Hey Artists! I couldn't resist getting outside today to paint some elm trees en plein air. In this video, I'm sharing what I painted, talking about my process, and giving you a glimpse of what's coming in the brand-new Tree Painting Course starting this Monday. If you've ever struggled with lollipop trees, muddy greens, or just not knowing where to start with trees, this course was built specifically around those struggles. Over 150 of you told me via email exactly what you needed, and I listened. And right now, you can join Sam's Art School completely free for 7 days and be there from the very first class on Monday. ⚠️ The free trial ends Monday, 23rd March at 3PM NZ time, that's Sunday evening if you're in the USA. After that, it's gone. After the trial, it's just $39 USD/month. Cancel anytime. 👉 https://www.skool.com/samuel-earp-online-art-school/about Drop a comment below, are you joining us on Monday? 👇 Cheers, Sam P.S. Not sure if it's right for you? That's exactly what the FREE TRIAL is for. Sam's Art School is $39/month, but join before 3PM Monday, 23rd March NZ time and your first 7 days are completely free. Watch the first class, explore everything inside, and decide for yourself. No risk. After Monday, the free trial is gone 👉 https://www.skool.com/samuel-earp-online-art-school/about

Hey Artists, This is the post I've been hinting at all week. Recently, I asked about your biggest struggles with tree painting. Over 150 of you replied by email, in the comments, and in the poll. Lollipop trees. Muddy greens. Overworked foliage. Not knowing where to start. I heard every single one of you, and I built this around your answers. I'm launching a brand-new Tree Painting Course at Sam's Art School, and the first live class starts this Sunday, USA time. We'll be painting small, focused works, no larger than 11 x 14 inches. Because this isn't about producing large finished masterpieces. It's about getting in front of the canvas regularly, solving real problems, and becoming a more confident, instinctive painter. And because it's live, you can watch me paint in real time, ask me questions, and see how I think and make decisions as I go. Including when things don't go to plan because that's where the real learning happens. Here's what we're going to cover together: ✅ Different tree species — understanding their unique form and character ✅ Tree canopies — how to paint them without painting every single leaf ✅ Trunks and bark — adding texture and life without overworking ✅ Distant trees — getting the recession and atmosphere right ✅ Colour mixing and tonal values — the foundations that make everything else work ✅ Composition — how to place trees in a landscape so they sing But honestly? Trees are just the vehicle. What this course is really about is becoming a better painter — learning to read a scene, mix colour with confidence, and trust your instincts. This is a live course. We paint together, week by week, for at least a couple of months. And don't worry if you can't make every live session, all classes are recorded, and replays are available so you can watch in your own time. HERE'S THE SPECIAL PART Right now, I'm offering a 7-day FREE TRIAL, meaning you can join Sam's Art School and start the Tree Painting Course completely free before deciding if it's right for you.

Hi! I’ve just joined! I’m at the buying supplies stage. What size canvases are you all generally working on for your paintings to get started with? I’m completely new to oil painting. Done a few weeks of watercolor. Thanks!

Hey Artists, A couple of days ago, I asked what your biggest tree painting struggles arecand wow, the response blew me away. Over 60 votes in the poll here, plus over 100 email replies from my list. Same struggles kept coming up again and again: - Foliage that ends up overworked and blobby - Making trees look 3D - Not knowing where to put the light and shadow - Struggling with mixing greens - Just not knowing where to start One person summed it up perfectly: "I can do fairly well with the trunk and limbs, but I struggle with getting the leaves in an organic shape. I can easily end up with lollipop trees." Sound familiar? So I recorded a quick video this weekend, tackling the biggest one — how to paint convincing trees without painting every single leaf. 👉 WATCH VIDEO HERE https://www.loom.com/share/a6f6600f56ec42038e141ff275b55446 And if you prefer to read, I also wrote a full blog post on this: 👉 READ BLOG POST HERE https://samuelearp.com/blog/how-to-paint-trees-and-shimmering-water/ But honestly, this is just the beginning. Next week I'm going even deeper on trees, and I have something specific coming that I think you're going to love. Stay tuned. Drop a comment below. Did any of these struggles resonate with you? 👇 Cheers, Sam

Hey Artists Quick question for everyone: I'm working on something new related to painting trees, and I want to make sure I'm addressing the struggles you're actually dealing with. SO TELL ME: What's the biggest challenge you face when painting trees? Vote in the poll below 👇 (And feel free to add more details in the comments - I'm reading everything) Cheers. Sam