Retired art teacher here. What an excellent video! Your presence is relaxed, comfortable and informative. Without being a pedagogue. You cover a full range of academic elements with excellent visuals and in a way that is easy to understand. Well done, Sensei!
Did you know that while contrast is necessary to make interesting art, compliments actually sound more genuine and are more effective if you make it a point not to mention the contrasting negative. You must know that your compliment has a lot of positive energy for the intended and deserving Maestro but eighty errant pedants are yelling at someone right now because they think you mean them. Similarly the way this started sounded like a taylored critique of my last sess. I think that teachers believe I'm not paying attention because I often stay on the course I'm committed to, but I file that stuff away and save it until it fits with my rigid build order neurosis.I'm still stuck on tough stuff like drawing tree limbs and arms that point straight at me like their has to be diagonal lines to create perspective.
@toletaarmstrong8919 I have no idea what, "Not Toleta, Jeremiah," means. But I do know the difference between, "Compliment," and, "Complement." And what foreshortening is. You should probably take your meds, too.
Someone told me to quit watching RUclips videos about art. I learn so much from everyone on this platform. I always revisit my favorite content makers for inspiration or different techniques. Thank you!!
My current art teacher told me the same thing! This video is very easy to understand and very informative! Why wouldn’t you want to watch stuff like this?
This is based on physics. Air scatters red light (low frequency) light more that blue (high frequency) light, so the more air that's between you and an object the bluer it will appear, because the red light gets progressively scattered away. This is also why the sky appears blue.
Engineer (/physicist) with love of art here. Good video. I've always loved the physics of this. As light travels through dusty air, the cool colors get scattered more than warm. Thats why sunsets are orange (/warm passing direct to your eye) and the sky is blue (/cool scattered by dust particles). Amazing that using this in a painting of a confined space fools your brain. The maths of this is taught in Yr3 physics classes. Its quite a strong effect - goes the the wavelength cubed - so blue light which has half the wavelength of red gets scattered 2^3 = 8 times more, The further away the object, the more dust, so more scattering (less contrast) and a blue shift. Also amazing that using this in a painting of a confined space fools your brain. This latter effect is used in computer-generated images asnd is well described in the textbooks on computer graphics, which was first developed for flight simulators for pilot training. Nothing new under the sun.
That’s fascinating - thank you for taking the time to explain it so clearly. I love hearing the physics side of this, especially how powerfully our brains respond to those cues. I’ve had similar conversations with artists who came to painting through physics or engineering, and they often say it gave them a much deeper appreciation for why certain things work visually. I find that intersection endlessly interesting - these natural laws shaping how we see and make sense of the world. And yes… nothing new under the sun 😊
Your.......sweater makes me smile. I have been knitting for more than 50 years and painting with watercolours since 1986. The sweater, made with that gorgeous blue yarn, is a beautiful eyecatcher.🇨🇭
Thank you so much for your kind words - from a fellow knitter :) My mom got this teal/ blue yarn for me for Christmas several years back. It is a favorite of mine!
Hi, Alpenrose. I think it's so beautiful that your painterly talents extend to textiles (your knitting) as well as paint on paper. You are something I identify with, something I call the Citizen X Factor. That person in line ahead of us in the supermarket who creates amazing art but does not necessarily have exhibits. Or seek sales and fame. Nope, not us. We just try to be good neighbors and are thankful for the joy of colors and creating. Best wishes and much respect.
Soo when I first took paint at the university level, i had already had 2 classes in junior college. Anyway, my first painting course at the university level I had to same teacher like everyone else did. He taught painting and drawing courses. I’m a realist and him and I didn’t get along well. I’m not saying I didn’t have a lot to learn, the things he was teaching was contrary to what other painting teachers taught me. This professor said painting was 2d and flat. You could allude to depth but you always had to pull it back to the plane. Mind you he was also very much a minimalist and modern artist. He was in the school of muted color and little contrast. So a lot of students drank the koolaide and became clones of his. I ended up with a D in his class. So I took painting over in the summer and there was a different professor that summer. the Chair of the Department teaching painting. And he was very much a colorists. I learned soo much about color theory that summer. He was very encouraging and pushed me to stick with my own style of Art. It also taught me to stand up for my work.
Thanks for sharing that story! How unfortunate that the teacher you had first tried to impose his own artistic views on you. I think it is so important to teach the real facts about color and value and all of the elements of painting and then allow students to decide for themselves how they want to use it in their own work. Am glad though that you had a great teacher in your summer semester from whom you got to learn a lot from!
Retired HS art teacher here- I’m sorry you didn’t learn color theory in your HS art class.. it is really necessary for a “painting” class; or really any art class (dealing with paint especially). Art teachers really (IMO) need to teach the elements of art and principles of design. Learning the “tool box” and guidelines, or “rules” , if you will, is necessary; churning out clone painters is an ego issue.
I don't think most college art classes are what you want. They have all this background in different artists and periods of world art, but when it comes to actual help, achieving what you want to achieve. . . Well, if they are any good at it, they are out there selling paintings, not showing you what they haven't learned themselves. Do you get my drift? Find a small art school, one that has many classes, i.e. Watercolor I, II and II; watercolor still life, watercolor landscapes; Intro to oils, etc. Now there are many good videos online, like this one, that can really help you achieve your aim. I went to the Louisiana Academy of Fine Arts, and was so impressed with the teaching. The instructor got right in there and showed you what/how to do things--very hands on. My daughter, meantime, took a college art class, and she was a natural. I mean, she could put out drawings of PEOPLE that were stunning, with no prep, no previous drawing classes. (her grandfather was a portrait painter-perhaps she had "the gene".) She did a wonderful drawing of a fellow classmate-a black girl--just the face--and her art teacher criticized it and gave her a C on it. I can only think it was jealousy. Everyone loved it, and the girl asked to keep it. 3 ft x 3 ft. Georgia O'Keefe style, in the size of it. What I'm saying is, there are teachers and there are "teachers". Make sure you get a good one. I'm so glad you found one you liked.
@paintmixr1I learned a lot from my highschool art teacher. Painting wasn’t something we did much of. I was very much a prismacolor colored pencil highschool kid. And I knew about compliments vs analogous color Schemes. It just when I took that summer painting class I learned about How color placement can affect Color and how colored reflect color when placed next to a patch of gray. Or how to mix compliments to create those neutral tones. My highschool teacher was very much a draftsmen’s. And we learned the mechanics of drawing. He himself was a pen and ink artist. Also as an art teacher I focus on the elements of design. Even with my elementary kids now. I don’t do cotton balls and popsicle sticks. Like we’re. Currently making Picasso faces.
Great post. I've had the same experience. The different things I learned- even if the teacher annoyed me- became part of my tool box. As I continue to grow I realized I often put elements of the annoying guy in my work. I love color but sometimes I have to hold back.
I struggle with my paintings lacking depth and have watched so many artists trying to find out how to fix it. Color temperature is what I’m missing. I learned more in this one short video than in all the others. You explain so clearly and the visuals help so much! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!
I very much agree with those who've already said how helpful it is to have these fundamentals refreshers. You're a good teacher. Thanks for sharing with us!
I've struggled with understanding the importance of values and temperatures until I stumbled upon your video. You've explained it so well and clearly, thank you so much, I'm now your fan!
I have a very flat painting of an iceberg which I love, but am always struggling with what--something--that makes it look amateurish. Now I know! This is the best art video I've ever seen. I don't know if I can sleep tonight, with the excitement of understanding the nuts and bolts of images so much better. I dropped out of an A.A.S. in Fine Arts with only 2 classes to go (Spanish, I was hopeless). I've learned more in this one video. Thank u immeasurably for lighting this fire again ... 4.5 decades later. And I must thank Pimsleur also, for my fluency now in Spanish. It's pricey but it's the best, I've tried them all, don't waste your time with the others. Paul Pimsleur created the lessons with science that makes perfect sense. The iceberg painting isn't framed, it was from a thrift store. I plan to respectfully cool + soften the background, and warm and sharpen the foreground. I cannot wait.
I am so thrilled to hear that! I understand your excitement with learning these things - as I certainly felt the same way when I was learning some of these concepts. It is really amazing to be able to create space in a painting... Wish you much luck with your iceberg painting!
I'm a photographer and BFA graduate. There is only one thing I might argue with. When you referred to dark things coming forward and lighter things receding your example was of a landscape in which contrast was what made the background recede, not value. Generally lighter values come forward and darks recede. This is complicated when you're looking at a landscape. Typically distant mountains are lighter than the foreground, but more importantly they are less contrasty. It is this atmospheric perspective that makes them recede, not necessarily their value. Less contrast recedes. More contrast, as you allude to when talking about edges, comes forward. I did love your point about color temperature in relation to depth. That is something I could pay more attention to in my photography.
Thank you for the thoughtful comment - and I completely agree with you. It really is more about the level of contrast (or lack of contrast) than anything else. I could have emphasized that point more - as I may not have been as clear about that as I thought! I did mention that things in the distance tend to become lighter in value, which they often do. But of course the reason they recede visually is that the contrasts become reduced - the values compress and the differences between lights and darks become smaller. So it’s not simply that something is lighter that makes it go back, but that all of the elements begin to move closer together in value and contrast, which creates that sense of atmospheric depth. Glad you enjoyed the point about color temperature - it is quite important and powerful.
Artist and acting professor here! I tell my acting students to keep moving through a complete thought process, not to glut themselves with tempting, juicy descriptors or emotional phrases. If you get mired in this, the audience rarely follows your train of thought and you lose them. I “saw” this in your description of simplifying values, how you have to see the big picture! Thanks for that “Aha!” moment. ❤❤
Thank you, I love that analogy to acting! And I can see how that would be so very true. So glad that my video provided an aha moment! Thanks for sharing that 🙏
You convey the complexity of painting in a simple style. I'm a total novice, but I am fascinated by all the variables you explain that influence creating or seeing art. Thanks for the videos.
One thing I'd like to add thats seldom mentioned in these types of videos, is the use of white mixed in colors. It's a better, practicle example of affecting all these phenomenon, including (and importantly) temperature. Young painters starting out often don't realize if you add white to an intense color, you're also cooling it down. We say cold red where I'm from as artists, not "pink", just as we say violet not "purple". Cool red recedes next to many colors more saturated. Bc of the white. And exsessive use of white mixed into colors is the most common amateur or beginner's tell. Going pastel in most colors, in the hopes of lightening or brightening, which is a mistake and ruins dimension. I almost never saw any English speaker talk about cool and warm colors without claiming blyes and greens are cold, yellows and reds warm, and it causes confusion bc it can be the complete reverse when students start mixing white in their "warm color" paints instead of medium and then perspective changes. Maybe English uses terms I'm unaware of for this.
Thank you for this video.I wonder what about perspective?I've always thought it is equally important in creating depth.But I'm still learning how to paint😊
When I discovered the importance of temperature and consciously used it instead of by accident, in the 80's, in my college days, it made a quantum difference in my work. I never had a problem with value, color, or edges. I was hoping you were gonna say temperature and you did. Yes yes ma'am. 🎨💐
On the subject of value (dark to light) with regard to creating depth in a painting, I think it is more accurate to say that the contrasts between light and dark become stronger in the foreground. That is to say: the lights become lighter and the darks become darker. As the view moves into the distance both the lights and darks shift towards the neutral grays in value. Color intensity also diminishes with distance becoming more muted and grayed.
Yes - well said. That’s exactly the idea. As distance increases, contrast and color intensity both compress, and the strongest light-dark relationships tend to live in the foreground. Thanks for adding that - I appreciate it.
The struggle I'm having with my painting is that there are two light sources and it's underwater, so I'm unsure how the light is supposed to play off the objects. 🫠
Wonderful video! I've studied the individual elements and principles of art fundamentals, but this applies them together, all at once, with a specific purpose, and they all take on a whole new meaning! It's the COMBINATION of line edge, color temperature and value that are creating the attention, movement and depth! Thank you so much for the reminder! Many classes fail to put that all together.
SO very glad to hear how helpful this video was - thank you for sharing that! And yes - they are so intimately connected in how those elements work together.
The coldest color in your video is your sweater, which is in the foreground. And extending through depth space into the video away from your sweater are the warmer colors of your skin tones and the pot behind you. Hmmmmm. Great way to illustrate your point🙃 On the other hand, maybe that is a background photo behind you. 🗻
I finally had these epiphanies when I began my mural career. Painting on a large scale makes it much easier to create depth, not just with scale, but forced perspectives and softened horizons and always bringing the bolder colours forward. Very excellent tutorial and observations!
@ArtStudioLife I am so pleased to find you here on RUclips. You have some very enlightening videos on creating. I would love to see more of your work. All the Best to you! Subscribed!
Thank you so much for breaking this down like that. I actually graduated from an art academy, albeit not in painting, and I don’t think I ever heard this explained so well.
Retired photography instructor here, excellent video, thank you for dropping in the visual examples. Now that my time is free, I have been looking to pick up my paint brushes again (40 years later to be exact). This tutorial aligns with the same optical structures we use to teach photography... now if I can just get past the smell of turpentine. Best to you from Central California
Thank you for sharing that! And welcome back to painting! 🎨 haha yes the smell of turpentine can be rather unpleasant... Turpenoid is less toxic though than turpentine. I rarely use it though! So you could get away without it. Sometimes I just use it for a quick underpainting and thats it - then use mainly linseed oil as a medium.
Being a beginner, it’s so difficult to remember these details while painting something on my own. I can follow tutorials ok because that person has done all the details of “how to”. Thanks for sharing these details so well.
You are so welcome! I find what is really helpful is to focus on one element at a time when learning to remember all of the details. Forget about all of the other things. In one painting just focus on the things that help create volume and space. As one does this over time it becomes so much easier to remember all of the details as one paints.
You are an interesting and well spoken teacher - and your visuals help to envision what you are describing. I was thinking as I was watching and learning that you must automatically discern these nuances when surveying art you run across. You not only appreciate the art but are able to appreciate the artist’s technique. My sister, an excellent artist of many mediums, always says a good artist leads the eye of the observer. You are helping me understand how that is done.
The farther things are away the more their colors are effected by atmospheric haze, which is usually a blueish grey. One of the best way to tone backgrounds is to dilute the colors value and ad neutral tint or Paines Gray to the mix, or in the case of a far distance simply use a light wash of cool color.
Thank you so much for this comprehensive lesson! I dabbled in painting decades ago and now, in retirement, am considering another go at it. These tips that you have made so clear are very encouraging. Best wishes
Such a useful video! I learned so much and I’m excited to make my paintings better than ever. I love how you get to the heart of these essential principles and articulate them in such a simple and practical way. I’m self-taught and I appreciate being shown these factual phenomena I never noticed before eg. Foreground is warmer, background is cooler, etc.
What am incredible video that covers a really complex subject, but you cover it so well! I've never taken classes, so I have always wondered. Thank you for making it so easy to understand!
@ArtStudioLifeanytime. Also, do you exhibit your own work? Is there anywhere we can see your paintings? You may have already done these I haven't checked but maybe a good video idea on how to prepare for an exhibit/making art for exhibit. :)
You discribe everything very well . One of the best video on youtube ive ever seen . Thank you for putting thoughts into every moment of instructing . Easy to understand as thanks again .🙂
Thank you for this very informative and clear video. Your uncluttered style of teaching enhances the clarity of your content which, in the case of depth, feels mysterious. I need to hear this more than once (and will watch it a few times more) because it’s such valuable content and so well delineated. It’s also energizing and encouraging. Thank you. Subscribed!
I try different techniques all the time which is why I end up with a lot of unique backgrounds. As often I end up painting a new topic with oil over my acrylic experiments. I have been stuck on my last acrylic experiment. At one point I painted over more than half of the canvas with titanium white attempting a different progression of color in a somewhat successful effort to gain depth. But I have been stuck for over a week with this painting not feeling like it is done but not knowing what it needed. Your class has been in my queue for a week at least, and I just watched it an hour ago. You gave me the exact advice I needed and took my painting up two stars of quality in under 20 minutes of practice. Thank you. Your teaching style is a pleasure.
Thank you so much for sharing this - I’m truly so glad the video came at the right moment for you. That feeling of being stuck in a painting can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you know there’s something there but you can’t quite see what it needs. I love that you’re willing to experiment and even paint over large areas in order to search for depth - that kind of courage and flexibility is such an important part of growth. It makes me so happy to hear that one small shift in approach made such a noticeable difference. Sometimes it really is just one clear principle that unlocks everything.
Thank you sooo much! I have tried so many times to listen and learn this things on RUclips. And i never understood what they were talking about until this video. I see in the comment field that many others struggled with this also, and here we are and finally understand 😅 What you did in this short video is amazing 😊😂
This video was so well done and taught me so much that I subscribed immediately. I have struggled with this in my paintings and I just couldn't figure out how to fix it. Thank you!.
This is the best demonstration and explanation I have ever seen/heard of colour temperatures, values and edges. Thank you for your clear explanations and examples.
This was a great refresher to watch my edges! Sometimes it’s just this small shift that can bring a painting to life! I have subscribed- I am so glad you came across my you tube suggestions this morning!
Happy to hear this was a good refresher! Painting often is about the small things - it really does sometimes come down to those small shifts. Thank you for subscribing! Glad you are joining along :)
Thank you so much .. so easy to understand and as a new artist starting to create art in my 50’s I have a great need for these basic foundational teachings. Very very grateful . Big hug ❤
very much enjoyed your video. these primary elements broken down- provides a clear guideline for those of us working to improve / and teach. Thank you. Well Done
Short simple and precise explanation of every important aspect. I watch whole lot of such instructional videos and this has been the best so far. Watching you for the first time. Thank you and subscribed!
You must have a bright inner light to smile through out the whole video ! Thanks for the tips ,I’m going back over some old work to see what I can correct.
Wow this was so helpful! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and giving clear understanding to the process of creating depth in my painting. I am relatively new to this but I have discovered a driving passion for creating art. It’s rare to find someone with such understanding share it with such eloquence! 🙏
Thank you so much - that means a lot to me. So glad to hear that you’ve discovered a passion for creating art. That driving pull to paint is such a gift - nurture it. I’m so glad the explanation was helpful to you. Keep going!
Knowing these three principles is easy, but remembering to put them into practice is challenging. So much to think about! So many alluring details to obsess over! I’m going to try to knock out some landscapes using only masses and color/value/edges and see what happens. Thank you for this pared down presentation. Brava!
Oh yes, this couldn't be more true! It feels a bit like juggling as one is learning to apply them. One of my instructors always said that we should focus on one element at a time and over time it will become much more natural to be able to put them all into practice at once. Thats a great way to practice these principles - with landscapes done in large color/value/ edge masses. So glad this was helpful!
I really appreciate you informing us on the Harmonic Armature. I do think some of us have this type of intuition however, the line method you explained gives me a more systematic understanding and approach to my paintings and drawings moving forward. Thanks.
So welcome! That is what I was hoping for this to bring - something to add to everyones intuitive understanding - and extra help in case it might be needed at times.
Thank you for all the thought and work you put into your videos! You manage to so effectively communicate the principles that non-professionals, like me need! I've learned so much from RUclips channels like yours, and I'm so grateful. My partner, was a very accomplished artist and painter, but when I asked for his help and instruction, he'd reply, 'just paint what you see'. Not very good at teaching.... You have the gift!
Retired art teacher here.
What an excellent video!
Your presence is relaxed, comfortable and informative. Without being a pedagogue.
You cover a full range of academic elements with excellent visuals and in a way that is easy to understand.
Well done, Sensei!
I really appreciate your kind words - thank you so much for sharing that!
Did you know that while contrast is necessary to make interesting art, compliments actually sound more genuine and are more effective if you make it a point not to mention the contrasting negative. You must know that your compliment has a lot of positive energy for the intended and deserving Maestro but eighty errant pedants are yelling at someone right now because they think you mean them. Similarly the way this started sounded like a taylored critique of my last sess. I think that teachers believe I'm not paying attention because I often stay on the course I'm committed to, but I file that stuff away and save it until it fits with my rigid build order neurosis.I'm still stuck on tough stuff like drawing tree limbs and arms that point straight at me like their has to be diagonal lines to create perspective.
Not Toleta, Jeremiah.
@toletaarmstrong8919
Sounds like you are definitely stuck on several issues.
@toletaarmstrong8919
I have no idea what, "Not Toleta, Jeremiah," means. But I do know the difference between, "Compliment," and, "Complement." And what foreshortening is.
You should probably take your meds, too.
Someone told me to quit watching RUclips videos about art. I learn so much from everyone on this platform. I always revisit my favorite content makers for inspiration or different techniques. Thank you!!
I agree - I love learning on RUclips... So glad you enjoyed this video!
My current art teacher told me the same thing! This video is very easy to understand and very informative! Why wouldn’t you want to watch stuff like this?
@Girlybear555Maybe the message is not to spend too much time watching and spend more time doing.
This is based on physics.
Air scatters red light (low frequency) light more that blue (high frequency) light, so the more air that's between you and an object the bluer it will appear, because the red light gets progressively scattered away.
This is also why the sky appears blue.
Engineer (/physicist) with love of art here. Good video.
I've always loved the physics of this. As light travels through dusty air, the cool colors get scattered more than warm. Thats why sunsets are orange (/warm passing direct to your eye) and the sky is blue (/cool scattered by dust particles). Amazing that using this in a painting of a confined space fools your brain. The maths of this is taught in Yr3 physics classes. Its quite a strong effect - goes the the wavelength cubed - so blue light which has half the wavelength of red gets scattered 2^3 = 8 times more, The further away the object, the more dust, so more scattering (less contrast) and a blue shift. Also amazing that using this in a painting of a confined space fools your brain. This latter effect is used in computer-generated images asnd is well described in the textbooks on computer graphics, which was first developed for flight simulators for pilot training.
Nothing new under the sun.
That’s fascinating - thank you for taking the time to explain it so clearly. I love hearing the physics side of this, especially how powerfully our brains respond to those cues.
I’ve had similar conversations with artists who came to painting through physics or engineering, and they often say it gave them a much deeper appreciation for why certain things work visually. I find that intersection endlessly interesting - these natural laws shaping how we see and make sense of the world.
And yes… nothing new under the sun 😊
👍❣️👍❣️👍🇨🇦👏👏👏
Your.......sweater makes me smile. I have been knitting for more than 50 years and painting with watercolours since 1986. The sweater, made with that gorgeous blue yarn, is a beautiful eyecatcher.🇨🇭
Thank you so much for your kind words - from a fellow knitter :) My mom got this teal/ blue yarn for me for Christmas several years back. It is a favorite of mine!
@ArtStudioLifemy favorite color 😍 beautiful
I am also a knitter and I thought that is was a beautifully made hand knit sweater!
Hi, Alpenrose. I think it's so beautiful that your painterly talents extend to textiles (your knitting) as well as paint on paper. You are something I identify with, something I call the Citizen X Factor. That person in line ahead of us in the supermarket who creates amazing art but does not necessarily have exhibits. Or seek sales and fame.
Nope, not us. We just try to be good neighbors and are thankful for the joy of colors and creating.
Best wishes and much respect.
Soo when I first took paint at the university level, i had already had 2 classes in junior college. Anyway, my first painting course at the university level I had to same teacher like everyone else did. He taught painting and drawing courses. I’m a realist and him and I didn’t get along well. I’m not saying I didn’t have a lot to learn, the things he was teaching was contrary to what other painting teachers taught me. This professor said painting was 2d and flat. You could allude to depth but you always had to pull it back to the plane. Mind you he was also very much a minimalist and modern artist. He was in the school of muted color and little contrast. So a lot of students drank the koolaide and became clones of his. I ended up with a D in his class. So I took painting over in the summer and there was a different professor that summer. the Chair of the Department teaching painting. And he was very much a colorists. I learned soo much about color theory that summer. He was very encouraging and pushed me to stick with my own style of Art. It also taught me to stand up for my work.
Thanks for sharing that story! How unfortunate that the teacher you had first tried to impose his own artistic views on you. I think it is so important to teach the real facts about color and value and all of the elements of painting and then allow students to decide for themselves how they want to use it in their own work. Am glad though that you had a great teacher in your summer semester from whom you got to learn a lot from!
Retired HS art teacher here- I’m sorry you didn’t learn color theory in your HS art class.. it is really necessary for a “painting” class; or really any art class (dealing with paint especially). Art teachers really (IMO) need to teach the elements of art and principles of design. Learning the “tool box” and guidelines, or “rules” , if you will, is necessary; churning out clone painters is an ego issue.
I don't think most college art classes are what you want. They have all this background in different artists and periods of world art, but when it comes to actual help, achieving what you want to achieve. . . Well, if they are any good at it, they are out there selling paintings, not showing you what they haven't learned themselves. Do you get my drift? Find a small art school, one that has many classes, i.e. Watercolor I, II and II; watercolor still life, watercolor landscapes; Intro to oils, etc. Now there are many good videos online, like this one, that can really help you achieve your aim. I went to the Louisiana Academy of Fine Arts, and was so impressed with the teaching. The instructor got right in there and showed you what/how to do things--very hands on.
My daughter, meantime, took a college art class, and she was a natural. I mean, she could put out drawings of PEOPLE that were stunning, with no prep, no previous drawing classes. (her grandfather was a portrait painter-perhaps she had "the gene".) She did a wonderful drawing of a fellow classmate-a black girl--just the face--and her art teacher criticized it and gave her a C on it. I can only think it was jealousy. Everyone loved it, and the girl asked to keep it. 3 ft x 3 ft. Georgia O'Keefe style, in the size of it.
What I'm saying is, there are teachers and there are "teachers". Make sure you get a good one. I'm so glad you found one you liked.
@paintmixr1I learned a lot from my highschool art teacher. Painting wasn’t something we did much of. I was very much a prismacolor colored pencil highschool kid. And I knew about compliments vs analogous color Schemes. It just when I took that summer painting class I learned about
How color placement can affect
Color and how colored reflect color when placed next to a patch of gray. Or how to mix compliments to create those neutral tones. My highschool teacher was very much a draftsmen’s. And we learned the mechanics of drawing. He himself was a pen and ink artist.
Also as an art teacher I focus on the elements of design. Even with my elementary kids now. I don’t do cotton balls and popsicle sticks. Like we’re. Currently making Picasso faces.
Great post. I've had the same experience. The different things I learned- even if the teacher annoyed me- became part of my tool box. As I continue to grow I realized I often put elements of the annoying guy in my work. I love color but sometimes I have to hold back.
I struggle with my paintings lacking depth and have watched so many artists trying to find out how to fix it. Color temperature is what I’m missing. I learned more in this one short video than in all the others. You explain so clearly and the visuals help so much! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!
So So glad this video was helpful! Thank you for sharing that 🙏
I very much agree with those who've already said how helpful it is to have these fundamentals refreshers. You're a good teacher. Thanks for sharing with us!
Thank you so much for your kind words Steve!
These fundamental videos are so important because it is so easy to forget them. Thank you for making this video. Well done.
You are so very welcome! Glad this is helpful. And it really is true - it is so easy to forget the fundamentals...
Warm and cool reds, yellows and blues are worth knowing in regard to depth and atmospheric perspective.
Thank you for this great video ! I have learned more than in a few years of art school... They never ever explained this.
Thank you so much for your kind words! So glad that this video was helpful!
I just applied your tips to a painting I'm working on and saw immediate improvement.
That is awesome!
I've struggled with understanding the importance of values and temperatures until I stumbled upon your video. You've explained it so well and clearly, thank you so much, I'm now your fan!
Thank you so much for your kind words - I so appreciate it!
I have a very flat painting of an iceberg which I love, but am always struggling with what--something--that makes it look amateurish. Now I know! This is the best art video I've ever seen. I don't know if I can sleep tonight, with the excitement of understanding the nuts and bolts of images so much better. I dropped out of an A.A.S. in Fine Arts with only 2 classes to go (Spanish, I was hopeless).
I've learned more in this one video. Thank u immeasurably for lighting this fire again ... 4.5 decades later.
And I must thank Pimsleur also, for my fluency now in Spanish. It's pricey but it's the best, I've tried them all, don't waste your time with the others. Paul Pimsleur created the lessons with science that makes perfect sense.
The iceberg painting isn't framed, it was from a thrift store. I plan to respectfully cool + soften the background, and warm and sharpen the foreground. I cannot wait.
I am so thrilled to hear that! I understand your excitement with learning these things - as I certainly felt the same way when I was learning some of these concepts. It is really amazing to be able to create space in a painting... Wish you much luck with your iceberg painting!
I'm a photographer and BFA graduate. There is only one thing I might argue with. When you referred to dark things coming forward and lighter things receding your example was of a landscape in which contrast was what made the background recede, not value. Generally lighter values come forward and darks recede. This is complicated when you're looking at a landscape. Typically distant mountains are lighter than the foreground, but more importantly they are less contrasty. It is this atmospheric perspective that makes them recede, not necessarily their value. Less contrast recedes. More contrast, as you allude to when talking about edges, comes forward. I did love your point about color temperature in relation to depth. That is something I could pay more attention to in my photography.
Thank you for the thoughtful comment - and I completely agree with you. It really is more about the level of contrast (or lack of contrast) than anything else. I could have emphasized that point more - as I may not have been as clear about that as I thought!
I did mention that things in the distance tend to become lighter in value, which they often do. But of course the reason they recede visually is that the contrasts become reduced - the values compress and the differences between lights and darks become smaller.
So it’s not simply that something is lighter that makes it go back, but that all of the elements begin to move closer together in value and contrast, which creates that sense of atmospheric depth.
Glad you enjoyed the point about color temperature - it is quite important and powerful.
@ArtStudioLifethanks for your reply. 😁
I learned more in this video than in 4 years of art school
Wow - I am so honored that this video was helpful - thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing that
Colour and clarity
Artist and acting professor here! I tell my acting students to keep moving through a complete thought process, not to glut themselves with tempting, juicy descriptors or emotional phrases. If you get mired in this, the audience rarely follows your train of thought and you lose them. I “saw” this in your description of simplifying values, how you have to see the big picture! Thanks for that “Aha!” moment. ❤❤
Thank you, I love that analogy to acting! And I can see how that would be so very true. So glad that my video provided an aha moment! Thanks for sharing that 🙏
That blue sweater is wonderful! You make these things so very clear. Thank you.
Your videos are really top quality❤. Thank you😊
You convey the complexity of painting in a simple style. I'm a total novice, but I am fascinated by all the variables you explain that influence creating or seeing art. Thanks for the videos.
Thank you so much for your kind words - I really appreciate it 🙏 You are so welcome!
Art classes like this amazing one ,saves years of mistakes and errors. So well delivered and full of excellent tips and information. Superb teacher .
Thank you so much for your kind words - really appreciate it!
so does Bob Ross
One thing I'd like to add thats seldom mentioned in these types of videos, is the use of white mixed in colors. It's a better, practicle example of affecting all these phenomenon, including (and importantly) temperature. Young painters starting out often don't realize if you add white to an intense color, you're also cooling it down.
We say cold red where I'm from as artists, not "pink", just as we say violet not "purple". Cool red recedes next to many colors more saturated. Bc of the white. And exsessive use of white mixed into colors is the most common amateur or beginner's tell.
Going pastel in most colors, in the hopes of lightening or brightening, which is a mistake and ruins dimension.
I almost never saw any English speaker talk about cool and warm colors without claiming blyes and greens are cold, yellows and reds warm, and it causes confusion bc it can be the complete reverse when students start mixing white in their "warm color" paints instead of medium and then perspective changes. Maybe English uses terms I'm unaware of for this.
The blue sweater makes her eyes pop. This lady knows what she's doing.
I immediately realised what I could do to make my watercolour abstracts more interesting. Thank you! Great discussion.
Yes absolutely! This would definitely help to make watercolor abstracts more interesting!
Yes - didn’t think of use in abstract as well ! Thanks for that
Thank you for this video.I wonder what about perspective?I've always thought it is equally important in creating depth.But I'm still learning how to paint😊
When I discovered the importance of temperature and consciously used it instead of by accident, in the 80's, in my college days, it made a quantum difference in my work. I never had a problem with value, color, or edges. I was hoping you were gonna say temperature and you did. Yes yes ma'am. 🎨💐
It really does make a huge difference! And yes indeed - color temperature will never be left out! ☺️
That was Chock full of essential painting principles. Excellent.!!!
Thank you for your kind words - thrilled to hear that!
Fantastic. I'm going to rewatch and take some notes. I love that you get right to the point.
So glad this is helpful! Thank you for sharing that 🙏
Thanks! It's so helpful to have the examples (color temps, values, contrast) show up on screen as you're explaining.
Glad to hear that was helpful - I was hoping it would be! Thank you for sharing that.
It’s a pleasure to listen to you. Very specific, no extraneous verbiage and clearly spoken. Thank you for an excellent presentation.😊
Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you. I didn't realize that I never really put any thought into warm and cool colors. This was very helpful and informative.
So happy to hear this was helpful for you! 😊
Nice picture of Caracas at 2:43 😍
On the subject of value (dark to light) with regard to creating depth in a painting, I think it is more accurate to say that the contrasts between light and dark become stronger in the foreground. That is to say: the lights become lighter and the darks become darker. As the view moves into the distance both the lights and darks shift towards the neutral grays in value. Color intensity also diminishes with distance becoming more muted and grayed.
Yes - well said. That’s exactly the idea. As distance increases, contrast and color intensity both compress, and the strongest light-dark relationships tend to live in the foreground.
Thanks for adding that - I appreciate it.
The struggle I'm having with my painting is that there are two light sources and it's underwater, so I'm unsure how the light is supposed to play off the objects. 🫠
this was so valuable and so delightful thank you
Wonderful video! I've studied the individual elements and principles of art fundamentals, but this applies them together, all at once, with a specific purpose, and they all take on a whole new meaning! It's the COMBINATION of line edge, color temperature and value that are creating the attention, movement and depth! Thank you so much for the reminder! Many classes fail to put that all together.
SO very glad to hear how helpful this video was - thank you for sharing that! And yes - they are so intimately connected in how those elements work together.
So clear and concise, and presented with such enthusiastic knowledge and experience.
Thank you for your kind words!
The coldest color in your video is your sweater, which is in the foreground. And extending through depth space into the video away from your sweater are the warmer colors of your skin tones and the pot behind you. Hmmmmm. Great way to illustrate your point🙃
On the other hand, maybe that is a background photo behind you. 🗻
I finally had these epiphanies when I began my mural career. Painting on a large scale makes it much easier to create depth, not just with scale, but forced perspectives and softened horizons and always bringing the bolder colours forward. Very excellent tutorial and observations!
That's such a great insight-I can imagine how working on murals really highlights these principles of depth! Thank you for your kind words 🙏
@ArtStudioLife I am so pleased to find you here on RUclips. You have some very enlightening videos on creating. I would love to see more of your work. All the Best to you! Subscribed!
Thank you so much for breaking this down like that. I actually graduated from an art academy, albeit not in painting, and I don’t think I ever heard this explained so well.
That means a lot coming from an art academy graduate! Thank you 🙏
As someone who is a beginner, I really appreciate this video. This is much needed info and it all makes a little more sense now. 🙂
So happy to hear this helped make things clearer for you! 😊
Retired and finding my way around producing art that makes me feel and understand what I am missing. 🙏
That is wonderful, I hope these videos help you create art that truly resonates! 😊
Retired photography instructor here, excellent video, thank you for dropping in the visual examples. Now that my time is free, I have been looking to pick up my paint brushes again (40 years later to be exact). This tutorial aligns with the same optical structures we use to teach photography... now if I can just get past the smell of turpentine. Best to you from Central California
Thank you for sharing that! And welcome back to painting! 🎨 haha yes the smell of turpentine can be rather unpleasant... Turpenoid is less toxic though than turpentine. I rarely use it though! So you could get away without it. Sometimes I just use it for a quick underpainting and thats it - then use mainly linseed oil as a medium.
Being a beginner, it’s so difficult to remember these details while painting something on my own. I can follow tutorials ok because that person has done all the details of “how to”. Thanks for sharing these details so well.
You are so welcome! I find what is really helpful is to focus on one element at a time when learning to remember all of the details. Forget about all of the other things. In one painting just focus on the things that help create volume and space. As one does this over time it becomes so much easier to remember all of the details as one paints.
Thank you for your insights! I'm glad you mentioned "intentional" flatness as well. Modigliani comes to mind.
Exactly, Modigliani is a perfect example of using flatness intentionally!
You are an interesting and well spoken teacher - and your visuals help to envision what you are describing. I was thinking as I was watching and learning that you must automatically discern these nuances when surveying art you run across. You not only appreciate the art but are able to appreciate the artist’s technique. My sister, an excellent artist of many mediums, always says a good artist leads the eye of the observer. You are helping me understand how that is done.
Thank you so much for the kind words, I'm so glad I could help shed some light on how to lead the viewer's eye! 😊
The farther things are away the more their colors are effected by atmospheric haze, which is usually a blueish grey. One of the best way to tone backgrounds is to dilute the colors value and ad neutral tint or Paines Gray to the mix, or in the case of a far distance simply use a light wash of cool color.
Good technique for distance. Cool it down with gray. Thanks
Thank you so much for this comprehensive lesson!
I dabbled in painting decades ago and now, in retirement, am considering another go at it.
These tips that you have made so clear are very encouraging.
Best wishes
You are so welcome! So glad you are having another go at painting. Am very glad to hear these tips have been helpful and encouraging!
I like the visual examples that illustrate your point.
Thank you! Glad that they are helpful.
Such a useful video! I learned so much and I’m excited to make my paintings better than ever.
I love how you get to the heart of these essential principles and articulate them in such a simple and practical way. I’m self-taught and I appreciate being shown these factual phenomena I never noticed before eg. Foreground is warmer, background is cooler, etc.
So happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing :)
I’m glad I found your channel! I thoroughly enjoyed watching and learning!❤
Welcome to the channel, so glad you enjoyed the video! 😊
What am incredible video that covers a really complex subject, but you cover it so well! I've never taken classes, so I have always wondered. Thank you for making it so easy to understand!
So happy to hear that, thanks for sharing!
I am an art graduate and this video teaches you about the core concepts of colors in a few minutes which took me years to understand them. Thanks.
That is incredible to hear, thank you so much! 😊
I'm a professional painter and it's rare to find a painting video this well made, really well done and good 'value' :)
Thank you so much for your kind words - that means a lot 🙏
@ArtStudioLifeanytime. Also, do you exhibit your own work? Is there anywhere we can see your paintings?
You may have already done these I haven't checked but maybe a good video idea on how to prepare for an exhibit/making art for exhibit. :)
You shared a lot of important information here. I hope everyone appreciates how much value they got in one short video. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for your kind words! So glad this video is helpful!
You discribe everything very well . One of the best video on youtube ive ever seen . Thank you for putting thoughts into every moment of instructing . Easy to understand as thanks again .🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words - I really appreciate it!
Thank you very much!
Thank you for this very informative and clear video. Your uncluttered style of teaching enhances the clarity of your content which, in the case of depth, feels mysterious. I need to hear this more than once (and will watch it a few times more) because it’s such valuable content and so well delineated. It’s also energizing and encouraging. Thank you. Subscribed!
Thank you so much for the kind words and for subscribing! 😊
I try different techniques all the time which is why I end up with a lot of unique backgrounds. As often I end up painting a new topic with oil over my acrylic experiments. I have been stuck on my last acrylic experiment. At one point I painted over more than half of the canvas with titanium white attempting a different progression of color in a somewhat successful effort to gain depth. But I have been stuck for over a week with this painting not feeling like it is done but not knowing what it needed. Your class has been in my queue for a week at least, and I just watched it an hour ago. You gave me the exact advice I needed and took my painting up two stars of quality in under 20 minutes of practice. Thank you. Your teaching style is a pleasure.
Thank you so much for sharing this - I’m truly so glad the video came at the right moment for you.
That feeling of being stuck in a painting can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you know there’s something there but you can’t quite see what it needs. I love that you’re willing to experiment and even paint over large areas in order to search for depth - that kind of courage and flexibility is such an important part of growth.
It makes me so happy to hear that one small shift in approach made such a noticeable difference. Sometimes it really is just one clear principle that unlocks everything.
Great video and very helpful! I was expecting the video to cover blending and lost edges, but you touched on so much more!
That's great feedback, thank you!
I’ve learnt more in this lesson than I have in 12 years of painting. Thank you Than you Thank you 🙏
Thank you so much for your kind words - so happy to hear that.
Excellent and to the point. I liked how you did the soft edges and didn’t blend them, but they could be blended.
Thanks for watching! Blending is definitely another way to approach it too.
I have been painting and drawing for over 50 years, thank you. Very interesting different perspective to the technique.
Thank you for your kind words!
Thank you sooo much!
I have tried so many times to listen and learn this things on RUclips.
And i never understood what they were talking about until this video.
I see in the comment field that many others struggled with this also, and here we are and finally understand 😅
What you did in this short video is amazing 😊😂
That means the world to me, I'm glad I could help! 🎨
You have me smiling, you make art fun and interesting, easy to understand. Thank you very much, your demeanor is very encouraging
That is wonderful to hear, thank you so much! 😊
Wow. Thank you. I went back to my disappointing paintings and i could see how i might be able to fix them.
So glad this helped you see those paintings in a new light! 😊
This video was so well done and taught me so much that I subscribed immediately. I have struggled with this in my paintings and I just couldn't figure out how to fix it. Thank you!.
I am so very glad to hear that this was helpful! Thank you for sharing that, and for subscribing!
Thank you for a great analysis of how color temperature, value, and sharpness of edges can make depth in a painting. God bless you!
Thank you so much, and am so glad you found the analysis helpful!
You are so correct,I have never heard this before,thank you,it makes a big difference 😁👍🌺
So glad to hear that!
This is the best demonstration and explanation I have ever seen/heard of colour temperatures, values and edges. Thank you for your clear explanations and examples.
Thank you so much for your kind words! So glad this video was clear and helpful.
Finally! Simple and informative. I needed this--for so long xo
So happy to hear this video was helpful for you! 😊
This was a great refresher to watch my edges! Sometimes it’s just this small shift that can bring a painting to life!
I have subscribed- I am so glad you came across my you tube suggestions this morning!
Happy to hear this was a good refresher! Painting often is about the small things - it really does sometimes come down to those small shifts. Thank you for subscribing! Glad you are joining along :)
Thank you so much .. so easy to understand and as a new artist starting to create art in my 50’s I have a great need for these basic foundational teachings. Very very grateful . Big hug ❤
So very glad this is helpful! Thank you for sharing that! 🙏
Thank you for the concise explanations. Now to put it into practice!
You are so welcome!
very much enjoyed your video. these primary elements broken down- provides a clear guideline for those of us working to improve / and teach. Thank you. Well Done
So glad to hear this is helpful - thank you for your kind words and for sharing that 🙏
You are an excellent teacher. ❤. Thank you so much for this video, I learned a lot, even though I have been learning art for years.
Thank you so much - I really appreciate your kind words!
A wonderful practical and clear guide to a better painting
Thank you so much, I'm glad you found it practical! 😊
Incredible information, concise, clear. Amazing, thank you so much.
You are so welcome - very glad you enjoyed!
Short simple and precise explanation of every important aspect. I watch whole lot of such instructional videos and this has been the best so far. Watching you for the first time. Thank you and subscribed!
Thank you so much for your kind words - so appreciate it!
I just found your videos, and this one is fantastic. I learned a lot in a short time. I am looking forward to seeing what else you have to teach.
So very glad to hear this video was helpful - thank you for sharing that!
That was an excellent tutorial. It’s so much easier to put into practice what to do when you understand why to do it. Thank you
Thank you for your kind words! really glad this was helpful!
You must have a bright inner light to smile through out the whole video ! Thanks for the tips ,I’m going back over some old work to see what I can correct.
Thank you for your kind words - I love painting so am glad that shows through :) Very glad that the information here is helpful!
This is really great information. I can't wait to practice these lessons and see how much better my art gets. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
I'll always remember this. I can't wait to try it!😁
Awesome, good luck with your next painting!
Thank you so much for this you are such a good teacher I feel like you put value into this simple concept I can understand the importance of it
You are so welcome! So glad this is helpful and thank you for your kind words 🙏
It's called arial perspective.
Thank you so much for sharing so much helpful information on painting on your channel! I feel like I have learned so much from you!
That means so much to me - thank you for letting me know!
Thank you so much for explaining light and dark colours in a painting. I have been struggling with this area of painting
You are so welcome - very glad this is helpful!
Chris here: I'm a classically trained artist. What you're saying is absolutely true. Bravo and cheers.
Thanks for watching, Chris, I really appreciate that validation! 😊
Wow this was so helpful! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and giving clear understanding to the process of creating depth in my painting. I am relatively new to this but I have discovered a driving passion for creating art. It’s rare to find someone with such understanding share it with such eloquence! 🙏
Thank you so much - that means a lot to me.
So glad to hear that you’ve discovered a passion for creating art. That driving pull to paint is such a gift - nurture it.
I’m so glad the explanation was helpful to you. Keep going!
@10:30 i think my brain is backwards because I was drawn to the soft, pretty landscape before i was drawn to the detailed people in the front.
I learned a lot in this video. It helps a lot when you are a starting artist. Or a refresher if you're a pro.
Thanks so much for your kind words - I'm happy to hear that!
Thanks so much, keen hobbyist here, your tutorial is very helpful 😊
Thanks for watching, I'm thrilled it resonated with you!
Knowing these three principles is easy, but remembering to put them into practice is challenging. So much to think about! So many alluring details to obsess over! I’m going to try to knock out some landscapes using only masses and color/value/edges and see what happens. Thank you for this pared down presentation. Brava!
Oh yes, this couldn't be more true! It feels a bit like juggling as one is learning to apply them. One of my instructors always said that we should focus on one element at a time and over time it will become much more natural to be able to put them all into practice at once. Thats a great way to practice these principles - with landscapes done in large color/value/ edge masses. So glad this was helpful!
I really appreciate you informing us on the Harmonic Armature. I do think some of us have this type of intuition however, the line method you explained gives me a more systematic understanding and approach to my paintings and drawings moving forward. Thanks.
So welcome! That is what I was hoping for this to bring - something to add to everyones intuitive understanding - and extra help in case it might be needed at times.
Excellent explanation of value ; makes so much sense!
thank you for your kind words - glad to hear that!
Thank you for all the thought and work you put into your videos! You manage to so effectively communicate the principles that non-professionals, like me need! I've learned so much from RUclips channels like yours, and I'm so grateful. My partner, was a very accomplished artist and painter, but when I asked for his help and instruction, he'd reply, 'just paint what you see'. Not very good at teaching.... You have the gift!
That means a lot to hear-thank you for watching and for your wonderful feedback! 🌹
Very helpful! You’re an excellent teacher. Thank you! 😊
Glad you found it helpful, thanks for watching! 🙏
Fantastic video, I need to rewatch and take notes!
Thanks for watching, I'm happy it resonated with you!