How to Paint Green

[@PaintingandExercise]

There are a lot of people out there who do not want to learn how to paint today but do love to watch someone paint and see a painting come to life. They just want to watch it happen with or without knowing how it happened. For a lot of people, it is just peaceful entertainment. I spend time watching a gentleman make bags for ladies out of scrap fabric. I have no intention of doing that. I just enjoy watching him do it. I just ordered your book on Mastering Composition. Thank you.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@lebiko]

OMG, the KZbin algorithm just recommended me a video by the author of one of the most helpful books I've ever read on mastering painting! Thank you, Ian, for creating such an amazing resource that really helped me organize my approach to composition in art! ❤

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted that you found me and that the videos are helpful.

[@lindaaddison4234]

I REALLY IDENTIFY WITH THE WAY YOU EXPLAIN YOU COLOR MIXING AND HOW IT IS PLACED ON THE CANVAS. I AM STILL LEARNING AND APPRECIATE YOU SAYING THE EXACT YELLOW OF GREEN OR BLUE OR WHATEVER YOU ARE USING TO CREATE THE SHADE YOU ARE MAKING. YOU MANAGE TO GET MORE INFORMATION IN A 30 MIN. VIDEO THAN I HAVE EVER SEEN! THANK YOU FOR THIS AND YES, PLEASE DO MORE OF THESE EACH WEEK.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you are enjoying the videos Linda. Best wishes

[@sallybuchanan4439]

Yes, please continue the longer demos showing the palette. This is extremely helpful as well as calming.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you enjoyed it Sally

[@bobgallant2528]

I found your color palette and the variety of muted greens that you demonstrated very useful. I think longer form demonstrations are very useful. Please continue them. I have been going back over many of the older videos on different subjects and finding more nuggets of information that I can apply to my painting practice. Thank you so much for all the knowledge you share with us.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful!

[@charlottecallahan2633]

You are an amazing artist and an incredible teacher! I wish I’d found you years ago! Please keep doing what you’re doing because I know you’re helping many struggling artists with your knowledge, calm confident demeanor and expertise.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Charlotte. I appreciate you telling me you are enjoying them. All the best.

[@danielyork3707]

Mastering composition is the most helpful book on what it takes to achieve success in a painting. Thank you Ian

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you find it helpful Daniel. Thanks for letting me know.

[@sschwenk1]

Thank you. North Carolina is green and greener. I grew up near Bakersfield, CA. And I hated the dry grass of summer. After I started painting and went back to visit CA, I saw the beauty of the dried grasses. I love green but gold is easier. Loved this episode.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

North Carolina gets pretty socked in with green all summer it's true. Things are pretty dry out here these days. More brown than gold.

[@paresh4914]

When you are in middle of a painting and Ian Roberts notification pops up, you stop and play the video!!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

That's funny.

[@tiagodagostini6233]

Unless you paint in watercolors.. then you need to finish it of throw it away

[@janenef]

Your demo reminded me of driving through foothills into mountains with 4 year old grandson. He would ask, grandma is that green? Yes. And another tree or meadow, grandma is that green? Yes. Mile after mile of shades of greens. I was amazed at his sensitivity and interest in the color. Painting greens always challenges me, and takes me back. Your puddling makes it so much easier to mix all these variations. You added colors I would not have thought to add. Thank you. Brilliant video.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Nice story about a 4 year olds' view of color. Delighted you enjoyed the video. Best wishes.

[@MarkEGreen-rf4on]

Nice to see a fellow left-hander. We write from left to right across the page, so there is a tendency to do so when drawing and painting. However, if you are left- handed you must work from right to left in order to see the image you are creating. It took me some time to realise this! A very nice painting with numerous greens. It proves that good composition always makes a successful painting regardless of detail or not. Excellent video instruction!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you enjoyed the video Mark. All the best.

[@tadmacy655]

This focus on the puddle and progressive mixings is an eye opener. Thank you! Have had your book on composition for many years. Great insights for me n simplification as I tend to the complex and over do it!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you enjoyed it Tad. All the best.

[@judylearnstopaint1040]

Most comprehensive description of mixing greens I've seen. Greens are difficult, especially in landscapes; this short demo clearly maps out how to have unity AND differentiation. Very helpful, Ian! Thank you.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Makes me really happy to hear it. Thank you Judy

[@robinlancaster1345]

This video arrived at the PERFECT time! I'm the fiber artist working on an art quilt from my mind. I have no reference picture. First, from an earlier video I knew I had to draw a map of the layout. Soooo, much easier to do after I had a map. But I was unhappy with my trees and couldn't figure out why. Boom! This video helped me figure out it was the COLOR I didn't like. They looked liked a crayon box threw up on them. Tweezers are my paint brush and I took ALL 1000 itty, bitty pieces of confetti fabric out (might be an exaggeration, but it was A LOT!) SO much happier. Thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Robin, I always am going on about planning a painting before beginning, create a roadmap, a sketch, of your intention. That is saves so much time in the end. That seems to go double or triple for a quilt maker based on your story.

[@enidcostello6978]

I am sooo glad I found you!!! I love your teaching style. It all makes so much sense when I listen to you explain everything. Color mixing is such an intricate part of painting, but most of all the composition. You take a photo that I would say is dull and uninteresting and make it come alive. Thank you!!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Makes me really happy to hear it. Thank you Enid

[@delorisgilmore4959]

I love your book on composition. Thank you for these KZbin videos.

[@debcvarn]

Finishing up a mostly green painting right now! It’s a Zoomed in/cropped pic of summer corn blades with the sunlight hitting them beautifully. I just stumbled onto your KZbin videos a couple of days ago while looking for info on glazing as well as composition. Signed up for your emails and today’s Tuesday Lesson couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Thank You!! Your skills as a teacher are the very best! Clear, concise, great visual examples, key takeaways that make it easy to remember.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Well I am happy you found the videos Deb and so delighted you are finding them helpful. Best wishes.

[@roslynr9767]

I really enjoy watching you select pigment and the wide variety of shades you create! excellent!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you so much Roslyn.

[@melinayorke7462]

It’s like you were reading my mind. I feel like I get a good composition worked out. But it’s my greens that I struggle with. I think I’m not confident enough with laying down a color mark and then leaving it a lone. My paintings are over worked. I marvel at you work. I’ll just have to keep practicing🙂

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

There is such a tendency to second guess yourself and correct and correct and kill what you are working on. Maybe just try, mix the color carefully, test it, adjust it if necessary, then put it down and leave it. If it clearly wrong well then try again, but if it seems right just leave it and move on and see what happens. More time mixing and testing before.

[@melinayorke7462]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition thank you, and I appreciate your advice. I do need to test, I’m not doing that, I need to slow down and think more. I need to take time, especially with greens that tend to be so subtle in value shits and temperature.

[@malcolmkirk3343]

@@melinayorke7462 What can really kill you is a school of fine arts at a college, where the profs are so busy naval gazing at their own "artistic visions" that they can't teach much of anything at all! Just "Go. Do. Paint a picture of a such-and-such." ...And their grad student "instructors" stink, because they've never learned to actually draw, or handle color, or technique. SAVE YOUR MONEY, and RUN FROM THEM! You are FAR better off watching quality experienced painters online who show good techniques, and mastery of their craft.

[@jayne3944]

YAAY!! Color mixing!! Love the idea of drawing from a puddle of color ... THANK YOU IAN!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful.

[@carrollwilson5169]

I am so glad I found you, learning so much watching your videos. Thank you

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are so welcome Carroll

[@margomcgrew7154]

Very clear instructions on how you mix greens. I enjoy your video's and look forward to Tuesdays! Thanks for sharing.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you enjoyed it Margo.

[@chamarama9349]

I am from distant country..recently i found your channel through youtube now i am very happy about it...your paintings are simple but the depth and drama is amazing which i didn't see through any other popular channels..so decided to be your student and i got your book Mastering composition.. highly appreciate your teaching❤❤

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

So delighted you found the videos and the book and you are finding them helpful. With best wishes.

[@kamleshsunak3176]

Thank you Ian for putting together this video on how to mix greens for landscape

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are welcome Kamlesh

[@MichaelM1349]

I’m going to give that practice photo a shot with these green mixing techniques. This is a great video. I’be only been oil painting a year so have literally no skills in color.

[@junvale6389]

I like brush strokes….and the patience as you progress….saludos

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad to hear it!

[@1Thedairy]

These little snippets of information are so valuable as I’m trying to master oils which I find quite challenging after using pastels and water colours. It’s the mixing process that Im trying to get to grips with. Thank you so much for uploading your expertise. It’s brilliant!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Makes me really happy to hear it. Thank you

[@HSkyler]

You are such a master! After watching this video I played the DVD from your book, Mastering Composition. Must have purchased it when it came out from North Light in 2007. Interesting how life moves one to different places and perspectives. I see it all now, and thank you so much!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Makes me happy to hear it. All the best

[@sopihasmith8104]

Thank you Ian, you explain things so well. I have just purchased your two books to help me further.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I'm glad you find it helpful. Thanks so much.

[@orlane219]

Thank you for the demo. I hope it can help me for my work with watercolor. I bought your book on composition a few years ago and and since then I opened it and re-read parts of it so many times. Helpful !

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you are finding the book and the videos helpful Hannah. All the best.

[@pac2840]

Your composition book sits in my studio bookshelf, well-worn, after having survived many winnowing downs of my book collection to make room for more equipment. I look forward to these Tuesdays mornings with you. Thanks for the many years of information and inspiration.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks for letting me know both the book and video have been helpful. Best wishes.

[@paintboy776]

Good video. Many have trouble seeing green and the variety of green in a scene. Also love that your pallet was ' puddles' of color.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@suepidlubny3183]

Good Tuesday morning! I always look forward to your Tuesday videos. Thanks Ian. Working from a “puddle” or a “mother” colour is helping my compositions become more harmonious. As an exercise I am going to try to mix all of the greens in your final photo. Looking forward to next week. Thanks again.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Have fun with the greens and delighted you are enjoying the videos and finding them helpful. Best wishes.

[@anniepais700]

I love your book, Mastering Composition! I discovered it in the bookstore at the John C Campbell Folk School where I teach and take some oils painting classes too. Over the years I'll bet I've 'sold' 50 copies! I highly recommend yo all who are you subscriber-artists....buy it!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are the best Annie! Thank you.

[@martigreen7229]

I absolutely love all your educational videos. I struggle with greens and this was amazing. Thank you for all your help

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you enjoyed it Marti

[@kellycreek6142]

I really love your book on Mastering Composition! Having the book paired with these videos is like attending a college art class. Thank you so much for sharing your art wisdom and experience, you really make complicated concepts understandable.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

So happy you are finding the videos and book helpful Kelly

[@rosemarybortolin3462]

Ian, my landscape paintings have changed since I started watching your videos and purchased your book. I look forward to your weekly videos and frequently rewatch all the others. Thank you so much!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are most welcome Rosemary. Very happy to hear it. Best wishes.

[@alanr9634]

I really like how you included an image to do a small practice of

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Alan, it has I thought a really good range of greens. Not like Ontario or the NE in summer - one big sea of green.

[@fxdaly]

As always, I learn so much from your videos, thanks.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks for letting me know Frank. All the best.

[@alisonhendry2928]

I am loving how you take simple non “ stunningly beautiful” images and make them into wonderful paintings. I need to change how I see my images . Your book is here with me on holiday 🤣🤣🤣 always learning.. love your videos.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

HI Alison, I think it is about looking for shapes. Forgetting about finding as you say something beautiful. Glad you are enjoying the videos. and the book.

[@rosemaryrosemaryw8117]

Memories of Ian’s wonderful trips to France - good to see you on KZbin I’m sure you’ll have a lot of artists learn from you

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you liked it. Thank you Rosemary

[@sannefridolin]

Greens are so difficult! This helped very much. Thank you for simplifying and breaking it down!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted it was helpful Susanne. All the best.

[@carolinegreene372]

You pack a lot of helpful information into a few minutes of video! Recently I’ve been weighing up whether to use Hansa Yellow instead of the cadmiums for environmental reasons, but reluctantly thinking maybe its transparency might be a drawback. These videos must take a lot of time and effort and I really appreciate it.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

HI Caroline I'm delighted you are enjoying the videos. I really prefer the cadmiums and I suppose from a global stand point the use of cadmiums by artists is probably a small consideration and I read (you might want to check it ) that getting cadmiums on your hands it is not absorbed in any significant way so I'm all in on the cadmiums.

[@charlottehumenuk7219]

Definitely have more demonstrations! Thanks.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're so welcome Charlotte!

[@kennethcole862]

I have just found your channel after recently taken up art on retirement. Your content is inspirational and engaging and I look forward to following and catching up on older videos. Thanks for what you do.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are welcome Kenneth. All the best.

[@nancywhite7897]

This is a wonderfully important tutorial for this struggling artist. Thank you Ian, I feel like a big hurdle in my painting will soon be a thing of the past. And the magic of these youtubes of yours is that I can replay this until I have succeeded with greens and color mixing. Very empowering and very exciting. Will do the bonus picture and can't wait for next week. These two youtubes will get a lot of views and practice from lots of people!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Nan. Glad you are getting a lot out of the videos and thanks for letting me know.

[@lisakunish936]

I love this video and have watched it several times. Can hardly wait for the long version next week!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you enjoyed it Lisa.

[@maggieinsc1967]

75000 views. Wow. Another great video. Thanks.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks Margaret.

[@patriciaverdon4455]

Thank you for your weekly demos. Will continue to view .

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Great to know Patricia.

[@generations-now]

Bravo! I was just looking at my green last night saying, That didn’t work. Love “Mastering Composition “ book, highly recommend.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much.

[@selmaabbott7234]

Thank you Ian! Thanks for the bonus pic that I will try ASAP, because I want to practice the way you teach mixing colours. Looking forward to your next class!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hope that photo helps with the mixing Selma. Good luck.

[@marieradi-nahas767]

Thank you Ian. Will look forward to next week’s video. There is always so much to learn.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are welcome Marie. Best wishes.

[@marilynvoss9097]

I think I bought your book Mastering composition when it first came out, it has been very helpful.

[@annamahan5206]

I don't paint - it's all I can do to touch up the scratches on my walls - but your thumbnail is so beautiful I had to check out the video. Green really is the most beautiful color and the pictures at the end are amazing.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you enjoyed it Anna

[@jonathanroger4705]

The puddle speeds up in my acrylics. I'll learn how first and go my own way. Thank you.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are so welcome Jonathan!

[@ARTPAINTING101]

Brilliantly concise and informative, I can't wait until next week but I will start now to try and employ these mixing techniques. My greens have certainly improved through your help but I think this may be push over the top. I have always admired your color rendition it is amazing.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much James. Glad the videos are helping. Best wishes.

[@heidikarpa2278]

The content you provide is outstanding! Thank so much fo creating your channel and sharing your expertise.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are welcome Heidi. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@alittlesliceoflife]

I’m working on a painting with many different greens right now. This really helps!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Good timing then I guess. Good luck with the greens.

[@richardcalderwood472]

The variation of greens are always difficult to get right - a great demo - thank you. So glad I found your videos and I'm so inspired by the way you explain things - ordered a copy of your book 'Mastering Composition' a few weeks back and it is on it's way (to UK).

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you are enjoying the videos Richard. Best wishes.

[@rajanikanteti1484]

Dear Ian, I really liked your teaching style and the demo. You are an awesome artist. I am learning a lot just by watching your videos. In future, I wish I get a chance to personally attend any of your workshops. Thank you so much for all the help. Kind Regards Rajani

[@Ztandard32]

Thank you. That was really interesting. I like how you take scenes that do not initially appeal to me and then make them work.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you enjoyed it. I guess in a way that's the point of making it into a painting. Seeing its potential and trying to make that work.

[@louisepierce6403]

Love watching your videos and am fascinated when your brush strokes turn into objects with seemingly no effort on your part!! Wondering if you are Canadian, eh!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you are enjoying the videos Louise. And yes, Canadian.

[@michaellenihan4537]

hello Ian. I am totally enjoying your instructions and have integrated into my daily routine and thank you for your sharing of your talents. Question: do you have any lessons on how to smooth your edges? Or ideas on when to and when not to? My former teacher said every edge had to be smoothed before finishing a layer of paint and I'd love to know your recommendation. Thank you.

[@tjs9876]

I've never painted with oils but I've been using this puddle of grey technique with watercolours for a while.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Should work there as well. All the best.

[@nataliehachey4865]

Wonderful! I love seeing the mixing of the colours. Green is by far my favorite. I paint in acrylics and sometimes I find it frustrating when I come back to a painting, a little later, and I struggle with remixing the exact same colours. I guess I need more practice and consistency. Thank you so much for this tutorial.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Natalie, I often have trouble finding just the same color as well but often if it is just a bit different it sets up a nice interchange between the two colors and can be nice.

[@smarterthanawaffle]

I just painted the photo from the end. It was a lot of fun. Thank you for the experience.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Like your name there. I should get people to post the paintings from that photo somewhere. I would be interesting .Glad you are enjoying the videos.

[@smarterthanawaffle]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition I think you can do it through imgur. I'm not the one to ask tho

[@smarterthanawaffle]

I can't remember which instructor taught this (Teresa Vito maybe) but she showed two lines in a cross. The vertical line represents the question "lighter or darker?". The horizontal line represents "warner or cooler?". We learned to ask only these two questions to compare all mixed colors to original colors in the source image. By the end of the workshop we had a chant and a dance to the rhythm of " warmer cooler lighter darker warmer cooler lighter darker warmer cooler lighter darker"

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Scales like that are very useful. I use them myself. And more so they create as you are pointing out here the vocabulary for understanding how you can arrive at the color you are looking for. Good point.

[@pignatiusquercia6925]

Can you explain this a little more? I am very intrigued. Maybe a link to an article or something? Thanks!

[@jerrieglidden245]

Thank you, I really enjoyed and can’t wait for next week!!!! I bought Mastering Composition and I highly recommend this book. I’m so glad I found your videos!!!!!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I'm so glad you found the videos too Jerrie. All the best.

[@skysettermobiles]

Thanks for providing these super helpful videos and the link to your book.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful!

[@limitlessjewels1132]

Your book is Amazing!, thanks Ian. I learn something new every time I check it Love the weekly videos as well, cheers from Lucy - Canada ☺️

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks Lucy.

[@mklan798]

This is such a wake up call from my color searching nightmare!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

That is great to hear. Best wishes.

[@gaylemartin6498]

Great video, Ian. Thank you. Stay well. g

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks Gayle. Best wishes.

[@juliechanter3070]

You are an excellent teacher!

[@alicegriffin4375]

I forgot it was Tuesday and was so excited to see another video from you Ian! So clarifying and helpful. I am wondering how often you wipe off your brush (or perhaps this will be shown next week)?

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I tend to just use one brush for most of a painting unless I need one that is smaller. So I'm wiping and cleaning a lot if I need to have a clean color. If it is reasonably close to the color I have been just using I won't clean or wipe the brush. It depends really on how clean the next color needs to be.

[@dianamiguel4906]

Thank you so much for this video Ian!!! Very clear and helpful!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Great Diana. Glad you liked it.

[@Mr-S.C.]

Thank you once again Ian for an excellent tutorial.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are most welcome Mr S.C.!

[@joycesumara416]

Fabulous. Such an important concept in how to use paint. Can’t wait until next week! Thanks so much. Is there a download for the picture?

[@summerhi7703]

I stop the video and take a screen shot or you can play the video on your computer and take the photo with your cell phone.

[@joycesumara416]

Thanks. I will do as you suggest. I thought I heard Ian say there was a download link, which might be easier for others.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Joyce glad you enjoyed the video. So tech genius here. I am not sure how I would create a download of the image for you on youtube. I will ask someone so if I do it again I can do that. Good idea.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

That's how I'd do it Summer and just figured that would be easy.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

That's what I figured people would do but you're right having a downloadable copy somewhere on youtube would be better.

[@cathygillies7271]

Got your book this past year and am learning a lot.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

That's great Cathy. Best wishes.

[@geraldmiller347]

As usual great simply how to explanation. Working in Acrylics I am trying to convince myself to make a puddle and glob retarder into it and see what happens. After all it's just Paint on Paper. Thanks

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Yes puddle of paint and retarder! All the best Gerald.

[@beretaspaas8161]

Thank you Ian for another interesting video. Your input make one of my Tuesday highpoints!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you enjoyed the video Beret. Best wishes.

[@LinDiaVio]

Hmmmm. 15 years and 20 years. Methinks it may be time for another book! (I have both of your excellent books.) Thanks for this. I don’t paint many summer scenes, simply because I’m challenged by green. So back to the studio to practice some new mixing skills.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Linda, I was working on a third for a while but it is clearly on a back burner now. Some places get pretty socked in with green all summer it's true. Good luck.

[@Alexandra-ks7cb]

Such a nice intuitive method of color mixing. I like to keep my palette limited to 3/4 primaries or colors (+w&b). I like cad yellow light, ultramarine blue rs, quin magenta, phthalo green, sometimes burnt umber. Do you suppose this level of mixing is possible? I'll be watching all your videos. Maybe the answer is there

[@lolitakaloustianyoung7787]

Thank you, Ian.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are very welcome Lolita.

[@gregautryphoto]

I highly recommend the books to all interested. I bought when they came out, and still refer to them.

[@jannan_art]

I second this. Best books for artists!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Greg. All the best.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you Mustafa

[@lolitakaloustianyoung7787]

Hi, Ian; I just saw your video on the r Pilot Course in drawing/composition that you offered in 2020 - I would be interested tin taking this course and am hopeful that you plan on offering again in the (near?) future. Please let me know. Thank you again for your generosity in offering the weekly tutorials.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Lolita. I will be offering that drawing course again in the new year. I'd be delighted if you could join us. All the best.

[@jonnawyatt]

So informative & helpful. Thanks.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful Jonna.

[@bluesunflower1698]

Now, I'm excited for the next video

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hope you like it.

[@muhlenstedt]

Wonderful !!! Thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you liked it.

[@julieismert4874]

Do you use any medium when painting? Your greens do look so natural, this demonstration of what colors you have mixed to get these greens was very informative and helpful. I have found that since watching your videos everywhere I look I see shapes and shadows and light areas. The picture you gave will be helpful in matching those greens. Can't wait for next weeks demonstration

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Julie so happy you are finding the videos helpful. I don't use any medium when I paint. Sometimes there's a bit of mineral spirits in the brush from wiping it clean but not much. On larger paintings when I first block in I'll use some mineral spirits for that brush in. But just a bit so there is still a good opaque layer.

[@BradLehmannArt]

Hey dude. I really like your channel! I keep seeing really great things I want to learn more about

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you are enjoying them and thanks for letting me know.

[@patrickbloodstone1916]

Thank you for creating theses videos Sir.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you like them Pat.

[@teachart47]

Thank you for all the information you have shared in your mastering composition video and book. I do have the video and it was integral to my learning composition. I was wondering if you have any advice on the process and how to capture essential information when going Plein air painting without doing the entire painting outdoors. What is the simplified process and important info to take back to the studio when after set up outdoors you only have maybe 20 or 30 minutes to work. Thank you for your generosity in sharing your knowledge.

[@elisetilton8200]

For being a thin layer to block in the color I'm not seeing you use thinner... mine came out very thin. Paint was wiping off too easy and the canvas was showing though. Wish I could share my painting here. I did however enjoy the puddle of color. I got the most diverse greens then I've ever painted with before!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I don't use thinner when I block in unless it's a big canvas and a big shape on the canvas. I put the paint on thick enough that nothing shows through. Unless sometimes I do put a thinned wash down, and after it sets up a bit, then I add lights and darks to it. But to do that well you need to get the wash value just right. Delighted you found more greens.

[@glendagraves1637]

Thanks for doing "green." No matter what I mix, I wind up with the same color and tone. Green is my nemesis. Are you using oils or acrylics?

[@fredasidaravicius232]

Loved it.

[@marke464]

Another great video, many thanks. I have a suggestion for a video... I really struggle to choose or take photos which are good to paint. I have literally thousands of photos but cannot really see which ones are good, they either seem too grand or too simple. Could you explain what you are looking for when taking photos to use later in the studio? I understand the theory that we are looking for nice lines, shapes etc but I find this really difficult to put into practice. I have noticed when professional artists do videos on this quite often they will show you a photo and say something like _here is an example but I probably wouldn't paint it_ but they never say why not. A couple of questions that would be nice to get answers to on this topic: * Is it really difficult to find locations that are good to paint or am I just not looking for the right things? * Would a dull day be avoided as the light is not that interesting? * Do certain things simply not work very well and should be avoided? * Why wouldn't you paint something? I think reasons why not are just as important as to why. I am sure you can break all rules and paint anything but I am looking for some sort of process that can be repeated.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Mark, thanks for this question. It is a great question. A common question. And a difficult one to give a short answer to. But let give some thought to your points here and see if can one week (probably not right away since I've got a few weeks planned out now) I can address it and give some ideas on it. Thanks for the suggestion. Best wishes.

[@anuphone2874]

This is awesome. So many interesting greens.Thank you.🙏 Palette reminds me a lot on salad too😁 👌🏻

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you liked it Anu.

[@summerhi7703]

You’ve explained why some green paint is so transparent, such as Sap Green. I didn’t know it was mixed with Hansa Yellow instead of Cadmium. I wonder if you could talk a little more about transparency versus opacity in pigments and how they are used. Thanks, wonderful lesson as always.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Summer, that's a good idea. I'll do something on that at some point. I mainly just use oil paint as an opaque medium now. I used to glaze but the fumes!

[@kevinnoel9024]

Greetings Mr Roberts,I'm intrigued by your work as an educator and master painter. I am Caribbean national who after viewing your work, I wish I had you as my tutor years ago. In fact I missed the opportunity to have formal art education as the tutor left teaching to become a theologian minister. Anyways, how can you be reached, sir?

[@elizabethsayer3497]

Hi Ian found your site and subscribed,great work and instructions, do you use any medium in your paints regards Jeff

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Jeff, delighted you found the channel. The only medium I use is mineral spirits (gamsol) to clean the brushes and if I am doing a large painting I will use a bit of it on the large shapes, but so the paint is still really opaque.