06-23-2013, 08:48 AM
Hey man, actually for this because it's mostly organic forms you probably can get away without a grid, but it's always a good habit to get into. I think more importantly it's about experimenting with using different perspectives and breaking out of the flat 2 point perspective every so often. (doesn't mean that is bad of course) And it really doesn't have to take much time at all if you re-use your grid layers from older paintings or use a perspective brush or whatever. (literally a 2 minute job to setup a grid).
Yep you're right, so by big to small I basically mean your focal points should be made up of smaller shapes. So if its architectural you use smaller "tick" marks and lines to indicate structure and doorways and railings etc basically implied detail. If it's organic you add more bumps and texture and stuff...that kind of thing. You eye is drawn to detail so it stands that if you used a lot of smaller shapes to create something the more detail it will generally appear to have. Large sweeps of shape with less detail are good for composition and rest areas for the eye. It's just another really good way of drawing focus and thinking about composition and where to put your effort. Speed is about workflow but also about efficiency, so once you've picked your focal points don't spend a lot of time detailing outside of them.
Something that might help you with comp is that you basically start with really big interesting shapes...once I see something interesting I think about a focal points and adjust to rule of thirds if needs be. You can actually further split the canvas by thirds once you pick your first focal point to get secondary and tertiary focals that aren't always in the same spots...I did up this thing in 15 minutes for someone else I was trying to explain this to. I was also talking about value (but I think you've already understood that..just need practice) and implied detail only in focal areas. Ignore the crap painting Lol. I didn't use anything between layers either and that's why it looks so cut out haha.
![[Image: comp_fundamentals_by_m0nkeybread-d691pq2.png]](http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/165/2/b/comp_fundamentals_by_m0nkeybread-d691pq2.png)
The thirds rule will work every time so make sure your focal points are arranged to fall on the points you choose.
Sorry if I came across a bit harsh in my first comment, I think you SHOULD have fun with your enviros. You don't want to make it a chore...the best stuff comes out when you are having fun ... But yes if you do get into a habit with some studies then you will certainly benefit and improve! I will subscribe to your SB if you start one and comment on it every now and then.
In terms of where to start well, how about starting with picking a bunch of different enviros from both painters you admire and photos and do really basic value and composition breakdown studies. So no detail, DON'T zoom in (literally paint them at thumbnail size) Just pick 4 values and use them to duplicate the broad value structure and composition of the pieces. Definitely do this more with master painters....or any painter you admire. These don't have to take long...less than an hour each definitely. They will definitely help you think about how abstraction of shapes are important in composition and learn from the decisions the artists made.
You can do a similar thing for colour studies. Just do lots of small thumbnail size images that replicate the colour and temperatures used. Again no detail, no zooming in. For these don't colour pick. When doing studies, if you try and replicate the colours for yourself you will learn more, but you won't be wasting time on detail. When you are starting your own paintings for fun I don't see colour picking as cheating...it just gives you a helping hand.
Thanks for the comments about the vid! It's so old now and I've come a long way from there that I look at it and cringe a little at it tbh :D
Yep you're right, so by big to small I basically mean your focal points should be made up of smaller shapes. So if its architectural you use smaller "tick" marks and lines to indicate structure and doorways and railings etc basically implied detail. If it's organic you add more bumps and texture and stuff...that kind of thing. You eye is drawn to detail so it stands that if you used a lot of smaller shapes to create something the more detail it will generally appear to have. Large sweeps of shape with less detail are good for composition and rest areas for the eye. It's just another really good way of drawing focus and thinking about composition and where to put your effort. Speed is about workflow but also about efficiency, so once you've picked your focal points don't spend a lot of time detailing outside of them.
Something that might help you with comp is that you basically start with really big interesting shapes...once I see something interesting I think about a focal points and adjust to rule of thirds if needs be. You can actually further split the canvas by thirds once you pick your first focal point to get secondary and tertiary focals that aren't always in the same spots...I did up this thing in 15 minutes for someone else I was trying to explain this to. I was also talking about value (but I think you've already understood that..just need practice) and implied detail only in focal areas. Ignore the crap painting Lol. I didn't use anything between layers either and that's why it looks so cut out haha.
The thirds rule will work every time so make sure your focal points are arranged to fall on the points you choose.
Sorry if I came across a bit harsh in my first comment, I think you SHOULD have fun with your enviros. You don't want to make it a chore...the best stuff comes out when you are having fun ... But yes if you do get into a habit with some studies then you will certainly benefit and improve! I will subscribe to your SB if you start one and comment on it every now and then.
In terms of where to start well, how about starting with picking a bunch of different enviros from both painters you admire and photos and do really basic value and composition breakdown studies. So no detail, DON'T zoom in (literally paint them at thumbnail size) Just pick 4 values and use them to duplicate the broad value structure and composition of the pieces. Definitely do this more with master painters....or any painter you admire. These don't have to take long...less than an hour each definitely. They will definitely help you think about how abstraction of shapes are important in composition and learn from the decisions the artists made.
You can do a similar thing for colour studies. Just do lots of small thumbnail size images that replicate the colour and temperatures used. Again no detail, no zooming in. For these don't colour pick. When doing studies, if you try and replicate the colours for yourself you will learn more, but you won't be wasting time on detail. When you are starting your own paintings for fun I don't see colour picking as cheating...it just gives you a helping hand.
Thanks for the comments about the vid! It's so old now and I've come a long way from there that I look at it and cringe a little at it tbh :D