I used to think that perspective was the biggest problem in most paintings we see posted to social media. And, yes, it is a problem. Objects with the wrong perspective distort a painting. Viewers can’t make sense out of what they see. It’s almost like scratching fingernails on a chalkboard.
As much as perspective is a problem it is not the number one problem.
I had a couple of phone conversations with Tom Anderson, instructor in our Master Class. He told me there is an even bigger problem.
In today’s video clip, Bill explains the answer to an important question. It’s one you need to ask before you start painting!
Unfortunately, a lot of painters don’t ask that question.
In fact, just this evening I watched a video on Facebook of a painting demonstration. The painter highlighted the mountain from the right side and the foliage from the front.
Now I’m not sure what planet he came from, I’m sure it had two suns. But on this planet, there is only one light source.
There is another thing that’s kind of funny in a lot of paintings you see. The light will be coming from one side, but there will be no shadows.
Tom explained it like this. The first thing you have to do is establish your light source. How many times have you heard Bill say, “Where is the light coming from?” (I can tell you, after editing over two hundred of his videos, it’s a lot!)
Imagine the light coming from that source in a straight line across your painting. Where is it going to hit your trees and foliage? Where are the shadows going to fall? You must think this through before you start painting.
Why is light direction so important? Bill explains why in today’s video clip.
Lots of YouTube painters (and now Facebook I guess) like to impress folks with how fast they can paint. They leave out, though, the most important elements of the painting.
Bill had to cut a lot from his paintings to complete them in twenty-eight minutes. But he left in the critical elements. It takes a master artist to understand what you can leave out and what must remain!
Watching Bill videos will help you become a better painter. If you’ve never picked up a paint brush in your life, Bill will show you how easy it is to get started.
Head on over to our website and check out today’s video clip. Then take a look at membership at AlexanderArt.com. We have over four hundred videos. All our videos are by master artists and master teachers. You can’t help but become, as Bill would say, “The greatest artist that ever lived!”
Click here for more information on membership at AlexanderArt.com.
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