Paint Shapes, Not Things.

This week I emphasize how you create the illusion of the world not by painting the things of the world. But by translating the world into shapes. Paint the shapes, and the illusion takes care of itself.
Materials for toned paper drawing: Strathmore toned paper, grey or buff, Blackwing Matte pencil and Generals Charcoal White #558 pencil
The link to the 20-minute demonstration video for this week is here: • Paint Shapes, Not Thin...
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[@tedewilkins]

Painting shapes instead of “things” has been such a break though for me. I have always struggled with getting lost in the details,. And searching for verticals has been so key to creating interesting design. You have such a great way of helping us on our journeys. Thanks for obviously working so hard at creating a valuable nugget each week!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I'm really happy to know the videos are helping you Ted(e). And thanks for telling me. All the best.

[@paintlady2268]

I will be repeating your mantra, 'it's just a shape. Excellent demonstration! Thank you.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

It's a good mantra. Glad you liked it Brenda. All the best.

[@jayne3944]

For me, this has been one of your best and most helpful videos yet ... although they are allll soooo helpful :-) ... I love your idea of just painting shapes ... takes so much of the fear out of the process. THANK YOU, IAN!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Very happy you found it so helpful. All the best.

[@realmahadeo]

I abandoned paint for now and just drawing with black pens/markers. But I still enjoy Ian's videos so much! I plan to definitely return to painting again

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

HI Andrei, I think there is much to recommend just working in black and white and focussing on building a strong value and design driven sense of making pictures. Color can be so distracting from that.

[@carmenparis9366]

Hi Ian, just a quick note to thank you for being so generous with your time and talents. I have been watching your videos for a few weeks now and I find that my artwork has improved noticeably. I just ordered your book from Amazon and I look forward to getting more in-depth information. Thanks again. :)

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are very welcome Carmen.

[@nafsiammara]

As a new painter this is the most important thing I've learnt. Thanks.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@rudolfo9361]

Very helpful, indeed. Now I would like to see a portrait painted with shapes, not things :)

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

HI Rudolf, glad you liked the video. I'll do one with a portrait as shapes one week. I've got several weeks of content planned out now but will do that. It is a good suggestion. Thank you.

[@patjeffers9431]

Such an important lesson Ian. Great reminder and a very nice painting, too!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you Pat. Glad you liked it.

[@wendemather9780]

As a very tight and detailed painter who wants to get out of a rut and grow, this couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. This very important basic gives me so much confidence to try something new. Thankyou Ian.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are welcome Wende. It's true being held by the detail just gets so tedious sometimes. I'm glad this gave you a sense of direction that could help you break it. All the best.

[@giovannisiano574]

Indeed it is the struggle of keeping the shapes separate but not alien to the painting, and not falling into the mistake of painting details immediately that will break the unity of each shape.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Giovanni, you're right about wanting to painting details too early. That really locks down the ability to adjust the big shapes so they work in concert. Best wishes.

[@alisonhendry2928]

Fabulous light filled painting. Love these shakes pearls of wisdom. Besides being taught to turn things upside down and paint the shape not the “thing” this mantra rolls through my head all the time, especially if I am lost... thank you again for Tuesday’s. I am watching this late as Tuesday got away from me.. Happy Canada 🇨🇦 Day!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Yes happy Canada Day, said from the southern reaches of the US!. Glad you enjoyed the video Alison. All the best.

[@billhinton8579]

Ian I'm constantly amazed at how well you create art from locations that I would generally pass by without any notice. It certainly makes me SEE more in daily life. Cheers from Seattle..!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

HI Bill, I think a lot of that is from searching for designs over subjects. As subjects there isn't much there, but as designs there is.

[@summerhi7703]

I’m using your method of cropping my photo and sketching a value study before painting. It’s been very helpful. How you turn everyday scenes into beautiful images is great to watch.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you are finding the ideas helpful Summer. Best wishes.

[@DonnaTanguay]

This was excellent! Simple easy quick worthwhile

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you liked it!

[@Ke-na-le-Moemedi]

Simply brilliant. Thank you for the great content

[@arieljiang8198]

I’ve learned more from this video than taking many other classes! I always feel it’s so hard to simplify things. This helps so much can’t wait to apply it.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you are enjoying the videos. Best wishes

[@lisengel2498]

Such a finedemonstration of the total shape of the painting as patters of shapes and rhythms - i really appreciate this way of showing the musicality of the composition.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

LIs, I know I answered your email because I commented on your lovely expression "the musicality of the composition". But here it implies I haven't yet commented. So I do again. Best wishes.

[@anuchathampally9116]

Fantastic and helpful! Thank you so much🙏🏽

[@BibleStudyPastor]

Well done. You made your simple point clear and illustrated it wonderfully. Thank you.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks as always Ralph. Best wishes.

[@VWLivin]

I love how you explain these painting techniques. Easy to digest and put into practice. Thank you.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I'm glad you are finding them helpful. Best wishes.

[@marihart-qbc]

Love your finish painting and how you keep the shapes simple yet very suggestive of the whole atmosphere. Also the contrast between cool and warm shapes...romantic mood and whimsical atmosphere. Not getting too busy or fussy : a whole program! Didn't know you grew up in Ontario. I was born in a little french speaking town north of Montreal. Trying at 70 (!) to recover health with watercolor and oil painting after a long disease. Thank you for giving us with so much intelligence, sensibility and generosity the tools for a better understanding of composition :"le maître d'œuvre dans l'accomplissement d'un tableau plus inspirant". I am just at the beginning of this process after years trying to understand the human soul as a clinical psychologist. Your tuesday videos accompany us every steeps of the way in our desire to get to know the artistic process. Thank you for the bonus video, also very helpful.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Joanne, I"m so glad you are finding these videos helpful on your artistic path. With very best wishes.

[@MissT2U1]

The very simplified shapes make it easy and takes the fear out of beginning. Before you know it you’re detailing. I enjoy your style of teaching! The longer video was also helpful.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you liked them both Tanya. All the best.

[@gaylemartin6498]

A great reminder of how we need to stay focused on shapes and not things. Thank you, Ian. Nice painting.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks Gayle. Nice to hear from you. All the best.

[@alicegriffin4375]

Shapes, shapes, shapes! I'm beginning to hear that in my head as I draw. Your videos are so helpful. I have purchased your book and am working on a drawing a day. Your teaching style is so clear that I am retaining a great deal of what I'm reading without becoming overwhelmed. Thank you Ian!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Makes me happy to hear Alice. Glad you are finding it helpful. Drawing a day , it's a great exercise. All the very best.

[@orlane219]

Thank you so much for this wonderful demo.Week after week you teach us this great art of composition. Helpful and engaging to try to do the same !

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Hannah, I'm delighted you are finding the videos helpful week by week.

[@lindafreda9695]

I enjoy how you break down a project to simple techniques. This gives me motivation to try new subjects. Thank you Ian.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you found it helpful Linda. All the best .

[@MJ-iv8ww]

Thank you Ian! I really enjoyed this!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

That's great. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@capefox8321]

Of all your paintings that I've seen, this one is my favorite!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Barry. Glad you liked it.

[@yeshonestly4268]

Thank you. Your lessons are very helpful. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you are enjoying the videos. Best wishes

[@joeirvine3398]

Tried my first “Paint Shapes” block-in. This is a revaluation and a new paradigm for me. Many thanks for the inspiration and guidance

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Makes me really happy to hear Joe. Good luck and best wishes.

[@coloradocorri]

So helpful to study the block in transition to detailed finish! Thank you Ian!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful Corri.

[@margaretp867]

So helpful!

[@anuphone2874]

Beautiful work👌🏻👌🏻 I will try painting Mrs. Roberts this week 😁 too

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Sounds good. Good luck Anu.

[@IamDV]

Absolutely fabulous

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you DV.

[@jameswaustin4669]

As for “things”, in our mind these spontaneously become words or concept definitions of what that “thing’ is, conjuring multiple images of what it “should” be. And thereby distracting us from seeing what is there before you; e.i., a bush is made of leaves, so you start painting leaves, etc. Whereas the shadow shapes created by the leaves is likely the more interesting and dominate visual experience.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Jim, it's that line by Paul Valery, "to see is to forget the name of the thing one sees". Good to hear from you. Best wishes.

[@marieradi-nahas767]

Thank you, Ian, for another great video and fabulous step by step explanation of blocking the shapes. I’ve done it with graphite and charcoal on paper and now I have to get over my fear and do it on canvas with my oil paints. Thank you very much. Have a great week.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you enjoyed the video. I was starting a painting yesterday and doing the dance of avoidance before starting and could clearly see a fear of starting (because I was trying something hard and new). I still experience it, but you just have to stare it in the face and start and hope for the best. Good luck.

[@crisalidathomassie1811]

Ian, thanks for the demo. So inspiring. Often times we need to pay attention to shapes along with values. Great video. Take care. I just bought your book Creating Authenticity, I’m loving it and your other book to. They are great with so much information. Thanks so much, they are a great addition to my library.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you are enjoying the videos, and the books. With best wishes.

[@jonathano.7109]

Great explanation and even better demonstration. Thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brandymcfee2977]

Thank you so much!!!! I love your lessons!! I learn something tangible every video of yours I watch. Sharing your knowledge is a true gift to me. Cheers!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are so welcome Brandy.

[@MichaelWi]

Thank you so much for these videos! I learn so much from each and every one of them.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much for letting me know you are enjoying them. I appreciate it. All the best

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

So useful🙏🙏🙏

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted to hear it.

[@gregautryphoto]

Always great Ian...

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks Greg. All the best.

[@kingcollette]

I loved this video. Thx!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you are enjoying the videos. Best wishes

[@Aceofcups111]

Very helpful video.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful!

[@doradrexler2792]

Ian, it is incredibly helpful and inspiring. Please keep up. Thank you a lot.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks, will do Dora.

[@megmurf5376]

Thanks, Ian. That was great. I think this will be a good video to show my students. Cheers

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're welcome Meg.

[@Mr-S.C.]

Brilliant - love it!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you.

[@yvonnestudevan8284]

I'm learning so much from your lessons thank you.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are very welcome Yvonne.

[@ushadilip3039]

Thank you 🙏🏾 it’s great learning and you make it very beautiful and simple.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I'm glad you like it Usha. All the best.

[@gwenritch]

Beautiful thanks so much. Great tips!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks for watching Gwen.

[@Jacksbox11]

So helpful. Thanks, Ian!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you found it helpful. Best wishes.

[@argeancomics3291]

Helpful, as always. Please, consider doing that book with a year program of daily exercices. Abstracting the image in shapes instead of objects would be more easy with a routine of activities. Hope you get enlighted with the idea someday.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you found the video helpful. I"ve got three online courses I'll be teaching again in the new year that pretty does what you suggest here. Might be interesting to you. All the best.

[@susanhepburn6040]

Thank you so much.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're welcome Susan.

[@RobertF-]

A block in of big shapes is often much more powerful than the finished picture filled in with details a.k.a small shapes. Someone once told me, every artist needs someone to tell them when to stop.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

It's so true. You can block it in and you've said it all. Or close enough. After that it can just getting overworked.

[@reenadatta910]

Superb

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you Reena.

[@JimMichels]

Yes, shapes... that’s what I learned back in art school. Never realising why all the effort of endless compositions with geometrical shapes and the golden ratio. But now... I know

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Seems like you got a good foundation Jim. Best wishes.

[@nelidagarcia7412]

I love your videos and they are exactly what I need. I am self-taught. I can easily reproduce something I see but imagining and composing is challenging. I have wanted to paint a flower arrangement ala dutch style with flowers from my garden but the composition is hard to figure out. Do you have any videos on this topic ? Any guidance you can provide would be appreciated.

[@dinoeno5364]

Great videos, really helpful stuff! Thank you! Could you talk about how to use shapes in portrait painting, please?

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Dino, I'm delighted you enjoyed the video and found it helpful. I want to do a couple of weeks on the figure at some point and I'll look at shapes in portraits. But look at late 19th century portraits and squint and see the big shapes of light and shadow on the face. Spaces first, details (eyes, nose, etc) second. We get even more pulled by the features and their details with portraits. But still fundamentally the shapes carry the painting.

[@Tizaheijting]

Great video!!!!!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you Patricia.

[@KalpanaImaginationArtandEngPoe]

Nice

[@omnesilere]

That's nice when things are themselves blocky but this is a rare case. most of the time, especially plein air there's just nothing simple in front of you.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I find a lot of finding to something to paint plein air is looking around until something simple does register. It's not that the whole thing is devoid of detail, it's just that you "see" big masses and use those and eliminate complexities. It takes sometimes a lot of walking around and finding it. Otherwise you're right it is all just a jumble and you can't dig your way out it with paint.

[@LizGridleyArtist]

Shapes, chunks, nuggets, blobs, they've always been called so many things 😂 but it is so true!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Chunks and nuggets make me think of sculpture. You know like pieces of rock, but I guess ones I've chipped off and are now lying on the floor. Glad you liked it Liz. All the best.

[@mayraborbonmoviendoenergia5196]

Great Class, thank u 😊

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are welcome Mayra.

[@mbegonasastre6938]

Thank you

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are welcome!

[@joylondon4179]

Hello Ian, Ive only just enrolled for your videos so I’ve sadly missed loads! I Enjoyed this video very much, your a nice clear instructor and great to watch your brush strokes, much appreciated! thank you! How can I see your other videos I’ve missed? Is it possible to find them somewhere please?

[@MissT2U1]

Search his name on KZbin and his other videos will come up.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

As Tanya noted, if you type my name and mastering composition in the search bar in KZbin you will have all 85 pop up. I think you can then sort them by date but honestly there is no chronological order to how I made them. Glad you are enjoying them.

[@mijiyoon5575]

👍👍👍👍👍🎨

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you liked it!

[@lindacoffey6108]

Ian - What medium are you using? Thank you for your excellent lessons?

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

HI Linda, glad you enjoyed the video. For the block in if the shape is large, like the grass say, I'll just dip the tip of my brush in mineral spirits (gamsol). Other than that, and particularly after the block in I don't use any medium. Just the paint (oil) itself.

[@RT-wl6tq]

Great video...question: Did you start with a projected image outline?

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you liked the video. I don't use projected images. I grid the photo and canvas in thirds and draw it using the added reference points that the thirds give you. I find it very helpful if the shapes and dimensions of the image are important (which they usually are).

[@Artbycarrie]

Is the light green from a tube? I’ve tried to mix it but never works. Thanks.

[@claygreen4723]

It's amazing how once the proper values are established the eyes automatically "fill in the blanks" with detail.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Sort of less is more approach. You can fill in the rest yourself.

[@claygreen4723]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition If you get the basics correct you can call it finished at just about any point. But if you get it wrong at the start you can't put enough lipstick on that pig!

[@grandpa_eric]

Absolutely this is helpful. Helpful and inspirational. Beautiful work, Ian. Often times when plein air painting a subject whether a kayaker, a goose, or a friend will happen upon my view. And with a few shapes, and the visual locked in my brain, I can get a convincing image on my painting. In fact, I hope for that to make my painting complete. It may blow up the composition, but more often it adds more personality.

[@arijitdatta3694]

Hi Ian, thank you for the video. I wanted to ask you about canvas tinting. I was going through some old Walter Foster books and it keeps saying that it's important to tint the canvas before thr underpaint stage. Your approach was different. Why do we need to tint the canvas and why was your approach different?

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

There's a plus and minus to toning the canvas. The plus, and I think it is an important plus and I often tone mine (a soft warm grey about 2 on the value scale) - you put in color shapes when you paint. Rather than having to cover every little touch of canvas because the bright white is popping through and is distracting so you have to go in a fill in those little spots, the toned canvas acts as a neutral ground so those little marks are not distracting and you can just leave them if you want. The minus is sometime in blocking in with thin paint you can get a really luminous color with the thin painting over the bright white canvas and you'll never get thicker paint to be so luminous. But all in all I often tone my canvas. Last week maybe not because I wanted that luminosity coming through. Hope that answers your question.

[@arijitdatta3694]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition This is perfect. Thank you so much. The luminosity part was an eye opener. I can relate it to the hedge top, and the portion of the lawn which were sunlit.That part was really bright. I tried to do swatches of the color on a toned canvas, I just couldn't get the luminosity. Thank you so very much. This just shows the amount ot planning you put in each painting.

[@davideatwell6577]

It's like I've been painting for the 50 years, most of it's about waiting really

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you liked it David

[@marypartridge5154]

Do you give lessons that I can pay for.

[@marypartridge5154]

Your paintings look magic before they are finished. Less is more. You have such skill but I feel your art could be great if you stopped

[@skibofilms]

I am about to burn three or four paintings I did. They are a real mess. Not even Bob Ross would approve. I must think in terms of shapes, now.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you liked the video. Practice, practice, practice. All the best

[@allenvoss7977]

And use effects not outlines.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Yes.