I am 73 years old and have struggled with a life-long art phobia or disability. I have decided it is time now to change that. I watch at least on of your videos a day as a form of therapy and inspiration. I am slowly moving forward. Thanks for the help.
Ian, seeing your weekly videos are a most welcome break and reminder of a saner place. Beyond the value of the content, it's engaging to watch & analyze the reference image and speculate on your upcoming comments, with a self-congratulatory rewards for thinking alike.
It is especially intriguing to me to see how you think through a composition, creating a vision based on a photograph. Because I paint in a realistic style, I hear so often “that looks just like a photograph. “. I know it is meant as a compliment, but I wish people knew that a good artist doesn’t just copy a photograph but creates from it a more interesting reality.
Hi Helen, I'd have to say the same if someone said that looked just like a photo. I like the idea that they obviously see it is not a photo but at the same time it satisfies their expectation of representation. Or at least that's one thing.
One day I hope I can take a live workshop with you. You are a fabulous teacher and speak and explain so well! For now I will continue to binge watch and practice and read your book. Thank you for all of these gems you are sharing. I am going to spread the word!
Let's be kids, let's discover, let's put everything on its head and see what happens. Your words are expressing such a passionate longing to make us realize what we should't miss. nspiration and its expression. Every path is valid, as long as its stay true to itself, daring to look inwards and outwards while being a receiver, letting it pass through us freely. Like you said, through piano, painting or what-so-ever. Creative expression as the foundation of... everything. Thanks so much for the inspiration you bring to all of us. No matter where it leads.
Hi Patricia, thank you so much for your comments on the video. As it happens next week I'm exploring this idea more. It is so fundamental. Easy to let skills be the reason to make art. Best wishes, Ian.
Thank you so much for the process photos. It really helps being reminded of the big shapes, more detailed value study(ies) and the stages of the painting itself.
WOW I am a layman when it comes to the art of painting after listening and seeing the masterly teaching of Ian I now can actually read into a painting . The best of luck Ian Huw from the provence
Yes, your process of taking a photo, of evaluating your series of photos then of altering your design in your sketch....all this before you put brush to canvas . Really helpful. Not that I haven't practiced a lot of this myself, but I really love seeing your expert take on what you are doing and how you are demanding a higher level of drama from your end product than I do. That your process leads to a much more dynamic result than mine makes sense. I'm going to change that. Thanks again for your wonderful videos!
Stoking the Creative Fires by Phil Cousineau, and Free Play: Improvisation in Life and Art by Stephen Nachmanovitch are great reads. Art is Soul made manifest. Your amazing videos empower to create.
Lots of time to step back in lockdown here in the UK and perhaps a bit too much reflecting. What if there is too much inspiration in too many subject areas and skills are not an issue? You are an excellent teacher and presenter. You are taking us on a journey, reinforcing all the vital basics. It may help to unravel my creative tangle. Thank you for your kind and friendly smile and compassionate comments too. They help a lot.
Linda, I guess you have to settle onto something. Sometimes a small piece really considered and explored can reveal more than doing lots of varied things. But happy that you are enjoying the videos. Best wishes
Thank you again for sharing the process of your composition It is very interesting and inspiring to follow your search. I think that sometime painting from a photo helps us to be able to see the big shapes. When we are in the middle of the nature, they are so many details that catch our attention. Congratulations and thank you also to provide us good pictures to do some exercises. I am already trying to make a sketch from one of these photos. Stay well !
Thanks Hannah. I'm glad you found it interesting. Of course a photo has abstracted the whole world down into 2-d and it is sitting still. That helps a lot. Plein air can be really overwhelming at first. And glad you thought the images useful. All the best.
Hi Ian. It was very interesting seeing how you look at a scene and make the most interesting composition by just changing an angle or taking a step further into the scene itself. I especially like the colors in your new painting. Goes to show if the values are correct, one can get create with their color choices. Thank you for sharing. Looking forward to next week. Be safe. Gayle
Thanks Gayle. The color thing is all relational. Do this, then that happens. Do that, then something else. The trick is learning to read what the painting tells you is happening, not of course what you are hoping is happening. Obviously they can be two different things.
I am really enjoying your videos, and am sharing them with my student -solid material produced in an engaging way. Regarding your sketch for your next painting, I was wondering if you could comment on the tangent of the building roof with the background hill? Love that you pointed out the similar shape in the middle ground -that one can sometimes creep up unintentionally.
Hi Sharon, just discovered this long stream of unanswered comments. I'm delighted you find the videos useful. For your students too. I think by now I have shown the finished painting, if we are talking about the same drawing. With best wishes, Ian.
Wow Ian. Your videos are so helpful. Clear and cogent. I so appreciate you sharing your knowledge and your beautiful work. I think your sketches are as enchanting as your paintings. I find the process you go through especially helpful because I see how much work goes into the design. I wondered if you were a fan of the book Graphic LA? I find the musings in there really helpful and find myself going back to that book again and again. I think you would find it interesting. I also have a question on the village sketch. Would you consider the top of the tower on the left a tangent with the hill behind? I've been told to avoid important lines matching up and wondered if you shared that concern? You have an eager follower in me. I will continue to watch your videos over and over. Thankyou!
I am a woman and I have struggled with the exact subject that you brought up. Was it more important for my two children to occupy my time (which they did for years) or should I just have focused on my work? It's an awful conundrum. Now decades later I wonder about my choices.
@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition thanks. I have scrolled down but maybe not far enough. I scribbled it down pausing the video as you read it. Might end up in my scroll.
I am 73 years old and have struggled with a life-long art phobia or disability. I have decided it is time now to change that. I watch at least on of your videos a day as a form of therapy and inspiration. I am slowly moving forward. Thanks for the help.
Bill, it makes me happy to hear that. Good luck!
U are a wonderful teacher.Not everyone can teach so well.Bless u for sharing.
You are so generous to be sharing your knowledge thank you so happy to have found you🇦🇺🤞
Cecilee, thanks again. Best wishes, Ian.
The Welsh artist Peter Market, best known for his kinetic sculptures, said 'ideas come when you're working'. I think he hit the nail on the head.
Merci beaucoup ! Excellente explication !
Ian, seeing your weekly videos are a most welcome break and reminder of a saner place. Beyond the value of the content, it's engaging to watch & analyze the reference image and speculate on your upcoming comments, with a self-congratulatory rewards for thinking alike.
HI Jim, it's nice to make them for the same reason. Ahh, the joys of knowing when we are brilliant!
This is really something to practice, taking a risk on changing what is , to what you would like to say about the composition.
So lovely a description💝
I have learned so much about composition from you thank you for the videos. I’m training my eye to see the big shapes.
It is especially intriguing to me to see how you think through a composition, creating a vision based on a photograph. Because I paint in a realistic style, I hear so often “that looks just like a photograph. “. I know it is meant as a compliment, but I wish people knew that a good artist doesn’t just copy a photograph but creates from it a more interesting reality.
Hi Helen, I'd have to say the same if someone said that looked just like a photo. I like the idea that they obviously see it is not a photo but at the same time it satisfies their expectation of representation. Or at least that's one thing.
One day I hope I can take a live workshop with you. You are a fabulous teacher and speak and explain so well! For now I will continue to binge watch and practice and read your book. Thank you for all of these gems you are sharing. I am going to spread the word!
Hi Alison, thank you for letting me know you are enjoying them and finding them useful. And thanks for letting others know. I appreciate it.
@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition just bought two more copies of your book to give to my painting friends who ask many of the same questions I do.
Thank you for sharing those powerful quotes! And your generosity of photos too.
Be well.
Yes, I thought it a good moment for something to draw.
Let's be kids, let's discover, let's put everything on its head and see what happens. Your words are expressing such a passionate longing to make us realize what we should't miss. nspiration and its expression. Every path is valid, as long as its stay true to itself, daring to look inwards and outwards while being a receiver, letting it pass through us freely. Like you said, through piano, painting or what-so-ever. Creative expression as the foundation of... everything. Thanks so much for the inspiration you bring to all of us. No matter where it leads.
Hi Patricia, thank you so much for your comments on the video. As it happens next week I'm exploring this idea more. It is so fundamental. Easy to let skills be the reason to make art. Best wishes, Ian.
I am thrilled to be able to use some of your resources. Thank you.
Glad you found it helpful. With best wishes
Amaizing how you suceed so beautifuly working the masses , shades and lights ! thank you for the video
Thanks Christine. Sometime we think it is in the details. But almost always it is the big shapes.
Thank you so much for the process photos. It really helps being reminded of the big shapes, more detailed value study(ies) and the stages of the painting itself.
You are welcome Robin
Thank you
WOW I am a layman when it comes to the art of painting after listening and seeing the masterly teaching of Ian I now can actually read into a painting . The best of luck Ian Huw from the provence
Huw, how lovely to hear from you. Very best wishes to you and Geraldine.
Yes, your process of taking a photo, of evaluating your series of photos then of altering your design in your sketch....all this before you put brush to canvas . Really helpful. Not that I haven't practiced a lot of this myself, but I really love seeing your expert take on what you are doing and how you are demanding a higher level of drama from your end product than I do. That your process leads to a much more dynamic result than mine makes sense. I'm going to change that. Thanks again for your wonderful videos!
Nicely put. It's good to see process I think.
Your videos bring so much knowledge and really so much joy!! Thank you
Stoking the Creative Fires by Phil Cousineau, and Free Play: Improvisation in Life and Art by Stephen Nachmanovitch are great reads. Art is Soul made manifest.
Your amazing videos empower to create.
yes I found it very interesting the alterations you make to the visual reality to make the composition stronger.
I was just thinking about you today Frances. Where you are and how things are. My very best wishes to you, Ian
Very nice sir , I can learn much from your painting videos thank you sir
You are most welcome Mohan.
Thanks so much for sharing ian...learning lots ..🤓
Thanks
Lots of time to step back in lockdown here in the UK and perhaps a bit too much reflecting. What if there is too much inspiration in too many subject areas and skills are not an issue? You are an excellent teacher and presenter. You are taking us on a journey, reinforcing all the vital basics. It may help to unravel my creative tangle. Thank you for your kind and friendly smile and compassionate comments too. They help a lot.
Linda, I guess you have to settle onto something. Sometimes a small piece really considered and explored can reveal more than doing lots of varied things. But happy that you are enjoying the videos. Best wishes
💕
Thank you again for sharing the process of your composition It is very interesting and inspiring to follow your search. I think that sometime painting from a photo helps us to be able to see the big shapes. When we are in the middle of the nature, they are so many details that catch our attention. Congratulations and thank you also to provide us good pictures to do some exercises. I am already trying to make a sketch from one of these photos. Stay well !
Thanks Hannah. I'm glad you found it interesting. Of course a photo has abstracted the whole world down into 2-d and it is sitting still. That helps a lot. Plein air can be really overwhelming at first. And glad you thought the images useful. All the best.
Hi Ian. It was very interesting seeing how you look at a scene and make the most interesting composition by just changing an angle or taking a step further into the scene itself. I especially like the colors in your new painting. Goes to show if the values are correct, one can get create with their color choices. Thank you for sharing. Looking forward to next week. Be safe. Gayle
Thanks Gayle. The color thing is all relational. Do this, then that happens. Do that, then something else. The trick is learning to read what the painting tells you is happening, not of course what you are hoping is happening. Obviously they can be two different things.
@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition I absolutely agree.
I am really enjoying your videos, and am sharing them with my student -solid material produced in an engaging way. Regarding your sketch for your next painting, I was wondering if you could comment on the tangent of the building roof with the background hill? Love that you pointed out the similar shape in the middle ground -that one can sometimes creep up unintentionally.
Hi Sharon, just discovered this long stream of unanswered comments. I'm delighted you find the videos useful. For your students too. I think by now I have shown the finished painting, if we are talking about the same drawing. With best wishes, Ian.
Wow Ian. Your videos are so helpful. Clear and cogent. I so appreciate you sharing your knowledge and your beautiful work. I think your sketches are as enchanting as your paintings. I find the process you go through especially helpful because I see how much work goes into the design. I wondered if you were a fan of the book Graphic LA? I find the musings in there really helpful and find myself going back to that book again and again. I think you would find it interesting. I also have a question on the village sketch. Would you consider the top of the tower on the left a tangent with the hill behind? I've been told to avoid important lines matching up and wondered if you shared that concern? You have an eager follower in me. I will continue to watch your videos over and over. Thankyou!
I am a woman and I have struggled with the exact subject that you brought up. Was it more important for my two children to occupy my time (which they did for years) or should I just have focused on my work? It's an awful conundrum. Now decades later I wonder about my choices.
Love the quote from Brenda is it Ooland?!
I mentioned it below but again Ueland.
@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition thanks. I have scrolled down but maybe not far enough. I scribbled it down pausing the video as you read it. Might end up in my scroll.