How to Paint Fast, Loose and Bold: Simple Techniques for Expressive Painting

by Patti Mollica

Bold
Exciting
Powerful
A new level of artistic expression!

Every artist strives to achieve the kind of painting that commands attention from across the room and delights the eye up close. In this book, artist and workshop teacher Patti Mollica walks you through surprisingly simple and efficient strategies for achieving that kind of powerful composition, whatever your subject.

Complete with timed exercises and start-to-finish painting demonstrations, this book is for any artist who feels overwhelmed by where to start or daunted by the urge to paint everything in sight. Patti Mollica's mindful approach will lead you to better, bolder results, as well as greater confidence and joy in the process. So load your palette with ample paint, grab some fat brushes and get ready to paint fast, paint loose, paint bold.

Start with a strong, simple value statement
Get expressive with color
Be brave with your brushwork
5 technique exercises
5 start-to-finish painting demonstrations
Paint fearlessly!

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

Published January 31, 2018

Reviews

[Gayle Pritchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read with some terrific tips on painting and composition. This is one of those books worth using as a workbook, drawing and painting your way through. It’s winter in Ohio, we’re in lockdown, and I have a stack of canvases. Sounds like a perfect recipe for getting into the studio.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m excited to try the tips from this book!

I’ve recently taken up painting as a hobby. Since I’m doing it for fun and relaxation, I thought too much planning would be beside the point. I didn’t realize how simple things like making a value sketch or using a mother color to unite a palette could make such a difference in whether a painting “worked.” I’m convinced now that planning things out a little bit beforehand can actually make the process more fun.

[Mary Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best instructional books I've read on expressive painting, especially her chapters on color.

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author spends a great part of the book explaining the things you should do/think about before the paint hits the paper.

This instruction was so useful and valuable - for instance, doing a value sketch, using a “mother colour” for harmony, ideas for composition and placement. Even simple tips like “change things around, you’re in charge “ encouraged me to be looser.

There are exercises to follow in the back too to put theory into practice. Well worth a read , and a reread.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book about developing a loose and bold painting style. The examples might be a little difficult to follow for the novice or for those who are like me and are visual learners.

[Miquela · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I found this book to be a fast, interesting read, I didn't learn a lot of new things. I have read a few art books, though, and taken a couple of classes, so your mileage may vary. I did appreciate the idea of doing more basic brush control exercises, and I am always (cheapskate that I am) in need of admonishments to "use more paint!"

Where I felt the book could have done a better job was in providing the reference photos for all the paint-along demos provided in the last chapter. Seeing as I don't wish to copy someone else's value sketches and color choices and wish to learn how to express my own creative vision, having the photos would have been useful. It is nice, though, to see a breakdown of the author's painting process/steps.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about painting what you don’t see and the composition relating more to values. I love her colour charts in this one and the fact that she paints in acrylic. Painting must be fast. I’ve watched her tutorials before which really helped me to understand how she works.

[Suetheartist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent tips on painting whether it be oils acrylics or watercolours. A good base for starting a painting. Quite doable and she explains her reasoning for different techniques. Her colour theory is well done. Demos at the end of the book are very user friendly.

[C. Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

Loved the book. Expressive. Concepts from easy to difficult made digestible and more easily followable. Brilliant pathway to improving everything from concept, color choice, construction...basic methodology for a resultant dynamic piece, easy to achieve.

[Marcus Carrillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book. The end of the book was the best part. It explains how to get that painterly loose look. That is what I really wanted to know. If you already know about the color wheel, hues, values etc you will go through the first half quickly.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good step step

I enjoyed how the author lay this out step by step with photos.
Will try to incorporate some of these techniques in my next painting.

[Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed the read, very useful techniques.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totaĺy worth the price

I learnt something new. This book has a character, not yet another generic art book. I found the chapter on your personal style quite useful.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been a very helpful book for me, especially the sections about value, color, and brushwork.

[Fabricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great book, very easy to understand and flow. But if you have read Mollica's book on color some part's of this book will be repetitive.

[Daryl Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, Concise, and helpful

This book gives a clear, concise discussion with emphasis on value, composition, and color mixing. Great for beginners or experienced painters.

[Lisa Pappa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody has taught me more about values than Patti Mollica.

[Sarah Besserer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview on the approach! New info for both beginners and experts

[Ashley Cornell · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my goals this year is to get back into making art. This book was a great refresher on materials and technique, and I learned a lot about color theory!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better instructional painting books I've read.

I used to be hung up on the details in my painting. Useing the fast, loose and bold approach has conditioned me to loosen up and just let it flow. I'm loving the results.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a lot out of this book. Though I majored in painting long, long ago, either I wasn't taught much about value and color or I forgot everything I learned. This was a nice refresher course and I liked Mollica's suggestions on painting fast and loose, since I need a creative kick in the behind. Why not paint for joy and experimentation? Not every work needs to be a masterpiece (like any of mine are). The only complaint I have is that I read this on a Kindle and the paintings are too small for me to see clearly. Maybe I need a bigger Kindle?