Value over Color

November 01, 2016 in Principles and Value, Fundamental

A realistic painting has great tonal value. Without good value, the painting will be flat no matter what color you splash on it. Color is important, but you see nothing without the light. And that is what value do - let you see the light.

Use a paper that's too small

October 25, 2016

Last week we talk about "Use a brush that's bigger". Today let's continue this idea and talk about using a smaller paper. Using a smaller paper is something I recommend for most of students, especially the ones who just getting started.

Use a brush that's too big

October 18, 2016 in Technique, Fundamental

If you want to paint a powerful picture that looks fresh and alive, you have to learn to paint with bigger strokes in confidence. You have to think twice, paint once. 60%-70% of my painting is done with my size 12 squirrel brush. It's not until I start get into detail such as small figures and car will I use a smaller brush. And even with a smaller brush, I try to paint as few brush stroke as I can.

Yes, I do believe there's bad art...

October 11, 2016 in Fundamental, Principles and Value

It's true that art is subjective, and who's to say what's good and what isn't. But it is also a skill and a discipline. To me it is disrespectful to the artists who have spent countless hours practicing and learning the fundamental by calling a messy, amateurish painting "art".