How to Simplify Paintings to IMPROVE your art!

Avoid making the same mistakes I made!
In this video I'm sharing the secrets to creating more impactful paintings by learning the art of SIMPLIFICATION.
I'll show you some of my FAILED paintings, explain why they don't work, and offer some tips and tools for planning ahead and simplifying your reference so that you can create more successful paintings.
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[@swlbarely]

I see what you're saying and agree with you, but that first "failed" painting is a gem to me because looked at from a different , perhaps impressionistic perspective it looks very artistic. It may look very different from what you were striving for, so the result didn't comply with your goal but to me it fulfills a different goal of showing light and dark contrasts. Perhaps because I'm more of a novice, I'm more willing to admire something that turned out different from what I had in mind and sometimes I really didn't firmly establish what I had in mind in the first place. I really respect how you're willing to show your "failures" to to fulfill a goal to instruct artists to improve instead of leaving it permanently in storage to just dazzle everyone how good you are (which you actually are). Thumbs up!

[@DanitaReynolds]

It’s a problem I have too that’s for sure. I have a post-it note taped in front of me that says “Paintings only get tighter the longer you paint it.” So pick a composition, pick the focal point that will get the details, and remember that quote!

[@karensneed5700]

It would be interesting to see you repaint the ‘bad’ paintings having followed your suggestions. To really see the difference in the two. That said😁, This was very helpful. Thank you for being such a great teacher

[@elizabaum]

I agree - this would be very interesting to see.

[@Blick_Art]

We can always count on Emily to deliver the most valuable advice in a way that makes us all feel like we're in this together! What's described here is a real pitfall, especially for representational/realist artists who work hard to capture the true appearance of the subject. It's hard not to want to throw all your skill at every square inch of the painting and knuckle every single detail!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I’m STILL guilty of this! 🙋‍♀️ I have to make these videos to remind MYSELF to simplify, too! 🙌

[@babycakes1949]

I’ve watched so many artists try to articulate this issue, but your presentation here really captured the essence of the problem for me and provided me with something I can take to the studio and apply. It was an “ah ha” moment for me. So well done! I struggle with simplifying in pretty much every painting I do….my brain just doesn’t want to do it, but I know that is what it takes to produce the quality of art that I’m trying to achieve. Thank you thank you thank you Emily !!! :)

[@myrnalandersartist]

Very helpful advice thank you! Someone said once that when you decide to paint a photo, that you should focus on what drew you to the photo in the first place. ❤

[@sharonsunshine2532]

That's a great tip. Thanks Emily ❤🙏

[@MidnightMelodie]

This is so helpful and something that doesn’t get talk about all that much, so thank you, thank for this video!

[@carolhensel7712]

Oh have you hit the nail on the head! Thank you...your tip to break down the shapes is very helpful! Now I won't feel as overwhelmed. I wish I had had you for any of my teachers. 💯

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@oilonpaper]

I mostly work on portraits, and by default I simplify hair, clothes, and background. It's mostly because of the focal point of the face, but also because I'm lazy. 😅 Great demonstration of this valuable lesson! Thank you!

[@lvstewart1737]

So important to understand the concepts you defined here because our eye just wants to add everything in a photo . Thanks for this essential lesson!

[@rachaelcuddihy8520]

Thank you for going through some examples. Very interesting.

[@ccaple2927]

I think this will really help me see the 3 shapes.

[@earthrooster1969]

Wow...KZbinr Tom Shepherd gives similar tips and he also proceeds to use this principle and produce a painting which also helps a lot! Thanks for this video!

[@stevesidare2493]

There's something called an "all over" design. Your first painting is bright and happy. The subject is the light! If there's a focal point, it's probably the red/orange bush. And while it doesn't "lead one into the painting", per se, it pulls in the viewer and allows for further discovery throughout the the rest of the picture. Makes me want to go there and see what's in the background beyond the trees.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you for this! 🙌 True, it could be an “all over” or equalization design. 🙂

[@TheKathept]

VERY helpful! Thank you!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Excellent! A useful, artistically mature treatment of an often difficult idea to execute. So important in watercolor.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

That means a lot Steve! Thank you!! 🤗

[@jajakaborge]

This was incredibly helpful, thanks so much! Outlining the shapes just kind of blew my mind haha...totally makes sense!

[@user-xj9tj7vo4t]

Emily, in regard to your 4th painting (I think) of the Colorado landscape of mountains, trees, and snow: Wow! I’ve heard you say you’re not good with trees. I beg to differ! You must have been practicing because those trees are awesome! Thank you so much for your instruction and all that you do! ❤️

[@jessieg4901]

I love canon beach!! Beautiful work

[@mariem5990]

Thank you for the great information and video.

[@MKisJ]

Great compositional analysis!

[@ChantelleArts]

really great tips here!

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Yes, I am really struggling with my composition & leaving out some of the details in my reference photos when doing my landscape paintings. Thanks for sharing this valuable video of tips & ideas.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Wow..excellent vlog

[@melindaavila498]

Wonderful! Thanks for demonstrating how to compose the shapes in photo or view.

[@lorihutchinson9485]

Great timing and great video as I am struggling with this at this very moment.

[@chantelmcskimming6633]

Really nice video,,, thank you I struggle with simplifying too,,,

[@lomarenr1598]

Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for these great tips! I too struggle with adding waaay too much in my compositions. Just this morning, prior to watching your video, I decided I had better start doing thumbnails to try and figure out what I was doing wrong. I was still adding too much to them as well. This video came at a most opportune time. I will start to simplify my thumbnails and take your suggestions and run with it! ❤️

[@porsupuestostudio8323]

"Simplifying" is definitely the hardest thing to do. I think I can manage the simplification you suggested in this video, but there are times when I really must simplify but don't know how, and I hope you can give me a pointer: once I tried to paint a girl with a cart full of oranges that she was selling, and I knew that I don't (and couldn't) paint hundreds of oranges, yet I don't know how to simplify it.

[@weill6872]

Great video, congrats!

[@UraniaOfTheGalaxy]

Wow, such excellent advice, thank you!!

[@mcruz2187]

Thanks for this tutorial, I definitely struggle with how much to paint from a reference picture. Could you please make part 2 of this video with a demo painting on any of those reference pictures you broken down into 3 sections? That would be very helpful to see what you have in mind when discussing medium values vs light and dark values. Thanks 🙏

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Coming soon!

[@laurahopkinsday7338]

My struggle too! This came at the perfect time....as I'm struggling with a commission project where there is so much information in the photo my client wants me to paint. Looks like I'm starting this project over utilizing your suggestions. Thank you!

[@shirleygreaves9650]

I loved picture 3 I didn’t see it as a fail at all. Thanks for this video, so useful thinking of things in shapes. X

[@sanworld8896]

Great video ❤🫂

[@lyndeanezjoppp00the93]

Thanks Emily for your great advice 🤗

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You're so welcome!

[@sarahrez6453]

Super helpful video, thank you! :)

[@emilyd1102]

This explanation is fantastic!

[@Jeannine754]

Well done and much needed information and insight. Blessings!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

❤️

[@kayboath2468]

Absolutely fantastic advice. Thank u so much xoxo

[@bleuvertetforetdepin7308]

that's motivating , thank you .

[@MB-kf3yx]

Great video! Loved the content, discussion, and examples of how to simplify.

[@WalkerFrankeArt]

Thanks for the tips on simplifying! It can be so easy to put in details thay detract from the focal point; it's a constant battle haha

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Emily, I enjoyed your video, thank you for giving good tips for simplification of your paintings! I also would love to see you do a redo of one of these pictures and show how you can come back and finish strong on a painting or subject you might have left for trash and resurrect it! Just an idea I saw mentioned below, I thought it is a good idea!

[@nahipadee8229]

Your explanations are very insightful.Thank you

[@carrollwilson5169]

Great video, thanks

[@libbylittle4342]

Thank you so much!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You're welcome!

[@joannarowley9220]

This was SUCH a helpful video! Thank you! I'm a detail junkie, but as much as I love them, they do trip me up when I become a slave to them. I get in over my head very quickly, and it was so good to be reminded that I don't have to include every detail I see--in fact, I probably shouldn't! Thanks, Emily!!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@zenaidamateos9376]

Thank you. Wonderful explanation ❤

[@sahilsonawale387]

Thanks for ur content 🙏

[@cathyscaife9640]

great advice simplified!!! thank you :)

[@annazinchenko690]

So helpful! Thank you

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@laschizo]

This is incredibly helpful ! You are really good at explaining this concept, it´s something I´m aware of in my painting but I really struggle with. Thanks for the tips!

[@sabinelloyd8532]

😂 you must have peeked into my booboo bin. I have one painting that has given me so much trouble that it's been unfinished for weeks. I realise I had way too many details and no focal point. Back to step 1 for this one.

[@AyaSmith]

Out of curiosity, how would you go about simplifying/repainting the painting with the hotel and painter to be a stronger composition? 😊

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I would prioritize the painter and put much less detail into the distant building.

[@plingela276]

крутой ролик!

[@cindysimons2772]

Can you repain one of your failures?

[@cathedralirish820]

Thanks Emily. This practical approach to identifying basic shapes and eliminating (simplifying) elements in a composition is so helpful for someone learning the magic of painting. I’ll definitely keep your suggestions in mind on future projects. We appreciate what you do.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks so much for the kind comment! 🤗