Articles

Painting can get complicated fast. So many concepts to think about at one time. Composition, perspective, proportion, shape, line quality, contrast, palette colors, color temperature, color saturation, complementary colors, tinting strength, underpainting, brush size, paint viscosity, light source, canvas type, surface texture, edge quality, brush handling, glazing, etc.

Despite that long list, there is a simple key for making better paintings. Just one thing to focus on.

The Key for Making Better Paintings:

Practice copying what you see. Regularly.

Maybe you thought it was going to be something more exciting. But very few of us can excel without regular practice. Nothing to be ashamed of here, we just have to put in the work.

Once you reach 1,000 paintings you’re off to a good start. (Yikes!) All of that repetition sorts out much of what’s in the above list, by the way.

How to Improve:

Improving your ability to copy what you see means working through a process to train your eyes to see more accurately. Yes, it’s true, you just don’t see everything quite right. (Something your family and friends may have been telling you for years.)

I think our eyes need training in two main areas:

1. Drawing Accuracy
Faithful measuring can greatly improve your drawing accuracy over time.

2. Color Recognition
Color recognition can be developed by regularly painting from life. (Still life, plein air landscape, portrait, figure.) Do your best to take the time necessary to mix your colors to match what you see. Go past the “oh, it’s close enough” stage and really try to match your colors.

As you practice the above two areas, work hard to identify problems you encounter. Ask yourself: “Why doesn’t my drawing match what I see?” (Wrong perspective, incorrect distance between shapes, faulty angles, etc.) “What is different about the color I’ve mixed compared to the color in my subject?” (Too light or dark, too intense or dull, too warm or cool?) Then take time to correct those mistakes.

No matter what style of painting you’re pursuing, this simple key can guide you. Once you can confidently copy what you see, you’ll have a strong foundation from which to take your paintings in any direction. And your family and friends will have one less thing to criticize!