If you’re just joining us for the #indexcardartproject of 2025, you can catch up in these posts…
Details & Materials for the Project
Oil Painting Tutorial | Card “C”
In this post, I’m sharing another oil painting video tutorial. Instead of using an Edward Seago painting as a reference, we’ll be painting from one of my own reference photos. It’s available for free on Artist Reference Photos (and all of the photos are royalty-free if you want to sell the work.)

My recommended beginner palette –
- Ultramarine Blue (Gamblin) – $13.42
- Burnt Sienna (WN) – $14.00
- Yellow Ochre Light (WN) – $13.50
- Cadmium Yellow Medium (Gamblin) – $28.00
- Flake White Replacement (Gamblin) – $9.75
Other supplies –
- Gray Paper Palette
- Liquitex Professional White Gesso
- A mix of flat synthetic and hog’s bristle brushes. I get most of my brushes from Rosemary & Co. but brushes are very personal, so you’ll have to test some out to see what you like.
- Gamblin Gamsol
- Airtight Solvent Container
- Paper Towels
- Baby Oil & baby wipes for clean-up
- Murphy Oil Wood Soap (for cleaning brushes) You can find a video tutorial HERE with details for cleaning up oil paints.
This is the reference photo we’ll be painting in this video. I love the shape of the trees and how they are framed by the blue ridge of the mountains.

Here is my interpretation of it for index card “D”…

Here is the video tutorial for this little landscape painting in oils. If you want to join in on an art panel or canvas or in a different medium, you’re certainly welcome to!
More index card art to come! I have them with me at the beach so I can paint some seascapes from life while I’m here. I’ll also take more photos to add to the Artist Reference Photos website.

Let me know if you have any questions or requests for future painting video tutorials/paint-alongs.










5 Responses
Thank you so much for the tutorials. I really appreciate them
If you were doing this with watercolor, would you lay in the background first and let dry? Then the trees on top?
Asking for a friend.
Yes. In watercolor, you work from light to dark, so I would do everything in the opposite order.
Do you varnish these when dry?
Thanks for sharing the video. We’re traveling, as well, but I’m excited to paint along when we’re home!