Episode 22: Sarah Sedwick
This week, I’m talking with oil painter Sarah Sedwick. This interview will be in two parts with Part 2 (a bonus episode of sorts).
In part 1, you’ll discover how premixing frees you up to make looser paintings. You’ll learn how to paint those shadows and explore different types of palettes. Plus a whole lot more.
This is part 2, you’ll learn about different types of edges and how to use them to make more interesting paintings. You’ll discover how to make highlights that sing and the power of a good critique.
Learn more about Sedwick here:
In Part 1 we cover:
1:06 How Sarah Sedwick got into art
1:32 The point she decided to get serious about painting
2:34 The struggle to get back into art after art school
7:13 Materials: What Sedwick uses to paint
7:33 What she likes about oils that other mediums don’t give her
10:20 What solvent and mediums she uses
11:49 Using a palette knife for mixing
13:01 Sedwick’s process overview
14:39 The challenge of “how did I mix that?!”
15:35 Biggest challenge she sees her students facing with color
17:10 Different types of color palettes
19:25 Black
20:43 Using three colors to mix
23:02 Oooh Phthalo
23:40 How she creates her set palette
26:18 Approach to palette
28:13 Creating a basecamp
31:24 Portrait or still life painter?
33:21 Fundamentals that still life teaches you
34:11 The importance of setting up a still life
36:17 What thinking she does in her still life
39:29 Where in her process she does design and composition thinking
42:09 Figuring out value structure in the real world
44:05 Notans and deciding value
In Part 2:
1:05 What Sedwick needs for her underpainting
4:30 Creating systems that allow you to not be precious
5:56 Where in Sedwick’s process she figures out edges
8:19 Degrees of soft edges
9:27 A hierarchy of a painting
10:54 Benefits of learning online vs in person
13:03 Physical interactions of paint
16:07 How Sedwick physically approaches edges (hard, soft, lost)
18:40 Advice on how to get better at painting
20:57 Losing and finding momentum
23:36 The importance of critique
26:40 How critique helps you find your personal style
Get each new episode (including this one!) sent straight to your inbox by signing up for the newsletter below.