Oil Painting: Focal Point - The Star of Every Composition with Helen Van Wyk

[@lorrainefilmer2508]

I have watched your many painting lessons and have learned sooo much but now trying to put your hints etc. into practice. You are a beautiful artist. Thankyou muchly.

[@HelenVanWyk]

Sadly, Helen passed away in 1994, but her teachings continue to inspire artists like yourself through her lessons. Transitioning from learning to applying techniques can be challenging but very rewarding. As Helen says, "Don’t be afraid to make mistakes". ---practice and perseverance are key. Keep experimenting, and you'll continue to grow as an artist. Best of luck on your artistic journey, and thank you for your support.

[@jgmlive]

She is a master. Please put her all her classes on KZbin, so new generations can learn from her. Thank you!

[@HelenVanWyk]

Thank you for your kind words. Helen's teachings are indeed timeless. We're working on gradually adding more of her lessons, as it takes time to ensure each one is presented well. We appreciate your understanding of the value of sharing these 30+ year-old art lessons, and will continue to bring them to new generations of artists. Stay tuned for more, and thank you for your support.

[@ritabykhovsky4175]

Exquisite, talented woman. Forever alive. Thank you, Helen. We love you and learn from you.

[@sheilahorton6396]

Helen Van Wyk is the best teacher I have ever seen. So happy to see her again .

[@artmonkey22]

Growing up I watched this Lady do these painting demos and explain/teach art on PBS, she was my introduction to painting/ art theory. Glad to of found her on you tube.

[@williambrooks6629]

Thank you for putting up these videos of Helen VanWyk. Back in the day I had a set of VHS tapes. Her commentary is complemented by her brushes. The little jewels of wisdom are worth memorising. "The first thing you see is the last thing you paint", is burned into my memory.

[@CraigsLister]

Another top notch lesson by this talented artist/teacher.

[@DivaJan]

@CraigisLister Best comment ever. 👍

[@craft-o-matic399]

Helen, your are an amazing woman, and you live once again on the internet with the addition of new episodes of "Welcome To My Studio" uploads being released regularly. You are an incredible artist, teacher, friend and even entertainer; you are so kind and gracious to everyone! Thank you! I will definitely be watching! What a smile at the very end of this episode!

[@MidgeACE]

It is such a joy to see this lady painting in real-time. Bought her books many years ago from a second hand book store and are some of my most treasured art books. Such a fantastic teacher ❤️ 👏 Thanks for sharing these 😊

[@HelenVanWyk]

Those books are a great compliment to the video lessons. Is there a particular book that don't have and need or do you have all of them.

[@DQ_ArtGroupie]

This show was one of my staple art instruction shows on my local PBS affiliate on Saturdays afternoons. As I recall, it was Bob Ross, Brenda Harris, at least one other artist, and Helen Van Wyk, whose projects were always multi-week masterpieces, who laid out principles of art in relatable terms like she did here with balance, and who was always threatening to teach us how to make soup in an upcoming episode.

[@blessOTMA]

Indeed. That line up was a highlight of the week.

[@susansouthern6704]

I wish I had discovered her before she passed..her attitude was so refreshing

[@marthacanady9441]

Just a master.

[@theofilikaterina1]

Μπράβο! Χαιρετισμούς από Αθήνα, Ελλάδα💗

[@HelenVanWyk]

Χαίρομαι που ακούω από εσένα! Ελπίζω να απολαμβάνεις τα μαθήματα της.

[@abdellatifelouazzani3505]

شكرا جزيلا على الشرح المبسط حفظك الله.

[@HelenVanWyk]

مرحبا بكم وشكرا لدعم القناة. هو موضع تقدير.

[@rdmyplasticart8481]

Ahora esta pintando nuestro cielo ❤

[@HelenVanWyk]

Sim, de fato. Ao lado do marido Herb e Rembrandt, um de seus pintores favoritos.

[@carissafisher7514]

What is that huge stick coming out from her pallet?

[@HelenVanWyk]

Here is a very short video about that stick you're asking about: kzbin.infoL8xitFMBC0g?feature=share

[@AutumnSieminski]

Yes. “Ditto “😀

[@laurawhigham8492]

Who is the still-life master she mentioned? I’ve searched for “Jardín still-life“ no luck yet.

[@laurawhigham8492]

@@HelenVanWyk My sincerest thanks 💕

[@deegee8645]

@@laurawhigham8492 I think she was possibly referring to Jean Siméon Chardin (1699-1779) who is likely the most famous still-life painter in history. Émile Jourdan was a naive-style landscape painter by the looks of it.

[@MrSilva960]

Have a post about painting fabrics ?

[@HelenVanWyk]

I believe Helen had a lesson on painting drapery folds. Also, a few lessons contain folds on table coverings. There is also a lesson on scumbling. Watch for them on future posts. Thanks for the support.

[@carissafisher7514]

The painting behind her seem to be balanced in the middle. How can it be balanced without the image in the middle?

[@HelenVanWyk]

Thanks for the question. Here is one of Helen's lessons covering balanced composition. I hope this helps explain what she means by balanced. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6q6mp6Jm6qCsMUsi=M24AglVD82l4gsui

[@ClaireRitson-i6f]

rules of composition

[@samstewart9249]

I have a question, where does the rule come from that there can only be one focal point? Who makes up these rules anyway? Sorry had to add an additional question.

[@HelenVanWyk]

Sadly, Helen died in 1994, so she cannot answer you directly. However, paintings are not limited to one focal point, as you point out. Multiple focal points might have been too advanced a topic for her students at that time. Teaching a single focal point in this lesson might have increased the students' chances of success. Thanks for bringing this up.

[@MrHeli4444]

I bet she made good soup.

[@HelenVanWyk]

Actually, Helen mentioned in one of her last lessons that she didn't know how to make soup. However, she did finish almost all of her lessons with a promise to teach us how.

[@59jaguar]

The two blue books are monotonous. Should have changed color of one of them.

[@HelenVanWyk]

Yes, I think many would agree with you. Thanks for posting.

[@carissafisher7514]

I think she is making the picture balanced.

[@carissafisher7514]

She never tells us where the focal point is.

[@HelenVanWyk]

For this lesson, Helen seems to be using the tankard and brushes as star of this composition. Here is a clip: kzbin.infoUgkx5ypNEatKwfI6knX-NUpb5TVdxF5a1Cpg?si=9HYIAzsD04yYMC-K

[@Cua-tanet]

The tankard is the focal point. It's off center.

[@andrewbellavie795]

4:43 I don't think it can be any clearer