LESSON 1: COMPOSITION
Composition is the foundation of any great painting. In this lesson you will learn some of the basics of composition and explore value.
Goals for lesson 1:
Goals for lesson 1:
- Choose or create your composition.
- Grid your panel and draw your composition in charcoal (remember to spray with fixative if you have a lot of charcoal in your sketch... if in doubt, send a picture!)
- Complete the value scale exercise below.
- Email, text or message me a photograph of your progress.
lesson 2: create an underpainting and a value study
Value is key to creating the illusion that an object takes up space in the real world.
Goals for lesson 2:
Goals for lesson 2:
- Use terre verde to create an underpainting.
- Use a full range of value and establish correct value relationships.
- If you want to learn more about how light and shadow work to create the illusion that an object takes up space in the real world, complete the baseball drawing exercise below.
- Email, text or message me a photograph of your progress. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have a question.
lesson 3: Add color to your painting
It's week three, and we are finally ready to add color! Your underpainting will show through this layer of color and together the layers will begin to create the illusion that the objects are real.
Goals for lesson 3:
Goals for lesson 3:
- Apply the first layer of color to your painting
- Learn to mix neutral colors using the three primaries.
- If you are new to oil painting, complete the color wheel and color mixing exercises.
lesson 4: add texture
In Week 4, you will add textures that make your painting look as if you could reach out and touch it.
Goals for lesson 4:
Goals for lesson 4:
- Add texture to your painting.
- Complete the Drybrush exercises if you find them helpful.
lesson 5: finishing touches and critique
Now that you are finished or close to finished, here are a few useful self critique questions:
- Stand back. Which areas are most successful? Can you say why these areas work well? Are there areas that still need work? If you aren't sure how to move forward in these areas, don't hesitate to ask.
- Did you try some new techniques and push the boundaries of what you know?
- Do you have a complete range of values in your painting from very light to very dark and all the values in between?
- What would you like to do better in your next painting?
- How does this work fit into the grand scheme of your development as an artist?