Paint Shapes, Not Things - Demonstration Video

This week I am adding a 20 minute video of my blocking in a 20" x 20" canvas shape by shape.
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[@Tuxon86]

This is probably the best how to start painting tutorial. I always feel intimidated when I look for a subject by the amount of details that I forget that painting is more about shape and light then tiny details, at least at the start. You go from simple to complex, not the other way around. Thank you for diminishing my beginner anxiety level!

[@RustyOrange71]

It's people like Ian Roberts that make KZbin such a valuable teaching and learning resource. Thank you Ian.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Paul. I really appreciate your letting me know you are enjoying the videos.

[@dearbh1736]

I can't believe how much I am learning about my watercolour work through watching your tutorials in oil paints. The two mediums couldn't be more different but so many of the principles you show us can apply to all mediums. The improvement in my composition is really making me feel good about what I am doing. Thank you so much Ian. You are a wonderful and generous teacher.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Of course oil and watercolor have their own dictates about how to apply paint. But beneath that as you point out is the composition, the design, the big value masses. Those are the same challenges for each. Glad you are enjoying the videos.

[@MarinaMichaels]

I agree! I've recently taken up watercolor again after not painting for too long. I'm browsing around for tutorial videos to brush up on my skills (pun intended), and found this one. There's a lot to learn from this video that applies to any kind of painting medium.

[@2dmajor999]

I also learned alot from this for my digital painting skills! I see now that Charcoal drawings, oil, water colour, digital is basically all the same! Amazing!

[@Tammykaye]

I’ve also been doing watercolors for a little over a year. I just stumbled upon your videos and this is helping my mind conceptualize how to do the details in a painting! I see how color blocking makes everything come together. You make it look so easy. I will be trying this painting myself with watercolors. Thank you so much and I’m excited to see your other videos!

[@sammanthaford3982]

Right!!

[@jamesaritchie1]

Mot my style. I learned a long, long time ago that painting shape, not things, not only didn't help, it hurt, and I don't think anyone actually does this. I don't care how many shapes you think you're pointing, you still have to paint things exactly as they are, and in the same way I paint them.

[@annsmith3192]

you can't paint things however you want you are the artist

[@suepidlubny3183]

Thanks for this demo. I’m working on “blocking in” and my paintings are improving. I find that my paintings often go through an “ugly”stage. And, because of your demos I am learning to work through this to some level of success. I too live in Ontario and a lemon tree would be spectacular.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Sue, I suppose all paintings go through the initial enthusiasm stage, all vision, then as they proceed reality starts to creep in and the vision starts taking a hit (the ugly stage), then you just bear down and pull it together and it doesn't really match the glory of the initial vision, but it works.

[@oliviamorin5251]

Hey fellow ontarian :D

[@saddlebredfever]

Your commentary hits me right where I need it. Somehow your vocabulary really penetrates my brain. Thank you for the longer version.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

That's great Jenny. Glad you found the vocabulary resonated with you.

[@Ghost_PM11]

Just witnessing the creative process, it's the most interesting thing to me.

[@richvanatte3947]

I found this video memorizing. I was interrupted twice while watching, but instantly glued to it again as I continued. Very nice!

[@abbe1255]

I’m not an artist in any way but I still found this video enjoyable. Your voice is so calming

[@johnwalker4060]

Thank you for knowing and thank you for sharing. Tuesdays would be incomplete without your videos.

[@j8kethewizz]

I love how you just get right into it. I've always been intimidated by painting but this video pretty much destroyed any hang ups I have. I guess I've been approaching it as though I have to get everything down all at once but this method seems so much easier.

[@mmolpus7802]

Thank you so much for sharing your excellent teaching videos. 🙌🤩 And your left handedness is appreciated. 😄

[@veronicastern3187]

Brilliant! Can't thank you enough for simplifying things which takes the mystery away and makes painting so much easier.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Really happy you find the videos helpful and making painting easier. Thanks for letting me know. Best wishes.

[@Coco2345ful]

Beautiful greens...that bane of my existence....help!

[@gregautryphoto]

the longer vid was wonderful. It really helps viewers to understand more fully the process, working value, and color temp, back and forth. And the narration is really valuable to help viewers to understand "your process".. I love the brushes...

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks Greg. More people watched, so far, the long video than the short one. Not sure what to do with that information. I thought the reason everyone liked the videos is they were short and bite-sized.

[@lisakunish936]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition I like your composition videos because they are so very well articulated and the subject matter of composition is critical (a concept this beginner learned from you and your book!) and because most other artists posting on KZbin do not talk about composition. When discussing composition, the shorter videos on Tuesday mornings are perfect as they get the point across with the right amount of time to hold my interest. Later when I have time, I love watching the longer “companion” videos to see how the painting is developed and hear your thoughts and rationale behind all the choices you make. Keeping the longer ones under 30 minutes works well for me. In other words, the long complements the short - and I love them both.

[@paulmckell7726]

Heyup Ian, this painting reminds me of Monet's lady in the garden , which I once copied ,and I can honestly say ,I did a good job , light against dark is one of the best captivating tools one can use.great video as per usual.

[@trellalamos3721]

This is a painter. 💯 Thanks for the demonstration.

[@trianglebook3616]

Thank you Ian!

[@billcrouch4865]

I enjoyed seeing how you painted the top half of the painting.

[@sydene54]

Thank you the method of art; so clear, straightforward and honest. That's what I get from you.

[@sarvinyari6622]

Amazing!!! Thank you for this great video. So simple yet so effective.

[@FreeSpokenOne]

Simply amazing to watch each element morph from some shapes into a picture showing so much without great details. Brilliantly done. Thanks for doing this for us all.

[@andriyyavorskyy1169]

incredible, love your descriptions of the process. makes me think of painting differently

[@heatherjohnston5427]

Brilliant thanks for the step by step instructions.

[@michellechivers7406]

Absolutely magical...I enjoyed watching the transformation. Beautiful.

[@stephenlee9553]

Magnificent demonstration 👍

[@Linda-zd6wu]

This was so helpful ! Wow...I love how you did this so clearly...reducing it to the simplest forms.

[@jeanhargis7333]

Amazing tutorial! Can see how you do this very clearly! Thank you very much!

[@denisetomlinson9008]

Brilliant demonstration. Thankfully I can watch it again because there is so much information on how to paint a complex scene and keep it simple.

[@wendyst.germain4482]

Gosh, this was useful. Thank you. I’m going to follow your lessons now. You are a wonderful teacher.

[@TOPFIVEFIT]

This was an eye opener! Great video.

[@badchips5118]

Love your illustration

[@lorraineferraro8946]

I am a senior just thinking about trying my hand at painting for the first time. Thank you for your instruction.

[@stanwhite6199]

That was a very engrossing and instructive demonstration. Thank you for your expertise and especially for your sincerity.

[@ChrisWilliams-le1we]

Bless your heart. You are an amazing teacher. Thank you.

[@grainneconroy2193]

Thanks for sharing your expertise.😊

[@casperthegm741]

Well done Ian, and thank you for the narration as you worked through it. I'm attempting the transition from the world of graphite, where everything so detail oriented and hyper-focused on realism, so a tutorial like this is both a mind-blowing from that change of perspective and a great resource. I really like what you said about "drawing with the brush," as I've found myself saying the same things on some of my initial projects. Thanks again.

[@serijas737]

I love the colors.

[@homayounazarnoush2041]

This lesson is like anatomy of painting to me thank you Alan.

[@abelardogreen]

Shapes!!! See the beautiful shapes even if the subject is not pleasing. They are everywhere. The beautiful shapes.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much!

[@artsygirll2010]

What a great detail tutorial on blocking and painting. I loved the way you blocked and demonstrated how the painting to developed. Excellent!!! Thank you Ian!!!

[@Mamounalaframboiz]

Thank you very much for this tutorial that simplifies painting. It's very inspiring. Thank you

[@trentkuhn]

wow beauty in the simplicity!

[@virginiaaustin5331]

Your the only art instructor that turns his picture upside down. I do it and thought I was a stand artist.

[@Tizaheijting]

I'm into horses and portraits, but struggle with too much detail/overworking them. I'm going to try this method to see where it brings me. I'm so intrigued and fascinated to see how abstraction creates space. Love also how you exaggerate the light/warm colors to really enhance the light/shadow-play. This video is definately one of my absolute favourits. I'll go back to it time and time again for really a longer period of time. Thanks for your generosity!!!!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you found it helpful Patricia. Portraits and horses are two subjects that really pull us into the parts too quickly. Just as you are seeing they requiring thinking in terms of shapes of light and dark first.

[@patcooke3261]

Just enjoy watching another left-handed artist paint!

[@swarnachandrasekera5819]

Amazing! Love it!

[@vickireid3435]

Love your videos! So I informative and beautiful!

[@fviannaval]

This has been a great education. Thank you.

[@johnhaywood6358]

Thank you For sharing. Great video

[@lolaolczak6565]

I learned a lot from this long demo, yes, please continue!

[@lynward7085]

I am loving all your demonstration videos. Thank you so much

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are most welcome Lyn.

[@debramoss2267]

Having just watched your 'only rule' video, it is really good to see this principle beautifully mastered. Thank you.

[@sexykidmason]

I am so grateful for this!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad I could help Mason

[@cristysmiley4508]

I really appreciate your knowledge about Art.

[@josykeully637]

Great explanation and painting. Thank you.

[@kron3409]

THIS IS AMAZING!! thanks for the lessons, a beatutiful work and an amazing technique

[@kathyniemic2977]

explained and demonstrated clearly!

[@soumitrachatterjee1572]

Stunning

[@margaretlacey8653]

Thank you for this longer demo. The short ones illustrate a point, highlight an approach, remind us of techniques, but the long form shows us beginners the essential details of how you make it happen; how much paint, how you push the brush around etc. I love how you put the subtly different shades of colour down in shapes and don’t mess them into each other.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Marg, I'm delighted you liked them both. I have to figure out if I'm going to continue with the longer ones. Everyone says they love the 6-7 minute videos and then I put a demo video up and more people watch than the short one. So now I'm confused. Nice to hear from you. All the best.

[@jackyradbone3808]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition I love both; both the short and longer videos are invaluable and I look forward so much to see what you post each Tuesday. So grateful for the huge amount of time, skill and energy you put into making these videos, it is so very appreciated. I love your books too, have them both. Thanks again for so generously sharing your gifts with us 😊

[@joycebutler3494]

I absolutely love this painting! Thank you for sharing this. As always you add tools to the painting tool box of technique that are so helpful. ❤️

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Joyce, happy you found it helpful. All the best.

[@saharm2454]

Yes thank you, this is very helpful.

[@lynnegirard980]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I have learned a lot.

[@mikeinengland9982]

such a great picture in such a short time. but as one great painter said, there's a lifetime of experience. very inspiring Ian, thank you.

[@KathyBrooksArt]

Wonderful. Thank you so much for this, it makes so much sense. You articulate it so well and break it down into easy to follow steps. Beautiful painting too!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much. Best wishes

[@patrickbloodstone1916]

Everything about the way you break this down is amazing thanks!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mellow5123]

Love this. THanks.

[@MarieStephensArt]

Beautiful painting!

[@johnnywhite1681]

I enjoy learning so much in your videos. Ill never be a professional artist but, I do enjoy painting and your instruction is encouraging. Thank you.

[@ramandha3311]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge Sir,

[@steffenbjoern]

Thank you very much for this tutorial. I think, I should really reconsider my approach to painting by working in basic shapes instead of detailing too much in a graphic style!

[@sandy411]

This is a beautiful painting, Ian, and the longer edition is very helpful. Thank you!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Sandy, glad you found the longer one helpful. See you Saturday. All the best.

[@stephenjamison6124]

👍 Thank you Ian, I look forward to Tuesday so much

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks for letting me know. With best wishes.

[@joeirvine3398]

Thanks again Ian! Love Tuesday inspiration/instruction.👍🏼

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are most welcome Joe.

[@jonathanallen6753]

The GENEROSITY OF KNOWLEDGE imparted in this excellent tutorial is noteworthy. CLEARLY explained and a well executed tutorial! Impatiently awaiting your next video....

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you enjoyed it Jonathan!

[@luckeyrose13]

Just found you on YTube and have watched a couple of videos. Your tutorials are wonderful. I love your method of instruction and love your amazing style of art. Thank you so much! 🎨👌🖼

[@gwenritch]

Thank you so much for a very informative video. I love how you make it look so easy pulling it all together. beautiful

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you liked it Gwen. I think the more the design works the easier the painting process is.

[@artbysha8039]

One of the best of yours I have seen. Thanks so much love his color palette too. So harmonic

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much. Glad you liked it.

[@classicalmloo1216]

Great video! Thank you!

[@amandajackson2890]

Brilliant THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@sallyalter6003]

Really love this. I was fascinated by how the shapes all came together .

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you liked it Sally

[@dianamiguel4906]

Thank you so much for this video Ian!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are so welcome Diana

[@DannySabraArt]

Really appreciated seeing the process here. You also are inspiring me to try to paint larger than I normally do! I really enjoyed this painting. Thanks for sharing your wisdom here!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Danny. Glad you are enjoying it

[@Josht_ASL]

Hi Ian! This is a wonderful video and I am learning so much from your channel. Thankyou for sharing and teaching!

[@emitch9213]

Fun to watch you at your lesson example of form painting. I have always been awed by the painter and perspectives. This was relaxing for me to rest into your view. I discovered I feel very relaxed. Thank you very much.

[@ceilingworm]

I'm curently an art student and your videos are really helping me grasp basic painting concepts, keep up the great content!

[@GaiaCarney]

A lemon tree is a miracle to this PNW native as well! The blossoms must smell amazing

[@holly_kay5570]

I am so happy that I found your channel a few days ago. I love (yes love :) ) the way you describe and explain things!!! I'm currently learning/using watercolor, but I have painted with oils in the past. I really I enjoy both and I may return to oils some day because I love the texture and the sculpting quality of oil paint. For now the challenge of watercolor has me engrossed and I find many of your demos applicable to any medium/applicable to the creation of art. I've watched many YT channels where I learn a little and then I move away from that artist and find someone else. On yours though, I keep watching more and more of your demos. You're a great teacher and I thank you for sharing your experience and love of creating :)

[@rudolfo9361]

I love it. I'm so glad I found this channel. Thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you enjoy it Rudolf.

[@padams7588]

Ian, thank you so much for this detailed explanation of your work. I find this fascinating. I appreciate your time and effort and thank you for sharing your process. Much appreciated.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are very welcome

[@honeybunchhoneybunch9954]

Excellent video - am so glad I found it. Many thanks Ian for posting.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much

[@bluenoser1567]

Well that was a great video! I don't know what drew me to this but as a digital artist and not a traditional one I learned so much from this ... Thanks and Cheers from Nova Scotia

[@kathyriggs2308]

Thank you again for an extra longer video---I do enjoy my Tuesdays.I just bought your book and find it very useful.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks Kathy. I know you'll find the book helpful.

[@carolineboisvert3285]

Thanks for reminding me of my beginnings and the fun along. So I'm not too far along with what I learned from trying , watercolor and your example. :)

[@mochaest1994]

This is exactly the style I’m aiming forZ this was very helpful!

[@marthacanady9441]

Super instructive, Ian. Thank you so much. Love your style.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much for letting me know Martha. Best wishes.

[@leslienewman2052]

This is so packed jammed full of fantastic information, thank you so much for sharing!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Makes me really happy to hear it. Thank you Leslie

[@conniecarey5118]

I started painting a couple months back and I started with a photo I had and like you I did it very similar but I never knew that there was a name for it colour blocking thank you 🙏 x💛

[@salilweling]

Great Demo with detailing of light n shadow in landscape

[@yasminjan8979]

Very good idea to painting by blocking the shapes thanks for teachings