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.

57 Comments on “Lesson IX: Dark to Light”

  1. Gravatar 1 Ophelia said at 7:24 am on August 3rd, 2010:

    My name is Ophelia and I am visualizing dark to light with The Tutor.

    http://jackiephoto.deviantart.com/art/The-Tutor-Lesson-IX-To-Light-173811218

  2. Gravatar 2 The Masked Artist Jennifer said at 7:39 am on August 3rd, 2010:

    Tutor

    ooh dear i has no shadows tho xD this is gunna be a fail and

    ophelia

    THAT WAS QUICK

    your loyal student
    The Masked Artist Jennifer

  3. Gravatar 3 Donovan said at 10:00 am on August 3rd, 2010:

    Mmmm-vocabulary!…Cosplay photography..Nice. After the fun of looking it up (i know, dork), I feel a tingle happen in my brain, I start to have a more serious thought-with only my left eyebrow raised…maybe i can, at least, enter this contest…? A scene is forming slowly in my mind as I crack the slightest tease of a smile.

  4. Gravatar 4 Lauren said at 12:50 pm on August 3rd, 2010:

    Tutor!! I’m so sorry i haven’t done last weeks lesson yet, and i won’t be able to upload it tomorrow, so i’m afraid i’ll have to hand it in on Thursday :( Bad Lauren.

    Also, fun fact, did you know that alot of artists actually became ill and died because they chewed on the end of their paintbrush? V bad habit tutor.

    Lauren promises to redeem herself on thursday!

  5. Gravatar 5 christina said at 9:12 pm on August 3rd, 2010:

    Lauren— you mean they died of lead poisoning?

  6. Gravatar 6 Amanda said at 9:56 pm on August 3rd, 2010:

    what do you think?? http://deidaragroopie.deviantart.com/#/d2vj1n2

  7. Gravatar 7 mzlaveau said at 12:44 am on August 4th, 2010:

    I have yet to turn in my assignments, perfectionism can be a disease.

    However, here is a link to a blog entry I just made, which says a lot about my current process, (and my state of mind) and how it is getting dark, dark, dark.

    I know it’s long, but it has point. And maybe one some of you can relate to.

    http://mz-laveau.livejournal.com/33389.html

  8. Gravatar 8 mzlaveau said at 2:52 am on August 4th, 2010:

    okay, apparently, I had to reset some things to make that entry public, so if you were snafued, try again.

    And yeah, when there are fake gore studded carving utensils strewn about your living room, well. things can get awkward;)

  9. Gravatar 9 BG said at 8:13 pm on August 4th, 2010:

    i will be handing in my homework soon technically its finished i just wanna wait in case i get any other ideas, in the mean time ive painted the back of it lol

    random: also has anyone ever noticed how the anti spam words are always awesome lol

  10. Gravatar 10 Lauren said at 7:03 am on August 5th, 2010:

    My name is Lauren and i’m painting Dark to Light with The Tutor!!

    :D 2nd homework *ding* winna

    Link: http://perfectcolourchaos.deviantart.com/art/Lesson-IX-174065551

  11. Gravatar 11 Lauren said at 7:07 am on August 5th, 2010:

    @ Christina

    Yes i think they did, i cannot specifically remember the toxin and whether it was in the paint or the paintbrush, but apparently many a famous artist got sick (& some died) because of it, either because paint used to have…. lead? in it and the paint would be on the paintbrush, they’d eat it and X.X

    That’s just what my old art teacher told me anyway. Sorry for the not specifically knowingness.

  12. Gravatar 12 The Masked Artist Jennifer said at 7:03 pm on August 5th, 2010:

    Tutor ok so youtube fails >.< so here is photo's of my work and letter to you and writing and video will follow if youtube EVER WORKS :@

    Painting – http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=25467&id=100001381183806

    Letter – http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=25468&id=100001381183806

    Writing – http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001381183806#!/notes/masked-artist-jennifer/tutor/138334202873566

    your loyal student

    The Masked Artist

    (students please join fb group – http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001381183806#!/pages/The-Tutors-Students-Terrance-Zdunichs-Art-Class/118343094881980)

  13. Gravatar 13 The Masked Artist Jennifer said at 7:07 pm on August 5th, 2010:

    ok so the writing and the page link broke >.< for the writing look in the notes section on this page (http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/profile.php?id=100001381183806&v=wall) and for the group look on the wall posts of this page

    your loyal student
    The Masked Artist Jennifer

  14. Gravatar 14 The Masked Artist Jennifer said at 9:06 pm on August 5th, 2010:

    TUTOR
    youtube decided to let me upload the video. so here is my homework

    Link – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzC0MvNSySo

    Writing in full – http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001381183806&v=app_2347471856

    Letter – http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=25468&id=100001381183806

    Your Loyal Student

    The Masked Artist Jennifer

    (sorry about the mass of comments)
    (students please join http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Tutors-Students-Terrance-Zdunichs-Art-Class/118343094881980?ref=ts)

  15. Gravatar 15 BG said at 2:53 am on August 6th, 2010:

    My name is BG and this is my homework for lesson 9

    http://babygoth666.deviantart.com/#/d2vp67k

    And this is the back of the canvas…..i got bored lol

    http://babygoth666.deviantart.com/#/d2vp69m

  16. Gravatar 16 Rider Of Karma said at 6:45 pm on August 6th, 2010:

    Gettin’ there! Here’s my progress:

    http://riderofkarma.deviantart.com/art/Zoe-Portrait-Ruff-174249331

  17. Gravatar 17 Rider Of Karma said at 8:12 pm on August 6th, 2010:

    Here’s a time lapse of the work. I’m having trouble working out final cut, so I had to do it in keynote. This is also replacing the other vid I did.
    http://www.facebook.com/JenOneoutofSeven?v=app_2392950137#!/video/video.php?v=423394024659&ref=notif&notif_t=video_processed

  18. Gravatar 18 'Peaches said at 5:58 am on August 7th, 2010:

    This week’s homework:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvO5VkBD7H4

  19. Gravatar 19 Jan said at 6:22 am on August 7th, 2010:

    Imagine my surprise this week when I realized I was actually ENJOYING painting! It’s becoming more and more fun.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As5qGaO7gGg

  20. Gravatar 20 Krystal W. said at 7:00 am on August 7th, 2010:

    okay so i did this in two parts

    part one http://xxmazoxx.deviantart.com/art/Tutor-Lesson-IX-part-one-174323229

    part two- http://xxmazoxx.deviantart.com/art/Tutor-Lesson-IX-part-two-174323279

  21. Gravatar 21 Cathleen (AKA CaptiveInnocence) said at 3:04 am on August 8th, 2010:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLxKUUbwWOE

    sorry.

  22. Gravatar 22 Reyana said at 5:26 am on August 9th, 2010:

    My name is Reyana and I am painting dark to light with the Tutor:
    Lesson 9:

    http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll26/rk_nalani/The%20Tutor/DSC01271.jpg

  23. Gravatar 23 Chris said at 8:34 am on August 9th, 2010:

    Here is my latest submission Tutor. I have kinda fluffed the painting up (time constraints due to spending an extended time recording my music – I’m sure you understand) but I shall attempt to salvage it when completing your next lesson :-)

    http://ithinkimchris.deviantart.com/#/d2vy8qq

  24. Gravatar 24 Kirkyott said at 3:43 pm on August 9th, 2010:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHCFMtttvqE

    This is fun! I’m psyched for tomorrow’s lesson! Hopefully I can get it in on Thursday this time so I’m not terrified of being late.

  25. Gravatar 25 Elizabeth Ann said at 7:40 pm on August 9th, 2010:

    In at the last minute, moi? Well yes, but it’s been a hectic week.

    I must be honest Tutor, I don’t like this bit. Normally when I start painting no one sees it till I’ve finished. I hide the piece under a suitably mysterious cover and growl at anyone who goes near it. Letting it be viewed unpolished is tough, fellow students be gentle. I sooooo want to finish it.

    http://elizabethunseelie.deviantart.com/art/Lesson-IX-174659008

  26. Gravatar 26 Reyana said at 11:30 pm on August 9th, 2010:

    What are you talking about Ms. Elizabeth Ann? An unfinished product huh? Its great! You’re very talented! Can’t wait to see what you call a finished product!

  27. Gravatar 27 Katwood92 said at 1:49 am on August 10th, 2010:

    I’m sorry, dear Tutor, but my homework will be late. I will not try to offer excuses, only my apologies.

  28. Gravatar 28 Miranda Angelic said at 1:49 am on August 10th, 2010:

    Forgive me, Tutor. The video portion of my homework will be a day late. But as an excuse, I got so caught up in painting I didn’t have time to edit the video and make it to a WiFi hotspot. But my magical phone (that is used for everything except making calls) has allowed me to take and upload photos of my still life which is being painted Light to Dark (watercolor). Chosing an animal subject that has mostly plaid fabric may have been a bit too ambitious for watercolors (or just for me). But I’ve been experimenting and think I’ve come up with a cool way to make a plaid that is still loose and watery but captures the layers of colors. Maybe. It’s a work in progress…

    http://s365.photobucket.com/albums/oo95/AngelicSweet5/?action=view&current=utf-8BSU1HMDAxMjUuanBn.jpg

    http://s365.photobucket.com/albums/oo95/AngelicSweet5/?action=view&current=utf-8BSU1HMDAxMjYuanBn.jpg

    Video tomorrow, but I figured the actual project was more important!

  29. Gravatar 29 Scully said at 3:05 am on August 10th, 2010:

    My name is Scully and I am painting dark to light with The Tutor.

    Despite my best efforts to not get bogged down in details there are still large sections that I didn’t have time to work on.

    I took a couple of pictures during the week just to keep an eye on changes in my subject

    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=54375988&l=1e7f7bfad0&id=10019024

    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=54375995&l=4786cfa26c&id=10019024

    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=54375996&l=f213c1096e&id=10019024

  30. Gravatar 30 Cassie said at 3:06 am on August 10th, 2010:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyvcyHwD2JU

    Yay this is on time :D
    A bit rushed and different than how I’ve normally been doing my videos but it’s done.

  31. Gravatar 31 Johnna said at 3:31 am on August 10th, 2010:

    My phone wouldn’t upload the picture to photobucket and I was way too busy to make a video..failface.. so i hope everyone can see it.

    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=160543&l=390a6fc515&id=100001065763217

  32. Gravatar 32 Susie said at 3:51 am on August 10th, 2010:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7YUCy_eNVI

  33. Gravatar 33 Anaesthesia said at 4:18 am on August 10th, 2010:

    Aiya. I have GOT to figure out a better way of co-ordinating all the people I need for filming these homework sessions.

    Here it is. *Just* on time.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6rDDShkNhM

  34. Gravatar 34 The Little One AKA Kyah said at 4:51 am on August 10th, 2010:

    Meh homework! And only 49 minutes late! 8D

    Homework: http://sqwarrior-empress.deviantart.com/#/d2w0yxh

    I’m surprised how well it turned out, actually, so it’s a success in my book. My very very small book… Just kidding, I have self esteem! Anyways enough with my off topic ramblings!

  35. Gravatar 35 Christine said at 5:56 am on August 10th, 2010:

    Here is my homework, Tutor, once again courting danger and flirting with deadlines: http://mystpixi.deviantart.com/art/Painting-with-the-Tutor-9-174730633
    :)

  36. Gravatar 36 Nicole said at 6:36 am on August 10th, 2010:

    here is my lesson 9…just in the nick of time…
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX6YqIlI8ZY

  37. Gravatar 37 Elquinjena said at 7:48 am on August 10th, 2010:

    I know my homework is a tad late, I just returned from burying bodies, erp..I mean..visiting bodies..ya that’s it. ( dusts some dirt off her pants). I promise my next homework will be on time once again.

    I hope you enjoy this one.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2FaPHwaCWA

  38. Gravatar 38 Cathy (The Aussie) said at 9:52 am on August 10th, 2010:

    G-day Tutor!!
    Er, I think I got some of my homework mixed up with last weeks lesson as I did them together! oops!
    Here is dark to light:
    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4939734&l=51aa46a372&id=577562016
    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4939736&l=85b3845b17&id=577562016
    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4939738&l=28b9b6cf00&id=577562016
    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4939754&l=32dc4a0207&id=577562016
    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4939755&l=5626014d47&id=577562016
    Not to sound too full of myself, or overstep my ability in any way, but I think, in a very loosly based term, that this turned out kind of ok….for someone who hasnt picked up a paintbrush in more than 15 years!! lol! :)
    Till next week, Have a good one Tutor!
    Regards, Cathy :)

  39. Gravatar 39 Donovan said at 12:56 pm on August 10th, 2010:

    Still working here on lesson 9. The classroom is so empty. Well, there’s a few people in here. It’s been an awkward assignment for me, but I will ketchup…Lol!

  40. Gravatar 40 The Little One AKA Kyah said at 3:21 pm on August 10th, 2010:

    I’m sorry but this made me laugh a lot actually. My Mom was showing my Grandma the still life and apparently her first impression was of an Indian girl wrapped up in a blanket sitting on a braided rug.
    After her pointing it out to me I could see it, but did anyone else get that impression?
    It’s all in one’s perspective I guess. =)

  41. Gravatar 41 Lorrie said at 4:53 pm on August 10th, 2010:

    Lesson Nine, my Tutor.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-QZBrsOLro

  42. Gravatar 42 Amanda M. said at 7:20 pm on August 10th, 2010:

    Greetings fellow student. So, I am not exactly done, but I decided I’d post what I have so far. The figure on the left isn’t painted yet(it’s just an underpainting), and not too many details yet, but here’s what I have so far. :)

    http://invertedgirl.deviantart.com/art/The-Tutor-IX-174797235

    http://invertedgirl.deviantart.com/art/Tutor-IX-close-up-174797545

    http://invertedgirl.deviantart.com/art/Tutor-IX-another-close-up-174797701

  43. Gravatar 43 Mandie S said at 6:32 am on August 11th, 2010:

    Ever so sorry for my lateness.
    I am GuiltyMandie and this is me learning to paint dark to light with The Tutor.

    1st here is the “dark” part of my lesson
    http://guiltymandie.deviantart.com/#/d2w440y

    and then the “light”
    http://guiltymandie.deviantart.com/#/d2w442z

  44. Gravatar 44 Marissa M. said at 12:22 am on August 15th, 2010:

    Still working on it. Parts I really do enjoy but others I think I may have to go back and revise just a bit here and there. Here’s what I have so far.

    http://girllunar.deviantart.com/art/The-Tutor-Lesson-IX-175355555

  45. Gravatar 45 Red Queen said at 7:23 pm on August 16th, 2010:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUrJ8_-okkM

  46. Gravatar 46 Krystal W. said at 10:46 pm on August 17th, 2010:

    http://xxmazoxx.deviantart.com/art/Tutor-Lesson-IX-part-two-174323279

    woopsie i had forgotten to turn this in lol
    shame on me

  47. Gravatar 47 Donovan said at 3:26 am on August 19th, 2010:

    Lesson IX : Finished.

    http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=139845432&albumID=2590244&imageID=45842000

  48. Gravatar 48 Katwood92 said at 6:01 pm on August 21st, 2010:

    Here’s my homework:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bTKmfr1B6Q

    I apologize once again for it being so late

  49. Gravatar 49 Desiré said at 12:01 am on August 22nd, 2010:

    IX:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOMOYwgW79I

    On to those tantalizing details. :D

  50. Gravatar 50 Ms.Mantis said at 3:11 pm on August 31st, 2010:

    T~
    I know I am so late with these assignments, like over a month behind but I was having a lot of issues with the Venetian mask I was originally going to paint so I decided to use my smaller mask and a candle I keep in the bedroom. It’s actually a more pleasing look. Anyways, here are my assignments:
    1) My Subject
    http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/Johnnys_girl494/Lessons/005.jpg

    2) The Original Sketch
    http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/Johnnys_girl494/Lessons/003.jpg

    3) The Painted Background
    http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/Johnnys_girl494/Lessons/004.jpg

    4) All of my tools for painting
    http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/Johnnys_girl494/Lessons/007.jpg

    5) This is just a close up of the mask :)
    http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/Johnnys_girl494/Lessons/006.jpg

    My background is in the process of drying, but the entire thing will be painted today including the element that represents me. Again, I’m really sorry for slacking, but with college and revising a book I get pretty busy.

  51. Gravatar 51 Ms.Mantis said at 6:18 pm on August 31st, 2010:

    Here’s the painting for ‘Dark to Light”
    http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/Johnnys_girl494/Lessons/darktolight.jpg

  52. Gravatar 52 Test_subj said at 7:15 am on September 4th, 2010:

    Here is lesson 9. Time to move on to a different pressing project until the paint is dry enough to continue.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyoSU2JTsBU

  53. Gravatar 53 redhead312 said at 11:17 pm on September 5th, 2010:

    My name is Megan and im painting dark to light with the Tutor.
    http://redhead312.deviantart.com/art/Dark-to-light-178205069

  54. Gravatar 54 Jesse said at 12:27 am on September 7th, 2010:

    Here we goes–
    http://theif-of-zydrate.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2y6hsv

  55. Gravatar 55 christina said at 1:05 am on September 8th, 2010:

    Lesson 9. Maybe I will catch up.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCAhv-ttA6s

  56. Gravatar 56 Jessica said at 12:24 am on September 12th, 2010:

    I have painted the background yay :)

    http://talashowl.deviantart.com/art/Background-Painted-178925735#/d2yizzb

  57. Gravatar 57 Jessica said at 6:27 am on September 12th, 2010:

    This is the dark detail filled in:

    http://talashowl.deviantart.com/art/Dark-tones-and-midtones-178933722?q=sort%3Atime+gallery%3Atalashowl&qo=1

    And all the little tiny details:

    http://talashowl.deviantart.com/#/d2yjrgg

    Again I wish you could see the full detail… :(

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