How Edges Make or Break Your Painting

[@iamenough6218]

Because our eyes are almost always drawn to the light . Thank you for such concise and clear information on how you teach.🙏🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted that you found it helpful

[@rileyart]

This is quickly becoming my favorite channel on KZbin! Thanks so much!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Yeah! Makes my day.

[@TheHouseofKushTV]

This information is so elegantly, clearly conveyed, thank you for these discussions. What strikes me most, and not for the first time but still every bit as impactfullly, is how 1:1 the 'rules', tricks, and tools for visual composition and perception seem to be to those for sound & music production. In my lessons on songwriting, arranging, and recording/mixing I am constantly driving home how the greater the contrast in sonic values (loud:quiet, dark:bright, soft:hard, wide:narrow, close:far etc.) in any given moment of a song --- and from one moment to the next as transitions --- the greater the emotional impact of the work and the harder it is to ignore. People may love it, they may hate it, but they will hear it, and they will will feel it. I really dig the mental shift in this episode away from lines and hard boundaries and towards edges and brightness values. I look forward to letting all this sink in and finding the language for how that translates into the world of music and sound. 🕺

[@eeezdee5251]

I really love that you pointed out these comparisons and similarities. As a long time musician who in the last year has picked up painting ( it has been a calling I ignored for what seems forever) I’m very glad I did. I have watched quite a number of house of kush videos and have learned a lot from them. It is very interesting and enlightening for me to feel these two worlds collide and meld.

[@eeezdee5251]

I really love that you pointed out these comparisons and similarities. As a long time musician who in the last year has picked up painting ( it has been a calling I ignored for what seems forever) I’m very glad I did. I have watched quite a number of house of kush videos and have learned a lot from them. It is very interesting and enlightening for me to feel these two worlds collide and meld.

[@ubergeraldine]

Funnily, as I was painting yesterday, I was thinking about the parallels in music - because colour/light has frequency and so does sound! Both are completely defining!

[@sunnyseacat6857]

Paintings are visualized music in a sense - feeling and depth and implied emotion or event, like this young woman reading a letter - she looks pregnant... now imagine playing that!

[@davidstevens3934]

I've never seen that painting before. Stunning.

[@joanistotler8804]

Such a clear explanation. Thank you for linking this one to your current demonstration - it's a gem!

[@gaylemartin6498]

I really like the way you demonstrated something we hear so much about as painters. Thank you, Ian.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Gayle, glad you found it helpful. All the best, Ian

[@daledibello3450]

Those two edge scales are very helpful for understanding the characteristics of edges. And then seeing how Vermeer's thoughtful use of various edges guides your eye in the painting is a great to see. Thanks for these videos you are making Ian. They are really hitting home for me!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Dale, delighted you are finding them helpful. All the best, Ian.

[@natalykenny2069]

Thank you so much for this edges series. Very helpful for understanding the role of the edges and the techniques to lead the viewer's eye in the paintings. ❤❤❤

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

So glad you found it helpful

[@DanielL143]

Ian, your methodology for breaking things down and delivering bite size but invaluable lessons in each video is fantastic. Thanks very much.

[@apianarosa]

You teach us how to look at paintings in a more understanding way. Thanks.

[@mariareinhard2395]

So many of us are so visual and I love the examples you provide to explain your points. Love this series!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks Maria for letting me know. I really appreciate it. Best wishes, Ian

[@brendansmith5361]

ian, i am absolutely loving your youtube clips -our lockdown in Sydney is trying but your info is so informative and succinctly said... its a great educational tool whilst I can't get to my regular art classes. Regards Gina (even tho it looks like my hubby brendan is responding)

[@kathyfaraone4345]

I always learn something that helps my painting and enhances my appreciation of art. Many thanks.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you for letting me know. All the best, Ian.

[@pchabanowich]

Thank you for taking us through the contrasts in the Vermeer - very helpful for identification in other works.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

So glad you found it helpful.

[@orlane219]

Thank you very much for this video specially for the two edge scales. Very useful to build a good composition. And Vermeer is such a great painter !

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

The edge scales are useful aren't they. Different way of thinking about it.

[@MimiStudio22]

Ian

[@_.-GRATEPHIL_.-]

Very well said, this helped me to grasp these concepts better than any other related content ✨🙏✨

[@tedclemens4093]

"Squirrel!" Great discussion. So I get totally distracted by a sign on your back wall. "Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment" - Rumi That's one to think on, too! Thank you.

[@katpaints]

Me too! It is better to wonder about something than to think we have it all figured out!

[@ruthdallas6125]

It really seems to me that often these masters were either simply trying to reproduce what they see or what they remember or imagine seeing especially regarding light, shadow and partial shadow. I imagine often they let areas blend into the background because they looked that way or because they didn’t want to waste time drawing uninteresting details of the scene. In any case I do love the way you demo how one might do this from a photo. Thank you.

[@paulvarano5675]

My new favorite art channel. Thank you so much for your clear explanations of things that can make our heads hurt :)

[@quietestkitten]

Thank you for this video. I was definitely a little confused by the hard edge around her back, but you explained it well. The story plays a role, and, of course, people are going to look at the person and what they are reading. So the hard edge of the back serves to create a line towards the head.

[@chappbj]

Another great one! I saw the black metal rod at the bottom of the map also leading my eye into the focal point.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you found it helpful.

[@zmerka1]

Loved the class. You convey information in an easy way to understand and you really connect with the viewer so we can't click away.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I'm delighted you found it helpful. Thanks so much.

[@johnnyk7480]

Sir - already used your edge n vertical learning points on my oil portraiture- giving painting structure and attention where it is needed n vice versa for background space n element. Painting looked complete. Thanks for being a good teacher.

[@nancykirk3683]

Thanks, Ian! I’m really looking forward to Tuesdays

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Nancy. Best wishes, Ian. Glad you're enjoying the videos.

[@nancykirk3683]

Ian Roberts I ordered the arches paper and had Bruce cut it. Now I’m trying to not do something that takes all day!

[@inkonmyhands]

thanks a lot for making these videos. I especially enjoy the fact that they are short and right to the point. keep it up :))

[@natureshare.2024]

Thank you so much Sir, for the master class lecture I have never listened.

[@bencourtwright]

What a lovely analysis!

[@billhawthorne2840]

Yes this is my favorite also. Please keep them coming.

[@charlespiper1836]

I liked the sharp contrast of her collar that brought my attention to the head.

[@franksneyd1591]

Your channel has answered a lot of issues that have and has moved me on in painting techniques very quickly.

[@yaffabarelkovsky1447]

So interesting to understand this. Thank you for explaining it.

[@jomacconnell316]

Ian, thanks for the wonderful mini lessons. An artist friend introduced me to your videos and I am hooked! You explain and provide visuals that make it so much easier to learn and apply. I look forward to viewing all of your posted videos as I'm sure these gems will help improve my artwork.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Jo, I'm delighted you are enjoying the videos. There are lot of them now. But each one is around one simple idea and as much as possible gives a visual learning experience. All the best.

[@주현정-x7l]

I am learning oil painting as a hobby. Your explanation is helpful a lot to understand painting. Thank you.

[@ubergeraldine]

As ususal so simply explained and easy to understand. Off to execute this now on a work in progress!

[@1000dots]

I've been loving your videos. Recently I started making art again after about a 15 year break and you are wonderful inspiration

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Good luck on your artistic journery

[@janeiwan3809]

Just watched two of your videos on edges. They will really help me with a painting i've been struggling with. Thank you for sharing your talent in this format. Best wishes, Jane

[@nadinemaren5163]

I just found your channel and am super thankful for all this great content you are sharing! Having a lot of aha moments watching your videos so far. Thanks a ton for your work. Subscribed immediately!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Nadine, I am delighted you found my video series and that you find it helpful. And thanks so much for letting me know. all the best.

[@mahanly]

Brilliant. Thank you.

[@bearbait7405]

Thank you

[@jackwheatley8838]

The longer demos are more helpful. Once a month is fine. Thank you.

[@LittleBearAndJazzie]

So easy to understand! Thank you for posting

[@BeritFou]

Your lessons are great and very inspiring

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you. I appreciate your letting me know.

[@theverdanthare]

Thanks so much for the lesson! I'm actually a digital painter (though I do traditional art from time to time too) and this was one of the more helpful videos on youtube in explaining this! Definitely subbing; from what I can see your stuff can easily help digital painters too

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi. I agree with you about digital painting. It's a bit like acrylics. The medium can tend to hard edges. Transition colors are a great way to solve that. Finding the color half way between two colors. Composition as you say is pretty universal in representational art regardless of medium. Best wishes

[@mariannepionati-nd5zy]

Excellent!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you liked it!

[@holly_kay5570]

I'm loving your videos!

[@claricek2653]

😍You are the best teacher ever!!!! Full disclosure I am not an artist, but if I get ,how much more should an artist?

[@roseeartworksnl7992]

Fantastic! . . .

[@simonestreeter1518]

At the beginning you explained how stronger edges draw our eyes, but at the end (and please excuse me if I missed something) you say that the focus is on the group of softer edges, without explaining why the softer edges are now the eye-catching portion, and notwithstanding that very hard and eye-catching edge of the back of her clothing against the wall. I am wondering: it appears that Vermeer made almost an enclosed box of the hardest edges in the painting, with her clothes, the edge of the chair, and the edge of the tapestry on the wall. Is this visual dead-end designed to add to the whole composition without keeping our eyes focused upon it?

[@ronplaizier7043]

I agree. Throughout Vermeer's painting there are a number of hard edges which appear to draw your eyes to the women's face and hands which are much softer edges with less contrast, so I am somewhat confused as well why this works compositionally given his earlier statements.

[@claricek2653]

I'm binge watching all your videos😀

[@myalicioglu]

Sir you are a great teacher. Thanks

[@lunadargent5292]

Excellent explanation, especially for a newby still figuring everything out. Thank you. 👍🏻😃

[@fatoomgierdien2181]

You make challenges Simple... Thank YOU MUCH.

[@allanfink7816]

Your video series is amazing. I did find it better to start at the very first video and plow through all of them, because you are building up a verbal and visual vocabulary about these concepts and jumping into the middle was less effective for me than following along from the start. I also wish the videos were a bit longer - there is some overhead to getting on KZbin, and finding my current spot in your series, then they seem to end nearly as fast as they start. I think the edge scale idea is just genious, and was an eye opener for me. Thanks for all your hard work and sharing expertise during the pandemic.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

YOu are most welcome Allen. Best wishes.

[@skyofhoney7]

OMG im so pleased to have found your videos.

[@dawnmillett4875]

Brilliant explanation! Thank you for this valuable lesson!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks Dawn.

[@desleykakoulidisgallaway3382]

I did find this engaging- very much. I learned something 🥰 thank you

[@crisalidathomassie1811]

Great demo! I’m enjoying reading your book, a good source of information and very educational. Thanks so much. Blessings and be safe.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Crisalida, I'm glad you are enjoying the videos and the book. With best wishes.

[@1Thedairy]

Very good explanation. Thank you

[@Davy.J.Y]

Very useful info contained in this video, glad you posted this.. it is helping me a lot.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad to hear it!

[@jamesg2382]

Thank you. Great video

[@normanmerrill1241]

Thanks...

[@jjroseknows777]

Great. Thank you.

[@EklectikaAaynne]

Hello! Enjoying many of your videos - thank you. Might I suggest that whenever you're using a master artist as an example - that you include that name within the title or at the least in your video description below? I do massive searches on KZbin and an artist's name is a key word I use to locate info regarding art . . . . and I am guessing it could have a positive effect (yes, it's a guess) on increasing your view count. Worth a try maybe?

[@butahari]

Thanks mate 👍🏽

[@nz1268]

Ian, Do you ever have cheaper workshops in LA for not rich people like me..? I can’t follow you to France. Would love to, but I can’t….lol. I love what I’ve learned from you. Thank you so much.

[@LarsVision]

I just heard about this (edge work) in another video and wanted to know what it was referring to. Then your video pops up in the suggestion. Thank you for the explanation (and thank youtube, analytics...Lol!).

[@danmillercrna]

Genius.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you found it helpful.

[@iaincphotography6051]

Interesting as always, I suppose in photography we use the word graduation, as in grad filter which tends to get used in darkening the sky at the top and gets a bit lighter to the horizon line where a more definite contrast line usually takes place. But with your help, I am beginning to understand a hell of a lot more about composition.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

That is great Iain, and I signed you up for the email list. Best wishes.

[@stephaniefindlay120]

Hi Ian I've just watched this again and also another one you did on edges. Really helpful thank you. I know we cannot make rules but I wonder if going to a light focal point is more satisfying than going to a dark pace. Examples a focal point on the horizon or light through the trees. I wonder what you think?

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I bet if I made a rule we could find a dozen paintings that break it. But I think we are attracted to the light. Just in life generally. But the eye will get pulled to the strongest contrast, the edge between light and dark. That what it responds to

[@gregautryphoto]

Lov the story

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

As I say I spent ages trying to figure out the story structure.

[@sunnyseacat6857]

1) she is pregnant, 2) both chairs reflect a direction, one-horizontal to mimmic the map's dark bottom line, the other-vertical, to mimmic her back 3) the choice of blue for the chairs nd her dress/frock, 4) her hair band almost blends into the painting, 5) the blue ofthe ball on the far left, 6) the darkness/visual weight of the object (what is that) in the bottom left counters the lighter map, 7) the woman is centered between the bottom left dark object and the map, 8) darker blue sash on the front of her dres provides visual contrast to the lighter wall

[@linilin2641]

But Toulouse Lautrec used a lot of lines in his paintings. So is it just your own opinion about using lines in paintings. I felt that using lines is another kind of expression

[@wolf7379]

Okay, so I'm a bit confused. Hard and soft edges moves and directs our eye around the painting. As I understand it, a hard edge draws our attention to that edge. Why then in the above Vermeer's painting do we have the strongest edge along her back? That means our attention is being drawn to her back. Shouldn't we have our attention drawn to her front where she is reading the letter?

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

HI Dennis, we are usually always drawn to the head. That's just what happens. So you rightly point out the hard edge on the woman's back should hold the most attention. But you have a strong structure of the map, both horizontal and vertical, and the shadow of the chair continuing that and the natural curiosity of what is this lady reading, the narrative that overrides that edge at the back. Try looking at the edge and you will see your attention is pulled up to the relationship between the hands and the face. Can't help ourselves. Our eyes, from going there. So there is more to the whole arena of edges than just that one thing of the hardest edge always holds the most attention. But it is pretty often the case. Just Vermeer orchestrates something else here.

[@wolf7379]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition Thank you kindly for the reply, Ian. I appreciate it. I took up painting in 2015 and I have a lot to learn. Your explanation makes sense. I just had to ask. Basically, it is not just one 'thing' but a combination of factors and how they relate and guide our eyes around the canvas. I hate artists who use oil painting as a medium but use it like acrylic in that 'all' their edges are sharp and strong so that the figure looks as if it is a 'cut-out' and pasted onto the canvas. I use soft and hard edges, and areas of light and dark contrasts of value to direct the eye to where I want it to go on the canvas to give emphasis, dennisrowntree.faso.com/portfolio-viewer?#lg=1&artworkId=3586915. Many thanks.

[@Galaka100]

I hadn’t really previously looked at the picture for the purpose of focussing on hard edges. But now that I think about it, I believe what we have are three strong vertical rectangles of which the woman is the middle one (and the only one with any detail), all linked with the very strong horizontal bottom of the wall object. So her back needed to be a hard edge or the right hand rectangle would have been less effective. Because her back is entirely in black, I don’t think the edge particularly draws your attention away from the compositional focus of her front.

[@catblue6393]

👍🏻

[@plantagenant]

I don't think there are any real hard edges in the mature Vermeer's.....examined close up they have a soft blend/merge of tonal/colour areas. Even the tiny little dot's that represent the tacks on the chairs have a soft edge. How he actually did this is a mystery.....I believe Dali , technically a fairly accomplished painter, said he'd give a Kidney ( or something similar) to know the secret!

[@glorious5389]

Dear teacher Ian, I’ve got a question. Don’t you think there is also a contrast in her belly and maybe then we even imagine she could be pregnant? And that is also a way of depicting her youth?

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I"ve always thought she must be pregnant too. And as you say that has such powerful messages of youth and life and son on.

[@sunnyseacat6857]

Wouldn't it have been interesting to have painted her smiling? I am sure that map on the wall is related to the baby's father.

[@deniseewert6372]

👋❤️🇩🇪

[@armandzottola1626]

Armand Zottola. I eat up your every word.

[@MrGoranPa]

If Vermeer was alive he would say:" hey bro, I just made a painting. I have absolutely no idea what are you talking about."

[@1974gladiateur]

I am sorry but the only thing I see is her back.