Expressive Flower Painting Techniques w/ Acrylics & Collage

What To Do

• Using a sheet of standard printer paper (8.5 x 11), or anything similar, create two rectangles as demonstrated in the video.

• Use one rectangle for positive shape study and the other for negative shape study.

• You don't need to capture every single angle and nuance. But you do want to capture the overall characteristics of the subject.

• Have a look at the main shape and see if you want to enhance, or change, any areas to create a more interesting shape.

• Envision the background as one solid color and don't get caught up in the details.

• Only focus on main subject, and every thing else is negative space.

Your Goal

• Create a positive and negative shape study using an 8.5 x 11" sheet of paper similar to the demonstration image. (it doesn't have to be that exact paper or size)

• Obviously your study will look different if you decide to choose a different inspiration image

• You can use graphite, or charcoal for the drawing

This lesson covers the importance of creating quick composition studies. These studies will help you envision how you want your subject to appear in the picture plane. Once you have decided on how your subject will look it's time to go to the next step.

What To Do
Divide the paper in half so that you have two rectangles. One side will include your final composition drawing which is what you did in video one. The second rectangle is used for a loose value study.

Let's define value study.

What is a value study?- A proper value study is a great way to prepare for a new painting, and helps ensure that you will get the result you want when you paint your final painting. A value study is a sketch using only one color. Usually it will be much smaller than the final painting, and done far more quickly. It will help you identify your darkest darks, lightest lights and everything in-between.

Some Additional Tips- It's okay to not stick to the photograph. More often than not I change my art according to what I feel will look best for my painting. So, if you think changing the light source will help, then do it. If you want to crop your subject so that it intersects the edges of the picture plane, then do it. You are the artist so take some time and use your vision to see if any changes will enhance your work. If you feel the photo is fine that's okay, too.

Your Goal

You will use video two as an example for this project. Video one is only a tool for exploring composition. Once you know how your composition will work this will transfer to the second study which is demonstrated in video two. You goal is to 
(a.) create your final composition drawing and 
(b). To make a quick value study. Please use an 8.5 x 11" sheet of paper (it doesn't have to be that exact paper or size) and divide it in half. On the left side will be your composition drawing and the right will have the value study. Please include both studies on one sheet of paper and you can use graphite, or charcoal for the drawings.

What To Do

This lesson covers the importance of color and how to sample different combinations. It's common to make changes to what you see in photos in order to make a painting more compelling. Have a go at this to see how experimenting can help you create more impact by making subtle shifts in hues.

What To Do

 Exploring your subject will help you add personality to your subjects. The goal here is to avoid painting the entire object and only focus on bits and pieces. 

Sample different size brushes (large brushes work best), loose brushwork, negative space painting and whatever else comes to mind. Exploring is where ideas happen since this is less intimidating. To paint expressively is all about taking risks. This is time you take them!!!

Note: when you are finished with these studies be sure to keep them. Actually hang them up around your painting area so that you can view them. I find these expressive studies teach me a lot about painting and are a constant reminder to take risks.