The importance of contrast
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- Contrast is vital for making strong art works. That can mean colour contrast, tonal contrast, compositional contrasts … basically, any time you can bring variety into your work, it gets stronger. I am working in sketchbooks at the moment, exploring lots of ideas and one of the most important is how can I use contrast to strengthen each spread. And even though I am working abstractly, this also applies to realistic painting. Contrast will always improve your work.
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I have learned so much from your layering series Louise. I will watch each video again. Thank you so much!!
You are so welcome and glad I could help!
I simply love all your videos, the way you teach, the way you guide us to the techniques, the variation of colors. With your being and what you are with your art, you make us soar a little too! "Great people" are modest, simple and humble (...were). I am interested in your further educational 12-week course (more)! Are my language problems an obstacle (Hungarian: I don't speak English)? Many thanks!
Your commentary is really helpful! Not everyone can narrate their thought process as well as you. I'm learning so much from hearing your decision-making as you create. Thank you!
Wow that's a true compliment. Thank you! ♥
Loved this demo...could really appreciate the improvements in depth and contrast...so many images popped out for me 😊
Beyond helpful. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
I absolutely love your commentary, - the way you explain what you like and don't like and why you are trying to change it. Every comment is encouraging because you take the fear and frustration about being stuck out of the process. Thank you.
Glad you enjoy it!
What better relaxing Sunday... than watching Louise paint!!!😄💃🏼
The only better relaxation is to actually BE painting :)
@@ThisPaintingLife 😂😂yes! Today is my day off😜💃🏼💃🏼
Thank you so much, Louise! I enjoyed all of this and the included lessons about color and contrasting colors!
Thank you for sharing your process.
You are so welcome!
Thank you Louise, so fun watching and listening to your plans and remedies for your piece, inspiring!!
This was very helpful. Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed it!
I love listening to your process.
Aww that's so sweet of you!
Really Ike this one and how you shared your handling
Loving all of this.
Thank you! I love to hear your thinking out loud. And love your art & watching you work! I have not done painting in sketchbooks, and rarely use sketchbooks. Your discussions also will help if and when I start writing studio notes about work.
You are so welcome!
It was fun seeing your recess and hearing why buoy were making the decisions you made.
I love how you transformed this, Louise. Thanks for sharing this info with us
Seeing this, my first of your videos, way after you did it live. Thanks so much for your generosity. I'll be back for more.
You explain things so well. And I enjoy that you're messy, as I am too.
Oh thank you! Yes sometimes messy is a good thing or at least I like to think so. 😂
Thanks a lot…watching you always give me lots of joy and lessons 🙏🙏🌹🌹
You are very welcome
I started art journaling about a year ago, sometimes in altered books, sometimes in sketchbooks I've bound myself. It has been a very random and not always satisfying process for me, in part because I now have several of them in process at the same time, and now I've been feeling completely at sea in all the randomness. This video has been like an epiphany for me, because it never occurred to me before to do something as simple and unifying as to pick a limited palette and a set of mark making tools and just stick with those for multiple pages... or even an entire sketchbook. I just recently discovered your channel and I love it. Thank you so much.
I'm happy you found it helpful!
Thanks for sharing as always. I find it hard not to be precious even in a sketchbook which I know is limiting me and I find it very frustrating. I love watching you work as it giving me the motivation not to be as tight and controlled! ☺️
That's great to hear! It takes time to move past that but you'll get there!
@@ThisPaintingLife I'm slowly realising that and I'm impatient when it come to art so it's a tad frustrating!🤣
Thank you so much! This is the kind of stuff I've always wanted to do.
This video was extremely helpful! I enjoyed watching you process through your work. Thank you so much for sharing.
Glad it was helpful!
This is the most inspiring video I have seen. You made me get up, move and walk into my studio.
Oh good!!
This was just fascinating. It's so helpful to see an example of the push and pull, and paying attention to what you like and what you don't like. 😺
Glad you enjoyed it!
Looking forward to starting the course.
I very much enjoyed this video, Louise. These multi-media sketchbook tutorials are so helpful!
I'm so glad!
I'm loving this! I also hope you didn't hear me back-seat-driving, "Use a 6! You have a 6 and can flip it upside down for another 9!" You did fine without my interjections. :)
I love to watch and learn about how you work and think. Great video, thanks Louise!
Thanks so much! 😊
Really enjoyed this thank you Louise
Loved this. Thank you
You are so welcome!
Having had painters block for several months I found your video has given me a kick start. Thank you Margot
Wonderful!
I loved it, Louise. I always enjoy your video's. I just wish I could do it.
Thank you so much for sharing. It's so inspiring Louise.
You are so welcome!
Fascinating!
Love to see the principles in action. Thanks for sharing.
You bet!
Thank you for sharing your ideas and creations. I really enjoyed watching you work and listening to your thought process.
Thank you so much!
Thank you for this today, you really are encouraging and very generous to let us see you working!
It's my pleasure
Love watching you work!
Thank you!
Love hearing your thought process. So helpful. Have been watching your videos several times. TFS💕😁🎨🎨🎨
Thank you so much!
You are a true inspiration... and teacher. Thank you
You are so welcome
So helpful and inspiring watching you work! Thank you so much!!
You are so welcome!
So helpful Louise!
Glad you think so!
@@ThisPaintingLife ☺️
Oh Louise! So glad I'm catching you working on the blue abstracts. Yippy
Happy you enjoyed it!
Thank you Loiuse sharing your thought processes here.
You are so welcome!
This is exactly what I needed, thank you, I've been trying to understand the principles behind a good composition. Talking through your thinking process of decision making was so informative. The confusion I have is trying to work out if each of the principles have to be applied or whether a mixture of your/ our designs can be used selectively to our own preferences in each painting?
Geez! That was long winded. I hope it makes sense. X
Glad it was helpful!
Love this video ... thank you so much for sharing 💕
Thanks for watching!
Love your videos so much - thank you for all that you do!❤️
You are so welcome!
You are so good at fixing a painting.
I think it's just that I am not worried about messing up x
Loving this collage! Your ideas and textures bring me right into the page❤️
I'm so glad!
So inspiring! It looks like a work of art to me! Thank you Louise
Thank you so much!
I feel happy because the areas I identified as needing work matched your choices. I know something!! I think you really improved this. Love the blue.
Yay! It's also good when you disagree because there's never one right answer and yours might be better
I love watching you work and your thought process is wonderfully helpful. I did nearly spit my breakfast out when your scratched your nails across the page though😬 😂 x
Haha so sorry about that! Glad you enjoyed the video otherwise though xx
Thank you for this wonderful video, I'm just creating sketches which I glue in a sketchbook, I like to learn from your teaching, your thinking and ... not to think anymore...being in the process of the creation. And you transformed the sketch in a way that it speaks calmer to me.
Wonderful! And thanks for watching x
A great insightful and informative video. Contrast can really activate a painting or evebn a sketchbook age,it can add dynamism,whether it's a contrast of colours,or textures or marks.They can elevate a painting which may feel like it isn't going anywhere,but adding elements or areas of contrast can totally change the painting and take it in a new direction,but it givesyou a chance to play and to explore further in the iece you are creating.It also has an element of chance too.It's really great we get to see how your thought process happens how you are thinking visually as you are working.This has inspired me to look into how I use contrst more in my own work.
I'm happy to hear it's inspired you! Thanks for watching!
You’ve completely transformed that page, and it looks great! I’m often reluctant to cover things up, but you show that even covering things you like, such as the blue napkin, can lead to improvement. I think I need to be bolder, and less afraid to make a mistake. It’s SO instructive to watch you work, and particularly to hear your thought process as you go along. For what it’s worth, I Googled the symbolism of the number 9, and apparently it symbolizes divine completion. I’d say that’s appropriate for the way you transformed that piece. Delightful video, as always. Thanks!
Heather, you've prompted me to share the Sabian Symbol for the number 99: A SMALL NAKED GIRLS BENDS OVER A SPARKLING POND TRYING TO CATCH A FISH. There is more information to be found in Dane Rudhyar's book about these numeric symbols. I find this "image aspect" of numbers and of art-making, quite fascinating! Oh, and I just looked up Phase 22. It is also really interesting because the image is "TO HOLD THE WORLD IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND" ... both images are so relevant to the art-making process in general, which amazes me!
Yes the fear of making a mistake is crippling. Once you realise there are no mistakes, all bets are off!
@@ThisPaintingLife Brilliant! I’ll remember that. Thanks!
@@ThisPaintingLife Louise, that piece of wisdom about there being no mistakes has caused a huge change for me. My right thumb is still immobilized in a cast, but my fingers are free. Because of your encouragement, I’ve just done the most free and relaxed work I’ve ever done, painted entirely with a palette knife and the fingers of both hands. Nothing precious! And it was SUCH fun! You’re absolutely right! All bets are off and the sky’s the limit. I so greatly appreciate the immense generosity of your spirit! ❤️
This was quite a treat for me, and it's really lifted my spirits! Oh dear, all the time I kept saying, 'Put a mark HERE, Louise! Put something bottom, left!' Honestly, you really don't need advice from me! Anyone would have thought I was on Goggle Box or something. Come to think of it, you did actually put some marks, bottom left. You heard me, didn't you?!!!
Haha I must've heard you! I'm happy you enjoyed the video!
Thanks Louise! This video was very helpful for a painting I am working on at the moment. Plus it was so enjoyable to watch. Thank you for sharing yourself with us!
Glad it was helpful!
It's funny. I thought it looked fantastic before you started changing it and it couldn't be improved upon. And, then WOW....the changes are amazing. I'm always challenged knowing when to stop. What if I think mine is finished, but it could have been so much better? Thank you for your videos and sharing your amazing talent with us.
It's all about taking chances! ❤
Thank you Louise. Very cool to watch.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wow such great design advice and thought process explanations for us to learn from. Thanks very much!
Glad it was helpful!
I used also the same color❤️
Bravo, magnifique !
thanks!
Thankyou for sharing your process, I love contrast and juxtaposition and feel inspired to get loose with my paintings and sketchbook practice as I have a tendency to play it safe. Wishing you all the best on your art journey. 🙏
You are so welcome!
Finding this was a nice surprise Thank you x
Glad you enjoyed it
Thank you for inspireing me🤩Love your art.
Thank you so much 😀
I really enjoy watching you work! I learn from all you say and it helps me in my own art.
I find it so interesting how different all our tastes are. The first area that you didn’t like and you covered was my favorite area! 😊👍❤️ I love how we are all different! I love hearing what you are thinking as you work. Thank you fir sharing your Awesome Talent! Hugs to you ❤️ Jalyne in Utah USA
Thank you so much!
Really inspiring Louise, just what I needed to kickstart my art today!
So happy to hear!
Brilliant !!!
thanks!
This the first time I have watched your channel and I found it very informative. Thank you for sharing I your amazing skill. I'm now subscribed. 🇦🇺🙂
Welcome - it's lovely to meet you
Great lesson Thanks so much
My pleasure!
Loved this video! Watched on IG in both my iphone and laptop, but find youtube better because the screen is bigger.
Yes this is true x
Hi Louise! After watching this video I just want to run to the studio and start creating! I’ve just started hosting “art classes” on Meetup.com via Zoom-the technology has been a challenge, I could really relate to what you said on one of your Art Juice podcasts about getting help! Now in CVP for my second go round, and following you and Lewis Noble as well, it feels like the proverbial stars are starting to align! Thank you for making a difference in my art, and in my life.
You are so welcome - thanks for watching!
I loved this video! Thank you for sharing your process. I found it incredibly helpful. I also really enjoyed flowing with your consciousness. I taught me so much hearing the choices you made and why. I also learned about the appeal of numbers...for even just their lovely shape. For me it added a sense of mystery and drama to your page, which I feel is really cool. (And, I am bursting to say you can use your stenciled 6 for the other 9! I know you don’t need my help.) Thank you again, wonderful!
I'm so glad! Thank you for watching!
This is wonderful! I recently “discovered” you & am so glad I did! Very inspiring! Love your podcast too!
So glad!
eff . x@@ThisPaintingLife
I love the looseness here! What paper do you use as the "base"
Thumbs up!
Thank you! Cheers!
Dear Louise, I am your fan, love all your great tips and sharings. I am wondering if there would be another way to position the camera? I find the back of your head popping in and out of the screen very distractiing, it makes the videos hard to watch. Thank you for all that you do! Your fan, e from Canada 🤗
Im sorry but no - this is the best I can do. I do my best to keep my head out but I get carried away!
@@ThisPaintingLife 🙏🥰
I do enjoy hearing you think out loud!. How do you "set" the charcoal marks so they don't smudge?
Fixative spray
@@ThisPaintingLife Thanks Louise!
Loving your videos really helping me to feel inspired as I've been 2 years in a care home due to cancer and wanted to get back to art after a long time being blocked. Can I ask which sketchbook do you recommend for this way of working?
I learn so much from your channel I live the way you talk us all through your process. I keep hearing about contrast in art. But I find it a bit confusing because I also hear that you want your art to be cohesive for example to repeat the same color throughout or tge same lines . Can you create a video that might explain how to use both. Thank you again you are so inspiring.
Great suggestion!
"a big mish-mash of horrible" yes--I've said that about my mixed media collages before! I love the "after" pages much better then the "before"! I always try to remind myself that if I don't like what I made to Keep Going before scrapping it.
Yes, most people just give up too soon x
What is wet strength tissue paper? Love your videos! Inspiring!
Is the art tribe only for acrylic work?or do we do any watercolours too?thanks
Really big fan, loved the video, love your support to us on cvp, love the podcast, curious if you really do reply to all comments... :)
I try!
curious about your comments about doing things differently on your paintings vs sketch book. i think i tend to be too tight most times, especially refining a painting. so it hit me as strange that you would ding yourself for being looser!
We are all different!
Very interesting to watch/listen as you improve this piece. What is the lighter blue you’ve used here? I love that the Naples Yellow looks like unbleached titanium in *contrast* (ahem) to the other colors. 😘 Thanks.
The blue is pthalo turquoise but I'm mixing it with black white and orange to different degrees
Louise, new to this channel. Love the transformation. Are you working on a panel? I am in Cozumel Mexico for the next year and supplies are a little bit difficult to come by. Just wondering what I would need before I make this deep dive.
In this video, I'm working in a sketchbook. I also use paper, canvas and boards. If you mean for the free course, you'll just need some good quality watercolour paper
Loving these videos and podcast. One question how do you get that camera angle without the camera getting in your way?
I have an arm over my desk with a holder for my phone - custom made :)
Hi Louise, love your work! I am currently doing the CVP 2022 and you are on my inspiration board!
I don’t have much experience of workbooks and have a question about painting a real painting inspired by a workbook. How do you do the real painting based on the inspiration? You have built all these beautiful layers in the workbook which makes the foundation for your result. Does this mean that you start from scratch when starting on the real painting?
I don't follow my sketchbooks at all - I just make the books and trust that the important things will come through in my work x
I am hoping you are planning a course this summer. Are you?
Yes :) thispaintinglife.mykajabi.com/find-your-joy-2020
I love your work. I'm curious though. What happens if you are working in your sketchbook and you realize you want it as a final painting? You can;t exactly rip it out and sell it (or do you?) and you can't easily replicate what you've done on canvas (seeing as your work is abstract).. so do you end up scanning it and selling it as prints? It's something I'm really stuck on with me wanting to create in my sketchbook, as silly as it seems
I don't see everything as something to sell - sketchbook work is about developing ideas and learning. I take the ideas into paintings and those go up for sale x
What do you mean, "if I were to turn this into a painting"?
Hello! What I mean by that is that not all of my creations are something that I am looking to sell or classify as a painting. 😀
Please tell clearly what you order at ebay the collage papers vintage?
I just search for stuff - there is no formula. Just search and see what appeals to you
❤️🇫🇷