A great comment for starting a discussion about this topic. I don't recall her ever using hard and soft edges. In Helen's time, lost and found lines might have been a common term. Over the years, the use of hard and soft edges might have become a more popular term in art schools due to its straight forward meaning. That said, hard edge and found line seems to mean the same. But there could be a subtle difference between soft edge and lost line. Soft edge implies a blurry edge where lost line means the same but also means a nonexistent line like how an object's shadow side is completely fused into the background.
@@HelenVanWyk I'm afraid I know little of art school - my knowledge comes from one online Dutch flower painting course, and lots of hours of RUclips, backed up with some reading on still life and colour theory. However, I have watched a number of different artists on RUclips and so try to gather together terms and explanations which seem most intuitive and helpful. Where I have found things confusing I then offer a comment in the hope that maybe an explanation from a different perspective might help others. Hence my thinking to suggest using hard and soft edges in the context of this video. But you are absolutely right with "lost line" and I would tend to reserve it's use for when subject and background merge in tone and colour - creating a truly lost boundary between them. There is a painter on RUclips who likes to do impressionistic roses and he uses lost line on the shadow side of his arrangements so much that it is almost his signature move! Anyway, thanks as always for putting these great videos up and also for the time you take to review comments and engage with your audience via them.
@HelenVanWyk There have been a few changes in terminology over the 30+ years since these videos were created. Hard edge vs found line, soft edge vs lost line, hue vs temperature, tone vs value, intensity vs saturation. I do prefer hard and soft edges. Easy to understand.
Thanks for your comment. I completely agree...Helen had an amazing ability to teach in a clear, no-nonsense way while still providing detailed commentary covering so much valuable information. I’m glad to hear you appreciate her direct approach. Thanks for supporting the channel, it's appreciated.
The intent is to continue bringing Helen's lessons to light so students and artists of all levels can benefit from her years of experience. Your appreciation of Helen's work helps carry her legacy forward. Thanks for posting and supporting the channel.
This is perfect for me! I have been wondering how Helen approaches painting hair, and I will implement her technique in my portrait paintings. I am also going to share this with a gentleman who I think may find this helpful. Thank you very much! Lisa
You're welcome. There was another lesson where Helen was showing how to paint onions and mentioned something about painting hair and painting onions used a similar technique.
@@HelenVanWykThat analogy of Helen's comparing painting hair and an onion pertained solely to a specific type of highlighting technique. The comparison offered insight into highlight and light reflection. The structural and textural qualities of hair and an onion differ significantly, making them distinct subjects in terms of artistic approach.
Hard and soft edges are probably more useful terms than lost and found!
A great comment for starting a discussion about this topic. I don't recall her ever using hard and soft edges. In Helen's time, lost and found lines might have been a common term. Over the years, the use of hard and soft edges might have become a more popular term in art schools due to its straight forward meaning. That said, hard edge and found line seems to mean the same. But there could be a subtle difference between soft edge and lost line. Soft edge implies a blurry edge where lost line means the same but also means a nonexistent line like how an object's shadow side is completely fused into the background.
@@HelenVanWyk I'm afraid I know little of art school - my knowledge comes from one online Dutch flower painting course, and lots of hours of RUclips, backed up with some reading on still life and colour theory. However, I have watched a number of different artists on RUclips and so try to gather together terms and explanations which seem most intuitive and helpful. Where I have found things confusing I then offer a comment in the hope that maybe an explanation from a different perspective might help others. Hence my thinking to suggest using hard and soft edges in the context of this video. But you are absolutely right with "lost line" and I would tend to reserve it's use for when subject and background merge in tone and colour - creating a truly lost boundary between them.
There is a painter on RUclips who likes to do impressionistic roses and he uses lost line on the shadow side of his arrangements so much that it is almost his signature move!
Anyway, thanks as always for putting these great videos up and also for the time you take to review comments and engage with your audience via them.
@HelenVanWyk There have been a few changes in terminology over the 30+ years since these videos were created. Hard edge vs found line, soft edge vs lost line, hue vs temperature, tone vs value, intensity vs saturation. I do prefer hard and soft edges. Easy to understand.
No nonsense and straight to the point, a great teacher ❤
Thanks for your comment. I completely agree...Helen had an amazing ability to teach in a clear, no-nonsense way while still providing detailed commentary covering so much valuable information. I’m glad to hear you appreciate her direct approach. Thanks for supporting the channel, it's appreciated.
She was a lovely lady, a lady Indeed. So grateful for her and her videos.
The intent is to continue bringing Helen's lessons to light so students and artists of all levels can benefit from her years of experience. Your appreciation of Helen's work helps carry her legacy forward. Thanks for posting and supporting the channel.
this why she is great and we love her lessons
Yes. Lessons that zero in on a particular problem or technique are really helpful. Thanks for supporting the channel. Enjoy Helen's other lessons.
I'm finding these videos so useful
Glad you're finding these videos helpful. This keeps Helen's legacy alive. Thank you.
I love Helen
👍👍
Very important information. Thank you very much.
Glad it was helpful...
Love her! ❤❤❤👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
...and Helen loved teaching...more to come.
This is perfect for me! I have been wondering how Helen approaches painting hair, and I will implement her technique in my portrait paintings.
I am also going to share this with a gentleman who I think may find this helpful.
Thank you very much!
Lisa
You're welcome. There was another lesson where Helen was showing how to paint onions and mentioned something about painting hair and painting onions used a similar technique.
@@HelenVanWyk Yes, I have seen it. Thank you! But I really needed to see her use the technique when painting hair.
Lisa
@@HelenVanWykThat analogy of Helen's comparing painting hair and an onion pertained solely to a specific type of highlighting technique. The comparison offered insight into highlight and light reflection. The structural and textural qualities of hair and an onion differ significantly, making them distinct subjects in terms of artistic approach.
I love these videos
Glad you find Helen's lessons helpful. More to come...stay tuned.
❤❤❤
👍👍