My paintings are taking longer because I’m taking my time trying to understand how I can simplify each shape into one stroke and not touch it again. It’s take deep focus and planning. This generated image didn’t have the figure in the foreground. The figure is me, there is a gap there and I’m looking across at something I can’t get to.
Drawing: Take the time that it needs. Focus on each brush stroke to improve control, drawing, shape design and speed. Speed is all about efficiency not how fast I move. Landscapes are not the best for improving drawing. Simple shapes are enough to describer most objects.
Perspective: Keep practicing linear and atmospheric perspective. Research how perspective effects landscapes without any man made objects.
Value > Color: Value first, hue and saturation second. High contrast and high saturation near focal point. Test all the major color mixtures and when you’re unsure. Try to make the sky glow.
Form: Continue to think of each object as existing in space. Make it feel like it takes up space. Increase the angles of the shapes for a more dynamic look.
Shape Design: Practice and begin to understand what shapes are pleasing and why. Simplify complex shapes always. Squint all the time.
Composition: Simple subjects for now. Rule of thirds. Edges. Value. Color. All emphasizing the focal point. Use the direction of the brush strokes to emphasize the focal point as well.
Brushwork: Practice creating as much as possible with one stroke. Improve my ability to soften an edge with a brush. Try to be more expressive with brushwork. Look at Quang Ho. Expressive brushwork is often executed carefully, not fast.
Other: Stand up at least every 30 minutes.
Drawing: Drawing with the brush went really well. I discovered this ability to work with putting down thick paint then using the brush is a deliberate way to draw into that paint pulling some of it off and creating a different value influenced by the ground of the canvas. I’ve noticed that I tilt the all horizontal lines down and to the left. I need to actively understand that and work to correct it. It may be due to the angle of my easel as I’m recording all of these painting sessions.
Perspective: I pushed the atmospheric perspective a bit and it works somewhat. The difference is so subtle and the camera doesn’t capture it well.
Value > Color: The value is good but the color is garish. Ai takes the color too far in my opinion and I don’t have the skill yet to duplicate it. This is another reason why I will continue to paint from photographs periodically.
Form: Form is good in the shadows but in the light areas everything seems a bit flat. Why? Not enough variation in value.
Shape Design: Shape design is done for me here. I just try and follow. All the sharp angles everywhere keeps the composition dynamic.
Composition: Pulled directly from the generated image. I added the figure for a stronger narrative and put it away from a third intentionally.
Brushwork: The daily painting is really helping with my control of the brush. I feel I’m improving faster with this aspect the most.
Keep doing
Stop doing
