Teacher
Richard is a talented full time artist, who loves painting and teaching.
"Mountain Stream, New Zealand" 12x14" Oil on Board by Richard Robinson
Design your paintings for success with Light and Shade.
Ever had a Light Sandwich? They are the best!
Every great artist bends light to their will, not slavishly copying a scene. In this online painting lesson you'll discover the power of orchestrating light and shade to shine a spotlight on your centre of interest. Once you see it happen you'll be able to use this technique in every painting you do from now on. This is what most beginner paintings are missing.
This demo for beginner to advanced painters is in oils but it's fine for acrylics too.
I'll take you step by step through this whole process. Just a couple of hours and you'll have a beautiful mountain stream painting.
Just 5 steps
I’ll guide you all the way.
Shape Design
Above all, your shapes should have variety. That means avoiding the common mistake of oversimplifying your shapes, for one, and avoiding making copies of shapes you've already made. Your shapes should lead the viewer to your centre of interest as well. In this one we've got a lovely s-curve lead in and some dynamic diagonals pointing the way too.
The Darks
With oil painting especially it's a great idea to work from darks to lights, with thin to thick paint. Use just enough painting medium (Liquin in this case) to thin the paint so that it covers the canvas more easily. If you add too much medium you'll be able to see through the paint to the canvas.
The Lights
The lights should be thick paint with little if any painting medium added (liquin in this case). 'Impasto'! Here's you're chance to create some really interesting expressive marks, learning what your brush can achieve when you actively decide to stop 'dab-dab-dabbing' and think creatively about the character of your brushwork. Ideally, it should look as though it was brushed onto the canvas with confidence and joy.
Finishing Touches
At the end of the painting it's great to slow down and decide carefully what the painting needs to be complete. Some artists will council you to finish when you feel it's 90% done, so that you don't over-work it.
Personally that feels like abandoning a child. I prefer to have a conversation with the painting. Ask it what it needs and wait for the answer. Perhaps it's only a few details to bring the realism up a notch. Perhaps there are some parts that are calling for the viewers attention when they should be quiet (typically in the darks). Take your time. Follow your intuition. And don't worry - it's only paint!
I'll take you step by step through this whole rich process and you can choose which parts you'd like to try out in your own work.
“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
—Walt Disney
Enjoy!
