I don't actually paint or draw, but I make music and find this knowledge so transferable to it. Also, these videos are so engaging and full of wisdom, thank you for making them!
So very helpful - No one else has ever gone there. So many instructors go just so far and then stop before getting to the You are a true teacher. I appreciate
Correction: so many instructors tell you the part that is obvious, but never get down to “WHYs” of it. So I continue to search for answers. But You always address the hard parts. You always nail it and actually carry me up a step. Thank you, Ian!!!
I began watching your videos starting with your first talks on abstraction (what lead me to your videos in the first place.) "All painting is abstraction." I’m paraphrasing you. That hit me over the head with a distinct clunk! Much of what you’ve said since that first video is information I already know. But your restating it makes it sink in! This reminder of 3 values is the most important. Thanks for these videos. I look forward to each week!
This is so valuable, I cannot stress that enough. I got your book, “Mastering Composition” which is easily my #1 most helpful book. I am taking your recommendation of doing a simple 3-value sketch a day (or 350 sketches) to heart. Your example here is perfect! That’s my goal to take a photo like you show, finding the 3 values, and doing a simple sketch as you did in this example. LOVE IT!!
You will learn so much Sally. That is a great exercise. And you will learn as you put them into 3 values which images have the most potential as paintings. It will just become more clear. Not by rules. But by feel. Good luck.
Well, that's about the most useful tutorial on painting I've ever seen. Spent a lot of my life doing detailed illustration. Now that I'm seriously ancient , I'm trying to pull my painting together and break a level of 'artist's block'. I have quite a few photos ( a love of mine) that I thought might have paintings in them, but couldn't really see them. This will make a difference. Thank you.
Hi Ian...Boy you really broke down those compositional elements to what was essential to the design. Terrific demonstration! Most helpful to see your process to abstract using just 3 value masses. Cheers -Greg
Thank you Ian ,what an eye opener ,you have simplified things for me with this demonstration .I am sure my work will be all the better after watching the way you divided the painting to the value of three . You explain everything so well many thanks .
Ian, your videos are really extraordinary. In a short time you are able to convey some really important and useful ideas with great examples. This recent series on abstraction has been so helpful and enlightening. Thank you very much for sharing what you know, and doing it so well!
This was really really helpful! I have a trick that helps me to identify the mass shapes. It may be useful for some people. It was for me. Here’s what I did. I saved a B&W of my photo. Then I maxed the contrast of that B&W photo. Voila! I’ve got my three (or sometimes four) colors. It also highlights the gradations. I use that as a start for my sketch shading each tone lightly but with enough contrast to tell them apart. Then I increase the contrast until it looks right. Then I go back to the original photo to select colors appropriate for the mass shapes. I use both my sketch and the photo as a guide for painting. I have a tough time thinking about color hue, value and chroma, where to add details and how to interpret what I am seeing all at the same time. So your way of paints really helps. With practice I hope that juggling everything will get easier.
Discovered Ian Roberts last week, watched a few of his videos and learnt so much in that short time from him and as a result my painting I just did turned out vastly improved from the ones previous - subscribed !
Thank you for this very clear explanation and demonstration. It gives me a clear pathway to approach painting an image. I"m delighted to have found your channel and will order your book. Thanks again.
Wow lm loving this, l used to go mad with detail, literally, lve had a hiatus of 15 years lm back , now with cezzane and Vincent on my mind. And yours truly,
Vos videos sont très instructives ! Merci pour vos explications toujours très précises, instructives , et magistralement exécutées ! On progresse beaucoup en vous écoutant et vous observant !
Just so painterly Ian with a very large brush, the finish that you achieve is fantastic & very much appreciated by me to see this done time and time again, thank you, Neil
FANTASTIC I'd heard of using 5 values, and I thought that was a great way to simplify down form 10 values, but never reducing it down to 3 values. That's even better and way easier to see!
Fantastic tutorial. I wish I had been shown this decades ago. Thank you for generously sharing your expertise and experience with us. Your channel is pure gold for art learning.
Hi Ian, thanks for adding your colour pallette layout, that’s really useful to know and it’s terrific to see the original photo of Midday at Le Barroux and see you sketch it up. I am so honoured to have that beautiful painting in my home all the way over here in Australia. Also great info on values.👍
You really help me understand how to simplify and abstract. Thank you so much for these wonderful, easy how to videos. They are a great accompaniment to your book, Mastering Composition.
I just realized I have your book on my art table. It is a great resource but now I get to enjoy hearing you teach and show live demonstrations. Best of both worlds.
Excellent teaching. You distill your knowledge down to the simplest components; it really can't be explained any better. A valuable lesson - very much appreciated. Thank you.
Excellent video, and I really appreciate the suggestion of the three-tone drawing to find the compositional foundation of the painting. As you say so often adn well, everything else -- palette, style, level of detail -- depends on that foundation.
This video is so very helpful! Thank you! Three values are so very powerful for creating strong compositions and I never would have thought of this on my own. I’m looking forward to putting this technique into practice on my next painting. I’m a beginner and your videos and book Mastering Composition have helped me progress magnitudes faster than otherwise.
Wow I’ve just discovered your teaching ! I’m hooked!!! All the chores are now left unattended whilst I catch up . You are a good teacher and believe me I know a good one when I see one, Sharon Duce London .
My wife's a painter also and our chores are always left til last. Or perhaps until people are coming over! Glad you are enjoying the videos. Best wishes.
This is so helpful. I've found value a real challenge in my artwork and this is such a helpful approach. It seems to distill the essential components of value and helps me understand how it is linked to composition. Thanks for sharing.
@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition I really did, it's extremely helpful. I must admit though, I find it extremely difficult breaking my compositions into just 3 values, I always end up squeezing in a fourth....
Thank you for your generosity in sharing such helpful, inspirational videos. You’ve reinvigorated my failing creative spirit with such refreshing and insightful advice.
Thank you Ian for these examples. I'm just trying to apply your simplification method in watercolor right now. I had problems with watercolor before. Now my watercolor paintings are even more interesting than oil. ))
Thanks to your excellent composition and design videos. My drawing skills have improved dramatically. Would love to show you one of my attempts at value and composition.
You shared a priceless lesson. You've got to feel blessed for the tireless, generous sharing of your skills with everyone. I certainly hope you are. Thanks so much.
I don't actually paint or draw, but I make music and find this knowledge so transferable to it.
Also, these videos are so engaging and full of wisdom, thank you for making them!
BEST tutorials on design ever!! Every painting begins as an abstraction and endures by the power of design!!
Good expression, "endures by the power of design. Well said!
So very helpful - No one else has ever gone there. So many instructors go just so far and then stop before getting to the You are a true teacher. I appreciate
Correction: so many instructors tell you the part that is obvious, but never get down to “WHYs” of it. So I continue to search for answers. But You always address the hard parts. You always nail it and actually carry me up a step. Thank you, Ian!!!
So nice of you to say so Ginger. I appreciate it.
Your ‘three value’ lesson has solved so many problems I did not know I had. Thank you ever so much.
Hi John, that's always a good sign. Glad you found it helpful.
@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition Vous savez? Vous êtes la lumière pour l'ombre que nous sommes . Comment vous remercier?
Very helpful, as always. I got a degree in Fine Art and never had a teacher who taught me as much as you have. Much gratitude to you!
THat's great to hear. Thank you.
I began watching your videos starting with your first talks on abstraction (what lead me to your videos in the first place.) "All painting is abstraction." I’m paraphrasing you. That hit me over the head with a distinct clunk! Much of what you’ve said since that first video is information I already know. But your restating it makes it sink in! This reminder of 3 values is the most important.
Thanks for these videos. I look forward to each week!
Really glad you had those insights Pat. Makes me happy to hear. Best wishes.
This is at least the second time I’ve viewed this series. I’ve found it extremely helpful. Thanks.
I'm glad you're finding it useful.
This is so valuable, I cannot stress that enough. I got your book, “Mastering Composition” which is easily my #1 most helpful book. I am taking your recommendation of doing a simple 3-value sketch a day (or 350 sketches) to heart. Your example here is perfect! That’s my goal to take a photo like you show, finding the 3 values, and doing a simple sketch as you did in this example. LOVE IT!!
You will learn so much Sally. That is a great exercise. And you will learn as you put them into 3 values which images have the most potential as paintings. It will just become more clear. Not by rules. But by feel. Good luck.
Well, that's about the most useful tutorial on painting I've ever seen. Spent a lot of my life doing detailed illustration. Now that I'm seriously ancient , I'm trying to pull my painting together and break a level of 'artist's block'. I have quite a few photos ( a love of mine) that I thought might have paintings in them, but couldn't really see them. This will make a difference. Thank you.
We are in the golden age of education/ease of access to knowledge. Thx for your work.
Hi Ian...Boy you really broke down those compositional elements to what was essential to the design. Terrific demonstration!
Most helpful to see your process to abstract using just 3 value masses.
Cheers -Greg
Glad you found it helpful Greg. Thanks for letting me know. Best wishes.
Thank you Ian ,what an eye opener ,you have simplified things for me with this demonstration .I am sure my work will be all the better after watching the way you divided the painting to the value of three . You explain everything so well many thanks .
So glad you found it helpful Judy. Best wishes.
I love your mantra "color gets the attention and value does the work" it will really help to remember this in my painting planning and execution.
It's hard sometimes to believer since color seems so attractive. But it is a good line to remember.
I never truly understood how to simplify and I’ve painted for 30 yrs. Now I’m understanding it after your videos. Thank u!
Your videos are like windows opening. Thank you.
Thanks for letting me know Priscilla. Good to hear.
This really hit home and being able to see you demonstrate the 3 value sketch and explain as you go is priceless. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful Niki.
Thank you! Knowing this technique is incredibly helpful and it trains my eyes to see values, shadows and highlights much better.
Ian, your videos are really extraordinary. In a short time you are able to convey some really important and useful ideas with great examples. This recent series on abstraction has been so helpful and enlightening. Thank you very much for sharing what you know, and doing it so well!
HI Christopher, really happy you like the videos and find the content useful. Best wishes
I can’t hear this enough, thank you.
Glad it was helpful Joyce. It takes some repetition I think to get it to sink in. It's like a mental shift of attention. From things to shapes.
This is of greatest importance in my ability to design good pictures! Thank you for your clear instruction.
This was really really helpful! I have a trick that helps me to identify the mass shapes. It may be useful for some people. It was for me. Here’s what I did. I saved a B&W of my photo. Then I maxed the contrast of that B&W photo. Voila! I’ve got my three (or sometimes four) colors. It also highlights the gradations. I use that as a start for my sketch shading each tone lightly but with enough contrast to tell them apart. Then I increase the contrast until it looks right. Then I go back to the original photo to select colors appropriate for the mass shapes. I use both my sketch and the photo as a guide for painting. I have a tough time thinking about color hue, value and chroma, where to add details and how to interpret what I am seeing all at the same time. So your way of paints really helps. With practice I hope that juggling everything will get easier.
Best ART class you will ever take ! THANKS for teaching painting classes ! Great teaching ! I love your ART !
Thanks, Ian. These are very useful videos (which can't always be said about online tutorials)
This lesson is so basic but really so important. And you are showing that it can also be fairly easy. WOW!
Glad that was helpful then Cyndy. Delighted.
Discovered Ian Roberts last week, watched a few of his videos and learnt so much in that short time from him and as a result my painting I just did turned out vastly improved from the ones previous - subscribed !
Fantastic to hear. Thank you for letting me know.
Thank you for this very clear explanation and demonstration. It gives me a clear pathway to approach painting an image. I"m delighted to have found your channel and will order your book. Thanks again.
Wow lm loving this, l used to go mad with detail, literally, lve had a hiatus of 15 years lm back , now with cezzane and Vincent on my mind. And yours truly,
So easy to follow when we see you actually doing what you say we should do to improve our work. Thank you Ian!
I love to draw the way you demonstrated. Thank you so much for your Guidance
You're a great teacher, taught me how to simplify in 6 minutes and 22 seconds. Well, you're simply the best !
Vos videos sont très instructives ! Merci pour vos explications toujours très précises, instructives , et magistralement exécutées ! On progresse beaucoup en vous écoutant et vous observant !
Knowledgeable, patient explanation; sharing and teaching, in an enjoyable and very pleasant manner…thank you…hope you continue…
Brilliant. Such a clear tutorial. Thank you very much for your outstanding lesson. I love your technique and teaching style.
Makes me want to go sketching today....thanks!
Go for it! Great idea Robert.
Wonderful tips! Thanks so much for this informative series on abstract and simplifying.
You are welcome Joanne. Glad you found that theme helpful.
Excellent explanation. Simplified and organized... Better than my art class (pre pandemic). Thank you bunches!
You're very welcome Elle.
Great lesson…loved the look of the pencil you used.
Love your videos, maybe e can get unstuck from painting with all this new and valuable info, an huge thanks all the way from Portugal
Thank you so much mr.Roberts!! your channel is truly eye-opening
Just so painterly Ian with a very large brush, the finish that you achieve is fantastic & very much appreciated by me to see this done time and time again, thank you, Neil
Thank you for being there 🌸
You are so welcome Jeanne.
So incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for being so generous with your knowledge.
You are so welcome Kitty.
I recommend Ian's book and videos to all my artist friends! These lessons are gems. Thanks so much to the Master of composition!!!
Gold . . . 24 carat! Am about half-way through your M.C. book . . . . a bullseye on every page as well! Thank-you so much
Glad you are enjoying both the videos and the book. All the best.
This is so helpful...and I can see where it translates to lost edges doing this!
Hi Susan, yes that's true. If you only have three values edges get lost and it helps when you paint later so you remember that.
FANTASTIC I'd heard of using 5 values, and I thought that was a great way to simplify down form 10 values, but never reducing it down to 3 values. That's even better and way easier to see!
Very helpful! The best lesson I've ever heard and seen.
Thank you! Looking forward to using this exercise!
Fantastic tutorial. I wish I had been shown this decades ago. Thank you for generously sharing your expertise and experience with us. Your channel is pure gold for art learning.
Ian your guidance is of massive help. Thank you so much for your priceless videos.
You are very welcome
This is so clear and concise. Thank you! Your videos are always so help.
I'm delighted you found it helpful. .
I wish you'd keep up the teaching. Really helpfull and also kind of you.
Hi Ian, thanks for adding your colour pallette layout, that’s really useful to know and it’s terrific to see the original photo of Midday at Le Barroux and see you sketch it up. I am so honoured to have that beautiful painting in my home all the way over here in Australia. Also great info on values.👍
You are a blessing.
Thank you for sharing.
Lian
Thank you for the videos you made. I totally enjoyed and learned a lot from it.
You really help me understand how to simplify and abstract. Thank you so much for these wonderful, easy how to videos. They are a great accompaniment to your book, Mastering Composition.
Delighted you are enjoying the videos Rosemary. With best wishes.
thanks for these tips. I'll work on them as it will make it easier for me to see the basic shades to consider
I just realized I have your book on my art table. It is a great resource but now I get to enjoy hearing you teach and show live demonstrations. Best of both worlds.
Just great Linda.
I LOVED this.. please do more! Lots of subjects! I really need this practice.
Glad you liked it Lisa. I'll do more.
So grateful I found your channel.
Me too Linda. Best wishes.
Lovely painting🌺
You are the BEST !! thank you ! thank you ! thank you ! thank you ! thank you !
T Y so much Ian - great tutorial
Excellent teaching. You distill your knowledge down to the simplest components; it really can't be explained any better. A valuable lesson - very much appreciated. Thank you.
Thanks so much Paul. I appreciate your letting me know.
Excellent video, and I really appreciate the suggestion of the three-tone drawing to find the compositional foundation of the painting. As you say so often adn well, everything else -- palette, style, level of detail -- depends on that foundation.
Exactly right Helen. All the best.
thank you, thank you, so simple yet so valuable !!!
Great! Very helpful indeed. Will try this process. Thanks.
So much conveyed in under 10 minutes. I have been binge watching your videos for the last week & they are all nuggets. Thank you Mr Roberts.
Thank you so much Ian!! Your videos are just GREAT!!!!! I can't stop watching them!!
This is so helpful. Thanks again Ian.
This video is so very helpful! Thank you! Three values are so very powerful for creating strong compositions and I never would have thought of this on my own. I’m looking forward to putting this technique into practice on my next painting. I’m a beginner and your videos and book Mastering Composition have helped me progress magnitudes faster than otherwise.
Really glad to hear that the video and the book are helping. Makes me happy to hear it Lisa.
Wow I’ve just discovered your teaching ! I’m hooked!!! All the chores are now left unattended whilst I catch up . You are a good teacher and believe me I know a good one when I see one, Sharon Duce London .
My wife's a painter also and our chores are always left til last. Or perhaps until people are coming over! Glad you are enjoying the videos. Best wishes.
This is so helpful. I've found value a real challenge in my artwork and this is such a helpful approach. It seems to distill the essential components of value and helps me understand how it is linked to composition. Thanks for sharing.
Great and interesting explanation of the topic
Extremely helpfull and practical. Thanks.
Astonishing tutorial! I have never thought of simplification this way, even though it's so simple and basic.
Very, very interesting and helpful! Thanks Ian for this tutorial. I will use it for my next painting.
Have a good day from Canarias Islands!
That sounds like a beautiful place. Glad you found the video helpful Richard.
Great teachings. Very helpful. Thanks.
I look forward to Tuesdays every week. Your videos are so helpful!!!!! Thank you Ian!
Happy to hear that Jan. All the best.
Brilliant the way you reduce complicated subjects into easily and quickly understandable little cameos for us. SO grateful!
Yeah! these videos on abstraction and values definitely makes a dramatic improvement in my work, I can allready notice the difference.
Makes me really happy to hear it Richardt. Thanks for letting me know.
Excelent drawings. Strong compositions. Simple and nice
Thank you so much
Thanks, Ian. You have really helped me with your videos.
Glad you like them Hugo.
Best lesson yet in basic composition.
Thanks so much!
That was a really brilliant video, thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it Jon.
@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition I really did, it's extremely helpful. I must admit though, I find it extremely difficult breaking my compositions into just 3 values, I always end up squeezing in a fourth....
This will give my painting life, really simple 3 values
Hope it helps Jonathan. All the best.
Excellent as always... Thank you! The way you explain and demonstrate makes it easy to understand... and follow!
You're very welcome Lauraine. Glad you found it helpful.
Thank you for your generosity in sharing such helpful, inspirational videos. You’ve reinvigorated my failing creative spirit with such refreshing and insightful advice.
Great Ruth. Makes me happy to hear it.
Thank you Ian for these examples. I'm just trying to apply your simplification method in watercolor right now. I had problems with watercolor before. Now my watercolor paintings are even more interesting than oil. ))
Very happy to hear that. All the best.
Thanks to your excellent composition and design videos. My drawing skills have improved dramatically. Would love to show you one of my attempts at value and composition.
This was such an amazing video and it is such an amazing introduction to abstraction
Thanks so much Bertel
You shared a priceless lesson. You've got to feel blessed for the tireless, generous sharing of your skills with everyone. I certainly hope you are. Thanks so much.
Very clear explanations, thank you!
I always look forward to your videos
Delighted that you are enjoying them.
Great idea! My new July resolution - draw using three values before painting.
Thank you again!
Awesome teacher. Great artist 🙏
Many many thanks
This is valuable. Your technique of explaining, demoing and then following through brings it all home! Exciting and I also THANK YOU
Glad you are enjoying them Diane. Best wishes.
This was fantastically helpful. Thank you so much.
You're very welcome!
Great lesson! Thank you.
Thank you! I will be trying this.