ever met. I was in a class of his for a week once here in New Albany. He was meticulous in how he teaches his use of color mixing, explaining how to use backgrounds and their importance, watching him drawing was a definite learning experience...I recommend this tape for all artists who like to review or learn new skills.

Reviewer: Rita J.

A very good portrait class, very detailed, worth watching several times.

Reviewer: Nicki K.

I haven't seen the second half yet, but disk 1 was only 90 minutes. I was expecting it to be longer but was still pretty good. Not as impressive when you only see the first half as it could have been; and it ends before he really gets into the painting. (Talk about a cliff hanger) He spends a lot of time going over his materials and drawing out the portrait. There were some good tips but I wish I could have seen both parts at once.

Reviewer: Tonya V.

Very instructive. Starts from paint mixtures, how to set up the model, Drawing and measuring and then the painting stroke by storke. I think he is good at explaining what he is doing and what he is looking at and trying to interpret out of what he sees. I watched it several times and took notes.

Reviewer: Bonnie K.

I personally have taken a pastel workshop from Mr. Green, but have been playing around with oils lately. He is a Great teacher. It is a very informative video. My only comment is that when I ordered the set I received only disc 1, as the other was not yet available. I am waiting for the Disc 2 now, it makes it a little bit disorienting to try to keep the info from the first in mind until you get to see the completion of the painting ........

Reviewer: Bernie B.

I have never in my life seen a demonstration as thorough as these two disks on Erin. I myself have been a painter and commercial artist all my life and have many years of art teaching experience. Without pretending so he knocked me out... Anyone who needs some discipline and method in painting will get all he needs and a lot more. Really superb teaching and craftsmanship. And by the way he is not pushing his style. His teaching is adaptable to any style! Congratulations Dan.

Reviewer: Skeet S.

I very much enjoyed this video. Daniel Greene is thorough in his approach to teaching and I appreciate that. It was a good view for those who haven't been painting long and a good review for those who have been painting for years.

Reviewer: Bernie B.

Fabulous teaching and lots of helpful tips in an quiet relaxed way for beginners and yes for advanced portrait painters also. A Superb classical! A must for everybody.

Reviewer: Dennis Y.

This is one of the best instructional DVDs on oil painting I have seen. Mr. Greene gives detailed instructions on his palette paint preparation, he gives interesting insights, and the camera often pans to the model as he is painting, for purposes of comparison and demonstration of his portrait painting. I think this DVD approximates taking a workshop with this master.

Reviewer: Joyce .

I've been painting for thirty years. I wish I had seen this video thirty years ago. What more can I say?

Reviewer: connie a.

Wonderful film. He is a great teacher/ demonstrator. I like how he explains his thoughts on how he is going to paint the next thing and then just stops talking and does it. His movements while he is painting are almost like watching a dance. He also inspired me to try a mahl stick. He makes it look like an incredibly handy device.

Reviewer: gail b.

He holds nothing back...gives all he has...I enjoyed it...However, I thought, Mark Chatov was better produced and showed a more close up view of the actual painting process...G

Reviewer: Holly H.

Excellent video. Excellent teacher. After reading some of the other reviews, I must say I'm amazed at how critical some people are. First, he does not have a bizarre twitch. I'd call it more of a flourish, to get his hand in line with what he's seeing and to keep his strokes painterly & loose. Second, it is NOT wasteful to pre mix the values of colors you plan to use in a painting. It is considered a good, in fact, necessary, practice to pre mix paint on your palette to the right values. If you're worried about being wasteful, perhaps you should consider changing your painting medium to something cheaper, like colored pencil. The only criticism I have of this video is the slow mailing service of Smartflix. Extremely slow, even after showing "shipped" on my account. I have just watched disc 1, after over a month's wait, and now who knows how long I'll have to wait for disc 2.

Reviewer: Patrick G.

I enjoyed the initial presentation of Daniel Greene's instruction, but I think it would have been better if both discs were sent.

Reviewer: Michael S.

I own a large library of art instructional videos. Most of the artists on these videos are interesting in their own way. Some are better than others at explaining their process. Daniel Greene deserves credit for producing the best. Greene is an excellent teacher. He explains things in a concise yet thorough manner. His approach to the instruction is serious as opposed to casual. Greene offers so much content to chew on these videos will continue to provide insights after many viewings.

Reviewer: bob w.

Excellent video. Very thorough. Mr. Greene uses two fugitive colors in his pallet: alizarin red and sap green. There are more permanent alternatives.

Reviewer: Kay B.

I appreciate Daniel Greene's ability to simplify his techniques and also his generousity of information. It was hard to return these two discs!

A Colorado Painter

Reviewer: Peg A.

I truly enjoyed watching and studying this video. His step by step explanation of his process was very helpful.

Reviewer: Alice E.

Daniel Greene has a method unique to him for mixing paints before doing his work. He gave wonderful tips throughout the video. I took notes. He teaches everything that makes his portraits successful: posing, background, preparing canvas, premixing paints on pallette, sequence of adding colors, how to keep keep the colors deep and bright throughout the painting, and how to bring up colors that have sunk. I was very very happy with these instructional DVD's.

Reviewer: Michael S.

Daniel Greene is the king of formal art instruction on video. I wish he would produce more. These are approached as though we were in an art class rather than attending a casual demonstration like so many others. Greene is very thorough and has obviously considered the information being presented. He has a clear plan as he works. His teaching style is what might be described as "on purpose" ....no time or words are wasted. In addition to being a good teacher his art is top quality.