"You see there's all kinds of lights and flowers and all kinds of little things. Pff. Gone." This takes a weight off my mind. I see a pleasing scene to paint, I see all the little details, I panic and chicken out. Now I know what to do...

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you found it so helpful

@raisavaz

2 жыл бұрын

Me too!

@AtticusStount

2 жыл бұрын

You need to learn to draw before you can paint.

@ThatWeirdFinn

2 жыл бұрын

I suck at painting because I cannot let go of all the little details. Need to train more for that.

@brianroman6150

2 жыл бұрын

Wow this really helped a lot. I find myself viewing it this way but never articulated it before. Now that I know to do it purposefully I feel like I'm bound to suddenly see myself level up as an artist

“To see we must forget the name of the thing we are looking at” -Claude Monet

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, exactly

@samzied

Жыл бұрын

Also, related : "the five colors make a man blind" -Lao Tzu

@MeltedMask

Жыл бұрын

Forget the notation assosiation. This is also real problem in math. We are taught from little to assosiate some numbers to be more important. Like 10, 5, devils 666, unlucky 13, 100, 1000. But those are some most insignificant numbers in math structure. Even the ten-digit counting system isn't special Don't call something/someone, before you have touch its soul.

Seeing (1) the physical structure with horizontals and verticals, which you called the bones of the structure, then (2) patiently scoping out sunlight on the area at different times of the day, then (3) cropping your photo to exclude and include only the parts that you want to focus on. Painting “just big simple shapes” makes for such a clean, lovely and peaceful painting without conflicting messages at the end. Brilliant! To top it off, your teaching style is warm, friendly, informative, and you have a great capacity to articulate with clarity. Thank you Ian!

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Well that is a good critique Sally. Thank you. Delighted you found it helpful. All the best

@ednamclennan1721

2 жыл бұрын

I see how the strong shadow shapes give the design to your paintings...the problem I have is that my photos are often overcast without strong shadows but i like to try them as they are places around me.

@jeannehayes7859

2 жыл бұрын

You took the words right out of my head! This video is a game changer for me.

@psplayer1344

Жыл бұрын

Ugh, give it a rest Sally

@susanwong6471

Жыл бұрын

Sally - thank you so much for summering the key points. To see Ian illustrating and narrating his thought process is like striking gold, so encouraging, warm and insightful, just like what you said💕🥰😘Thanks a zillion Ian ❤️

Big super realistic paintings that render every detail to perfection are impressive but my favorite will always be this blobby style of looking at the world. The colors seem to pop that much more and the world seems just a little bit more perfect and beautiful.

@princessjello

2 жыл бұрын

Impressionist works are my favorite too!

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

I definitely agree with you.

@joshjames582

Жыл бұрын

Strangely enough, that's the way the human mind actually records and plays back images, especially in dreams. We may think we're having these vivid, detailed memories but they show up as blobs of shape, hue and shadow on brain scans.

@stinar37

Жыл бұрын

Well-stated

@bladechild2449

Жыл бұрын

Hyper realism landscapes are often just using the same techniques here, with an extra step of painstakingly going over those shapes with fan brushes and small brushes to give the illusion of detail. Both are equally talented.

hello. I am a Korean illustrator. I didn't finish my art studies at university and got a job. So I always felt that I was lacking in learning, but these days I am learning a lot by watching your KZread. Although far away, I want to thank you. Stay healthy and I wish you all the best in the future.

I've heard this so much, but it truly is helpful to see the process of a painter finding their reference and then working through capturing its essence

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

It is good to watch process. Just seeing the finished piece you don't get the thinking of how it was arrived at so much.

This is all finally sinking in. I have gone back to drawing on a small scale and if the structure works, if I have good verticals and I can clearly identify the shapes, then I can expect my painting to work. My last painting was the most satisfying I think I have ever had. Thank you Ian!!!

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Excellent Lyne. All the best

@alishba.21

Жыл бұрын

would you like to share it? cuz id love to see

@farukbozkurt7730

Жыл бұрын

We really would like to see! Would you share?

I just quit my job to be a full time painter and it can be scary to start painting when you have a white canvas, your process makes so much sense and made it look simple and fun. Thank you! This video is incredibly valuable to me.

@GVSHvids

Жыл бұрын

how's it going?

@moykoy5609

11 ай бұрын

I would also highly recommend James Gurney's video on doing yellow underpaintings! The technique Ian and James use helped me improve my landscapes a lot. I hope you're still painting :)

Simplify the scene is just so important

It always amazes me how good artists can just throw down a few lines and immediately you can tell that they know what they are doing. I wish I can become someone like this.

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Painting shapes, not things can help that

What's amazing to see, is the illusion is not satisfying until all the parts are filled in.

i took drawing 101 in college and i swear it was the most profound class i had ever taken. (my major was art history) it really taught me how to see. i also practiced film photography, which takes a lot of patience looking through the viewfinder, as well as skateboarding, which shows a world of angled perspectives. but that drawing class was unlike anything else.

There's a powerful analogy here, with creative writing. Instead of explicitly saying what you mean, or giving a summary of something, you just provide details that "constitute" the idea / person / event / scene that you're trying to get across.

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Well said. It can apply to many modes of creativity

I’ve started painting with my glasses off (I’m shortsighted with a low number) and my paintings almost overnight have become a lot better. Ignoring detail and painting big shapes was the biggest challenge for me. Taking my glasses off makes that challenge go away.

Ian Roberts: these advices are VERY VALUABLE for me!

When you said, 'painting is just shapes on a canvas', and 'illusion comes as a byproduct of getting shapes right, the values, the color, the edges', something clicked for me. I've wanted to paint a landscape for a while now but felt it would be quite daunting with all the details. After watching this video, I feel as though it wouldn't be impossible and not quite as daunting, THANK YOU! I've always loved art, but never had the nerve to try until about 2 1/2 years ago after watching many YT videos by many artists. I am SO glad to have come across your video and I plan on watching more of them.

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

That is very kind of you to say. Thank you Patti. All the best, Ian

Dear Ian, You are simply magical. Yiu're great. Bless you.

Hi Ian, thanks for posting. I recently found your videos and can´t stop watching them! I once studied fine art but couldn't figure out a lot of things. I work in other field in the end. Your videos and explanations just have answered a lot of my questions. I wish I could have learnt from you years ago! Thank you really!

Sure missed your weekly lesson!! Thanks for coming back….

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching Vickey!

BEST TUTORIAL EVER!!!!! God Bless You

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Well thank you Anne.

Hi Ian, I have been watching your presentations for a while and am so thankful you are teaching in this manner. I have improved by watching you, Thank you helping those who want to learn. I also found and purchased a copy of your book , Mastering Composition.

This is exactly how stained glass works. You can break down a whole scene into blobs of shapes and colors to make something instantly recognizable.

this is an amazing, clear, concise video. Oh my! What a wonderful demonstration. Your talents are such an inspiration.

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

Excellent choice, with a great mix of varied greens, light, shade, a simple subject, yet it offers great theme, clarity, creative adjusting, and is a subject that offers a desirable completed painting, it's classy.

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Beth

@bethbartlett5692

2 жыл бұрын

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition Enjoyed the watch. Was looking for a subject/theme, to get back into a Creative/Painting expierence. It is literally an action that aligns us with our "Higher Self", raises our vibrational frequency and "this is the spot where we are at our best physical health, emotional, spiritual, and all the rest follows" (Quantum Physics, Science) Also the area that Yeshua/Jesus actually taught, i.e., "the Mustard Seed". (This was a most stellar realization) I will share a quick story, for balance in understanding: My academic areas/degrees are in Sociology, Journalism, History, followed by years of Professional works and the past 7+ years offering opportunity for "Personal subjects of particular interest - lots of Research". This included a study through Yale in the area of HISTORY:New Testament Era and Gnostic Gospels. I had also had an interest that led to some general studies in Quantum Physics, (very general, Math/Science are not my 1st interests, lol). But it literally is a required knowing for truly comprehending the areas of Ancient History and Spirital Practices, then or now) aka "the Universal Laws", particularly the Law of Attraction, the 🔑 to understanding who and what we are, the Universe, the Life Journey, and that, "Thought to be, Age Old Question" *"The What happens when we exit?"* (Only the vessel expires) The Ancients knew far more than we generally know, it really has not been such a "linear timeline" as portrayed by "Modern Mainstream Academics", we are Eternal Beings, the Soul is energy and its eternal, energy can neither be created nor destroyed, and that "Law of Attraction" is Universal, meaning: *"Thought is first required before anything can manifest into 3D Matter", thus ... "The Bang came 2nd".* I'd say that realization places a whole new and very realistic perspective upon life, us, and every choice we make/experience. It is the very foundation of: being Creative, Creating, the feelings, journey of Painting the Canvas, and the outcome of our Creative works" Be that Oil on Canvas or building an Engine, it is us, inspired, and experiencing our Passion. ...and when we are in that exercise of both/either, Thought and Motion, we are at our Higher to Highest Frequency and that is how we create our most desired Reality. There you have it, the "Cliff Notes of my past 7+ year's Journey" A most worthy Academic exercise for an individual born with a God given talent in Arts, Design. Hope this inspires positive energies in your Creative Self "Energy". Should you have any Questions, just ask, reply here. Enjoy your Creative, Creating, and Passions, and "Create your most desired Realities". Beth Tennessee, USA PS: When I write the book, you must read the rest of the story. Keep your thoughts focused on your desires, not undesired, and feelings on your Passions. 🔑

This video was very helpful. I am gathering my courage to go outside and paint for the first time...I will keep all this in mind. Thanks again.

With zero background this is an amazing explanation. I always did poorly in art class because the teacher would just say "paint this" but they'd never explain how or why to paint things a certain way.

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. Glad you were able to walk away with a lot just from one video

this is what to call a master work

So beautiful, Ian! Thank you!

Thank you Ian!

What a beautiful garden! I love this type of art. Thankyou from the UK

I'm so happy I stumbled across your instructional videos. The clear, simple way you break down and present the fundamentals is enormously helpful. Previously, I had always been reluctant to paint certain subjects because they seemed too complex. Your emphasis on painting shapes, not things is enormously freeing. I am seeing my subject matter so differently now. Loving it!

you're awesome, Thanks Ian!

What a master! Thank you, sir!

I adore this, thank you so much!!

Love your direction.

Wow. I love this. Thank you!

Ian your work is wonderful. Not despite it’s lack of detail but because of it. Your knack for distilling things down to exactly where humans experience them is remarkable and so very soulful. Thanks

this is one of the best art videos I have come across in a long time. I struggle a lot with getting caught up in the little details but this video really clicked in my brain, everything is made up of shapes. Thank you so much for such an informative well put together video! :)

Simply Class

If I only had a teacher like you when I started learning, would've save me years. Thank you Ian, great lesson.

Paint shapes! I keep saying it..😬😊 Thanks Ian..x

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

There you go! Thank you Karen

This makes me happy. Thank you for sharing techniques in composition. Subscribed.

Thank you for an excellent lesson.

Yes, I painted two paintings with this sort of simplistic style and I love it. It gives you a lot of freedom. It is easier to edit a shape, than a complicated detailed object. Also I think that this technique has its magic when painting a nude. It gives a privacy to your model, imagination to people and painter said what he wanted to say.

Your painting is even more beautiful than the photograph! And you made it look so easy to paint! What an inspiration!

this is incredibly helpful - thank you for creating and sharing!

Fantastic! Really helpful to hear your thinking as you simplify the subject. Thank you!

Master when i see your paintings from distance, they look real

I love how so much of art is trying to see things new. Our preconceptions on what objects are and what they're supposed to look like can really constrain our perspective

Glad you are back! Always look forward to these videos!! Many thanks!

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them Pat! Thank you

Thank you, Ian! Here you are with another very helpful demonstration. I am learning a lot from you! Glad to see you are back with the weekly videos.

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Still monthly for now, with my online class still going. But I am glad you enjoyed this video! All the best

Wow that looks amazing 😍....just when I start to feel I am forgetting how to paint and lose my confidence, I get these notifications where you simplify the whole process like a step by step guide. Thanks Ian!!!!

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

You can do it! Thank you Paresh. All the best

Thank you so much, Ian! These concepts of seeing and "building the painting" out of shapes are so revealing!

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

Your painting has so much more impact than the photo. Wonderful demonstration about shapes, not objects.

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you JD

Thank you Ian! This is gold!

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

very useful and so straight forward. Thank you for the practical demo. Look forward to seeing more of your helpful hints.

As a "beginner" artist, this video is incredibly helpful. I have always selftaught me methods, anatomy and other aspects of art but never really got into perspective and shape building. Your description of the process made it very clear to me and I will definitely try to work your tips into my future paintings. Most of the time, my problem lays in the details. Seeing you completely ignoring every single detail, really has opened my eyes and view of the things I am looking at. Thank you so much and I am looking forward to learn even more from you!

Thank you Ian. I am starting to look at things as shapes . Very interesting.

A stunning study. Super inspiring! Extremely helpful

love this. i always try to be perfect and get every small detail from the reference i look at and it makes me stop myself from even beginning to paint because im over thinking it so much. watching you gave me a different perspective… inspired me to paint something and get out my head

Beautiful work. Thank you for teaching us :)

I learned more in this 10 minute video than I did in a semester long collegiate level painting course. 😩

Nice work, beautiful scenery

Wonderful tuition, thank you for your time Ian.

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it Matt

Love your work bro! Blessings!!!

Thank You! Absolutely love this tutorial and it helps a lot 😊

A kind knowledgeable Master gently but very effectively teaching many eager students how to SEE! Quietly awesome session. Thank you…

So very helpful! Reinforcing the knowledge that it is all about the shapes.... not the details! GREAT video. Thank you so much for sharing and encouraging me!

Made my week! Lovely as usual… glad you’re back! Thanks for the great teaching!

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Myra!

Beautiful and simplified, no one ever encouraged me to finally pick up painting like you, no matter what medium. There's an art supply shop near my work, I'll pick some stuff up and give it a go :) My whole life I just drew with a pen, I still like it, but I really want to work with colors and paint brushes too.

It made my day to see a new video from you in my inbox! I have missed so much the weekly instructional videos. No only have your videos taught me so much, they kept me going. I have a hard time deciding what to paint. I am inspired how you just happen upon scenes in every day life and create a beautiful artwork. I refer to your book often. Thank you Ian for bringing such generosity, positivity and encouragement to us all.

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

That is so nice of you to say. Thanks so much Patrice. I am delighted you are finding my videos so helpful.

Thank you Professor Roberts. Great video! I love painting but get so caught up in tiny details. This has made me see painting in such a new light!! Thank you!!

Gorgeous

First ever detailed sensible lesson that really encourages u to finally pick up the brush and not get overwhelmed 😌

This video was exactly what I needed to see. I'm very much a novice painter & your explanation of verticals/horizontals as well as color was spot on. I'll be a better painter going forward, thank you so much

This was very inspiring! Thank you 🌸

This was fantastic Ian, thank you so much!

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Ian, thank you so much for this powerful lesson on the structure. The result is beautiful. And I miss your weekly appearances. Look forward to the next lesson.

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome!

Oh Ian,that’s amazing,thank you so much for your tuition. ❤️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

that is a beautiful quote, sounds very zen.

it's really lovely to see you again and thank you for another amazing demonstration! You are a gifted teacher with a generous heart. ❤

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Jonquil. I appreciate your telling me.

Beautiful! Thank you

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like it!

wow! Brilliant! I capture a lot of beauty that I see in nature from photographs and create mini land art sculptures. It's always hard to try and explain to people how I am drawn to things and the composition I intuitively frame around what I'm drawn to so that people can see what they normally just walk by everyday. Then people want to see out of abstract photos something like oh it looks like an arrow or this or that. No, it's abstract shapes and colors and this composition is beautiful in itself and it's on an autumn leaf! This is the way I see the world! You could do a whole masters thesis on this! This is what Marshall Mcluhan talks about the old world view of how from the literary world of books our whole world for so long has been shaped, and how people see the world literally rather than in this way. Such a great way to teach Ian. I used to create corporate e-learning training and you're really breaking it down for painters. Beautiful way to teach these skills! First see the essence of what one is looking at, and what draws you to this moment, and then here are the skills to capture that in sketching and painting!

Thank you Ian nice to see you back😃

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Alice! Nice to be back

Thank you so much Ian for teaching us how to paint. You are great !

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. All the best.

I’ve struggled with oils in the past. I understand painting shapes but watching you paint in oil really helped me. Thanks.

I feel like i learned so much in just 10 minutes, thank you.

Fantastic class. Thank you!

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

You're so welcome!

You are such a great artist!

This is so helpful. Thank you Ian.

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome Angela

I just started watching your videos. I took an oil painting class at Uni, but I came away more confused. I have always wanted to learn this. I learn much with each video I watch. I don’t know why you make these, but man, I’m grateful to you for the work you put into them. Thank you.

Beautiful work Ian Thankyou very much

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

The little sky holes were incredible

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

You're amazing!

I learn best by watching. I’m so amazed at how quickly that painting came together, right before my eyes. Thank you!

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

So excited for your videos again! They are always so helpful, and I think I finally understand about painting shapes instead of objects. Also I am now able to be freer with my painting, and concentrate on some much detail. Thanks so much for all you do!

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

This was so helpful, thank you!!

Love You Mr. Roberts ! Thanks for sharing your wisdom

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome

This was amazing. Thank you so much for such clear, simple instructions.

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

That was amazing! Thank you for sharing.

@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!