Lesson IX: Dark to Light

Posted: August 3rd, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Lesson IX | 57 Comments »

The artistry present in your homework submissions impresses The Tutor, pupils.  I know you will continue exceeding my expectations in the weeks to come, and look forward to displaying your finished projects at The Tutor’s Gallery in October.  The Tutor’s Gallery, however, is not the only venue to share your work with the world, students.

TheMoltingComic.com is currently hosting a “Leave Yer Mark” Art Contest.  The winner of this competition will have a full-page of their artwork printed in the 5th issue of The Molting.  All ages and artforms (drawing, painting, cosplay photography) are eligible.  The Tutor invites you to employ the steps you’ve learned in this classroom to enter the contest.  Entries will be accepted through the end of August.  Visit TheMoltingComic.com for rules, regulations, and submission guidelines.

Now, on to the matter at hand: I give you Lesson IX: Dark to Light:

Bravo, students, you’ve completed another lesson!  This week’s homework assignment is to paint the subject(s) of the still life you assembled in Lesson V.

Before painting, examine your still life.  You will notice that each item on display can be broken down into roughly three values: light, medium, and dark.  Identifying these values now will help to focus and organize our efforts as we begin to paint.

Step 1: mix your paint medium of choice to match the darkest value of each element present in your still life.  We will proceed to medium and light values in later steps, but for now, focus only on the darkest shades.  Paint in each element with its dark value, treating the objects as flat, silhouetted shapes instead of 3-dimensional forms.  Note: if you’re using watercolor paints, you will need to follow these steps in reverse order, beginning with light values, and then advancing to dark.

Step 2: mix and paint in your medium values.  Similar to step 1, treat these medium shades as small, flat shapes that rest on top of the large shapes created by your dark values.  You will notice that your still life is already beginning to take form.

Step 3: mix and paint in your light values—small shapes that rest on top of the large shapes created by your medium shades.  White paint may be used to in the mixing of these light values, but do not use pure, unmixed white anywhere on your canvas.

Now, paint, paint, paint, students!  I look forward to seeing your progress in next week’s class.