You are a prince William. Thanks so much. I am happy you feel that way and I hope 2024 is a year rich in engaged artistic expression. All the best and see you on the next call.
I took this course in 2023, and realized most of the photos I've taken for painting subjects... weren't paintable! Shifted my concept of what to paint in a landscape.
Hi Connie, it's usually a hard moment when you realize so many of your photos will never work as paintings. But then freeing too because now you start taking them so they can be used as good reference. All the best to you.
Ian, thank you for another great--and inspiring--video. I've wanted to participate in your class since I first found your channel a long time ago. 2023 was a hellish year for me and nothing would make me happier than to be able to join Mastering Composition, but it's unfortunately out of reach for me. Still, I will eagerly wait for every video you produce (as always!) because I learn something new with each one. You are a great teacher and mentor to us all.
HI Evan, email Robin at info@ianroberts.com and ask her. I'd be delighted if you could join us. All the best and happy you have been enjoying the videos.
Hi Ian. Is there a place where I can get all of the specifics regarding the dates, times and time commitments of this course in printed form. I work a demanding full time job (hence my 'frustrated artist status)🤣. I would need to review that information with my schedule before I can commit. When I go to the link- I can't seem to find a clear outline prior to the payment field. You are an outstanding teacher and I know I would benefit greatly from this course.
Hi Jane, so everything opens for the week on Friday so people have the whole weekend to work on the lessons for the week if that is what they'll have to do to keep up. I do a live zoom call at 9 am PT on Thursday to do a critique of the main issues for the week and Q&A. That is recorded if you can't make it. If you fall behind the actual schedule of lessons you have the course for a year. You can keep up by doing say one lesson a week if you are short on time but stay with the whole group, doing the second and sometimes third lessons later. I'd be delighted if you could join us. Hope those times would work for you. And I hope I"ve answered your question adequately enough. Email info@ianroberts.com if you need more clarification. All the best.
Thank you Ian for your monthly words of wisdom. I have been a painter for quite a while and always do a compositional drawing/ thumbnail..My background is product design and graphic design so I’ve always done thumbnails before my plein air painting. In fact, I’m on sketchbook 36. My problem now is not composition, but mixing color with a limited palette..thank you for all you do for so many! ..have a prosperous and healthy 2024!
What grade of graphite are those studies done with? I am in a charcoal phase at the moment but the feeling of these compositions is very cerebrally appealing.
The problem is not so much drawing, or drawing in values, but translating that BW drawing into colors. As soon as I try to put color, the scene falls apart. The issue is what value is a color, or what color can I use to translate that value. I use a scale I found on the internet, but still it doesn't quite cut it.
I'd say for most students it is actually the design of the values that needs the most work. Tomorrow I am doing a second video on RUclips on how to master anything. Principles. Foundational to that is deliberate practice. If you know the thing you are weakest at is knowing the value of a color then you create an exercise that forces you to work on exactly that until you can do it. That is the point of deliberate practice. Practice over and over until you get it. So for the value of color, you do your next painting from a color photo, when finished you take a photo of the painting, then turn that photo of the painting black and white and the original photo black and white and study where you were off. Then do the painting again from the same color photo. And again take a photo of the painting, compare it in black and white to the black and white version of the original photo. Then find a new photo in color and repeat. You just repeat until you know how to do it. That is how you do it. Hope that helps. All the best.
This is a great course, I strongly recommend it! My painting friends all noticed the improvement in my work! Ian and his team are all excellent and you will learn a lot. The course gives you a chance to work on isolated aspects of composition & painting, which establishes the solid understanding of the fundamentals. You wonˋt regret the time you spend in ths course!
Hi Ian, May I ask, what is the point of limiting the access to the course that’s been bought for one year ? Why can’t I keep it for ever that something I bought and it is quite expensive also?
The thinking behind it is that if you have it forever it'll probably not get watched. But if you follow along with the course each week and then go back and review those pieces that you feel need more work during the year then it won't end up just a link to something you know you have but never go back to. It is all about actual practice with the material. Not just having access to videos. That is the thinking anyway. Does that make sense?
Yes of course. Mainly 2B and 4 B pencils from a good manufacturer and Bristol Smooth paper.. There is a complete materials list inside the course. Easy to find stuff.
When does the course start? I have really been enjoying your RUclips channel. I have some things coming up in the next couple of weeks. Also what time would the Thursday Zoom calls take place? I am in the Eastern time zone.
The course starts Saturday Jan. 20. The weekly zoom call starts at 9 am PT on Thursday. It is recorded if you can't make it. I'd be delighted if you could join us. All the best.
Hello Ian, I would love to take your course but it is too expensive with the Canadian exchange rate. I hope you will offer the course in the future. I look forward to your monthly video.
Hi, The course begins this Saturday, January 20 with a live zoom call at 9 am PT. It is recorded it you can't make it. And runs to March 2. All the best.
Hi Kate, for the course we lean to landscapes because one of the fundamental skiils to learn is crafting depth on the picture plane, the canvas or paper. So landscape gives us a better grasp of that, because we can pull the viewer deeper into an illusion. And we can think of foreground, middle ground and background. Landscape lends itself to getting your head around the tools you will learn on the course. But in the last week and for the 30 day challenge that starts the last day of the course, to cement the lessons, then you get to choose what you want to draw. And if it is portraits then you can do them all day long. And you will find all the landscape exercises will feed right into and will have improved your portrait work. I'd be delighted if you joined us. All the best.
What will be the zoom-session times for Central European Time (CET)? I live in The Netherlands, so this is important for my decision to follow your course.
My plan now is 9 am PT time so it would be the late afternoon-evening for you for you. Also it will be recorded if you can't make it. I'd be delighted if you could join us. All the best.
The times are not that convenient if you are in Australia. There is a weekly call at noon PT on Thursday. It is recorded if that is still too early in the day. And the lessons themselves are recorded videos and the critiquing process is all online.
Just so we are clear Karen, we open the lessons for each week on Friday. When you watch the demo videos and do the drawings for each lesson is up to you. The only part that is live is the zoom call on Thursday at 9 am PT. But that is recorded if you can't make it. All the best.
How do you get your paints to flow like they do? I’m working on a 7x4’ painting and I’m constantly left frustrated by how much of my time is spent remixing paint because my brush seems to eat it
7' x 4" is big and needs a lot of paint. So probably at that scale I would block the painting in mixing the paint with a bit of mineral spirits so it flows on and covers pretty well. Then when that is dry I would just use a lot of paint for the second coat. If bits of the block in are showing through it doesn't matter because it is pretty much the right color and isn't distracting. But big paintings need a lot of paint. I've probably got more paint on my brush than you realize. Hope that helps. All the best.
@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition Thank you! I really appreciate your input. I’ve been using linseed oil as opposed to mineral spirits as I’m working out of the family dining room without a good ventilation in place. I imagine that reacts differently than mineral spirits. Do you have any experience working with that as a thinner?
I sympathize with having to paint where family members have to breath the fumes. The problem with linseed oil is one it dries very slowly and two it has a pretty high gloss when it dries. And it smells too but isn’t toxic. I have used a solvent called Eco-House www.amazon.com/Eco-House-Extra-Mild-Citrus-Thinner/dp/B0027AAIUS/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3O2C22JR2L7XD&keywords=eco+house+orange+solvent+for+artist&qid=1705513449&sprefix=eco+house,aps,160&sr=8-2 It works well and is much less toxic (I think) than mineral spirits. And it smells too. But like oranges. Hope that helps. All the best.@@inkleef
Hi Ian, I am very interested but I can’t decide until I know when the live zoom critiques will be on Thursdays. It looks as if others have the same question. Thanks!
HI Miranda, delighted you are interested. The calls will be at 9 PT time on Thursday. Two things about those Thursday call. I don't do a critique of each student's drawing. There are always 3 or 4 issues each week and I choose just a few drawings to those ideas. And the call is recorded so you can watch it anytime.
Thanks, Ian. I need to think about it for a few days because I have to run choir rehearsals on Thursday afternoon/evenings EST so I'd have to miss all the live zooms which is one reason I'd love to take the class. If you did the live calls on another day I'd sign up! @@IanRobertsMasteringComposition
Hi Miranda I understand. The calls will be recorded if you can’t make it. The live call is not really the main substance of the week. Or the course. With best wishes Ian. @@mirandaloud8563
Do you think Ian Roberts should be spending all this time and money to provide information to us for free, with no hope of ever making any money from the relationships he generously builds with us?
For more information about the course, click here: masteringcomposition.com/2024-course-registration/
it shows an error massage on the page.no way to sign up.
I have taken Ian’s courses. You will not find a better prepared instructor. Taking this course was one of the best steps I have taken as an artist.
You are a prince William. Thanks so much. I am happy you feel that way and I hope 2024 is a year rich in engaged artistic expression. All the best and see you on the next call.
I took this course in 2023, and realized most of the photos I've taken for painting subjects... weren't paintable!
Shifted my concept of what to paint in a landscape.
Hi Connie, it's usually a hard moment when you realize so many of your photos will never work as paintings. But then freeing too because now you start taking them so they can be used as good reference. All the best to you.
Ian, thank you for another great--and inspiring--video. I've wanted to participate in your class since I first found your channel a long time ago. 2023 was a hellish year for me and nothing would make me happier than to be able to join Mastering Composition, but it's unfortunately out of reach for me. Still, I will eagerly wait for every video you produce (as always!) because I learn something new with each one. You are a great teacher and mentor to us all.
HI Evan, email Robin at info@ianroberts.com and ask her. I'd be delighted if you could join us. All the best and happy you have been enjoying the videos.
Hi Ian. Is there a place where I can get all of the specifics regarding the dates, times and time commitments of this course in printed form. I work a demanding full time job (hence my 'frustrated artist status)🤣. I would need to review that information with my schedule before I can commit. When I go to the link- I can't seem to find a clear outline prior to the payment field. You are an outstanding teacher and I know I would benefit greatly from this course.
Hi Jane, so everything opens for the week on Friday so people have the whole weekend to work on the lessons for the week if that is what they'll have to do to keep up. I do a live zoom call at 9 am PT on Thursday to do a critique of the main issues for the week and Q&A. That is recorded if you can't make it. If you fall behind the actual schedule of lessons you have the course for a year. You can keep up by doing say one lesson a week if you are short on time but stay with the whole group, doing the second and sometimes third lessons later. I'd be delighted if you could join us. Hope those times would work for you. And I hope I"ve answered your question adequately enough. Email info@ianroberts.com if you need more clarification. All the best.
Thank you Ian for your monthly words of wisdom. I have been a painter for quite a while and always do a compositional drawing/ thumbnail..My background is product design and graphic design so I’ve always done thumbnails before my plein air painting. In fact, I’m on sketchbook 36. My problem now is not composition, but mixing color with a limited palette..thank you for all you do for so many! ..have a prosperous and healthy 2024!
Thanks so much and my very best wishes to you for a 2024 of richly engaging artistic practice. All the best.
What grade of graphite are those studies done with? I am in a charcoal phase at the moment but the feeling of these compositions is very cerebrally appealing.
I have literally been waiting all year for registration to open up. Im SO EXCITED!!!!
Wonderful. Delighted you will be joining us! All the best.
The problem is not so much drawing, or drawing in values, but translating that BW drawing into colors. As soon as I try to put color, the scene falls apart. The issue is what value is a color, or what color can I use to translate that value. I use a scale I found on the internet, but still it doesn't quite cut it.
I'd say for most students it is actually the design of the values that needs the most work. Tomorrow I am doing a second video on RUclips on how to master anything. Principles. Foundational to that is deliberate practice. If you know the thing you are weakest at is knowing the value of a color then you create an exercise that forces you to work on exactly that until you can do it. That is the point of deliberate practice. Practice over and over until you get it. So for the value of color, you do your next painting from a color photo, when finished you take a photo of the painting, then turn that photo of the painting black and white and the original photo black and white and study where you were off. Then do the painting again from the same color photo. And again take a photo of the painting, compare it in black and white to the black and white version of the original photo. Then find a new photo in color and repeat. You just repeat until you know how to do it. That is how you do it. Hope that helps. All the best.
This is a great course, I strongly recommend it! My painting friends all noticed the improvement in my work!
Ian and his team are all excellent and you will learn a lot. The course gives you a chance to work on isolated aspects of composition & painting, which establishes the solid understanding of the fundamentals.
You wonˋt regret the time you spend in ths course!
Thanks Anne. Nice to hear from you. All the best.
Hi Ian,
May I ask, what is the point of limiting the access to the course that’s been bought for one year ? Why can’t I keep it for ever that something I bought and it is quite expensive also?
The thinking behind it is that if you have it forever it'll probably not get watched. But if you follow along with the course each week and then go back and review those pieces that you feel need more work during the year then it won't end up just a link to something you know you have but never go back to. It is all about actual practice with the material. Not just having access to videos. That is the thinking anyway. Does that make sense?
Thank you so much for the generous time you gave through this video,. This altruism is not usual today, and so I really appreciate it.
You are most welcome Moira. I appreciate your telling me. With best wishes.
Good morning, how Long will be the zoon clases / group meeting?
I am so sorry that I missed it. I just opened your video on Jan. 20, and I see you already started.
Salamat po
🎨🖌️❤️
Do you have a list of recommended materials for the course (specific types of pencils, paper, etc.)?
Yes of course. Mainly 2B and 4 B pencils from a good manufacturer and Bristol Smooth paper.. There is a complete materials list inside the course. Easy to find stuff.
Thanks!
Mr. Roberts, you are simply AMAZING!!!!. Thank you for teaching us to be better artist. Happy New Year!!!
You are most welcome and a happy new year to you as well!
When does the course start? I have really been enjoying your RUclips channel. I have some things coming up in the next couple of weeks. Also what time would the Thursday Zoom calls take place? I am in the Eastern time zone.
The course starts Saturday Jan. 20. The weekly zoom call starts at 9 am PT on Thursday. It is recorded if you can't make it. I'd be delighted if you could join us. All the best.
Hello Ian, I would love to take your course but it is too expensive with the Canadian exchange rate. I hope you will offer the course in the future. I look forward to your monthly video.
Email infor@ianroberts.com and tell Robin you are Canadian.
Hi, when this course begins (dates) and does it ends (dates)
Thanks
Hi, The course begins this Saturday, January 20 with a live zoom call at 9 am PT. It is recorded it you can't make it. And runs to March 2. All the best.
Thanks@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition
Great Teacher! Thank you for this inspiring video!!!
You are welcome Yves. All the best.
Hello Sir, i am from india. I was waiting for this course but classes are too expensive for me. $449 means 38,165 ₹. 😔
I understand. Email Robin at info@ianroberts.com and see if that would help. My very best wishes to you.
@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition thank you so much sir😊
Can I use portrait for the course exercises? That is what I am working on right now.
Hi Kate, for the course we lean to landscapes because one of the fundamental skiils to learn is crafting depth on the picture plane, the canvas or paper. So landscape gives us a better grasp of that, because we can pull the viewer deeper into an illusion. And we can think of foreground, middle ground and background. Landscape lends itself to getting your head around the tools you will learn on the course. But in the last week and for the 30 day challenge that starts the last day of the course, to cement the lessons, then you get to choose what you want to draw. And if it is portraits then you can do them all day long. And you will find all the landscape exercises will feed right into and will have improved your portrait work. I'd be delighted if you joined us. All the best.
What will be the zoom-session times for Central European Time (CET)? I live in The Netherlands, so this is important for my decision to follow your course.
My plan now is 9 am PT time so it would be the late afternoon-evening for you for you. Also it will be recorded if you can't make it. I'd be delighted if you could join us. All the best.
I live in Norway, and it was no problem! The scheduled sessions often at 9am Pacific Time, which is 1800 CET. Other sessions are at your convenience.
Hi, I m from Bangladesh and I'm interested in completing the course but i cannot afford the amount of 500$. Do you have any amount of discount.
If you email Robin at info@ianroberts.com she can send you something that might help. All the best to you.
@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition thanks a lot
Can you please comment what time the classes would be in Melb Australia. It may be too late at night to join in?
The times are not that convenient if you are in Australia. There is a weekly call at noon PT on Thursday. It is recorded if that is still too early in the day. And the lessons themselves are recorded videos and the critiquing process is all online.
Seems like a great course, Ian, is it limited in participants? I cannot decide until next week.
No rush. There's room for you. All the best.
What day of the week is this course offered. I’ve looked below but don’t see. Thank you
I found it. Thank you. It was right in front of me ha
Just so we are clear Karen, we open the lessons for each week on Friday. When you watch the demo videos and do the drawings for each lesson is up to you. The only part that is live is the zoom call on Thursday at 9 am PT. But that is recorded if you can't make it. All the best.
How do you get your paints to flow like they do? I’m working on a 7x4’ painting and I’m constantly left frustrated by how much of my time is spent remixing paint because my brush seems to eat it
7' x 4" is big and needs a lot of paint. So probably at that scale I would block the painting in mixing the paint with a bit of mineral spirits so it flows on and covers pretty well. Then when that is dry I would just use a lot of paint for the second coat. If bits of the block in are showing through it doesn't matter because it is pretty much the right color and isn't distracting. But big paintings need a lot of paint. I've probably got more paint on my brush than you realize. Hope that helps. All the best.
@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition Thank you! I really appreciate your input. I’ve been using linseed oil as opposed to mineral spirits as I’m working out of the family dining room without a good ventilation in place. I imagine that reacts differently than mineral spirits. Do you have any experience working with that as a thinner?
I sympathize with having to paint where family members have to breath the fumes. The problem with linseed oil is one it dries very slowly and two it has a pretty high gloss when it dries. And it smells too but isn’t toxic. I have used a solvent called Eco-House www.amazon.com/Eco-House-Extra-Mild-Citrus-Thinner/dp/B0027AAIUS/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3O2C22JR2L7XD&keywords=eco+house+orange+solvent+for+artist&qid=1705513449&sprefix=eco+house,aps,160&sr=8-2
It works well and is much less toxic (I think) than mineral spirits. And it smells too. But like oranges.
Hope that helps.
All the best.@@inkleef
@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition Thnk you!! I’ll definitely try it out
Hi Ian, I am very interested but I can’t decide until I know when the live zoom critiques will be on Thursdays. It looks as if others have the same question. Thanks!
HI Miranda, delighted you are interested. The calls will be at 9 PT time on Thursday. Two things about those Thursday call. I don't do a critique of each student's drawing. There are always 3 or 4 issues each week and I choose just a few drawings to those ideas. And the call is recorded so you can watch it anytime.
Thanks, Ian. I need to think about it for a few days because I have to run choir rehearsals on Thursday afternoon/evenings EST so I'd have to miss all the live zooms which is one reason I'd love to take the class. If you did the live calls on another day I'd sign up! @@IanRobertsMasteringComposition
Hi Miranda
I understand. The calls will be recorded if you can’t make it.
The live call is not really the main substance of the week. Or the course.
With best wishes
Ian.
@@mirandaloud8563
@@mirandaloud8563 i think he means 9AM not PM, so evening choir should be okay.
Thanks @LyndonFroese I must have seen PT and thought PM
Thanks Ian. Where do I find the suggested dates and times for the weekly zooms?
The weekly zoom call is noon on Thursdays PT. The call is recorded if you can't make it.
You're right; but this was an infomercial and out of character for an otherwise fine regularly received You Tube series.
We’re not entitled to any content from him. I’m forever grateful that he’s shared his expertise with us for free for the last few years.
I agree with you entirely; but that shouldn't protect this ten minute presentation from mild criticism.
@@Bfdifan-j8x
This video was still incredibly helpful. Not sure what you mean.
Thank you!
Do you think Ian Roberts should be spending all this time and money to provide information to us for free, with no hope of ever making any money from the relationships he generously builds with us?