Turning the Raw Material of the World into Art

How do you take the raw material of the world and turn it into art? Today I will show you three photographs - a landscape, a still life, and a figure. And I wanted to show you the analysis I go through before I begin drawing.
You will see what I include, what I eliminate, and what I enhance because the world does not offer you a perfect picture very often. Nature gives you the raw materials. And then I'm going to show you the drawings I did of those three photographs, so you see the design, structure, and simplification. Ultimately, you're the curator. You're the one that finds that simplicity and coherence of art. As one artist once said, "Don't let the subject kidnap you. You're the one in charge."
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I am using Blackwing Matte pencils to draw with and Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper.
Here is a gridding app to grid your photos: www.griddrawing...
Link to some recent paintings by Ian Roberts for Sale:
masteringcompo...
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Instagram @ianrobertsartist: / ianrobertsa. .

[@grandpa_eric]

Yesterday morning I went outside in my backyard to plein air paint. And as you said and did in this video, I did not let the subject kidnap me! I removed elements that were obstructing a better composition, and actually turned my neighbors garish garage into a beautiful red barn, combined with my red maple tree, white pine trees, and pink azalea, the picture turned out great! Other elements such as my neighbor’s arborvitae bushes, his pool and pump filter, and other bushes were edited out. I felt free to create my own setting and the freedom felt great! I wish I could share with you. Thanks for your videos!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Good for you Eric. Delighted you are enjoying the videos. All the best.

[@asifmehmood4461]

I love. Robert sir you. Very very. Good artist good teacher

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

@@asifmehmood4461 Thank you Asif.

[@takecareofyourself8467]

Sounds magnificent!! I hope to learn that too ☺️

[@mitchp8301]

I love reading these comments, such a great community, and thank you Ian for the engagement. I requested this video in the last one and you actually delivered. So I definitely owe you a thank you. This was a great video as they all are. I've learned so much about composition and thank you for building this community. I am inspired. Mitch

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Mitch. I am glad that you enjoyed it.

[@xiaolinwilhelmi5497]

Ian, this is perfect teaching to me: I get to again understand your thinking process and how you sketch using the photo image. I also enjoy the quotes in your videos. Love the wisdoms. I am looks forward to the painting in the next video! Thank you for working hard to provide the best teaching materials!❤❤❤

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Xiaolin. I am delighted you enjoyed the video so much.

[@mary-chrishines9391]

This was a great video in order to see how you turn raw material into art! And from this I feel I can create a drawing that will help me paint more effectively! Mastering composition is what it's all about! I'm learning more with every video of yours!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Mary-Chris. That was my goal. Delighted you enjoyed it.

[@jowest7020]

Excellent. Yes, more of the drawing and thinking process please. I find it quite difficult so this is invaluable

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Jo. I am glad you're finding it helpful.

[@heathernally9523]

This was so helpful. I’m going to rewatch the five-video playlist now too. I’m currently reading your book, and something about this video in this moment really hit me. I went straight to the photos that I’ve taken and NOW I can see the drawing and see how to delete things and move other things. I could always see that the elements of a good composition were in my reference photos, but I couldn’t see how to translate it into a painting. I’m excited to try again.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Excellent. Thank you Heather. Seeing how to translate it into a painting will develop more and more. All the best.

[@user-ps3nr4my4x]

Thank you Ian. I struggle with composition and editing (simplifying) and your videos have helped me. Thank you for your generosity in making these videos available.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Robin. I am delighted you enjoyed it.

[@annekirwan5610]

I’ve gotten my son in Canada to send me your book on composition. I am so happy with it, it is unbelievably helpful for my amateur painting. These videos are also very helpful, thank you so much for being so kind in giving up so much time, and sharing so much, it is truly appreciated.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Anne. I am so glad to hear you're enjoying my book.

[@nancygreenberg3431]

Love your drawing! So perfect to see how you are creating your composition for a painting. Love the thinking process!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Nancy.

[@kathrynlemieux2363]

Great video. I live about a block away from the Tomales Catholic Church. It was fun to see it pop up on the KZbin feed.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

HI Kathryn, I used to paint up in that neck of the woods a lot about 10 years ago. Love it.

[@andrzejmaranda3699]

Ian Roberts: this video is VERY IMPORTANT & VALUABLE!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Andrzej.

[@julieburke1579]

Ian, so valuable as always! You make it so digestible! Drawing is my kryptonite so I tend to do my best to avoid it. I assess my composition in my head and with Photoshop but don't draw until I draw on the canvas and it's always my least favourite part of the painting process. Your drawing process is so beautiful to watch and your commentary so clear and helpful. You inspire me to put my big girl panties on and face my aversion to drawing head on. Seems like I need to sign up for your next drawing course 😉

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you Julie. I am glad that my video helped to express how helpful and important drawing is for a successful painting. I would be delighted if you joined my course. If you sign up for my newsletter on my website (www.ianroberts.com/ - the "click here now" button) you will get notified by email when the course opens next. Thank you.

[@markcaselius5993]

Excellent. Painting/drawing is as much, if not more, about what you leave out as about what you put in.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Absolutely true Max.

[@emmanuelpower2439]

I find this so helpful and clear.. the notion of two values for example is so good... no one has suggested doing that yet. So it makes drawing much less daunting. Thanks so much 😊

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Emmanuel

[@liederantje3569]

Thank you very much . I tend to draw or paint to much details, so your videos always bring me back to the basics and the important parts . Good to have this opportunity to see and learn from you!! 😊 Best wishes from margreet ✍🏻

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Margreet. Delighted you liked it. All the best.

[@julieorear6298]

Great video, thank you. I love drawing landscapes & portraits. Knowing how to design the piece I choose to draw or paint is one of the most important things to be satisfied with my outcome!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Julie.

[@myrablackwell3271]

Very helpful so good to look over your shoulder as you draw and explain 😊

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you enjoyed it Myra. All the best.

[@thatoneguy8392]

Very good explanation that I could understand! this has helped me sketch values and it gives me more of a organized plan with my watercolor. I don't get frustrated anymore and I can see improvement in my work because of the foundation I've learned from these videos.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I am so glad to hear that. Really. Thanks for letting me know.

[@parducci5]

Just yesterday I was in Tomales. The whole surrounding area is a wonderful place to gain inspiration.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I agree. Thank you Steve.

[@garthly]

I find the drawing part fun and satisfying and not really all that difficult, however I have a huge block when it comes to painting! Somehow I feel free with drawing to play with the various relationships of shape and shade, but I am definitely captured by “reality” when I start to paint. That is where detail and fear of inaccuracy of color paralyze me. I guess I just need to push myself over that hurdle.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I find most things like you are describing ,how you paint, can be solved by just consciously doing a series of paintings with that exact idea in mind. Deliberate practice. No thought to a good or bad result. Solely on the process of pushing yourself towards a freer and more painterly way of working. Doing a drawing of the image before so you have a good sense of the value masses and design helps a lot. But I think you just have to lean into it. Good luck.

[@garthly]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition thank you, much appreciated.

[@02rivail]

Thank you so much Ian!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're so welcome Rivail

[@drxerxes]

This is so inspiring. Thank you! Please continue repeating this message. Repetition is the mother of learning as they say!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Repetition, repetition, repetition. Thank you.

[@alvaroecheverria5630]

Greatest video, change my style and revive my interest in drawing. Thank you very much

[@AMd-il4mo]

Thank you very much Mr. Robert

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome

[@Туристизмирамертвых]

Thanks Ian, for this tutorial. The last picture of the Southern California scene is especially inspiring.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much. Glad you think so.

[@BibleStudyPastor]

In the video at 8:32 you talk about the palm trees as “two great verticals just engaging the picture plane with these horizontals and verticals.” I’d like you to expand on (1) what you mean by “engaging the picture plane” and (2) the role of verticals in composition. You talked about verticals in your early videos, but I want to understand it better. Perhaps a future video. Thanks for the great teaching!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Ralph, good to hear from you. That is a good question. Some thing I say partially taking for granted now that it is self-explanatory. Which evidently it is not. Let me think about how best to address that. Thank you for the question and all the best.

[@aamna4913]

I love your videos they have helped me so much in becoming a better artist I hope that u continue your work and don’t let anything discourage you ❤️.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much. All the best. Delighted you are enjoying them.

[@Kerstin151263]

Simplifying makes it so much easier. Thank you Ian.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

That is for sure Kerstin. All the best

[@sydene54]

It's beautiful and amazing how you select items in a photo to leave out, thank you

[@ernes103]

Thank you so much for another great lesson, really helpful. (..such a great quote isn’t it!?😉)

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Ernesto. Glad you liked it.

[@chantelmcskimming6633]

Really really nice!

[@philomenacesta563]

Thank you Ian. I understand now.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted to hear that Philomena.

[@wonkywhisker1036]

So glad I found you. I’ve just started with acrylics and your videos are so helpful. 🙏Thank you.

[@doughilborn9447]

Thank you again Ian

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Doug.

[@tomhoang4895]

Thank you so very much Master!!! Appreciated with your valueable videos.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Tim, delighted you are enjoying them. All the best.

[@corallall]

I'd be happy to put the resulting graphic work on my wall!!! Even though it is not an oil, the picture is great!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you Adrian.

[@henryg3871]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. This is exactly what I have been looking for of instructions to help me move forward in drawing. Your teachings in composition help in viewing picture and selecting a picture to draw. Then actually putting pencil to paper more achievable. I know how busy you are, but a playlist of this type of videos would be awesome to help in the drawing and shading process. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you Henry. At he very end of this video, I linked you to a playlist of 4 videos on this subject. You will see it on the screen at the very end. Thank you and I hope you enjoy it.

[@susanrscott7910]

Love these lessons on how to see and create shape and value. What to leave out and how to focus on center of interest. Thanx so much.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Susan. Delighted you enjoyed it.

[@petergamble6318]

I always start with a sketch. Quick studies reveal so much about the scene and the artist. My favourite part of the National Gallery in Ottawa may be those small panels made by Tom Thomson from his canoe.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

HI Peter, I"m the same. The sketch is like a road map. Gives you a lot of information before you start on your journey.

[@lorrainesaliba5469]

Always a joy to watch and learn from you Ian ! You are such an amazing tutor ! I always watch every video at least twice in a row to hammer such invaluable information in my head !! The older I get, the more repetition I need 😁 but then I get more time on my hand as a bonus !! Thank you so much and I truly appreciate your time and generosity for sharing your knowledge ! Warmest regards and Blessings to You and your lovely wife Anne. Lorraine 🤗🎨🙏🏻

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much for the nice comment Lorraine. It means a lot. All the very best, Ian.

[@123tabatha]

Another Great tutorial Many thanks

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much.

[@debraedmunds3649]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're so welcome Debra.

[@ginger9898]

Thank you for this, it is exactly what I need the most help with in my artwork. Hats off to your gentle and thorough delivery of material.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Ginger. I am glad you liked it.

[@barbaraw-boyer9741]

Love this!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks Barbara.

[@NickRossi]

Your instruction and your demonstrations are absolutely priceless! Thank you so, so much, Ian!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Nick. All the best.

[@tara2387]

i love your videos, you seem very kind and youre a great art teacher :)

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you Tara. I am glad you think so.

[@jonquilbennett8411]

Oh big Big thank you !! This video was perfect for me......just what I needed. You're such a great person to learn from, so clear in your explanations and I really appreciate the focus that you have. With much gratitude 😊

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Jonquil. I am very glad you like my videos.

[@charlesm835]

Ian thanks so much for these videos, found your channel recently and begun to start drawing landscapes again. The sentiment around simplifying changed my perspective.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you found the channel and are enjoying the videos Charles. All the best.

[@RaymondThePainter]

The birds in the background audio of this video have chirps that sound exactly like the electronic pin pad buttons on my front door. Every time I heard a bird chirp, I looked over to my front door because it sounded like someone putting in a code to try to get in. Other than that, the video was really helpful and informative. I love watching you draw.

[@kantasoni7870]

Very informative 🎉

[@diegominguez8432]

Great as always Ian : )

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you Diego. All the best.

[@Lobstrique]

thank you for another amazing video! simplifying is ironically the most complicated thing

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Mary.

[@MissT2U1]

Excellent! I couldn’t help but notice you never had to erase.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Tanya, maybe not in that drawing. But I do.

[@azerilla1]

This was fantastic and very helpful! Thank you for delivering another great tutorial❤

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Alireza. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@leesaunders5495]

Drawing and composition really clearly explained , so helpful. Many thanks

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're so welcome Lee.

[@trevorwoodward4970]

So helpful!! I always feel so inspired after watching your videos! Your book is just excellent aswell!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks for letting me know Trevor. All the very best.

[@CircusPeanut]

One of my favorite videos of yours, thank you for sharing!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks for letting me know.

[@claudepoulin8558]

You are a gem ,thank you Robert 🙏🇨🇦

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you Claude

[@patcampton7163]

I have found your videos really informative. I love your drawings as well.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Pat.

[@harrietwilliams8228]

Super! Thankyou😍

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome Harriet.

[@ladym6738]

Gosh, this helped! Thank you. More please.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Lady.

[@normamiller2316]

Thank you once again for such useful information. You make it easy to understand. I’ll work on this.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Norma. Glad to hear it.

[@kamleshsunak3176]

A valuable video on composition, Thanks Ian for sharing your knowledge.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Kamlesh.

[@RanjanNag-bz6vo]

Very helpful ❤thanks

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome Ranjan.

[@sylvainst-pierre8725]

Thank you for another great video. I was wondering if the technic of using horizontals, verticals and obliques to point towards the subject is mainly your technic or is it something one widely used by other artist as well. The result is just amazing. Thanks again.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Sylvain, I am using the directional lines mainly to describe what I am drawing. So horizontal for ground plane, vertical for trees. That is a bit simplistic but the general idea. I'd be surprised if I'm the only one doing that. All the best.

[@guizachristiane4824]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Thank you for wonderful teaching. Greetings from Germany.❤

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Guiza.

[@jippiejeeh]

Thank you so much for these videos, its really helpfull to see how you simplify. A really nice way to learn. Im using it for my next drawing :)

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Makes me very happy to hear. Thank you!

[@ngareinio876]

Thank you for sharing this. It's valuable and informative as always!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you Nga!

[@lmhaberer]

Great video! I really want to spend time focusing on drawing before diving into paintings. Are you running your drawing course again? I really would like to take it the next time you run the class!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Yes, I will be running another drawing course again within the next year or so. If you sign up for my newsletter, you will get emailed about the exact dates once registration begins. www.ianroberts.com/. Click on the "click here now" to sign up for it. All the best, Ian.

[@KevinS-dx6hh]

Thank you.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome Kevin

[@julieorear6298]

My name is Julie English O’Rear. Important for a couple of reasons. I think I could have been your 2nd grade teacher. I taught a wonderful boy in CC, Tx. with the same name! …& I have strong art in my family background & history.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Julie, I'm 70 and from Toronto. So wasn't me. But I did have a wonderful Grade 2 teacher.

[@nickrodis6862]

Thank you

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're welcome Nick.

[@sharondempsey9329]

Thank you so much for sharing, this really helped me get greater insight

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're so welcome Sharon.

[@tfloraditch]

Excellent video and explanation. Thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you!

[@johnmorgan5495]

Always interesting videos and advice Ian, (watching in the UK)

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you John.

[@Steamed111]

Maybe this is trivial but could you go over how you set up a drawing? For example in the demonstration in this video you start out with a square already drawn in to frame your drawing. How do translate the dimensions of the photo to your paper? Do you just eyeball it? Do you measure the exact ratio of width/height? Thanks!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I do measure the dimension of the photo and do a pretty exact ratio to the paper before drawing. And I grid the photos in 1/3rds and the paper to make sure I get all the main shapes right. I don't generally do that when I am painting. But for the small drawings it relies on just a few simple value shapes so I want to get them in the right place without realizing something is wrong half way through and I have to erase a bunch of stuff.

[@peteonart3842]

Thank you as usual a great video and inspiration.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Pete

[@sandramckeehan5679]

Thank you! Fantastic information!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Sandra.

[@dianepetzold1523]

Extremely helpful thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You're very welcome Diane.

[@hanifecakmakl9926]

Çok şey ögreniyorum sizden. Teşekkür ederim.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Not sure what you're saying but will take it as you liked the video. Thank you and best wishes.

[@peezy-wheezy]

Super helpful. Love your videos.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much Scott.

[@JonFagin-xv6ww]

Thanks Ian, very informative

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you Jon.

[@Miquel_Angel_PB]

I have seen the entire series and they are very good videos, I really appreciate it. The problem is that my brain, when I try to simplify my drawings, does not have the ability to draw without defining each of the shapes, and it is also very difficult for me to make the colors match the grayscale tone. Any recommendation?

[@judihussey5889]

I’m fascinated with your teaching. It’s SO helpful! I’m wondering about your pencils. I seems to me the strokes are broad. Similar to a carpenters pencil. How do you sharpen your pencils? I have purchased Derwent graphic pencils and they’re ok altho the 2B split in two, up the shaft when I used my hand held sharpener.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Jud, I use Blackwing Matte pencils on a Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper. I sharpen it with a knife and then run it on a smooth grit sandpaper on exactly the angle I hold the pencil when I draw and that creates that broad lead. Most of the major brands, Derwent included, should be fine for the same thing. That Blackwing Matte is like a 4B.

[@judihussey5889]

Thank you!! I’ll try that!

[@firdyk]

Thank you it's a very useful video.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much.

[@artanmeti8834]

Thank you for the video, can you please keep the camera near the paper when you draw so we can see better and understand your technique.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Artan, I wonder if a different angle would be better. I thought directly above would be best and I wanted room to put the photo to one side so you can see the image I am drawing at the same time I draw it. Let me see next time I do a drawing video how it looks if I just zoom in some more. Thanks and all the best.

[@artanmeti8834]

If you focus the camera near one object at the time while you are drawing will help us understand better the way you do your art work. Thank you.

[@joycebutler3494]

Ian can you direct me to the video that shows how you prepare your pencils for drawing?

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Joyce. I cover that in my "join me for a studio tour" video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIHIcmtjh7-bn9k&ab_channel=IanRoberts. Around 2 minutes I start talking about pencils.

[@yo_wassupdude]

Ian, I wonder can we apply your teaching: composition, coloring, etc on acrylic? Will we produce the same result with the fast dry nature of acrylic? I really love your paintings, they're beautiful!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Compositional design and structure applies to all painting, regardless of medium or genre. So yes it applies to acrylics as well. Composition is the foundation you build the painting on,. All the best

[@yo_wassupdude]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition Thank you. 🙏🙏

[@d.gusakovski4268]

❤

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks for watching

[@user-ql8cz8hs4t]

yes

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks for watching

[@adeledallasorr4736]

Very nice Ian but the type covers the scene

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

you can turn the closed captioning off. Just click on the CC right below the video.

[@adeledallasorr4736]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition thanks

[@pietyhill]

Off-topic a bit... but, that sure looks like Sargentville Maine.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

HI Bo. It is Tomales, California. But now I need to look into Sargentville.

[@christianek_h]

Ian, thank you for another great video! I have a question about your terminology, just so I can understand better. You mention at 1:55 that the whole picture plane is engaged by the light and dark shapes, and that this is a strength of the image. When you talk about the shapes on the picture plane being 'engaged', are you referring to the way they draw our eye to follow them along the structure? Or that their relationship and intersection with other shapes on the plane creates visual interest? I guess the root of my question is, what makes a shape on the picture plane engaged, and why is that important when considering composition? Thanks again for another enlightening video, stay safe!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

So it's a bit of a big question to type out here. But the answer to your two questions above is both. So it is the actual value masses, shapes, themselves that fill the picture plane in a way that is engaging. Meaning their shapes and how they integrate with the others on the page. And not being a bunch of small shapes dotted around the page but big integrated masses that tie together. And how those shapes tie into to the underlying compositional structure (and how we then follow that visually). So it isn't any single shape that is engaging probably. But all of them together. Like a note in music alone not being that engaging but with several becomes so. Hope that helps. All the best.

[@christianek_h]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition Thank you for the thorough response! I'm beginning to understand a bit better now.

[@amyerasmus1363]

Thank you for the great content. You mentioned an additional four videos on simplification. I'm struggling to find the link to these videos. Please could someone point me in the right direction? Thanks very much!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

If you go the last 30 seconds or so of the video, I put the link to the 4 additional videos on the screen. But here is the link to the playlist directly: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHLGiIBsp9OhoqM&ab_channel=IanRoberts

[@amyerasmus1363]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition Much appreciated! Thank you very much!

[@anadampling666]

@ianroberts can I use this value sketch to create my own painting?For my educational purpose only.

[@anadampling666]

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

[@brentbirney6060]

Can you say what pencil weights you are using here, please? Perhaps all pencils used? Thanks.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Brent. I’m using a Blackwing Matte pencil. It is like a 4B.

[@marilynegrillon2154]

Thank you, but i still wondering how to simplify a forest scene Take in amazonia whitout Sky how would you do That.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

HI Marilyne, to my mind you first need an image, from life or a photo, that has major masses of light and dark. That is what in the end makes the painting work. That then is what you are really painting. Whether a face, a city street, a landscape or the Amazon forest. Without that you just get buried in rendering and cataloguing details. So even a dense forest, you need to find the big design value masses. If they don't exist, I'd say keep looking and don't get pulled into trying to dig your way out of just rendering details. Hope that helps.

[@blessedhappyjams8973]

I'm embarrassed to ask this....but here goes. Are we to paint over a sketch such as this?

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

The drawing is only 6" across so it would be a pretty small painting. I do the drawing for its own sake and what I learn about the image. Then if I wanted to make a painting of it I'd do the painting larger, like 16 x 20 say. Two steps.

[@lucindadangles-ru5il]

the drawing with the girl is bugging me. Her looking out the window is pulling my eye out of the photo. I would put her on the other side and maybe put something to stop the eye from going out of the painting. Sort of like Vermeers painting of Girl with the Pearl Earing.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

HI Lucinda, I put that large vertical dark along the left edge of the drawing to stop the viewer from going out. It works for me anyway. That drawing was part of a 30 day drawing challenge and I wanted a variety, figures, interiors, still life and landscape. That's an image I had and have wanted to explore for a long time.

[@C.Hawkshaw]

How come l make a beautiful charcoal sketch in 10 minutes (and I just had charcoal laying around, I’ve used it like 10 times in my life) , then I spend an hour on a painting (watercolor) and it’s just awful? Is it because I think of the charcoal as just a study, so it’s loose? Drives me nuts! 👹

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I hear your pain. How many painters (maybe all) do a sketch or small sketch painting that captures the thing and then the larger "finished" piece kills it. You are not alone. But I would say you can decide to hold a different perspective when you paint. A deliberate practice recognizing that it might not work out the first few times. But actively deciding to paint it in and leave it and keep standing back to viewing distance, say 8-10 feet, to review how it is progressing. Up close you get really distracted by how much stuff you think you need to put in. Standing back you see most of it is lost anyway. You can sort of force the shift on yourself. Good luck.