What's the big idea?
Every good painting begins with a strong visual concept, a big idea. This is something that beginners usually miss completely because they are so concerned with trying to capture the likeness of their subject.
When I first clapped eyes upon this stunning scene in the Rees Valley of New Zealand I was struck by the strong color contrast of yellow/orange and blue. Since that was the first thing that I loved, that's what I concentrated on. In fact I went further and exaggerated the color differences, making the blues bluer and the yellows more orange. Spending the time to initially figure out what it is that you love most about a scene will pay off in the end, because suddenly you have an aesthetic goal to aim for rather than just trying to copy what it is that you're seeing. Suddenly you become the conductor of the orchestra!
Here is a brief list of some examples of visual concepts:
• Interesting shapes
• Strong color
• Contrasting textures
• Quiet and simple
• Intricate complexity
• Atmosphere
• Mood
• Evening light
• Weather effects
• Light effects
• Strong horizontal vs verticals
• Light shape amongst dark
• Dark shape amongst light
• Lyrical movement
This story is from the December 2021 - January 2022 edition of International Artist.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2021 - January 2022 edition of International Artist.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Intrigue in the ordinary
I've \"'ve never had any formal training always had a strong attraction to the arts and the practice of painting
Paper Textures
John Lovett guides us through the varying properties of different watercolor surfaces
Creating Ambiance
Mona Parker Weidner selects colors palettes and light sources that emphasize the mood of her interior scenes
Visual Depth
Blending and smoothing with solvents, Holly Siniscal creates painterly portraits in colored pencil
Sharp Precision
Working with craft blades and tattoo needles, Conor Smith etches realistic renderings of wildlife
The architecture of water
When Then I moved from Toronto to a tiny community in Nova Scotia, I became fascinated by the ocean, its reflections and endlessly shifting patterns of color and light
Saturated World
Emphasizing the beauty of nature, Joe A. Oakes paints landscapes with warm colors and imaginative compositions
Pure Bliss
Working alla prima, Andreas Liss takes on a loose, unbridled approach in his artwork
Sculpting the Paint
Using a palette knife allows oil painter Maria Iva to create clean colors and rich textures
Forwad MOMENTUM
Artist Lisa Gleim shares the evolution of her career and how she grew into her preferred medium of pastels