Before and after images from the August 1, 2023 YouTube video

See the first video of this topic, from August 1st, here: • Dramatically Increase ...
I got so many comments on the last KZbin video - "Could you please show the before and after more clearly?" So in this video, I do that. If you don't understand what's going on because you haven't seen the other video, go and look at the August 1st video ( • Dramatically Increase ... ) and it will explain everything about what I'm doing. But in short, the first four paintings, are looking at how small changes in color at the back add a lot of depth to the picture plane, the whole idea of carving the illusion of depth in the picture plane. And the last two paintings are looking at just orchestrating our attention towards a center of interest and focusing our attention into the painting. So hope you find it helpful.
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[@marthacanady9441]

I saw your point the most clearly with the picture of the women at the table. It was fascinating to see the great improvement made with those little changes. So interesting, Ian. Thank you.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you enjoyed it Martha. Little changes can make a huge difference.

[@Wal48]

This made it so much easier to compare the before and after. Thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful. Thank you for watching

[@CatherineGreen-dl5si]

I can see what you have done but I can't look at my paintings and see what needs to be done. Thank you.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Catherine, the paintings I used were for the most part pretty good. Structurally sound. All they really needed was just this small change to help build depth. But sometimes we have deeper structural problems and a small change won't solve it. The problem goes deeper than that. That of course is a bit more complicated to do on video with a few marks of color. One thing you might try is photograph your painting, pull all the saturation out, meaning make it black and white (any phone will do this) and look at your painting. Generally you want the painting to work in black and white and have the color enhance it. Can you read where everything is? Are there confusing parts? And so on. That might help. Good luck.

[@user-hj2jb8dl5w]

Hi Ian - thank you for these excellent lessons... Your little brilliant corrections make a huge improvement in the paintings. Best wishes :)

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you. Delighted you enjoyed it. All the best.

[@sabinelloyd8532]

Thank you! This has made me look differently at my paintings.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

That is the goal. Thank you and delighted you liked it. All the best.

[@LukenUSee]

Thank you so much for responding to viewers' request. When I watched the earlier video, I backed up and re-viewed several times for each painting to understand what you were demonstrating. I did find it fascinating that your minor changes had such a remarkable effect. This now is much easier and more convenient. I appreciate your efforts and have learned a lot from your videos.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome. Thank you for watching and I am glad you found this video reinforced the main ideas from the last video

[@elenafleming9569]

Thank you, not only are you a beautiful painter, but also an extraordinary teacher.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you so much Elena. Kind of you to say.

[@bibibrin5035]

Priceless tutorial ❤ Thank you so much!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome

[@francescoberettaart1912]

I sincerely want to thank you for all your publications. It seems to me that you're really interested in what you teach. I'm trying to have more time to study your lessons carefully. I'm sure that my experience as an artist as well as a spectator, will be greatly enriched by that. Thank you from Italy.

[@juliansw239]

This is excellent! Thank you for making us "see"!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome Julian. Thank you

[@grandpa_eric]

Excellent correction points made. It’s wonderful seeing the before and after. I appreciate the lessons learned. Thank you, Ian.

[@SusanKretchman]

This was a great way to show how small changes can improve paintings

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Susan.

[@michaelavolio]

Thanks so much for doing this! This back-and-forth comparison after you explain what you're adjusted is extra helpful.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful Michael.

[@deniselovell1096]

Thank you, this definitely clarifies the process from the longer video.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Excellent. Glad you think so Denise.

[@MM-pd7dx]

always look forward to the little things you have to show us that make a big impact. Thank you :-D

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much. All the best.

[@douglasskeen628]

Thank you for going over these important points. Subtle but essential to making a more successful painting.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you for watching. Delighted you enjoyed it.

[@CatherineGreen-dl5si]

Thank you so much. I went back to a few paintings that I wasn't happy with and added to them. Wonderful instruction.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Wonderful Catherine. That is a part of the process. All the best.

[@krisharaart]

Aha! This is very helpful Ian. Little changes make huge impacts on the viewer. Brilliant.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful. Best wishes.

[@transientimages]

It's like magic, it's like *pop*, all of a sudden it's clear. -- Thank you very much!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

That makes me very happy to hear. Thank you for watching Bryan

[@dougmoench9233]

Superb lesson. The back and forth comparisons make this so much more valuable and really get the point across. More like this !!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you liked it Doug. Thanks so much

[@galegendron7247]

Excellent, back to back before and after comparisons was most helpful.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you Gale

[@Lorrieonline]

I am now able to look at a painting and notice if it's "going anywhere" and "anywhere interesting." Thank you!!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are so welcome. Thank you so much Lorrie.

[@gladyshorst6257]

Thank you, Ian! You're the best!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much.

[@jpmattson]

Thanks, much more helpful in discerning changes/improvements.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome. All the best.

[@cathyserafinowicz6374]

Very clever,it’s amazing. Thank you Ian. ❤️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You’re welcome Cathy. Thanks for watching

[@elenareid266]

Thank you. Very good idea to see paintings before and after. Even better than side by side. Big improvements. Your videos are so helpfull.

[@C-ChFrey]

thank you! super helpful also as a reminder of things learnt from the lesson, takes it together so nicely.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it

[@Charmirea]

This was fantastic! I would love to see tons of these comparisons. It made the last video much more understandable. Thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful. Thank so much

[@user-kk5sr4zg3s]

Ian, nothing like seeing what you are saying to have it sink in. Thanks

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Wonderful. Thank you and glad you enjoyed it.

[@cynthiathompson3016]

This was very helpful to me… I clearly see the differences and understand the concept. Thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful Cynthia.

[@WolfgangToeglhofer-gm9ep]

Excellent, please more of such …

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you Wolfgang

[@roccoliuzzi8394]

Thanks, that worked great!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're welcome. Glad you liked it.

[@noiseintheoffice]

I read through your book quickly. Then I read it again. Now I am working my way through it and, boy, I've got a long way to go. I'll be buying copies for some painting friends.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you. They are the sort of books you can go back to whenever you need. All the best.

[@josephfcampisejr7816]

Excellent explanations and visual comparisons

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you liked it Joseph. Thank you

[@TWPO]

Wow, such small changes make such a huge difference and you can actually feel it in real time with these comparisons.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you. Glad you found this video reinforced the lesson

[@bartcharlow9807]

Makes it clear, Ian. Thanks.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Makes me happy to hear.

[@yogizum]

Brilliant Ian. So helpful. It’s sort of counterintuitive with the spots of more saturated color in distance..but your edits show that we need to “break the rules a bit”. Thanks so much

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Well said. You're very welcome.

[@annebutt4507]

Thank you, Ian - subtle but important

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Absolutely. Thank you Anne.

[@iwpsurf]

Excellent tutorial. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome. Thank you for watching

[@dfw6773]

So helpful- thank you for taking the time to show it this way!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are so welcome. All the best.

[@LauraDarcyArt]

So awesome! Thank you Ian Roberts, I love your videos!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

So glad to hear it. Thank you Laura.

[@gennydavidsonsmith85]

Excellent. Thank you, Ian.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome Genny

[@andrzejmaranda3699]

Ian Roberts: THANK YOU SOO MUCH, Ian! VERY INFORMATIVE & INTERESTING video!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you enjoyed it. All the best.

[@WolfgangToeglhofer-gm9ep]

This approach: before/after might be a topic for a new book. Maybe including: how to create engaging/dynamic paintings. Book title: engaging landscape paintings (subtitle: optimizing value/tonality and edges in your composition). Just an idea and utilizing a lot of before/after paintings

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Wolfgang, it's a good idea. Should you write it. Or should I? We'll have to talk. All the best.

[@SimplyAmy88]

Thank you so much for this.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are so welcome

[@Silkz0jet]

Incredible changes, Ian; you are such a master. Thanks for the videos! ☺

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

My pleasure Helene. Thanks so much

[@graceveenema4762]

Very useful. Thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're welcome Grace

[@lucindadangles-ru5il]

again great tutorial. It will change my paintings

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Wonderful. I am glad to hear that Lucinda.

[@mariaconceicao9512]

Great! Thank you Ian.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

My pleasure Maria.

[@kristahall136]

Thank you so much for this edit & for all of your content.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome Krista. Glad you like it.

[@annesaffer629]

Thanks, that makes for a very effective lesson!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you think so Anne.

[@AMd-il4mo]

Hello again Mr. I didn't see you Came as usual in the biggener of evry month.. So i cane to hope you are well 🙏

[@jameemckenzie7362]

Yes please add a complete demo each month. Ian, do you do watercolor as well? Thanks, Jamee

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Jamee, I can do watercolor really as a sketch medium. But I don't use it enough to able to demonstrate much.

[@lynschultz513]

Good stuff, Maynard. Thank you Ian!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome Lyn

[@adelinedenis5019]

Very interresting...big differences...thank you so much.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome Adeline. Thank you

[@janewineinger1569]

Those were so well shone, Ian, thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

My pleasure Jane

[@cindylawson-flynn]

Amazing illustration! Thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you. Glad you liked it Cindy

[@GrandmaMuggy]

Thanks Ian. Always learn so much from your videos!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad to hear it. Thank you for watching

[@user-gu1id9tf6y]

Thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome

[@julessmithpaints]

Thank You

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're welcome Jules. All the best.

[@rodesq1]

brilliant !

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much

[@sacrebleu1371]

When you are (de)saturating the color, you are manipulating the contrast I see. These changes can be done in advance by quick sketching my current painting and adjusting these areas, including simplifying, (like that door), to problem solve my next step. OK, I should watch the other video and catch up. ❤ Great video presentation and teaching.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I think you'll find this video makes way more sense if you watch the other one from August 1. All the best.

[@evandegenfelder4554]

A very 'teachable' video. Showing them in a rotating fashion, really allows us to see the very small but important changes more easily. I know that making your videos is time consuming, but I miss not seeing your mini 'classroom' as often as we once did. Thanks for all that you do!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome Evan. Delighted to hear you found this video helpful to complement the previous one.

[@simewood2040]

4 minutes. Art is psychology manifest. Thank you.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome. Glad you liked it.

[@MoniqueVanHaaren-cv8qz]

thank you so helpful

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome Monique

[@GM-ww]

Thank you!!!! I was going to make the same request but refrained when I saw the comments. I am struggling with a few paintings right now. They’re almost complete, but just couldn’t figure out how to fix them. So I’m trying to apply this right now. Thank you so much!!!!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome. Very glad you found it helpful. Have fun with painting process.

[@GM-ww]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition Always!

[@inkonmyhands]

Woah, there are a lot of subtitle options here, many many languages. How do you go about including that many, or do people who speak the language volunteer? I would like to know :)

[@bendunselman]

The audio at the intro is not ok. Probably only your tablet or pc picks up the audio instead of the microphone. Very nice content though.

[@quietestkitten]

I was able to hear the intro clearly. It did have slightly more echo than the rest of the audio, but I had no trouble hearing it.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

The link between the mike and the extension cable wasn't fully plugged in. Such a little thing but sure makes a difference. Best wishes.

[@williambreedyk7861]

In the fifth image with the golden vines, I think that the after image was worse than the before image.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi William, if you watch the original video it explains the role that edges and contrast play in a painting. I just used an ipad to color over, and mainly with grey, the edges so there was a structure to the painting. So maybe you were thinking it looked sort of dull afterward, and that may be the case. But the point was about how the eye moves and having it follow at structure. If you watch if from that standpoint I think it'd make more sense. All the best.

[@kevingibbons6215]

I think you have this precisely backwards. By adding color, accent and texture to the background, you bring that forward and ruin the sense of depth. Maybe retitle the video, How to bring the background forward.