As a professional artist myself, let me tell you there’s more to being an artist than learning ‘value compression’, as you term it. There are so many other factors involved and it takes years of practice. Honestly! There’s no sudden revelation or method that will instantly transform your art. All you need to do is keep painting and drawing.
“…all you need to do…” So, you get paid. That doesn’t “sell” me that you’re an artist. Art and its expression is in the mind of the beholder and the doer…one walk through a modern “ art” museum and one realizes it’s all an illusion of the mind. One person’s precious is another’s daily garbage collection.
Of course there's more to it, however, my personal experience was that this idea really suddenly helped me make sense of a lot of what I was struggling with. For me it was a light bulb moment, it might not be for others, because I guess some people innately understand these things but may struggle elsewhere. I also think there's a lot to be said for ways of thinking/learning. I had this idea in front of me many times before it clicked because I simply hadn't come across an explanation that resonated with my way of thinking, which is interesting.
@@emilyrosewildlifeart-paste9820 That’s it! There’s so much to painting! It can take a long time before you really get ‘sorted’ with it, and your head too!
Theres volumes of art "rules". None of them are absolutes. It all depends on the person, what they want to achieve, & the tools they have to do the work with. Some people just can't see things others can. Our brains process information differently. Good to be aware of things though..even if it doesn't quite sink in.
I felt as though the video was getting a bit long, but, If you look at Sorolla's work, you'll see that many of his bright beach scenes have these incredibly saturated white areas, while figures beneath shaded canopies include details. One I love is 'Sewing the Sail', you'll see the areas of dappled sun are a flat application of paint artsandculture.google.com/asset/sewing-the-sail-joaquin-sorolla-y-bastida/ggHMkbvZk1yLaw?hl=en Likewise, turn to almost any Caravaggio piece and he uses chiaroscuro lighting where the shadows are totally void of detail and the scene is dramatically illuminated for maximum details in those areas. Most portraits use the effect of 'flat' shadows and detailed midtones, John Singer Sargent did it a lot :) Looking through old masters' work, you'll start to discover some really interesting manipulations of value!
It's great to see artists explaining the importance of value. I heard Marco Bucci say that not having control over your values immediately shows the difference between a professional and amateur artist, or an artist that does or doesn't know what they're doing. Once I'd heard that, every piece of art I saw afterwards immediately demonstrated that.
@emilyrosewildlifeart-paste9820 Well, I hope it's one of those struggles that inspires you to keep striving, rather than the opposite. So many of us have been put off art due to the eternal struggle and negative self-talk. I've definitely gone through phases of that, but fortunately I keep coming back to it. I had a look at your website after discovering your UA-cam channel this morning. Your art is so beautiful and masterful. Your skill with fur is just so wonderful to look at. It reminds me of the animal illustrator Therese Larsson, although you're both different. I wish you all the very best.
Art isnt about learning a set of rules. And most art schools do not teach them. The artistic process is so individual to a person that learning a lot of rules tends to interfere with that expression more than empower it. Rules of art are for people who want to publish books or amateurs who want a quick fix, but its all kind of meaningless. It is about the process and the practice and no set of rules will replace that. In fact my best teachers would just sort of roll their eyes whenever a student would start quoting rules to them.
I have to say I am very much in two minds about that. On the one hand, expressionist artists have a practice that can be lead by many things, but not so much art theory. However, artists who are interested in realism and representational art will find studying art theory useful to their interests. At university, I went to explore and improve my representational work, however, I got 0 tuition and a fat load of disappointment as tutors droned on about psychology etc, 'the gallery as a white cube' which wasn't at all aligned with what I was interested in. I think this is where the term 'art' and 'artist' has been stretched too broadly over a vast variety of different disciplines. To one person art could be something they hang on a wall, to another it's an immersive experience found in a gallery.
I think it's a shame that many art teachers and colleges teach very little that's useful. Eg about composition or colour or value or techniques. People learning graphics learn more imo..
"Art isn't about rules" sounds like a rule. 😂 There's the expression side of art - what the artist wants to communicate and the technique side - how to manipulate a medium. The more you know about technique, the more ways you have to express yourself. Art classes should TEACH technique and leave the expression choices to the artist. The problem is that teaching is also an art form. Just because you are an artist doesn't mean you know how to teach. Many art classes end up being places to practice creating in a group while still trying to figure out HOW to create on your own because the instructor can't actually teach or won't because they are too worried about infringing on personal expression, which is very frustrating for art students paying for classes. All the instructor has to do is derferiniat between technique and expression. A student can express thenseves on their own time - if they have the techniques. "Art has no rules" is an excuse for people who don't want to learn them or who don't know how to teach them. Being self-taught is also a way to go, in which you figure things out on your own, reinventing the wheel as you go. You may come up with a whole different way of expression that is more original than if you'd been taught technique or you may end up with a whole lot of bad habits. If you want to avoid any art rules (which for mature artists, become guidelines), then you better stay away from videos like this! Thank you, Emily, for teaching practical information!
Haha sort of and sort of not. For some people, you’re going to want to watch the whole thing as it can be confusing to be dumped in the explanation if this is completely new. Either way though, I hope you’ve found it useful!
I suspect the graph that describes what you’re talking about is more of a bell-shaped curve: ie, low level of detail at low light levels (dark), maximum detail at medium light levels, and low detail (again) at very high light levels.
@@emilyrosewildlifeart-paste9820 it’s not as difficult as it might seem, if you commit to thinking it through. I don’t know whether UA-cam allows you to edit your videos, but, I recommend, for your audience, that you correct it, however way you can.
Agreed. She has unwittingly draw an 'error function' curve which is the integral of the curve which makes sense for her to have drawn ( the 'normal distribution' or 'Gaussian' curve)
I agree Value , or recognizing Value is important in making art, especially in realism. I taught the Elements and Principles of art in my classes for fifteen years. Some students would come in the first day thinking they were already a good artist. Only to learn they didn't know the Elements or Principles of art. This information is foundational to good art and design. Many students who could draw or paint well also suffered from not understanding Value or Contrast. I see so much today that demonstrates the artist or designer, or even film directors don't understand Contrast. Contrast is vital, hence an understanding of Value is as well.❤ The trick is seeing art in everything. Seeing junk as potential art . Everything you see can be made into or used in an artwork. Anything you make is your Art. Whether it's good or bad is subjective. Don't be discouraged by someone's opinion when they negate your work. ❤ Ive made art from totally found materials which sold quickly. As the negative comments from art critics poured in, I was laughing all the way to the bank. Just remember, even critics are brainwashed into thinking they have the final word. Keep in mind many critics would praise work only to learn a three year old made it. 😂
Knowing the complete language of any course of study is the ultimate goal. Whether it is performing, sports, working, business, arts, or science. The total comprehension of all the components and how they work together and in variation can determine the individual's level of mastery. This video highlights levels of color and light importance but without perspective and dimension there is nothing to gauge where the reflections originate or how contrast magnifies the lighter levels. Dritz Rainbow color wheel, a Value Scale, Color Mixing Wheel and View Finder or Grid and a Proportional Dividing compass are all just helpful tools for beginners to masters.
Thank you. A short and sweet take on things. And I do routinely fall into the trap of trying to overly detail light and shadow to the detriment of both. I will try focusing more on one or the other and see how that helps my work.
Indeed they do! But I have to say I have a deep love of colour, but I enjoy playing with colour and value together, I've realised it's that relationship which interests me most.
OMG what a discovery. Thanks 10 times. It took me so many years of reading, scketching, painting to discover Simplicity, and I'm going into that picture. So true.
This is why the grisaille method in oil painting will always be king. Paintings never look as rich, layered or deep unless you've got that value scale down first. That's why painters like Caravaggio are considered the best painters who ever existed, because they painted in simple black, brown and white to near completion before adding in just a touch of colour, and then of course chiaroscuro (extreme light and dark) added depth. They even used direct black, which modern artists insist you 'shouldn't' use.
I think it's a shame that many art teachers and colleges teach very little that's useful. Eg about composition or colour or value or techniques. People learning graphics learn more imo.
Graphics and illustration...I wish I had taken either at Uni! We got no life drawing, no theoretical help, nothing. Meanwhile, I'd sneak onto the illustration course life drawing sessions!
@@emilyrosewildlifeart-paste9820 yeh main thing I remember from art school is being made to stand up in front of a crowd of people to justify your work using approved concepts and language.
I'm thinking now... Could this idea be applied to other arts? Like narrative or music? Th idea of creating a pallete of detail degree in specific areas sounds really interesting.
Such an interesting idea! I mean, I guess most often you have bass as the supporting tones. They keep the rhythm, they provide a sort of cushion for sound as a tone we can't hear as easily, or as clearly. Then as you get into higher pitches, that's where the melody is usually found, in the flute, obe, violins and so on. If the melody dies down, we can hear the bass more easily, if it's louder, we can't distinguish the bass as easily, but you can still hear that it's there...feels like a nice symmetry...
@@emilyrosewildlifeart-paste9820 sounds have their equivalent in colors, everything is frequency, we can see this applied in everything, intentionally or accidentaly, if we pay attention, am I tripping too much here hahaha
@@ardidsonriente2223a tip from one of my professors was to think about music when composing a painting. Kinda the reverse of what you’re talking about. But there are similar ideas in both. A painting , like a piece of music can be wild and lively or repetitive and dull etc. There are a lot of parallels when you think about it. Just one reaches the heart through the eyes and the other through the ears. It was a tip that I have found very useful.
Sadly no! I was looking for some, but I didn’t take any photos of my earlier art work and I’ve thrown everything out 😳 really kicking myself now as I’d love to have done a live review of it and digitally improve it!
Yes and no. I'm talking more broadly about 'translating' what we see into an art medium and also trying to keep in mind that if we focus on the shaded area, for example, and draw/paint that, then focus on the lit areas and draw/paint those, we will be creating work based on two different exposure levels, which leads to flat and confusing drawings. This is certainly applied to composition (it's the massing in stage where you group values together) and it can also be used as a tool to help bring focus to certain features (which really is still about composition, but it could relate to one subject in your drawing).
Doing Schoolism cost me 10 years. Moral lesson? Unsubscribe to cost online scams. Learn your fundamentals first specially traditional not those digital and control z
Fundamentals are everything, it’s a real irk of mine that many art teachers hide behind fancy words without any explanation or just pretend they’re a wizard. I’ve learned so much myself online and when it clicks it’s just great. I hope you’re on the right track now!!
Yes, you're right that this is only relevant if you want that 'photo-realistic' look, as I say in the video, or, if you want a better idea of how to create chiaroscuro lighting - which is this idea but on steriods. I often find most people's issues with a painting/drawing arise from adding details in the shadows, midtones and highlights but they can't see it themselves, or understand why it ends up looking flat. This idea can be applied quite easily and quickly to suddenly create much more convincing drawings. Give it a go and see what you think! :)
You start with realism to learn the foundations. Then, once you understand realism, you can paint whatever you want. But how can a person critique your work if they don’t know what you intend? Starting with realism is critical for growth in the foundational skills.
As a professional artist myself, let me tell you there’s more to being an artist than learning ‘value compression’, as you term it. There are so many other factors involved and it takes years of practice. Honestly! There’s no sudden revelation or method that will instantly transform your art. All you need to do is keep painting and drawing.
“…all you need to do…” So, you get paid. That doesn’t “sell” me that you’re an artist. Art and its expression is in the mind of the beholder and the doer…one walk through a modern “ art” museum and one realizes it’s all an illusion of the mind. One person’s precious is another’s daily garbage collection.
@@pohkeee Whatever.
Of course there's more to it, however, my personal experience was that this idea really suddenly helped me make sense of a lot of what I was struggling with. For me it was a light bulb moment, it might not be for others, because I guess some people innately understand these things but may struggle elsewhere. I also think there's a lot to be said for ways of thinking/learning. I had this idea in front of me many times before it clicked because I simply hadn't come across an explanation that resonated with my way of thinking, which is interesting.
@@emilyrosewildlifeart-paste9820 That’s it! There’s so much to painting! It can take a long time before you really get ‘sorted’ with it, and your head too!
Theres volumes of art "rules". None of them are absolutes. It all depends on the person, what they want to achieve, & the tools they have to do the work with. Some people just can't see things others can. Our brains process information differently. Good to be aware of things though..even if it doesn't quite sink in.
It would have been nice to actually have some visual examples to explain what you were talking about.
I felt as though the video was getting a bit long, but, If you look at Sorolla's work, you'll see that many of his bright beach scenes have these incredibly saturated white areas, while figures beneath shaded canopies include details. One I love is 'Sewing the Sail', you'll see the areas of dappled sun are a flat application of paint artsandculture.google.com/asset/sewing-the-sail-joaquin-sorolla-y-bastida/ggHMkbvZk1yLaw?hl=en
Likewise, turn to almost any Caravaggio piece and he uses chiaroscuro lighting where the shadows are totally void of detail and the scene is dramatically illuminated for maximum details in those areas. Most portraits use the effect of 'flat' shadows and detailed midtones, John Singer Sargent did it a lot :)
Looking through old masters' work, you'll start to discover some really interesting manipulations of value!
She made a whole animation for you to explain what she's talking about!
@@emilyrosewildlifeart-paste9820Very helpful, TY for these examples. I found your nuggets of gold. I was listening.
It's great to see artists explaining the importance of value. I heard Marco Bucci say that not having control over your values immediately shows the difference between a professional and amateur artist, or an artist that does or doesn't know what they're doing. Once I'd heard that, every piece of art I saw afterwards immediately demonstrated that.
I still struggle with values, I have to say, but keeping it front of mind is the best thing to do if you want to create representational artwork!
@emilyrosewildlifeart-paste9820 Well, I hope it's one of those struggles that inspires you to keep striving, rather than the opposite. So many of us have been put off art due to the eternal struggle and negative self-talk. I've definitely gone through phases of that, but fortunately I keep coming back to it.
I had a look at your website after discovering your UA-cam channel this morning. Your art is so beautiful and masterful. Your skill with fur is just so wonderful to look at. It reminds me of the animal illustrator Therese Larsson, although you're both different.
I wish you all the very best.
Art isnt about learning a set of rules. And most art schools do not teach them. The artistic process is so individual to a person that learning a lot of rules tends to interfere with that expression more than empower it. Rules of art are for people who want to publish books or amateurs who want a quick fix, but its all kind of meaningless. It is about the process and the practice and no set of rules will replace that. In fact my best teachers would just sort of roll their eyes whenever a student would start quoting rules to them.
I have to say I am very much in two minds about that. On the one hand, expressionist artists have a practice that can be lead by many things, but not so much art theory. However, artists who are interested in realism and representational art will find studying art theory useful to their interests.
At university, I went to explore and improve my representational work, however, I got 0 tuition and a fat load of disappointment as tutors droned on about psychology etc, 'the gallery as a white cube' which wasn't at all aligned with what I was interested in.
I think this is where the term 'art' and 'artist' has been stretched too broadly over a vast variety of different disciplines. To one person art could be something they hang on a wall, to another it's an immersive experience found in a gallery.
I think it's a shame that many art teachers and colleges teach very little that's useful. Eg about composition or colour or value or techniques. People learning graphics learn more imo..
"Art isn't about rules" sounds like a rule. 😂
There's the expression side of art - what the artist wants to communicate and the technique side - how to manipulate a medium. The more you know about technique, the more ways you have to express yourself. Art classes should TEACH technique and leave the expression choices to the artist. The problem is that teaching is also an art form. Just because you are an artist doesn't mean you know how to teach. Many art classes end up being places to practice creating in a group while still trying to figure out HOW to create on your own because the instructor can't actually teach or won't because they are too worried about infringing on personal expression, which is very frustrating for art students paying for classes. All the instructor has to do is derferiniat between technique and expression. A student can express thenseves on their own time - if they have the techniques. "Art has no rules" is an excuse for people who don't want to learn them or who don't know how to teach them.
Being self-taught is also a way to go, in which you figure things out on your own, reinventing the wheel as you go. You may come up with a whole different way of expression that is more original than if you'd been taught technique or you may end up with a whole lot of bad habits. If you want to avoid any art rules (which for mature artists, become guidelines), then you better stay away from videos like this! Thank you, Emily, for teaching practical information!
the point starts at 4:00
Haha sort of and sort of not. For some people, you’re going to want to watch the whole thing as it can be confusing to be dumped in the explanation if this is completely new. Either way though, I hope you’ve found it useful!
@@emilyrosewildlifeart-paste9820 at 4:00
To start it a 4 mins would be missing the point of this video.
@@adamthorntonillustration9281 the point of the video is to talk about the things she wants to talk about ?
I suspect the graph that describes what you’re talking about is more of a bell-shaped curve: ie, low level of detail at low light levels (dark), maximum detail at medium light levels, and low detail (again) at very high light levels.
Can you tell I colour in for a living and left maths behind? You're totally right! 🤫
@@emilyrosewildlifeart-paste9820 it’s not as difficult as it might seem, if you commit to thinking it through. I don’t know whether UA-cam allows you to edit your videos, but, I recommend, for your audience, that you correct it, however way you can.
Me getting stuck looking at the graph thinking exactly this. 😆
Agreed. She has unwittingly draw an 'error function' curve which is the integral of the curve which makes sense for her to have drawn ( the 'normal distribution' or 'Gaussian' curve)
I agree Value , or recognizing Value is important in making art, especially in realism. I taught the Elements and Principles of art in my classes for fifteen years. Some students would come in the first day thinking they were already a good artist. Only to learn they didn't know the Elements or Principles of art. This information is foundational to good art and design. Many students who could draw or paint well also suffered from not understanding Value or Contrast. I see so much today that demonstrates the artist or designer, or even film directors don't understand Contrast. Contrast is vital, hence an understanding of Value is as well.❤
The trick is seeing art in everything. Seeing junk as potential art . Everything you see can be made into or used in an artwork. Anything you make is your Art. Whether it's good or bad is subjective. Don't be discouraged by someone's opinion when they negate your work. ❤
Ive made art from totally found materials which sold quickly. As the negative comments from art critics poured in, I was laughing all the way to the bank. Just remember, even critics are brainwashed into thinking they have the final word. Keep in mind many critics would praise work only to learn a three year old made it. 😂
Knowing the complete language of any course of study is the ultimate goal. Whether it is performing, sports, working, business, arts, or science. The total comprehension of all the components and how they work together and in variation can determine the individual's level of mastery. This video highlights levels of color and light importance but without perspective and dimension there is nothing to gauge where the reflections originate or how contrast magnifies the lighter levels. Dritz Rainbow color wheel, a Value Scale, Color Mixing Wheel and View Finder or Grid and a Proportional Dividing compass are all just helpful tools for beginners to masters.
Interesting video, hadn't heard about this compression term. Will search to read more about it, thanks!
Glad you found it helpful! It was an eye opener when it clicked for me 👩🎨
Thank you. A short and sweet take on things. And I do routinely fall into the trap of trying to overly detail light and shadow to the detriment of both. I will try focusing more on one or the other and see how that helps my work.
Good luck with it! It does make a difference, trust the process to the end of the painting
Values do all the heavy lifting, while colour gets all the credit.
Indeed they do! But I have to say I have a deep love of colour, but I enjoy playing with colour and value together, I've realised it's that relationship which interests me most.
OMG what a discovery. Thanks 10 times. It took me so many years of reading, scketching, painting to discover Simplicity, and I'm going into that picture. So true.
Thanks so much, glad it was useful!
This is why the grisaille method in oil painting will always be king. Paintings never look as rich, layered or deep unless you've got that value scale down first. That's why painters like Caravaggio are considered the best painters who ever existed, because they painted in simple black, brown and white to near completion before adding in just a touch of colour, and then of course chiaroscuro (extreme light and dark) added depth. They even used direct black, which modern artists insist you 'shouldn't' use.
Wow, youre such a professional and pedagogical speaker, it is very enjoyable to watch and listen to you! I am so glad that I found you!
Thank you! I’m glad you found it useful 😊
I think it's a shame that many art teachers and colleges teach very little that's useful. Eg about composition or colour or value or techniques. People learning graphics learn more imo.
Graphics and illustration...I wish I had taken either at Uni! We got no life drawing, no theoretical help, nothing. Meanwhile, I'd sneak onto the illustration course life drawing sessions!
@@emilyrosewildlifeart-paste9820 yeh main thing I remember from art school is being made to stand up in front of a crowd of people to justify your work using approved concepts and language.
@@alicequayle4625 sounds identical to mine!
Well it’s not like this is unknown if you are serious about art… but thanx for sharing.
You can commit atrocities with colour as long as your values are good. Your art will still read. For example look at Francois Neilly`s work.
Thank you for sharing your insights ❤
You're so welcome! I love to hear how other people explain this idea, one day you just come across the explanation that clicks with you :)
I'm thinking now... Could this idea be applied to other arts? Like narrative or music? Th idea of creating a pallete of detail degree in specific areas sounds really interesting.
Such an interesting idea! I mean, I guess most often you have bass as the supporting tones. They keep the rhythm, they provide a sort of cushion for sound as a tone we can't hear as easily, or as clearly. Then as you get into higher pitches, that's where the melody is usually found, in the flute, obe, violins and so on. If the melody dies down, we can hear the bass more easily, if it's louder, we can't distinguish the bass as easily, but you can still hear that it's there...feels like a nice symmetry...
@@emilyrosewildlifeart-paste9820 sounds have their equivalent in colors, everything is frequency, we can see this applied in everything, intentionally or accidentaly, if we pay attention, am I tripping too much here hahaha
@@ardidsonriente2223a tip from one of my professors was to think about music when composing a painting. Kinda the reverse of what you’re talking about. But there are similar ideas in both.
A painting , like a piece of music can be wild and lively or repetitive and dull etc. There are a lot of parallels when you think about it. Just one reaches the heart through the eyes and the other through the ears.
It was a tip that I have found very useful.
Do you have an older artwork to show with the newer artwork? Before and after you came to this realization? Also, thanks for the video.
Sadly no! I was looking for some, but I didn’t take any photos of my earlier art work and I’ve thrown everything out 😳 really kicking myself now as I’d love to have done a live review of it and digitally improve it!
I am having a hard time understanding… are you talking about creating compositions that purposefully brings certain subject matter into focus?
Yes and no. I'm talking more broadly about 'translating' what we see into an art medium and also trying to keep in mind that if we focus on the shaded area, for example, and draw/paint that, then focus on the lit areas and draw/paint those, we will be creating work based on two different exposure levels, which leads to flat and confusing drawings. This is certainly applied to composition (it's the massing in stage where you group values together) and it can also be used as a tool to help bring focus to certain features (which really is still about composition, but it could relate to one subject in your drawing).
she wants you to take her course
I think this is saying learn from Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Turner.
If you're into realism, then I couldn't agree more...but might add Sargent to the list, love his work!
I love this video
Thanks so much!
100 Hue Test ... will give you a "rosette" of how you, personally see, colour
Oh wow, thank you!
I am so impressed by Ms. Rose's intelligence AND passion. Amazing!
I sure do have a passion for the nerdy side of art, thank you!
@@emilyrosewildlifeart-paste9820I think it goes far deeper than that. Extraordinary video.
I don’t get values 😵💫
No it's not about either the materials or the technique.It's about the FAME
Guess I better get on and pop my clogs then - once dead, I’ll be famous for sure 😉
Great ❤
Thank you!
I wonder if deer understand value since they will wander in front of a moving car…🤔
Haha this is very true! I guess their flight or fight response hasn’t caught up to modern day!
Cinematographers use the IRE Scale on a digital spot meter ... gives you a range of tonal values, equivalent to 1: 32
Amazing, thanks!
❤
Doing Schoolism cost me 10 years. Moral lesson? Unsubscribe to cost online scams. Learn your fundamentals first specially traditional not those digital and control z
Fundamentals are everything, it’s a real irk of mine that many art teachers hide behind fancy words without any explanation or just pretend they’re a wizard. I’ve learned so much myself online and when it clicks it’s just great. I hope you’re on the right track now!!
Unless you want to be a hyper realist artist. I find this video not untrue but hyperbolic and still amateurish.
-a not great artist
Yes, you're right that this is only relevant if you want that 'photo-realistic' look, as I say in the video, or, if you want a better idea of how to create chiaroscuro lighting - which is this idea but on steriods. I often find most people's issues with a painting/drawing arise from adding details in the shadows, midtones and highlights but they can't see it themselves, or understand why it ends up looking flat. This idea can be applied quite easily and quickly to suddenly create much more convincing drawings. Give it a go and see what you think! :)
You start with realism to learn the foundations. Then, once you understand realism, you can paint whatever you want. But how can a person critique your work if they don’t know what you intend? Starting with realism is critical for growth in the foundational skills.
she promises a lot but doesn't deliver. disappointing.