A few months ago I joined Ian Roberts’ online class “Mastering Composition.” First several weeks were simply drawing exercises, learning about values and shapes to create a 3D effect on the flat surface of paper. Two weeks ago we began the “Brushwork” component. I decided to use oils for this section simply because I have not painted with oils since high school – back in the last century.
What I like about Roberts’ class is he makes sense. He discusses things on very pragmatic terms as well as on a bit of a more esoteric plane. Both are satisfying. Exercises are clear and with stated purpose. The key components thus far are values and edges. He says, “If you can’t see it, you can’t paint it.” And that is true. If you don’t look and observe and get picky, well, it’s just not there.
Week One
Simple value studies of a landscape. I did 4, in 4 different mediums in order to decide which I wanted to default to – I chose oils (see above).
I won’t say any of them are great, but by posting them, fellow students give feedback. It’s useful as others see what you do not. As well, it is also useful to give feedback as it sharpens your eyes.
Week Two
Now, onto still life, demonstrated by Roberts and then practiced by students. This was followed by a landscape. The still life focused on edges and values – and so does the landscape. The landscape is ours alone to do – no demo! I tried to make my landscape simple masses. Parts work, parts are illogical, and taking a photograph of both was a pain as they are both still wet. Oh, well.
This was a fun study, and it was a challenge to really take the time to look, and to see, edges, shadows, shapes, etc. Overall, I am pleased with it. My sphere is a bit on the floating side, but I can fix that later. As well, it is fairly bright but monitors make it look darker or lighter, depending on which one I am using.
This one is a challenge. It is wet and hell to photograph! One thing I have learned is that I will need to come back with a fine brush after it has dried to clean up some of the whites on the guardrails and perhaps elsewhere.
Thoughts
By far, this is the best online course I have ever taken! If you want to paint and learn a few things, you might check out Ian Roberts. He is on YouTube, so how he is there is how he is in the Zoom class meetings.
Stay tuned for Week Three and Week Four!
Ink, Yarn & Beer 
Very interesting -N! Thanks for showing this to us.
Thanks for telling us about Ian Roberts. I will look him up.
Let me know what you think – I like him a lot!
My pleasure, Anne!
Just watched two tutorials. You are right, these are powerful and useful lessons. I think it’s because of the brevity. Each idea has a lot of weight.
😊😍
Good to see your process, and progress!
Thanks, Fraggy!
Every few years I take a painting class. I am no good at it, but that’s not the point. For me it’s a journey in process and not product. I find that after a class, I do a better job of seeing. It trains me to look for the beauty in any particular view. And, I truly appreciate art more when I challenge myself to paint or draw. Everything feels like learning.
I certainly can agree with you about seeing and appreciating things more with the taking of a class, such as painting. Art has and is important to me. The challenge of improving and learning new skills helps me out a lot, and a good teacher is so important here. It carries over into appreciating the crafts of others and a sense of the miraculous, too, at the works others create. To me, what is the biggest challenge, is to be “me” and to accept that how I put down a brush stroke, or whatever, is rather unique. Learning how to do things differently – i.e. I tend to “dab” a lot – can help me open doors I have yet to explore. Art enriches all of us, no matter what form it takes.