A Better Painting Every Time!

October Gold

Oil on Linen Panel   6x8"

Available Here

Above is an example of a quick notan sketch in oil paint. I used a photo reference for this, along with my little plein air piece that I brought back to the studio. I was preparing to paint a larger piece, and was showing my students how to use this idea, (I planned to use the little plein air as a color reference.)
Do yourself a favor and paint a little notan while exploring your subject. It's quick, easy and it will really get you into the discovery process that is so important with design. If you take time to paint a beautiful piece with extraordinary color and brushwork and the design is not right, the painting will not be great. Something will be "not right", and no amount of "fixing" will do it.
And don't forget, this exercise will get the creative "right" side of your brain in motion. It will free you up to explore and create your best piece yet. Use your pencil or brush for this preparation, or both!

Just thought I'd share with you the idea of working with values while designing a painting. Yes, I said "design". Composition and design are an essential element of preparing for a good painting. If you jump right into your beautiful scene before having a strong design in mind, well, it may not turn out to be as good as it could be.
I like to suggest to my students to draw a quick notan sketch or three. Look for the best rhythmic dark/light pattern (notan). Start here and then look for the value shapes by squinting a lot to allow the values in front of you begin to form larger shapes. Sketch them quickly, then name them. This is a decision process, you are looking for what appeals.
I suggest that you paint a large value scale with no more than five values plus black and white. Use this scale to find the value that you've decided on for each shape. Here is a trick, while mixing paint with your palette knife check each value by moving the knife over to your scale, hold it over the value you are going for and squint. If it goes away, the value is correct.
This will teach you to see value and after this consistent practice it will begin to go easy. Give yourself time and be patient. We are learning to see in a whole new way. Now you will have a better painting every time!
Trust me when I tell you that this is the way the Masters see! It is worth the time and effort.