How to Find the Poetry in Your Reference Photos

In this video, I discuss the idea of coaxing The Poetry - the beauty we could say - from your photographic reference. One of the most common comments I get on KZbin is 'I didn't think too much of your photo but I really liked your painting'. The reason is that I'm seeing the design, the structure, the composition embedded in the photograph and emphasizing that. Let me give you a few examples.
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The colors on my palette:
Titanium White
Cadmium Yellow Lemon
Cadmium Yellow Medium
Yellow Ochre
Cadmium Orange
Cadmium Red Light
Alizarin Permanent
Quinacridone Magenta
Dioxazine Purple
Ultramarine Blue
Chrome Oxide Green
Phthalo Green
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[@mollymarch9186]

I woke up this morning (after a hellish week of news) saw "Ian Roberts" in my email, and out of my mouth came, "hooray it's Ian Roberts video day!!!" Your six minute videos come like Christmas presents to my inbox. Thank you so much for your generosity, kindness and knowledge sharing. Every video is a gift.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you so much Molly. I reallly appreciate your telling me. With best wishes.

[@janiceh4486]

What a lovely thing to say! (I can relate ! )

[@williamdaly1005]

Take a class from this man, you’ll be amazed!

[@dorisr6424]

What she said…

[@annap214]

Totally agree! I have to allocate a quite time to just focus solely on the video, Friday night is the time! To relax and enjoy the learning! the painting is so beautiful and pleasing to the eyes ~*❤

[@patricetaylor6134]

What a joy to wake up to your videos. You are seriously a life saver given these turbulent times-a beacon of positivity and generosity, helping us turn our attention to creativity and visual poetry. Thank you for your insight, meaninful quotes and examples to inspire us to focus on what is right in front of us.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I'm delighted you found it helpful!

[@along9971]

Even though Ipaint watercolors, I've been watching a lot of your videos and wanted you to know how much I appreciate how you share your thought process and explaining how you apply principles, you are a great teacher I've learned so much!

[@kamallochansharma6682]

There are very few genuine artists who focus on structure, planning, and, most importantly, capturing the essence of the moment. This video has been quite helpful in bringing out the clarity of things and proving that more is not always good, at least while painting. Thank you for your time and looking forward to such meaningful videos soon.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you enjoyed the video. All the best.

[@christinehuszagh4456]

I also took Ian's full course a few years back and I am very thankful I took it. I learned a lot of valuable skills. Each part of the course provides a set of skills you will go back to over and over again in the course of your painting life. Now, before starting a painting, I always do a quick pencil sketch, a value study and then expend to a full color rendition. Ian's course taught me how to do just that. Ian is a great artist and also a deep and thoughtful thinker.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you so much Christine. Lovely to hear from you. All the very best.

[@terrierose5917]

Who would have guessed, beautiful art extracted from ho hum photos. Thank you.

[@straynekokami720]

Mr Roberts, I am a digital illustrator, painting with actual pigments is not my specialty, but your videos are helping me SO MUCH. The way you explain and the knowledge you share can be applied to pretty much anything a realist painter needs, no matter the medium. Instant subscriber 🎉 (gotta say I’m tempted to get some gouache or acrylics now, haha)

[@lisakunish936]

I took Ian’s 3 series course a few years ago and it was absolutely excellent!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Lisa, thanks so much. My very best wishes to you.

[@diannejonasson4663]

Thank you again, Ian, this is so helpful! 👏💕🎨

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

So glad you found it helpful.

[@joeirvine3398]

This is a great example of what Ian’s courses have taught/will teach. I took his courses and it changed the way I see and how I plan for my paintings. Thank you again Ian!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I'm delighted you found it helpful.

[@kathleencallahan6882]

I learn more from you in these short discussions than a six week class! Thank you so much for your teaching us and giving of your time.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I'm delighted you find them helpful!

[@marywebb1138]

I took this course and it was wonderful. I actually learned to see what I was looking at. And, the interaction with other students was very enjoyable and helpful 😊

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Mary. Nice to hear from you. My very best wishes.

[@las174]

Top Notch! You are a warm friend during harsh, isolating New England winter. This information is exactly what I need to focus on now in my art journey. All the best to you.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I'm delighted you enjoyed the video.

[@loretacolantonio7398]

Ciao from Italy. I always learn so much from you 🙏🏻

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you find them helpful

[@gregautryphoto]

great Ian. Love the first B&W graphic. Excellent way to show the color shapes, values, and composition all in one shot.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Great to hear from you Gregg. Best wishes.

[@DebbieAdkins-do6zv]

I took Ian’s courses last year and cannot recommend them enough. Since finishing in November I have completed 2 painting challenges on Instagram, painting every day (over 50 paintings in 2 months) - Ian’s course gave me the tools to do this and a solid foundation for my practice p

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Debbie. Nice to hear from you. All the very best.

[@jdmosaics]

Dear Ian, I love your videos that bring such clarity of vision. My love is landscapes of the mind… I only use the outside world as my starting off point. Even though my art looks nothing like the viewed landscape… like yours…you have helped me find composition in my inner landscapes. Thank you ❤

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

That’s lovely to hear. So glad you found it helpful.

[@armorvestrus4119]

I love your art it is so clean and non-confusing to the mind. It has details but is not cluttered and I love this approach to painting. I have been searching for this in my art for so long. Now I know what to focus on to begin a painting. I don't want to copy your work but to refine the most important features as you do. In the past I have overworked my art you explain clearly how not to do that and it makes for a beautiful painting.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you found it helpful!

[@wackyzaky]

Thank you for this! So much advice I've seen is "always paint from life," but I don't yet have a good setup for that, so my work is all from photo reference. And I have videos like yours to thank for my results!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

So glad you found it helpful.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I will say painting from life gives you a vast experiential library of knowledge that you use when you paint from a photo. So I'm not of the school that you can only paint from life but it is the best teacher perhaps. All the best.

[@cindypenner4998]

I really appreciate how clearly you explain concepts.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you found it helpful

[@pennydefreyne]

Thank you so much for yet another insightful, inspiring and helpful video, Ian. You explain things with such clarity too! Very much looking forward to hearing about your course next week!! Yay 🙌🏾 😊

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you enjoyed it Penny. All the very best to you.

[@josephberezansky2770]

Your wonderful knowledge and inspiration, kind and caring approach to help us is always so valuable and appreciated! In such a tumultuous time, it’s so nice to escape into a canvas and be part of a more beautiful world. Thanks again, Ian. 🎨

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

It is a good focus for all that is going on in the world right now. All the best Joseph.

[@cherylhopkins5110]

Such important information - thanks so much for sharing. I just started sketching first to help establish values and improve composition. Im planning on taking the course. Thank you from Canada!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you found it helpful. And delighted you plan on taking the course Cheryl. See you in a couple of weeks then. All the best.

[@kallinikiverikis5282]

Hello from Greece! I appreciate your videos somuch and your book has been of great help in learning how to see, compose and simplify before painting. Thank you so much!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you found it helpful.

[@RumoHasIt]

So excited to have Ian videos again!!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted to be back!

[@1ArtistChic]

Ian, thank you so much for your insightful videos! They're filled with so many helpful directional concepts that have really helped me move forward with my paintings. I truly appreciate all that you do! I’m excited for your next video, and I’m even considering taking your course! Blessings to you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I'm delighted you are finding the videos helpful. I hope you can join us for the course.

[@dalehallmark9174]

Composition is something that I recognize as key, but it is a difficult concept to understand at least for me. I love your videos, and they have been very insightful and helpful and helped make an esoteric subject a little more understandable for me. Thank you. Some of your images remind me of Edward Hopper for some reason.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks Dale. Glad you've found the videos helpful. Don't mind being associated with Hopper. Thanks.

[@sallylee2565]

I took the class last year but it was all so new to me that I didn’t absorb as much as I wished. I may sign up again. Ian’s teaching is very good even for beginners

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks Sally. My very best wishes to you.

[@indianahoosier5794]

A very big struggle for many. Thank you. I can't imagine how many poems I've missed throughout my life with not seeing the simplicity in that design...

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Oh all the poetry we must miss! With best wishes.

[@RosCharron]

An equally poetic presentation of this lesson Ian. Thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you found it engaging.

[@lizdang]

Thank you Ian! Great video!!

[@peterandrewhope6705]

Another fabulously insightful and useful coaching video Ian. Your mastery of both painting and crystalising ideas, as you teach, is brilliant. Many thanks from New Zealand.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I'm delighted you found it helpful!

[@rathodkaran6190]

I just love ya man

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you enjoyed the video

[@MladenPostruznik]

An ancient idea of many artists and philosophers is that beauty, and harmony can emerge from disorder and complexity. “Order is born of chaos.” - Heraclitus. Using the composition as your tool, you extract order and beauty from complexity. (I came upon this idea when David Dunlop did Monet's Waterlilies master copy, it was hilarious).

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you found the discussion engaging.

[@nils-goranwidh2131]

Thank you Ian, from Sweden! love your videos!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you are enjoying them Nils,. All the best.

[@Jeannebinpencil]

So good to see you Ian. Thank you so much for doing the video.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Jeanne. Best wishes

[@BibleStudyPastor]

Your photos, sketches, and paintings were perfect to illustrate your way of seeing. Thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you enjoyed it Ralph. All the best.

[@108bhavani]

Excellent as always 😃😃😃

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you found it useful.

[@dawnarobertson9577]

Brilliant! Reminds me of Richard Diebenkorn’s work.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Dawn(a) thank you and can't go wrong being associated with Diebenkorn. All the best.

[@beeARTcanada]

Always such thoughtful videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted that you enjoyed it.

[@neilsmith1688]

Thanks mate needed to see that kind regards from Australia

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

So glad you found it engaging.

[@generations-now]

This is so wonderful and I have learned something I never knew thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted that you found it helpful!

[@sonjadekock8331]

Hi from Cape Town, love your presentations 👌

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you enjoyed it!

[@philipk917]

Thank you Ian! Wonderful video. So much helpful insight and information. ❤🧡❤

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lindasteger7207]

Thanks for all the gifts you share with us!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted that you find them helpful.

[@evangeline6758]

Excellent video! Very inspiring. I've got to watch it again. Thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you enjoyed it!

[@shawneefleenor2182]

Great video! I will watch it again several times. Thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you enjoyed it.

[@mols556]

Excellent as always. Thank you, Ian.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@eleniantoniou8287]

Thank you Ian, very useful information 🙌❤️❤️

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kalpanalapsiya]

Thank you for sharing Can you please make more videos for abstract painting composition.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you found it helpful. See this playlist for more videos on abstraction: kzbin.info/aero/PLTgTPo6lUhlXg_-LuZWq3NFJnR-CFhok9

[@judylearnstopaint1040]

Can you share the method you use to get the big shape value photo please? Thank you.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Judy, the main thing is you have to go out early or late in the day when they are big long shadows. That is the #1 thing. There might be exceptions of course, but generally when you want to be indoors sipping coffee in the morning and wine in the evening that's when you need to go out and take photos. All the best.

[@123tabatha]

Magic. Thank-you

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much

[@taramazurk8300]

Appreciate your videos so much. Thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you like them!

[@johannebrun3409]

It’s so very peaceful. I’m really looking forward to February 11th

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you'll be joining us.

[@donnaduhamel6004]

Loved this😂❤

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

So glad you enjoyed this.

[@caitlindiehl4310]

I can’t figure out where to sign up for your course. I looked on your webpage and saw the date banner, but didn’t see a link to enroll.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Registration opens on Feb 11. Sign up on my email list to get an email on the day with the information and link. Sign up at ianroberts.com [Look for: Get Your Free Videos Now]

[@lindsaykaplan411]

Thanks Ian. I’ve gotten so much better at simplifying my source photos. I have no problem seeing the poetry. My drawings are okay too. I know what values generally I want to emphasize. It’s just when I go to paint, all the choices and improvisations are not working out so well. I keep ending up with grey paintings. It usually starts to go south when I try to go from a very basic painting which I actually like to a finished one that I throw in the trash can. Any suggestions for me?

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Lindsay, it's hard not seeing your paintings to comment. But I'm wondering a couple of things. One is what are the basic paintings like. How much more do they need to be "finished". Maybe you are getting a good foundation and then just overworking them because of an idea that they aren't finished when perhaps they are closer than you think. Also I'm wondering if you might try doing the paintings in just white, black and yellow ochre and force yourself to simplify them just using value and color temperature. It's amazing how alive that combination can look (I mean it needs to be a scene that has warm light hitting it and then shadows. But it might advance the idea without all the complexity of color. Then take steps from there, adding just a few touches of color around the center of interest say. We do that in my brushwork course. Weeks of just those three colors and it really makes a difference in the students' understanding of how to use color. OK two suggestions. If you answer I'm not sure I get it. I never see responses. Good luck and all the best.

[@ndband1449]

Enjoyed the video. Just one quibble. Bradford Marsalis is a saxophonist. His brother Wynton is a trumpet player. Both are marvelous musicians.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're quite right on that. I thought I'd checked it too. Thanks and best wishes.

[@careymilne9501]

Hi Ian, is the “mastering composition” that’s opening next week full? I went to the web site but didn’t see where I could register.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

HI Carey, registration will open next Tuesday. I'd be delighted if you joined us. You'll get an email with a video on the course next Tuesday and there will be a button to go to the registration page. All the best.

[@MinimiKnitDesign]

How does the upcoming course differ from the book? I already have the book and I'm wondering if they are about more or less the same things.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I wrote the book almost 20 years ago now. One, my thinking I'd say has evolved on how to explain composition and two, having a set of logically sequential lessons over several weeks embeds the ideas into your artistic practice. There are ideas in the book but not a lesson plan. Hope that answers your question. Best wishes

[@bitterfly22]

I wonder if this applies with portrait painting as well?

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

It does. If you look at so many great portraits, the big masses of light and shadow are still the defining dramatic elements in the painting. The tendency is to get hung up exclusively on the features and not see the big shapes of design of the whole painting first and foremost.

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Great video 👍

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@deniseewert6372]

❤❤❤

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much

[@andreaberger4286]

Another great video, Ian! My learning curve is coming around to seeing the shapes and trying to focus on the design first rather than the subject. I find this somewhat easier to do when it is organic landscape. Throw in a lovely barn and all my thinking gets lost. The barn seems to command all the attention. Perhaps I just don't have the right photo or enough of the light drama for the barn to be an element within a dramatic design concept.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I think you express your problem well. Not enough light drama. Squint and see the big shapes (early and late light). At mid day it is hard not to look at the barn and say thats what I'll paint. Nice to hear from you Andrea.

[@andreaberger4286]

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition i dont paint fast enough to do the early and late light but maybe i can get some good pics! I still stalking you and Anne both!

[@emmanuelledesachy7476]

Thank you very much Ian, this information is very helpful! Many thanks for your insights and clear explanation

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted that it was helpful